I am a die hard Chicago Cubs fan and my favorite player of all time was a man named Ryne Sandberg. I've experienced some sad days in my life but one of the saddest was when Ryne Sandberg retired the first time in 1994. I was devastated. He was still young and at the time the highest paid player in baseball. I literally cried that day from disappointment. Ryne Sandberg was everything good about baseball to me because he played the game correctly. He ran out ground balls, he hustled, he worked hard, and he played to win for his team. I tried to emulate his character every time I ran out on the field. It was as if my style of play was a sign of respect to him, if that makes sense. The point I'm trying to make by telling you this is that throughout this article many of the techniques I write about will seem very basic, yet the best players in baseball are the best because they execute on the simple fundamentals.
Hitting the Baseball
Who doesn't want to be a great hitter? Some kids are naturals at this. I'm sure that most of the major league players could hit the ball well as a kid without a lot of coaching due to their God-given talent. Most of us will never be a major league baseball player, but we still strive to play the game well. Let's talk some general ideas about hitting. I tell kids to make sure to pick a bat that they can swing comfortably. If you find yourself laboring to swing the bat at all, it is the wrong bat! If you find that the bat is just too light, pick another one. Try out several different bats so you can develop an understanding of what feels most comfortable. Make sure that your hands are touching when holding the bat. If you are right handed, your right hand will be on top of your left hand and vice versa. Don't allow players to hit with gaps between their hands or with crossed hands (Left over right for right handed batters or right over left for left handed batters). Teach them how to hold the bat correctly to avoid future problems.
Next is to form a comfortable stance. Feet should be about shoulder-width apart with both eyes focused on the pitcher. Make sure that you're able to really see the pitcher with both eyes. Your feet should be balanced with the weight on the balls or the front of your feet. Your arms should be in a comfortable position with your hands back and your head still. Have you ever tried catching a ball that you are running for? The ball looks like it is bouncing. When you are batting you want a still head so you can see the ball maintain its flight path which will increase your chances of hitting the ball. I always have players learn how to hit off a tee so they can gain confidence and learn how to hit correctly. Last but not least, when swinging the bat, make sure that you are taking a small stride at the pitcher
Learning the game
When I was a young boy, my parents had the WGN television station which featured Chicago Cubs games and that's where my love for the Cubs developed. On top of my love for the Cubs, I learned so much about baseball because I watched it every chance I got. I played it in the backyard with my brothers for hours and tore up our grass in several spots. The point is that if you want to be good at the game of baseball, play often and watch others play the game as well. Learn from the best and emulate them. I have had the luxury of being able to attend several Major League baseball games throughout my life and I have some recommendations as a result. Don't just go to the game. Show up for batting practice and infield practice as well. You will learn how the best players play the game. I watched Ryne Sandberg in person a few times, and to see him take the infield was a thing of beauty. He took such pride in practicing correctly and forming habits that would stick with him when the game started. I loved it. Batting practice wasn't just about hitting home runs either. It was about hitting the ball to all fields, working to hit behind runners, and practicing to hit fly balls when necessary. Study and learn the game. As your passion and knowledge grow, so will your desire to elevate your own level of play.
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