What are your expectations when you think of yourself as being a baseball player? It will be to your advantage to learn as much as you can. Practice helps you win more games, and also helps you enjoy the sport more. Since baseball has always been a team sport, featured below are a couple of the best tips for becoming a brilliant team player.
When hitting make sure that your legs are in the right place. Proper athletic balance is important. Your legs need to be a bit wider than shoulder-width from each other. Flex your knees so that your weight is centered on the insides of your feet. Your knees need to be slightly bent toward one another.
Always hustle to first base, even if you think you have made an out. You never know what could happen with fielder; he could drop the ball or throw it away. By running as fast as you can, you may be able to get a base hit you did not expect.
If you are a catcher, be sure you are in the proper position when no one is on base. This means getting into a low squat and balancing your weight on your feet’s balls. Get as close to the underside of the bat as possible, but be sure you will not get hit.
Always warm up before a game. Baseball may not look as strenuous as other sports, but there’s still a lot of physical activity you’ll be taking part in. In fact, sprinting on the base paths without a proper warm up can lead to pulled muscles and situations that are much more serious.
Always pay attention to where players are during the game. Many collisions can be avoided when you know where the other players are on the field. This can cause very serious injury. The most effective way to avoid the dangerous collisions is by making players aware of your intent to go after the ball.
Do you know how to steal a base? If a bad pitch is thrown, it is time to take off towards the next base. However, make sure that you have enough time to get to the base before taking off. Otherwise, you may get an unnecessary out for your team.
When fielding a ground ball, square up on the ball before catching. Many young players go for a side glove catch or a one-handed grab, but with each you are increasing your chances for an error. If you’ve got the time to get in front of the ball, do so. Use both hands and bend at the knees to help block against a bad hop.
Keep an eye on the batter when you are in the outfield. A batter who is right handed usually hits the ball toward the left field. On the other hand, a batter who is left handed usually hits the ball to right field. Knowing these mechanics helps you understand where the baseball will head before the pitch heads home.
Learning how to play baseball take time and commitment. Make sure that you are prepared before you step on the field. Wherever you may be on the field, or how ambitious you are, you will enjoy playing the game more than ever.
