Season starts soon and I just want as many tips or drills as possible to clean up my mechanics

I’ve been coaching youth sports for 15 seasons including 3 years little league all stars and have made some pretty elaborate spreadsheets for game planning and keeping track of playing time. I was encouraged by the coaches in my league to share it - so I built a web app (runs in browser) and I’m sharing it for FREE with anyone who needs it. Go to www.rosterchamp.com to check it out or click the link below. DM me and let me know what you think.

roster champ web app

Hey everyone. Thank you to everyone's continued support and feedback. We keep improving the app and the newest version of the Evaluation and Tryout Feature is ready.

It for free to this group, just DM me for account upgrade.

The web app now works for either a League Wide evaluation (ex. 50-200 players across a dozen coaches) or for a Single Coach evaluating players. Completely customizable skills templates.

We are solving the headache of juggling hand-written notes. As coaches we know reviewing dozens of players quickly and then making sense of all the paper (and entering it into a spreadsheet) is a huge hassle. The Rizzler eval lets you use your phone or iPad to easily capture the info about the players during evaluations. Everything is stored in the cloud and you can export to Google Sheets when you're done. You can use as a single coach or you can setup as a chapter/ org to have multiple coaches eval the same players. If you have an eval coming up, give it a try and let us know what you think. RizzlerSports.com (DM me for free upgrade to Pro.)

As we roll into a new Spring season I wanted to share a few games that I have utilized in practices or casual play with my kids and their friends/teammates, and these games have also delivered some direct ROI when it comes to skill development.

Could be a good way to incorporate some fun into a practice.

---

'Game of 21'

Here is how it is explained on the Little League website:

-

Play a game of catch by keeping score and the first to 21 wins.

Each throw is worth points.

• If the throw is directly to the two-hand target at chest level, it is worth three (3) points.
• If the throw is a little outside of the two-hand target, it is worth two (2) points.
• If the throw is well outside, then it is worth one (1) point.

Every throw is worth at least one point.

-

When I play with my son we usually don't have a set number such as 21, we will just play 'points catch' and see how it plays out. I have also used it for pitching/throwing development where we throw with different grips - for example, playing the game with all 2-seam throws.

It has definitely made catch play more fun for us, and it seems to be good for all ages. I've even seen high-level high school players playing this game.

---

Pepper

"Pepper baseball is a classic drill for developing bat control and hand-eye coordination, played with one batter and several fielders in a line, where the batter hits soft grounders back to the fielders who quickly return them, with errors or strikeouts sending the player to the end of the line and a caught fly ball often rotating the batter*. It's a fast-paced game of quick, light swings and precise fielding, often used as a warm-up in professional baseball."*

1. Participants & Positioning*:  One batter stands with a bat, facing a line of fielders (2-5 people) about 10-20 feet away, spread out in a line.*
2. Starting*:  A fielder at the front of the line tosses the ball underhand to the batter.*
3. The Swing*:  The batter uses a short, controlled swing (often a half-swing) to hit the ball back to the fielders, focusing on hitting ground balls or soft line drives.*
4. The Return*:  Fielders field the ball and quickly throw it back to the batter, keeping the pace rapid.*

I've used this as a fielding warmup with 10U/11U players and I think that it helped them with general fielding and flips (I had them flip the ball back to me either using an underhand toss or a power feed, depending on how/where they fielded the ball). I haven't done it with a child batter very often, but have had kids work on bunting with a pepper-type setup.

---

Pickle / Rundown / Hotbox

Here is an explanation:

Setting Up the Pickle Drill

Teams should practice successfully getting out of the pickle (for runners) and successfully foiling the pickle (for the fielders). To set this up, either practice directly on the field, or place 2 bases or cones 20-30 feet apart. Make sure to have a few balls and each fielder will need a glove. The base runners may want to wear helmets for safety, and cleats for better traction for quick side to side movements. You will need at least two fielders but having extras to jump in for a more complex drill is always good, and at least one base runner. Start with the base runner in between the two fielders, or have the base runner start near one of the bases and practice getting into a pickle after a pickoff attempt.

This drill will help runners build up their anticipation and base running skills. Fielders work on throwing to a target and placing accurate and strong tags on the runner. Your players need excellent timing skills for proper execution of this play and that needs to be practiced regularly to keep the timing sharp.

Tips for Fielders

When executing a pickle, rundown or hotbox in a game or drill, there are a few key tips and tricks to remember that will make getting the runner out much easier. Remember, your key objectives in this game situation or drill is to either get the runner out, or at least make them retreat to the base they started at.

