Learning Techniques to Improve Your Baseball Skills

…is a collection of simple baseball techniques/tips for

players, coaches and parents. Contributing experts include;
former major league players, professional baseball scouts,
high school and college coaches, baseball clinicians and
others associated with teaching the fundamentals of
baseball..

HITTING
• Make sure that you chose a bat that you can handle
effectively.

• Your size and strength, not your age, should

determine the bat you should use.

• Pick the bat up by making a “V” with your arms and holding the bat in the
fingers, the wrists remain loose and flexible which allows a rolling action.

• Alignment of the knuckles is a key element in the grip. Align the knuckles you
knock on doors.

• You must feel comfortable in your stance.

• Your position in the batter's box is very important. A general rule to follow is to
line up your belly button with the middle of the plate.

• The distance you should stand away from the plate is very important. To find
where you should stand, place your left foot so your toes are touching the plate.
The distance of your foot is how far you should be from the plate. Remember…
use your foot size and no one else.

• The back elbow should be in a 45 degree angle (or where you feel comfortable).

• The hands should be placed around the shoulder area. A slightly bend in the
lead arm is imperative because a straight lead arm will lead to a slow bat. The
back elbow should be in a moderate position.

• The shoulders should be parallel with the ground and the front shoulder slightly
tilted down. This will encourage a level swing. Anytime the front shoulder is up
or flies open you will usually pop the ball up or miss the pitch entirely.

• In the stance, both your head and eyes need to be straight and the chin should
be near the front shoulder.

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 • Your knees and ankles should be slightly bent to help the body remain loose.

• The front knee should be tucked in towards the back knee which will help push
the weight back. There should be a transfer of weight from the back side of the
body to the front side. The majority of weight should start over the back leg.

• The only difference between your stance and stride is that you pick up your front
foot and place it down.

• The longer you can wait before you start your stride, the better chance you have
of hitting successfully. The ball must come to you and will get there soon
enough without having to go out after the pitch.

• The front foot controls the stride. Try to stride no more than 4 inches. If you are
having problems, widen your stance and hit with no stride. Younger players will
have more success by widening their stance to the width of their shoulders and
not striding. Striding can cause more problems than it helps!

• The hands during the stride must remain back. If the hands move forward during
the stride, power is lost.

• The stride is one of the hardest concepts to master in all of baseball. Go from a
stance to a stride and back over and over and over until it becomes a habit.

• Research has proven that a hitter has 4/10th of a second from release point to
the contact point, which leaves 2/10th of a second to determine speed, spin, and
zone with 2/10th of a second to execute the swing. When you know you are
going to swing and where the pitch is, you should start your swing with an
explosive rotation of your back side, back hip and leg.

• Quick back hip action is necessary for a hitter to have a good quick bat.

• A hitter with slow hips will eventually be overpowered on the higher levels of
baseball.

• You should track the ball from the pitchers hand all the way to your bat.

• Once in the batters box, you must block everything out of your mind except "see
the ball, hit it."

THROWING
• Strength, speed, accuracy, and correct techniques are necessary to successfully
throw the baseball.

• There is one grip for infielders, outfielders, and catchers. Pitchers will use a
variety of grips.

• A proper grip involves placing the index and first middle finger over one of the
long seams. These two fingers should be spread slightly apart. The thumb is
directly under these two fingers. There should be a space between the palm
and the ball and it should not be jammed back in the palm. The last two fingers
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 should rest on the side of the ball trying to stay out of the way. This grip should
be used every time a throw is made to guarantee maximum velocity. (Younger
players might have to place three or all four fingers on the baseball to overcome
their small hands.) The ball should be held loosely and released overhand with
even pressure off the fingers to get a good straight, hard throw. Practice this
grip until you can form the habit of fielding a ball and picking it out of your glove
with the proper grip.

• The correct throwing position is to turn your body sideways and point the glove
shoulder at the target. The ball should be in the glove and the hands at the
chest. Your head and eyes should be staring at the target. Your body should
be loose and ready 10 throw.

• Once in the throwing position you should lift your glove side leg waist high. As
the leg comes down the hands should "break" (separate). The elbows should
go up, shoulders level, and arms out away from the body. Make sure the
knuckles stay on the top of the ball.

• The glove leg should come down and stay closed as the stride is made. The
stride foot should land flat (a little open) while the back leg is pushing off to
provide the power. At this point the glove side hip, shoulders, eyes, and front
foot should be pointed at the target.

