BASIC SKILLS IN BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

An Informative Presentation of BETA

Group

Baseball / Softball Basic Skills

This presentation introduces you to the basic skills in the sports of baseball / softball and the mechanics on how each skill is properly executed.

THROWING Throwing is the most

basic skill in baseball and softball. It allows the team to prevent their opponents from touching bases or even earning points or runs. Style and technique in doing it differ from player to player.

Elements of Throwinga) Grip – Grip the ball across the seams with your

index and middle finger. The thumb is under the top fingers.

b) Wind-up – Raise the throwing arm up and turn the shoulder in the direction of the throw. The gloved hand points toward the target. Raise the left foot and place all weight of the body on the right foot.

c) Delivery – Make a backward swing with bent elbows; lean forward in transferring weight to the left foot and release the ball.

d) Follow-through – Point the throwing arm down-forward, putting the feet parallel in a ready position.

Grip Wind-up

Delivery Follow-through

PITCHING Pitching is a skill that

puts the game to play. It is performed by a pitcher, one of the key players in baseball / softball who stay at the center of the playing field called diamond.

Element of Pitchinga) Wind-up – Keep

the front part of the right foot in contact with the side of the plate. Shift the weight to the back leg and take a backward step.

CATCHING This is a defensive skill used to

receive a thrown ball and hold a base runner or batter from proceeding or prevent the opponent from earning a point or a run.

In baseball, a catch occurs when a fielder gains secure possession of a batted ball in flight, and maintains possession until he voluntarily or intentionally releases the ball. When a catch occurs, the batter is out, and runners, once they properly tag up (retouch their time-of-pitch base), may attempt to advance at risk of being tagged out.

Elements of Catchinga) Follow-through – After the release of the ball,

continue the forward motion, with the throwing arm pointing to the target.

b) Stride – Take a stride or wide step with your left foot. Release the ball. In performing this skill observe the following mechanics:

Hold your glove open and keep a visual on the ball at all times.

Keep your free hand in front of you and bring it on top of the glove as the ball approaches.

Close your hand over the ball the moment it hits inside your glove.

HITTING/batting The aspect of baseball that draws many young players to the game is the idea of hitting a baseball squarely.  In order to hit the ball consistently, a batter must take a solid stance in

the batter's box with his left shoulder--for a right-handed hitter--facing the pitcher.

This is an offensive skill used to strike the pitched ball using a bat. It is done to advance to the bases and eventually leads to earning a run or point.

Elements of Hitting/Batting In doing this skill, consider your grip, stance, stride,

and swing.a) Grip – use your fingers in gripping the bat and

tighten your grip as the ball approaches.b) Stance - proper stance includes slightly bending

your knees, feet parallel to the plates in shoulder width distance, and bat tilted at 45° and not positioned over the shoulder.

c) Stride – as the ball approaches, stride the right foot a little backward to gain momentum.

d) Swing – after a little stride backward, transfer the strength generated by the body towards the arms to bat as it swings parallel to the ground aiming at the ball and directing it to the intended destination.

Grip Stance

Stride Swing

RUNNING / BASE-RUNNING This is a very

important skill you need to master because it allows you to advance safely from one base to the other with full speed and agility.

Considerations in Running/Base-Running

To condition the body for efficient and effective running, consider the following:

a) Speed Running – running with speed from one point to a definite distance. Try getting your time as you run and improve your speed every time you do it.

b) Agility Running – running with a change in position and direction in the fastest possible speed. To master this, you might as well consider running through the bases of the diamond. Improve your speed every time you do it.

☺Thank You for Listening☺

Made by:Don Joreck Santos

With:Faith Andrea Kyle Caballes

George Ryan BalanoAngelica AlegreErickson Flores

Ann Ricapple De GuzmanIsaiah Hinal

Chelsea CalaguiJaica Mae Famatiga