If baseball is your thing, then it’s important that you always strive to be a better player. This not only takes you further with the game, enabling you to have more fun, but it also helps the team effort. So, get prepared to do your part and learn more about baseball.
Try to change things up to make sure that you keep the attention of all your players during practice. Practicing the same exact drills constantly can get really mundane. Therefore, mix things up during practices.
Put your weight onto your back foot to power up your batting. If you are a right handed batter, this puts your weight onto your right foot, tightening the muscles in that thigh. When swinging, you will get more power from your foot in the rear.
Whenever you hit the ball in fair territory, run at full steam. Even if it appears like an easy out, you’ve got to give it your all. It may be that the opposing team misplays the ball, or it may take a tricky bounce giving you just enough time to reach base.
You have to wear a batting helmet when you are up to bat. A helmet will protect your from head injuries. Good batting helmets will also have a shield to protect your face from poorly pitched balls or unpredictable foul ball hits.
Build a good relationship with your coach. When you play baseball, the most important authority figure in your life is your coach. Get to know him, and pay attention to the advice that he gives you. Ask questions and be willing to try things his way, and you’re going to be a better player for it.
Always warm up before a game. Baseball may not look as strenuous as other sports, but there’s still a lot of physical activity you’ll be taking part in. In fact, sprinting on the base paths without a proper warm up can lead to pulled muscles and situations that are much more serious.
Make sure you always run out every play. Your dedication and work ethics will make your team play harder. Being this type of leader can really change the course of your team’s history. Be that person that everyone else looks to as the difference maker.
When the ball is pitched, you must be in a position to run. This means that you should be standing with your knees slightly bent and your feet shoulder width apart. This stance will ensure that your are ready to take off as soon as the bat makes contact with the ball.
If you are an outfielder, keep your eye on the ball at all times. A batter who is right handed usually hits the ball toward the left field. Alternatively, a left handed batter will generally hit towards the right field. Knowing that will help you anticipate the ball.
Learning how to change directions is important for outfielders. If you are playing the left side of the outfield and need to run towards centerfield, cross your right foot across your left foot and power through the step. This technique will help you gain the maximum burst of speed from the beginning of your run.
Bright lights can make catching a ball hard. To avoid seeing spots, it is vital to know the best way to find the baseball without having to stare at the stadium lights or the sun. The best thing to do is use peripheral vision when looking for the ball.
To keep your fingers from getting hurt while bunting, make sure to keep them on your side of the bat. If you wrap them around the bat, the pitch can hit them. You end up with a painful bunt, with no control over where the ball goes, instead of a nifty sacrifice.
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.
Watch the top players play to become a better ball player. Professional baseball players mostly have gotten where they are today because of their skills, their teamwork, and their good attitude. You need all three to succeed in Major League Baseball. Take a page from these players. Study what makes them great, and learn whatever you can from them.
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.
If you are the pitcher and don’t like the signs your catcher is giving you when calling the game, make sure you get the pitch you want by shaking him off. If you don’t get the sign you want to see, or if you make the wrong signs, you’ll end up frustrated.
To give yourself maximum thrust when pitching from the stretch, do not put your back foot on the rubber. Instead, put it on the ground in front of the rubber, touching it with the back side of the foot. When you lift your front foot, push with the back foot toward home plate.
Becoming that star baseball player, or at least feeling like one, is within reach. All you have to do is continue to work on your talent and skills by continuing to learn new techniques. Take what you’ve learned out to the field and give it a try so that you can be a better player.