• The hips should rotate open bringing the arm up, around, and on top. The
elbow is above the shoulder, arm at a 90 degree angle, wrist straight, front leg
bent, back heel up, and glove tucked in close to the body.

• Always try to throw from an overhand 3/4 release point.

• The elbow should lead the wrist, which is cocked back with the proper grip, and
your arm should straighten as you release the ball with a downward snap of the
wrist and a downward pull of the index and middle fingers (applying equal
pressure by both fingers).

• Release the ball in front of your body as your hand starts down across the body
in the follow-through.

• As you release the ball the arm goes down across the body with the elbow
ending by the glove knee. The hips and shoulders continue through the motion
and the back foot is lifted off the ground by your momentum. The back foot then
lands and the throwing shoulder is now pointed at the target.

BASE RUNNING
• Games can be won or lost depending on how
well or poorly you execute on the base paths.

• It is very difficult for you to significantly

increase your running speed after the age of
16. Most players develop their speed between
the ages of 8 and 16.
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• It is possible to improve foot speed by a step or two (maybe .1 of a second) with
hard work. This is done mostly by improving running form.

• Run with your head up, eyes on the target, and a loose body. Try to keep the
head still, not allowing it to move from side to side. Do not tighten any part of
your body (hands, mouth, etc.) as this causes the body to tense up and slow you
down. The shoulders should be level which allows the arms to pump freely.
Arm movement should be as follows: up and back in a straight line, hands never
going above the shoulder and never lower than the hip, always pump arms
straight back and forth not allowing them to cross the midline of the body. As
the left arm pumps up the left leg is back and straight (driving off) with the right
arm back and right leg up. The arms and legs then alternate as the body goes
forward. A last arm pump with the legs should help you reach your full potential.
The legs are the driving force. The knees should be lifted to the waist and then
back down again. Remember to thrust the legs forward and straight keeping
them crossing the midline of the body (just like the arms). Land each foot on the
ball of your foot with toes pointed straight ahead. Finally, when running the body
should lean forward like a sprinter trying to break the tape at the end of a race.

• When contact is made the hitter automatically becomes a base runner.

• Right hand hitters first step will be a push off with the right foot towards first
base. Left hand hitters push off with the left foot and crossover to first base.
The next two or three steps are very important. You should try to attain
maximum speed in these three steps.

• As a runner, you have a decision to make, whether to run straight through the
base or make the turn. To make this decision you should briefly glance left at
the ball without losing any speed. If it appears the ball will be fielded by an
infielder, look back at the bag and run straight through the base.

• After determining that you need to run through first base, you must sprint the
rest of the way. As you approach first base try to step on the front edge of the
base with either foot. Do not leap (this slows you down), stutter step (to try and
land with one particular foot), or slide. The only time you should slide is on a
wild throw to try and avoid the tag. Watch the first baseman to see if he moves
off the bag towards home plate to decide if a slide is necessary. Also you
should sprint five (5) feet past the bag thus avoiding any slowing down before
you reach first base.

• If you see that the ball is through the infield, swing out to the right about 12 feet
into foul territory and as you near first base begin to swing back towards first.
Try to hit the inside comer of the base with either foot (don't stutter step) and
use the base to push off in a straight line towards second base. Run full speed
through the base to about 1/3rd of the way to second base (depending on where
the ball is) always watching the baseball. If the outfielder bobbles the ball, and
the runner makes a quick decision (with no hesitation), try to get to second. On
a clean fielded ball go back to first, but never take your eyes off the ball. A bad
throw could allow you to go to second base.

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INFIELD
• Playing an infield position requires a tremendous
amount of skill. Fly balls are easy to field
because it requires one skill, catching. Fielding
ground balls involves two skills, fielding the ball
and throwing the runner out.

• Infielders should have quick feet, soft hands, a

good arm and good eye-hand coordination.

• The biggest problem with most infielders is using a glove that is too big. Too
many errors are committed in the infield are the result of using the wrong glove
or a glove that is improperly broken in. Select a glove that fits your hand. Stiff
gloves are harder to maneuver and will lead to errors. A good method for
breaking a glove in is to lightly dampen it and turn the glove inside out and then
rub in shaving cream with lanolin which works as a moisturizer.

