Baseball: Season Prep April 15 2021, 0 Comments

If you plan to get your child into club baseball, there are several ways to start preparing. Your athlete needs your active support to be successful in youth sports. You can help by teaching new skills, encouraging healthy habits and practicing with your child. Also, you will want to pick up the proper gear and attire. Make it fun with a pair of custom baseball socks or cool, new sunglasses.

Practice With Your Child

You can have your aspiring athlete practice skills alone, but it is beneficial to spend time training with them if you have space in your schedule. Or have an older sibling get in on the action to help your little one develop the necessary tools for the game. Working on drills together makes the process more fun, rewarding and effective, especially if your child is young. A small child is not going to have the same motivation to train solo.

Start With an Age-Appropriate Ball

If you begin a young child's training with a hard baseball, you may create a fear of the ball. It is painful to get hit with a baseball, which is likely when your little one is new to the game. For tiny players, such as toddlers or preschoolers, use whiffle balls. If your five or six-year-old does not have previous experience, a whiffle ball is best for safely teaching the basics. Then, as your child progresses, you can move on to Level 1 balls.

Use the Right Equipment

Do not try to use the long, heavy bats right away. Get soft toy bats and balls for toddlers. Then, move on to short, light t-ball bats. Having the wrong bat makes it too challenging to learn hitting properly and discourages your child. Purchase a quality batting tee that will last as your child practices. Once you start using hard balls, always have your player wear a helmet. For young players, purchase a baseball glove that is already broken-in. This tip saves time and frustration while your little athlete is learning new skills.

Wear Baseball Gear and Apparel

Have your athlete train in the type of clothing worn for games to increase confidence, comfort, safety and preparation. If your child only wears baseball apparel for games, it may feel awkward and cause distractions. Your player may need:

• Baseball hat
• Batting helmet
• Baseball pants
• Protective cup
• Cleats

Baseball stirrup socks

• Batting gloves
• Elbow and leg guards
• Catcher's gear

Begin General Physical Conditioning

Grab those custom baseball socks and start your child with conditioning to prepare their bodies for the sport's physical activity. There are many ways to do so in a fun and engaging way:

• Coordination exercises: Have your young player dance, jump rope, juggle, skateboard, jump with a pogo-stick, toss a ball or balloon and do balance exercises.
• Running: Encourage your athlete to race against friends, play tag, run in place or play Red light/green light.
• Calisthenics: Some activities to incorporate into your child's training include jumping jacks, pushups, situps, planks, lunges and pullups.

Your child will learn many things from playing youth sports. Baseball helps build core muscles, increases upper body strength, improves hand/eye coordination and develops balance skills. It encourages patience, goal-setting and healthy lifestyles. Making baseball a family activity is an added perk that benefits your entire household. Want to add some fun, custom baseball socks? Check out Socks Rock for quality options.

Frequently Asked Questions