Expert: Rick Bundy - 3/20/2009

Question
My son is 7 years old and is starting pony league in 2 weeks.  We have been playing catch a lot and he is getting better but I think he is getting bored with just catch.  Any ideas on some practice routines for him.  He catches about 40% of the balls I throw(underhand) and hits about the same.  Thank you in advance.

Eddie

Answer
Eddie:  Thank you for the question.

What a great time in your and your sons' life.  I will turn 62 this summer, and my baseball journey started from those games of catch with my dad, around age 6.  They are still vivid memories I will cherish forever.

A good thing to work on with him is receiving, getting him to understand the concept of THUMBS TOGETHER, PINKIES TOGETHER.

THUMBS TOGETHER: For balls above his belt.

PINKIES TOGETHER:  For balls below his belt.

Start by underhand tossing as you have been.  As he begins to consistently get his glove in the correct position, for the location of the throw, increase the height of the toss and move get him moving up, back and sideways.   

You will see his confidence grow.  As it does, move to overhand throws, but not hard.  Eventually he will be able to play an active catch with you, and be able to catch some easy fly balls that you throw, ground balls, even run pass routes and catch easy throws.
All those add interest beyond just catching.  

On my website, www.theoleballgame.com, I have a new page just up on receiving for rookies.  Within the week I will have my advanced page uploaded, as well as the start of my throwing pages.  These two, throwing and receiving are the heart and soul of baseball skills.

There will also be drills for these areas soon.  Once you tie the throwing and the receiving together, the drills and games are numerous.

There is also a section on hitting progressions for rookies.  On the homepage, if you click on HITTING, under Baseball Instruction, scroll down to the links at the bottom, click on rookie progressions, you may find some things that will work for you.

It sounds like you are off to a great start.  As I mentioned at the top, enjoy the trip.  You are both creating memories that will last forever.

Best of luck as you move forward.

Yours in baseball,

Rick