Expert: John McInnis - 3/4/2004

Question
Hi my name is Travis Haggerty, I am a sports editor for a school newspaper. I am doing a story on sports tips. If you could give me 5-10 tips that kids should know to play baseball that would be great. Thank you for your time.

Travis Haggerty

Answer
Hi Travis,

sure...I have a few tips that might be of interest.

1. Arrive early for practice.  You can warm up at your own pace and it shows your coach how eager you are. Good way to socialize too.
2. Warmups should be at least 10 minutes and always performed before practices and games begin.  Find a routine and stick to it.  
3. Practice how you play and play how you practice.  If you keep this motto in mind, your game will improve.
4. Be quick but never rush.  Its important to be fast but you must perform under control.  Some players rush and that's when mistakes are made.
5. Defensively, always follow the ball.  Know where the next play is and ask if in doubt.
6. Study the team signals.  If you coach does not have any, make some suggestions.
7. Play with dignity and sportsmanship.  Loosing your temper, cursing and throwing items only makes you and your team look bad.  There are no excuses for this behaviour.  Win or lose, remember its only a game.
8. Keep a ball in your glove whenever you are not using it. It helps the glove to keep its shape.  Some even tape the glove with a ball inside during off-season.
9. Batting practice is extremely important.  Practice batting ever chance you get.  Have someone toss wiffle balls (small perforated plastic balls) and bat them against a fence.  These balls are light, difficult to hit and don't travel far when hit.  This will help you with timing and increase your strength.
10. Depending on the age, pitchers should have at least 2 or 3 types of pitches: fastball, change-up and curve. +14 can work on curve balls while younger players should avoid this technique.  It is too difficult a pitch and could cause an injury that could ruin a pitcher for many years.  
11.  Throwing a baseball is an unnatural act and should be developed slowly and patiently. These muscles must be carefully warmed up otherwise you can have a season-long injury.
12.  Fielders must always move according to the which way the batter swings.  Few batter can place-hit the ball.  If the ball is not being hit in your direction, move up and in the middle.  Any balls hit in the 'wrong' field are usually pop-ups or grounders between the bases.
13. 'Southpaws' or left-handed players, make the best 1st basemen. Glove extension is ideal for this position when covering a runner on 1st.
14. Defensively, always have strength down the middle.  

Hope this helps, Travis.  Best of luck,

Coach John.