BatAction Machine Baseball Training and Coaching Blog

Young Youth Baseball Player Practicing on the BatAction Baseball Batting Trainer

2011-11-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

Young Youth Baseball Player Practicing on the BatAction Baseball Batting Trainer
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos

Video shows a 7 Year Old Working Out on the BatAction Baseball Trainer. This youth baseball trainer has height and speed adjustments that make it suitable for all ages and ability. The Bat Action Machine is the perfect backyard batting trainer because it can be used alone, is fun to hit, and makes the batter learn to concentrate on the baseball. Visit the BatAction Baseball Training Blog at http://batactionbaseballtraining.blogspot.com/ Product Availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com/probamaforad.html for Just $119.95 while supplies last. http://www.Bataction.com

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Bataction Baseball and Softball Hitting Machine Review and Demo - by Professor Q's Sports Solutions

2011-10-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Bataction Baseball and Softball Hitting Machine Review and Demo - by Professor Q's Sports Solutions
Uploaded by pqsportsproducts

Lowest Price - http://professorqss.com/shop/training-aids/baseball/bataction-baseball-softba...

The Bataction baseball & softball hitting machine is the best hitting mechanics trainer you can buy.

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Baseball2u.com and CoachesBest.com is your online super store for baseball batting cages, pitching machines and protective screens and nets. This fully licensed company has a full time staff to help you from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. You may order securely online or by phone, toll free, at 1-877-431-4487.
Check out these categories that are featured at Baseball2u.com.
Jugs Complete Packages
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…and if you are looking for Youth Training Equipment, Advanced Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, and Pitching & Throwing Trainers, or Portable Mounds, they have those too!
Plus, they have one the internet's largest selections of Baseball Training and Coaching DVDs and Books. Make sure to chweck our their CLEARANCE DEPARTMENT for rock bottom prices on top quality equipment.

Baseball Drills - The Hitting Tee and a Cup of Coffee

2011-09-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Baseball Drills - The Hitting Tee and a Cup of Coffee
By guest author: Nate Barnett

I remember giving my players a choice of what baseball drills to begin with during batting practice a few years back. The options were: front toss, short toss in the batting cage, live batting practice, and tee work. Guess which one of the baseball drills was chosen last. That's right. The exciting tee drill (yes, that was sarcasm).

I would like to offer up the comparison of coffee to the basic hitting tee for your learning enjoyment. You'll find both are an acquired taste to be sure. But, the rewards are so enjoyable! Of course, you'll permit me to explain my analogy.

Similarities between the hitting tee and coffee:

* Both coffee and the hitting tee take some time to get used to.

* Once you have "acquired the taste", you'll find it hard to quit.

* There are so many "specialty" brands on the market today, but the basic version is just fine.

* Imagine the world without either, how would we be able to function? (Again, a bit dramatic, but you get the point)

So now that you fully understand that the hitting tee should be an integral part of your baseball drills, here is how to spice it up a bit in practice.

1. Make sure it's in the right position. If you place the hitting in the middle of the plate, make sure that the ball on the tee is across from the inside of the front thigh as a hitter sets up. Having the tee back in the zone will force the hitter to keep his weight back while he swings. Placing the tee too far out in front (unless you're working on the inside pitch of course) will allow the hitter to get away with a sloppy swing by having his hips slide toward the pitcher during the swing.

2. Set up some games to play. While working on hitting the inside and outside pitches off of a tee, put a couple screens out on the right and left side gaps and have the hitter try to hit the screens. The more correct swings are done on the tee (measured by hitting the screens), the more swings they earn in the live batting practice station.

Have fun, now go make yourself a cup of coffee.

Nate Barnett helps improve the mental game of baseball in athletes. Improve your pitching today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

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Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Great Baseball Hitting Drills - Using Release Zones, Picking Up Pitcher Release

2011-09-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Great Baseball Hitting Drills - Using Release Zones, Picking Up Pitcher Release
By guest author: Joe Brockoff

Coaches frequently ask how do we improve a player's ability to pick up the ball immediately at release point. To better understand how to do this, we first need to understand release zones. There are three pitching release zones:

1.Three-quarter release (most common): right hander-10 o'clock, lefthander-2 o'clock.
2.Overhand release: right hander-11 o'clock, left hander-1 o'clock.
3.Side arm release: right-hander-9 o'clock, left hander-3 o'clock.

After release, the ball enters trajectory, which is diagonally down. It is at this time that the hitter is completing his stride and deciding the projected location of the pitch in contact. When he is striding, he is deciding. Therefore, we need to separate the time of release from the time of trajectory, in order to give this the batter's full concentration.

Try these proven drills (we call "skull sessions") to improve a hitter's ability to pick up the ball at release point:

Needed: pitcher, batter, and netting.

1.Pitcher stands three feet in front of a net (could be the net of a batting cage).
2.Batter is on the other side of the net facing the pitcher, as if in his stance at home plate.
3.He will not take a swing.
4.Several batters can observe at the same time.

Drill:

1.Pitcher winds up and pitches the ball.
2.Ball will hit the net immediately.
3.Batter, protected by the net, concentrating solely on release, draws an imaginary circle around the release zone, and expects the ball to come out of that zone each time (zone is different for each type of pitcher).

Pitcher throws the following:

1.10 fast balls. - Batter observes release zone. - Ball will dive down after release.
2.10 breaking balls. - Batter observes release zone. - Balls will have a little hump after release.
3.10 mix of both fastballs and breaking balls. - Batter identifies each from release.

After the pitcher throws from three feet, he can vary the distance up to six feet.

Hitters will be amazed at how much better they will see release with just one session. Do this drill frequently to continue to emphasize this process, and with a variety of different pitchers.

Coach Joe Brockoff, a Division I Head Baseball Coach for Tulane University for more than 19 years, and former minor league player for the New York Yankees, has sent 45 baseball players to the pros and coached thousands of college level and youth players using his proven Super 8 Baseball Hitting System. Coach Brockoff's unique drills, tips, and techniques have increased many players' batting average by more than 200 points.

As a coach committed to continuous improvement, Coach shares his proven baseball drills, tips, and techniques here so that you will, in turn, inspire and motivate young players to improve their game. To learn more about Coach's techniques, and to watch his free instructional videos, visit the Super 8 Baseball Hitting System at http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com or check out some of his videos at http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Learn-Rotational-Hitting-323080216

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Brockoff

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Baseball Drills to Increase Bat Speed and Hitting Power

2011-09-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Baseball Drills to Increase Bat Speed and Hitting Power
By guest author: Dustin Peek

Baseball drills that create head-turning power at the plate are something that every baseball player can benefit from. Sure, good hitters are known for making consistent contact with the baseball, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the harder the ball is hit, the more likely it is to find a hole or a gap. This power at the plate is the difference in being a good hitter and a great hitter, and great hitters get noticed. Just one single extra base hit for every ten at-bats can mean the difference in a 0.200 batting average and a 0.300 batting average, and that little extra "pop" on the ball is the easiest way to get those extra hits. Power is everything, and it is well known that hitting power is created with bat speed. Luckily, there are some great hitting drills and techniques that can be used to harness this power in any player. There are two specific baseball drills that are very good at increasing bat speed and hitting power.

Before discussing these specific hitting drills, it is first important to understand how a hitter creates power. A hitter creates power through bat speed, and a hitter's bat speed is created through the efficient transfer of energy from the batter's body to the bat. Many people believe that this energy is created with the batter's arms, but in fact, this energy is created through efficiently transferring a hitter's body weight from his back foot to his front foot during the swing. The important term to remember is "efficient." Every batter that swings a baseball bat shifts his weight when swinging, but power hitters have strong cores and excellent balance. This keeps their bodies compact so that almost all of the energy created though the weight-shift is transferred directly to the bat. So the two keys to increasing bat speed and hitting power are balance and having a compact swing.

Hitting Power and Bat Speed Drill #1

This first hitting drill addresses one of the biggest problems that many hitters have when trying to hit for power. They simply do not have a compact swing. What do I mean? Weak hitters do not keep their elbows close to their bodies, and they over-stride when stepping toward the ball. This "flailing" of limbs results in a very weak swing because so much energy is being lost in the additional motion instead of being transferred directly to the bat. To transfer the maximum amount of energy to the bat, a hitter must keep his elbows close to his body and he must take a short, balanced stride. This allows the energy from the weight-shift to be efficiently transferred from the legs, up through the core, and finally to the arms. This creates the greatest amount of bat speed and hitting power.

An excellent drill for keeping a compact swing is to place small objects under the hitter's arms and between his knees while practicing hitting from a tee or during soft-toss. The objects under the arms can be anything small and soft that the hitter can hold against his body with his elbows while not interrupting his swing. Rags or towels rolled up into tubes and taped work great for this drill. The object between the knees should be a light and soft spherical-shaped object. For older players, a volleyball works great. For younger players, you might need to find some other small ball-shaped object. The idea is for the player to hold these objects under his arms and between his knees during soft-toss or while hitting from a tee to practice keeping his limbs close to his body. This drill forces the batter to have a compact swing and an efficient transfer of energy from his body to the bat.

Hitting Power and Bat Speed Drill #2

The second baseball drill to improve hitting power at the plate addresses a hitter's balance. Similar to having a compact swing, balance is critical because having bad balance also causes a batter to have poor energy transfer to the bat during the swing. We've all seen the young batter that tries to swing too hard and actually loses his balance while stepping back away from the plate. While this is a very common problem for young hitters as they try to hit the ball farther, this poor-balance approach actually prevents the batter from hitting the baseball as far as he could.

A great drill for practicing good balance is to have the hitter stand on a flat 2 x 12 inch board while hitting from a tee or while taking soft toss. This board should be about six feet in length and can be purchased at any lumber yard or most home improvement stores. The idea is for the hitter to stride directly forward toward the ball without falling off the board. Over time, this baseball drill teaches the hitter to have good balance, and it prevents stepping backward. This improved balance will absolutely improve a hitter's bad speed and hitting power.

To summarize, to improve a hitter's bat speed and hitting power, one must focus on having a compact swing and good balance. The above two baseball drills focus on these two factors, and over time, they will ultimately help a hitter improve his power. However, this only scratches the surface of improving bat speed and creating power at the plate. If you are interested in further improvements, I encourage you to keep learning about this incredibly important baseball skill!

Do You Want To Learn Even More About Baseball Drills To Increase Bat Speed And Hitting Power? Whether You Are A Player, A Coach, Or A Parent, You Can Learn Exactly How To Start Crushing The Baseball Today Without Any Expensive Equipment Or Hitting Camps. Click On The Following Link To Discover The Most Effective Program Ever Created To Increase Your Hitting Power!
http://www.BatSpeedandHittingPower.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dustin_Peek

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Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

The Physical Demands of Baseball

2011-09-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Physical Demands of Baseball
By guest author: Dana Cavalea

As we spend time analyzing sports, every sport has its own set of physical, mental, and skill demands. For years and years now, football has been the gold standard when comparisons start taking place in regards to overall athleticism need to play, as well as the overall physical demand. For this very reason there are so many young athletes, as well as older athletes that are integrating football lifting techniques, as well as conditioning techniques into sports such as baseball.

In the past when I would hear and see this taking place, the excessive grunting, yelling, and weight handling I would cringe. But, after taking a deeper look at what is actually going on, it turns out that there is a lot of hard work and internal drive and personal limit pushing taking place. Putting exercise selection and form aside, this type of increased intensity training is achieving a quality that is often times overlooked, fitness.

Because baseball is a sport that has very low metabolic and physical demands, athletes learn to adapt to their sport. Some athletes even play baseball because it has such low physical demand. Over time, this will lead to athletes that become very proficient and sport-specific skills, such as hitting and throwing, but often health and fitness levels are severely lacking. When these fitness levels start to lack, injuries often result due to the high velocities and torques that are needed to execute the sport-specific skills. Throwing a baseball is one of the most explosive, total body actions in all of sports, yet many pitchers are overweight and inherently lazy.

If as coaches and athletes we really stop and analyze this situation, can you say that you and your team are honestly doing enough in regards to stay lean? Over the years I have heard about Coaches running their athletes with excessive distance running, and again I would get sick to my stomach. Although distance running isn't a specific protocol to baseball, it will without a doubt work to increase caloric burn, which will lead to the shedding of excessive body mass. I still wouldn't recommend excessive running everyday, but I would require some type of conditioning everyday. I would also recommend that these circuits are primarily cardiovascular based rather than being strictly weight lifting oriented. These circuits could include medicine balls, body weight training, form running, jump rope, plyometrics, band work, core work, etc.

The great advantage to a circuit is that they work great for teams. Circuit training allows you to create multiple stations, each station containing a different exercise, and accommodates multiple athletes, as well as providing a good amount of variety. Circuits can be done for reps, or for time. After that athlete achieves the specified reps, or the allotted time, he would then move to the next station. When choosing stations, just like when designing and overall program, you must have a goal. If your goal is strength, then your circuit would be primarily weight training oriented. If your goal is cardiovascular fitness/ endurance and strength, you would select a variety of exercises that contain either cardio fitness, strength, or both.

I have become a huge advocate of circuits in-season because they are time efficient, will work to maintain and hopefully increase work-capacity of the body, and are fun.

Although the physical demands of baseball are extremely low, athletes that spend time increasing their work capacity are at a tremendous advantage in regards to recovery time, as well as a decreased time on the disabled list. Increasing work capacity will allow pitchers to pitch deeper into games, while keeping position players strong throughout the rigors of playing everyday. The gold standard of workouts in the Major Leagues has been Roger Clemens and his legendary SEAL Program. This program is basically one giant circuit. This program is not extremely focused on weigh training in the circuit, but on increasing conditioning levels. This program is a combo of distance and sprint work, as well as lateral work with baseballs.

Take a lesson from the Rocket, don't be a typical lazy baseball player that just gets by because of the low demand of the sport, but learn to out-work the demands of the sport and you will be rewarded by health, efficiency, and most importantly increased performance.

