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The
true meaning of the phrase "Baseball Team" is exemplified in a
Club's ability to play defense. Only on defense do all nine players have
the opportunity to function as one unit. Every player has a personal
responsibility on every play. There is nothing more unifying than a team
that continually makes the routine plays, day after day. Conversely, there
is nothing more destructive to a team's unity than to continually boot the
routine play. Its ability, or its inability, to play sound defense directly
affects a team's sense of pride and unity. Only on defense can a team
insure itself of never losing (you can't lose if you don't get scored on).
There
are only two responsibilities that a person has when he is playing defense.
The number one responsibility that a defense player has is knowing what to
do with the ball when it is hit or thrown to him. The second responsibility
is knowing where he should be when the ball is not hit or thrown to him.
This is as basic as you can make it. If you take care of these two
responsibilities, you have a chance to be a good defensive player.
It is important that
we keep the offensive game and the defensive game separate. There are two
baseball axioms that cover this situation:
- If you can't beat them with the lumber, beat
them with the leather.
- Leave your bat in the rack and take your
glove to the field.
The offensive game
cannot be allowed to affect the defensive game. You are not helping your
team if you allow this to happen.
Good
defense will help prevent big innings by limiting a team to three outs per
inning. Errors and walks are the major cause of big innings. Good defensive
teams avoid these pitfalls. In 60% of games played, the winning team scores
as many runs in one inning as the losing team scores in the entire game. We
must avoid giving up the big inning, and one way to avoid it is by playing
consistent defense. By playing consistent and by making the routine play,
we give ourselves a chance to profit when an individual makes a good or
even great play. We do not want to rely on the great play to get us out of
an inning that has been prolonged by errors.
There
are two ways of looking at our situation concerning defense. We can play
lip service to the fact that defense is one of the keys to winning baseball
and hope that we succeed at being a good defensive team, or we can work our
tails off in order to insure that we are skilled at one of the most
important aspects of the game of baseball. The choice is easy.
Considerations
before the pitch is made:
Strengths and weaknesses of our pitcher
- Velocity
- Command and Location
- Movement on Ball
Abilities of the
Hitter
- Type of hitter (slap & run, spray, pull
w/power, etc.)
- Running ability
- Previous Tendencies (i.e. pull
curveball/opposite way w/ fastball, etc.)
Game Situation
- Score
- Inning
- Number of runners on base/number of outs
All
of these variables must be quickly analyzed so that the defensive player
can put himself into the best defensive position for that particular
situation.
FUNDAMENTALS OF INFIELD PLAY
1)
CATCHING THROWN BALL
a)
Catch ball within
body.
b)
Catch
thumb-to-thumb or pinky-to-pinky.
c)
Flex knees to
change body elevation.
d)
Move your fee; make
a bad throw good.
e)
Don't "catch
the ball; you deflect it or stop it and drop it.
f)
Step to the ball.
2)
THROWING THE BALL
a)
Grip a seam.
b)
Thumb and finger
form a perfect triangle.
c)
Bring hands to same
spot every time.
d)
Skip and throw.
e)
Point glove
shoulder to target.
f)
Short arm circle.
g)
Keep head quiet
3)
READY POSITION
a)
Relaxed and loose
body.
b)
Shift gaze from
pitcher to hitter.
c)
Three types of
pre-pitch movement:
i)
Walk into position
ii)
Jump into position
(tennis starts)
iii)
Rock into position
d)
The closer you are
to the plate, the lower you set up.
e)
Hands are out in
front of body with elbow in, palm of glove open.
4)
GROUND BALL (ROUTINE)
a)
Line ball up on
glove side.
b)
Hands remain quiet
and out front.
c)
Glide to ball with
your head staying level.
d)
As you approach
ball, chop your steps down.
e)
Last two steps
before you field are right foot straight ahead; left foot spreads to wide
base.
f)
Glove goes down
with right foot.
g)
Feet are in
heel-toe position, butt is down, back is flat, glove is in front and down
and your eyes are in the glove.
h)
Catch ball in
front, bring hands to waist and get tall.
i)
Skip or click heels
and throw.
5)
GROUND BALL (FOREHAND)
a)
First move is drop
step, then crossover.
b)
Angle back
depending on speed of the ball.
c)
Keep head level as
you run.
d)
Sink to the ball
the last few steps and lead with your glove. Bend your knees.
e)
Catch ball with
left foot forward and in front of left foot.
f)
Secure the ball, back
step with your right foot and throw.
6)
GROUND BALL (BACKHAND)
a)
First move is drop
step, then crossover.
b)
Angle back
depending on speed of the ball.
c)
Keep head level as
you run.
d)
Sink to the ball
the last few steps and lead with your glove. Bend at the knees.
e)
Right foot lead for
a set-up backhand. Out of this you simply turn and throw with a weight
shift to your right foot.
f)
Left foot lead for
a moving backhand. Your next step is big to stop momentum of your body.
g)
Eyes are taken to
glove level and ball is caught out front.
