Learn Your PositionPitcher--- The pitcher's job is to throw a pitch called by the catcher. He either agrees or disagrees with that call. He is also known as the King of the Field. The pitcher is the center of the game. If he messes up on a pitch, well... the game is practically all for the opposing team. The pitcher also covers home while the catcher retrieves a wild pitch. Catcher--- The catcher's job is to deliver the sign to the pitcher. Another thing he has to do is be able to catch and throw very well. A wild throw or a passed ball could cause a run scored or a stolen base. To be a catcher you must have quick reflexes.First Baseman--- The first baseman's job is to charge a bunt. One of the most important things are to catch the ball and be able stretch for a bad throw with your foot on the bag.Second Baseman--- Unlike his position's name, the second baseman does not play on second base. His job is to cover second when a man is on the base and the cut-off man for right field when thrown to second or first. When the shortstop covers second, he backs the shortstop up. A second baseman can also back up the first baseman when he stretches for a throw.Third Baseman--- The third baseman's job is protecting the line in case there's a rocket down the line. He also has to charge bunts like a first baseman does. He must be able to bend his body, because you could injure your arms when/if you dive for the ball.Shortstop--- The shortstop has the most difficult position. His jobs are to cover second base on a double play if the ball is hit to the second baseman or the first baseman. Another job is fielding ground balls. The shortstop is the cut-off for the third baseman. Left Field--- His job is to back-up third base and center field on a hard grounder. And catch fly balls. The left fielder has to be a very fast runner. If a fly ball goes deep into the warning track, you have to run like heck to be able to catch the ball in time.Center Field--- The center fielder's job is backing up the second baseman and being able to catch fly balls.Right Field--- The right fielder's job is to back-up the first baseman on a ground ball. He also has to be good at catching fly balls. Like all other outfielders the right fielder has to have a big arm (strong arm). This goes for all outfielders:you must be fast runners.Types of PitchesFastball- Also known as a smoker or hummer, a fastball is a pitch thrown at full speed. It is thrown with your wrist gripped firmly and your fingers along the narrow ends of the seams. Curveball- When thrown by a right handed pitcher, the curve breaks away from a right handed batter. A lefty's curve will break away from the left handed batter. A curveball is gripped with your index and middle finger on the top or on the side (the thumb grips too). When releasing, a downward snap of the wrist and thumb will help give it its curving spin. Little Leaguers are strongly recommended not to throw curveballs. He or she could end up ruining their arm. A reverse curve is also known as a screwball. It is released by snapping the wrist in the opposite direction as the curveball. Split Finger Fastball- The spit finger is a close relative of the uncommon forkball. This pitch is squeezed between your forefinger and pushed back, but not back so far it touches the webbing at the base of your fingers. The split finger is thrown straight overhand, just like the fastball. But,the split finger doesn't even act like a fastball. The split finger drops as it nears the plate and breaks to the left or right. Knuckle Ball- Even harder to recognize and hit than a slider, a knuckle ball is a slow pitch. It breaks crazily as it nears the plate. The pitcher doesn't even know how it's going to break. The pitch isn't really a knuckle ball. The pitcher grips the ball with the tips of two fingers. Instead of a snap, the wrist is pushed toward the batter. This pitch is easy on the arm, though difficult to learn. Sinker- This is a pitch that drops suddenly as it closes in on the plate. This pitch is gripped hard with your middle and index finger over the narrow area of the seams and released with a slight turn of the wrist. Slider- A slider is a pitch that is something between a fastball and curveball. The slider is easy for the pitcher to throw and it is difficult for the batter to recognize. In the delivering of a slider, the arm is held so your wrist is halfway between the fastball and curveball position. It is thrown like a fastball, except the pitcher flicks his wrist when he releases the ball, sort of like turning a doorknob. Despite the effectiveness of this pitch, pitchers wary about throwing it because it can tear up a pitcher's arm. Team RulesHAVE FUN Arrive on time. Promptness is a must on and off the field.As a player you are expected to arrive at all practices and games with your equipment and dressed properly.POSITIVE ATTITUDE is a must on and off the field. No player is to criticize anyone's game.Desire and Determination is a big key in success. Never quit. If you have the desire to learn and the determination to try and try again you will be able to overcomeany shortcomings you may have.There is NO food allowed in dugouts during games.No player is to leave the field after practices and/or games until dismissed by the coach.Player Link to Little League Baseballwww.littleleague.org/players/index.asp Little League PledgeI trust in GodI love my countryAnd will respct its laws.I will play fairAnd strive to winBut WIN or LOSEI will always do my best.Fun LinksBatter's Up Baseballwww.prongo.com/math/Softball Cheershttp://eteamz.active.com/fastpitch/instruction/cheers/index.cfm?Major League Baseball Kids Clubwww.mlb.com/mlb/kids/Sports Illustrated for Kidswww.sikids.com/ Baseball Hall of Famewww.baseballhalloffame.org/ Baseball Fundamentalshttp://www.baseball-fundamentals.com/ Stadium Sports Baseball School (pdf file) NEED HELP DOWNLOADING: pdf file: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 5 or higher) to view this file. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for PC or Macintosh. Play Ball! Oakfield-Alabama Little League Oakfield, NY Teacher Websites © 2008 SchoolWorld
