Little Sluggers
Readington Township Junior Baseball League
Little Sluggers Division • Goal: To teach players proper mechanics. • How to Achieve: Break down the mechanics into easily repeated steps. Have the player learn by doing and developing muscle memory.
Four Basic Stations Throwing Infield Outfield Hittting
Throwing Drills • • • • • • •
The Grip Duck heads (elbow up) Power position (elbow up) One Knee (elbow up) Step and throw (elbow up) Left, right, left Crow hop
The Grip Four Seam Fastball Hold across the “C” or horseshoe.
From http://www.thecompletepitcher.com
This is ideally held with two fingers and the thumb with a little space between ball and palm. Most kids will hold with three or four fingers + thumb as their hands are too small. Encourage them to hold it as gently as an egg. This will increase back spin and get the ball to carry further.
Duck Head Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
• Players get on one knee about 6 feet from their partner. Have each player place their glove on the ground in front of them. Use the 4 seam grip. The player will then bend his elbow and hold his forearm with his other hand. The player will then bend his wrist back and flick the ball to his partner using only the wrist to throw the ball. Emphasize that the wrist will be used during all throws. Have players aim for the others players glove as a target. • Make sure the elbow is at the height of the shoulder or above.
Duck Head
Have the players back up to about 10 feet. This time the player throwing the ball will place his other hand under his arm holding his triceps. The player will then throw the ball using just his elbow and wrist. Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
One Knee • Throwing hand knee should be on the ground • Front foot slightly ahead of knee and pointing at target. • Both elbows should be at shoulder height, front should point at target and glove perpendicular to front arm.
One Knee • Back elbow must be at shoulder height or above. • Turn the ball away and place on the shelf. • Elbow Must Be UP!!!!!
Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
One Knee • Throw and reach for front shoe. • Glove hand should rotate up and tuck toward body.
Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
Power Position Have the player stand should width apart Arm position same as One Knee drill. Lift front foot and point toward target. Throw and reach for plant knee. Elbow Must Be UP!!!!!
Photo from wn.com
Foot work-Long toss Left-Right-Left • Start with ball and throwing hand in glove, feet shoulder width apart, like the stretch position for a pitcher. • Glove leg should take a small step, throwing foot steps behind, arms circle up to power position. • Glove leg steps toward target and throw. • Finish in fielding position.
Crow Hop • Start with both feet facing target • Glove foot takes a step. • Throwing foot hops in front as body turns and throw. Do not allow multiple hops.
Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
Fielding • The ready position is an athletic position that allows you to move quickly in any direction. • Bend your knees and back comfortably • Place your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart • Put your weight on the inside balls of your feet so you can push off in either direction easily • Place your arms out in front of your body but comfortable and not too far away • Extend your hands naturally; while you don't want the back of your glove facing the pitcher, you also don't need to have it completely open and facing the hitter. Many players have their palms facing each other as the ball crosses the plate. from QCBASEBALL.com
Fielding Infield Grounders • Players must move to the ball in a controlled manner. • Knees slightly wider than shoulder width, knees bent, butt down. • Glove hand down and in front, throwing hand covering. Think alligator. A good drill to make them move toward the ball is to have players lay in the outfield grass and get up and run to the ball.
Fielding game. Have players stand with feet touching the player next to them while in fielding position. Make a circle and try to roll the ball through each others legs.
Fielding Flyballs • No Glove Drill. • Have player form a diamond by touching pointer fingers and thumbs. • Have player look through the diamond above their face. • Step into catching the ball tossed above and in front of the player. Use wiffle balls. • Break into two groups and see who can catch the most consecutive as a team.
Hitting • • • • • • • • •
Stance slightly wider than shoulder width Line up knocking knuckles Loose grip on bat, not in palms (holding a bird) Keep front foot closed Hands start near ear level, bat 45 degrees, load Short Stride, reach with front foot, keep balance Hip rotation, drive with back leg Tell the player to squish the bug. Hands to the ball, bottom hand palm up on contact • Swing plane, level with extension • Head down, chin on back shoulder • Swing quick, not hard
Photos from, Hawaii Baseball Academy
Little Sluggers Division • Goal: To teach players proper mechanics. • How to Achieve: Break down the mechanics into easily repeated steps. Have the player learn by doing and developing muscle memory.