7)
GROUND BALL (SLOW ROLLERS)
a)
Run hard and stay
low.
b)
IF ball is right at
you, round the ball so body is facing halfway down the first base line.
c)
Bouncing or rolling
ball use glove; if ball is stopped, use bare hand.
d)
Left foot leads
when picking up the ball on the outside of your foot.
e)
You're throwing
when right foot hits the ground.
f)
Throw from where
you field the ball. Lead throw inside of first baseman and allow ball to
sink back in to the base. Finish with hand high-palm to sky.
8)
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD DEFENSIVE PLAYER
a)
A sound defensive
player always:
i)
Expects the ball to
be hit to him on every pitch.
ii)
Knows the defensive
situation before every pitch.
iii)
Analyzes his
defensive options before every pitch.
iv)
Fields the ball on:
a. the big hop, b. the down hop, c. the short hop.
v)
Knows the physical
abilities of his opponents.
vi)
Uses sound
fundamentals in the execution of each and every play.
vii)
Anticipates with
every pitch.
viii)Makes the routine play.
ix)
Leaves his at bat
in the dugout.
x)
Looks for another
play.
b)
A good defensive
player never:
i)
Compounds one
mistake by making another.
ii)
Makes a throw when
he has no play.
iii)
Loses sight of the
baseball.
iv)
Expects an easy hop
or an easy play.
v)
Drops his head
after making a mistake.
vi)
Gets back on his
heels.
vii)
Leaves a base
uncovered because of lack of hustle or lack of attention.
FUNDAMENTALS OF OUTFIELD PLAY
1)
PHILOSOPHY
a)
Bunch Alleys
b)
Shallow Vs Deep
c)
Moving outfielders
2)
PHYSICAL CHECKS
a)
Sun
b)
Wind
c)
Ground
d)
Fences
e)
Special Factors
3)
MENTAL CHECKS
a)
Score
b)
Importance tying
and winning run
c)
Count
d)
Type of hitter
(pull, etc.)
e)
Type of pitchers
f)
Speed of runners
g)
Sun Field
h)
Back-up Bases
4)
BASIC STANCE
a)
Feet square toward
home plate
b)
Weight on balls of
feet
c)
Hands off knees as
ball nears strike zone
d)
Knees bent and
ready to go in any direction
e)
Concentrate on
strike zone; watch ball off bat to get "jump on ball"
5)
ROUTINE GROUND BALLS
a)
Break hard on
contact to change ball breakdown with short steps to get under control.
b)
Round the ball
moving toward second base.
c)
Line-up ball on
left side of your body.
d)
Stay off the knee.
e)
Bend knees, use two
hands and anticipate the ball to stay low.
f)
If ball is bobbled,
pick it up with two hands.
6)
ROUTINE FLY BALL
a)
Get to the ball as
soon as possible and avoid "Drifting" or "Timing" the
ball.
b)
Round the ball
moving toward infield.
c)
Get into position
to catch ball on glove side, shoulder high, moving in as making the catch
with two hands.
7)
GOING BACK ON FLY BALL
a)
Two methods
i)
Drop step straight
back, turn and go for the ball.
ii)
Cross over and
round ball as going back.
b)
Most important
thing on this play is to get a good jump on ball using method that is the
most natural.
c)
Keep your eye on
the ball as much as possible.
d)
On a line drive
right at you, drop step glove side and read it.
8)
POINTS FOR OUTFIELDERS
a)
Round the ball
whenever possible.
b)
Get to the ball as
soon as possible and avoid "drifting" under fly balls.
c)
Shade toward alleys
because there are more balls hit in gaps than down the lines.
d)
Be aware of where
other outfielders are playing as well as infielders.
e)
Anticipate that every pitch will be hit to you.
f)
Back up the bases.
g)
Back up infielders
on ground balls WHEN THE BALL IS HIT, not after it is missed. Anticipate
infielders missing ground balls.
h)
On throws to bases
always KEEP THE BALL LOW. HIT THE CUTOFF MAN.
i)
Centerfielder has
priority on fly balls.
j)
Call infielders off
fly balls that you can get to under control.
k)
Be aware of the
condition of the field you are on.
l)
Check wind and sun
regularly.
m)
GET AS MANY FLY
BALLS AS POSSIBLE OFF THE BAT IN BATTING PRACTICE.
n)
Whenever you are
catching the ball on the run, use one
hand.
9)
RULES FOR THROWING TO BASES
a)
Ball hit sharply,
directly at you, throw out the lead runner.
b)
On a ball hit so
that you are running toward the play, take a look at the lead runner; you
will have plenty of time to make an adjustment and throw to 2nd.
c)
Ball hit to side
and you are running away from the infield, throw to 2nd base.
d)
If ball is hit for
extra bases, throw to relay man.
