Yo Cotty- or anyone

I will be coaching my 8 yr olds baseball team. Last year was his first year playing. I worked with him a good bit, and he improved dramatically over the season. Unfortunately, the league was short on coaches this year and last year's coach volunteered me.... Anyway, I can coach my kid, but haven't a clue what I need to do with an entire team. I haven't played baseball in 20 freakin years!

So my question is, what are some good drills etc for these kids. They are 7 and 8 year olds. From my observations last year, I have a plan that may help them win - did you know win was a bad word? But, I need to know what I should be doing to form good fundamentals in these boys. I kinda figure I can teach them to hit, and the teams in this age class that hit win. Any tricks or helpful hints?

That isn't a bad plan, Milo. Sadly, I will know a lot of the folks I have to deal with in this thing and I really should be on my best behavior. I don't think I should even cuss at these kids very much. I'm not too worried about making a kid cry, but I can't be losing any pizza lovers out of this thing!

Dang, there is all kinds of good stuff there, Jesse. Thanks!

I think we are a little too far to get together...

Thanks Mike. Not confussing at all. I recall all of it, and have taught Mason a good deal of it. Thank you very much for the reminders!
I'm just a little anxious to see what I can't get through these little heads in a short amount of time. I really hope I wind up with a few boys that have played before. I only know one of the other boys on the team, and his Grandpa will be helping me out. He was a lefty, drafted by the Reds, but lost that dream to a hunting accident. Still, he knows baseball too...and is funny as heck when he's mad He owns a hunting preserve if you all want to come over and murder some pheasants this fall.

That's a good tip! I hadn't thought of that, honestly. Make it easy and comfortable at first before they start catching them with there teeth! Thanks again!

Good points, Jim. Having been around a kid this age a good bit, I will agree completely with the short attention span! One of the most entertaining things about watching these games is the way these kids are always surprised to have the ball hit to them. And with all the kids seemingly the same, I would think that would be a hurdle that is hard to leap...which could mean those that make the best attempt at the leap will be the ones going for ice cream.

Keep the thoughts coming, fellas. I'm gonna use 'em all.

More good tips! I have been short on time this week and haven't been home in the evening to work with Mason at all. I have used a little of my time to check out some things on YouTube as Jesse suggested. Mason woke me up at 8 today (out of school for Easter) to go work on baseball. We applied some of the throwing and fielding tips I saw on YouTube, and I am amazed at the dramatic improvement already! These are things I do, but never realized how I did things...sorta like shooting a bow for me, I generally just say "look where you want to hit and let 'er go"...and there is more to it, but when you don't really analyze the thing its hard to describe how to do it. What impresses me most is the improvement in throwing. This kid is throwing bullets now, no more lobbing, spinning, twirling weird looking deal that lacks accuracy...he's a major leaguer! These simple and subtle pointers are exactly what I was hoping for and look forward to applying them to the team when we start on Tuesday.

We are heading back out to work on hitting right now. Can't wait to see how this goes. Again, the way I did it is the way it is now suggested it seems. Eric Davis and Johnny Bench were my heros at the plate. I was always a fan of their relaxed, smooth, powerful swings. I tried to immitate them as a kid, and as a result was a fair batter. Last year, I recall trying to explain it to Mason as "just relax". Through repetition, it began to take hold...and then his coach would foul him up at practice with "elbow up". I can't wait to apply the tools I've gained through you all and YouTube! Thanks a bunch!

Anyone teach "no stride" in batting? Amazing what happens when you take another potential error out of the equation for a kid!

You are dead right Milo. His throws have always been weak at distance. I never picked up on the reason last year and just assumed it would come with time. I am absolutely amazed at how much zip his throws have now just by making a few suggestions on the proper way to do it. It's a lot like shooting a bow...better tuned, straighter flight and more zip.

haha... You have missed my point with bow tuning in the past. I haven't paper tuned a bow in 20+ years. I simply eye ball it, shoot it at 20, walk back to 60-80 and note the differences. I make my adjustments from that information vs. a tear in paper. Its quick, and works. I get them flying straight don't I?