• As the pitcher is in his delivery, you should be in a good ready position. Spread
your feet to shoulder width and parallel. You should be on the balls of your feet
to allow quick movement. The knees are bent, hands hanging loose, and head
up. You should be loose and ready to move in any direction. Assuming a good
ready position allows you to attain maximum speed in any direction quickly. The
weight should be forward and the back straight. You should be concentrating on
the pitch trying to pick the ball up at contact. You must be confident! You should
want the ball hit to you because you know you can field the ball and throw out
the runner. Lose that confidence and you will have problems fielding the balls.

• When contact is made and you know the ball is hit toward you, you should move
to the ball. Stay low and keep the body under control. On balls hit at you or
slightly to your right or left try to keep the belt buckle in line with the ball. The
glove and throwing hand should be out front, palms facing up. Picking the right
hop is crucial. You should try to field the big hop and stay away from the short
hop.

• As the ball approaches you should begin to get in a good fielding position. The
common mistake here is to wait too late to get down. A fielding position should
be assumed when the ball is approximately 10 feet in front. A good fielding
position consists of having the feet shoulder width with the glove foot slightly
forward. This allows the glove to reach out a little farther. The knees are bent,
head up, eyes on ball, rear end down, hands out front, and glove on ground.
The ball should be in line with the bell buckle, glove open and throwing hand
next to the glove. As the ball hits the glove, your shoulder “cushions” the glove
and ball to the belt buckle. This creates soft hands. If the glove remains in
place, the ball has a tendency to pop out.

• When the cushion is complete, you need to get your body in a throwing position.
This is accomplished with a skip or crow hop. Take the throwing foot and cross
it in front of the body allowing the hands to go to the chest area and the hip and
shoulder to line up with the target. Now you are in a throwing position and can
break the hands, stride, throw and follow through. Throw over the top so the ball
will not tail.
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 • Anytime the ball is hit to your throwing side and you can't get the belt buckle in
front, you should backhand the ball. You should always field the ball in front if
possible because the backhand is hard to execute. (Use the backhand as a last
resort.) When the ball is hit crossover from a ready position by pivoting the feet
and body towards the ball. Stay low and sprint to the ball. As you approach the
ball break down into a backhand position. Field the ball with the glove right next
to the throwing foot. This foot should be planted. The knees are bent, glove
open, and eyes on the ball. When the ball hits the glove cushion straight back
for soft hands. As you cushion the glove leg comes up lining the hips and
shoulder with the target. Since the throwing foot is planted all you have to do
now is throw.

• On a ball hit to your left you should again crossover after your ready position
and sprint to the ball. As you approach the ball you should try to field it in a
good fielding position. If you can't get a fielding position you should reach out
with the glove to field the ball. After fielding the ball you must try to turn the
body to line the hips and shoulder into a good throwing position. Sometimes
there is not enough time to square the body so the throw must be made
sidearm. Remember the ball will tail, so allow for this when making the throw.

• All infielders should know how to field bunts and slow rollers. When the ball is
hit you should charge the ball in a semi-circle. The weight will now be going
towards first base and help ensure a strong throw. Field the ball with two hands.
The only time you bare hand the ball is when the ball is not rolling.

• On a pop up over your head, you should turn, crossover, and sprint to try and
get your body in front of the ball. There will be times when you must catch it on
the run. Never back pedal! Line the ball up with the nose and catch the ball
with two hands. A slight cushion is recommended to keep the ball from popping
out at the glove.

• The proper technique for tagging a runner is to straddle the base with both feet
and face the thrower. Catch the ball with two hands and apply the tag with the
glove only by placing the glove directly on the ground. Let the runner slide into
the tag…never go out after the runner.

OUTFIELD
• Playing an outfield position requires both
individual skills and teamwork.

• Outfielders should have good speed, quick

reaction, strong arms and good judgment.

• The right size glove is also important. (See

glove info under INFIELD section.)

• Each of the three different outfield position requires slightly different skills.

• The center fielder should be able to cover more ground since more balls are hit
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 in his direction. He must be last and have a strong arm. He needs to be a
leader because he is expected to be the captain of the outfield.

• The right fielder should have the strongest arm of the three outfielders because
a long accurate throw is needed to third base. He needs to have quick feet so
he can cut off potential double or triples down the line. He is usually a little
slower but often a power hitter.