10) POSITION
PLAY
a)
Play deeper with
two outs, no one on base. Keep the hitter from scoring position.
b)
Be aware of tying
and winning runs at plate.
c)
Play deeper with
runner on first base, two outs. Keep ball from going over your head for
RBI.
d)
Play deep with big
lead to avoid big innings.
e)
Know the stuff of
your pitcher on a particular day and shade the hitter accordingly.
f)
Remember that most
left-handed hitters DO NOT PULL left-handed pitchers.
g)
Overplay elements
such as sun and wind.
h)
With runner on
third base, bottom of 7th inning, less than two outs, PLAY CLOSE
ENOUGH TO THROW RUNNER OUT ON FLY BALL.
i)
Anything hit over
your head will end the game anyway.
11) FIELDING
MECHANICS (TO THROW RUNNER OUT)
a)
Break hard and fast
to get to ball quickly.
b)
Round the ball
moving toward base.
c)
Left foot (for
right-handed thrower) in front when fielding ball.
d)
Field ball with one
hand slightly in front of body and to side of left foot. (For RH throwers)
e)
Bend left leg and
watch ball into glove (anticipate ball to stay low).
f)
Push off with left
foot after fielding ball and crow-hop to right foot to build momentum.
i)
At the same time,
take ball out of glove and get into throwing position.
ii)
Momentum is more
forward toward target than up in the air. (Try to eliminate high crow-hop
on this play.)
g)
Outfielders can get
rid of the ball with two steps and save valuable time.
12) BALL ON
WARNING TRACK
a)
Run hard to get to
ball quickly
b)
Round the ball to
get body in position as approaching ball.
c)
Break down with
short steps to get under control to pick up ball.
d)
Center body over
ball whenever possible.
i)
On ball close to or
against fence, plant the right foot (for right-handed thrower) 3-4 inches
from ball to pick it up.
e)
Use two hands and
watch BALL into glove as picking it up.
f)
Crow-hop while
finding relay man and hit him on glove side shoulder-high.
13) BALL IN
SUN
a)
Use sunglasses
b)
On a ball directly
in the sun, step to a side to get a better angle on the ball.
c)
Use your glove to
shade the sun.
d)
Don't give up even
if you lose it; it may come out at last minute.
e)
If you lose ball
completely, move back and keep ball in front of you.
FUNDAMENTALS OF CATCHING
9)
PHILOSOPHY
a)
“EVERYONE IS
LOOKING AT ME”
10) STANCES
a)
NO RUNNERS
ON-“Comfort Stance”.
i)
Feet turned
slightly out with weight on the inside of feet, shoulder width
ii)
Butt below knees
iii)
Rest glove hand on
left knee
iv)
Knee high target
v)
Off Hand
b)
RUNERS ON-“I’m
ready for action!”
i)
Feet couple inches
wider than NRO
ii)
Butt couple inches
higher than NRO
iii)
Rest glove hand on
left knee
iv)
Throwing hand
behind glove in a loose fist- Bow and Arrow
11) RECEIVING-“Mr.
Umpire, you are my best friend!”
a)
Late set up- No
verbals
b)
Solid target- Relax
hand by pointing fingers to the pitcher or rotating glove to left
c)
Beat the ball to
its final destination-Anticipate
d)
Frame K’s only
12) BLOCKING
a)
Always lead with
the glove!
b)
Off hand-Balance
c)
Anticipate pitch
being thrown- Where does he miss?
13) SIGNS
a)
1-Curve Ball
b)
2-Fastball
c)
3-Slider
d)
Wiggle 4 fingers-
Change
e)
TAPS
i)
First give sign of
which number TAP is ‘HOT’
ii)
Knees: Fastball
iii)
Inside Thigh:
Curveball/Slider
iv)
Crotch: Change-up
PITCHING
FUNDAMENTALS
- Preparation Phase. This
is what happens before you reach the launch point. It may be less
important mechanically than what happens afterwards but it does
establish your line of attack, and your rhythm.
- Loading Up. This is where the kinetic energy, which
will build momentum throughout the delivery, is initially stored
within the body. There are actually several load points - the leg up
and hip turn, the hip/shoulder separation, shoulder blade pinch, and the arm cock.
- Transferring momentum. This
is where the concept of the kinetic chain is critical - stored energy
in each muscle group must be given to the next in sequence. The most
advanced researchers have determined that there is a critical transfer
moments in which more than one thing are happening. First, there is
the energy from one muscle group to the next, but also there is the
stored energy within the group itself.
