1. Lake Villa Township Baseball
Player Skills by Level
Lake Villa Township Baseball

2. T-Ball / Pinto

3. T-Ball / Pinto Preparation for Coaches
Rules & tips to understand & remind yourself every day
There is no score keeping in T-Ball / Pinto
There is no winning team in T-Ball / Pinto
Every player on your team needs you to instruct them
Every player on your team WANTS you to instruct them
Every player on your team bats in an inning
No T-Ball game has ever finished with every player getting equal number of at-bats
Coaches need to be prepared for & have a plan for the following:
99% of the players cannot catch
99% of the players cannot throw accurately
99% of the players have never hit off a tee
Make it FUN – this is your opportunity to make kids love baseball & want to continue in future years

4. Running a T-Ball / Pinto Practice & Game
Use visual aids & boundaries to teach proper positions & techniques
Draw a circle in the ground to designate fielding position (stay in the circle until the ball is hit)
Draw X’s or lines in the ground to show where batter should stand in the batter’s box
Draw one big line from home plate past 2nd base to show “left side” and “right side”.
Incentives go a LONG way, but give them early in the season & give reminders along the way
Double play = free ice cream
Team captain next game is best listener this game
First batter next game is best hustler this game
Rotate players to all positions in the field & all spots in the batting order every game
Great opportunity for players to get equal chances to field & to learn importance of different spots in the lineup

5. T-Ball / Pinto Tips, Tricks & Verbal Cues
“V over the C” form for gripping a baseball
“Thumb to Thigh – Ball to Sky”, when throwing a baseball
Pinkies together below the waist, thumbs together above the waist
“You can’t hit the ball if you don’t swing”
This should be a mantra from day one in T-ball through the last day of Mustang level – encourage kids to swing
Run through the bag, not to the bag

6. What T-Ball Should Know by End of Season
Proper Bat Grip
Line up “Knocking Knuckles”
Index fingers pointing straight – not crossing
Proper Batting Stance
Feet shoulder width apart
Toes lined up in a straight line
Front foot pointing at corner of plate
Proper Swing
Swing across your waist, don’t chop down at the ball (make sure tee is mid-thigh or waist high)

7. What T-Ball Players Should Know – Cont’d
Proper Grip of Baseball
“V Over C” (four seam fastball)
For smaller hands, three fingers over the seams (“W Over C”)
Proper Form to Throw Baseball
“Thumb to thigh, ball to sky”
Arm extended behind player, ball facing away from player
Throw over the top

8. What T-Ball Players Should Know – Cont’d
Proper Fielding Technique – Ground Balls
Glove is a “Wall”, not a “Ramp” – fingertips of glove should be pointed to the ground not pointed toward the ball
“Elephant & Alligator” – Glove arm should be hanging low toward ground, throwing arm should be used to secure baseball into the glove
Toes pointing toward home plate
Proper Fielding Technique – Pop Ups / Fly Balls
“Pinkies Together – Thumbs Together” – For Pop-Ups over player’s head, bring thumbs together, For Fly Balls below players waist, bring pinkies together
“ I GOT IT!!” or “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!!”
Proper Base Running
Taking the turn at first, hitting the inside corner of the bag, etc.

9. Running a T-Ball Practice
Get as many parent volunteers as you can!!!!
Use visual aids & boundaries to teach proper positions & techniques
Draw circle in ground to designate position (stay in the circle until ball is hit)
Draw X’s or lines in the ground to show where batter should stand
Draw one big line from home plate past 2nd base to show “left” & “right side”
Break team into small groups of 3-4 players
One group works on throwing & form
One group works on fielding & form
One group works on hitting & form

10. Running a T-Ball Practice
Hit 3-5 Ground Balls to Each Position
Each player gets 3-5 in a row
Have 2 coaches hitting grounder to get kids more chances & to keep them more engaged (One coach standing in 1st base foul territory hitting to left side, one coach standing in 3rd base foul territory hitting to right side)
Instruct other fielders to encourage their teammate on every fielded ball – this develops teamwork, and keeps everyone focused
Only field the ball – work on throwing to first base after fielding technique & performance is more solid. This speeds up practice, and helps avoid kids getting discouraged from bad throws
Set up a bucket off to the side & instruct fielder to run ball to the bucket (this gets them out of the way & keeps them active)
Hit fly balls / pop flys with a tennis racket. This increases odds of hitting accurately & hitting in the air (speeds up practice)
Have a cutoff player and a catcher for you & rotate those players

11. How to Keep T-Ball Players Focused in Practice
Set up 2nd set of bases in the outfield to have 2 groups working on infield drills at the same time, then switch to 2 outfield groups
Put one fielder on 1st base, one on 3rd base, have batter hit ball off tee and run bases. Batter keeps running bases until both fielders touch the ball after it stops rolling. Give points for each base touched
As boring as it may seem, kids LOVE running – if all else fails, have them run the bases & make it fun (who’s the fastest? Can you beat your last time?)

