Month: February 2019

The Sacrifice Bunt – What You Need to Know to Be Successful

In baseball, there are times when it makes sense for a batter to sacrifice himself in order to advance the other runners along to the next bases.

This is called a sacrifice bunt, and while many may think they’ve got it down, it’s pretty embarrassing when it’s game time and you don’t get it right. Let’s have a little refresher on what it looks like to sacrifice bunt properly, brought to you by the baseball training experts, D-BAT:

Know Where to Hit It.

Before you ever hit the ball or even think about a stance, know where you need to bunt to maximize the play. If there is only a runner on first base, then aim your bunt toward first base. If there are runners on both first and second base, then aim for third base. But whatever you do – have a plan before you step into the box.

Move Your Stance Toward the Pitcher.

Square up in the box, just as you would for a normal hit, but move a step or two closer to the pitcher. Why? It’s easier to hit a fair ball when your bat is closer to the infield.

Keep the Barrel Up.

When sacrifice bunting, many batters fail to keep the barrel up. Your goal is to have one hand down near the knob of the bat; the other up near the top of the bat. Keep the barrel positioned on a nice level playing field, with the barrel even just slightly higher than the knob of the bat. This will give you the perfect angle to hit the ball downward, not pop it up.

Aim to Keep the Bat at the Top of the Strike Zone.

While holding the bat, try to focus on keeping it near the top of the strike zone. This gives you an easy guide at what not to hit (anything over it would be a ball) and, naturally, it’s easier to lower the bat vs. move it up to hit.

“Catch” the Ball with your Bat

Again, the goal is to get the ball into fair play and to move the runner over. When the pitch comes, don’t jab at the ball with your bat, that will make ball go further than you are wanting it to go and possibly get the runner out. Instead, “catch” the ball with your bat so it creates soft contact with the bat.

Whether you want more help perfecting your sacrifice bunt, or want other individualized baseball/softball instruction on hitting, fielding, catching, or pitching, call D-BAT today! With state-of-the-art baseball facilities across the United States, and even worldwide, our instructors are sure to help take your baseball game to the next level. Find the nearest location to you HERE!

Stay Focused: What You Need to Know to Be Mentally Prepared for the Game

Baseball and softball games are won and loss daily due to mental toughness. Typically, the team who stays focused and is mentally prepared comes out on top.

But how do you get your baseball or softball player mentally prepared for the game? Here are a few tips from D-BAT on how to stay focused:

Start with Practice

Practice time is your chance to work out the kinks. It’s your time to build confidence and learn what to do in each and every situation. Taking full advantage of practice helps you know how and where to focus during the game. It’s also a great time to practice staying in the game without distractions. Staying focused and having a plan creates mental toughness that translates on game day.

Know Common Distractions – And How to Beat Them

Talk to your player about what distracts them. Are they often distracted by parents in the stands? Or does their mind tend to wander to the game being played on the next field? Have your baseball or softball player identify his or her distractions and then formulate a plan to beat them on game day. It’s good to come up with a saying that they can tell themselves any time they get distracted, or even a signal you can do to alert your player they seem distracted.

Establish a Pre-Game Routine

Routine is good for establishing order – and good for establishing mental focus before a game. Have a consistent pre-game routine that gets your child ready and motivated to perform their best on the field.

Don’t Let Fear Be a Distraction

Often, fear of failure can paralyze a player and cause them to focus on nothing but the negative. Remind your player to stay positive and that all players have good days and bad days and that focusing on fear will not help them perform to their full potential.

Mental toughness starts with practice and knowing what to do and when to do it. If you’re ready to experience the best baseball and softball training facility in the country, call us at today and sign up for a lesson. Find the closest location to you HERE! 

5 Things You Must Do to Relieve Soreness After Practice

As the Spring season approaches, your team has likely already begun Spring workouts. And even if you were working out during the off season, chances are those muscles are stiff and tight from lighter use over the last few months. With baseball games approaching and more practices on the horizon, here are 5 things from D-BAT you must do to relieve soreness after baseball practice:

Drink a Ton of Water

Staying hydrated at all times is key to healthy muscles. When your body is dehydrated, it aggravates the issue and makes muscles even more stiff. Hydration helps you bounce back faster and flushes out toxins. Sport drinks are great too, but in moderation, since they are loaded with added sugar.

Stretch it Out

Often overlooked and undervalued, stretching is a great way to keep those muscles strong and pliable. As oxygen moves to the muscles with stretching, it helps diminish the soreness and you’ll bounce back more quickly. Make it a habit to stretch after practice, before bed, and first thing in the morning.

Avoid the Couch

After baseball practice, it can be tempting to hit the couch and binge on video games, but this will only make the soreness worse. Instead, keep moving. Walk upstairs, go play outside with a friend, or simply walk around the house. Any movement will help promote blood flow.

Get Lots of Protein

Healthy muscles need protein to rebuild and strengthen stronger than before. Throughout the day, incorporate lots of protein-rich foods into your diet. Peanut butter crackers, protein-rich granola bars, meat, fish, etc.

Take a Bath

A hot bath at the end of the day will relax tight muscles and help you get a better night’s sleep (also crucial to recovery). Epsom salt has been used for hundreds of years as an added muscle reliever. Simply add a cup to your warm bath for the added benefit.

Are you ready for the Spring season? Get personalized baseball/softball training sessions at D-BAT. Spots are filling up, so call us today to get on the calendar with our expertly trained coaches! Find the nearest location to you HERE!