Tag: D-BAT

3 Mistakes Outfielders Make – And How to Fix Them

In the game of baseball, each inning is a team effort. Outfielders, infielders, pitcher, and catcher – the whole team must be ready at all times to make the play and get off the field. 

Each position on the field comes with its challenges, and outfield is no exception. Here are 3 mistakes we often see in the outfield – and how to fix them:

Losing Focus

This can happen at any position, but proximity to the mound (or lack thereof) makes it a particular issue for outfielders. It’s easy to get distracted when you see so much of the field and so many things going on. Maybe the infielders and pitcher have handled all the balls that inning and you’re feeling restless. Regardless of the reason, stay in ready position and keep mental focus through each play. Stay focused by thinking through what you’ll do each time a batter comes up to bat. 

Not Backing Up the Infielders

This one happens often. Coaches often forget the importance of this role until a ball is overthrown and the outfielder isn’t there to back the player up. As an outfielder, always remember to stay alert and move to backup an infielder as you can to prevent stolen bases, and ultimately, more runs by the opposing team.

Lacking Communication

This one goes out to center fielders in particular. It is your job to call out information to your fellow outfielders. What position in the lineup is this hitter ? How did they hit last time? What’s the count? All outfielders need to be strong verbal communicators with each other on what’s going on, but center fielders need to make sure they are loud and vocal throughout the game to keep the entire outfield engaged and ready. 

Ready to practice your fielding skills? If you want the best baseball or softball training the in the country, look no further than D-BAT. Our facilities are second-to-none and our expert staff will take your game to the next level. Call us today to schedule lessons. Find the closest location to you HERE!

What Does D-BAT Have to Offer?

D-BAT began as a one location baseball training facility in Addison, Texas and has since exploded to offer the best baseball/softball training in locations around the country – and even worldwide! Each location varies in terms of services offered, but here are a some of the things you can expect from D-BAT Sports:

Batting Cages

Practice in our state-of-the-art, climate controlled facilities just once and you’ll never want to practice anywhere else! Our facilities are second-to-none and our cages are class leading. Sign-up for lessons with one of our coaches on staff, rent the cages for practice on your own, or just hit off of our state-of-the-art pitching machines.

Baseball and Softball Lessons

Speaking of lessons, our coaches offer the best baseball/softball coaching around. Each of the coaches at D-BAT are extremely experienced in the game, with most (if not all) with experience in collegiate level baseball or higher. Take your pitching, hitting, fielding, and personal training routine to the next level at D-BAT.

Camps and Clinics

Camps and clinics are held throughout the year, typically during holiday periods, to offer an opportunity to improve your game – and have fun while you’re doing it! Contact your local D-BAT to find out what camps are still being offered this summer and get ready for Fall Ball!

Fully Stocked Pro Shop

Time to get a new bat, glove, batting glove, helmet, or just want some cool new gear? You’ll find exactly what you need at the D-BAT Pro Shop. We’re loaded with the latest baseball and softball gear to get your player ready to perform at the next level.

Membership Packages

Want to get a discount on lessons, clinics, camps, pro shop merchandise, and more? We offer membership packages to cater to your individual needs. Plus – members can use the pitching machines for free daily!

Call your local D-BAT today to learn more about what is offered near you! Find the closest location to you HERE! 

5 Ways to Earn More Playing Time

“It’s so fun to sit on the bench.” – said no one ever! Chances are, you play baseball because you love the game and want to perform. The bench is the last place you want to be. Want to avoid that dreaded bench time? Here are 5 ways to earn more playing time:

Train for the Game

If you want more playing time, then showing up to practice is not going to cut it. You’re going to have to work harder. You’ll want to do things that will improve speed, agility, batting, and fielding. This can be a combination of weight lifting and one-on-one baseball training sessions with expertly trained coaches, but whatever it is, do it. Pretty soon, that added training will pay off.

Focus On Yourself

You can wallow in the “whys” of why someone else gets to play more or worry about how the game will go next week, but those thoughts aren’t constructive. Instead, just focus on yourself and things you can control. Focus on your skill level, making strides to improve. Positivity and mental toughness can go a long way toward improving your gameday play.

Show the Coach You Want It

Beyond additional training, the little things matter when showing your coach you’re ready to play. Show up first for practice. Be the last one off the field. Be an encouraging teammate. A good attitude shines.

Improve Your Batting

If you can hit, you’ll have a better chance of playing. You won’t sit the bench for getting too many hits, but you will for striking out too often. If hitting is a weakness, get in the cages and improve your game.

Talk to the Coach

Don’t whine that you want extra playing time, but do ask the coach where your weaknesses are and where he would like to see improvement, then do something about it! Take his feedback and do work!

As always, D-BAT – the best baseball/softball training facility in the country – is here to help with state-of-the-art facilities and an expertly trained coaching staff. Find the nearest location to you HERE! 

