While I was coaching Little League there was limited field time (sound familiar?). Therefore the emphasis was on scheduling more games and fewer practices.

In my opinion, if our goal was to develop better players we needed to have at least a couple of practices each week. A few other coaches shared this opinion.

Since the league, although they talked about “player development,” was more interested in family entertainment, we’d have 3 games each week – and 0 to 1 practices.

Those kids could have gotten so much better with more practice.

(Note: another coach and I would routinely find field space around town for extra practices, so our teams got the extra instruction they needed)

Thoughts?

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#baseball #baseballdad #baseballmom #baseballcoach #littleleague #youthbaseball

Parents: Is your player succeeding because of sheer athletic talent rather than great baseball mechanics?

For example, a few years ago I had a player who was a gifted athlete (and he knew it, as did his father).

His swing mechanics were a mess, his batting average was mediocre, but by sheer athleticism he hit a few home runs.

I continually tried to get his mechanics corrected, but he (and his father) weren’t having it.

Needless to say, the kids who were dedicated to working on mechanics passed him by and he never even made the high school team.

Thoughts?

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#baseball #baseballdad #baseballmom #baseballcoach #littleleague #youthbaseball

Parents: Is your player succeeding because of sheer athletic talent rather than great baseball mechanics?

When my son was 9 he was an extremely productive hitter – if “productive” means dominating other 9 thru 12 year olds (he had bigger goals).

He’s was/is a good athlete and this allowed him to get the bat on the ball, even thought he was “casting” with his swing, but the reality is this: great mechanics beat great athleticism every time.

We completely tore down his swing and rebuilt it properly. We could have been lazy, and satisfied with his success, but his goals were playing in high school and college, so this was absolutely necessary.

Thoughts?

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#baseball #baseballdad #baseballmom #baseballcoach #littleleague #youthbaseball

Partners: Is your player succeeding because of sheer athletic talent rather than great baseball mechanics?

Many times I’ve seen parents and coaches let players continue with poor mechanics because athletic ability alone allows them to be fairly successful. The problem is, the vast majority of these young players never become good enough to make a high school team, or if they do they are marginal at best.

If this is your situation, PLEASE get them proper instruction with a legit coach such as a former professional player or scout.

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#baseball #baseballdad #baseballmom #baseballcoach #littleleague #youthbaseball

There once was a day when my throwing a bullpen and he wasn’t completing his follow through, which meant he was leaving each pitch too high.

This was a common problem for him (as it is for many…)

On a whim, I dropped my car keys on the glove side of his landing spot and told him to pick up the keys on his follow through.

Not only did it work, I created a great visual – and we used that phrase through high school and into college when he was/is being too short.

Thoughts?

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#baseball #baseballmom #baseballdad #pitching #littleleague #travelbaseball #youthbaseball #aaubaseball #highschoolbaseball

I believe that one of the hardest things for a young pitcher to work on is the length of their stride.

Far too often, pitchers’ strides are too short – we always work with them on getting an extension

close to 100% of their body length. To do this we would have them lay down with their head on

the rubber and their feet toward the plate, and draw a line in their dirt at the bottom of their feet.

We would then have them work on striding that far – this can be tough, and sometimes

unattainable, but it is very much worth the effort in ensuring their long-term success!

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#baseball #baseballcoach #baseballmom #baseballdad #aaubaseball #littleleague #travelbaseball

 

One of the ‘graduates’ of the 5 Drills outlined in my book on teaching young pitchers.

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#baseballmom #baseballdad #littleleague #youthbaseball #youthbaseballtraining #aaubaseball

Don’t have a big yard? Find a spot.

Don’t want to pay for cage time? Find a spot.

Don’t let lack of access be an excuse.

Find a spot!

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#nevergiveup #dontquit #findaway #baseball #baseballmom #baseballdad

Are you relying on a Little League coach, or do seek out current or former pros? Or pro scouts?

My suggestion is you find someone who competed and performed at a high level.

Personally, my son worked out with (and was coached by) a Major League scout and, threw former Triple A pitchers.

I am confident that had he not had this level of insight provided to him he would not be pitching in college today.

Your thoughts?