12. Pinto

13. What Pinto Players Should Know by End of Season
All T-Ball Skills – recap during first practice(s)
Batting
Step to the pitcher, don’t step out
“Load your hands” – straight back toward the catcher, not behind your back
“Finish your swing”
Fielding
Shuffle feet heel to heel, don’t cross over
Charge a slow grounder
Back up your fielders
First step back on a pop fly or fly ball
Everyone moves on every ball that is hit (ball hit right, move right. Ball hit left, move left)

14. What Pinto Players Should Know by End of Season – Cont’d
Throwing / Fielding
Fielders should be able to make chest high throws
“Hot Potato” – after you catch the ball, get rid of it quick
“Hit the Cutoff” – know where to throw a ball when it’s hit to the outfield
Pitching – later in season
The steps of pitching from the stretch
1. Hands together in front
2. Lift front leg – knee up, foot below knee
3. “Thumb to thigh, ball to sky” – arm out behind you
4. Stride and throw – step toward plate, finish with hand toward target
5. FINISH WITH TOES FACING THE PLATE – pitchers need to know batters can swing and hit ANY pitch & they need to be ready after every pitch

15. Running a Pinto Practice
Most T-Ball practice techniques & drills will work to teach & keep kids engaged
Add in a Pitching Station off to the side & use as an incentive
Players that work hard & pay attention best get to pitch today
Start with coach as catcher, then transition to player once pitching improves
Use fence directly behind catcher

16. ALL LEVELS
Make sure all players know to yell “I GOT IT!!!” or “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!” on EVERY ball hit in the air
Make sure all pitchers know to be ready to field after every pitch – batters don’t only hit strikes, so every pitch is important
Work on non-verbal cues & instruction, much like giving signs as third base coach
Players hear enough yelling from parents, so try to avoid phrases like “throw strikes” or “bring it down/up” or “get in front of / under it”. The kids are trying to do their best, and they know they are supposed to throw strikes
Everyone runs on and off the field
There is no “i” in Team

17. Mustang / Bronco / Softball

18. Preparation for Coaches
Rules & tips to understand & remind yourself every day
Mustang baseball is still not “real” baseball
Wins & losses are tracked, but every team makes the playoffs
The umpires are kids – many who’ve never umped a game – cut them some slack
Every player on your team needs you to instruct them
Every player on your team WANTS you to instruct them
Coaches need to be prepared for & have a plan for the following:
25% - 50% of the players cannot catch
25% - 50% of the players cannot throw accurately
25% - 50% of the players have never hit live pitching

19. Mustang / Bronco Tips & Tricks
Use simple verbal cues when practicing
Ball hit left – move left. Ball hit right – move right
Every fielder moves every play
First move on a fly ball is back
Put extra emphasis on the following
Communication – use your “outside” voice (i.e. this is your chance to be loud & scream)
Baseball is a game of failure – 3 hits out of ten is considered HOF worthy
You can’t hit the ball if you don’t swing
The umpire is ALWAYS right
Incentives go a LONG way, but give them early in the season & give reminders along the way
Double play = free ice cream
Triple play = free B-dubs or Wings Etc.
If you want to hit this practice, you need to really focus during defensive drills
Batting order is determined by attitude and effort, not talent
In the first half of the season, rotate players to all positions in the field & all spots in the batting order every game
Great opportunity for players to get exposure at all positions & great opportunity for coaches to see what players should play each position for a successful playoff run

20. Running a Mustang/Bronco Practice & Game
Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals
Pinkies together for a grounder
Thumbs together for a popup
Hit the cutoff
Run thru first base, not to first base
Hit the inside corner of the bag
Listen to your base coaches
Let your base coaches be your eyes
Keep your eye on the ball
Rotate players to all positions in the field & all spots in the batting order every game
Great opportunity for players to get equal chances to field & to learn importance of different spots in the lineup