Dana Cavalea is a Sports Performance Consultant specializing in baseball performance training. In addition he works with many professional sports teams, athletes, and colleges' educating on the importance of training, nutrition, and lifestyle for sport.In addition he is the owner of Major League Strength, http://www.mlstrength.com, a sports performance consulting company designed to educate and create awareness on advancements in the field of sports performance training for coaches and athletes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dana_Cavalea

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Nedco Sports Baseball Softball Training Equipment - Baseball Batting Machines

2011-09-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Nedco Sports Baseball Softball Training Equipment - Baseball Batting Machines
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos

Video show the president of Nedco Sports and the inventor of the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine and the BatAction Batting Machine talking about these two pupolar baseball softball training aids. Visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com for more info on the Derek Jeter Batting Trainer and visit http://www.BatAction.com for more information on the BatAction Hitting Machine Both are availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com

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Thanks to our sponsors:

SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

The Ultimate Backyard Batting Trainer for Ages 12 and Under

2011-09-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Backyard Batting Trainer for Ages 12 and Under
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos Video shows the BatAction Youth Hitting Machine by Nedco Sports. Sells for under $100. Carries Money-back guarantee and 3-month warranty. Avaliable at http://www.BatAction.com and http://store.baseball2u.com/yobamabuynow.html

======================
Thanks to our sponsors:

Baseball2u.com and CoachesBest.com is your online super store for baseball batting cages, pitching machines and protective screens and nets. This fully licensed company has a full time staff to help you from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. You may order securely online or by phone, toll free, at 1-877-431-4487.
Check out these categories that are featured at Baseball2u.com.
Jugs Complete Packages
Batting Cages
60' Portable Batting Cage
55' Portable Batting Cage
70' Portable Batting Cage
Extender Batting Cage 30'
Jugs Pitching Machines
Iron Mike Pitching Machines
BATA Pitching Machines
Heater Pitching Machines
Granada Pitching Machines
Phantom Pitching Machines
…and if you are looking for Youth Training Equipment, Advanced Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, and Pitching & Throwing Trainers, or Portable Mounds, they have those too!
Plus, they have one the internet's largest selections of Baseball Training and Coaching DVDs and Books. Make sure to chweck our their CLEARANCE DEPARTMENT for rock bottom prices on top quality equipment.

Rotational Hitting Mechanics - The Best Hitting Mechanics You Can Teach Your Players

2011-08-30T04:20:00.000-07:00

Bataction.com

Rotational Hitting Mechanics - The Best Hitting Mechanics You Can Teach Your Players
By George Montoya

What are the best batting mechanics you can teach your players?

As a baseball coach, that's a question that I get all the time. If you look around you'll notice well meaning coaches doing the same stale drills, but never really improving their player's mechanics. In fact, these baseball coaches, most of the time, are enforcing poor hitting mechanics.

So what can you do?

The fact is that 95% of all Hall of Fame hitters are using rotational hitting mechanics. That's right; the Major League swing is rotational hitting.

I learned how to teach rotational hitting, and so can you.

Here are some key things to keep in mind about rotational hitting.

•It all starts with the grip - The knocking knuckles of the hand have to be lined up; this makes for a more accurate swing. Why do you think an axe handle is oval? It automatically lines up your knuckles for a reason - accuracy!
•The stance - You don't want to be too wide or to narrow. A good start is feet shoulder width apart, or about the length of their bat wide.
•Load - As the pitcher begins their motion, the batter turns their lead shoulder and front knee toward the plate slightly, always keeping both eyes on the pitchers release point.
•Stride and weight transfer - The batter shifts their weight from the back foot to the front foot on a tilted axis, NOT a straight up and down axis. You might even note that their back foot becomes light, sometimes even coming completely off of the ground a couple of inches.
•The Hips - Once the batter is going to take their swing, their front heel drops locking out the front leg, and the hips begin to rotate. The rotation of the hips is what pulls the hands around. This is when the batter turns around a fixed axis, their front leg.

Important! The key rotational hitting points above are what most Major League baseball players do during their swing. You CAN learn to teach the mechanics of the Major League swing.

Don't ignore these steps. Quit doing the same stale drills ever other coach out there is teaching. Do your players justice... YOU CAN!

Learn the rotational hitting drills that will show you how to improve your player's mechanics, and make you look like baseball genius.

At www.baseballslugger411.com you can get all the information you need to succeed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Montoya

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5132746

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Buy New BatAction Hitting Machine Replacement Parts Here

2011-08-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,
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BatAction Hitting Machine Replacement Parts

2011-08-19T04:36:00.000-07:00

BatAction Hitting Machine replacement parts can be purchased
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Free Youth Baseball Drills and Tips for Youth Baseball Coaches and Parents

2011-08-17T04:29:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join the Baseball Coaching Digest community and begin receiving the Baseball Coaching Digest free every month. This emailed newsletter contains free baseball drills, free baseball coaching tips, articles on how to teach hitting, articles on how to teach pitching mechanics, and baseball practice planning tips and templates.

BaseballCoachingDigest.org

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Baseball And Bottle Caps

2011-08-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

Its not just for coaches. We have thousands of parents that read the BASEBALL COACHING DIGEST every month to use the free drills and tips to help their future prospect or team improve. Its free to youth baseball parents and coaches. Click BaseballCoachingDigest.org now to join.

Baseball And Bottle Caps
By Jim Bain

In our never ending quest to find new methods of teaching baseball, especially the hitting aspect, perhaps we should stop and look behind us instead of always looking forward.

Once upon a time a high .380% or .400% batting average was not all that uncommon, and of course there's been plenty of change to the game since then, but still... does change explain everything. I think not.

An old time baseball player, named Tony Pena, once performed the catching duties for the Pittsburg Pirates and although he won great notoriety for his unorthodox catching style, he'd literally catch and throw while sitting straddled in the dirt, he was especially known for his swing at nearly every pitch style of hitting.

For the pitchers in that era, walking Tony Pena was nearly as hard as throwing a no hitter, and in spite of his apparent wild swings at nearly anything resembling a baseball, he hit for a high average. How could a player, who seemed to totally abandon any self control and proper hitting mechanics while hitting, hit for a high average against major league pitchers?

Tony Pena grew up in a very poor Latin American community where baseball was the all time favorite sport of the neighborhood youngsters, but no family was able to afford bats, balls and gloves which we consider so critical to the game.

However, everyone drank soda, and since the aluminum can hadn't been introduced to soda, it came packaged in a glass bottle with a metal bottle cap. Metal bottle caps, carefully removed in order to not bend them, could be made to sail and a broken broom stick could be used as a bat to hit them with. This is where Tony Pena learned to hit.

Now, after some practice a bottle cap can be made to sail, dip, tail away and rise at will, and since this was the only activity available in the town, there was constant practice. In order to hit such a difficult target with a broom handle, took exceptional vision and timing, again the result of constant practice.

This is how and why Tony Pena apparently swung wildly, which we know now was actually an extremely controlled swing, yet hit for a high average. He'd spent his whole life swinging and hitting darting, jumping objects with a small stick.

Hitting coaches of today would require Tums, for their heartburn and Advil, for their headaches, attempting to coach a player like Tony Pena. It just wouldn't happen anymore and I'm not per se recommending the strategy of free swinging be revived.

However, I do think a good old fashion game of Whiffle ball, where the ball darts, soars and jumps, would be an excellent occasional substitute for the batting cages. Instead of attempting to perfect timing through mechanics, which is what perfecting hitting a ball traveling in essentially the same path dozens of time in a row consist of, we play contact ball.

Let's expose our eyes and reflexes to the split second darting and dipping of a moving object and learn to hit it. I can't see that hurting anything. Can you?

Jim Bain, former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth, shares his advice on hitting baseball drills on his exciting info packed website: http://www.learn-youth-baseball-coaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6369365

Its not just for coaches. We have thousands of parents that read the BASEBALL COACHING DIGEST every month to use the free drills and tips to help their future prospect or team improve. Click BaseballCoachingDigest.org now to join.

Little League Baseball Drills - Batting Practice

2011-08-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

Little League Baseball Drills - Batting Practice
By guest author: Chris Campbell

I have heard it said by many an accomplished athlete, that one of the hardest things you can do in professional sports, is to hit a major league fastball. Or any major league pitch for that matter. Just ask Micheal Jordan. He may be a living legend in the world of professional basketball, but he only managed a 202 batting average for the Birmingham Barons (a farm team for the Chicago White Sox). The moral being, it's best to get your little leaguer started early, if they plan on challenging some of the MLB hitting records.

With that in mind, lets consider a few hitting drills that the kids can use to get their bats swinging true, and making contact as soon as possible. One of the best drills you can do with your kids, is simply to grab a bucket of balls, and pitch a few to them every day you can find the time to do so. It's practically impossible, for most kids to get enough batting practice with the team. There's a limited number of pitchers, catchers, and backstops for most little league coaches to work with. It's almost impossible for them to get more then a few minutes hitting each practice. A one on one practice with mom or dad every day or so will really help out.

Now just swinging for the sake of swinging will make you a better hitter, but there are a few simple points you should keep in mind, to maximize the time put in. Don't harp on these items too much, as they can be a bit technical and boring for kids. Try to make it fun for them at the same time.

Choosing The Right Bat

Picking a bat that's appropriate for your child's height and strength can make all the difference. It should feel comfortable for them to hold and swing the bat. If the bat is slowing down their swing too much, it's probably a little too heavy. There is a simple way to test a bat, even before you buy one. Simply have your son or daughter hold the bat by the handle, and hold it straight out to the side, so the bat is parallel to the ground. They should be able to hold the bat steady for at least fifteen seconds. If they can't, or their arms starts to shake, you should try a smaller bat.

Batter Positioning

It's important to know where the batters box is, where home plate is, and where the strike zone is. That way, even little league players, can put themselves in good position to reach any ball that is passing through the strike zone. Even if your in your back yard practicing, you can mock up a plate, and batters box. Just use a can of spray paint on the grass to mark out home plate and a made up batters box. Don't worry, it'll disappear the next time you cut the grass.

Little League Baseball Drills is a great resource for helping your little leaguer get the most out of his or hers favorite pastime. With a little good training, amateur or even professional ball players will see a dramatic improvement in the way they play.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell

========================
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Free Baseball Coaching Tips - Free Baseball Coching Newsletter

2011-08-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

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Young Youth Baseball Player Practicing on the BatAction Baseball Batting Trainer

2011-07-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

Young Youth Baseball Player Practicing on the BatAction Baseball Batting Trainer
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos

Video shows a 7 Year Old Working Out on the BatAction Baseball Trainer. This youth baseball trainer has height and speed adjustments that make it suitable for all ages and ability. The Bat Action Machine is the perfect backyard batting trainer because it can be used alone, is fun to hit, and makes the batter learn to concentrate on the baseball. Visit the BatAction Baseball Training Blog at http://batactionbaseballtraining.blogspot.com/ Product Availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com/probamaforad.html for Just $119.95 while supplies last. http://www.Bataction.com

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3 Coaching Tips for Owners and Users of the BatAction Baseball Trainer

2011-07-15T08:39:00.001-07:00

BatAction Baseball Batting Machine Coaching & Training Tips:

Tip #1 - The BatAction Hitting Machine operates best with two powerbands. Most advanced hitters in high school use the 2-band setting. With two bands the machine returns at a pace and rythmn that seems to allow the batter to be comfortable and to reset between swing. The BatAction Machine's ball speed is determined by the bat speed and power of the batter. The harder you hit the ball, the faster it will be traveling when it returns to the batter.

Tip #2 - The BatAction Baseball Trainer must be set up on level ground. If the ground is not level, there will be undue stress placed on one of the legs. So always make sure that all four legs are on the ground and level before inserting your groundpins. Indoor use is not a problem because the surgace is level. You should anchor your machine with snadbags when using it on concrete, floors, or other surfaces that do not allow the use of groundpins.

Tip #3 - If your batting machine returns slow or is not returning smoothly, follow the instructions for safely applying grease to the axle. You should raise the axle half way out of the unit, put a dab of grease on the axle and slide it back into the machine. Make sure you disconnect all powerbands before you raise the axle. Follow the safety instructions when you do any maintenance work on your machine.

BatAction Hitting Machine Assembly Video - Bat Action Hitting Machine

2011-07-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

BatAction Hitting Machine Assembly Video - Bat Action Hitting Machine
Uploaded by Coach2winVideos

Video shows the assembly of the BatAction Hitting Machine by Nedco Sports. The BatAction Machine is a popular and well known baseball training machine that has height and speed adjustments for all ages. The BatAction is an excellent backyard and team batting practice machine. Visit the Official BatAction Training Blog at http://batactionbaseballtraining.blogspot.com/ for free drills, tips, and baseball coaching articles. http://www.BatAction.com

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The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Baseball Hitting Mechanics 101

2011-07-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Baseball Hitting Mechanics 101
By Jeffery A Wise

The first thing any baseball player should learn is the proper baseball hitting mechanics. The earlier a player learns these mechanics, the better they will do when they step up to bat. It's not necessary for new players to learn complicated advanced hitting techniques. That will come in time, so they should just focus on the basics until they feel completely comfortable to move on. There are several simple steps you should know for the basic hitting mechanics.

•How to stand in the batter's box
•Where to look and the best way to position your head
•How to position the rest of your body
•How to hold the bat
•How to swing the bat
•When to swing the bat
•What to do after you hit the ball

Anyone who loves playing baseball has a desire to be the best they can be, even at an early age. When I was young I asked my parents to buy me several baseball hitting books so I could learn how to be the best. I couldn't wait to crack them open and learn everything possible to improve my hitting.

If you are a parent of a young player, be willing to help your child advance and learn as much as the desire. Take it one step at a time, though, and don't rush them into anything. Some kids will ask a lot of questions, though, so be ready to move fast if necessary. Be prepared to answer any questions they have and help them both on and off the field.

It would be a good idea if you as the parent start studying before they even begin playing. Play to cover one hitting tip with them each week. Be sure they are comfortable before moving on to the next tip.

There are several tools you'll need to start helping a child learn the basic hitting mechanics. You'll need a bat, ball, helmet, tee and a field to practice on. You may want to also keep a notebook handy so you can document the progress of kids you're assisting, whether it's your child or a team of ballplayers.

