When you are waiting for a ball to be hit in your direction take a comfortable position that will let you move quickly in any direction you neet to. This is called the “ready position” Here’s how you do it. 

·         Spread your feet a little wider than your hips. Keep them parallel and pointing directly ahead.
·         Put your weight on the balls of your feet. Don’t stand flat footed.
·         Bend your knees slightly, in a half-crouch.
·         Keep your back parallel to the ground.
·         Keep your buttocks up, about even with your knees.
·         Keep your head up.
·         Hold your glove and free hand in front of your knees. 

HERE COMES THE BALL

·          Push your fingers well into the glove, so you can catch the ball in the glove pocket.
·         Always try to catch the ball in front of your body.
·         Always try to catch the ball with two hands.
·         Always reach forward to catch a ball, keeping the hands away from the body.
·         Let your hands “give” as the ball hits the glove pocket.
·         Watch the ball as it smacks into your glove.
·         To catch a ball on the side opposite your glove hand. Make a backhand catch. Reach across your body and turn the  glove outward so it faces the approaching ball. Back of glove should be facing you.

But Do Not:

·          Catch one-handed.
·         Catch the ball in the webbing of the glove.
·         Hold your hands rigid or stiff.
·         Take your eyes off the ball.
·         Hold fingers up on low balls.
·         Hold fingers down on high balls. 

HOW TO CATCH A GROUND BALL

·          Move toward it fast. Never back up on a ground ball.
·         Get directly in front of the ball, then stop.
·         Place your hands on the ground in front of your body, and the path of the approaching ball.
·         Try to catch the ball on the ground, at the top of its bounce, or on its downward flight-but Never as
          it comes up.

·         Keep your eye on the ball as it hits your glove.
·         Grip the ball with the bare hand, preparing for a throw.
·         Point fingers of the glove and belt.
·         Straighten up, take the shuffle-hop-step, and throw the ball as fase as you can. 

But do not 

·          Field the ball while you are moving
·         Field the ball with one foot in front of the other.
·         Turn your head as the ball approaches you.
·         Go down on one knee to field the ball. 

HOW TO CATCH A FLY BALL 

·          Get under the ball as soon as possible. This lets you adjust to the sun, wind, and the ball’s speed and direction.
·         Catch the ball in front of and over the shoulder of your throwing hand.
·         Keep your glove and fingers pointing up.
·         Catch the ball with two hands.
·         When you catch it, throw immediately, using the shuffle-hop-step as you throw. 


But do not 

·          Try to catch one-handed.
·         Reach out for the ball at the last moment.

Hitting The Ball

The most exciting part of baseball is hitting the ball. It also is the hardest thing to do. To do it well takes lots of practice in the skills you are learning. You must also try to be an aggressive hitter. This means you go up to bat to get a hit-and not to strike out or get a base on balls. 

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BAT

You hit better if you’re using a bat that’s just right for you. So choose a bat that’s light and feels good  when you swing it. Bats will feel different to different players, so each player should select his own bat. You should be able to start a swing without any effort. In other words, you control the bat. Don’t let the bat control you. 

HOW TO GRIP THE BAT

Gripping the bat right is very important. Hold it firmly with both brands. The first finger and the thumb of each hand should hold the other three fingers in place. Do not hold the bat in your palm or against your thumb. The middle Knuckles of your hands should be in line when gripping the bat. When you hold it properly, your arms and the hands will form a Vita's a good idea to take a “choke” grip on the bat, which means holding it an inch or so from the knob end. 

Your Position in the batter’s box

The batter’s box is where the batter stands when he bats. You should select your own best spot, and not try to copy someone else. Your position should let you cover the outside of the plate when you bat. You should be back far enough to let you watch the ball longer. Because the longer you can watch the ball, the better chance you have of hitting it. 

DO

·          Place your front foot just behind  the edge of the plate.
·          Place your rear foot near the back line of the box.
·          Keep both feet parallel with each other and  Pointing toward the plate. Your front foot should point slightly toward the pitcher.
·          Your feet should be spread wider than your shoulders. A wide stance helps you stand steady and well balanced. 

But do not 

·          Stand in front of the plate.
·          Place one foot in front of the other.
·          Stand too far away from the plate.
·          Bat with your feet together. 

YOUR BATTING STANCE

While waiting for the pitch, stand so that you’re comfortable and relaxed. Try to distribute your weight equally on both feet. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times. 

Do: 

  Hold your bat with the hands at the top of the strike zone-which is the space between your knees and your armpits.
        Keep your hands away from your body.
·          Hold your hands back over your rear foot.
·          Keep the bat almost parallel to the ground, not sticking up.
·          Hold your head steady with your chin on the front shoulder.
·          Bend your knees slightly
·          Keep your eyes on the ball. 

THE SWING

·          As the pitcher releases the ball, tighten your grip to be ready to swing
·          As the ball approaches, hold steady-don’t move your bat or hands.
·          Take a short stride toward the pitcher, rotate the hips, and swing.
·          Watch the ball as it hits the bat.
·          Complete your swing and follow through.
·          Your chin should now rest on the opposite shoulder. 

But do not 

·          Stand stiff and rigid.
·          Hold the bat low.
·          Hold the barrel ( thick part ) of the bat at right angles.
·          Move the bat before you swing.
·          Turn your head as you swing.
.          Take a long stride.

Base Running

Younger players usually are not permitted to lead off the base. But be ready to run if there’s a hit. Here’s how: 

With one foot on the base, spread the feet comfortably with the amount to the side for balance. 

As the boll passes home plate, use the cross-over step and start toward the next base, which prepares you to run if the ball is hit or the catcher misses it. 

Never take your eye off the ball. 

Offense 

In addition to throwing, catching and hitting, special skills like hunting, sliding, base coaching and batting order selection are also important. They can help your team play better and score more runs. 

Bunting 

This is a method you can use to advance runners who are on base or to help them reach first base for a hit. 

TO ADVANCE A RUNNER

TO TRY FOR A BASE HIT

SLIDING

Sometimes you may decide to slide into a base. A slide can help you reach base safely, and avoid crashing into the person playing that base. 

To Slide, run toward the base in a straight line. When you are about ten feet away, drop down, extend one leg toward the base and bend the other under your body. Your speed will skid you toward the base, which your extended foot will reach before the ball does. You hope. 

Remember this: Once you start to slide don’t change your mind. To avoid getting hurt, keep on with the slide. When you practice sliding  wear sneakers or stocking feet. Practice on grass that’s been hosed down with lots of water. It’s wet, it’s wild, it’s fun, and it’s important. It may win you a game someday. 

BASE COACHES

A coach is often used at first base and third base to assist the runners. He advises the runner on the number of outs, where the ball is, whether or not to run on a fly ball, where the fielder is, and when to advance. A coach is a very valuable member on the team. Respect him. It is an honor to be asked to coach.