Teaching Young Ballplayers that Defense Wins Championships
By far, the greatest play I ever made was on a routine ground ball, about 4 or 5 steps to my left, with a very short throw to 1st base from my second base position. “What was so great about that?” The circumstances of the situation are what made the play great, at least to […]
Teaching Hitters to Make Adjustments and How to Hit Mariano Rivera
I must admit that I would not make a very good major league hitting coach, even though I played at that level and even though I have been teaching hitting ever since retiring from pro ball twenty two years ago. The reason is simple – big league hitters would not make the hitting adjustments that […]
How to Help Struggling Hitters
I am so grateful for my major league baseball career. Most of you are probably thinking, “Of course, why wouldn’t he be?” The reason I am most grateful may be different than you think, though. Reflecting back on my playing days, I realize that at one time or another, I made every mistake in the […]
How to Steal Second Base – My Major League Secrets
The one area of baseball that I had confidence while playing major league baseball was with base running, especially in the area of base stealing. I had good speed but not great speed for a major leaguer. I did possess a very good first step, which is extremely necessary to steal bases. That good first […]
Yeah, I’m talking about Practice
Most everyone agrees that sports should be fun and, for most, playing games is usually fun. Practice can be a different story and making practice fun should be the goal of sports parents and coaches. Parents, who have attained the proper perspective and patience, as previously discussed, will have a great head start with getting […]
Effective Communication Is Important For Coaches
Effective communication is important for coaches to make baseball rewarding and fun for young players Chicago – It was the chance I had waited for since I was a 16th round draft pick drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1976. As a second baseman, I had cups of coffee with the Dodgers in 1980 […]
Help Your Young Hitter Learn the Perfect Swing With These 5 Drills
I have a favorite saying. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. Most coaches will tell you that hitters are not born; they are made. Hitters develop the proper swing from drills and habits they learn in practice. It is better to take 10 fundamentally correct swings than to take 100 swings the […]
