“AAA” Baseball (Kid Pitch)

1. Stretching: Players will learn the importance of stretching & warming up prior to baseball activities.  Players, as a team, should learn to jog lightly, stretch their arms and shoulders, and stretch their legs and trunks, PRIOR to any throwing or hitting activity. The goal by the end of the season is for players to be able to perform this task with little coach assistance, leading the stretches themselves.  This is an excellent opportunity for players to learn “leadership” roles within a team setting.  

2. Throwing Routine: Players should learn a standardized routine for slowly warming up their throwing motion and arms prior to practices and games.  Players again should be able to lead this activity by themselves before the end of the season.  Done correctly, players should show steady progress with both their throwing AND catching ability during the season.  (EMPHASIS: Coaches should stress the importance of the warmup routine, as a purposeful opportunity for players to spend focused time improving both their throwing and catching skills.)

The following throwing routine is a step-by-step progression commonly used in travel ball, high school and college programs, pinpointing various aspects involved in proper throws, including in succession: 1) grip and release, 2) rotating the body, 3) engaging the legs, 4) throwing at various distances.  This progression should be used at the beginning of all practices and games, after stretching.

1. Free Throws (or “Kobes”) at 10’: Short toss, arm at a 90 degree angle, glove beneath the throwing elbow – players release the ball like a “Free Throw,” on a high arc, spinning off the fingertips (EMPHASIS: using a proper grip and backspinning the ball off the fingertips help players throw with accuracy.)

2. Ten Toes (or “Old Dominion”) at 20’: Semi-Short toss, with all “Ten Toes” lined up square to a partner, rotating the upper body away from straight, front side high, then pulling the glove to the body and delivering the ball smoothly to their partner, again focused on the release.  (EMPHASIS: rotating the upper body helps players create momentum in the delivery of the ball – visual: “reach out to 2 o’clock and pull an imaginary curtain back with your glove,” and throw through the opening)

3. Rocker Throws at 30’:  Medium toss, engaging the legs into the throwing motion, using a shift of weight forward, then back into the rear foot, then forward again, more strongly, finishing into a throw.  (Think: “forward, back, forward -> throw”-  remembering to incorporate upper body rotation and a smooth release of the ball.)

4. Regular Throws from 40’-60’, The most time in the progression should be used implementing all of the above elements to create a strong, repeatable throwing motion.  (EMPHASIS: receiving the ball should get as much emphasis as throwing the ball during this portion of the progression – players should be in a balanced position and using both hands to receive the throw)

5. Long Toss at 75’+, Players should extend their throwing distance to a point comfortable for both partners, using crow hops or crossovers to build momentum for their throws.  (EMPHASIS: Players should be able to comfortably expand this distance as the season progresses.)

3. Fielding I:  Fielders will continue to learn to properly “prep” before pitches, including self-direction on the “Three B’s” thought process BEFORE the ball is in play (“Where do I throw it, if I field the ball BALL,” “What BASE do I cover if I don’t field the ball,” or “Where can I BACKUP a possible play or throw, or position myself to cut off a throw from the outfield”).

4. Fielding II: Infielders will learn to “move through the ball” and not be stationary when fielding ground balls.  (EMPHASIS: Balls bounce off stationary objects!)  Players should use proper footwork, hands extended low and in front, both eyes to the inside of the ball, to approach the ball from right to left, in motion, creating momentum towards the location of their upcoming throw.  Being in motion increases the ease of fielding ground balls, AND the accuracy of any ensuing throws. (EMPHASIS: fielding the ball and throwing the ball should be viewed as a single act- a fielding attempt is successful when the ball is safely gathered AND delivered to the proper location.)

5. Fielding III: First Basemen will learn to properly “straddle” the front of first base prior to receiving throws from 3B or SS, waiting until the throw is made to shift their feet and stretch from the correct edge of the bag.  This extends their range of coverage, as well as allows them to extend through the throw as it arrives, leading to fewer drops.  (NOTE: On ground balls to 2B there is less time but also fewer errant throws, so 1B should position themselves quickly on the edge of the bag and prepare for the throw.)

6. Fielding IV: Players at 2B and SS will learn the proper positioning, footwork, and exchange for turning double plays at 2nd base.  Underhand tosses and “dart throws” should both be learned.  Working on this exchange should be a regular part of all infield practices.

