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Baseball
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Kenny Thomas
DJ King
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Thomas, Kenny, 1955- author. | King, DJ, 1984- author.
Title: Baseball: steps to success / Kenny Thomas, DJ King.
Description: Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2017.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016015819 (print) | LCCN 2016025296 (ebook) | ISBN9781492504573 (print) |
ISBN 9781492541158 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Baseball--Coaching. | Baseball--Training. |
Baseball--Physiological aspects.
Classification: LCC GV875.5.T56 2016 (print) | LCC GV875.5 (ebook) | DDC
796.357--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016015819
ISBN: 978-1-4925-0457-3 (print)
Copyright © 2017 by Human Kinetics, Inc.
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechan-
ical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information
storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
The web addresses cited in this text were current as of September 2016, unless otherwise noted.
Acquisitions Editor: Justin Klug
Developmental Editor: Kevin Matz
Managing Editor: Ann C. Gindes
Copyeditor: Bob Replinger
Senior Graphic Designer: Keri Evans
Cover Designer: Keith Blomberg
Photograph (cover): iStock.com/Stefano Tiraboschi
Photographer (interior): Neil Bernstein; Photographs © Human Kinetics
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Senior Art Manager: Kelly Hendren
Illustrations: © Human Kinetics
Printer: Walsworth
We thank the City of Aiken, South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina Aiken for assistance in providing the locations for
the photo shoot for this book.
Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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e-mail: [email protected] E6435
Baseball
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Contents
Climbing the Steps
to Baseball Success vi
Acknowledgments viii
The Sport of Baseball ix
Key to Diagrams xv
Step 2 Fielding 27
Step 3 Pitching 57
Step 4 Catching 78
Step 5 Hitting 96
iv
Step 6 Baserunning 110
Glossary 220
About the Authors 223
v
Climbing the
Steps to Baseball
Success
B
aseball is a sport that requires players to engage continuously in developing
fundamental skills and knowledge of the game. Baseball players of all levels
and ages are constantly practicing the fundamental skills of throwing, catching,
fielding, and hitting. The ability to execute these fundamentals on a consistent basis
helps separate players into different levels. Physical attributes such as body size,
speed, and strength may help determine a proper fit to a specific position, but a base-
ball player can compensate for a lack of size, speed, or strength by developing the
craft of the position chosen.
Each position on a baseball field has specific physical fundamentals and skills that
players must continuously work on, but to develop the craft of a position, players
must also develop their baseball IQ, or knowledge of the game. As a player advances
to higher levels of the sport, the mental aspect of the game becomes more important.
A player’s baseball IQ is reflected in his ability to make on-field decisions. The com-
bination of physical ability and baseball IQ is the general formula for determining
the level of each player.
To define what success is within this sport, note that baseball is a game built on
failure. For instance, if a batter fails to get a hit 7 times out of 10 attempts, he has
statistically been successful. This unique aspect of the sport drives the use of statis-
tical measurements to define success at the professional, collegiate, and high school
levels. Unfortunately, for individual player development (especially for the younger
ages playing the game), statistics do not necessarily define success. For many young
players, development and success in this sport are directly affected by the ability to
handle failure. Those who use failure as a learning tool have the ability to set goals
that will help define their individual success. For most, success in baseball is directly
correlated with consistency, regardless of the level of the player. Consistency can be
developed over time by combining the player’s physical ability, baseball IQ, work
ethic, and ability to use failure as a tool for success.
The 10 steps detailed in Baseball: Steps to Success break down the fundamentals of
individual play and give you drills and techniques that you can use to enhance your
fundamental skill set. You will be shown proper techniques, common mistakes, and
individual drill sets for throwing and receiving, fielding, pitching, catching, hitting,
and baserunning. These fundamentals will be your foundation for developing into a
complete player.
vi
Climbing the Steps to Baseball Success
In this book, you will learn key components of baseball’s fundamental skills as
well as how to practice them. Every effort has been made to help you understand
why performing skills a specific way is valuable. As you work through each of the
skill elements, follow this sequence to maximize your learning:
1. Study the skill covered in each step, why it is important, and how to perform
it.
2. Observe the photos of demonstrators modeling how to perform the tech-
niques successfully.
3. Read and practice each drill and track your progress in each of the success
checks at the end of the skill element chapters.
4. Have a qualified observer, such as your teacher, coach, or a trained peer,
evaluate your skills after completing each set of drills and compare their
assessment of your skill to your own.
5. Once you have achieved the indicated level of success in each skill element,
you can move on to the next step.
While you may be anxious to move through the steps quickly, be sure to revisit
skill elements to keep your game strong. You can always increase the challenge of
each drill (or reduce it if you are struggling). Keep in mind that specific positions will
require more training in individual skills.