If you stick to the basics of hitting, children will learn the proper steps necessary to hit a baseball. They must get plenty of practice and their skills are sure to develop. They will be excited as they seem self improvement. Even if a child seems to pick up the basics pretty quickly, they should never stop practicing these hitting mechanics. Even professional baseball players practice them on a regular basis.

Remember that the reason to practice baseball hitting mechanics is to give you skills and talent to become the baseball player you want to be. Download free hitting videos with tips and instructions you need to get started quickly by visiting Baseball Hitting and learn how to hit the baseball better.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

Happy Independence Day - 2011

2011-07-04T08:58:00.001-07:00

Happy Independence Day - 2011
Happy Birthday America!

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Coaching Youth Baseball - Coaching Youth Softball - What Every Youth Coach Should Know

2011-06-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Coaching Youth Baseball - Coaching Youth Softball - What Every Youth Coach Should Know
By Steve Polk

If you are coaching youth baseball, coaching youth softball, or coaching youth basketball, there is one thing you need to know before you begin coaching youth sports no matter what the sport.

You Could Be Sued

Did you hear the story of the guy coaching kids baseball that was sued because of an injury that took place during a practice? Seems a 12 year old baseball player was injured during a drill to teach the kids how to catch a fly ball. The player couldn't find the ball due to the sun getting in his eyes and the ball hit him in the head.

Not only did the coach get sued but also the league the kid played in. In another story a softball coach who got sued when a player on his team slid into 3rd base and tore her meniscus. The parents claimed the coach didn't teach their daughter how to slide properly. The parents won the case and $125,000.

It really doesn't matter what youth sport you coach. You could be a soccer coach for youth, or any of the others mentioned here. You could be sued for the seemingly most innocent of things. An off the cuff remark or joke could be interpreted as being harassment or an innuendo of some kind. A kid not paying attention gets hits by a ball, or as kids sometimes do play practical jokes on one another and someone gets hurt. You end up getting sued.

Insurance Doesn't Solve The Problem

Your team or league may have insurance, but that doesn't stop a parent from filing a law suit against you. You could be totally not at fault and end up getting the case dismissed, but still have a bill from your attorney.

The Solution

There are a few companies that provide a low cost what is best referred to as a legal insurance plan. Such a plan will cover most if not all your legal expenses should you ever be sued. Such plans range from $17-$36 per month depending on what state you live in.

In The End It Doesn't Matter

In conclusion it really doesn't matter whether you are coaching youth baseball, softball, basketball, or soccer. If you are a coach you run the risk of being sued. It's becoming common place in this crazy world of ours. You just may want to look into a legal insurance plan.

Coaches You Run The Risk Of Getting Sued

Go right now while it's on your mind to http://coachyoucouldbesued.blogspot.com/ to find a low cost plan to cover legal expenses should you be sued so you don't have to worry and can get back to doing what you love most, coaching youth sports.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Polk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3006875

Tips For Correcting an Upper Cut Swing

2011-05-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

Tips For Correcting an Upper Cut Swing
By guest author: Jim Bain

I have witnessed coaches, who I thought were going to have a cow, in their reaction to a player having an upper cut in their swing, but one must realize there are times an upper swing is quite appropriate and possibly the proper swing.

When a pitch is low in the strike zone, and the situation requires a fly ball, such as trading an out for a runner scoring from third, the hitter wants an upper cut in order to lift the ball into the air.

Historically, Left Handed Batters' Power Alley, ball location where the hitter can utilize his entire core strength when swinging, has been low and inside using an upper cut swing.

So just to set the record straight, there are times a hitter using an upper cut swing is beneficial. However, to have a permanent upper cut motion in every swing, regardless of ball location, will only lead to high strike out numbers and easy fly ball outs.

The reason for a high strike out ratio is simply, it's difficult enough to solidly strike a baseball when the bat is traveling on the same, level plane as the ball, much alone the bat traveling in an upward motion, which totally throws eye to bat to ball timing in the waste can.

Secondly of course, if the hitter is successful at making contact, the baseball comes off the bat with a back spin, which not only creates lift, but also restricts distance, as the ball is essentially Clawing its way back towards the plate, which normally results in a high fly ball to the shallow outfield.

More than likely, somewhere along the line, the batter developed a hitch in his hitting mechanics, which is producing the repetitive upper cuts. The batter is not consciously swinging upwards, but rather the muscle memory responsible for producing the swing is the culprit. These muscle memories must be re-programmed, which can be a tedious and time consuming project, or a change of one part of the mechanics may have near immediate results. Plan on a lengthy project and be overjoyed if it happens quickly.
We are not concerned with creating power or bat speed or anything else other than flattening the swing and there's no substitute for taking hundreds of correct swings in order to achieve that purpose. That's exactly why the use of a batting tee is an excellent method in eliminating an upper cut.

Set the batting tee at slightly above belt height, anything higher will create a handcuff effect and will do more harm than good. Using a whiffle ball and bat, remember we're changing mechanics and actually the lighter weight of a whiffle ball bat allows more swings without fatigue than a regular wood or metal bat, a practice swinging Down on the ball.

The downward swing will produce ground balls, so the hitter is able to immediately know if the swing was proper, if it wasn't the ball will be hit into the air. When the batter can successfully drive ground balls off the tee, the next step is to hit a moving ball.

We then move to the batting cages and while using a regular bat and a moving baseball, see if we can continually hit ground balls. Should the batter fail to hit ground balls, it's back to the hitting tee for more practice.

Bear in mind, when hitting, whether off the tee or in the batting cage, you will hit an occasional fly ball, which doesn't mean you're failing. Set a goal of hitting 2 ground balls for every fly ball, then increase to 3 ground balls for every fly. Also, don't become frustrated if your ground balls are not hit with authority, that will correct itself as you become more efficient at hitting the ball on a level plane.

Jim Bain - Former Minor league baseball player, who since retiring has dedicated his life to teaching baseball to youth. Visit his exciting info packed website: http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Bain

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6020530

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Nedco Sports Baseball Softball Training Equipment - Baseball Batting Mac...

2011-03-30T04:26:00.000-07:00

BatAction Machine Team and Home Training Tool 0001

2011-03-29T04:27:00.000-07:00

Bat Speed Training For More Power

2011-03-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

Bat Speed Training For More Power
By guest author: Alan Bryan

Using bat speed training can help you quickly gain an additional thirty to even one hundred feet in your power. The most common refrain in hitting is that it is not how hard you swing, rather, how quick your swing. Simply, it is the laws of physics that apply to hitting, as the velocity of the bat connecting with the ball determines the distance a ball will travel.

There are many bat speed training methods that can help you increase your velocity. However, despite all the great training out there, selecting the right bat is also a factor. Most bat speed drills should be done with a wooden bat. With the new, technologically advanced aluminum bats allowing for more error in your swing, many hitters have become dependent on technology rather than practice to hit for more power.

Simply, there are no soft hitting zones in the new aluminum bats. A wooden bat, however, has a very defined sweet spot, and when you miss that sweet spot, the wooden bat will let you know by either shattering or stinging your hands tremendously. Learn how to properly get the head of a wooden bat through the hitting plane, and you are one step closer to hitting for more power.

Effective bat speed training involves several components, some of which are not directly baseball related at all. In additional to practicing with wood bats, you should also strengthen your wrist and lower body using light weight resistance. Putting it all together can help you start hitting for more power in record time.

Effective bat speed training can take your game to the next level by increasing your power and average. When used correctly, bat speed training techniques are extremely effective. Learn the best training methods, recommended by professional scouts, by visiting www.batspeedtraining.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Bryan

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Youth Baseball Digest - Can You Name 10 Ways a Batter Can Safely Reach First Base?

2011-03-04T07:36:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Digest - Can You Name 10 Ways a Batter Can Safely Reach First Base?
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Have you ever thought about how many ways a batter can safely reach first base? I have pondered the question and I have come up with 10 different ways for a batter to safely reach first base.

The ways that I thought of include the following:

1) Base Hit - Batter swings the bat and hits a base hit. In baseball statistics a base hit is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory.

2) Walk or Base on Balls - A base on balls or walk is credited to a batter when the batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. The walk can be intentional or not intentional.

3) Error - A batter reaches on an error when, in the judgment of the official score book keeper, a fielder misplays a ball hit by the batter allowing the batter to reach first base. The ball misplayed is one that the official scorer judges to be a play that should have been made with reasonable or ordinary effort. What this means is that the fielder misplayed a routine play.

4) Passed Ball on a Strike Out: The batter strikes out but the catcher misses the ball. The batter becomes a batter-runner and reaches first base safely. This play should be officially scored as a strikeout and passed ball, a strikeout and wild pitch or a strikeout and a fielders choice.

5) Catcher Commits Interference - Catchers interference is called when contact is made by the bat of the batter. With catcher interference, the result is the same as with all interference, The batter is awarded the results of the swing or first base. The manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play

6) Fielders choice - A fielder`s choice is a play made on a ground ball in which the fielder chooses to put out an advancing base runner, thus allowing the batter to reach first base safely.

7) Batter-Runner Interference - Once the batter hits the ball the batter becomes a base runner. The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without interference by a defensive player. If interference occurs, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play.

8) A Sacrifice - The batter hits a sacrifice fly or executes a sacrifice bunt.

9) Double Play - The batter reaches first on a double play by the defense that did not involve a throw to first base.

10) Hit by a Pitch - The batter is hit by a pitch thrown by the batter. The batter must be in the batting box and in the judgment of the umpire did not "lean" into the pitch.

I am sure that you may think of one or two more. These are what came to my mine because they are the 10 ways that occur most often. I hope that you found this article to be informative. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I wish you and your team good luck in the coming season. Have a great day! Nick

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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---If you are looking for BatAction Replacement Balls or Power Bands Click Here

Youth Baseball Training - Teaching Good Nutrition

2011-02-18T08:22:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Training - Teaching Good Nutrition
By guest author: Jake Wyatt

Eating the proper foods is a key element of youth baseball training. When coaching youth baseball, the coach should encourage players to bring water and snacks to practice (or better yet, make these available rather than relying on the kids). The coach should also explain to the players that proper nutrition while at home will help them play better baseball overall.

When kids are young, their food choices are mostly made for them. As they grow up and begin to make their own choices, they need to be taught about food and its impact on the body. This way they can make better choices for themselves, leading to stronger and healthier kids. Parents' nagging often falls on deaf ears. But most players listen to their coaches! A coach can be a great ally for parents in helping their sons eat better.

Here are some basic nutritional facts that should be taught to youth baseball players:

1. Protein provides the building blocks for muscle. Kids must eat protein to build up their strength.

2. Carbohydrates provide quick energy. Kids should understand the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates, and they should be instructed to choose complex carbohydrates that will give them longer and more consistent energy.

3. What types of food provide protein? It is surprising to find out that many kids don't know the answer to this question! The coach should make sure his players know this.

4. Explain to the players that the less processed food is, the healthier it is. Fresh fruits and vegetables and unprocessed meats should be their first choices.

5. It is becoming widely accepted that eating more, but smaller, meals is a healthier way to eat. Have kids try to plan to eat healthy six times a day. This may help cut down on bad snacking habits.

If kids understand some basic facts about nutrition, and these are emphasized by their coach, they will be more likely to follow a healthier diet. It may not be perfect, and given they are kids it won't be, but if they choose a banana over a candy bar just a few times a week it will make a huge, long-term difference!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

========================

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Youth Baseball - Five Tips to Help You Make The School Team

2011-01-25T19:27:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball - Five Tips to Help You Make The School Team
By Jake Wyatt

If you play Little League baseball, you probably know that everyone is accepted to Little League. If you are a serious baseball player, you will most likely want to try out for the school baseball team at some point. You should know that very few Little Leaguers will actually make a school team.

If this is important to you, here are five tips from high school coaches to help you succeed:

1. Keep your grades up. All school teams have minimum grade requirements. You could be the best baseball player in the state, but if you don't have good grades you won't make the team. Pay attention to your studies first, baseball second.

2. Know the game. Study the rule book for your school's district. Be a student of baseball and know the game's history. Know facts about major league players and teams.

3. Persistence is more important than talent. Hang out around the locker rooms. Get to know the players and the coaches at your school. Attend their games and cheer them on. Volunteer to help at the games. Make yourself known. And you must do all this WHILE practicing and improving your own skills.

4. You must practice every day of the year. Hitting practices, tossing practices, working out. Do something every day, even in the dead of winter. Even on Christmas! And keep track of it in a daily diary along with notes about your personal observations so you can see the progress you are making.

5. Always have a positive attitude. Cheer your teammates on. Listen to the coaches. Don't argue. Look enthusiastic all the time. Hustle. A player that has a great attitude will make a team over a better player with a bad attitude.

Making the school baseball team is hard, no matter how long you have played baseball. Following these five tips will dramatically increase your chances of making the team.

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

===========================

Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Nedco Sports Baseball Softball Training Equipment - Baseball Batting Machines

2011-01-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

Video show the president of Nedco Sports and the inventor of the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine and the BatAction Batting Machine talking about these two pupolar baseball softball training aids. Visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com for more info on the Derek Jeter Batting Trainer and visit http://www.BatAction.com for more information on the BatAction Hitting Machine Both are available at http://www.baseball2u.com

Youth Baseball Travel Teams - The Challenges and Benefits

2011-01-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

Youth Baseball Travel Teams - The Challenges and Benefits
By Jake Wyatt

When your son is asked to join a youth baseball travel team, a parent will feel proud at first. Then reality hits - the cost involved, the weekends away from home, the extra practices required. If your son is good enough to make such a team, how important is it that he actually participate for his future baseball prospects?

Your son will benefit in many ways by competing in a baseball travel team. The fact that he has taken part in this type of team will only affect his future baseball career in that he will improve his skills. But it won't guarantee his high school/college prospects.