- Release and follow through. Physics
tells us that the ball can't go faster than the fingertips. We also
know that perceived velocity (from the batter's perspective) is as
important as actual velocity. So it's important that the release point
be optimized - finding the best balance between a release point as
close to the batter as possible (less reaction time) and a release
point at the instant of maximum acceleration of the wrist, the hand,
the fingers. Ideally there the same point, but not always. One thing
is certain: A complete follow-through is important to ensure the arm
does not start slowing before release. This also means that worrying
about getting into a good fielding position should be irrelevant - the
pitcher's main concern should be throwing a pitch they can't hit.
Scapular Loading
Loading and transferring
momentum at exactly the right time is probably the most important lesson in
pitching mechanics. This is where the concept of the kinetic chain is
critical - stored energy in each muscle group must be imparted to the next
muscles in sequence. Scapular loading may be the most critical phase
in the entire pitching sequence. Both mid-section and upper body need to
get involved in propelling the arm forward as close to the point of release
as possible. If the scapular loading happens too soon, then you create a
pause with the blades pulled back. Likewise, if the scapular loading
happens too late, then the hips will have opened and the arm pulled forward
before the scapula have been effective in transferring momentum. The best
and easiest way to adjust the timing of all this is with the hand break.
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
The surest sign that the
pitcher is working well is when the completion of the throw seems
effortless but the radar gun shows the velocity is at that player's current
peak. Watch for a decrease in the pinch in late innings as a sign of a
tiring pitcher. Check during bullpen work pre-game and in practices, too.
Footwork for the Stride Leg
STARTING POSITIONS
What happens before you
hit the launch point is less important than what happens after but here are
some general guidelines...
- Load backside - keep your body back (chin
over toes).
- On full wind up - a shorter rocker step
keeps your head over the rubber. (The purpose of this is simply to
establish your rhythm so distance doesn't matter.) And step straight
back, not to the side - you want to keep all motion in line with the
pitch even if you'll be applying lots of torque.
- On pitching from the stretch - keep the knee
in tight.
- Either delivery - keep landing leg loose
below the knee - almost dead throughout the up-down-forward-foot
strike sequence.
THE LIFT
- Up and Back - Lift the front leg right up through
knee-over-knee, right to the absolute top of its lift. But don't stop
there either.
- Down and Out - Bring the lift leg down again and slide
it forward towards home plate.. As the foot comes back down it eases
forward - the foot moves on a vertical curve. To maintain balance
downward through the body, the back hip is going to collapse inward.
That's okay to a point. It's in the middle of the upper body torque
which triggers movement towards the plate. But don't exaggerate the
hip collapse; otherwise the rotational forces could be thrown off. The
only thing you need to avoid is swinging the front leg out - this will
open the hips too soon.
- Timing - Not all lifts are the
same. Here are 3 examples, of high kick, average lift, and a slide
step. The point is: it doesn't matter how much you lift - that's a
matter of rhythm, style, personal preference - just as long as you
don't pause at the top, and you don't let the lift interfere with
torque.
THE STRIDE
- The stride is not the trigger for the throw.
It's just a reaction to maintain momentum as the body tries to recover
balance.
- Front leg strides forward mostly as a
counterbalance to body position over back leg - this keeps the
throwing shoulder supported over the hip.
- Front leg comes down as a reaction to upper
body momentum. Simply fall forward.
If you're starting from scratch and
need a reference point have the pitcher lie on his back with heels to the
pitching rubber, head to home plate. Draw a line in the sand beside his
neck. That's about 90% of body height - a good starting point for foot
strike distance
THE LANDING
Best suggestion is to
land firmly on the ball of your foot with your knee directly above the
ankle, and with toes across the body toward throwing-side batter's box or
even part way up that baseline (the third base line for a righty, the first
base line for a lefty) - never pointed at the plate.
By having knee above ankle above foot
there is less wear and tear on those joints. The greatest danger is landing
on the heel - your leg could twist out - rotating the leg, which as you
know can do damage to ankle or knee.
Final Stride Check - Look at the indentation in the sand - for it
to be in the same spot on every pitch and neither digging in at the heel or
too far forward on the toes. If the heel hits first, the stride may be too
long. If the toes dive in and your body leaps forward, then the stride may
be too short.
The Hand Break
Starting
from the Set
It would seem that the resting position for the hands at set is simply a
style thing. Relative to the belt buckle, some pitchers hold their hands
higher, some lower.
Timing the Break
As
with set position, timing the break is up to individual discovery.
The Angle/Arc of
Attack
Rather than having the hands
start the break, use the elbows to start the action - up and out. What this
does is give you half a chance of getting some real scapular loading. Moving the elbows relies on the powerful back
muscles whereas moving the hands first (and opening the elbows) is about
the triceps.
The Glove Side
Squeeze & Swivel. The physical action is to rotate
the glove arm over to palm up and lock the elbow in an extended angle
(wider open than 90°). What this does, in effect, is tighten the front side
into the body. This should be in sync with the t | 
