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22 replies

Fundamentals of Baseball

C cluelessdadMember
Hello everyone! You have a great site here.

As my screen name implies I am clueless when it comes to baseball! I have a nine year old son who loves it and works very hard at it; it has even improved his academics! He has played ball for 3 seasons (fall coach pitch, spring minors division, fall minors division, all little league).

I need some help teaching him the fundamentals of baseball which means I need to learn them. I have started watching more baseball on tv, read this forum and the net. I was wondering if you guys might be able to help me with this and other followers too. I was wondering if I posted a topic with a scenario every few days if you could tell me what he should do. For example I always laugh at him (inside with a smile) when he runs to 2nd base to cover the bag (he plays SS) on every play even if it was a ball and no one is on base. He does it because his coach says he should never not do anything. He takes it to the extreme which I think is great! I'm not sure if posting a situation is needed or if there is a list of responsibilities a SS has that he can memorize. I also think it would be beneficial if he learned all the positions; is that crazy at this level? Thanks for the help!

If you want to know a little bit more about my son the info is below

He really works hard at his game. We go out to the ball field for about an 1 1/2 hours 4-5 times a week and it amazes me how far he has come. I have gotten him throwing and hitting lessons to help him improve at areas that I can't help him at all. We practice the things he learns at those lessons for a few weeks and then he gets another lesson. He has really excelled this past season. He has gone from the worst player on his team last year to the SS and hits in the 3 spot this season. He had 1 hit all last spring and this fall he has several doubles a few triples and has only struck out once. His improvement has him wanting to work harder which makes Dad proud but tired at the same time. The one thing that he has only improved on slightly is the mental side of the game and I really don't know how to help him with that.

Thanks

clueless dad
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floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
One thing that I did with my son at that age was I would put him close to the fence and throw him one hoppers over and over again and worked it to where he would need to dive to catch the ball. I always wanted to see him dive, lol!

I had him close to the fence so we would not need to chase balls.

We used the same balls we used in games, but later found "incrediballs" made by Easton, which were softer.

I look forward to doing this again with my grandson, it was a lot of fun!
D 2013 Dad100+ posts
Welcome to HSBBW! You will find this is a great site. I don't know anywhere specific to look for instruction other than on the interenet. You tube has several video for fundamentals. However, I would not go crazy with it (although as parents we always do Smile).

Although off topic, your post directs me to prior threads on burn out of young players. You could search the site and read the varying opinions.

My take is, never give him too much and if he says he needs a break, let him have one. Nine is very young, IMO, to play year round. Just one man's thoughts. Many here are fine with it. Certainly, it's an individual decision.

Back to your question, if he already has a hitting coach, you could ask the coach if he, or someone he knows, gives fielding instruction also.

Good luck.
floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
Hey, I see you are in Florida. If you have a pool, this is another thing we did.

Did I mention that I wanted to encourage my son to dive for balls? Anyway, I would sit in the shallow end and he would run to dive into the pool and I would throw him tennis balls that he needed to catch as he was crashing into the pool. After he got so good at this that it was barely challenging, I would take two tennis balls ant throw them together and he would try to catch them both at the same time one in each hand. He got pretty good at that too! Lots of fun! I wish I had a 9 year old to do this all over again.
Last edited by floridafan
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
Aside from all the time my son and I spent together on the baseball field he also spend a lot of time bouncing grounders against the garage or pitching to the strike zone he drew on the garage door.

At your son's age there are many videos you can purchase to help teach him to improve his game. Wouldn't it more fun to share the experience than turn it over to a baseball school? If you have Comcast check to see if the Ripken videos are still available ON DEMAND.

Ripken website
Last edited by RJM
lefthookdadlefthookdad5,000+ posts
If you go to the little league website, or google
Al and Al training tips, they have a couple if farily inexpensive training videos. I went to one of there camps, for my little league, numerous years ago and found that they are really geared towards teaching younger kids. Their drills are basic but really emphasize the fundamentals. I agree with RJM, you can find so much training on the web and you'll get to bond with your son. If he stays serious then seek out some higher training down the road
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
quote:
I wish I had a 9 year old to do this all over again.


