Baseball Coaching: Offense - Hitting & Baserunning Tips for Youth Players
Gain insights from a seasoned baseball coach with over 30 years of experience on hitting and baserunning strategies for youth players. Learn about developing mechanics and mental approach, equipment basics, and more to enhance your team's offensive performance. The coach shares practical advice and emphasizes the importance of giving players the tools to succeed on the field.
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COACHING BASEBALL COACHING BASEBALL OFFENSE- HITTING/BASERUNNING WEEK 4 SUTTON YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE COACHES CLINIC APRIL 19, 2021 TIM CUMMINS SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT SCOUT- SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
DISCLAIMER DISCLAIMER My goal is to share my experiences as a coach Lessons learned: what worked for me I do not claim to be an expert, there are many ways to teach/coach baseball, and I m not here to debate them I am old school in how I teach fundamentals of the game- you will be disappointed if you came to hear about launch angles and spin rates After being involved in the game for over 50 years I still learn things every year Baseball is the greatest sport, and I hope over the next 4-5 weeks you feel that the time you spent was worth it.
CREDIBILITY CREDIBILITY Over 30 years of coaching experience- coached in over 1,000 games From tee ball on up to college summer leagues Won championships at all levels (several league and district titles) The privilege of coaching several players who went on to play in college and professionally (3 in MLB) The Boys of Summer Baseball Camp 1995- 2004 2010-2019 Area Scout- Atlanta Braves 2019- present- Special Assignment Scout SF Giants
SCHEDULE: ONE HOUR SESSIONS SCHEDULE: ONE HOUR SESSIONS Week 1 Week 1- - Coaching Philosophy/Practice Plan Coaching Philosophy/Practice Plan Week 2 Week 2- - Pitching/Catching Pitching/Catching Week 3 Week 3- - Defense Defense- - Infield/Outfield Play Infield/Outfield Play Week 4 Week 4- - Offense Offense- - Hitting/ Baserunning Hitting/ Baserunning Week 5 Week 5- - Game Day Game Day * I will attempt to talk about drills/ focus areas for all ages/levels * I will attempt to talk about drills/ focus areas for all ages/levels
HITTING: EXPECTATIONS (HARDEST SKILL IN SPORTS) HITTING: EXPECTATIONS (HARDEST SKILL IN SPORTS) Give your team the opportunity to win by: Give your team the opportunity to win by: Having a quality at bat Having a quality at bat Younger players Younger players- -develop mechanics (eliminate flaws)/ learn the strike zone develop mechanics (eliminate flaws)/ learn the strike zone Older players Older players- - develop mental approach (ahead in the count/hit your pitch) develop mental approach (ahead in the count/hit your pitch) Basics: Basics: - Choosing a bat- want to be able to create bat speed - Grip- knuckles/fingers - Stance plate coverage - Teach how to get away from a pitch
HITTING HITTING- - THE 3 PHASES THE 3 PHASES TIMING!! TIMING!! Recognition Recognition Mechanics Mechanics
BATTING STANCE BATTING STANCE- - BEFORE PITCH BEFORE PITCH Stand in the box- plate coverage (adjust for velocity/bunt situation) Balance feet/knees shoulder width apart Hands- grip/ wrist/elbow (Vee) Head- turned toward pitcher- eyes focused on pitcher release point Bat over back shoulder *** exceptions to the rule!!!