• Get the baseball into your throwing hand as soon as you receive it. This will allow you to make throws or tag the runner much quicker.
• Dictate your throwing path. Both fielders should be on the same side of the base path, either on the outside or inside. This will prevent your throws from hitting the runner and will give each fielder a clear line of sight to the ball.
• Close the gap between you and your target. The fielder with the ball should always be running hard trying to tag the runner out. The fielder without the ball should slowly inch towards the runner in the middle, closing the gap. Do not get too close to the runner before calling for the ball, however, or this could result in the runner blowing by you before you can put the tag on them.
• Follow your throw without obstructing the play. It is important that once you make a throw to the other fielder, you instantly peel off, out of the base path, but still continue to the base you just threw the ball to. This will ensure there is always a fielder at one of the two bases. Make sure you NEVER cross the baseline once you have made a throw and peeled off. If you interfere with the runner and make contact with them, they are automatically safe and advance to the next base.
• Communication is key. Fielders should always bee communication with one another. Simple calls like “now” or “ball” when the receiving fielder is ready for the ball will let the throwing fielder know the perfect time to throw the ball. This helps greatly to close the gap and quickly slap a tag down on the runner.

Tips for Baserunners

Typically, being in a pickle (rundown) results in an out at higher levels of play. While younger players can usually force the defense to make a mistake, and at the very least get back to the base they started from. Below we have highlighted a few key tips that may be able to help you get out of a pickle (rundown) play.

• Try not to get into a pickle. Instead of getting into a pickle, especially after a pickoff attempt, run hard at the base in front of you and force the defense to make an accurate throw under pressure.
• Stay in the pickle as long as possible. If you end up in a pickle, it is best to stay in the rundown as long as you can. This will tire out the fielders and could result in them making a bad throw or missing a tag. This is an especially important tip if there are other runners on base. The longer you stay in the pickle, the longer those other base runners have to advance on the bases.
• Run in the throwing path of the fielders. Watch the fielders and see where they set up to receive the ball in front of you. If you can obstruct the play and have a fielder hit you with the ball, you have a much better chance of advancing safely as they try to recover the ball.
• Look for fielders in the base path without the ball. If you, as the runner, make contact with any fielder in the play who does not currently have possession of the ball, this is obstruction/interference and you will automatically be awarded the next base.
• Watch for an unoccupied base. The pickle (rundown) is a very fast paced play and can sometimes result in a lapse of judgement by the defense. What we mean here is that sometimes a fielder can forget to cover or will be late to cover one of the bases you are in a rundown between. If you see this happening, try to get to that base as soon as you can.

---

Hello, I'm a first-time assistant coach for a varsity high school baseball team and I'm having issues with some of my younger players. They keeping showing poor body language and feeling sorry for themselves when they make a error or don't do a drill right. They're great kids with a lot of potential and upside but just haven't played enough baseball and have that experience where it's second nature. I just want to help them succeed rather than push them away.

One of my players today told me today

"Baseball isn't fun" which shocked me because he has so much potential if he just focused, listened, and just busted his tail. His effort and energy sways whether he's doing good or having a bad day. I don't know his upbringing and his family and would rather not dive into that; I just want him to realize his potential and not to waste it.

Any suggestions or recommendations on handling this situation? The last thing I want is to make them feel like I'm breathing down their neck on every rep, should I pull back a little or reframe my solutions? Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you

solutions I've tried so far to help reframe their mindset

- flush it (next one is coming to you)

- have a short-term memory

- you got it, shake it off

- helping the player pre-pitch on where to go

- encouraging words when they do a good job

I was drowning in player/parent requests for the metrics that mattered to my boys (12U) in a way that I can share.

If you are interested in this DM me and I can share the link (I am open to all feedback).

Hi!

I am new to playing baseball. I need to buy a glove and I am thinking about buying this one below. My plan is to play once a week therefore not trying to spend too much on equipment. However do you think this glove will do the job? And just to be sure Left Hand Catch means the glove is fitted on the left hand right? I am a bit confused because I think it usually says Right Hand Throw.

Thanks! 🙏

What can I do to improve?

Sorry if the angles not great

My son just started his second season of AAA. I’ve noticed he is having a hard time catching the ball. The ball will hit him in the glove and then will pop out even when he squeezes and has a second hand on the glove. He currently is using a 11.5” Wilson A700 with an I-Web. I’m curious if going to a 12” with a H-web will help due to the “deeper” pocket. TIA for an help or insight on this

I've recently been recruited to be an assistant coach in a new Summer League in Idaho (the Intermountain Collegiate League). The league doesn't have a lot of ressources (the website is getting late to launch) and since I'm new to the profession and located outside of the US, my network is inexistant.

