Baseball

Baseball is different.

This isn't a bad thing, but it's important to remember as you begin your career as the manager of a tee-ball, coach-pitched, or even Little League team. Unlike some of the other sports, there aren't that many "individual" drills you can do at practice. Of course, you can run through fielding drills, throwing drills, and batting practice - but all involve at least 2, if not more players. If you do set up "individual" drills - it's likely that a coach needs to be involved, so plan to have something for the other kids to do as they rotate in and out of the individual drill.

Luckily, at the younger ages, you'll be consumed with the very basic skills... soft toss is a staple at these practices. You'll be surprised at how just throwing the ball back and forth between kids can be quite interesting... Getting in front of a ground ball - and knocking it down - might be considered an achievement. But all of this stuff is pretty boring compared to hitting - that's where the action is at!! Don't get caught up with hitting mechanics just yet - it's really just about watching the ball and timing the bat to hit the ball...

At this age, the first thing I do in the first practice is talk about safety. Bats are in the fence all the time, unless someone takes one and is heading to the plate to hit. No practice swings, no warming up with the bat - unless you're at home plate. No throwing a ball, unless in a drill, playing a position, or otherwise told. Helmets should be worn when batting and running the bases, and everyone in the field - baserunners, fielders, and coaches - needs to watch the ball at all times.

Repetition is the key for baseball. You do the same stuff, and then you do more. Over time, your body will be trained how far the throw is from the hole at short to first base, and how quickly you need to swing to hit a high fastball. Practices in the later ages revolve more around strategy and refining technique (turning double plays, sliding, bunting - that kind of stuff).

Work in some of the rules when you can - this might be easier if you keep the same team together for a few seasons. Don't try to explain the infield fly rule to a first-grader - and if you do, don't get frustrated when they take off running on-contact...

Kids love baseball. Give it a try.