Are the days of biking down to the local playground for a pickup
game of baseball gone forever?
Are the days of emulating your favorite player with two outs in
the bottom of the ninth and the game on the line a mere memory?
Maybe, maybe not.
Are the days of biking down to the local playground for a pickup game of baseball gone forever?
Are the days of emulating your favorite player with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the game on the line a mere memory?
Maybe, maybe not.
In one sense there are so many distractions for today’s youth player that there seemingly isn’t enough time to wallow away a lazy sunny afternoon on such a meaningless sandlot game.
On the other hand, kids still have favorite players, favorite teams and swear allegiance to them, despite steroid scandals, inflated salaries or a poor public image.
Yes, as Major League Baseball gets back into full swing, hoards of youngsters will chow down millions of hot dogs, consume gallons of soft drinks and cheer their heroes to victory.
They might never play some backyard baseball with the dog’s dish as second base, but they’re content to watch professional baseball whether it’s in person or on television.
While watching these games, kids should start to view the game inside the game, and the little things that make the sport so nerve racking and unpredictable.
If you’re attending one of your first few games as a parent or player, by all means, enjoy the hoopla, garlic fries and antics of the mascot. After a few trips to the yard, as they call it, and the interest fades a bit, it’s time to turn your attention to the real depths of baseball.
Kids will often want to showcase their talent in a youth game by imitating a favorite player’s batting stance, pitching style or mannerisms. However, kids should stay within themselves and do what’s best for them and their current skill level. Trying to mimic a professional player may not fit because of a lack of size or strength.
What should they watch, though?
Well, in watching a professional game you should start to understand and learn the game. Nothing is a substitute for knowledge and experience.
If you arrive early enough, batting practice is a great way to watch hitters prepare for a game. Watch their mechanics, particularly their head and the path of the bat during the swing. Pay special attention to the bunting portions and how they accomplish getting the bunt down.
Some teams take infield before the game, especially a minor league team. That’s a great time to learn where the cutoff men go and to watch infielders position themselves accordingly. Watch the infielders and how they field ground balls, where they position their feet and how they square up toward the person that’s receiving the throw.
If you can get close enough to the bullpen, you might want to watch a pitcher go though his pre-game routine and his warm ups. It’s an invaluable time to watch his mechanics without getting caught up in the actual game.
When the game begins try to focus on the pitcher for just one inning and focus on how he goes about his job on the mound. Does he work fast or slow, take deep breaths between pitches and what move does he do in picking off a runner at first? What’s always his first pitch? Is he always behind hitters or ahead? The list goes on and on, but you get my point.
If you’re not a pitcher, that’s okay. Watch the base running skills. How do the players round the bases, take a leadoff and what type of slide do they use. Zero in on how they tag up to advance to the next base. Key on them one time to see if they pick up the base coaches and when do they look at them – should the players steal in this situation or should you just bunt the runner over?
From a defensive standpoint, look for situations when one should pitchout, what pitch should be thrown in a tight fix, where a player should position himself in the outfield on a certain hitter or if the infield is playing in closer.
This mental and physical list could go on forever because that’s how intricate baseball is, but if you start to attend games on a regular basis this side of the game becomes fun.
You can still enjoy all the surroundings with your kids and put away 1,000 peanuts, but every once in awhile, delve deeper into the game.
That way, even though your youngster may play baseball inside on the computer and strike out Alex Rodriguez with his mouse, when he ventures out to that sandlot playground down the block, he’ll understand the game a bit more as he sprints over a trash can to cover second base.
