How to Prevent Stepping Out on the Pitch
Courtesy of Jon Hoelter [goodswing.com]
Stepping out generally begins because of fear of the ball and may continue later simply because of habit. To help correct this habit, place a glove or something flat to the left of the hitter's stride area (for right-handers), so they know when they are stepping out.
If they realize they are stepping out and continue doing it, they may have a balance problem. Have them lift their front heel off the ground during their stance and stride. This will help them keep their weight forward toward the plate.
If fear is a factor, it is important to convince the player that he is safer when striding straight at the pitcher than when bailing out. The proper movement of the batter when a ball is thrown at him is to turn inward toward the plate and then toward the catcher (while dropping his head if the pitch is high). This protects his head and chest (the two dangerous places to get hit). Bailing out opens the hitter up and usually results in exposing the chest and head to the ball.
 Coaching Tip
To reduce fear and build confidence, have the player practice hitting with softer safety balls, polyballs (hollow wiffle balls), or golf-sized wiffle balls.
Personal Pitcher Pitching Machines - From just $189
New & Improved 2004 Models at Lower Prices
 The only golf wiffleball machine that is fully portable and rechargeable. Throws a very straight ball every 6 seconds, unless you prefer the brand new curveball model. Great for pre-game warmups or hitting stations. Zero set-up time. Use any bat. Eliminate fear of the ball and build confidence!
New Features
All 2004 models include 45/25 mph* dual pitch speed and pitch release indicator light.
| Model | 2003 | 2004 | Includes |
| Standard | $189 | $189 | 24 balls, 2 hour battery, AC Adapter, 1 year warranty |
| Minor Leaguer Pkg | $260 | $250 | Standard model w/ Tripod, 60 balls, 40' x 14' net |
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| HS | $229 | $209 | 48 balls, 4 hour battery, AC Adapter, 2 year warranty |
| All-Star Package | $319 | $275 | HS model w/ Tripod, 72 balls, 40' x 14' net |
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| Curveball Pro | N/A | $259 | New Model - Throws left and right handed curve balls |
* Speed can be adjusted by moving the machine closer or further away from the hitter. At 18-20 feet, the speed can be equivalent to a 70-85 MPH pitch from 60 feet.
Mark Wyatt, Shafter HS Coach (Bakersfield, CA): Possibly the best batting training aid on the market!
Coach JP: All you need is 25 feet and enough area to swing a bat.
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Why Hitting A Small Ball Leads to Big Results
Coach John Peter
Focus Plus Quality Repetitions Equals Success
Can you find ways to make better, solid and more frequent contact with the talent you now possess? You bet you can. It's easier than you think and can be done right in your backyard! Hit a small ball.first with a bat, then with a smaller bat, then do it again and again. It's a simple idea. I hope most readers will agree that this makes sense. . But let's dig deeper into how and why.
Here's Why It Works
- Players of all ages can do this and adjustments can be made based on age and skill level.
- Hitting requires timing and balance. This is achieved through repetition of proper swing mechanics done again and again.
- Focus heightens when a player is challenged - a smaller ball perhaps struck with a smaller bat will create an even greater amount of focus. Do this again and again.you will see results almost immediately!
- Hitting is fun!
It stands to reason that if a player can hit a small ball, he certainly can hit a regulation-sized baseball. The same is true with a smaller bat. Even if he struggles in the beginning, watch what happens when he starts connecting. The eyes narrow, the "this is no fun" attitude disappears. In short order, he's taking 50 - 150 swings! This is where progress begins to happen.
If you do this three times or more during the first week, especially the day of or the day before a game, you have just raised the hitter's timing and confidence levels tremendously!
But if you do it one time only, you or your player may not be motivated enough at this time in the player's development to become a more skilled player or coach. I say this simply because this exercise requires less effort and time than most skill-building exercises that I could possibly invent or teach!
