Youth baseball/softball is a rite of passage for many kids, and for many parents, it’s just as fun to spend time with their children playing and teaching them the game. If your young child is about to embark on their baseball or softball career, we can help! Keep reading to understand how to teach your kid the basics of baseball/softball.
Mastering the Art of Throwing
A good place to start is the basics of throwing a baseball/softball. The proper grip is to place the index and middle fingers across the ball’s seams, with the thumb underneath for comfortable, not-too-tight support. Footwork is just as important: instruct them to step toward their target with the opposite foot, keeping their throwing arm back.
Practice starts close, with gentle tosses, focusing on form over distance. As your child’s accuracy and confidence improve, gradually increase the throwing distance.
Building Strong Fielding Fundamentals
Next up is learning to field and catch balls in the infield and outfield. Start by teaching the ready position: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and glove low to the ground. This stance allows players to move quickly in any direction. For ground balls, encourage getting the body behind the ball, using both hands to secure the catch, and moving toward the ball rather than waiting for it.
Fly balls require judging the ball’s trajectory early and communicating with teammates to avoid collisions. Teach simple calls like “mine” or “I got it” when chasing fly balls.
Developing Batting Skills
Next up in teaching your kid the basics of baseball/softball is what to do at the plate. First, familiarize yourself with the basic hitting mechanics for beginning baseball players. While swinging a bat may seem natural to you, it’s an entirely new experience for young players.
The foundation begins with the stance: feet should be shoulder-width apart and the front shoulder should point toward the pitcher. The swing itself starts with the legs and hips. Teach your child to step toward the pitcher as they rotate their hips and shoulders. Their hands will follow naturally, keeping the bat level through the hitting zone.
Pro Tip: Batting tee work allows for repetitive practice without the challenge of a moving pitch, letting your child focus purely on mechanics.
Baserunning Basics
Once your kid gets a hit, they need to know what to do on the bases. Teach your child to always run hard through first base, rather than slowing down before the bag. When rounding the bases, show your child how to take a slight angle toward the foul line as they approach first base, creating a shorter path to second base. Their first step after touching the bag should be with their right foot, pushing off toward the next base.
While base coaches provide guidance, players must understand basic situations on their own. Teach them simple rules, like always running on a ground ball with two outs or knowing when to tag up on a fly ball.
Building Champions Through Fun
Teaching baseball and softball fundamentals requires patience and creativity. Keep practices short and engaging, mixing skill work with games that reinforce proper techniques, and remember that every child develops at their own pace. Focus on effort and improvement rather than immediate results.
Image Credit: J. Novack, #216223537
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