Building on your foundation, the later chapters focus on the specifics of each posi-
tion and the connection of the individual game to the team concept. These chapters
take a closer look at infield play, outfield play, situational defense, and situational
offense, combining physical demands with the proper mental approach. As you
move through each step, you will find ways to develop your physical and mental
game, so you’ll gain the confidence and consistency needed for reaching your goals.
vii
Acknowledgments
W
e would like to thank the following people and organizations for their help in
making Baseball: Steps to Success possible:
viii
The Sport
of Baseball
B
aseball is an individual sport played within a team concept. Many of the steps to
developing success in baseball rely heavily on individual development of spe-
cific skills. Unlike any other sport, in which certain individual weaknesses can
be hidden within the nature of the team game being played, individual skill weak-
nesses in baseball can be highlighted during the course of a baseball game. The goal
of Baseball: Steps to Success is to provide you with not only a fundamental knowledge
of the sport but also a blueprint for individual development.
The following discussion is directed toward the beginner and amateur-level
player, although we recognize that coaches, teachers, and parents may be reading
this book. This discussion will be a helpful resource to them as well.
Known as America’s pastime, baseball has spread internationally, grown in pop-
ularity, and become a cultural melting pot. Regardless of where the game is being
played or what level or age group is playing, the game is based on a few basic prin-
ciples. To move forward in developing a blueprint for development, we must first
recognize that some readers may not be familiar with these basic principles. The
following is an overview of how the game of baseball is played, including basic
knowledge of how the game is structured. The discussion includes brief definitions
of common terminology, an overview of basic rules, and a layout of the baseball field
itself. We address equipment needs and proper fittings for different levels of players.
We conclude with a brief discussion on the fundamentals of preparation.
ix
The Sport of Baseball
Gra
ss
line
ne
ul li
´
95
3´
90
´
9´ radius around
127’ 3-3/8”
center of mound.
Baseball mound
Coach’s height above
box home plate: 10˝. h
6´ at
s ep s
10
60´6˝ from a n
´ B ide
X´
apex to front 45 w
20
of rubber
´
90
´
´
45
13´ radius
around apex 5´
On-deck
60´ from apex
circle
to backstop
The outfield is enclosed by a fence or wall that stretches from the right-field foul
line to the left-field foul line. A batted ball that travels over this wall in the air is
a home run. There is not a specific, defined distance from home plate to the out-
field wall. Each field is different. For younger ages, the field dimensions are usually
smaller. At the higher levels of play, the outfield dimensions and the shape, height,
and layout of the outfield wall are unique to each field or ballpark.
The defensive positions can be seen in figure 2. The foul lines stretch from home
plate, through first base and third base, all the way to the right-field and left-field
wall. These lines enclose the playing field and separate fair territory from foul terri-
tory. A batted ball played inside these lines is considered fair. If a batted ball lands
outside the lines, it is considered foul. A ground ball that starts in fair territory must
past the first-base or third-base bag inside the line to be fair.
x
The Sport of Baseball
CF
LF RF
SS 2B
3B 1B
P
INNINGS
E6435/Thomas/FI.02/560303/kh/R1
In each game, a certain number of innings must be played. A professional game con-
sists of nine innings. For all other levels, the number of innings varies depending on
the rules set by the governing body of the league. An inning is played when each
team has had the opportunity to play offense and defense. A half-inning is played
with one team on offense and one team on defense. The top half of an inning has the
home team on defense and the visiting team on offense. The bottom half of an inning
is the home team’s opportunity to play offense and the visiting team’s chance to play
defense.
During each half-inning, the offense is given the chance to score as many runs as
possible before the defense records three outs. To score a run, the offense must have a
player successfully touch each base, in order, finishing at home plate. After the player
has rounded the bases and crossed home plate, a run is scored. To record an out, the
defense must successfully stop an offensive player from reaching the next base. An
out is recorded when an umpire rules that the batter or base runner did not reach the
next base safely. The batter or base runner is then considered retired. When three outs
have been recorded, that half-inning is over and the offensive side has been retired.
xi
The Sport of Baseball
DECLARING A WINNER
The final inning of a game may be played out in full or in part, or just the top half may
be played, depending on which team has the most runs entering the final inning. If
the visiting team has the most runs after the top half of the final inning is played, the
home team is given the opportunity to play offense in the bottom of the final inning.
If the home team surpasses the visiting team in runs during the bottom half of the
final inning, the home team is declared the winner and the final outs do not need
to be played. If the home team has the most runs following the final out of the top
half of the final inning, the home team is the winner and the bottom half of the final
inning does not need to be played. The visiting team must record all three outs in the
bottom of the final inning, while retaining the lead, to be declared the winner.
