Baseball is a very intense game when played right. There are other people who have never watched a game so are unaware of the enjoyment they are missing. This article has tips to help anyone who wants to play better baseball.
Remember that baseball is only a game. Yes, it may be important to you and your team, but you don’t want to let it get you down. Even if you make a mistake, if you keep positive there’s always a chance to correct that mistake. But if you let it bother you, chance are you’ll make another mistake.
If you’re into stealing bases, practice taking leads off of bases. Taking leads means you need to know not only your own speed, but also the speed of the pitcher’s pick off move, the speed of his delivery to the plate, and the speed and accuracy of the catcher’s arm. There’s a lot to consider that’ll affect how much lead you take.
When batting, don’t be afraid to take a few pitches, especially against a pitcher you are less familiar with. Those pitches will give you an idea of the pitchers speed and the ball’s action to the plate. Plus, the additional pitches will help wear out the pitcher over the course of the game. A tired pitcher makes more mistakes.
Learn how to properly grip a bat. If you are right-handed, your left hand must be on the bottom with the right one on the top. The bats should be about 6 inches from your chest. Hold the bat up instead of on your shoulders. Spread your legs about a shoulder-width apart. Don’t stand straight up. Stand with knees slightly bent to avoid feeling stiff.
Your stride is a crucial aspect of baseball. Use your left side for leverage if you swing righty. It works just the opposite for those among us who are left-handed. When a pitch comes close to you, begin striding about a foot forward to build up a bit of momentum towards that pitcher. Stride shorter if you’re not very big.
When running base paths, avoid ignoring signs base coaches give you. The coaches have a view of the entire field. When running the baskes, focus on the coaches, not on the ball. The bases should be your eyes. If they give the signal to stop, end your run at then next base. If their indications say to go, head out as fast as you can.
If you are in the outfield, learn to read the ball. With practice, you can know approximately where the ball will land each time the ball is hit. Carefully, watch the pitcher so you know the speed of the ball when it crosses the plate. By simply knowing the speed you can judge how far the ball will be hit.
Learning how to change directions is important for outfielders. If you are playing the left side of the outfield and need to run towards centerfield, cross your right foot across your left foot and power through the step. This technique will help you gain the maximum burst of speed from the beginning of your run.
When swinging a bat in baseball, make sure that you follow-through with your swing. Your bat’s momentum, whether or not there is contact, helps you follow through. Without following through, there won’t be much power since the swing may slow down prior to making contact. This is why the follow-through is essential.
As the above article points out, you do not need to be a professional in order to enjoy playing baseball. All it takes is learning everything you can about the sport. The next time you sit down to watch a game, keep this guidance in mind.
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