Four Basic Stations Throwing Infield Outfield Hittting
Throwing Drills • • • • • • •
The Grip Duck heads (elbow up) Power position (elbow up) One Knee (elbow up) Step and throw (elbow up) Left, right, left Crow hop
The Grip Four Seam Fastball Hold across the “C” or horseshoe.
From http://www.thecompletepitcher.com
This is ideally held with two fingers and the thumb with a little space between ball and palm. Most kids will hold with three or four fingers + thumb as their hands are too small. Encourage them to hold it as gently as an egg. This will increase back spin and get the ball to carry further.
Duck Head Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
• Players get on one knee about 6 feet from their partner. Have each player place their glove on the ground in front of them. Use the 4 seam grip. The player will then bend his elbow and hold his forearm with his other hand. The player will then bend his wrist back and flick the ball to his partner using only the wrist to throw the ball. Emphasize that the wrist will be used during all throws. Have players aim for the others players glove as a target. • Make sure the elbow is at the height of the shoulder or above.
Duck Head
Have the players back up to about 10 feet. This time the player throwing the ball will place his other hand under his arm holding his triceps. The player will then throw the ball using just his elbow and wrist. Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
One Knee • Throwing hand knee should be on the ground • Front foot slightly ahead of knee and pointing at target. • Both elbows should be at shoulder height, front should point at target and glove perpendicular to front arm.
One Knee • Back elbow must be at shoulder height or above. • Turn the ball away and place on the shelf. • Elbow Must Be UP!!!!!
Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
One Knee • Throw and reach for front shoe. • Glove hand should rotate up and tuck toward body.
Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
Power Position Have the player stand should width apart Arm position same as One Knee drill. Lift front foot and point toward target. Throw and reach for plant knee. Elbow Must Be UP!!!!!
Photo from wn.com
Foot work-Long toss Left-Right-Left • Start with ball and throwing hand in glove, feet shoulder width apart, like the stretch position for a pitcher. • Glove leg should take a small step, throwing foot steps behind, arms circle up to power position. • Glove leg steps toward target and throw. • Finish in fielding position.
Crow Hop • Start with both feet facing target • Glove foot takes a step. • Throwing foot hops in front as body turns and throw. Do not allow multiple hops.
Photo from QCBASEBALL.com
Fielding • The ready position is an athletic position that allows you to move quickly in any direction. • Bend your knees and back comfortably • Place your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart • Put your weight on the inside balls of your feet so you can push off in either direction easily • Place your arms out in front of your body but comfortable and not too far away • Extend your hands naturally; while you don't want the back of your glove facing the pitcher, you also don't need to have it completely open and facing the hitter. Many players have their palms facing each other as the ball crosses the plate. from QCBASEBALL.com
Fielding Infield Grounders • Players must move to the ball in a controlled manner. • Knees slightly wider than shoulder width, knees bent, butt down. • Glove hand down and in front, throwing hand covering. Think alligator. A good drill to make them move toward the ball is to have players lay in the outfield grass and get up and run to the ball.
Fielding game. Have players stand with feet touching the player next to them while in fielding position. Make a circle and try to roll the ball through each others legs.
Fielding Flyballs • No Glove Drill. • Have player form a diamond by touching pointer fingers and thumbs. • Have player look through the diamond above their face. • Step into catching the ball tossed above and in front of the player. Use wiffle balls. • Break into two groups and see who can catch the most consecutive as a team.
Hitting • • • • • • • • •
Stance slightly wider than shoulder width Line up knocking knuckles Loose grip on bat, not in palms (holding a bird) Keep front foot closed Hands start near ear level, bat 45 degrees, load Short Stride, reach with front foot, keep balance Hip rotation, drive with back leg Tell the player to squish the bug. Hands to the ball, bottom hand palm up on contact • Swing plane, level with extension • Head down, chin on back shoulder • Swing quick, not hard
Photos from, Hawaii Baseball Academy
