Other Plays In Baseball (Part 2)

Hello! My name is Jake Nordstrom and welcome to my new blog on the Basics of Baseball. Today, I will continue to talk about the "Other Plays" in Baseball.

 

http://youtu.be/XuAtdxoJa9w

OFFENSE

Home Run: Hitting a Home Run feels AWESOME! A home run is when the hitter hits the ball over the fence. Another kind of home run is when the batter hits the ball inside the park, and runs all the way around the bases successfully without being called out.

http://youtu.be/DJoZikW3s4Y

http://youtu.be/iTyLQdDiNIc

Foul Ball: A foul ball is when the batter hits the ball, and it goes to the outside of the white “foul line”. If you hit a ball, and it has to go past 1^st or 3^rd base before it goes foul, it is fair. But any time it goes out before those two bases, it is foul. If the batter hits the ball “on” the line, it is usually fair, but is up to the umpire as to whether it is actually fair or foul.

 

http://youtu.be/fnzawrTASZI

Head First Slide: A head first slide is only allowed at some levels of baseball. A head first slide is when you slide with your feet behind you, and your hands out in front (and it is totally fun in the rain, especially on turf).  Here is a video of a Head First Slide that I did in Cooperstown.  I was called out, but was CLEARLY safe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsDBmsY3UII&feature=youtu.be

          Hit By Pitch: A hit by pitch is when the pitcher throws the ball, and it hits the batter. It can be either accidental or on purpose, but it still counts, and the runner gets to advance to first base.  Here is an example of me getting hit in the back...OUCH!  Gotta be TOUGH in baseball!

http://youtu.be/k0mn5pMZl0E

Running Outside the Baseline: When the runner is running around the bases, if he runs to the left or right more than three feet, they will be called out for running outside of the baseline. This is to avoid the defense not having to chase down a runner, like a game of tag, where they can run freely, wherever they want to go.

http://youtu.be/-gjrDDoCSrE

Stealing a Base: There are different rules to stealing bases for different levels, so I will explain the rules for little league.

Little League: First of all, you can’t leave the base until the ball has crossed the plate. If the ball gets by the catcher, you are allowed to leave. If you leave early however, when the play is finished, you will most likely be called back to the previous base.

Juniors, Travel Ball, High School, Minor/Major Leagues: The lead-off is encouraged. You want to get off the base enough so that you can get back easily, but not so close that it takes little effort. The expression that is said is “a step and a dive”.

The runner may steal the base at any time he likes. He could even do it if the pitcher hasn’t thrown yet. Some runners, who are fast, will tempt the pitcher with an extra long lead-off to make the pitcher throw.  This can sometimes distract the defensive player, so that another runner can attempt to get closer to home. Lead-offs takes lots of practice, but are fun once mastered.

http://youtu.be/t_lg8yjy-L0

DEFENSE

Pickle: A Pickle is basically when the runner gets caught in between two bases and gets into a chase.

http://youtu.be/OM4rFb2xj-Y

Pick-Off: A pick-off is when the pitcher catches the runner off the base and throws it to a teammate. This can sometimes result in a pickle. Here is an example.

http://youtu.be/jawwin3WxGce

Errors: An Error is basically when a player on the team misses the ball when it is playable. However, if the player dives and misses, it is totally different, and is counted as a hit. In the playbook, the player is scored "E, plus the position that made the error".

So dive for those hard-to-get balls!

http://youtu.be/L131BlJZ8D8

Charging the Mound: When a team charges the mound, it is usually because a batter purposely gets hit by a pitch. When the team charges the mound, someone usually ends up getting hurt, and/or suspended.
 

http://youtu.be/536kdqT4joY

Strike Out: A strike out is when the pitcher throws 3 strikes before 4 balls. Great for the pitcher, and not great for the batter. This is scored with K in the playbook and a backwards K for when the batter strikes out looking.  Here is one of my latest strike outs!

http://youtu.be/LcP6LJgfLNc

Join me for my next blog on Exercise Routines and Nutrition for building core and strength muscles WITHOUT using weights. Help me out by clicking on the “Join This Site” Button in the upper right hand corner of this page. Thank you!

REMEMBER...TRYOUTS ARE AROUND THE CORNER...TO REVIEW ON HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TRYOUT, SEE MY 1ST BLOG, DATED DECEMBER 2012...THEN FOLLOW EACH MONTH FOR MORE ON "THE BASICS OF BASEBALL".

If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to be placed on the mailing list, please send an 

e-mail to jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com or press the "Join This Site" button in the upper right hand corner of my blog.

