Starting Age and Practice Duration
The perfect age for starting organized baseball is seven years old. Routines are solidified, social skills are more refined, and learning baseball skills on a team is opportune.
For ages 5-8, limit practice to an hour. Ages 8-10 can usually last the full allotted time, and ages 11-12 may even be able to go longer. But let the players’ engagement and energy guide you.
Introduction and First Practice
When kids arrive, introduce yourself and the coaches. Tell your baseball experience and fun facts to build rapport. In your first practice, start with light warm-ups and stretching, and break practice into main sections like throwing drills, defense, and batting practice.
Practice Plans and Drills
Practice plans should include warm-ups, throwing, defense, batting, strategy, conditioning, and team bonding. Make sure baseball remains enjoyable – have ice cream parties and fun group activities. Practice 2-3 times per week off-season, less during the season when more games are played.
Coaching Youth Baseball
Coaching Tips
- Teach teamwork
- Encourage healthy competition
- Promote hard work
Skills and Rules to Teach
- Hitting: Grip bat correctly.
- Base Running: Run bases properly.
- Fielding: Learn the ready position.
- Throwing: Understand grips and release.
- Parts of the Field: Know bases and foul lines.
- Batting Order: Know the order of batters.
- Positions: Learn the nine positions on the field.
- Rules: Understand three strikes, three outs, and team changes.
Making Practice Fun
Batting practice can be made more fun by turning drills into games or competitions, switching up locations, and keeping everyone engaged.
Starting a Baseball Lesson Business
Building Your Business
First, create a business plan to map out your goals. Define your target market, obtain necessary equipment, and set up an office space. Market your services through various channels and establish your credentials. Structure your lessons and practice plans, and set policies, waivers, and pricing.
Additional Considerations
When to Start Baseball
Catching and throwing softballs can start as young as one year old, but no organized softball until age eight, according to Jennie Finch.
Teaching Younger Players
For 6-year-olds, start with a plastic bat and a softball to prevent injury. Focus on teaching them bat parts, grip, and where to hit the softball.
Fun Drills
Obstacle courses and similar activities can make learning baseball skills more enjoyable for kids.