• The left fielder will have the weakest arm of all the outfielders. Most of his
throws are short so he doesn't need a strong arm. He should be a smart
defensive player because many quick decisions must be made on whether or
not to throw home. He will get a lot of ground balls so he must be a good fielder.
Speed is necessary to cut off potential extra base hits and get to the many balls
that will be hit to him.

• The ready position for all outfielders is the same as infielders.

• On all fly balls you should try to catch the ball with two hands, in front of your
body, with the weight going into the ball as the catch is made. Try to line the ball
up with the nose so you can see the ball all the way.

• If the ball is hit directly to you, position yourself so that you will take a step into
the ball (with your glove foot) as you catch it. You still need to turn your glove
side to the ball. On a ball hit in front, sprint forward, breaking down at the last
second to make the turn of your body and be balanced before the throw.

• Balls hit to your right or left require the same crossover move that was
discussed in the INFIELD section. From the ready position, pivot the feet in the
direction of the ball and sprint to the ball. You must circle the ball to get the
weight moving into the ball as the catch is made. Without this circle the weight
is moving lateral with the catch and it will take extra time to stop and throw.
Quick reaction, not just a good crossover step, is needed to get to the ball.

• The fly ball hit over your shoulder is the most difficult to catch. The first move
should be a short drop step to the side of the ball followed by a crossover step
with the other foot. Example: Fly ball over your right shoulder (assuming you're
right-handed). You should drop step (back) with your right foot, crossover with
your left foot, and sprint to the ball. The first steps after the crossover are crucial
and must be full speed back to the point where you can turn, position your body,
and catch the ball while moving into it.

• On the ball hit directly over your head, drop step to either side (which ever is
more natural) and then crossover.

• Four important rules to follow on all fly balls: (1) Catch the ball with two hands;
(2) Sprint, don't jog to the ball; (3) Keep your eyes on the ball at all times; (4)
Never back peddle on a ball over the shoulder.

• You should charge all ground balls in order to return the ball to the infield as
quickly as possible. On balls hit to your right or left you should use the same
crossover step that was previously discussed. Also use the circle technique on
ground balls where lateral movement is required.

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 • On both fly balls and ground balls field the ball with the glove side forward and
the weight moving into the ball. This allows the body to be set for a quick,
strong throw. As you catch the ball, with the glove foot forward, “crop hop” to
get the body into a throwing position. The crow hop is executed by picking the
throwing foot up and over an imaginary wire and placing it in front of the glove
foot. Now you are in a good throwing position. (Glove hip and shoulder facing
target, hands at chest, glove in air.) From this position throw the ball as
described in the INFIELD section. It is important that you throw with an overhand
to 3/4 release so the ball doesn't tail. This will provide a stronger more accurate
throw.

• Getting a good jump on batted balls is important. There are certain items to
consider before the ball is pitched to getting a good jump. Know the hitter. If he
is a pull or spray hitter, move right or left when setting up. If he is a poor or
weak hitter, move up or back when setting up. Know the pitcher. If the pitcher
is throwing hard or slow you need to react accordingly. The pitch (fast, curve,
change, etc.), the score, weather and field conditions are other considerations.
After setting up, watch the barrel of the bat to see where contact is made and
get the proper jump.

• Playing the outfield requires individual skills and teamwork. Outfielders must
communicate with each other. They can help on hit balls by calling off each
other when one outfielder is in a better position to field the ball. Helping on
distance from the fence, which base to throw to, whether to go up or back, and
where the ball is may aid the other outfielder to field the ball. They must back
each other up on all hit balls. It the ball gets by one outfielder, the other closest
should be in position to field the missed ball. Without this teamwork, you could
lose games.

CATCHING
• Catchers in baseball are usually the leader of the
team. From his position he can see the whole field
and must be smart enough to use this vision to help
the team. He should be confident, aggressive and
intelligent.

• Catchers must have quick feet and a strong, accurate

throwing arm. He must also be tough. During the
course of a season a catcher will block numerous
pitches in the dirt, get hit by foul balls, and encounter
many collisions with runners at home plate. Also the
everyday wear and tear on his knees is painful. So a
catcher can't be weak or timid.

• As a catcher you must give signs to the pitchers so that you will know what pitch
is coming. You must squat by crouching down with the knees bent and the
weight on the toes. The feet are parallel and approximately 12 to 15 inches
apart. The head is up, elbows in, and back straight. The glove is placed below
and outside the right knee to hide signs from the third base coach. The right
hand is placed back in the crotch area to give signals.

