Equipment basics
Really , there are only three things necessary to play the game of baseball: Bats, balls and people. Realistically, a glove is needed, but technically, you can play without it. Baseball, in essence, is a simple game played by human beings with a bat, ball and glove. But for the game to be played the way it is meant to be played, players need to be able to handle the bat, ball and glove. Certain fundamentals and knowledge can allow players to play baseball the right way.
The ball
(provided by League)
Let's take the ball with its big seams and little seams. Why do we need to throw it across the big seams or with the little seams? First of all, the air itself controls what the ball does. Outfielders, infielders and catchers want the ball to go as straight as possible with the best possible carry. So, by gripping the ball across the big seams, a player gets four seams on the throw. The ball moves with backspin as it cuts through the air, thereby giving it the best carry. Pitchers sometimes hold the ball in this manner to get the fastball to take off or ride. However, pitchers like to make the ball move and many times hold it with the little seams to make it sink, sail or run.
The bat
(provided by League)
The bat has a trademark and some think that it is just the manufacturers label. Well, it is, but it is also put on the bat to show the grain of the bat. Hitters should always have the label up so they are hitting with the grain and not against it.
Stuff about bats
(weight and length for age of child, etc.)
consists of four pages to click through
The glove
Gloves come in many sizes for specific positions. For outfielders and pitchers, the bigger the glove is, the better. Outfielders need a big glove to gain reach for balls hit over their heads and into the alleys. Pitchers use a big glove to hide the ball from the batter and also as protection from hot shots hit back up the middle.
The first baseman should have a big glove, providing the range to catch balls that are far from the bag. Middle infielders usually have smaller gloves. This allows them to get the ball out of quicker; the difference between an out and a hit is a matter of milliseconds on a ground ball. Catchers need comfort more than anything else in their glove. After all, they are the ones that have to catch those 95 mile per hour fastballs!
The player
A player needs to be smart to use these equipment pieces effectively. It's a simple game played with a bat, a ball and a glove, but sometimes it doesn't sound so simple. The bat is round, the ball is round, and then someone says to hit it square! But human beings posses the fastest computer in the world (the human brain). This is why we can hit that 95 mile per hour fastball square. The eyes give the brain the input it needs to get the hands, arms and legs all in the right places at the right times. Everything we do in the game of baseball we do out in front of the eyes. We catch the ball out in front, we throw the ball out in front and we hit the ball out in front.
This is the start of the fundamentals necessary for good ball players. By practicing the correct way, good players can become even better players. The game of baseball is made up of so many little things, which, when executed properly, creates a fundamentally-sound ball player. Remember: Practice doesn't make perfect—perfect practice makes perfect!
