Do you ask why baseball is so popular? If this is the case, don’t feel alone. Quite a few people would love to know more about the sport, but are unsure where to begin. Hopefully, this article will give you the insight you are seeking.

Put your weight onto your back foot to power up your batting. Right handed batters put the weight onto the right foot, and vice versa for lefties. This gives you power from the other foot.

When you pitch a ball, learn how to hold and throw it properly. Put your third finger on the ball’s seam. Then you should put your thumb where the other seam is. This grip allows you greater accuracy, speed and distance.

Remember that baseball is only a game. Yes, it may be important to you and your team, but you don’t want to let it get you down. Even if you make a mistake, if you keep positive there’s always a chance to correct that mistake. But if you let it bother you, chance are you’ll make another mistake.

Catcher’s equipment helps to keep the catcher safe. A catcher’s uniform will include shin guards, a hat with a facemask and a chest protector. In addition to these items, most catchers wear a cup to protect the groin. Finally, a catcher’s mitt is used to help stop the ball quickly.

When batting, don’t be afraid to take a few pitches, especially against a pitcher you are less familiar with. Those pitches will give you an idea of the pitchers speed and the ball’s action to the plate. Plus, the additional pitches will help wear out the pitcher over the course of the game. A tired pitcher makes more mistakes.

Do you know how to steal a base? If a bad pitch is thrown, it is time to take off towards the next base. However, make sure that you have enough time to get to the base before taking off. Otherwise, you may get an unnecessary out for your team.

Learn how to properly grip a bat. If you are right-handed, your left hand must be on the bottom with the right one on the top. The bats should be about 6 inches from your chest. Hold the bat up instead of on your shoulders. Spread your legs about a shoulder-width apart. Don’t stand straight up. Stand with knees slightly bent to avoid feeling stiff.

Don’t let a losing streak get to you. Losing streaks happen in every sport, but in baseball luck can play a very big factor on any given day. Losing streaks can be prolonged over many games. Never let it get you down. Approach each game with an air of self confidence and soon you’ll beat that slump.

Know how to stride properly in baseball. If you bat right handed, you can lift your left leg up when expecting the pitch. If you generally use your left hand, your right leg will be the one to focus on. When you see the pitch coming near, start pushing forward a foot so you can have some momentum build. Stride shorter if you’re not very big.

Pay attention to the signs the base coaches give you. Do not forget that the base coaches can see the entire field. When running the baskes, focus on the coaches, not on the ball. Let them guide your running. If they tell you to stop, just stay at the base you’re on. If they tell you to run, run!

If you are in the outfield, learn to read the ball. With practice, you can know approximately where the ball will land each time the ball is hit. Carefully, watch the pitcher so you know the speed of the ball when it crosses the plate. By simply knowing the speed you can judge how far the ball will be hit.

Don’t reach across your body to catch grounders. Rather, move your feet so that you position your body in the path of the ball. Otherwise, when you try to catch the ball, the ball may hit the side of your glove.

Stay relaxed when trying to catch a ball. A stiff hand always leads to a missed catch. To keep your hand relaxed wear the glove until it feels like it is a part of your hand. If the glove doesn’t fit right, you will miss a lot of catches.

Baseball bats come in a variety of lengths, weights and sizes. Consider your height and strength when choosing a bat. A longer bat gives you more reach, while a heavier bat adds power. The size of your hands can help you determine the right diameter for your bat. Swing a few different baseball bats before deciding which one feels the most comfortable for you.

Build repetition into any practice drills that you are doing. To get good at anything, you need to repeat it. In baseball that means repeating at bats over and over. It means shagging fly balls again and again. It means running a double play drill until you dream of it. Only then will you begin to master the skills.

To keep a left-handed pitcher from picking you off at first base, keep an eye on his right foot. As soon as it passes back across the rubber, he has to pitch it. If he throws it to first, it’s a balk. If he brings the foot straight up, he is likely to throw it to first.

As you can now see, there are some things you didn’t know about baseball. You now have some idea of how it works. Soon, you will become a part of a fan base that is spread throughout the world.