Throwing and catching are two fundamental skills everyone needs to learn if they want to be an effective fielder in baseball. That is why it is so important to properly teach these skills at a young age. Learning these skills can be boring for kids, but it doesn’t have to be. Keeping things simple and fun is the key to keeping players engaged while they develop the mechanics needed to improve their skills and become great baseball players.
How to Grip the Baseball
Before a young player can throw effectively, they need to learn how to grip the baseball correctly. Coach Jeremy Meccage, a member of the Princeton Tigers Baseball staff, breaks down how to properly grip a baseball for the most accurate throw.
His course ‘Coaching Youth Baseball: Ages 5 to 8’ is a great resource for youth coaches, with 50+ videos walking through the fundamentals of baseball.
For young players who have smaller hands, Coach Meccage recommends using three to four fingers to grip the baseball. Their top three or four fingers should lay across the seams of the baseball with the thumb underneath the ball for support
As players get older and grow, they can switch to using a two-finger grip on the ball. The same principles apply, two fingers across the seams with the thumb underneath for support
Encouraging proper grip at an early stage helps young players develop better control and consistency in their throws.
Teaching the Throwing Motion
Once players understand the grip, it’s time to focus on the throwing motion. The first step to learning is to start with the feet. Players should stand sideways, with their glove-side foot pointing directly at the target they are aiming for. Pointing the foot at your target allows for an easier and more accurate followthrough.
Next, have players create the proper throwing angle with their arm. Tell the players to create an “L” or a 90-degree angle with their throwing arm. Make sure their elbows are up, and not sagging down near their body.
The next step is to have players step toward their target and throw the ball. Have the players step toward the target with their glove-side foot to start the throwing motion. While they are stepping forward, teach them to properly rotate their body, squaring their shoulders up to their target, and releasing the ball.
Finally, the follow-through. At this young age, teach players to point at their target following the throw. This will reinforce good habits and will make sure they hit their target with every throw
Encourage young players to practice throwing at a short distance before gradually increasing as their accuracy improves.
How to Catch a Baseball
Catching and fielding the baseball can be scary for young players, but teaching them proper hand positioning and using a soft, underhand toss can help build confidence.
Coach Duke Baxter is the CEO and a Coach for Zoned Sports Academy and has more than 20 years of baseball coaching experience under his belt. If anyone understands the importance of being baseball-ready, it is him. For more fielding drills and coaching tips, check out his course ‘The Basics of Fielding for Youth Baseball’.
Players should stand in an athletic stance, with their knees bent and their feet shoulder-width apart. Equally as important, players should keep their heads up and their eye on the ball or home plate anticipating a hit.
The palm of the player’s glove should be stretched open wide and be facing the hitter or the player throwing the ball. This gives the player the most surface area to squeeze the ball in the mitt, and a large target for a teammate to throw the ball to.
Make it fun! Use games and challenges like “Hot Potato” or “Catch and Clap” to reinforce throwing and catching skills in an enjoyable way. Young players lose focus and attention very quickly, by using fun games to reinforce crucial skills, they will retain them much easier.