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• Once the sign is given, you should set up in a receiving position. The most
important factor here is to give the pitcher a good target to throw at. When the
pitcher acknowledges the sign, you should spread your feet a little wider so you
will be balanced. You must drop the right foot slightly back for more balance.
The weight is leaning forward, weight on the balls of the feet, and glove out in
front of the body. Keep the glove elbow bent so it doesn't become still. The
glove wrist should be loose and relaxed. Place the throwing hand behind the
back to protect the hand from foul balls.

• With runners on base, you need to change a couple of things. You need to
make sure the thighs are parallel to the ground. The bare hand is now placed
behind the glove (with the fist) in case a throw is needed. You should set up at
the inside, middle, or outside part of the plate. This will depend on the hitter,
pitcher, and situation. The glove will be placed in one of these three positions
and also in the high, middle, or low part of the strike zone. When catching the
ball, the glove will help to "frame" the pitch. Framing helps increase the
umpire’s chance of calling the pitch a strike. Be sure you cushion the ball as it
hits the glove. This helps to develop soft hands and keeps the ball from popping
out of me glove.

• The low pitch is a difficult pitch to handle. With runners on base, you must do all
you can to keep the ball in front of your body. This requires concentration and
quick reactions. As soon as you see the ball in the dirt you must shift to your
knees and get the body in front of the ball. Instead of trying to catch the ball,
you should be trying to block the ball. From your stance, on a pitch in the dirt
directly at you, drop to both knees and place the glove in the crotch area to
cover the open area. Try and place the glove down into the ground first, this will
help bring the rest of the upper body down quicker. After dropping to the knees
and placing the glove in the crotch area, you should tuck your chin down and
bend the back forming a C shape. This will allow the ball to hit the ground then
the body and bounce in front of you. Now you can pick up the ball and make a
throw if necessary.

• Anytime runners are on base, you should anticipate a steal attempt and be
prepared to make a throw. On the inside pitch, you should step to the left with
your left foot as you catch the ball. You should now shift the feet, turn the
shoulders, and bring the hands to the chest which will put you in a good
throwing position. You should now throw the ball by bringing the throwing arm
straight back out of the glove and throwing overhead. The throw must be quick
so you have to have a short extension of the throwing arm. On the middle pitch,
you simply catch the ball and shift your feet to a throwing position. The feet
should shift quickly and bring the hip, shoulder, and hands into place. Now you
are ready to make the throw. On the outside pitch, you should step with the
right foot to the right as you catch the ball. Now bring the left over in front to get
in a good throwing position (hip, shoulder, hands in proper place).

• On all throws you should concentrate on quick feet to get the body into throwing
position. You should have a short extension and throw similar to a quarterback
in football by bringing the throwing arm right by the ear. An overhand throw is
essential so the ball will not tail. You should try to throw the ball knee high right
over the base.

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 • Throwing to first or third base is difficult. If the hitter is in the opposite box from
where the throw is being made, you only need to step and throw. With a hitter in
the box where the throw is going, you need to step in front of or behind the
runner to throw.

• Knowing how to apply the lag at home plate is important. Some catchers prefer
to keep the mask on for protection while others like to throw it off for better
vision. This should be up to you. You should place your left foot on the front left
corner of the plate. This will help give the runner full sight of the plate and
hopefully entice him to slide into the plate. As you catch the ball you should
drop 10 your left knee to block the plate and bring the ball (which is held tightly
in the hand, both inside the glove) to the plate for the tag. After all tags you
should be alert for other runners trying to advance. On a force play at the plate
you should give a good target, and stretch to meet the throw with your glove foot
(like first base· man), keep your right fool on the plate, and then shift your feet to
get your body in a good throwing position for a possible throw.

• Catching pop ups are harder for catchers than for any other players on the field.
As soon as the ball is popped up, you should take off the mask. Do not throw it
until the ball is located and then throw it opposite the ball. These kind of pop
ups will have a spin that causes the ball to drift back towards the infield. For this
reason, you turn your back to the infield so the ball will be drifting into you.
Once the ball is found and the body turned, catch the ball in front of the face with
two hands. On fields with short backstops you must learn to play the fence.
Never give up, remember the ball will come back to you.

PITCHING
• Pitching is a complicated skill that requires many
precise movements of body parts. Hours of
practice are needed to master the mechanics of a
good pitching motion.

