| Not everyone knows the finer details of the | | | | just watching the baseball from the pitcher's |
| game of baseball and, of course, many do not | | | | release to the hitting zone and tune out all other |
| care to be baseball coaches or experts. Everyone | | | | thoughts. |
| has there own interests and that is fine. However, | | | | Pitching Tips: |
| that does not mean you cannot say helpful things | | | | 1. Stay balanced - good pitchers throw at |
| to young ballplayers. Using this one word will make | | | | maximum speeds but make it look effortless. |
| one sound like a baseball expert and sound like | | | | 2. Stay direct - good pitchers keep great |
| you really know the game of baseball. As a | | | | direction, stepping on direct line towards home |
| baseball instructor over the past 21 years there is | | | | plate with their delivery. |
| one word that I believe I have said more than | | | | 3. Stay on top - good pitchers keep their fingers |
| any other word. This word is revealed below. If | | | | on top of ball on backswing and at release. |
| you would like a hint, think of the first thing that | | | | 4. Stay behind - good pitchers do not rush |
| you teach your dog to do? | | | | themselves, allowing their arm time to come |
| You guessed it - stay. Using the word "stay" with | | | | around. |
| most any baseball term gives instant, "expert" | | | | 5. Stay focused - good pitchers remain focused |
| credibility to the one saying it. Following are the | | | | on their target, and tune out any distractions. |
| terms good coaches often use when talking to | | | | Fielding Tips: |
| players about the three key skill components in | | | | 1. Stay ready - good fielders "want" and expect |
| baseball - hitting, pitching and fielding. People, who | | | | the ball to be hit their way. |
| use these terms with the magic word "stay," will | | | | 2. Stay down - good fielders approach ground |
| sound like a knowledgeable, baseball expert. | | | | balls low to the ground and keep their glove below |
| Hitting Tips: | | | | the hop initially. |
| 1. Stay back - good hitters do not jump at the | | | | 3. Stay smooth - good fielders make fielding look |
| ball, they let it come to them. | | | | effortless, moving through the ball with grace. |
| 2. Stay inside - good hitters do not reach for balls, | | | | 4. Stay focused - good fielders keep their |
| they try to hit the side closest to them on all | | | | concentration on the ball, ready for any hop. |
| pitches. | | | | 5. Stay balanced - good fielders have great |
| 3. Stay behind - when good hitters swing, they | | | | footwork when fielding, always remaining under |
| rotate, transfer their weight and throw their bat | | | | control. |
| at the ball while keeping their head back over their | | | | You may have noticed that there are two terms |
| rear hip. | | | | used with our word "stay" that applies to every |
| 4. Stay balanced - good hitters swing the bat at | | | | fundamental tip and those are balanced and focus. |
| 100% speed, but make it look like they are not | | | | Everything in sport requires great balance and |
| working hard at all. | | | | focus. So, when you are not sure what to say to |
| 5. Stay ready - good hitters always expect the | | | | your athlete, you can never go wrong with |
| next pitch to be "their pitch." | | | | saying, "stay balanced" and "stay focused" as long |
| 6. Stay focused - good hitters concentrate on | | | | as they are said in a positive, affirmative manner. |