So, when deciding whether or not to allow your son to play with a travel baseball team, consider the following positives:

1. Playing with and against a higher caliber player will help your son increase his skills. This is noticeable. If your son has always played Little League, you will be amazed at how much better he will play in a baseball travel team.
2. Teamwork becomes much more important in a travel team. Tournaments may involve several games in a day. The coach has to keep his players fresh and may play different kids on the same day. Players will soon realize that playing every game is not possible.
3. Youth baseball players will learn how to win, and how to lose, more professionally.
4. The play is more aggressive, which will require your son to step up his own game. These are not just fun Saturday afternoon games, these games are played for trophies and rings.
5. Finally, travelling with the team can be a lot of fun for the entire family.

But these positives must be weighed against the negatives:

1. The cost - for hotel rooms, possibly airfare, tournament entry fees. This can all add up to a strain on the family budget. Some of this can and should be mitigated with fundraising.
2. The time - what are your commitments during the travel team's play? Can your son commit to the games even if you can't?
3. Possible parental over-involvement, although my experience with travel teams is that even the parents are more professional.
4. Possible win-at-any-cost coach attitude, which can lead to a bad experience for your son. Make sure you know the coach's style and are comfortable with it.

Allowing your youth baseball player to participate in a baseball travel team can be extremely rewarding and will certainly make him a better baseball player. He may even end up with a special trophy or winner's ring!

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get FREE tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

==================

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Josh Hamilton on mechanics

2010-12-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

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Five Benefits of Physical Conditioning in Youth Baseball Training

2010-12-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

Five Benefits of Physical Conditioning in Youth Baseball Training
By Jake Wyatt

Most players hate to condition, and physical conditioning in youth baseball training is usually just a small part of baseball practices. Players would rather do hitting, pitching and fielding drills as these are much more fun.

However, there are major benefits to regular physical conditioning. The coach should encourage players to condition every day, outside of regular practice. Parents can help the coach, and their son, by ensuring the coach's conditioning requirements are met. Many kids today have led a sedentary lifestyle and may not be in very good shape. By enforcing physical conditioning, not only will the boys be better baseball players, they will be healthier overall!

Physical conditioning involves such activities as running (sprints and long distance), stair stepping, weight lifting (age appropriate), core conditioning, pushups, pullups, and situps, etc. The coach should create a schedule for each day, and have the players keep track of what they are doing in a journal that can reviewed.

Here are five benefits of physical conditioning:

1. It encourages mental toughness - by sticking to a routine and a schedule, kids are demonstrating their commitment.

2. It helps to prevent injuries - a strong body will withstand the rigors of base sliding, pitching and batting better.

3. It will increase stamina - this is especially important for pitchers.

4. It will increase speed - faster runs around the bases, quicker (and more successful) steals.

5. The boy will be a better player overall, improving his confidence.

As a coach of youth baseball, requiring your players to adhere to a physical conditioning program in addition to their regular practices will help lead your team to success.

In order to be the best possible baseball player, training should happen year-round and be a joint effort between the coach, the player and the parents. Get more free tips to improve baseball performance, reviews of e-products related to baseball, and links to training resources at http://youth-baseball-training.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_Wyatt

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2010-12-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

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2010-11-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

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Baseball - How To Follow Defensive Strategy

2010-11-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

Baseball - How To Follow Defensive Strategy
By guest author: Sebanti Ghosh

The most important part for the baseball defending team is 'pitcher'. An effective strategy of pitcher prevents the batters from getting on base and try to retire the batters.

In one entire game, usually one hundred pitches are thrown. Most of the pitchers start getting tired at this point of time.
With new research and results now, we have better understanding of the body movements of the pitcher.

Sometimes, more than one pitcher is required in the game. The game starts with starting pitcher and relief pitcher. These pitchers are used as the substitute in the game to avoid a lot of pressure on one single pitcher.
The good thing is that there is no such rule to restrict the number of pitcher used in the game.

For relief situations, a starting pitcher is avoided. They are used when the game becomes really very important.
Some teams also use emergency pitchers to avoid the embarrassment.

In earlier days of this game, teams generally did not use to have the concept of relief pitcher.
The pitcher that used to start the game would remain active till the game lasts or at least up to the point where they were not injured.

To understand the strategy, think about the fast ball strategy used by pitchers.
Any pitcher that throws the ball at 90 miles per hour is considered to be good.
Very few pitchers have crossed this limit.
Submarine style is the favorite style of some pitchers.

It is considered good in baseball if you can throw fast ball with good strategy.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sebanti_Ghosh

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Routines in Baseball

2010-11-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Routines in Baseball
By guest author: Rick Harig

Baseball is the most "in and out" game there is in sport. A baseball player goes from live to not live between 140 and 170 times per 9-inning game. Some positions, like pitcher and catcher, force the player to be in focus more often. However, they, as well as the other 7 players on a field, can benefit from techniques to transition from "in" to "out" and back to "in" mentally. Each player needs to establish routines that allow him to be "on" every time he is suppose to be. The "off" time is a time when these routines are set into place. Routines allow the brain to go from the left brain's organizing and setting up to the right brain's action and follow through. These routines are like triggers. They put the player in the proper mindset. Players should study other player's routines to get ideas for what may help them.

Vision Routines

The hitter needs to develop a vision routine. The eyes work best when binocular (using both eyes), when on a horizontal plane, and when used in a scanning fashion. A hitter should develop a vision routine that works for him. Ex.: the hitter looks at the pitcher's feet and when they move, his eyes move to the pitcher's hat. At that point, the eyes move again when the pitcher's arm comes into the release slot. The hitter's eyes jump (scan) once again to the ball where they begin to track it in a lane to the hitting zone. The length of time one can intensely concentrate, like needed in hitting, is about one second. Since an 85 mph fastball takes about.5 seconds to get to the plate upon release that means the hitter has to start concentrating.5 seconds before that, which is when the ball is coming up into the release slot. If a hitter starts to concentrate too finely too soon he will end up seeing the ball only in his peripheral vision. A vision routine guarantees that a player uses his eyes as scanners and does not lock into his fine concentration until the appropriate time.

Breathing Routines

Hitting, pitching and defense can benefit from a breathing routine. Proper breathing is a trigger for the body to relax, which can put the mind into a proper mindset. An example of a trigger is when you are listening to a CD or iPod play list that you have heard many times. You automatically know the next song in the sequence. You often start singing it or hearing it before it actually starts. This is a trigger. The last song triggered the next song in your head. In baseball, the player needs to plan these triggers in a conscious state (a routine) and then allow them to be carried out unconsciously. The breath, as a trigger, should come from deep down in the diaphragm. The breath feels like it is coming from the stomach. A breath through the mouth results in an upper chest shallow breath. A proper breath oxygenates the brain and the muscles better than an upper chest breath. This is because there is more blood in the bottom of the lungs and when the breath gets oxygenated better it does better things for the central nervous system. The two types of breathing create two different results. Upper chest breathing during performance stimulates the fight or flight mechanism. This emergency state of mind causes the body to produce stress chemicals like adrenaline and lactic acid. In contrast, if oxygen is pulled more deeply through the lungs via nasal breathing a calming relaxing feeling takes place. This is because this type of breathing triggers impulses in the body's parasympathetic nervous system. Breathing is the bridge between the body and the mind. Your brain weighs about 2% of your overall body weight, but takes 20% of your oxygen.

Pitcher's Routines Pitchers need to develop routines that put them into the right frame of mind. More on this can be found in the pitching section in section 8. Routines, including breathing ones, can help create the conditioned responses that were discussed in section 6. An example of a pitcher's routine - while standing on the rubber, take a deep breath through the nose slow, deep and calmly. Let it out as you get your sign and location. Then imagine the lane you are going to throw in. Blacken out around it, and see a trail of balls going precisely down that lane into the catcher's glove. Follow with the real pitch to the same spot. Some pitchers use self-talk to design their routines around. Remember the mental message can dictate the physical action. The dirt circle is a good place for positive self-talk. If you, as a pitcher, find yourself talking negative, get out of the dirt and say anything you want to yourself. Then get back in and start your positive routine. "I am coming at you; get ready for my stuff..."

Hitter's Routines - Hitter's routines often start with quality uninterrupted on deck time to study the pitcher and reflect on what he is about to do. Then the routines progress to the actual at bat. There are so many different ways to get into the right frame of mind. An example of using Positive Image Flashes (PIF's) - First, start with a vision routine like described before. While waiting for the pitcher to move his feet, visualize a pitch coming down the lane and seeing it being hit exactly where you want it to go, like up the middle. Then when the pitcher moves his feet, continue with your vision routine to put yourself in the best position for it to really happen. There are a lot of routines that have body actions that help a hitter relax and get into the right frame of mind. Ever watch a cat pounce on a mouse or some toy? It crouches down and then slowly wags it tail giving itself timing and readiness. Then the cat quickly strikes at its prey. This is a great example of a routine. Hitters often wag their bats much like the cat's tail. Just like the pitcher can use the dirt circle of the mound to talk positive or negative, so can the hitter use the dirt circle around home plate or use the batter's box itself.

Fielder's Routines - Fielders need routines to take up all of the dead time between pitches. These routines should be designed keeping two things in mind. One, a routine that allows for focus and movement right before the pitch, and two, some sort of planning stage when the ball is not in play. An example of a fielder's routine - Have an imaginary circle that can be placed anywhere you desire depending on the situation. When you walk out of this circle it triggers the planning stage. Quickly figure out all the possible scenarios and what you will do with the ball. Walk back into the circle, which represents your unbeatable zone. When you are in that circle you are unstoppable. You take every ground ball personally. If 27 balls were hit to you, you would make 27 outs and win the game. This circle makes you super-human every time you step into it. You suddenly feel quicker and more ready.

For more on routines check out The Cognitive Advantage Program's website!

Copyright Rick Harig - All Rights Reserved

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Harig

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2010-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

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Baseball Hitting Mechanics - Stride and Swing

2010-11-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

Baseball Hitting Mechanics - Stride and Swing
By guest author: Kenny Buford

Stride

Each player has a preference about how big or small of a stride to take on the swing. Batters should do what is most comfortable for them, provided that they do not step on the line of the batter's box, as this will cause them to be called out.

When helping players determine how big of a stride to take, encourage them to experiment. A shorter stride is usually better than a longer one for control purposes, because it keeps the player over their body and does not allow things to get out of rhythm. As speed is a necessary part of batting, a short stride is desirable because it helps batters move to their next element, the swing, sooner.

As the batter is about to bring their hands forward to start the swinging motion, the striding leg should come forward toward the pitcher. The stride should be toward the area in front of home plate to help the batter get into better position.

Swing

During the swing, there are also small adjustments that players can make to ensure that they get the best swing possible. When working on hitting mechanics, even the smallest details count.

Throughout the swing, players should keep their back elbow up and close to the body. This allows the hands and the barrel of the bat to swing through completely. Finally, and perhaps most importantly when going through the swing, is to keep the head still. Keeping the head still ensures that you keep proper balance throughout the swing, which is otherwise hard to do because the batter is moving nearly every other part to connect with the ball.

Maintaining a still head also helps with creating a rhythm. If the batter's body has one still part that does not move or change during the swing, that batter will have a better idea of what part of their swing needs work or what part is not synchronized with the rest of the body. Whether in practice or in play, keeping a steady head is extremely important.

As the ball is pitched, batters should bring their hands to meet the ball. This mental picture will help players get the bat in contact with the ball in exactly the right place. At the same time that batters are bringing their hands to the ball, they should be keeping those hands level and still, so that the bat slices through the air on an even plane. A swing with any type of loop or wiggle can cause a dangerous pop-up, which can be detrimental to the team.

Run Drills

Just because a batter has been batting for years does not mean that they will maintain good form. In fact, more experience can lead to poor form because players become complacent and pay less attention to their form than when they were first learning it.

Every so often, at the discretion of the coach, players should go back and work on hitting basics. This means starting from a tee, using a whiffle ball. While some players may grumble about starting at such a fundamental level, you must show them the importance of being able to hit a whiffle ball off a tee, perfectly, every time. If players cannot hit a ball where they want it to go when it is sitting right in front of them, how are they going to be able to hit a ball moving toward them at 50 miles an hour or more?

When players hit a whiffle ball correctly from a tee, it acts like a knuckleball. When players hit is incorrectly, it spins uncontrollably and goes awry. Because of the air going through the ball, players will be able to see their mistakes easier and make adjustments as necessary.

After players become comfortable again with hitting from a tee, remove the tee and have them practice with regular pitches again. They will notice a difference in the way they hold themselves and approach the ball, and you will a difference in their effectiveness.

Kenny Buford is a baseball coach with over 20 years of experience and a founding member of Baseball Inner Circle. Discover the ultimate source for baseball drills, videos, and coaching tips that will immediately improve your players' skills and win more games for your team:
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Baseball Coaching Digest - Teach Batters to Use Their New Brain When Batting

2010-11-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

Baseball Coaching Digest - Teach Batters to Use Their New Brain When Batting
By guest author: Nick Dixon

To me the hitter's brain is his eyes. If you literally try to think yourself through every at-bat, you are in trouble in today's game. The hitter must let his eye's do his thinking at the plate. I consider the eyes a batter's new brain. They must learn to properly use it. This article discusses several coaching points, tips and details related to this approach to hitting.

Teaching young hitters to swing at what they see, not what they think they see or what they think that they are going to see is one of the most important coaching responsibilities as a youth coach. What I mean about this statement is that players have to step into the box realizing that they "never know" what the pitch will be. They should not guess pitches but rather learn to keep the hands back and see what the pitch is and then react.

Several coaching points come to mind when I discuss this process. Many of these are saying that you should teach or convey to your staff and players. Those points are:

1. Always set yourself up physically to hit the fastball on the outer 3rd of the plate, and adjust to hit the fastball in. Notice, I said "physically" set your stance at the plate. I did not say, "Convince yourself that the next pitch is going to be a "fastball away". The key is getting in a position to hit it and being able to reach. Batters should always be ready to hit the fastball away first and then adjust to the fastball in, curveball away, or pitch on the middle 3rd of the plate. The batter must let his "eyes control his hands". The decision to hit or swing comes from the eyes, not the brain. Therefore, the eyes are the hitter's brain.

