Finding the Right Catchers Mitt

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Finding the Right Catcher's Mitt

Coach Blake Barthol

Choosing a catcher's glove is a very individual thing. Be sure to try many different models on before you make a decision. Whenever I was choosing a glove, I always tried to stay away from the really big gloves. If you are using a big glove, there is more room to catch the ball, but there is a lot more room for the ball to get lost in when you are trying to throw runners out. Throughout my 9 year professional career, I only used 2 different models of gloves. I started with a Wilson model and then about 4 years in, I switched to using an All-Star model.

A few of the decisions you have to make are;

• Do you want a single hinge or a double hinge?
• How big of a glove do you want?
• What color of a glove do you want?
• What kind of pocket do you want?

These are just a few things to think about. The biggest thing about getting a new glove is not the decision on the actual glove, but how you are going to make the pocket. Take notice to how you receive the ball. If you mainly give your target with your thumb up and receive the ball with your thumb up, you would want you pocket going up and down. If you are the type of catcher who gives a target and receives most of the pitches with your thumb down, then you want your pocket to go side to side. I was a thumb up kind of catcher. Therefore, when I broke my gloves in, I would have the pocket going up and down.
Again, choosing a glove is a very personal decision. Each person should make their glove their own and make their glove fit their hand. Be sure you are comfortable with your glove and take care of it. Tightening the strings and keeping balls in the pocket while its in your baseball bag are 2 essential things.

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·  Coaching Youth Baseball

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Choosing the right youth baseball glove is important. Here are some key points on choosing a catchers mitt
For information on choosing the right youth baseball bat check out this page
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Coaching Youth Baseball - How to Increase Base Running Speed in Players

Coaching Youth Baseball - How to Increase Base Running Speed in Players

Youth baseball coaches spend a lot of practice time focusing on batting, throwing, and fielding skills. Speed training often consists of just having the kids run the bases as fast as they can a few times. Coaches that take the time to work with their players on their base running speed will make their teams more competitive.

Here are some specific tips to use to help your players run faster. Working with each player individually to help them increase their speed will have the most benefit, as each player will need different improvements. 

1. Arm position. The runner's arm position should be close to the body at a 90 degree angle and about waist high. As the player runs, the arms should be moving front to back. Sideways movements will slow the runner down. The shoulders and hands should be relaxed. Have players practice the correct movements in slow motion until they develop the appropriate muscle memory.

2. Focus. The runner should be looking at his destination, not at the ground in front of him. For baseball players this means the next base. However, the player does need to be aware of what's going on around him, so he doesn't get tagged on the baseline or run into another player.

3. Foot position. Keep runners OFF their heels. The proper foot position for the fastest speed is to land on the ball of the foot and push off, rolling forward to the toes. Professional running shoes have the cleats only on the front of the shoe, because this is where a runner's power comes from.

If a coach spends a few minutes every practice working with his players on their running form, his team will be faster overall. And a faster team wins more baseball games!
Base running is often overlooked in youth baseball practices. it is a very important part of the game. the author is correct..just a few minutes every practice
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Tips for Coaching Youth Baseball | Youth Baseball Drills | Youth Baseball Tips , Instruction and Drills

Coaching  youth baseball can be extremely rewarding. But you have to learn to accept and embrace the many challenges that may arise. Being prepared and expecting these situations can make coaching youth baseball more fun for the coaches,players and the youth baseball parents.
Four tips to consider before you start coaching youth baseball:
1. Not all kids will be good youth baseball players. Be prepared to figure out how to include all kids in practices and games. The way this is handled varies by age group. Finding ways to patiently correct kids and encourage them, without giving false compliments, can be hard. Be honest but caring.  Make goals for everyone to learn something and succeed.
2. Parents. Ouch, managing  parent expectations can be hard from the beginning. Don’t wait until parents are upset or getting too involved to correct communication. Set some ground rules before the season begins. Let the parents know what they can do to help, how they should approach you with concerns, and how to act at practices and the games.
3. Local Little League Rules. Be sure you have an excellent understanding of the rules before you start coaching. Many parents and players have  frustrating experiences with coaches who are unclear about the rules.
4. Attitude. Positive attitude is important in all aspects of life especially in sports and youth baseball.. Set expectations with the kids up front. Let them know behaviors that will not be acceptable and the penalties for those behaviors. Make sure you enforce your penalties, even if it costs the game. Kids need to learn how to play for a team, not themselves.
If you have decided to take on the responsibility of coaching a youth baseball team, you should be commended. Being prepared for what lies ahead will help you succeed in coaching a winning 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 youth baseball performance, and links to youth baseball drills at https://coaching-youth-baseball.com.

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Some things to think about for new youth baseball coaches

Little League Confidential | Coaching Youth Baseball

Little League Confidential is a must read . You will find yourself unable to put this book down as you read about this coaches youth baseball season and compare to some of your own. Its hilarious . Little League Confidential was written Bill Geist, who is familiar to viewers of the CBS Evening News, used to be a Little League coach in New Jersey. And he somehow lived to tell about it.  Little League Confidential assumed cult status as a baseball classic, though some just considered it one very funny book. Geist reveals the ups and downs (well, mostly downs) of coaching a local youth baseball team sponsored by a local beauty salon. His portraits of players and parents and his thoughts on competition in small town New Jersey are heartfelt and hilarious. Little League Confidential is a youth baseball coach's account of his woes, travails and soul storms in the course of one season is side-splitting.  He describes the draft system for securing players and a shrewd angle-worker who rigged the system. He analyzes the four major types of coaches: "It's only a game, so let's just have fun" (the nerd, according to the kids); "Win or I'll kill you" (the asshole, according to the kids); "We're here to build character, to learn life's lessons" (the despicable preacher, according to Geist); "I pick the kids with the best-looking mothers" (attribution superfluous). He writes of the games, with pitchers flinging balls three feet over the batters' heads, outfielders aiming for third base but throwing to first and a few tyros who are actually good. For anyone in need of a good laugh you must read Little League Confidential, especially if you are a youth baseball coach.

Youth Baseball Drills | Youth Baseball Tips , Instruction and Drills

Coaching Youth Baseball-Free Drills and Youth baseball Tips for Parents and Coaches - Youth Baseball Pitching Drills

Check out this free youth baseball pitching video clip. Find out what you need to know for your youth baseball pitchers youth baseball pitching drills

Youth baseball Pitching drills are very important and need to be done correctly
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Coaching Youth Baseball-Free Drills and Youth baseball Tips for Parents and Coaches - Top 20 Reasons to coach Youth baseball - Humor

CoachMc writes "We all love baseball and enjoy teaching and coaching youth baseball. It is a very rewarding feeling to have a youth baseball player actually follow thru in a game with what you have been teaching and coaching. For instance a kids first strikeout or a fly ball being caught. However, there are some things that come along with it not so rewarding. The following list is for humor purposes but does reign true. :)
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Tee Ball Coaching Tips, Drills That Work, Practice Plans
Helpful Coaching Forms and More!
Learn to effectively coach Tee Ball now

More free coaching youth baseball drills and tips
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