Learn Your PositionPitcher--- The pitcher's job is to throw a pitch called by the catcher. He either agrees or disagrees with that call. He is also known as the King of the Field. The pitcher is the center of the game. If he messes up on a pitch, well... the game is practically all for the opposing team. The pitcher also covers home while the catcher retrieves a wild pitch. Catcher--- The catcher's job is to deliver the sign to the pitcher. Another thing he has to do is be able to catch and throw very well. A wild throw or a passed ball could cause a run scored or a stolen base. To be a catcher you must have quick reflexes.First Baseman--- The first baseman's job is to charge a bunt. One of the most important things are to catch the ball and be able stretch for a bad throw with your foot on the bag.Second Baseman--- Unlike his position's name, the second baseman does not play on second base. His job is to cover second when a man is on the base and the cut-off man for right field when thrown to second or first. When the shortstop covers second, he backs the shortstop up. A second baseman can also back up the first baseman when he stretches for a throw.Third Baseman--- The third baseman's job is protecting the line in case there's a rocket down the line. He also has to charge bunts like a first baseman does. He must be able to bend his body, because you could injure your arms when/if you dive for the ball.Shortstop--- The shortstop has the most difficult position. His jobs are to cover second base on a double play if the ball is hit to the second baseman or the first baseman. Another job is fielding ground balls. The shortstop is the cut-off for the third baseman. Left Field--- His job is to back-up third base and center field on a hard grounder. And catch fly balls. The left fielder has to be a very fast runner. If a fly ball goes deep into the warning track, you have to run like heck to be able to catch the ball in time.Center Field--- The center fielder's job is backing up the second baseman and being able to catch fly balls.Right Field--- The right fielder's job is to back-up the first baseman on a ground ball. He also has to be good at catching fly balls. Like all other outfielders the right fielder has to have a big arm (strong arm). This goes for all outfielders:you must be fast runners.Types of PitchesFastball- Also known as a smoker or hummer, a fastball is a pitch thrown at full speed. It is thrown with your wrist gripped firmly and your fingers along the narrow ends of the seams.
Curveball- When thrown by a right handed pitcher, the curve breaks away from a right handed batter. A lefty's curve will break away from the left handed batter. A curveball is gripped with your index and middle finger on the top or on the side (the thumb grips too). When releasing, a downward snap of the wrist and thumb will help give it its curving spin. Little Leaguers are strongly recommended not to throw curveballs. He or she could end up ruining their arm. A reverse curve is also known as a screwball. It is released by snapping the wrist in the opposite direction as the curveball.
Split Finger Fastball- The spit finger is a close relative of the uncommon forkball. This pitch is squeezed between your forefinger and pushed back, but not back so far it touches the webbing at the base of your fingers. The split finger is thrown straight overhand, just like the fastball. But,the split finger doesn't even act like a fastball. The split finger drops as it nears the plate and breaks to the left or right.
Knuckle Ball- Even harder to recognize and hit than a slider, a knuckle ball is a slow pitch. It breaks crazily as it nears the plate. The pitcher doesn't even know how it's going to break. The pitch isn't really a knuckle ball. The pitcher grips the ball with the tips of two fingers. Instead of a snap, the wrist is pushed toward the batter. This pitch is easy on the arm, though difficult to learn.
Sinker- This is a pitch that drops suddenly as it closes in on the plate. This pitch is gripped hard with your middle and index finger over the narrow area of the seams and released with a slight turn of the wrist.
Slider- A slider is a pitch that is something between a fastball and curveball. The slider is easy for the pitcher to throw and it is difficult for the batter to recognize. In the delivering of a slider, the arm is held so your wrist is halfway between the fastball and curveball position. It is thrown like a fastball, except the pitcher flicks his wrist when he releases the ball, sort of like turning a doorknob. Despite the effectiveness of this pitch, pitchers wary about throwing it because it can tear up a pitcher's arm.
Team RulesHAVE FUN Arrive on time. Promptness is a must on and off the field.As a player you are expected to arrive at all practices and games with your equipment and dressed properly.POSITIVE ATTITUDE is a must on and off the field. No player is to criticize anyone's game.Desire and Determination is a big key in success. Never quit. If you have the desire to learn and the determination to try and try again you will be able to overcomeany shortcomings you may have.There is NO food allowed in dugouts during games.No player is to leave the field after practices and/or games until dismissed by the coach.
Stadium Sports Baseball School (pdf file) NEED HELP DOWNLOADING:
