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