Not everyone knows the finer details of the game of baseball, and of course, many are not interested in being a coach or baseball expert. Everyone has their own interests and that’s okay. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t say useful things to young ballplayers. Using this word will make one sound like a baseball expert and sound like you really know the game of baseball. As a baseball instructor for the past 21 years, there’s one word I think I’ve said more than any other word. This word is revealed below. If you want a clue, think about the first thing you teach your dog to do.
You guessed it, stay. Using the word “stay” with most baseball terms gives instant, “expert” credibility to whoever says it. The following are the terms that good coaches often use when talking to players about the three key components of baseball skills: hitting, pitching, and fielding. People who use these terms with the magic word “stay” will sound like baseball experts.
Hitting Tips:
1. Stay Back: Good hitters don’t jump on the ball, they let it come to them.
2. Stay Inside – Good hitters don’t try to reach the balls, they try to hit the side closest to them on all pitches.
3. Hanging Back – When good hitters swing, they turn, transfer their weight and deliver the bat to the ball while keeping their head back over the back of the hip.
4. Stay balanced – Good hitters hit the bat at 100% speed, but make it look like they aren’t working hard at all.
5. Stay ready: Good hitters always expect the next pitch to be “their pitch.”
6. Stay focused: Good hitters focus on watching the ball from the pitcher’s pitch to the plate and tune out all other thoughts.
Casting tips:
1. Stay balanced: Good pitchers throw at top speeds but make it appear effortless.
2. Stay Direct: Good pitchers maintain good direction, walking in a direct line toward home plate with their pitch.
3. Stay Up – Good shooters keep their fingers on top of the ball on the backswing and on the pitch.
4. Stay Back: Good pitchers don’t rush themselves, giving their arm time to recover.
5. Stay Focused: Good shooters stay focused on their target and tune out any distractions.
Fielding Tips:
1. Stay Ready – Good fielders “want” and expect the ball to be hit their way.
2. Stay Down – Good fielders approach ground balls close to the ground and keep the glove below the jump initially.
3. Stay soft – Good fielders make fielding look easy, moving through the ball gracefully.
4. Stay focused: Good fielders keep their concentration on the ball, ready for any jump.
5. Stay balanced – Good fielders have excellent footwork when fielding, always keeping themselves in check.
You may have noticed that two terms are used with our word “abid” that apply to all of the foundational tips and that is balance and focus. Everything in sports requires great balance and concentration. So, when you’re not sure what to say to your athlete, you can never go wrong with saying “stay balanced” and “stay focused” as long as it’s said in a positive and affirmative way.