21. Running a Mustang/Bronco Practice
Set a structure & plan from day 1 – Kids need structure
Today we are doing “1, 2, 3”. Next practice we are doing “A, B, C”. Make sure that whatever “A, B, C” entails, that it’s something fun for them to look forward to so they stay focused during “1, 2, 3”
Each Practice, have a pitching station to work with 2-3 players per practice & let kids know who’s working each day
Important: If practice is Tuesday, and there is a game Wednesday, pitchers for Wednesday game should not throw in practice
Separate “trouble” kids into separate groups to eliminate distractions / interruptions
Don’t Give Up
If you feel a particular skill is important for safety or success, don’t short cut or skip it just to move practice along

22. Running a Mustang/Bronco Practice – Cont’d
Pitching
Work with 2-3 players per practice, don’t try to work with everyone everyday – there’s not enough time
Work as a group – kids feed off each other & are motivated by teammate success
Work with EVERY player throughout the season – you might find a hidden talent
Fielding
Shuffle feet heel to heel, don’t cross over
Shoulders & toes always square to home plate
Charge a slow grounder
Back up your fielders
First step back on a pop fly or fly ball
Everyone moves on every ball that is hit (ball hit right, move right. Ball hit left, move left)

23. Running a Mustang/Bronco Practice – Ideas to Keep Kids Engaged
Around the Horn – put player on each base & throw from base to base
Focus on throws to glove side, chest high, hands together for quick transfer
Work Clockwise & counter-clockwise
Fielder at 1st throws to 2nd & follows his throw
Practice multiple rounds, then measure time around
Relay Drills
Three players – outfield, cutoff, infield
All players in a straight line from outfield to home
Throws to glove side, chest high, hands together for quick transfer
Baserunning Drills
Home to First – timed
First to Third – timed, with and without sliding into third
Knockout
Hit grounders / fly balls until there is only one player left
Increase difficulty every round

24. Running a Mustang/Bronco Practice – Ideas to Keep Kids Engaged
Hit & Run
Player at first & third, batter at home
Batter hits either off tee or soft toss & runs bases
Players at first & third chase ball & both have to touch ball when it stops
Batter gets points for every base touched
Excellent way to make kids run without it feeling like it’s a punishment

25. What Mustang / Bronco Should Know by End of Season
All T-Ball & Pinto Skills – recap during first practice(s)
Batting
“Start high, finish high” – swing starts with hands up near back ear, and finishes with hands up near front ear”
“Step, Hips, Hands” – while a swing may not be exactly like this, every player needs to understand how all of these work & how they work independently
“Palm Up – Palm Down” at point of contact
“Big Step Does Not Mean Big Hit” – Little step, big hit
Fielding
Shuffle feet heel to heel, don’t cross over
Hands in front – not resting hands or elbows on knees
Charge a slow grounder
Back up your fielders on EVERY play
First step back on a pop fly or fly ball
Everyone moves on every ball that is hit (ball hit right, move right. Ball hit left, move left)

26. What Mustang / Bronco Should Know by End of Season
Throwing
Able to hit the cutoff
Able to throw chest high
Able to make throw from 3rd to first
Running Bases
Proper running form
Hit inside corner of every base
Sliding
Slide with your back to the baseball
If stealing a base, back to the catcher
If advancing on a ball hit to outfield, back to the outfield
NO HEAD FIRST SLIDES!!!!!!

27. ALL LEVELS
Make sure all players know to yell “I GOT IT!!!” or “MINE, MINE, MINE!!!” on EVERY ball hit in the air
Make sure all pitchers know to be ready to field after every pitch – batters don’t only hit strikes, so every pitch is important
Work on non-verbal cues & instruction, much like giving signs as third base coach
Players hear enough yelling from parents, so try to avoid phrases like “throw strikes” or “bring it down/up” or “get in front of / under it”. The kids are trying to do their best, and they know they are supposed to throw strikes
Everyone runs on and off the field
Tuck in your jersey
There is no “i” in Team
Respect – “yes coach”, “thanks blue”

28. Other Tips / Ideas
Don’t put a player in a situation that increases their odds of failure
For example: Mark has never thrown a strike, don’t put him on the mound in a close game
Non-verbal cues reduce the noise and stress of a game
Try and get every boy to try pitching in practice – you’d be surprised what you find & it helps reduce pressure/stress
Show up at field an hour early, if not more
Be willing to spend some money to make practices more efficient (i.e. Tennis racket to hit fly balls, extra bases to have 2 infields, extra Tees, etc)
Don’t try to make every player throw or hit “perfectly” – every player has their own style, and many won’t want to change. Maximize your own time helping their style become successful (unless long term injury is a risk)
Use a tennis racket to hit fly balls – easier to repeat & more accurate