Translating the same swing and confidence a player has in practice to the game can be difficult! Many players have a high sense of confidence when doing batting practice and spend hours working on the technicality of their swing. But, when they get to the plate, somehow everything changes. Coach Duke Baxter and Steve Nikorak explain how to take the great practice swing into the game.    Coach Steve thinks that a consistent practice routine and the ability to flush out any distractions or worries about the game is key. In the cage, kids are fearless. They do not worry about the p ..read more

Warm up is crucial to a great game. Coach Duke Baxter and Steve Nikorak play different games with the players before the game begins. They play games with smush balls where the kids are tossing in a circle working on hand-eye coordination. But ultimately, it is just working on the little things the players can do prior to just grabbing a baseball and playing catch. Preparation and timing is key. Instead of having the players warm up as they arrive, the players have an opportunity to do a mini warmup before the official warmup. If they each bring a smush (soft) ball in their bag, each player ca ..read more

Setting up efficient practices for players can be extremely difficult, especially with different positions. Coach Duke and Coach Steve explain the best ways to run practice that get results.  Coach Duke likes to start with base running to finish getting the players warmed up and work on base running situations and speed. Then he moves into a combination hitting and fielding circuit. Infielders have ground balls being hit to shortstop, the outfielders are in center field and there is a cage hitting balls. From here, the players will rotate. At the younger ages (8-11) it is super important ..read more

Youth pitchers and baseball players need to be advised which pitches are safe to throw at a young age and in little league. There is a lot of information out there sharing whether or not it's safe to throw curveballs at a young age. Steve Nikorak breaks down his thoughts.    For young players (9-10 years old), Coach Steve recommends the 4 seam fastball, 2 seam fastball, and a changeup. He advises against the curveballs and sliders because of the lack of development and strength that the young pitcher's arms have at that age.      With that, it is then important that th ..read more

Warm up is crucial to a great game. Coach Duke Baxter and Steve Nikorak play different games with the players before the game begins. They play games with smush balls where the kids are tossing in a circle working on hand-eye coordination. But ultimately, it is just working on the little things the players can do prior to just grabbing a baseball and playing catch. Preparation and timing is key. Instead of having the players warm up as they arrive, the players have an opportunity to do a mini warmup before the official warmup. If they each bring a smush (soft) ball in their bag, each player ca ..read more

Setting up efficient practices for players can be extremely difficult, especially with different positions. Coach Duke and Coach Steve explain the best ways to run practice that get results.  Coach Duke likes to start with base running to finish getting the players warmed up and work on base running situations and speed. Then he moves into a combination hitting and fielding circuit. Infielders have ground balls being hit to shortstop, the outfielders are in center field and there is a cage hitting balls. From here, the players will rotate. At the younger ages (8-11) it is super important ..read more

Coach Duke Baxter and Steve Nikorak explain how competition is the best way to get your youth baseball players to efficiently practice. Using stop watches, accuracy games, and simulating real life game scenarios with your players can help your catchers to perform better during a throw throwdown.     Coach Steve uses competition during drills in practice. Using a stopwatch to time the catcher throwing to first, second, or third base works on speed and ball handling. Another drill would be a ball sitting on a tee in front of a net and having the players trying to hit the ball off ..read more

Youth pitchers and baseball players need to be advised which pitches are safe to throw at a young age and in little league. There is a lot of information out there sharing whether or not it's safe to throw curveballs at a young age. Steve Nikorak breaks down his thoughts.    For young players (9-10 years old), Coach Steve recommends the 4 seam fastball, 2 seam fastball, and a changeup. He advises against the curveballs and sliders because of the lack of development and strength that the young pitcher's arms have at that age.      With that, it is then important that th ..read more

At the younger ages players tend to play all over the field. At this point, it is important for them to be taught full arm separation when throwing. As they get older and become more specialized to their position, infielders throw with short arm and outfielders and pitchers throw with a long arm technique.      As an infielder, the side view of the throw will look like a "mini C". Coach Steve describes it as a "bow and arrow". They field the ball, bring it to the center of their body and bring their elbow directly back before resuming into the "c" motion. Posture for infielders ..read more

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