I will tell you that it is a baseball truth that if you learn the proper swing mechanics and then simply do it again and again. You become better.period!
Rule Book Review: Live Ball in Play
MLB & Little League Rule 5.08
If a thrown ball accidently touches a base coach, or a pitched or thrown ball touches an umpire, the ball is alive and in play. However, if the coach interferes with a thrown ball, the runner is out.
Baseball Tips Holiday Specials
Christmas is just 36 days away
With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to consider the gift of baseball for your favorite baseball coach, dad, and player. Be sure to check our website at www.baseballtips.com often during this holiday season.
We will soon be featuring Great Gift Ideas in the following categories:
Under $25 Under $49 Under $99
Under $199 Over $200
You can also expect to see some brand new items, such as the new video now available to Newsletter subscribers, Drills To Improve Infielders' Feet, Arm, and Hands by Clemson University coach Jack Leggett.
Remember to keep Baseball Tips in mind over the next few busy shopping weeks. And if you have any questions, you can always ask us for advice at 1-800-487-7432 (9-6 EST).
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Hall of Fame Allows Fans to Vote For Favorite Broadcaster
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Most baseball fans have a favorite team, and along those same lines, a favorite announcer, whose voice connects us to the time period, team and game we are most passionate for.
Now, for the first time, the public will have a say in which announcers will have a right to earn permanent placement at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, after the Hall's Board of Directors approved changes to the Ford C. Frick Award voting process
"Because baseball broadcasters have been one of the strongest links between the game and its fans since the 1920s, we wanted to give the fans a say in which broadcasters advance to the final ballot," said Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark.
During the month of November, baseball fans will be able to vote online from a list of 169 candidates, which will be narrowed down to 10 finalists after the top three vote getters in the fan ballot are combined with seven candidates selected by a Hall of Fame staff research team.
The final ballot, including the three fan selections, will be announced in December, with the overall winner to be picked by an electorate committee of six baseball historians and the 14 living former Frick Award winners. The final results will be announced at the Hall of Fame's Web site in February.
Presented annually since 1978 for excellence in baseball broadcasting, the Frick Award is given to an active or retired sportscaster for "major contributions to baseball." To be considered, the broadcaster must have a minimum of 10 years of continuous major league broadcast service with a ball club, network, or a combination of the two.
Bob Uecker was the 2003 winner of the award, which is named in memory of former baseball commissioner Ford C. Frick, who was also a renowned radio broadcaster.
Although the winner is not actually enshrined in the Hall, the Award is presented annually at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and their name is inscribed on an exhibit called "Scribes and Mikemen" outside of the main library.
Voting, which began on November 1, will continue through December 1. Fans are allowed to vote once daily.
2004 Ford C. Frick Award Nominee Voting
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/library/frick_voting/index.asp
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Archives
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A Recap of Last Week's Tip Sheet, # 12
Pitching: Mechanics and the Mind
AL Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay proved that sometimes the path to pitching success is having an open mind to change and a closed mind to distractions.
The Basics For a Baseball Conditioning Workout
Certified Personal Trainer Charles Slavik focuses on the training differences between baseball players and other athletes.
Free Instructional Articles
Our ten most read articles for the month of October include Training With Wood Builds Bat Speed and When and How to Throw a Curveball.
Baseball Training Card Tip
Mechanical keys to the basic pitching delivery.
Tip Ship Archive
Our Tip Sheets have lots of useful information from the best and brightest in the game of baseball. Be sure to check out our Tip Ship Archive page, where each past issue is broken down by topic.
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Baseball Instruction: Coaches & Players
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Benefiting players and the coaches who instruct them, our Instructors Section is a FREE resource for players who are interested in personal instruction in all aspects of the game.
Any coach or instructor can simply add their credentials and specialties to our database, which can then be viewed by all visitors of Baseball Tips.com.
States/Provinces Currently Available
For those that wish to be added, please fill out the form below. Entries without these details cannot be added to this free database.
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