Have you ever played baseball before? Maybe not but you’re just a really good fan? Perhaps you don’t know how to play but want some information to help you follow the game? No matter your reasons for being here, the following article has something for everyone to learn about baseball, so keep reading!
Safety comes first in all sports. This is true for baseball as well. Keep your eye on the ball at all times during the game. Errant baseballs can knock teeth lose. You can also hurt your legs by sliding into base.
For kids in baseball, make sure they their hands are placed properly for hitting. The top hand on the bat needs to be sitting near the same height as their rear shoulder, about 3 to 6 inches from that rear shoulder. Their rear elbow needs to be around 45-degrees. The front elbow needs to be lower and about even with the back elbow.
Always follow the signs given to you by your manager or base coach. Remember, baseball is a team sport. It’s not just about your statistics. Sometimes the coach may give you a sign you don’t like, but trust in the fact that it’s likely the best move given a lot of different factors.
As a baseball coach, you are responsible for quite a few things on game day. Be certain to bring everything you need to the game. Among the items you should have on hand are knee cushions, your substitution rotation sheet, a pencil and your score book, your cell phone and a well stocked first aid kit in case of emergency. Also have your team roster on hand listing the batting order and the positions your team members will play.
Keep your head up, your eyes level and focus on the ball when batting. You should be looking over your front arm. If you shift your eyes or move your head, your rear shoulder will shift in reaction. Remaining focused on the ball and keeping your head immobile will give you better timing and more consistency.
Outfielders need to focus on the batter. Someone who hits right-handed typically sends the ball out in left field. Conversely, lefties hit toward right field. Knowing these basic things helps you predict the ball’s direction.
Practice throwing the baseball every day. It may seem obvious, but some ignore throwing for the call of the batter’s cage. They think baseball is all about the big hit. It’s about much more, and a strong arm can mean a lot of runs saved over the course of a season.
To help you stay focused on the ball when running towards it, run on your tiptoes. If you run and allow your heel to hit the ground, you will jar your body. This jarring will make your eyes lose focus on the ball. To keep this from happening run on your tiptoes.
If you are playing an outfield position, you need to choose the correct pair of sunglasses. These glasses should not distort your peripheral vision. The best styles are those that are frameless. The sunglass lens should wrap all the way to your temples to help keep the maximum amount of sunlight from your eyes.
Practice bunting, even if you are a power hitter. Bunting is a bit of a lost art in baseball. The idea is to simply tap the ball into play, taking the infield, pitcher and catcher off-guard. This is a smart tactic to move a teammate over from first to second or to even score an infield hit. A power hitter bunting is so unexpected that it really can be effective.
It is important that you care for your baseball glove. A baseball glove should be broken in before you try to use it in a game. This means working the leather and applying conditioning oil to the glove. The conditioner helps the glove be more flexible which allows you to close the glove easier.
To dry your hand off while pitching on a humid night, use the rosin bag that is on the ground behind the pitcher’s mound. Squeeze it gently a few times to get the dust on your hands. It dries up any moisture, leaving your hand free to grip the ball confidently.
Always remember when out in the outfield to make sure you call the ball if you plan to make the catch. As well, you must also listen for other fielders to be sure that you’re not trying to take a catch they have called. Also, if you happen to be the center fielder, you’re call overrules another simultaneous call.
If you don’t like your catcher’s pitch call, signal to him by shaking your head or twirling your finger in a circular motion. The latter tells him to repeat the signs once more. If your catcher does not want to give you the sign for the pitch you want to send, one of you is going to be frustrated.
Even if you’re five runs down, keep battling. Strange things happen in baseball. What seems like a safe lead can be totally blown five minutes later. Every inning, no matter how late in the game, can change the dynamic. But it only happens if you work your hardest no matter the scenario.
When buying your child a baseball bat, it is important that you buy one that is not too heavy for child. If your child already has a bat, does he have a tendency to hit a lot of pop fly balls. If so, this could be caused by your child using a bat that is too heavy.
After reading the above article, you are now able to follow a game of baseball more closely. The tips in this article should give you motivation to be a better baseball fan, and really pay close attention the next time a game is on. Remember to keep learning about the game so your enjoyment only continues to grow.
