My son just started Fall Ball Little League. This is a good thing. These are the kids that are serious about the sport. Spring Little League is awesome, but Fall Ball is where it's at. The games are at night, the air is crisp, the lights are on, and the kids go at it.
Watching the practice last night, I realized that there are several universal "truths" to playing baseball. These are things that are drilled into your head as you learn to play and even watch the game. I may not name them all, but I thought I'd jot them down. If you wish to add to this, please do so in the comments.
- Keep your eye on the ball
- Bend your knees
- Use two hands
- Keep the ball in front of you
- Slide!
- Play's at first (second, third, home)
- Turn two
- Be patient
- Keep your hands back
- Keep your elbow down
- Keep your back shoulder up
- Choke up
- Choke down
- Throw at his chest
- Move up to the plate
- Dig in
- Throw strikes
- Keep the ball down
- Mix your pitches
- Be in ready position
- Think ahead
- Have soft hands
- Make contact
- Make the play
- Block the plate
- Block the ball
- Step and throw
- See the ball, hit the ball
- Drive the ball
- Get a good pitch to hit
- Keep your swing compact
- Tag up
- Square up
- Back up the play
- Push off with your back foot
- Push off the rubber
- Run through first base
- Tie goes to the runner
- Watch your coach not the ball
- Keep your head down
- Heads up
- Round the bag
- Look for your pitch
- Pitch inside
- Loose grip
- Take a practice swing
- Step out of the box
- Balls in, coming down
- Call it
- Have fun