Boy how fun it was back then.

My husband used to watch MLB games with my son.It was an assignment from sons coach.Son had to watch one game a week with dad.My husband would talk about plays, and what might this guy do, and then they would talk about the game.By about ten my son would sit and watch the Braves and he had a score book and he would keep score.he loved that.
S Skylark100+ posts
This may sound strange but go buy the latest version of MLB 2K11 video game and play it with him. Alternate between the different levels of difficulty and explain/learn with him what is happening each play. Not only does it teach him and you the game better, it is fun, improves hand and eye cordination and makes the menatl decision part more automatic. That's pretty elementary stuff and it's fun, but besides teaching the game and improving some hand and eye cordination, it won't translate into junior becoming physically better at the real life game without also learning the fundamentals of throwing, catching and hitting.

For starters, realize that junior will change quite a bit through the years and it will surprise you how he will develop naturally on his own just through repetition.

As for teaching him every position, that is great. I actually did that one fall season with my team and it really helped the kids understand and realize their own natural positions better by seeing things from a different side of the field.

Playing SS is perhaps the greatest challenge besides being the pitcher, in every game. A lot happens at ss. My son has played ss since he was 9 and now, 6 years later, he is still learing all of the nuances of that position.
R RedSoxFan21500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Skylark:

Playing SS is perhaps the greatest challenge besides being the pitcher, in every game. A lot happens at ss.


Ummm, have to say, in my opinion, neither of those positions is more challenging than the catching spot.

If you want someone to truly understand all aspects of the game, they need to spend a good amount of time behind the dish.
B Bear1,000+ posts
Since the baseball seems to find him, every position is challenging.

As noted by a HoF "A pitcher is not a ballplayer."

Statistical analysis indicates CF is the more critical than SS for defending runs, scoring runs and winning the game. The bullpen is the most critical, with starting pitching a close third.
Last edited by Bear
S SpeedsDad10+ posts
quote:
Ummm, have to say, in my opinion, neither of those positions is more challenging than the catching spot.


Spoken like a true Catcher's Dad!!!!!!

When my oldest was 9, he's 20 now, there was a computer game out called "Where's the play" it was fairly basic but it went through the various scenarios and where the player should throw the ball. He loved it and I actually picked up a few things. I don't know if it is still available. There are tons of resources on the internet, you made a great first step in finding this website. I was a completely clueless when I started as a youth baseball coach, football ruled in my neighborhood, but by working hard researching, watching more experienced coaches and asking the right people lots and lots and lots of questions I think 15 years later I am a pretty good coach.

I can't tell you how envious I am of you. My youngest is now 17 in his Senior year in High School and I am looking at my first season of no baseball in the very near future. Boy do I wish we had a 9 year old to go through it all over again.

My wife suggested I go back to our Little League and be a volunteer Coach because she doesn't no what to do with me being home all of a sudden. But with this Sandusky nightmare I would expect most parents would be uncomfortable with it.


Good Luck and enjoy the ride baseball was an unbelievable bonding experience for the three of us.
R RedSoxFan21500+ posts
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpeedsDad:
My wife suggested I go back to our Little League and be a volunteer Coach because she doesn't no what to do with me being home all of a sudden. But with this Sandusky nightmare I would expect most parents would be uncomfortable with it.QUOTE]

SDad: no way! All the more reason for good baseball people to volunteer at the Little League and Babe Ruth level. You do more of a disservice to kids by NOT volunteering.

A non-dad coach is exactly what players need some times, and with your experience you could bring a ton to the plate.

As to the societal pressures, you just need to be wise enough not to be alone with or touching players. Mutual respect, and some parent volunteers at all times, also make a big difference.