2. Always set yourself up physically to hit the fastball and adjust to hit off speed pitches. The batter must be able to hit the soft stuff on the outer 3rd of the plate at all times. The batter should always be ready to hit the fastball, but should keep the hands back, and adjust to hit the off speed pitch. The key here is that to be a confident batter, a batter must have confidence in his "hand or bat speed". He must know and realize that if he keeps his hands back, he can still catch up with the fastball, but if he "leaks or cheats his hands forward", he will be incapable of hitting the away fastball and the way off speed pitch. He must learn to keep his hands back and allow his eyes to do his thinking. He must see a pitches location before he reacts. Assuming a position that allows you to see, react, and hit all pitch locations is the key to hitting success.

3. The hitter should never guess. Guess hitting makes a hitter an easy target that will fall victim to good pitches. Hitting is a process of see and reacting, not guessing and swinging. The hitter must see the pitch location before he swings, not guess a pitches location before he swings. The difference is that when you guess, you start too early. When you guess, you have a tendency to start the swing prematurely. The guess hitter may be able to get it right sometimes, and crush the fastball with power. But, more times than not, he will lunge, jump or get out to quick and strike out or pop the fly ball into the air.

4. The only thing a hitter should know is that you "never know" what the pitch is going to be. The key is to trust you eyes as your brain to allow you to be a "see" hitter and not a "guess" hitter. I know that count awareness can give you the edge as a hitter in many situations. If you are ahead, you are more than likely going to get a fastball. If the pitcher is ahead, you are more than like going to get his best out pitch, which may be a breaking ball. But, more and more in today's game, we are pitching batters backwards. So, the absolute best way to hit is to make batting a "seeing, identifying and reacting process" that allows the swing to be triggered, controlled and executed by the eyes.

I hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. You can find more like it at Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, Little League Digest, and the Baseball Parent Guide. I thank you for taking the time to read this article. I wish you and your team the best of luck in the coming season. Have a great day, Nick

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Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

How to Pitch a Baseball : Breaking Ball Baseball Pitch Demonstration

2010-10-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

How to Pitch a Baseball : Breaking Ball Baseball Pitch Demonstration
expertvillage See a demonstration of a breaking ball baseball pitch in this free sports instruction video.

Expert: Mike Lumley
Bio: Mike Lumley is the President and head instructor of Lumley School of Baseball and has a very extensive back ground in baseball and baseball camps; two years Scholarship at Eastern Michigan University,
Filmmaker: Melissa Schenk

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2010-10-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

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How to Hit a Baseball Farther - Conditioning

2010-10-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

How to Hit a Baseball Farther - Conditioning
By Jeffery A Wise

In a previous article, I discussed several major areas that will help you know how to hit a baseball farther. Those areas were the right mindset, confidence, proper hitting mechanics and lots of practice. But there is another area I did not mention that I would like to talk about now.

Health is critical if you want to hit a baseball farther. We need to keep our bodies free from injury and able to play a full season of baseball. If you play back to back seasons, your body can suffer some wear and tear so it's important to take care of yourself.

The best way to do this is to participate in an ongoing conditioning program to help you maintain a strong body. I used to wake up at 5 a.m. during high school baseball days and participated in conditioning drills for an hour. We were drenched in sweat by the end. Then after school we participated in a weight training program for at least an hour.

This was all done in the off-season and proved to be beneficial because it enabled us to be one of the most conditioned and strongest teams in our district. Because of this we went deep into the playoffs each year of my high school career. You will find that the most successful teams are the ones that are strong and conditioned.

For young players I only recommend running, stretching, and other basics like pushups and sit-ups; at least until the age of 12. After that, if your doctor and parents clear you then I would start engaging in supervised strength training to build key muscle groups that are used in baseball. You don't need to bulk up. If you do, it will be hard to even swing the bat properly.

Your heaviest strength-training program should be in the off season where you're exercising six days a week. Always take a day off during the week. The part that many ballplayers miss is that you should continue a light conditioning and weight training program during the season to maintain and continue to build your strength. High schools and colleges should have programs in place that will help you out. For Little Leaguers and youth you'll most likely do some running with your teams and maybe even pushups and sit-ups. Remember to always consult your parents, coaches and trainers before starting any program.

The following muscle groups should be targeted so that you can have assistance in hitting the baseball farther: calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, and upper body muscle groups such as chest, shoulders, back biceps and triceps. Target the core muscles in your abdomen. Don't forget to warm up, cool down and stretch each time you lift weights.

To know how to hit a baseball farther, continue practicing the most important parts of hitting mechanics. This is what allows you to hit the baseball well in the first place. Every part of baseball, including conditioning, should be fun.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn more about how to hit a baseball farther so that you can get on base and score for your team. Start learning today at http://www.baseballhittingtipsonline.com by reading our information, watching our videos and participating in our blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

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2010-10-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

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How to Create a Baseball Practice Plan

2010-10-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

How to Create a Baseball Practice Plan
By guest author: Jack Perconte

There are basically two things to consider when talking about how to create a baseball practice plan. The first is the pre-season practice plan and the second is the in-season plan. Of course, for teams that may play or stay together year round, there may be an off-season practice plan, too.

First, let's consider the pre-season plan. Coaches should decide how many practices a week they are going to have, which is usually based on the age of players and the philosophy of the level the team is playing. For example, travel baseball teams should practice more often than recreational teams, especially before the season. It may become more difficult for travel teams to practice as much once the season begins because of the greater number of games. With that in mind, travel teams must take advantage of their preseason practices more.

Additionally, coaches will base how in-depth strategic instruction they are expected to provide based on the level of play. For instance, recreational coaches should devote more time into the basic fundamentals, where as travel coaches should go into advanced detail on the finer points of the game, like pick-off plays, etc...

Following are suggestions that coaches should consider when drawing up their pre-season practices:
1. Write down every phase of the game including the fundamental skills of hitting, throwing, fielding, pitching and base running.
2. Write down every strategic game situation elements of the game like cutoffs and relays, run downs, pick-off plays, bunt plays and double steal situations, etc.
3. Decide on the length of practices and then begin to plug in the amount of time that will be devoted to a) fundamentals, b) strategic elements. After allowing a 15-minute warm-up period at each practice, below is some examples based on two-hour practices.

****** Fundamental Skills - Strategy, Game Situation
Practice 1 - 45 minutes --- 1 hour strategic
Practice 2 - 50 minutes -- 55 minutes
Practice 3- 55 minutes -- 50 minutes
Practice 4 - 1 hour -------- 45 minutes
Practice 5 - 1 Hour -------- 45 - Simulated Game
Practice 6 - 45 minutes--- 1 Hr - Simulated Game
Practice 7- 45 minutes -- 1 Hr - Intra -squad
Practice 8 - 45 minutes --- 1 Hr - Intra squad

Of course, this is just a basic model that coaches can go by with the goal of dividing practice time between the fundamental skill work and the strategic game work. Initially, less skill work is recommended until players get their arms and bats in shape, before devoting more time to this skill work. Coaches can adjust and vary their plan to meet their teams needs.

Other points to consider:
1. Homework on skill work should be given at the end of each practice.
2. As practices progress, coaches should gear more time towards the areas of baseball that are needed most. For example, extra base running work for teams that show bad base running skills.
3. Simulated games are when coaches set up certain game situations with regular pitcher, hitter and fielders, etc...
4. Attention to detail during warm-ups should not be neglected.
5. Keeping kids as busy as possible with small group stations and rotations is good when coaching help is available for the various stations.
6. The advantage of simulated games is that certain situations can be worked on over and over again. Reenacting plays that are done incorrectly until players do it correctly is crucial to improvement.

In season practice plan:
1. As games begin, periodic reviews of all strategic game situations should be done.
2. Coaches should use their pre-game time wisely to stay on top of skill work.
3. Practices can now be geared towards the areas of the game that teams need the most based on their recent game deficiencies.
4. Coaches are responsible for protecting pitchers arms at practice, especially as the season progresses.
5. Skill work should not be taken for granted as the season progresses. It is common for hitters to get off to a good start after working on hitting drills in the off- season only to have their hitting deteriorate when they neglect the hitting drills as the season progresses.
6. Cutting down on the length of practices may sometimes be necessary during the hot summer months so players do not get run down physically.
7. Coaches should take notes during games as to what their team should concentrate their next practice on.

Of course, being organized and prepared for every practice is important for successful baseball practices. Finally, a major sign of a good coach is that their team is better at the end of the season than at the beginning. This may not always show up in the win column, but definitely in how teams execute the strategic aspects of the game.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball.

Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte

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Baseball Drills & Conditioning

2010-10-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

Baseball Drills & Conditioning
renoelliott2006
http://www.sports-drills.com Download today!
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Over 300 sports specific training drills & exercises.

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Advanced Hitting Drills

2010-10-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Advanced Hitting Drills
By guest author: Jack Perconte

There are numerous hitting drills and all have specific purposes. Good hitting drills address a specific area of a hitter's fundamentals. When hitters have practiced basic hitting drills for a time they may be ready for more advance hitting drills. Additionally, these drills can serve to break up the monotony of performing the same drills over and over.

Some drills will actually address a few different fundamental areas at the same time, making them even more valuable. One such drill is the back knee pickup drill that I have written about before. This drill where the hitter swings, picks up the back foot and allows the knee to rotate towards the pitcher is a good multi-use drill that works on using the front side and keeping a firm front side without collapsing the lower half on the swing. It also serves to have hitters transfer their weight and maintain leverage through their swing. This is only a drill and is not the way a hitter will hit in a game, but a drill that reinforces the correct fundamentals for hitters who have specific hitting deficiencies. This drill helps hitters who "step out" with their stride and for those who open their hips or front shoulder too early.

Other advanced hitting drills include the following:

1. The self flip drill is very valuable for advanced hitters. It will force hitters to develop quick hands and strong forearms. To perform this drill the hitter will hold the ball with their top hand as their lower hand grips the bat. The hitter flips the ball up no higher than eye level into the hitting zone. At this time, the hitter will grab the bat with both hands and hit the ball. Obviously, the goal is to hit line drives and in the direction of where the ball was flipped, (middle, inside or outside). Hitters will notice that very quick hands are necessary to hit the ball consistently solid.

2. Another advanced hitting drill is to have the hitter stand a foot or so away from a net, where the hitter is facing away from the net. The goal is to swing and miss the net with the bat going forward, but to hit the net slightly on the follow through with the bat. This drill will reinforce a compact swing and "staying back" at the same time. Hitters should keep their head in throughout the entire swing and not pull their front shoulder out in order to hit the net on the follow through. Once again, this is another drill for advanced hitters only. This drill can be done with a ball on the batting tee or with flip drills for even better results.

3. The two ball flip drill is another advanced hitting drill that is very good for teaching hitters to wait on the ball and to develop a quick, compact swing. Hitters will need the assistance of a coach to flip balls from behind a protective screen for this drill. The coach will hold two balls in the same hand at once and flip the balls into the hitting zone. When the ball approaches the hitter, the coach yells out which ball they want the hitter to hit, either high/low, or even inside/ outside. Obviously, because the hitter does not know which ball to hit until the last moment, they cannot cheat with their swing too early or they will hit the wrong one or miss altogether.

These are a few advanced hitting drills that will help advanced hitters. Many more like these are contained in my hitting book.

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The 3 R's of Pitching

2010-09-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

The 3 R's of Pitching
By guest author: Rick Harig

Realize the basic premise that the pitcher has the advantage. This is the foundation for a successful pitcher. Hitting a baseball is said to be the hardest thing to do in all of sport. The pitcher needs to remember that. "If the swing by a right-hand batter is seven milliseconds (.007) too late, the squarely hit ball will sail foul past first base." - Robert Adair, a Yale physicist who has studied the science of baseball, referring to a 90mph fastball.

Recognize when you, as the pitcher, lose your focus. How do you avoid a big inning? You avoid it by recognizing that you have been taken out of your game and only then can you adjust and refocus to the task at hand. Many pitching plans include some avoidance of "the big inning". It is easy to talk about, but after one of these "big innings" takes place, the pitcher usually only understands it when reflecting back on it after the game and on the chaos that surrounded him while it was going on. The pitcher needs a thought-stopping cue from himself to help recognize that he has lost his focus. It is important to do this so he can pitch in the present and not in the past. The thought stopping cue could be as simple as "STOP", or "play in the now".

Refocus to the task at hand. Once the pitcher "snaps out of it" and concentrates on the present, then he can pitch to his potential and win the situation. The pitcher who analyzes and frets on how all those guys got on base will not be able to refocus into the present to do the job. A routine or mental cue can help with focus. The pitcher needs to let it flow and let the right side of the brain take over. He can only do this if the mind in clear and free of distracting thoughts. Here is an example of how a pitcher can get back into the now by letting his left brain guide him and set his right brain up for the actual pitch. Use the dirt circle of the mound as the positive / negative ground. Whenever he catches himself being negative he goes into the grass. At that time, he can tell himself anything he wants, he can worry about all the runners, the errors and walks that got them there, whatever he wants. However, the second he gets back onto the dirt he is positive and ready to get the next guy out! A routine like this combined with some proper breathing can get the pitcher to stay in a positive, non-distracting mode. Hopefully he spends most of his time in the dirt and stays in the now.

Every pitcher needs a plan. There is not one pitcher in the history of baseball that has gone through his career, let alone a season, or even a game, without adversity. No matter how good a pitcher is he will face dilemmas in games that he needs to have a plan for. It is too easy to say, "Be a bulldog, go get them". Sure successful pitchers have bulldog characteristics and competitive success models built in that they do not even know about, but there is no need to analyze that. It is the pitcher's past experiences, successes, and failures that have given him those built in characteristics. It is the future challenges that the pitcher will face as he progresses to higher levels of competition in his career that he needs the above to help advance his success rate.