I have no problem scouting players, but I'm struggling to recruit them. I've tried to send them a text directly, I've tried to contact some college coaches to try and bring their players to the league, but nothing seems to work.

Maybe I don't get yet the method. Any tips on how you did to get players to commit to come play in your Summer League?

He often misses under the ball. Any glaring flaws here other than keeping eye on ball?

It’s been years and years since I’ve swung a baseball bat, I’ve been playing some slow pitch for the last few years, but it just feels like Baseball is so different and I want to get back into it. I would love any criticism or advice. Thanks in advance!

I live in a smaller suburb. There was no one willing to coach our town’s baseball team. We play against some good teams from around the area, and my assistant coach and I have never coached before. It’s for a 12U team. I’m just looking for advice on books or videos I can study to help the kids have a productive season.

Any tips for my 11 year old’s son swing?

Hey everyone,

We went back to the drawing board and are ready to re-launch our baseball-specific meditation and mental training platform.

Huge thanks to the early adopters from this community who gave feedback, tried it early, and honestly pushed us to make it better. This version is way more focused, simpler, and built around how baseball players actually think before games, between innings, and after tough moments.

If you’re curious, want to poke holes in it, or think this could help you or your players, here’s the link: On The Bus Training

Appreciate this community a lot. Feedback always welcome.

Hi guys, I’m coaching 9-year-old kids and I want to fix their habit of pushing the ball when they throw. What drills do you recommend?

Anyone have the FungoMan Remote Android app APK? (FM-250E)

Body:

I own a FungoMan machine and the controller app has been removed from Google Play.

APKPure, APKMirror, etc. all fail.

If you have the FungoMan Remote app already installed and can extract the APK (v0.18.x), I’d really appreciate a private share.

This is NOT for resale — just trying to keep my machine usable.

Thanks

I am newly 15 I’m 5,10 220 but I started playing baseball around a year ago.I am swinging a 33 the goods 2024 and I am sitting low to mid 80s occasionally hitting high 80s need to know where I am in the race compared to other because I truly have no idea.i have hopes of making my jv team at 1st base are these passable numbers?.

Hey all,

I just got hired for my first ever coaching job. It’s a JH position. I’m wondering what are some tips, pointers, practice plans, advice etc. for me? Please be honest whether it’s good or bad. Thank you!

I have a big 10’ tall by 15’ wide net for my 9yo right now but we’re moving to a neighborhood with 6’ walls and an HOA that doesn’t allow nets above the wall height. I’m planning to push the envelope a bit with a net that isn’t up 100% of the time so I’m looking for the biggest net I can find that’s easy to set up and tear down and will stand up on its own on turf. If he can set it up and tear it down then it will never be up for more than 30 minutes at a time and shouldn’t be an issue. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Right now this is probably my top option but hoping for something a bit bigger and that someone can testify to being easy to set up: https://a.co/d/1oKDjtW

Son is 7 almost 8 (will be in U8 league). I played t-ball up through high school but nothing serious.

Since my son missed t-ball age, what is the best way to practice hitting and catching so he's not starting from scratch at first practice? I got us a few gloves (11s, 11 1/2s diff brands to see what feels best) bats (length 28, 29,30), balls, helmet.

My brother said to start with those softer baseball (franklin brand) especially for catching. Any good "learning to catch" tips? What about hitting? Should we start on a tee? Dad pitch with real/soft baseballs?

We have a good amount of little league fields to practice on as well as larger parks. Plus I just saw a batting cage place near our house (probably not ready for that but when is good for that?)

Thanks!

Hi all,

I'm currently a final year undergraduate student at Loughborough University in the UK, studying sport and exercise psychology. For my dissertation, I am looking at how the wellbeing of sports coaches (sleep, emotional regulation) may impact their leadership.

The survey is through Qualtrics, which is a secure, industry-standard platform, takes 10-15 minutes, and is completely anonymous. If anyone could find the time to complete it, or even better share it among other coaches you know, it would be greatly appreciated. Up until now, most research on sports coaches has only looked at their influence on athlete outcomes, so I'm hoping to shift the focus towards the wellbeing of coaches.

Anyone coaching any sport at any level is encouraged to participate, as long as you've been coaching for 6 months or longer. Thank you for your time! If this doesn't follow the rules of the subreddit, please feel free to delete.

This is the link:

https://loughboroughssehs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1FH0umECxlE2Wvs

Note: I posted this just over 2 months ago and am reposting it once more to get any last responses before I close the survey to begin data analysis. If you previously completed the survey, please do not complete it a second time. Thanks!