Worthington Select Baseball

BasicFundamentalsWorthington BaseballReceiving a throw: Set up Starting position:

- Shoulders square to target - Feet shoulder width apart - Knees bent - Thumbs Up

Receiving Throw: Step 2Two hands: throwing hand on thumb of glove

Small step to the ball: Catch the ball between feet

Prepare to throw:Gripping the Ball Pointer and middle fingers are on top off the ballThumb is under the ball, the ball is resting on the interior side of the thumb.The ring and pinky fingers are curled, on the side a the ball.

Throwing TechniqueThrowing-side foot parallel to targetLong step with glove-hand foot directly towards targetPoint glove-side elbow at target as the throwing arm moves back and up - ball is away from target meaning the ball is turned away from the target so the fingers are between the ball and target - Legs, stomach, and butt muscles are loaded and ready to releaseYou are now ready to explode towards the target

Throwing Technique ContinuedThe accuracy and power of the throw is increased thru proper form and using the entire body, not just the armStep 1: glove-side elbow pulls down which rotates shoulders and starts the back shoulder towards target. This action will cock and rotate the wrist so the ball is toward the target.

start to exhale as the elbow pulls down

Throwing Technique ContinuedFinish the throwAs the shoulders rotate and the arm starts toward the target, keep the two throwing fingers behind the ballReach out towards the target, snap the wrist downward, spinning the ball backwards.Bend at the waist, and continue to let your weight move directly towards the target; not to the side.

Staying behind the ball and keeping weight moving directly at target greatly improves accuracyFinishing the throwAccuracy depends on itReach out to the target as if you were going to wipe your two fingers off o the targetPull the two fingers down, spinning the ball backwards with the finger tipsWrist should end up down with thumb pointed downward

Ground Ball TechniqueGetting started: sit in Ready Position as the pitch is releasedPreparing for each pitch: As the pitcher starts his motion, all infielders take two short steps, throwing side foot first, glove-side foot is last to hit ground,(Boom, Boom) and sit into the Ready Position.Ready PositionFeet slightly wider than shoulder width apart with weight on balls of the feet.Knees are bent, thighs are parallel with the ground.(Zs in the knees)Back is upright, arms extended towards the plate with thumbs down, back of the glove should be on the dirt.

Infield Ready Position

Ground Ball TechniqueAttack and read the ball, dont waitDont get surprised, expect the ball is being hit to you every pitch.When ball is hit, attack it; dont wait on the ball to get to you.Setting up:Boom, Boom into ready position, feet and shoulders are square with the ball.(Glove-side foot can be slightly forward; shoulders must not slant)Field the ball between shoulders, glove inside glove-side footChest is out, butt is knee high, chin is down

Ground Ball Technique

Fly Ball TechniqueFly ball set up is very similar to receiving a throw Set up: - Shoulders square to target - Feet shoulder width part - Knees bent - Always keep feet moving, even when you are under ball. (Tiny chops)

Making the Catch:Two Hands, throwing hand on outside of the glove thumb.Catch ball between feet, glove over glove-side shoulder. Take small step with glove-side foot as you make the catch.

Hitting FundamentalsGetting in the box: Get a routine, get set the same way every pitch*.Set up:Hands near back shoulder and in tight to bodyKnees bent, back straight; dont bend over the plateHead and eyes are level

* Ensure back foot is pointing straight across or slightly turned in towards the plate. The back foot cannot be pointed towards he catcher.Set up

Hitting: Get startedStart every pitch the same way, expect it to hit every pitch and lay off bad ones As the pitcher starts toward you, take a small step forward, keeping your weight back.Keeping your shoulders in line with the mound, start your twist by squishing the bug (rotating on the toes of the back foot)Hands are still in tight and near back shoulders.You are now in the launch positionLaunch Position

Approach to the ball:Launch position thru contact Once you recognize the pitch and commit to swing: Hips are the first thing to gofire back hip at the ball, this will start to rotate the shoulders which brings the hands forward.the weight is rotated forward; the back hip leads this. The weight does not slide forward.Hands are in tight and always inside the ball; hands go straight out to the ball, reaching full extension on contact.Top hand stays on top of the ball throughout approach.Accelerate the bat thru contact; do not stop swing on contact.

Swing and follow thru

Legs, butt, stomach, and hands are tight on contactBuilding a Stronger SwingIn addition to good techniques, the boys can significantly add power to their hitting by working on some basic bodyweight strength exercises. These exercises will not bulk them up, but instead give them a stronger core that can improve their ability to hit the ball consistently out of the infield. These bodyweight exercises can be done three days per week starting this offseason:Pushups 3 sets of 10 repetitions (with 30 seconds rest between sets) Squat thrusts 3 sets of 10 repetitions (30 seconds rest between sets)Crunches 3 sets of 10 repetitions (30 seconds rest between sets)