Hitting is a largely mental aspect of baseball. Players who don't have the right mindset can get into slumps, often lasting weeks until something "clicks" their swing comes back around. Another crucial aspect of batting, though, is the physical form of swinging. A player's swing develops only through dedicated practice and focus. There's nothing like practicing with a live pitcher, but players can't always have someone else to practice with. There are numerous devices out there called baseball swing trainers to help with this. It's the independent practice time that requires extra tools for players to hone their swing. Whatever aspect of your swing you are looking to develop, there are swing trainers available to practice on. Top 5 Baseball Swing Trainers 1. SKLZ Hurricane This device sets a plastic ball, slightly smaller than a baseball, on a swivel which returns after being hit. With adjustable height settings, the Hurricane can accommodate for players of all sizes and … [Read more...]
Best Pitching Machine Reviews: Guide to Perfecting Practice
A pitching machine is a valuable training tool for baseball and softball players of any age. By replicating the speed and trajectory of a real pitch, these machines can help ballplayers perfect their timing and hitting fundamentals. With so many on the market, choosing the best pitching machine to buy can be an overwhelming challenge. Read on to learn what you should look for in the best pitching machines and see our recommendations. 3 Best Pitching Machine Reviews: Our Favorites Here are some pitching machine reviews of our favorite models. 1. Heater Sports Deuce 95 Best Baseball Pitching Machine The Deuce 95 pitching machine from Heater is a mid-range model that combines value, versatility, and safety. As the name suggests, the Deuce 95 can reach pitch speeds of up to 95 mph. This two-wheel machine can also throw curveballs. With several points of swivel, the machine can replicate pitches from a variety of angles and is great for also practicing pop flies and … [Read more...]
Softball Drills and Practice Plans: Infield, Outfield, and Team Drills
Drills are the bread and butter of a good softball practice. The drills you choose for practice are only limited by your imagination, though there has been some established as being more effective than others over the years. Hundreds of books have been written about softball practice plans, infield and outfield drills, hitting mechanics, and dozens of other softball training topics. It is an extensive subject. Coaches have many opinions on the best way to go about running a practice. Frankly speaking, there are many ways to run a successful practice but all the best practice plans roughly follow the same formula. In this guide, Dugout Debate covers all the bases: the most important elements of softball practice plans, some examples of the most popular drills and how execute them, and the five pillars of an exceptional softball practice. Whether you’re a first time Little League Softball coach or part of a veteran coaching staff in a University softball organization, there’s always … [Read more...]
Baseball Drills & Practice Plans: Infield, Outfield, and Team Drills
Managing and coaching a sports team comes with a long list of responsibilities and duties. While professional baseball staff get paid big money to help keep the organization running like a well-oiled machine, many coaches volunteer or get paid very little. One of the chief responsibilities of coaches is coordinating and executing weekly practices. Planning a practice can be a pain in the ass, but the trouble is worth it in the end. It is very rewarding to pull off a series of well-executed practices and see the skills of players grow and develop. The satisfying feeling of “I did that” is up there with the rare but sincere expressed gratitude of parents and players. Knowing some of the top baseball drills and workouts goes a long way to getting the most benefit from practices and ultimately leads to more wins in a competitive environment. Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail Maybe you’re a first time Little League coach and you got suckered into the coaching job by the rest of the … [Read more...]