7. Fielding V:  Outfielders will learn an initial “drop step” and pause on flyballs, leading to a proper assessment of where the ball is headed, and its speed, before charging or retreating to field it.  (EMPHASIS: First instinct is always to run towards the ball – ie, towards the infield - making eliminating this easily correctable mistake the primary goal of teaching outfield.  Players should learn to first properly assess the ball’s route, and then run on a direct route to the estimated location where the ball will land.)

8. Fielding VI: Outfielders will learn the importance of a hop-step or crossover, allowing them to build momentum for stronger, more accurate throws from the outfield.  (EMPHASIS: players should learn to keep their outfield throws on a low trajectory, never overthrowing their target, sometimes even intentionally “one-hopping” their throws.  The goal is to throw the ball through the “field goal” of the cutoff’s outstretched arms, so then that player can either catch it, or let it through.)

9. Fielding VII: Players not actively participating in playing the ball will learn to develop a “next play” mindset on defense.  Anticipation away from the ball is a crucial part of making outs once the ball is in play.  Players need to know all locations where an out can be made, including in the event of an error occurring, or when a baserunner might unexpectedly attempt to take an extra base.  Players must also know where to position themselves to assist in the making of these outs, when they aren’t responsible for the baseball or the base involved.  (EMPHASIS: There are NO spectators on defense, everyone has a role to play, at all times.)

10. Pitching I: Pitchers should continue to focus on being a defensive player when the ball is in play, sprinting to cover 1B (on ground balls to 1st or 2nd), or being prepared to backup 3B or Home (on all other balls in play).  Pitchers must also have a mindset of ALWAYS beating the runner to home plate on a passed ball with a runner on 3B, to prevent attempted steals of home.

11. Pitching II: As pitchers become more advanced, they should begin to experiment with throwing a proper changeup - by using the correct grip(s), not changing their throwing motion. (EMPHASIS: Pitchers should be introduced to the idea of changing speeds, using deception and the same arm action, and how utilizing different pitching strategies affects the rhythm and timing of hitters.)

12. Hitting !: All live hitting drills should include bunting attempts.  Players will learn the proper body position, and finger placement, to effectively bunt when necessary.  (NOTE: A good habit is to have all hitters bunt the first 3 pitches they see during batting practices.)

13. Hitting II: Players will refine their ability to track the baseball out of the pitcher’s hand (learning to focus on the pitcher’s “release point”), helping them identify balls and strikes as early as possible, and when to swing and when NOT to swing.

14. Hitting III: Players will learn the concepts of properly hitting inside and/or outside pitches, learning to hit the inside pitch further out front, or outside pitch deeper over the plate, becoming able to drive the ball to all parts of the field, without reaching or lunging, or significantly changing their swing.

15. Baserunning I: Two outs – RUN!!!  All players should be reminded of the importance of knowing how many outs there are, anytime they are on base.  With two outs, we don’t wait to see if fly balls are caught or not, we “run on contact.”  

16. Baserunning II: Players will learn the importance of secondary leads, after each pitch, and how to read the catcher in preparation of advancing, or retreating back to the bag.  A good mindset for baserunners is to view every pitch as an opportunity to steal, and only stop when they see the catcher has caught the ball. Players should also learn to anticipate mistakes on the catcher’s throw back to the pitcher, so they are ready to advance an additional base when/if this common error occurs.

17. Baserunning III: Players will continue to practice reading hit balls, with the assistance of base coaches, to assess what the running scenario is.   Players must know when to run halfway on a flyball, or tag (with less than 2 outs), or know to freeze on any line drive (advancing only if the ball gets through, or retreating if it’s caught). 

18. Baserunning IV: Players will further refine their ability to read their basecoaches, and take an extra base when appropriate.  They will learn to aggressively round first base on hits to the outfield, watching the ensuing throw for accuracy, and reading when it’s appropriate to attempt to advance.  (EMPHASIS: players must learn that the ball is IN PLAY until the pitcher has the ball again, takes the rubber, and is preparing to pitch, or until an umpire calls time-out.)  Baserunners must be aware and ready to advance on any errant throw, on any given play, at all times.

19. Baserunning V: Players will learn that the orange “safety” portion of first base is only in play for plays in the infield at first base.  On an extra base-hit to the outfield a player who touches the orange portion of the bag (but not the white portion) when continuing to second base has NOT touched first base according to the rules.  If the defense elects to challenge the play, the runner will be called out for “missing” first base.  (Example: On a Home Run over the fence, if the player touches the orange portion of first base, but not the white, when rounding the bases, he can be called out at the discretion of the umpire, or by a challenge by the defense.)