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Baseball Softball Batting Trainer - Baseball Softball Hittng Trainer - For All Ages & Levels of Play

2010-09-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Baseball Softball Batting Trainer - Baseball Softball Hittng Trainer - For All Ages & Levels of Play
Coach2winVideos
The video shows why the Hurricane Hitting Machine is one of the best selling baseball softball batting trainers ever. Video shows college player working out on the machine. For free baseball softball training tips, drills and articles, visit http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachi... For more product info visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com Available at
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---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
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---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
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Baseball Hitting Drills: "One Handed Drill" (Soft Toss)

2010-09-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Baseball Hitting Drills: "One Handed Drill" (Soft Toss)
ebaseballtips
http://www.baseballsmith.com is another great resource for players, coaches and parents involved in youth baseball.

This form of soft toss isolates the lead hand and then the power hand. If is a drill used by intermediate to advanced players. "Optimum Swing Path" video available at http://www.ebaseballtips.com works well with this video.

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Baseball Softball Coaching Tips - Batting Drill - Hitting to All Fields - Hurricane Hitting Machine

2010-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

Baseball Softball Coaching Tips - Batting Drill - Hitting to All Fields - Hurricane Hitting Machine
Coach2winVideos
Video demonstrates how baseball softball coaches can use the Hurricane Hitting Machine to teach and practice hitting the ball to all fields. Video shows a college baseball player hitting the inside, middle, and away pitch locations without having to stop or change th machine. Video audion by Nick Dixon, inventor of the Hurricane and BatAction Machines, also gives tips and details about the correct way to hit each of the pitch locations. Visit the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine Training Blog for more free coaching tips, drills,a dn articles. http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachi...
Also visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com or http://store.baseball2u.com/husotrmaj... for more info on this baseball batting trainer.

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Fixing Problems Using Baseball Hitting Aids

2010-09-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Fixing Problems Using Baseball Hitting Aids
By guest author: Joseph Harrison Jr

Chief among the positions in baseball is the position of hitter, which is way more complicated to do than most people would assume. Many problems could be said to cause a player to not hit properly, and these problems can be very frustrating until the source of them is discovered. A player's performance can be hindered if they lack proper hitting mechanics, and luckily these problems can be remedied through learning about the human body and with the use of baseball hitting aids.

Focusing way too much on the upper body and neglecting the lower half is a major cause of hitting problems for player of baseball. Learning about your lower body is a must before you can expect to begin hitting the ball correctly.

Attempting to hit the ball without knowing what your lower half is doing, is similar to trying to build a house without establishing a proper foundation, it will fall to the ground.

Shoulder dipping is one of the problems faced by hitters, and it is caused by collapsing of the player's backside. Other issues include hunching out over the plate, and letting your hands extend away from your body during a swing. Every one of these problems can result from not knowing enough about how to position your lower body during a swing.

Shifting your weight onto your back leg before the pitch begins is called loading, and if the weight does not stay on that back leg it could cause a hitting problem. Many hitters naturally shift their hips forward in the direction of the pitched during the beginning stage of their swing, and this issue may be the source of many or all of the problems listed, and this hips shifting problems is called "floating".

The "floating" problem is definitely fixable once the hitter is able to recognize it as a problem. Videos and books are good examples of useful aids, and they can be quite easily found. These aids will help one detect and the fix problems with the lower body during hitting, and then you can focus on the upper body during the swing.

Use of these types of aids can help your coach or yourself recognize which problems your have when you are at bat, and you will soon be hitting better than you had once imagined possible. These books and video hitting aids can easily be found at a local bookstore or library, and if those don't pan out you can find many online sources for aids too.

I am Joseph Harrison, a baseball coach since 20 years ago. I love baseball since I am young, especially the feeling when you know you will absolutely crush the ball. Training your kid to gain interest in baseball will benefit him from both mentally and physically. In with he will gain team spirit, learn how to cope with teammates, and at the same time train up his physical, and concentration (to have good eye and hand coordination and the ability to use both at once). Go through my article and you will know all the benefits of baseball.

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---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
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---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
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Nedco Sports Baseball Softball Training Equipment - Baseball Batting Machines

2010-09-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Nedco Sports Baseball Softball Training Equipment - Baseball Batting Machines
Coach2winVideos
Video show the president of Nedco Sports and the inventor of the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine and the BatAction Batting Machine talking about these two pupolar baseball softball training aids. Visit http://www.HurricaneMachine.com for more info on the Derek Jeter Batting Trainer and visit http://www.BatAction.com for more information on the BatAction Hitting Machine Both are availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com

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Top Baseball Training Aids - Which Are These?

2010-09-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

Top Baseball Training Aids - Which Are These?
By guest author: Mike Singh

Baseball training aids are an effective way to learn the skills you need to achieve stardom. They can aid in muscular development, hand eye coordination, as well as on posture and instruction on skills. But, which are the best baseball training aids to take your game to the next level? Here are a few ways to improve your game.

* Training videos - One of the best ways to learn what the pros know is to use videos that they create. Many of the professional players and coaches are more than willing to share their experiences about techniques and tips that work. Learn these by watching and reacting to videos. The problem with these, though, is that you don't have someone watching what you are doing and correcting your stance or your aim. So, watch them with someone else and allow them to tell you if you are actually doing what the video says. This is an all-year-round tool to benefit from.

* Summer Camp - Probably the very best option to think about investing is are baseball camps. While it used to be punishment to go off to camp in the summer, now it doesn't have to be. Baseball camps are offered for virtually all age groups depending on your needs and skills. Some may even just meet at your local baseball diamond too. The benefit here is one on-one-training that you can not get anywhere else unless you have a personal coach, of course.

* Learn To Swing Like The Pros - Another tool to use is a pitching machine. Now, it is very important that you purchase a high quality product, set it up right and use it regularly if you plan to get a good amount of improvement from a piece of equipment. But, if you are having trouble making contact with the ball, this is a great way to do just that.

* Pitching techniques - In order to know how to pitch, you need to learn the skills needed. To do this, the most effective way to do so is to use a pitching cd to help you learn. This is also an effective baseball training aid for the coaches trying to teach.

Other things like practice gloves, fielding machines can help your infielder, your catcher, your batter and virtually ever other person on the team. When it comes to learning, we all can use these tools to have a better game.

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---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
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---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Video Demo Clips

Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds

Young Youth Baseball Player Practicing on the BatAction Baseball Batting Trainer

2010-09-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

Young Youth Baseball Player Practicing on the BatAction Baseball Batting Trainer
Coach2winVideos
Video shows a 7 Year Old Working Out on the BatAction Baseball Trainer. This youth baseball trainer has height and speed adjustments that make it suitable for all ages and ability. The Bat Action Machine is the perfect backyard batting trainer because it can be used alone, is fun to hit, and makes the batter learn to concentrate on the baseball. Visit the BatAction Baseball Training Blog at http://batactionbaseballtraining.blog... Product Availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com/probamafora... for Just $119.95 while supplies last. http://www.Bataction.com

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HurricaneMachine.com - Links

---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
---6 Questions Often Asked By Customers
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Video Demo Clips

Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds

BatAction Hitting Machine - The Perfect Youth Baseball Trainer

2010-09-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

BatAction Hitting Machine - The Perfect Youth Baseball Trainer
Coach2winVideos
Video show the BatAction Hitting machine by Nedco Sports. Nedco Sports is the company that patented the rotational hitting machine design. The BatAction Batting Machine is the best backyard baseball batting trainer availabe today. At $119.95 plus S&H, you will not find a more inexpensive trainer that produces such incredible result. It quickly builds a batters confidence, bat speed, and power. http://www.BatAction.com Visit the Official BatAction Training Blog for free drills, tips and coaching articles http://batactionbaseballtraining.blog... Availabe at Baseball2u.com http://www.baseball2u.com/probamafora...

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HurricaneMachine.com - Links

---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
---6 Questions Often Asked By Customers
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Video Demo Clips

Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds

BatAction Hitting Machine - The Perfect Youth Baseball Trainer

2010-09-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

How to Time the Ball - Baseball Hitting

2010-09-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

How to Time the Ball - Baseball Hitting
By guest author: Jack Perconte

Teaching a hitter to time a baseball is difficult. There are many variables that are hard to figure out. First of all, timing is based on good vision. Hitters who do not have great vision are at a disadvantage when trying to time a pitched baseball. Also, some hitters naturally have better hand-eye coordination, which is also necessary for good timing. Developing great timing is one of those things that if anyone ever figured out the key to getting and keeping it, they would become an instant millionaire. Additionally, good timing can be there one day and disappear the next day, or even from one at-bat to the next. I do know the best way to attain and keep good timing is to develop a good repeatable, compact swing. Many of my articles and in my book deal with developing a compact swing because of the value in having one. It makes sense that the more compact the swing, the longer the hitter can wait on the ball.

Hitters who can wait the longest for the pitch become good hitters because it allows them to swing at good, hittable pitches. Timing is useless if swinging at bad pitches. Additionally, unless a hitter can repeat a good, fundamentally sound swing, timing is often irrelevant.

This is not meant to mean that timing cannot be improved. The following hitting tips will help baseball players develop and maintain good timing: Read more.

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---15 Reasons To Buy a Hurricane Trainer
---6 Questions Often Asked By Customers
---Message to Parents From Coach Nick
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Drills
---20-Minute Hurricane Batting Practice Workout
---Hurricane Hitting Machine Video Demo Clips

Baseball2u.com has a one of the internet's largest selections of baseball coaching and training dvds

How to Improve Arm Strength For Baseball

2010-08-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

How to Improve Arm Strength For Baseball
By guest author: Jack Perconte

When people speak of improving arm strength they are basically asking "How can a ballplayer throw a ball faster?" This is one of the most asked questions I received from parents in my twenty one years of teaching baseball and softball. Throwing the ball faster and building arm strength for baseball and softball is basically the same thing. The answer to the question is very simple, "Throw correctly and throw often." There is no magic formula. The secret is all about good, solid throwing mechanics and throwing at least six to nine months out of the year. Of course, many experts will tell you that arm speed is based on genetics; that players are predisposed to being able to throw top speed based on their genetic make-up. I am sure they are correct, however until a player gives it everything they have, meaning the mentioned blend of good mechanics and continual throwing, players do not know what speed they are genetically capable of throwing. Every player is capable of greater arm strength if they put in the practice time. Of course, weaker armed players need to practice more than strong armed players, but weaker armed players have the most to gain, also.

With this in mind, following are tips for helping players improve arm strength:

1. At a young age, parents should have players' throwing mechanics analyzed by a professional throwing coach. Any suggested deficiencies should be addressed until correct throwing fundamentals are attained. Without the correct fundamentals, a player will not reach their potential and probably will be unable to avoid arm (shoulder or elbow) injury at some point.

2. About a month before their team practice begins, players should begin throwing two times a week, followed by three and four times a week.

3. Players should gradually increase speed and distance of throws until they are at maximum line drive distance. Players should throw at least 10 throws from this "long toss" distance and stop when their arm begins to tire or their throws begin to lose distance. Long toss is when players throw at maximum "in the air" distance without putting a big arc in the throw.

4. Once the season begins, position players should throw up to 5 days a week. No extra throwing than normal game day throwing is required. Of course, pitchers must take rest days after pitching.

5. Players should continue throwing a few days a week after their season concludes, up to nine months of the year, with two days a week performing long toss.

Players may not notice immediate improvement in arm strength, but over time they will see much stronger arms. As a coach, I have seen all players improve greatly when they stuck with a long term throwing program. Although strength training exercises do not lead directly to increased arm speed and throwing strength, it can lead to over all strength and quicker arm recovery time. Therefore, a controlled, age oriented strength training program is advised. Read more.

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How to Hit a Baseball : Hitting an Inside Pitch in Baseball

2010-08-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

How to Hit a Baseball : Hitting an Inside Pitch in Baseball
expertvillage
Be quick with the hands to hit a baseball pitched on the inside of the strike zone. Learn how to hit an inside baseball with swinging instructions in this free video lesson.

Expert: Eric Herrera
Bio: Eric Herrera is a hitting instructor in Phoenix. Since playing in the College World Series, he has coached little league teams and provided hitting instructions for five to eighteen year-olds.
Filmmaker: Dustin Daniels

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SKLZ Reaction Ball

2010-08-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

SKLZ Reaction Ball
ISGvids107
The SKLZ Reaction Ball is hands down on of the best fielding tools on the market. If you know of some great/bad equipment you have used or are using, share it with our Forum. http://www.isportsgallery.net/forum/

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Baseball Fielding Drills

2010-08-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

Baseball Fielding Drills
CoachBuford
Visit http://www.BaseballTutorials.com to see more online baseball coaching videos.

In this edition, we review some baseball and softball fielding drills you can use with your teams.

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Baseball Tips : Workout Program for Pitchers

2010-08-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Baseball Tips : Workout Program for Pitchers
eHowSports
There are many workouts for pitchers to do, and the essential tools you'll need are a BOSU ball, a baseball and 2- to 3-pound weights. Perform these workouts for pitchers with advice from a professional coach in this free video on baseball workouts.

Expert: Ricky Scruggs
Contact: www.centerfieldhits.com
Bio: Ricky Scruggs was a state champion in high school, played in the junior college world series two years in a row and was on the division 1 all-big west team at UNLV.
Filmmaker: Antonio Villagomez

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Baseball Batting Drill Video - Front Arm and Bottom Hand BatAction Drills

2010-08-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

Baseball Batting Drill Video - Front Arm and Bottom Hand BatAction Drills
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Video shows two advanced batters using the BatAction Hitting Machine to do two popular drills used to increase bat speed and power. The BatAction Machine is a popular training tool because it is so user friendly. The BatAction Machine sets up in minutes, weighs under 35 pounds, and requires no power source. The BatAction is popular with both baseball and softball teams.

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3 Ways to Increase Bat Speed

2010-08-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

3 Ways to Increase and Maximize Bat Speed
By Guest Author Jarrod B.

Despite what you may think, bat speed is the single most important factor when it comes to how far you can hit a baseball. Increasing your swing speed by only 5mph can add up 25 feet of distance when you hit a baseball. Most people have the ability to increase bat speed by using a few simple methods.

1. Use the lower half of your swing more efficiently: Most players primarily swing with their upper body. As far as hitting is concerned the upper body is the weakest part of the swing. Power in the upper body is generated from the lower half. Watch your swing on video in slow motion. If the upper body starts first and your lower half follows then you know that you are losing a lot of power. Practice initiating the swing with your lower half and you should instantly be able to increase bat speed.

2. Use Overload/Underload Training: Even though it may sound complicated all this means is you should train using different weight bats. Rotate between a bat that is heavier than normal, one that is lighter than normal, and your regular bat weight. Take around 150 dry swings per day and make sure that you swing correctly each time. You don't need to go too heavy or too light, only around 3-4oz difference each time should do. Swinging wooden bats of different size and weight is a great option for overload/underload training to increase bat speed.

3. Increase Core Rotational Strength Hitting is predominately a rotational movement and power is generated by the torque created between the upper and lower body. Good hitters have a strong, stable core and are able to make powerful rotational movements. Work on core strength by doing exercises with medicine balls, stability balls, and resistance bands.

If you can increase bat speed you will become a much better hitter and hit for more power.

www.PurePowerHitting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jarrod_B.

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Baseball Batting Video - Switch Hitting Baseball Drill

2010-07-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

Baseball Batting Video - Switch Hitting Baseball Drill

The video shows the BatAction Hitting Machine being used to practice "Switch Hitting" skills. The video shows a young and college age batter taking swings. The BatAction Machine is well known and respected as a backyard and team training machine. The BatAction is 100% Guaranteed to Improve batting skill and bat speed. Regular BatAction workouts have been known to increase batting averages from 100 to 300 points. It is recommended that players do the "20 Minute" BatAction batting practice workout at least 3 times a week.

Baseball Batting Drill Video - Front Arm and Bottom Hand BatAction Drills

2010-07-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

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Video shows two advanced batters using the BatAction Hitting Machine to do two popular drills used to increase bat speed and power. The BatAction Machine is a popular training tool because it is so user friendly. The BatAction Machine sets up in minutes, weighs under 35 pounds, and requires no power source. The BatAction is popular with both baseball and softball teams.

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Youth Baseball Batting Tips - The Fundamentals

2010-07-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Batting Tips - The Fundamentals
By Guest Author Jeffery A Wise

Learning youth baseball batting tips and practicing them thoroughly will practically guarantee a successful baseball hitting career. The best time to learn these tips is when you're young. Knowing the fundamentals of hitting will develop into lifelong skills.

My father taught me tips for hitting when I was a youth and those skills have stuck with me to this day. If you are a parent, be patient in teaching your child these fundamentals one at a time. If you are a young ball player, seek help from a parent or coach to make sure you're grasping these tips correctly. Remember that it takes time to develop skills. Even professional ball players practice batting fundamentals every day.

Here are the fundamentals you need to be the best baseball hitter you can be.

Keep your head down and eyes on the ball. Youth tend to keep their eyes on the pitcher or somewhere else on the field. Instead, they should practice keeping their eyes on the ball. From the moment it leaves the pitcher's hand to the moment they make contact with the bat. One way to practice this from the beginning is to hit off of a tee. You can go to any open ball field and practice. Another way to practice is by doing soft toss. Have your father, friend or coach get on one knee and underhand toss you the ball and swing into the protective net if your field is equipped with one or if you have one. You can do this in your backyard or at the ball field. These drills will help you focus, keeping your eyes on the ball.

Stand correctly in the batter's box. Make sure you are standing in the box shoulder width apart with your feet square and in line with the pitcher. Keep it simple in the beginning. Bend at the knees a little and hold the bat at or just below your chest and four to six inches away from your body. Make sure you feel comfortable in the box. If you don't feel comfortable, you won't get as many hits as you want.
Have a smooth, never changing swing. You can practice your swing anywhere virtually. Your goal should be to take a few dozen swings every day. Your swing should be smooth from start to finish. It shouldn't be jerky.

Always hustle. Whether you get a walk, ground out, fly out or a clean hit, always hustle to first base and wait for instructions from your first base coach. Sometimes that hustle will turn into an extra base or force the other team to make an error. Hustling also shows your coaches that you're serious and dedicated. Coaches like to see players who hustle and work hard.

Have fun. Relax and play the way the game was first intended. Have fun! If batting becomes a chore or no fun then you definitely won't be as successful hitting as you would if you were having fun.

These basic youth baseball batting tips should be practiced regularly. As time progresses, these fundamentals will become second nature to you and will stay with you the rest of your life.

Jeffery A Wise invites you to learn the proven system of youth baseball batting tips so that you can learn how to hit a baseball better. Start learning today at http://www.baseballhittingtipsonline.com by reading our information and downloading our free report.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_A_Wise

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2010-07-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Get all the swings you need - at the field or in your own backyard. The Bat Action Pro 360 has been one of the most popular, best-selling hitting machines ever. Recently re-engineered (2007). Known and respected for building powerful line-drive swings at all levels from youth to the collegiate ranks.

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Baseball Power Hitting Drills - These Power Hitting Drills Are a Must For Any Baseball Player

2010-07-18T07:02:00.001-07:00

Baseball Power Hitting Drills - These Power Hitting Drills Are a Must For Any Baseball Player
By Guest Author Tyler Barton

If you are a dedicated baseball player like I am with the thirst for power hitting, you know how important a good set of power hitting drills are. The sweet feeling of entering the ball park having your teammates proud and thankful to be on your team, to step up to the plate and have the other team's coach tell the fielders to move way back...it feels great.

However, before I found the right set of power hitting drills to incorporate into my baseball training, I didn't exist in the world of batting, let alone power hitting - I sucked!

It didn't matter what power hitting drills I did..or ate. My family couldn't afford a weight system, batting gloves don't help - just a waste of money, batting tees kinda helped my level swing - useless against non-stationary baseballs, I even tried eating a plate of spaghetti before every game - a mom tip. I would either end up flailing around at the plate like I had spaghetti arms (no pun intended), or I would get a stomach ache.

I was sick of everybody's advice and almost quit - there was a nice summer reading program at the library I could volunteer at for my community service hours for school.

Believe it or not, it was physics class that gave me a new practice drill - we had a question involving baseball distance and batting speed. Obviously, went home and looked for ways to improve my bat speed. WARNING: CLICHE MOMENT. It seemed too good to be true -PowerHittingDrills.com - a site devoted to baseball power hitting drills by university coaches and scientists (don't let this discourage you, it's about baseball, so it's written for baseball players).

Given that it's tested material, and the fact I was fed up with dumb redneck batting tips and willing to try anything, Given that these baseball power hitting drills are tested power hitting drills, and the fact I was fed up with dumb redneck batting tips and willing to try anything, I went for it. Going back to the beginning of this little blurb, this was the best investment ever - better than my ps3.

By just adjusting my grip I lost spaghetti arm and could make solid contact with the ball, so I was excited about learning the real power hitting drills.

Within weeks (or within a few season games for another perspective) I had added several power hitting drills and tips to my arsenal, power hitting baseballs to the fence for triples, and even ground rule doubles. Finally, within a month....same ol' season games - I hit my first home run - 290ft. Within another week or so, I became a power hitting machine. It's quite amazing how many friends remember you when you start winning games for their team.

You can read more about my story at PowerHittingDrills.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Barton

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Top 3 Reasons the BatAction Hitting Machine is the Best Youth Baseball Trainer on The Market Today

2010-07-15T07:41:00.001-07:00

1. The BATACTION SELF-TRAINER™ HITTING MACHINE makes batting practice fun, entertaining, convenient and highly productive. This amazing new breakthrough in hitting technology makes batting practice so entertaining that it is often called the "Backyard Basketball Goal For Batters"! The reason for this "nickname" is that baseball and softball players love to hit as much as basketball players love to shoot. Having a hitting station in your yard 24-7 allows players to hit or practice on "impulse" when they are bored and looking for something to do. Wouldn't you rather that your player swing the bat for fun rather than play "Game Box", play "Horse" or watch TV?

2. The BATACTION SELF-TRAINER™ HITTING MACHINE allows players to practice under your watchful eyes or to practice alone when you are not at home. How many times has your player asked for your help in practicing, but you had other responsibilities that prevented you from doing so? You are a busy person. You just do not have the time to spend with him or her that you wish you did. Now, your player can hit or practice without your help because the BATACTION SELF-TRAINER™ HITTING MACHINE allows a hitter to practice alone.

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Baseball Parent Guide - What is the Key to a Youth Baseball Player Becoming a High School Prospect?

2010-07-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

Coach Nick Dixon - Nedco Sports - Boaz High - Inventor of the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine

Baseball Parent Guide - What is the Key to a Youth Baseball Player Becoming a High School Prospect?
By Nick Dixon

As a high school baseball coach, I see players of all sizes, shapes, and ability levels try out for our JV and varsity teams. Baseball is the one sport that will never be ruled totally by size, speed, and power. I am not saying that power, speed and size do not help a player. What I am saying is that having certain physical attributes is not the key to baseball success. There is a place for all body builds to succeed. In this article, I discuss what I feel is the #1 key to a player becoming a prospect to make the high school team.

I think the #1 key to making the high school junior varsity and varsity teams is how much skill building homework a player has done during his youth baseball playing years. The key to becoming a stand-out player is how much practice a player gets year round and between regular team practices during the season.

Time after time, I see proof that the players that excel in baseball are the players that put forth that extra effort in making sure that their bat, glove, and arm are worked enough to help them reach their fullest potential as a player. It is hard for a player to reach their potential if they do not get proper instruction, receive adequate practice time, and workout enough to make their baseball skills stronger and their baseball play instinctive.

Players can not expect to excel if the only times that they ever pick up a, a ball or bat are at team practices during baseball season. Achievements in baseball are just like achievements in life. You get what you deserve. You deserve what you earn. The more time and effort that a player and his parents put into baseball in the early years is crucial to success in high school. In most cases, the outstanding high school prospects are the players that have baseball training equipment in their backyard or that have received baseball batting or pitching instruction from qualified baseball instructors.

To be a big time prospect, you need to throw, hit, and field in workouts on your own as well as with the team. Going above and beyond is the key to becoming a top rated baseball prospect. If you are unwilling to commit the time, put forth the energy, or stay on a regular practice routine, your chances of becoming an accomplished high school player can be reduced.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. You can find more like it at the Baseball Parent Guide, Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth Baseball Digest, and the Little League Digest. Have a great day, Nick.

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Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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How to Prevent Strike Outs - Baseball Hitting Advice From a Former Major Leaguer

2010-07-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

How to Prevent Strike Outs - Baseball Hitting Advice From a Former Major Leaguer
By Guest Author Jack Perconte

Nothing is more frustrating for young baseball players and their parents than strike outs, especially if it is a recurring event. Strike outs may lead to very depressed ballplayers and to upset coaches and parents. Obviously, continual strike outs lead to athletes losing confidence, self-esteem and usually their desire to play the game altogether. What to do?

First, explain to ballplayers that hitting a baseball is one of the toughest things to do in sports and good fundamentals, practice and patience are necessary. Further explain that there are very few kids that have natural swings and the necessary hand-eye coordination to automatically be able to hit a ball. This explanation is important so players do not get too frustrated and depressed and to give them the message that they have control over the situation if they are willing to put in the work.

Next, the results of the hitter's at-bats must be analyzed. Sometimes, it is just a matter of the hitter becoming a little more aggressive when batting so they are not always behind in the count. Unaggressive hitters find themselves hitting with two strikes too often. If that is not the problem, check the results of the player's swings and misses. Are they under the ball (most common), over the ball, early or late? This will lead to what needs to be done.

Following are possible solutions for each of these situations:

1. When hitters are continually swinging late at the pitch - challenge them with higher velocity that approximate game speeds. Many hitters will make the necessary adjustments on their own when they begin to see faster speeds and get their eyes used to seeing the faster pitching.

2. Similar advice - when hitters are continually early they need to face much slower pitching so they learn to wait on the ball.

3. When hitters are under the ball they need to shorten the swing. This means keeping their swing path more direct by keeping the barrel of the bat above the ball on the approach to the ball. This can be done in a number of ways including the following drills.

Hitting Drill - With the use of two batting tees set the tees a bout a foot apart and in line with each other. Place a ball on both tees with the ball closer to the catcher about a balls width lower than the ball out front. Hitters should work on hitting the ball closest to the pitcher while missing the back ball.

Hitting Drill - Along the same lines as the previous drill, set the height of the batting tee a little above the back hip and place the tee under the hitter's hands in their stance. Pitch balls to the hitter and have them swing over the tee on the way to contact. This will help hitters develop a more direct swing path and should lead to more consistent contact.

4. When hitters are over the ball they should work on knee high pitches until they can begin to hit line drives on this pitch location. This will help them get use to driving their hands to the back of the ball while using their hips and legs in the correct way.

It is important to note that habits are tough to change and that there are times when I use "opposite drills" to change a players habits. These drills are extremely different then what the player is doing and often are not the fundamentally sound swing either, but they are the only way the hitter can break their initial bad habit. The hitting drills under point number 3 above could be considered opposite drills compared to what happens in reality with a great swing. The goal is to eventually meet in the middle with the correct swing and this is a way of doing that.

Finally, a great way to prevent strikeouts and promote more consistent contact is with front arm work. The hitters lead arm (hand) is the one that takes the bat to the ball so swinging the bat with just the lead arm will help contact. This drill will force the hitter to use the lead arm and get stronger with the front side, which is often the hitter's weaker arm.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball. Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte

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Beyond the Warning Track - Serious Core Strength For Baseball Hitting Power!

2010-07-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

Beyond the Warning Track - Serious Core Strength For Baseball Hitting Power!
By Brandon Richey

There is only one way to increase your hitting power to take the leather beyond the warning track. In order to be more successful in hitting the baseball with superior force you have got to develop your core strength. As a strength and conditioning professional I can tell you that without significant core strength development your hitting power will always be limited regardless of how much time you spend in the batting cage. Read on if I have your attention.

Core Strength For Baseball Hitting Power!

If you are looking to drastically improve your hitting power then you have got to engage in lifts that will drastically improve the strength of your core midsection and large muscle groups. In order to do optimally do this you have got to execute lifts that are multi-joint in nature and work the big muscle groups. Lifts such as cleans, snatches, get ups, dead lifts, and jerks are all great for helping you to develop serious core strength for your hitting power. If you hit the big muscles you will hit the ball really hard, period!

Another strategy for your baseball core performance is making sure to execute exercises and drills that move you through the transverse plane of motion. This is one of three different planes of motion that the human body is capable of moving through. To explain this more clearly imagine a piece of paper that splits your body into top and bottom halves. This plane moves parallel to the flat ground that you stand on. Anything that moves along this plane such as any rotational type of movement will greatly benefit your hitting power. If you can imagine swinging the bat then you are on the rotational plane. The kettlebell get up is a terrific drill to help you move along at points of the transverse plane. Other drills such as rotational lunges and trunk twists will also work for this particular need.

If you haven't already started to engage in the strategies that I just mentioned then you are missing out on an excellent baseball core workout. Take the time to learn more by accessing and reading more of my articles on the subject for free. Remember that most any baseball player can train hard, but only the champions train smart my friend! Get the results you need in order to perform at the highest level by training for a purpose.

To learn more about Kettlebells, Fitness, and achieving Total Mind-Blowing Strength come and visit me at http://www.efandps.com
To be one of my members and to receive more tips on INSANE BODY CONSTRUCTION please visit me at: http://www.efandps.com/www.efandps.com/Brandons_Members_Newsletter.html
I'm Brandon Richey the Strength and Conditioning Pro!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Richey
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Youth Baseball Digest - Batting Order Basics For Little League Baseball

2010-07-06T05:33:00.000-07:00

Youth Baseball Digest - Batting Order Basics For Little League Baseball
By Nick Dixon

Little league and youth baseball coaches must know how to make out a batting order. They must know the roles and responsibilities of each batter in the line-up. They must know what are the physical requirements and hitting skills needed to perform the task associated with each spot in a team batting line-up. This article discusses the roles and duties of each player in a baseball batting order.

A straight batting order is the most popular and commonly used. There is one #1 batter, one #2 batter, one #3 batter, and the order goes on down the order to the nine spot. The various jobs and responsibilities of each spot are as follows:

#1 Batter- Called the lead-off batter, the first batter must get on base a lot. He should be a good contact hitter with good speed and base running skills. He must be a patience hitter at the plate that has the capability to take a lot of pitches. He is a good two strike batter that can go deep in the count and still swing the bat with confidence. He must have a good eye for balls and strikes. He must know that getting on with a base on balls is as good as a hit when you are the #1 batter in the order. The #1 hitter should not strike out a lot. The #1 hitter is a plate setter for the #3 and #4 hitters.

#2 Batter-The #2 batter should have the highest on-base-average on the team. He must also have the capability to go deep in the count and still hit with confidence, the #2 batter must take pitches to allow the lead-off batter base runner to steal second base. He must be a good bunter and a good bat handler capable of executing the hit and run play. His biggest responsibilities in order are is to move the runner on first to second with by getting on base safely, moving the runner to second or third base with a ball hit to the right side of the diamond, or to sacrifice bunt the runner to second base. The #2 hitter should not strike out a lot. The #2 hitter is also a plate setter for the #3 and #4 hitters.

#3 Batter-The best hitter on the team always hits in this spot. He must be a contact hitter. He should be the best power hitter on the team with the highest number of extra base hits. He should have one of the highest batting averages on the team. He should also be a capable base runner. The number #3 batter should have average speed. Putting a slow base runner in the #3 spot can cause a "log jam" on the bases. The #3 should continue to set the plate for the #4 cleanup batter.

#4 Batter- The #4 spot is known as the cleanup spot. The most powerful batter on the team should bat in this spot. His job is to "clean the plate" set for him by the batters before him. He should be an aggressive batter that has the best bat speed and power on the team.

#5 Batter-The five spot is always considered a spot for a power hitter. He should be the second most powerful batter on the team behind the #4 batter. His foot speed is not considered a major issue. His is there because he swings a powerful bat.

#6 Batter- The 6th spot in the order is often used for a lead-off player type batter. The 6 hitter should have a lead-off batter approach at the plate and good speed on the bases.

#7 Batter-The seven spot is the "left-over" spot. It is often used for an average player that is in the lineup because of pitching or defensive duties.

#8 Batter-In most cases, the #8 hitter should be a player that loves to hit the fast ball. The theory is that the 8 hitter will often be overlooked with the #9 hitter on deck. Also, it is thought that many teams will show little respect for the bottom three batters in the order and feed them a lot of fast balls. The number 8 hitter is normally a player that is in the lineup on a regular basis.

#9 Batter-The #9 spot is considered by many coaches as the 2nd lead-off batter. The 9th spot in the order is often used for the next best lead-off player behind your #1 hitter. The 9th hitter should have great base running skills and above average speed.

Coaching Point: Every batter that is the lead-off batter, starting an inning, should know the duty of a lead-off batter. The duty of the first batter in the inning is to get on base and to start a "rally". The lead-off batter that gets on base, to start the inning, score the majority of the time.

I hope that you found this article to be useful and informative. Good luck to you and your team this year. Have a great day, Nick.

The CoachesBest Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Nick Dixon is the President and founder of Nedco Sports, a sports training company established in 1999. Dixon is also an active and full time high school baseball coach with over 25 years experience. Coach Dixon is better known as the inventor of the BatAction Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine, the SKLZ Target Trainer, the SKLZ Derek Jeter ZipnHit Pro, and the SKLZ Strikeback Trainer. Dixon is also a contributing writer for BaseballCoachingDigest, the Youth Baseball Digest, the Baseball Parent Guide, the Baseball 2Day Coaches Journal, and Blog4Coaches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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Hitting Fundamentals

2010-07-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Posted on Youtube by bucsbaseball03
Baseball Hitting Fundamentals for all ages

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BatAction Hitting Machine Assembly Video - Bat Action Hitting Machine

2010-07-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

Video shows the assembly of the BatAction Hitting Machine by Nedco Sports. The BatAction Machine is a popular and well known baseball training machine that has height and speed adjustments for all ages. The BatAction is an excellent backyard and team batting practice machine.

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The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

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Peter hits on the BatAction PRO

2010-07-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

Customer Videro Posted on Youtube
Peter Pozo (pmp1030) smashes the ball on the bataction PRO

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Baseball Practice - Hitting Tips and Drills for Baseball Coaches & Players

2010-06-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Baseball Practice - Hitting Tips and Drills for Baseball Coaches & Players

Visit: http://learnbaseballhitting.com/lcp Tulane Hall of Fame Coach reveals baseball hitting drills for youth baseball instruction. Free baseball hitting tips and drills articles, videos, and photos sure to increase bat speed.

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Hitting Drills - "Staying Back" - Baseball Drill Video

2010-06-29T05:03:00.001-07:00

Baseball Hitting Drills - Teaching a player how to "Stay Back"

On http://ClubHouseGAS.com , top D-1 college baseball coach, Turtle Thomas in the first of a seven show series on hitting. This show "Staying Back". Also check-out http://YouthSportTravel.com

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Baseball Training For Power Hitting

2010-06-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

Baseball Training For Power Hitting
By Guest Author Vic Read

Watching a 5' 8", 160 pound shortstop hit a 400 foot bomb is always amazing. Sure, the 6' 4", 235 pound first baseman has the natural strength to put the ball out of the yard, but how does the smaller player do it? What does he possess to produce such power? And how do some larger players consistently hit for distance, while others just have the occasional home run?

The three main components to hitting the baseball consistently and for distance are:

1. Proper mechanics - feet comfortably spread apart, hands back, and a smooth transfer from load to swing.
2. Good eye-hand coordination - seeing the ball all the way in and watching the ball hit the bat.
3. Good bat speed - the faster the bat, the faster the ball flies out.

Each one of these components can be improved upon by every baseball player.

1. Proper Mechanics - Watch some major league games and check out the different styles of batting stance. Then grab a bat and see what is most comfortable for you. Being tense at the plate cuts down on your reaction time. And when that fastball is coming in, you have to be relaxed and ready to release the perfect swing. Once you have found a stance you like, go hit off the tee and then take some cuts at a batting cage and continue to refine your mechanics. Once you like your stance, then do some research and learn about loading up, staying back on the ball and swinging thru the pitch.

2. Good eye-hand coordination - soft toss, which is hitting a ball into a net when tossed by someone from a short distance, is a good tool to work on and improve your eye-hand coordination. Have the person toss the ball at different angles and different locations. Start off with slow tosses, and then increase the speed.

3. Good bat speed - there are many methods to help improve your bat speed. Try using a heavier bat or a wood bat during practice or in the cages. Swing off the tee using only one hand. Take a medicine ball, hold it out in front of you and rotate your hands like you were swinging a bat. The idea is to get your hands and hips moving faster to strike the ball at a greater speed.

Once you find that comfortable batting stance, and you have worked on the eye-hand drills, and you have improved your bat speed, than take a 100 swings a day. It can be off a tee, during soft toss, in a cage, or just in the backyard swinging at the air. But take a 100 good swings a day to make your swing as natural as breathing.

After my many years of coaching, watching and traveling to out of town baseball games, I decided to share my baseball tips and stories that I have learned and experienced along the way. To check out more articles that I have written, please visit my website at http://baseballknowledge.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vic_Read

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How to Time the Ball - Baseball Hitting

2010-06-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

How to Time the Ball - Baseball Hitting
By Guest Author Jack Perconte

Teaching a hitter to time a baseball is difficult. There are many variables that are hard to figure out. First of all, timing is based on good vision. Hitters who do not have great vision are at a disadvantage when trying to time a pitched baseball. Also, some hitters naturally have better hand-eye coordination, which is also necessary for good timing. Developing great timing is one of those things that if anyone ever figured out the key to getting and keeping it, they would become an instant millionaire. Additionally, good timing can be there one day and disappear the next day, or even from one at-bat to the next. I do know the best way to attain and keep good timing is to develop a good repeatable, compact swing. Many of my articles and in my book deal with developing a compact swing because of the value in having one. It makes sense that the more compact the swing, the longer the hitter can wait on the ball.

Hitters who can wait the longest for the pitch become good hitters because it allows them to swing at good, hittable pitches. Timing is useless if swinging at bad pitches. Additionally, unless a hitter can repeat a good, fundamentally sound swing, timing is often irrelevant.

This is not meant to mean that timing cannot be improved. The following hitting tips will help baseball players develop and maintain good timing:

1. Baseball players should have their eyes checked once a year to make sure their vision is at an optimal level.
2. As mentioned, hitters should continue to work on developing a compact, fundamentally sound swing.
3. Hitters should be taught to hit the ball in the direction of where the ball is pitched. For example, inside pitches should be pulled to the hitter's side of the field and outside pitches should be hit the opposite way. This should be ingrained into hitters' minds from a young age. The location of the pitch determines where it is hit and not the speed of the pitch.
4. Batting practice pitchers should alternate speeds of pitches with no speed considered too slow or too fast, within reason of course based on a player's age.
5. Batting practice speeds should be as close to game speeds as possible. Having batting practice pitchers move up or back as needed may be necessary to simulate these speeds.
6. Hitters should be encouraged to stand in (with helmet on and no bat) when their pitchers are warming up before games and during practice. This will help them see more game-like speed pitches and it allows them to just focus on the ball without swinging.
7. It is usually easily noticed when hitters are continually late on pitches or early on pitches. For players who are late, they should face faster thrown pitches than normal and hitters who are generally swinging early should face predominantly slower thrown pitches.
8. Coaches should stress to hitters the importance of watching the ball the complete distance. It is common for many hitters not to focus on the ball the first half or the last half of the ball flight.
9. Setting objects down along the path between the pitcher and batter and having the hitter call out when the ball goes over those objects can help players with tracking pitches.
10. Players should be encouraged to play other sports where hitting an object is involved. Sports like tennis, racquet ball and table tennis can help develop timing and hand-eye coordination.

Finally, just like developing a good swing is a constant process, developing good timing is a never ending job for baseball players.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball
Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte

How to Be a Three Hundred Hitter - This Single Tip Can Turn Your Child Into an All Star in No Time

2010-06-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

How to Be a Three Hundred Hitter - This Single Tip Can Turn Your Child Into an All Star in No Time
By Jay Granat

Believe it or not this tip has nothing to do with grip, mechanics, balance, head position, weight transfer, open stance, closed stance, hitting to the opposite field,watching the ball, knowing the strike zone, hitting in the cage, bat speed, following through, or where your elbow is when you get into the box.

This tip is a vital thing for parents, coaches and young players to understand and remember the night before the game, the day of the game, in the dugout, in the on deck circle and in the batter's box.

Every week, parents contact me because their son or daughter is in a hitting slump.

Now, I have dozens of interventions which I use to help baseball players to break out of hitting slumps and to start to drive the ball with confidence, conviction, focus and optimism.

I work closely with a number of hitting coaches and we make sure the player is mechanically and physically sound.

One tip that I have told many parents and coaches over the years is very simple but it is exceedingly important. Realize that many kids and parents who seek out my help are struggling with their relationship with their child around their sport. In this case, it is baseball. And specifically, it is about hitting with more consistency, especially in pressure packed situations.

So, here is the tip: Your child needs to know on a deep and sincere level that that you love them whether they hit two hundred or whether they hit four hundred." Once your child believes this and feels this kind of unconditional love, he or she is set up to perform better at the plate. Make sure you communicate this message to your young player consistently and frequently. This will build confidence. It will help your child to relax and allow him to have fun at the plate and at the game.

Give it a try now.

Dr. Jay Granat has recently released 101 Ways To Break Out Of A Hitting Slump With Sport Psychology and Self-Hypnosis. You can get this program with lots of hitting tips and a free sports psychology book at http://www.stayinthezone.com/shop-stay-in-the-zone.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=21 Dr. Granat is also the founder of http://www.stayinthezone.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Granat

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The Coaches Best Baseball Store has a great selection of 1400 Baseball Products. Check out the BatAction Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.