| Baseball requires many physical skills, from | | | | other hand over the opening of the glove so the |
| throwing and catching to pitching and batting. To | | | | ball won't pop out. Tip 4: Pitching Focus on |
| improve your game, practice is necessary. Focus | | | | consistent strikes with good mechanics to reduce |
| on making the most from your drills, and use | | | | the chances of arm injury. Don't throw every |
| your best form while in practice. Below are a few | | | | pitch with the same speed. Try to keep the |
| tips to keep in mind that will help improve your | | | | batter confused and their timing off. Learn to get |
| overall baseball game. Tip 1: Throwing the Ball Grip | | | | late movement in your pitches. Proper throwing |
| the baseball with your index and middle finger | | | | techniques will help you achieve your best |
| along the long seams of the baseball, with your | | | | performance while reducing your risk of injury. Tip |
| thumb beneath for support. Square up your | | | | 5: Batting Stance Generally, you want a parallel |
| shoulders with your target, move towards the | | | | stance with your feet spread about six to eight |
| target, and then throw with a three-quarter arm | | | | inches wider than the shoulders, the front foot |
| action. Your followthrough should be a smooth arc | | | | opened slightly towards the pitcher at about 45 |
| down and across to the opposite side of your | | | | degrees. Your toes should be pointed inward |
| body. This will allow your arm to slow down after | | | | slightly to help your balance. Check that your hips |
| releasing the ball. Tip 2: Fielding the Ball Keep your | | | | and shoulders are level, with the front shoulder |
| feet spread and squat down for good balance and | | | | tucked in slightly toward the plate. Keep your |
| to keep the ball from going between your legs | | | | head steady, eyes level and your chin tucked in |
| when fielding a grounder. Always keep your glove | | | | on your front shoulder. Keep your bat angle about |
| before you so can block the ball and watch it go | | | | midway between horizontal and vertical. |
| into the glove. Tip 3: Catching Fly Balls Try to get | | | | Experiment with different stances to see what |
| under and behind the ball so you can see the ball | | | | works best for you. Of course, the most |
| and quickly get into your stride to throw to your | | | | important tip of them all is to practice, practice, |
| target. Lift your glove up with your glove thumb | | | | practice! Although these tips just scratch the |
| pointing up. As the ball approaches, move your | | | | surface of the game, they will help your efforts in |
| glove to where the ball will land. Then catch the | | | | becoming a better baseball player. Good luck! |
| ball above your shoulder with a bend in your | | | | Vinci Pro produces high-quality baseball and softball |
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| hits your glove, immediately close it, and put your | | | | gloves, first baseman and catcher's mitts. |