BATTING BATTING - - PITCH (TIMING/RECOGNITION/MECHANICS) PITCH (TIMING/RECOGNITION/MECHANICS) TIMING Hands get into hitting position Stride toward pitcher Hands go back into load position/then forward RECOGNITION strike/ball high/low inside/out MECHANICS head still-hips rotate-eyes on the ball Hands inside pitch Bat speed thru zone- barrel of the bat to the ball (square up) After swing- belly pointed at pitcher/ back foot turned Top hand palms up/bottom hand palms down Finish swing (keeping two hands on the bat) choke up/ shorter stride Two strike approach Two strike approach- - choke up/ shorter stride
LIMIT MOVEMENT IN TIMING PHASE Encourage less movement Encourage less movement (high leg kick, toe tapping, tapping, etc etc) ) (high leg kick, toe Becomes more of a problem as hitter s go to the next Becomes more of a problem as hitter s go to the next level and velocity increases level and velocity increases
MENTAL APPROACH MENTAL APPROACH- - FROM BENCH TO BATTER S BOX FROM BENCH TO BATTER S BOX Bench Bench Discuss what the pitcher is throwing with teammates/coaches 3-4 batters away- start getting ready (new pitcher!) Start thinking of the possible situations On On- -Deck Deck Time the pitch (stance then swing) Watch release point- does it change on different pitches/ mechanics slow down on change up Situation At Bat At Bat What did previous batter do (what did I do previous at bat Get sign from coach Think fast ball adjust for off speed (know FB counts)
BATTING PRACTICE/TEE WORK BATTING PRACTICE/TEE WORK BP Pitcher- throw to the hitter's level Pare off into groups- simulate an at bat- 5-7 pitches rotate out Work on TIMING- barrel to ball- hit gap to gap Work on flaws Learn what Your Pitch Is Tee work on areas where you are having trouble- looking for line drives Soft-toss- good quick drill if not doing a complete BP
BUNTING (COACHES KNOW WHO ON YOUR TEAM BUNTING (COACHES KNOW WHO ON YOUR TEAM CAN BUNT) CAN BUNT) Young Players Young Players On delivery- square around (if know bunt be in front part of batter's box) Feet pointed toward field even/balanced Knees bent- bat at top of strike zone Top hand- slide up bat within thumb/index finger- other fingers (fist) protected by bat- barrel of the bat in strike zone Move bat down/bend knees Older Players Older Players On delivery- turn feet- pointing toward field Knees bent Top hand slides up bat (same grip as above) Bat at 45 degree angle Catch pitch with bat Fake Bunt Fake Bunt Situation- turn prior to delivery starting
RECOGNIZING/CORRECTING FLAWS RECOGNIZING/CORRECTING FLAWS Stepping out- put bat/2 x 4 behind heels (fear of ball- soft balls) Choke Grip- adjust hands- align with finger knuckles/bat in fingers No Hip Rotation- bat around lower back- stride turn hips Over Striding put board horizontal 4-6 in front of front foot Drop back shoulder- (could be from over striding/heavy bat/poor BP) Dropping Hands box or ball between forearm and chest of front arm Lunging (being out in front) /open stance/move up in box- could be timing Casting swing goes out- hands outside pitch stand parallel to fence- forces hands to go forward not out
QUALITY AT BATS (ELIMINATE BATTING AVERAGE) QUALITY AT BATS (ELIMINATE BATTING AVERAGE) Gets player to think in a team concept and not as an individual Eliminates the frustration of outs (some outs are productive!) 4 or more pitch at bats Base hit (single, double, triple, Home Run) Walk/HBP Advances a runner (ground out/sac bunt/sac fly) Hard hit out (line drive, great defensive play) Run(s) batted in Run scored Points assigned
BASE BASE- -RUNNING RUNNING Expectations Expectations Run every batted ball out- put pressure on the defense (great habit to get into!) Know where the ball is at all times!!! Always look to take the extra base (count extra bases- team game goal) Know the situation (outs, score, batter up, defensive positioning) Home Plate Home Plate Hitting ball leave box with back foot/leg 2-3 steps out of the box- find the baseball GB- run through the bag- hitting front of 1st base- run in runners' box Base hit- question mark/banana curve- hit corner of the bag closes to the pitcher s mound Round the bag- find the baseball- (make them stop you)- keep eye on the ball when coming back to the base