YOU SHOULD COACH!
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
quote:
Playing SS is perhaps the greatest challenge besides being the pitcher, in every game. A lot happens at ss. My son has played ss since he was 9 and now, 6 years later, he is still learing all of the nuances of that position.
I believe every kid should experience catching. I attribute my son's knowledge of the game to catching from age 9-12. The catcher's head has to be in every play. The entire game unfolds in front of him.

When my son moved to short full time at thirteen I noticed he was always positioning his teammates on the field. It was like having a coach in the middle of the defense. He was moved to center summer of soph year in travel ball. The high school coach agreed with the move.
Last edited by RJM
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
I've thought of returning to LL coaching. But I want to be a roving instructor in the town where I've relocated. I would like to teach hitting, how to run a practice (seen some terrible pick your nose while watching BP practices) and lend some perspective to parents to the relevance of playing LL. LL is about creating baseball fans, friends, fun and exercise. Very few will become high school players.
Last edited by RJM
S SpeedsDad10+ posts
Our LL here in Toms River has 2 divisions for the 10-12 age groups. One is the typical Majors Division where all eligible players try out and then the 10 majors teams hold a competitive draft to select players. Those players not selected or those who chose to play less competitive baseball with equal playing time, less win at all costs pressure etc are assigned to the AAA Division. That division usually is made up of kids who have parents, for whatever reason are unable or unwilling to work with there own kids. Because both my sons could play I was always in the Majors. The AAA division is where I would like to coach this time around. Teach kids the right way to play, hopefully watch them improve win some games, lose some games buy ice cream either way and just have some fun.
ShelbyShelby1,000+ posts
SpeedsDad:

Actually, our travel team tries to have non-parent Coaches. Think that principal has worked out well for them.
Can't have enough people getting involved with instructing the fundamentals & mechanics of the game of Baseball, at an early age! And as for the sad "Sandusky" incident... Fortunately, he hopefully, was the exception to the rule. And with most younger players, there are always gonna be plenty of folks standing around to watch how little Johnny is doing & whether the new Coach, is doing things right! Wink So, I think you're safe!

Our son, actually sold all of his video gaming systems & games @ high school age. Didnt want to spend "wasted time" - his words, on them. Rather work out, practice drills, footwork, speed, batting, throwing, pitching, strength & conditioning...

But, maybe for the younger guys. JMO
Last edited by Shelby
P Prime91,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by SpeedsDad:
Our LL here in Toms River has 2 divisions for the 10-12 age groups. One is the typical Majors Division where all eligible players try out and then the 10 majors teams hold a competitive draft to select players. Those players not selected or those who chose to play less competitive baseball with equal playing time, less win at all costs pressure etc are assigned to the AAA Division. That division usually is made up of kids who have parents, for whatever reason are unable or unwilling to work with there own kids. Because both my sons could play I was always in the Majors. The AAA division is where I would like to coach this time around. Teach kids the right way to play, hopefully watch them improve win some games, lose some games buy ice cream either way and just have some fun.


This sounds like it is coming from the heart! You should do this!
P Pedropere100+ posts
I think its very important to take him to games....high school, college and pro.....where he can see the whole field and watch the game over its entire course without distraction.

When my older boy was very young, I began to try to teach him the game with the regular catches in the yard, and being on the little guys teams, but I quickly realized that TV was set up for people who already know the game and have a spatial sense of what they are seeing. If you use TV as the major source of watching the game, you'll miss a lot of what he could learn by watching at a ballpark where you can see the whole field. Especially the type of view you get from the upper deck. Smile
'15 Dad'15 Dad100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Skylark:
This may sound strange but go buy the latest version of MLB 2K11 video game and play it with him.


I'm not much of a video game fan, but I second this. At that age my son couldn't get enough baseball, and he learned a lot about positioning, cuts, relays and where to go with ball by just playing video. That has always been a strong part of his game. And no, it did not turn him into a video addict.

Catching teaches him a lot also, but I'd say that has helped more with the finer points now that he is older, and everyone on the field knows where to be and what to do.

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