All newsletter archives are located at http://JakePlaysBaseball.blogspot.com/

If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com

Special Thanks to my Sliders team who make "other plays" possible and fun.

The Confusing Plays in Baseball

 

Introduction 

http://youtu.be/doE0L14F6Q0

 

Hello, my name is Jake Nordstrom, and welcome back to my monthly blog on the Basics of Baseball.

Last month, I talked about the National Anthem Etiquette. Today, we will discuss some of the confusing plays in baseball.

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

Drop Third Strike



http://youtu.be/Qerdxs6nnSI

 

When there are two strikes and first base is NOT occupied by a runner, the drop third strike rule is in action. If the pitcher throws a ball in the dirt (it hits the ground before your glove) and the batter swings, he can run to first base. To be clear, if the batter does not swing, it is not a drop third strike unless it is a called strike, but the catcher drops it.

 

Infield Fly

 http://youtu.be/BEbGZ3ngDec

 

The only time that infield fly is in action is when there are two (or more) runners on base, and there is a force out. The only examples of this would be runners on first and second, and bases loaded. The way that Infield Fly works is that if the ball is hit in the infield in the air (a pop fly) the umpires will call out infield fly. The runners all have to go back to their bases. When the infielder catches it, the runners may then advance at their own risk. If the infielder misses the ball, the batter is still out. The runners still have to tag up, but may advance at their own risk. No matter what happens, the batter is always automatically out.

 

Ground Rule Double

http://youtu.be/BEbGZ3ngDec
 

A Ground Rule Double is simply when the batter hits the ball, and it hits the ground in the outfield, but goes over the fence. The runner then goes to second base, no matter what. Even if the runner is on third base when the ball goes over the fence, they still have to go to second base.

 

Bunt Foul Third Strike

 http://youtu.be/Nj_dOb-BDew

 

The reason that you never see anyone (maybe besides the pitcher in majors) bunt when there are two strikes, is because when the batter bunts with two strikes and it goes foul, the batter is called out. The batter can bunt foul with 0 and 1 strikes, and won’t be called out. But I advise you to swing away with two strikes.

 

 Player Interference

http://youtu.be/PPFVUZ2iXo4

 

Player interference is when the Offensive or Defensive player interferes with the other team’s actions. For example, if the runner is running around the bases, and the shortstop is in the way of the base path (where the runner rounds the bases), the runner has the right to try and advance to the next base, and if out, may complain that the defensive player was in the way. This would be an example of Defensive Interference.

An example of Offensive Interference would be if the runner runs into a defensive player, but the defender isn’t in the base path. The runner would then be called out for Offensive Interference.

Another example of interference is Catcher’s Interference. Catcher’s Interference is when during the batter’s swing, the batter’s bat hits any part of the catcher. The batter is then awarded a free base. The only time that it doesn’t count, is when the batter has followed through on his swing, and the bat hits the catcher when the ball has already been hit or missed.

Fan Interference is when someone (or something) interferes with the game. An example would be if a fan came running onto the field. Also, it could be as simple as a bag distracting the pitcher or a fielder. If a fan does interfere with the game, it will usually result of them being put into handcuffs and maybe worse.  In Little League, you will probably just get a warning, but you still shouldn’t do it.

 

Balk

http://youtu.be/J7TFHejTPaQ

 

           In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that are called a balk. Most of these motions involve a pitcher pretending to pitch when he has no intention of doing so. A balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In the event a balk is enforced, the pitch is generally (but not always) out of play, each runner is awarded one base, and the batter remains at bat, with the previous count.

According to Wikipedia, here are a few examples of balks:

 

1. Switches his (or her) pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber.

 

2. When pitching from the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch.

 

3. Throws from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent.

 

4. Drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line.

 

5. After bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them while not throwing a pitch.

 

Conclusion

http://youtu.be/doE0L14F6Q0

 

Next month, join me for Part 2 on the Other Plays in Baseball. Help me out my clicking the "Join This Site" Button in the upper-right hand corner of my blog.

 

And remember, keep having fun!

 

Thank you!

 

If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to be placed on the mailing list, please send an

e-mail to jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com or press the "Join This Site" button in the upper right hand corner of my blog.

All newsletter archives are located at http://JakePlaysBaseball.blogspot.com/

If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com

Etiquette for the National Anthem

Hello! My name is Jake Nordstrom, and welcome to my blog on the Basics of Baseball. Today I will be talking about how important the National Anthem is to respect, and what it means to us as the Americans who share it. Hope you enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAZcXhcl-3s
 

The National Anthem

When the Anthem is played at any sporting event:

• Stand up, remove your cap or hat, and put it over your heart.