If the game is tied at the conclusion of the final inning, an extra inning or innings
may be played to determine a winner. Each extra inning follows the structure of the
final regulation inning played. Depending on the rules set forth by each league, some
games may have to end in a tie.
xii
The Sport of Baseball
BATS
• Bat sizes vary depending on the age of the player. At the high school and
collegiate levels, the weight of the bat in ounces must be within three of the
length of the bat in inches. For instance, a 33-inch (84 cm) bat must weigh no
less than 30 ounces (850 g).
• For younger ages, bat size and barrel size are determined by the governing
body of the league.
GLOVES
• Glove shapes, sizes, and dimensions vary depending on the age and posi-
tion of the player. Styles include the following:
-- Catcher’s mitt
-- First baseman’s mitt
-- Infield glove
-- Outfield glove
• The size and style of the player’s glove are determined by his specific needs.
CLEATS
• Players can choose from a wide variety of cleats, depending on age, feel, and
functionality.
• At the higher levels of the game, metal spikes may be allowed. For lower
levels, only rubber cleats may be allowed.
• Players at higher levels may also choose to wear molded cleats, depending
on the playing surface.
• Functionality of the cleat becomes important at the higher levels. A player
with speed may choose a lighter weight cleat, whereas a bigger player may
choose one with more support.
xiii
The Sport of Baseball
xiv
Key to Diagrams
P Pitcher
C Catcher
1B First baseman
2B Second baseman
3B Third baseman
SS Shortstop
LF Left fielder
CF Center fielder
RF Right fielder
R Runner
B Batter
Path of ball
E6435/Thomas/key/kh/r2
xv
This page intentionally left blank
STEP
1
Throwing
and Catching
T
he game of baseball can be broken down into three specific areas of focus—
offense, defense, and pitching. In step 1, we take a close look at throwing and
catching the baseball, which are the fundamentals of playing defense and pitch-
ing. As simple as these skills may seem, if they are done incorrectly, the player will
develop bad habits and, over time, will develop poor technique. In some cases, injury
may occur. Because of the growing numbers of Tommy John and labrum surgeries
among baseball players at all levels, arm injuries seem to have become as much a part
of the game as Cracker Jack and hot dogs. Our goal in step 1 is to demonstrate proper
throwing technique for the beginner and amateur player to slow this rate of injury in
the game and give you a solid foundation for developing success.
Before we begin to play catch, we need to address the overhead motion of throw-
ing a baseball. This motion, although it may seem routine, is not a natural move-
ment for the arm. To prevent injury, the arm must be properly trained and cared
for throughout the development process. In this discussion, we focus on finding the
natural arm slot for each player and training the body to repeat the throwing motion
within the same arm slot.
Because throwing a baseball is not a natural movement for the body, you should
be aware that over the course of a career, each person’s throwing shoulder will be
affected internally. Today, many specialists focus on the conditioning and training
of the thrower’s arm. In addition, many online resources that focus on this topic are
available to the player, coach, and parent. The idea is that those who are involved in
a player’s development should be aware of how the shoulder and elbow function in
the throwing arm and what actions and reactions to look for to prevent injury.
Injury prevention, or prehabilitation, is a fast-growing and popular new method
for training the professional and collegiate level athlete, especially in the area of arm
care. Many of the methods used to prehabilitate the arm are done off the field. As we
touched on in the introduction, some of these steps are proper nutrition and sleep-
ing habits. Other off-the-field methods involve weight training and conditioning.
Regarding weight training and conditioning, many theories and programs have been
designed for player or position specificities. As you advance to higher levels of this
sport, we highly recommend studying and implementing a program that caters to
your needs.
1
Baseball: Steps to Success
Now that we have generally addressed the preparatory off-field actions for arm
care, let’s look at how the prehabilitation process works on the field. With any com-
plete program for arm care or arm development, a throwing program is usually the
focal point. Throwing programs, along with weight training and conditioning pro-
grams, are generally player and position specific. Position-specific throwing pro-
grams are used because each position requires different arm actions. For example,
an outfielder typically has a longer throwing motion than a catcher does. Therefore,
each player has to train his arm to meet not only his individual demands but also the
demands of the position he will be playing. For pitchers, throwing programs vary
depending on numerous factors such as arm angle, arm strength, and usage. We dis-
cuss this pitching more in step 3.
