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 [...]

8 Hitting Mechanics Faults To Avoid

Here are 8 hitting mechanics faults that are common in youth baseball. When young hitters are taking their swings, coaches and parents should be on the lookout for the following:

Fear
Wrapping the bat (a long swing)
Hand hitch
Long stride
Sweeping the bat (dragging the bat)
Upper cutter
Head pulling
Dead bat (doesn’t get it started quick enough)

12 Tips For Becoming A Better Hitter

1. Selecting a bat that’s right for you: Not too heavy or too light and not too long or too short.
2. The Grip: Grip the bat with your fingers, not on the palms, and relax.
3. Where to stand in the batters box: Means to have complete plate coverage.
4. Batting Stance and Balance: Your batting stance [...]