• You should throw hard, but just throwing hard

doesn't mean instant success. You must have
movement on the ball.

• The average high school pitcher will throw in the

low 80's, college pitchers in the middle 80's, and
pro pitchers in the upper 80's.

• Many pitchers in upper levels of baseball can spot

the ball in different areas of the strike zone.
When you can throw two or three different pitches
to a given spot at any time, you will get even the
best hitters out.

• You need a live arm to make the ball move. An 85 mph fastball that sinks, rises,
or slides is a much more effective pitch than the 90 mph fastball that is straight.

• The best pitchers possess an intangible quality known as poise or confidence.

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 You must be confident you can get the hitter out

• When taking the sign from the catcher, you must have your pivot foot (throwing
foot) on the rubber. The bell should be in the glove to hide it from the hitter.
Most pitchers prefer to place the pivot foot in the middle of the rubber. This
could change depending on control problems (corrected by moving right or left
on the rubber) or moving to either side for deception. It is helpful for you to use
a big glove so you can field balls and hide the bell from the hitter. The hands
should be around the chest area.

• After receiving the sign, you should take a slow, small, straight step back with
the glove foot. This step should be: slow so you won't take a fast step forward;
small so you won't take a big step forward; and straight so you won't step or
pivot at an angle.

• As you step back, you should bring your hands above the head. This is called a
“pump.” The step back and pump helps you gain momentum and prepares the
body and arm for the throw to the plate.

• Some pitchers prefer a non-pump or no step back windup. Mechanically, there

is no advantage or disadvantage to either one. The no step back windup has
the advantage of keeping you more balance while the step back helps with
momentum and will be a distraction to the hitters timing.

• After the step back, you should pick up (pivot) the throwing foot and place it in
the hole in front of the rubber. This will give you something to push off of. As
you pivot the foot, you should turn your body to line the glove hip and shoulder
with the catcher. The glove leg should come up to the waist and the hands are
brought back down to the chest area. Your eyes should be looking at the target.
It is important that you do not drift forward. At the end of the pivot you should be
in a throwing position with your weight balanced. If you had to, you should be
able to stop at the pivot and balance on your pivot foot.

• After the pivot, you should bring the hands and glove leg down, separate the ball
and glove, and collapse the back knee slightly. The downward movement and
collapse will help insure a good push off of the rubber. When breaking the
hands, you should extend the throwing arm back and up while keeping it loose.
The glove should come out and up. Elbows should be up with the knuckles on
the throwing hand facing the sky.

• You should push off and stride forward with the glove leg. This leg needs to
remain tucked as long as possible to provide for maximum hip turn.. The stride
leg comes forward as the hips begin to open, powered by the pivot leg driving
hard off the rubber. The glove should remain close to the body to help the
shoulders open and let the pitching arm draw back for the release. Right as the
stride foot lands the hips should open fully bringing the throwing arm and
shoulder over the top. The stride foot toe is pointed to the plate and the beck
heel is up. The hips should explode open which frees the upper body to provide
maximum arm speed. On a normal overhand throw the elbow should be up.

• Now that the arm is on top you are ready to release the ball. The elbow should
lead the hand and whip the ball to the plate. The point of release is when you
maximizes the use of your entire body. The rotating motion of the hips, along
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 with the stride, have given the upper body momentum as it powers open to bring
the pitching arm through. Your throwing arm should continue across and down
after release while the pivot foot is carried forward and lands almost parallel to
the stride loot. This makes up your follow through. A good push off, stride, and
follow through are necessary for maximum velocity. You should come down in a
good ready position so you will be able to field a hit ball.

• When there are runners on base, it is important for you to hold the runner close
to the base. You should take the sign with the pivot foot placed in front of the
rubber. The hands are at the chest and the stride foot on the ground with a
good spread between the feet. After receiving the sign you should raise the
hands up while you take a step back with the stride foot towards the pivot foot.
As you set, the head will be angled so you can see the base runners. When you
decide the runner is not too far off, you should pick up the stride leg to get in a
throwing position. The rest of the motion is the same as described earlier.

• For youth players, it is important that you first work on proper mechanics
throwing strikes. Once you can throw seven out of ten pitches for strikes you
can work on spotting pitches (throwing at the catcher's right or left knee or
shoulder. Once you've accomplished that control you can work on off speed of
change up pitches.

©2007 TRG

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