Every arm is different. For advanced players, arm angle, arm action, arm strength,
and arm health vary widely, but at the beginning and amateur levels of this sport, the
variety is usually narrower. As with learning to count, add, or spell, at this stage of
development, players acquire the fundamental actions of throwing that will remain
with them throughout their careers. After a player reaches a certain stage of physical
development, usually in the later years of high school or the early years of college,
the fundamental mechanics of the throwing motion typically cannot be changed
without risk of injury. For that reason, we need to break down the basic techniques
of throwing for beginner and amateur players to find a natural arm slot and create a
proper foundation for the first step to success.
2
Throwing and Catching
MISSTEP
You may not be comfortable with the thumb completely under the
ball.
CORRECTION
The thumb can be placed diagonally under the ball, giving you a
more comfortable feel for better accuracy.
3
Baseball: Steps to Success
MISSTEP
You may use the two-seam grip when throwing as a position player.
CORRECTION
You need to concentrate on finding and feeling the four-seam grip as
you transfer the ball out of the glove.
TO INCREASE DIFFICULTY
• Do this drill without a glove. Catch the ball in the throwing hand and
spin quickly to the grip you prefer.
4
Throwing and Catching
MISSTEP
You struggle to hit the target consistently.
CORRECTION
Are you looking at your target when you throw? Your body rota-
tion with the hips may be off time with the arm, or you may need to
lengthen or shorten your stride length.
Beginners need to focus on staying in line with the target. Misguided momen-
tum and direction often result in an unsuccessful throw. For most, misdirection is
caused by looking away from the target. Typically, the beginner looks down at his
feet or at the ground, mainly because of the uncertainty of how the rhythm should
feel. After the back foot is set and the power angle is achieved, the eyes should be on
the target. Repeat the actions and add a step or two as you go. If you are confident
with the results and the motion feels fluid, you may also want to add a shuffle with
the feet. This shuffle will speed up the arm action and train your body to stay in
unison at a much faster pace. Can you shuffle and stay in direction with the target
while you throw? Does your arm angle stay the same as you throw, even though the
pace is faster? Remember to keep the elbow up and to finish properly. Many differ-
ent body movements make up this throwing motion; therefore, inconsistency could
result from numerous causes that require different corrections. To help you find your
corrections, let’s look at a few drills that may help you find the corrections that ben-
efit you the most.
To get started, we will break down the throwing motion into seven basic and
universal steps that can be used throughout all levels of the game. These drills are
designed to teach feel of the ball in the hand, proper mechanics, and natural arm slot.
These seven steps simplify the throwing motion by eliminating movement through-
out the body. After we train the arm motion, we will slowly add movement and direc-
tion throughout each step, finishing at a successful start to your throwing program.
One final note is always to remember to look at your target when you throw. The
goal of playing catch is to hit your partner in the chest. Obviously, we want him
to catch the ball, but the chest is the general area that we want to aim for when we
throw because it is the easiest place for players to catch the ball. If you cannot see
your target, you will rarely hit your target. Now grab a ball and let’s begin!
5
Baseball: Steps to Success
Setup
Stride
1. The front foot steps and
points to the target.
2. Keep the weight on the back
foot.
3. The front elbow should point
at the target while the shoul-
ders tilt back slightly.
4. Eyes should be on the target.
6
Throwing and Catching
Release
Follow-Through
7
Baseball: Steps to Success
a b
Figure 1.4 Wrist flips.
8
Throwing and Catching
action may cause added pressure on the throwing arm as well. The double-L trains
the glove-side arm, head, and rest of the upper body in the proper direction and
finish to minimize stress on the throwing arm while increasing feel and control.
For Throwing Drill 2, the distance between you and your partner should increase
to 30 to 45 feet (9 to 14 m). You do the double-L while standing with your feet slightly
past shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent, and both feet pointed in the
direction you are facing, otherwise known as the athletic position. As seen in figure
1.5, the shoulders are level. The throwing arm is in an L-shape above the shoulder,
and the glove-side arm is in an inverted L-shape below the shoulder, creating the
double-L. Your back should be straight, and you should slightly pinch your shoulder
blades together, activating the muscles in the thoracic spine. At this point, the ball
should be in the throwing hand with a four-seam grip.
This position starts with the arm at the highest point in the throwing motion, allow-
ing the functional movements of the rest of the upper body. When the ball is thrown
to the target from this position, the upper body should bend at the waist, forcing
the chest toward the ground. The glove should simultaneously be brought to the
center of the chest. As the ball is released and the throwing arm follows through,
this chest-down, glove-to-center position should be maintained. This position is the
proper finish that you should attempt to achieve every time you throw the baseball.
9
Baseball: Steps to Success
a b
Figure 1.6 Center and separate drill.
10
Throwing and Catching
11
Baseball: Steps to Success
12
Throwing and Catching
a b
c
Figure 1.8 Power angle drill.
13
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