• If you don't have a hat, take your right hand, and place it over your heart to show respect.

• It is important not to speak, make comments, or goof off during the Anthem. The only time you talk is when you are singing along.

• Focus on the flag, and respect it.

• Once the Anthem has started, you have three options. You can:

1. Sing along with the singer
2. Move your lips to the words
3. Stand in silence and respect what is being said
4. If you're a Mom, you may cry.  I know my Mom always does...

• When the Anthem is over, it is then okay to sit back down, put your hat back on, and eat your nachos. 

What the National Anthem Means

 

http://youtu.be/RJazIJJp-Io

 

Most Kids don’t realize what the National Anthem really means. They think that it is just a simple paragraph of words said to “represent” our country. But they haven’t really even bothered to look into it and see what all of the lines mean.

 

Below: The original National Anthem

(Read it over, and then below, look at what it means in a more kid friendly language).

 

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Below: Translated for Kids to understand

 

Hey, can you see this morning,

What we saw and were so amazed by and proud of last night?

The flag that, through all the dangerous fighting,

We could still see standing strong and waving?

Throughout the fighting bombs, guns and cannons are going off and their explosions are lighting the night sky,

The light from the explosions showed us that indeed, our flag was still standing!

Yes, our flag IS still standing!

Over our land, the land of free willing to fight bravely for their freedom: The United States of America!

 

If you really study these words, you can start to see the connection to what really happened in our history of the United States of America.

In war, our soldiers and our flag stood tall. We were fighting for our freedom. We gained our freedom. We are free to this day and use the symbol of our flag to show our respect to our country and to those who have sacrificed their lives defending it.
So stand up and respect it at every opportunity.

You see, in baseball, when you are faced with adversity and one door closes...with a positive attitude, another door may open...to allow great things to happen!

 

Video Below: At one of our last All Star games, the snack bar was accidentally locked so there was no music to play the National Anthem into the loud speaker before the game.  Out of the "blue", the umpire respectfully stepped up and said, "I can sing".

Enjoy our All Star Team and this Little League Umpire spontaneously paying respect to

our National Anthem.  Awesome!

 http://youtu.be/37O6l92j5l8
 

If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to be placed on the mailing list, please send an

 

e-mail to jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com or press the "Join This Site" button in the upper right hand corner of my blog.

 

All newsletter archives are located at http://JakePlaysBaseball.blogspot.com/

If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com

`
Thanks to my friend Chris Ware for his help with technology.

Another thanks to the Umpire with the respect to have a voice. Thanks Mr. Burnham!

Special thanks to America for being the greatest country ever. God Bless America and all of our soldiers who have fought for it!

Baseball Etiquette

Hello! My name is Jake Nordstrom, and welcome to my new blog on the Basics of Baseball. Today, I will be discussing team etiquette. I will explain when and where you should have good etiquette while at the field.  There are lots of parts to this subject, so I have broken each section down so you can see where YOU fit in.
 

Hope you Enjoy!

 http://youtu.be/SAoaSnbNqAU

 

Players

 

• When you are in the dugout, you need to keep your energy up throughout the game.
• Have “good spirit” at all times.
• Don’t ever sit on the bench.
• Stay on the fence at all times.
• Encourage each player up at bat.
• Let them know you are there for them.

 

If your team is losing, don't be one of the kids that sits on the bench and eats a hotdog or Doritos while your team gets the last three outs. Be the kid to get the others OFF the bench and onto the fence. The Red Sox had a world series where they were down by 9 runs in the last inning, and won. Especially in Little League, ANYTHING can happen!

 

When out in the field, support your pitcher and the other players in the field. Don’t say anything bad about players on your team, or the other team. If a teammate makes a bad play or gets a bad hit, then make positive comments. If he bobbles the ball, instead of saying that he SHOULD  have gotten it, say, “You WILL get it next time.

 

If you make a mistake on the field, make sure not to hang your head. There is a curse in baseball that if you make a mistake, in the same game, you will get a chance to correct it.
I know this from PLENTY of experience.

 

 http://youtu.be/2StvUKLnAgY

 

Coaches and Parents

 

In Little League, it is important to remember that your coaches are just parents that volunteered because they love baseball and want to be involved with something special with their kids. It is important for you to respect your coach, whether they make good or bad decisions.