BASERUNNING BASERUNNING- - FIRST BASE FIRST BASE Leads- Primary lead- 3 steps (10 feet)- toes aligned with back of bag Secondary on pitch 2 shuffles (not hops)- track pitch anticipate pitch in the dirt Pick-off attempts feet /hands back of bag Half-way on OF Fly Balls less than two outs As third base coach- have runner indicate back to you number of outs GB break up two! (slide straight into the bag) WATCH FOR PITCHER GOING INTO WIND UP (not stretch)
FIRST BASE FIRST BASE- - STEALING STEALING RHP- Back of heel (foot touching rubber)/step off LHP- Front foot/past back knee must go home/ can step off One way leads to draw throw Try to run on off-speed counts On delivery- throw front elbow, crossover step, straight line Half-way down look back toward home Slide- find the baseball (listen to third base coach)
BASERUNNING BASERUNNING- - SECOND BASE SECOND BASE Primary (5 Primary (5- -6 steps)/Secondary leads 6 steps)/Secondary leads Less than two outs primary lead/ two out primary lead (in line with tight turn at third) Less than two outs primary lead/ two out primary lead (in line with tight turn at third) Watch pitch anticipate ball in dirt Watch pitch anticipate ball in dirt Pick off Pick off- - heel/step off heel/step off- - Wheel Four! Wheel Four! Runner has second baseman/ 3 Runner has second baseman/ 3rd rd base coach has SS base coach has SS- - BACK! BACK! OF FB OF FB less than two outs less than two outs- - stay close to bag (possible tag) stay close to bag (possible tag) Know position of outfielders Know position of outfielders Belly play on GB left side of infield (left/right Belly play on GB left side of infield (left/right- - speed of ball/location) speed of ball/location) Know where the ball is at all times Know where the ball is at all times
BASERUNNING BASERUNNING- - THIRD BASE THIRD BASE Primary (5 Primary (5- -6 steps)/Secondary leads 6 steps)/Secondary leads- - down in foul/back in fair down in foul/back in fair WATCH the throw back to the pitcher WATCH the throw back to the pitcher Watch pitch anticipate ball in dirt Watch pitch anticipate ball in dirt Position of infielders (infield in) Position of infielders (infield in)- - go on contact go on contact Tag up Tag up- - watch ball watch ball (don t use go/no) (don t use go/no) OF FB OF FB less than two outs less than two outs- - stay close to bag (possible tag) stay close to bag (possible tag) Know position of outfielders Know position of outfielders Don t leave early on suicide squeeze Don t leave early on suicide squeeze
BASERUNNING DRILLS HP to 1st base (ground ball/ base hit) HP to 1st base (ground ball/ base hit) Leads (antsy) Leads (antsy) 1 1st st and 3 and 3rd rd situations situations Steals Steals Drills Drills- - Group 1 runs to first/Group 2 1 Group 1 runs to first/Group 2 1st st to 3 Drills Drills- - Group 1 runs to first then to third /Group 2 Double (delay) then home /Group 3 Tags Group 1 runs to first then to third /Group 2 Double (delay) then home /Group 3 Tags up tags up at 3 up tags up at 3rd rd then HP to first then HP to first to 3rd rd/Group 3 Tags up at third /Group 3 Tags up at third Sliding drills Sliding drills- - wet down OF or slide on tarp wet down OF or slide on tarp Drill to learn how to take extra base Drill to learn how to take extra base- - Country Fair All positions but LF and CF All positions but LF and CF- - runner on second/home watches throw home watches throw home- - no cut take extra base Country Fair runner on second/home- - Coach hits base hit to CF no cut take extra base Coach hits base hit to CF- - runner runner
COACHING BASEBALL COACHING BASEBALL Have fun Have fun- - enjoy!! enjoy!! Questions? Questions? Contact information: Contact information: Timothy.cummins11@gmail.com Timothy.cummins11@gmail.com If you have a future major leaguer call cell immediately If you have a future major leaguer call cell immediately: 508 : 508- -612 612- -6250 6250
