MLB received its first A-minus for race Tuesday from Richard Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports. Its grade was B-plus in last year's study. Among major leaguers, though, just 8.2 percent were black players, down from 8.4 percent in 2006 and the lowest level in at least two decades.
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What were the odds of Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak?
Fans and scientists alike have described Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak as well nigh impossible. The writers decided to calculate how unlikely it really was.
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Step-By-Step: How To Field Ground Balls
Nice how-to information and tips for coaching young baseball players about fielding
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Baseball Throwing on HubPages
I've updated the Baseball Throwing HubPage with more throwing tips and instruction. Click Here to access baseball throwing on hubpages...
Baseball Drills for Baseball Coaches
"The most important coach in a baseball player's career is his youth league coach."
- Dick Birmingham, Hall of Fame Baseball Coach
Click here to learn more about the Baseball Drill Book...
The Importance of Throwing in Baseball
Throwing is the single most important physical skill in baseball. If a player can’t throw a baseball accurately and with enough force to reach the intended target then he better be able to hit the ball out of the park on command. And since these players aren’t very common, baseball throwing skill becomes of the utmost importance for success on the diamond.
When teaching throwing to young baseball players, most coaches start with the grip. As a position player (non-pitcher) it is recommended that young players learn how to throw a baseball with a four-seam grip. Throwing with this grip is advantageous because the ball tends to stay truer in flight and carry longer than with other baseball grips.
As players get older they should be using the index and middle fingers as pressure points on the ball, but as younger players, or those with smaller hands, adding the ring finger to the top of the ball is acceptable for control and balance. The ring and pinky fingers should rest on the side of the ball in a flexed position. As players get older and their baseball throwing skills mature they should use a close, or narrow, two-finger grip across the wide seams making sure that the finger pads--not the tips--are in contact with the seam of the baseball. This grip will promote tighter spin of the baseball when released thus promoting accuracy and carry.
A common mistake players make as they get older is to get the index and middle fingers spread too far apart on the ball. This may help control in the short term but will hamper spin and velocity. A proper distance between the two fingers should be no more than ¼ of an inch apart.
The thumb should be placed directly underneath the index and middle finger on the opposite side of the ball. This may feel uncomfortable at first for younger players and older players with smaller hands. In this case, the thumb can be slightly to the side of the ball for better balance in the hand but emphasis should always be placed on slowly and gradually moving the thumb to a position more underneath the ball. Again, this position helps with spin and velocity in the baseball throw.
Care should be taken not to position the ball too deep in the hand. The index and middle fingers and the thumb should be the primary supports for the baseball. This may not always be possible for younger and smaller players, but should be taught regardless so that they are aware of the proper technique as they physically mature and are capable of doing it right.
Always remember that throwing a baseball is a skill. And like any skill, it can be developed and improved with quality repetition and practice. Games and friendly competitions that involve throwing always add the fun factor to the equation and we all know that we learn better when we are having fun. Have young players throw baseballs at targets or have them throw for distance to help them improve the most important skill in baseball.
When teaching throwing to young baseball players, most coaches start with the grip. As a position player (non-pitcher) it is recommended that young players learn how to throw a baseball with a four-seam grip. Throwing with this grip is advantageous because the ball tends to stay truer in flight and carry longer than with other baseball grips.
As players get older they should be using the index and middle fingers as pressure points on the ball, but as younger players, or those with smaller hands, adding the ring finger to the top of the ball is acceptable for control and balance. The ring and pinky fingers should rest on the side of the ball in a flexed position. As players get older and their baseball throwing skills mature they should use a close, or narrow, two-finger grip across the wide seams making sure that the finger pads--not the tips--are in contact with the seam of the baseball. This grip will promote tighter spin of the baseball when released thus promoting accuracy and carry.
A common mistake players make as they get older is to get the index and middle fingers spread too far apart on the ball. This may help control in the short term but will hamper spin and velocity. A proper distance between the two fingers should be no more than ¼ of an inch apart.
The thumb should be placed directly underneath the index and middle finger on the opposite side of the ball. This may feel uncomfortable at first for younger players and older players with smaller hands. In this case, the thumb can be slightly to the side of the ball for better balance in the hand but emphasis should always be placed on slowly and gradually moving the thumb to a position more underneath the ball. Again, this position helps with spin and velocity in the baseball throw.
Care should be taken not to position the ball too deep in the hand. The index and middle fingers and the thumb should be the primary supports for the baseball. This may not always be possible for younger and smaller players, but should be taught regardless so that they are aware of the proper technique as they physically mature and are capable of doing it right.
Always remember that throwing a baseball is a skill. And like any skill, it can be developed and improved with quality repetition and practice. Games and friendly competitions that involve throwing always add the fun factor to the equation and we all know that we learn better when we are having fun. Have young players throw baseballs at targets or have them throw for distance to help them improve the most important skill in baseball.
Baseball Throwing Instruction
Baseball throwing tips, drills, techniques, and other information to help you make better throws on the diamond.
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