5 Tips For Coaching Youth Baseball

Here are 5 tips for coaching youth baseball from a recent coaches clinic that I attended.

Jesse Barfield, the former Blue Jay outfielder, provided some valuable tips about fielding and hitting. Among these hints, he says that outfielders should get rid of the crow hop, catch the ball while turned sideways and shuffle their feet to throw. On hitting, he argues against “squishing the bug” because it leaves something behind. A full turn of the back foot provides the most power. He is a real advocate of releasing the top hand during the follow through for the simple reason that two hands naturally pulls the head off the ball.

John Cerutti, the former Blue Jay, gave us a lot of insights into pitching. He suggested that pitchers should concentrate on developing a curve or a slider, not both. That way, they will have one good pitch. He explained that a fastball thrown with the fingers further apart proves for better control. Closer together, the ball will have more movement.

Joe Carbone, the head baseball coach at the University of Ohio, talked about baserunning. He says to focus on the front part of the base because it helps to keep the head still. Leaning forward at the bag helps to get you the call. All hits are doubles until the outfielder stops you. Times from home to first are critical. For a left-handed batter, with 4.1 seconds you are a prospect. At 4.2 you are not. For right-handers, a prospect is 4.2 and 4.35 is not.

Harvey Ratner, a vision training expert, has some unique theories about training the visual system. In fact, he maintains that it is foolish to attempt to train the body before you do the visual system. He had a number of gadgets to help with coordination and reflexes. He differed from Jessie in the use of the batting tee. He says that the traditional tee encourages batters to hit up, not down on the ball.

Bill Thurston, the former head baseball coach at Amherst College in Massachusetts, analyzed pitching mechanics and moves for us. He says that for a pitcher to use the slide step, he must have quick arm action. For the jump step, he must gain ground to first.