The_Basics
THE BASICS
by Howell Hart

DEFENSE:

  1. Before each pitch ask yourself, what am I going to do with the ball if it comes to me? ie. Know where the runners are; how many outs; what the count is; who do I throw the ball to if it’s a fly ball; who do I throw the ball to if it’s a ground ball?
  2. When the Pitcher steps on the rubber, get set.
  3. Watch the signals from the catcher. Know what the play is.
  4. Always watch each pitch all the way to the catcher.
  5. Always watch the ball, no matter where it goes.
  6. When the batter swings, be ready to move. See the ball come off the bat.
  7. Move in the direction the ball is hit.
  8. Always get in front of the ball.
  9. Always catch the ball in the middle of your body (ground ball between your legs or fly ball coming down at your nose).
  10. Look the ball into your glove.
  11. Always think about catching the ball first; after you catch it, then think about throwing it. Make your catch, then your throw.
  12. Back each other up.
  13. Always talk to each other. ie. Let each other know what you are doing.
  14. Never think somebody will catch the ball; always think that she will miss the ball.
  15. When throwing the ball, look at the person’s chest.
  16. Throw down to the person you are throwing to.
  17. Use your hips when throwing.
  18. Follow through with your arm. Right hand by left knee/left hand by right knee.
  19. Always tag in front of the base. (Front being that part of the base nearest the runner) Block the base if possible.
  20. Always try to get the lead runner if it’s a force out and you catch the ball cleanly.
  21. With two outs try to get the out at first.
  22. Watch for bunts.
  23. Get the out at first.
  24. Never give up!!! If you make a mistake keep playing. The play is not over until the umpire calls time or the pitcher has the ball in the 8 foot circle and all base runners are on base.
  25. Always hustle everywhere.
  26. Never throw to a base, always throw to a person.
  27. Call all fly balls. If it is a call-off situation, call the ball at least three times.
  28. Second Base calls off first base; short stop calls off second and third base; outfield calls off infield; center field calls off left and right field; everybody calls off the pitcher.


BATTING:

  1. Get the signal from the 3rd base coach before each pitch.
  2. Wait for the complete signal. Anytime I give you the hit sign, quit looking at me, take your practice swings or something, so that way I can give the other signs to confuse the other team’s defense. If it’s a mandatory signal, I will hold up 1 finger.
  3. Make sure you hold your hand up to the umpire for time while stepping into the batter’s box.
  4. When batting, as soon as you step into the batter’s box, be ready and cock your hips and fire (swing).
  5. Look at the ball all the way to the catcher’s glove.
  6. If the ball is higher than your hands, let it go.
  7. Hands up higher than the ball.
  8. Roll your wrists over quickly.
  9. Tip of the bat comes around first.
  10. Tip of the bat follows the grass around the infield.
  11. Belly button pointing down third baseline for right handed batters; and first baseline for left handed batters.
  12. Always hit down on the ball.
  13. See the top of the ball and take the bat to the ball.
  14. Right handed batters take your right hand to the ball; the bat will follow.
  15. Left handed batters take your left hand to the ball; the bat will follow.
  16. Be aggressive at the plate! If it is close enough to hit, hit it.
  17. Spin on your toes.
  18. Hips and shoulders snap around quickly.
  19. See the bat hit the ball to the catcher’s glove.
  20. If you want to hit the ball hard, swing the bat hard. Use your entire body; hips, legs, arms, and shoulders.
  21. When bunting square up early. (If they come in, slap it. If they stay back, bunt it.)
  22. Hands up high in front of your face when bunting. Body down low.
  23. Watch the ball all the way to the catcher’s glove.
  24. Bunt down on the top of the ball.
  25. Try to bunt to the second base person if they cheat.
  26. Bunt in the direction the coach tells you.
  27. Unless you have two strikes, you can bunt anytime you are given the hit sign.
  28. You can bunt or slap bunt on either sign if the defense is playing you for that sign.
  29. When playing International Tie Breaker(ITB), it is mandatory bunting to score the run.
  30. Work the pitcher, if the pitch is bad, don’t swing.
  31. If the pitch is waist high, hit it.
  32. Best way to get on base is to walk.
  33. Second best way to get on base is to bunt.
  34. Worst way to get on base is to hit.

BASE RUNNING:

  1. Run to first every time the ball is hit.
  2. It is not a foul ball until the umpire says foul ball.
  3. Run through first base on close plays.
  4. Run out all pop ups. (Try to get a double if it is dropped).
  5. Watch the ball all the way to the catcher while taking your lead off.
  6. When stealing second, watch the throw from the catcher.
  7. If the throw from the catcher gets to second before you, go back to first.
  8. If it is close, SLIDE to the base, away from the tag.
  9. Watch your coaches for signals.
  10. When told to go DO NOT HESITATE.
  11. Do not run into a tag out. Get in a hot box or go back to the other base.
  12. Always steal when the catcher misses the ball.
  13. Take a quick lead off. Generally, 3 steps for 1st and 3rd, and 5 steps for 2nd.
  14. When the catcher catches the ball, immediately go back to your base. (Watch the throw back to the pitcher, if the pitcher misses the ball, you can steal).
  15. Keep your head in the game.
  16. Know what the count is and how many outs there are.
  17. Watch the ball come off the bat. If it hits the ground, run. Fly ball, line drive, go back to the base immediately.
  18. Less than two outs: a fly ball is hit the runner on 3rd base tags ups immediately, 2nd base tags up, first base if a fly ball is hit deep with runners on base tag up.
  19. Tag up, watch the ball, do not leave the base until the ball is touched, then advance to the next base.
  20. Run in foul territory going from home to first and third to home.
  21. You can steal any base anytime you want to.
  22. When it is late in a close ball game, play it safe.
  23. Think for yourself, coaches make mistakes(other coaches not me HA HA).
  24. If a coach tells you to run, and you are out, it’s the coach’s fault.

MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL:

  1. Winning is not everything; it is the ONLY thing.
  2. You can only be number one, if you prove it every time you play ball.
  3. Never assume that you will win but go out and play to win.
  4. You can beat anybody, anytime if you want to bad enough.
  5. If you want to win every time, you have to be both mentally and physically ready.
  6. When you leave to go play ball, only think softball.
  7. On days you play ball never drink cokes (any kind) or eat candy.
  8. Eat pasta.
  9. Stretch and warm up properly.
  10. Always hustle; never give up.
  11. Always get up (mentally) for a game. Always play to win.
  12. Always be excited, chatter all the time.
  13. Always give your best effort. 110%
  14. Keep your teammates up.
  15. Never ever get down.
  16. Always do your best at everything you do.
  17. Never ever give up.
  18. If you get hurt try to finish the play before laying down, crying, or screaming.