Thinking properly

While in the field, always have the thought process of, "What should I do if the ball is hit to me on the ground or in the air." If you are always thinking this, you will always know where to throw the ball.

Hustle

It doesn´t take any talent to hustle. Run on and off the field. Run out all ground balls and pop-ups. Hustle will set a player apart.

Know your strengths

Know your stengths and weaknesses as a hitter. Try to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
If you make a conscious effort to eliminate a weakness in practice, you can make that translate into the game.

The best training tool

The best training tool for hitting is the wood bat. It instantly rewards you if your swing is a good one. By feeling the solid connection, you know you had a sound swing. It also penalizes you for a poor swing with a cracked bat or buzzing hands after poor contact.

Back Eye Shut

Great drill for those who are pulling their head out on the swing (excellent for young players). Take batting practice with the back eye closed or covered. This forces the hitter to follow the ball all the way in with the front eye. Thus, they tend to keep their head down throughout the swing.

Sprints

When you break it down, base running is simply a series of sprints. Add wind sprints to your off-season regimen. Work on staying low at the start and exploding in your first several steps.

Conditioning

Most young pitchers do not realize the importance of both strong legs and stamina. Long distance running is a mainstay for professional pitchers. You should add long distance running to your regimen if you are truly serious about pitching (run 3-5 times a week!)

Regimen

One of the simplest tips for hitting is to develop a regimen. Do the same pattern as you step up to the plate. Getting into a pre-at bat ritual will help to keep things constant and get you in a groove.

The Field General

The catcher needs to exert him or herself as the field general. Communication on the baseball field is necessary and a good catcher will take control. The catcher has the view of the entire field and can make the proper call for throws to each base.

Hustle

Hustle is what determines the winners from the losers and the players from the athletes. Hustle catches the attention of coaches. A coach may take a player who hustles over one who is more talented, because that person is more valuable as a team player.

Muscle Memory

Playing baseball is neurological...it is muscle memory. By doing the proper drills, you will condition your body to react properly in a game. Consult a professional to learn drills that will reinforce proper mechanics.

General tip for tryouts

Baseball tryouts can often be pressure packed. Most tryouts consist of many players with little time to show what you can do. But, one thing that will set you apart is hustle. Run out to your position, sprint down the base path, and hustle on every play.

Get Sideways

When moving to field a fly ball, remember the words ´Get Sideways.´ By doing a drop step and remaining sideways on your approach, you will have a much better chance to field the ball cleanly. ´Getting Sideways´ helps you avoid backpedalling, which often gets you in the most trouble.

The Exchange

Work on a quick exchange from glove to throwing hand. Even while warming up your arm you can work on this skill. Try to make a crisp, clean exchange that puts you in the best position to throw.

Coaching Attitude

When coaching, follow every negative comment with a positive one shortly down the road. Players will respect you if you criticize them when need be, but also praise them at every opportunity.

Think a step ahead

As you progress in skill level you will understand more how baseball is a mental game. Those who are most prepared and can think a step ahead of the opponent will be the most successful.

Reading the pitch

Third base is a reaction position. Balls are hit so hard to third base that quick reflexes are of major importance. In addition, learn how to read pitches. Get the sign from the shortstop and learn how hitters hit certain pitches from your pitching staff. This will give you an anticipating reflex that will allow you to react even quicker.

Weighted Bats

A great way to develop bat speed is to swing a weighted bat. Not just for the on deck circle, weighted bats are a fantastic training tool. Try to take fifty to one hundred swings a day!

Know the nuances

One of the great things about baseball is that you can see something different every single game. The only way to know all the rules is to be an observer. Watch games and pick up on the nuances of the game. Whether you watch a professional game on television or attend an amateur event, you can learn something new about the rules or situations each and every time!