 

It is important to let the coach know that you are motivated to try new positions, especially in practice. If during a game, the coach decides to play you in a position that is not your favorite, it is important to respect their decision and do your best with what you have. If the coach decides that you are sitting out for an inning or two, take this as an opportunity to stay on the fence and be an encourager to your other teammates.

 

Be ready to go onto the field at any time, but also be ready to give the players coming off the field the equipment they need for the next inning. For example, the center fielder, first baseman and the right or left fielder (depending on what dugout you are in) need a ball for warm ups the next inning.

Remember to say "Thank You, Coach" every once in a while.
These parents are taking time off work to help YOU in baseball.

If a coach makes a negative comment about your performance that hurts your feelings, discuss the issue with your parents and make a plan on how to deal with the situation. DO NOT DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR TEAMMATES. If the problem(s) continues, make a plan with your parents to sit down with the coach after a game or practice, and ask what he feels you can do to improve the situation.

 

The coaches are volunteer parents. They are not professional baseball coaches that are hired to teach children. Sometimes you need to have patience with the process.
Without THEIR help, there would be no Little League. BE GRATEFUL!

 

 http://youtu.be/JUUDmtH_DW4

 

On-Field and In-Dugout Cleanup

 

If you have just had a practice or a game, it is important to drag the field (or prep the dirt) with your team to make sure that the next team doesn't have to do it for you. Also, after a game, there is often a lot of trash left over in the dugouts. If you can, pick up as much garbage as you can, even if it is not yours.
It shows great pride in your team and your dugout.

 

 http://youtu.be/mGR_IMjkIvk

 

Your Commitment

 

It is your responsibility to keep track of your baseball schedule. Not Mom or Dad’s. Keep your schedule on either a calendar or phone that you look at and check every day. YOU- make sure you have arrangements made, so you can be to every practice and every game on time.

 

If you can't make one of them, try to tell the coach in advanced so he will not be making last minute changes to the line up. If practice starts at 3:00pm, you will be expected to be on the field, fully geared up, in uniform... at 3:00pm. You should always plan on being a little early. If you do get there right on time, run, hustle, and get to your position quickly to respect your team and coaches.

 

 http://youtu.be/DF42TVo7nJM

 

“The Other Team” Etiquette

 

It is ok to tell the other players that they have done a great job, while still being competitive. Simple comments like, "nice hit" or "nice try" make for a great competitve and friendly game. If someone hits a home run on the other team, it always is great to give them the ball while congratulating them AND their parents.

If YOUR team hits a home run, it is bad etiquette to go to home plate and do something uncalled for like showing off to the other team. This shows disrespect to the other team and makes you and your team, look bad. There is nothing wrong with coming out to the plate cheering, and welcoming your teammate home with yells and pats on the back and helmet.
Be excited, but just try not to get carried away.
 

http://youtu.be/DXuOj1VwUTU 

 

Parents- This One Is For You!

 

It is important for you to not only show up to the games, but to cheer for the team and make POSITIVE comments. Oohs and ahhs are ok, but negative comments should be kept behind your lips. It is always great to hear a compliment about how great your son did after getting a great hit, from other parents or team members. There is nothing better than hearing parents cheer for you, after making an outstanding play in the field.

  

Crowd/Spectators

 

When sitting in the stands, YOU have a responsibility to your team.
CHEER- THEM- ON!
A little momentum goes a long way in baseball. Take our last TOC game.

 

http://youtu.be/FU6QTXtJlnQ 

 

We were down by 2 in the last inning. The crowd never gave up on us. They stood. They cheered. They chanted. They roared. First a single, then a walk, then a perfect bunt, and finally the walk off double with bases loaded to win the game.

The crowd is just as important as any of the coaches, umpires, or players.
Engage and help your team by dressing up with team colors,
getting a rally going, and cheering your brains out!

http://youtu.be/rGVqX7Oaz00 

 

This is baseball.

Red, White, and Blue.

Hot Dogs, Apple Pie...Baseball. 

It is so easy to be passionate about...BASEBALL.

 

Join me for my next blog on July 4^th for a special session on
Pregame National Anthem Etiquette. 

 

Thank You!

 

 http://youtu.be/AldfUGJT9E8

 

 

 

If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to be placed on the mailing list, please send an

 

e-mail to jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com or press the "Join This Site" button in the upper right hand corner of my blog.

 

All newsletter archives are located at http://JakePlaysBaseball.blogspot.com/

If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com

 

Special thanks to Jake Carrillo, owner of my Slider's Team and my Pop, for teaching me the basics of good etiquette in baseball!