Build Arm Strength with These 5 Exercises

Arm strength is a big part of success in baseball and softball, and at D-BAT, we recommend a well-rounded training regime that includes weight training to increase bat speed, quicken throws, and make you an overall better player. Here are 5 exercises that will increase arm strength and make you unstoppable on the field:

Bench Press

The classic bench press is an excellent way to strengthen your triceps – a muscle group that is imperative for throwing. To maximize efficiency, place your hands about shoulder width apart, then try 3 to 5 reps every day. Gradually add weight as you strengthen.

Wrist Throwing

Pitchers aren’t the only ones who need a strong wrist. The stronger your wrist, then harder and faster you’ll be able to throw. A great way to work your wrist is to hold your throwing elbow in your hand, then “throw” the ball with your wrist only. These light flicks on the wrist will build strength you’ll see on the field.

45-Degree Dumbbell Raise

Each muscle in your arms and shoulders is imperative for throwing, and dumbbell raises are a great way to strengthen all of those muscles at once. Start with your arms holding 5 pound weights by your side, then slowly raise the arms to a 45-degree angle with your body, stopping at shoulder height. Raise and lower, performing 3 or 4 sets.

Push-ups

Don’t discount the effectiveness of this simple exercise! It requires no weights and can be done anywhere. Oh – and it’s a powerhouse for strengthening those arm muscles.

Quick Toss Drill

Here’s a good warm up in practice: grab a partner and stand 10 feet apart from each other. Practice throwing the ball back and forth as quickly as possible. These quick, short movements build arm strength and make you more nimble come game time.

Need more intensive baseball or softball training? Visit us at the premier baseball/softball training facility – D-BAT. We specialize in all things baseball, from throwing, catching, fielding, pitching, hitting, and more. Find the closest location to you HERE!

Open Your Eyes: 4 Tips for Seeing Each Pitch More Clearly

Do you find that you’re in a rut at the plate?

Have you ever considered that you aren’t seeing the pitch as clearly as you should? There are lots of mechanics involved in swinging and hitting the ball, but one very important factor is your vision. D-BAT has a few tips on how to see each pitch more clearly, thus improving your chances of a great hit every at-bat:

1.   Fix Both Eyes on the Pitcher

You might be thinking, “I do that,” but as we’ve learned, many batters have a tendency to focus on the pitcher with their left eye (if they are right handed) and not with their right. An easy way to determine this is to close the left eye and then see where you are looking with your right eye. The results might surprise you! By focusing both eyes squarely on the pitcher, you vastly improve your eye-hand coordination.

2.   Maintain Fluid Movements

As you swing, if your body is jerky or your movements are rigid, then it’s going to affect the focus your eyes have on the ball. Maintaining a fluid swing that starts in your lower body and spirals up to your arms last, will help keep your head still and eyes focused on the ball.

3.   Posture is Key

As you step up to the plate, make sure you are in a balanced position with your knees slightly bent and a slight angle to your body. The proper batting posture keeps your head aligned, with makes it easier to keep your eyes focused on the ball. The last thing you want is for your head to bobble, making it difficult to focus. The less your head moves, the better your vision.

4.   Clue Into the Pitcher

Make it your goal to see the ball. Strain to see the pitcher’s finger positioning on the ball as it’s released – or even the ball’s seams. This may seem impossible given the speed, but clueing into the pitch, picking up on any tells about the pitch, and then straining with intensity to see the ball as clearly as possible, will all make you a better hitter and help you see the ball better as it makes its way to the plate.

Ready for some batting practice? Come see us at D-BAT! Our state-of-the-art batting cages are designed with the player in mind. Click HERE to find the nearest location to you!

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!

Softball Tips & Tricks: Is Your Catcher Doing These 3 Things?

Playing catcher can be tough.

There is a lot of weight on the shoulders of a catcher. The catcher has a unique advantage of handling the ball more than anyone else on the field (except the pitcher) and has the ability to see everything that is going on out on the field. D-BAT Sports recommends getting your catcher ready for the Spring softball season by making sure she masters these 3 things:

Loud, Steady Communication with her Teammates

Again, the catcher has the ability to see everything as it happens on the field. She will know if a base runner is stealing a base before any of her teammates. She is also right next to the umpire, which keeps the count fresh in her mind. Make sure your catcher is yelling information to her teammates as she sees necessary, and that the communication continues effectively until the end of the game.

Strong Relationship with the Pitcher

Over time, a catcher will get to know her pitcher and understand the ins and outs of how she pitches, strengths, weaknesses, etc. This depth of relationship is built through practice and repetition, but once it’s there, your catcher can talk to the pitcher in tough situations and guide her in how to make the next throw count. Have your catcher and pitcher practice together often to see this relationship flourish.

Get Behind the Ball When Catching

It’s too easy for a catcher to rely on her glove to catch and forget to get her body into it. Instead of relying on her glove to stop the ball, she should shift her body left and right to entirely block the ball from getting past her. This is a common catching mistake that can be corrected through repetition and steady softball catching drills.

Need a little extra softball training before the Spring season? D-BAT would love to help you take your softball game to the next level. Find the nearest location to you and give us a call today to get started!  

The Smart Way to Strengthen Your Pitching Arm

At D-BAT Sports, we know all too well the risks associated with overusing your throwing arm and the motions that make it susceptible to injury. “Tommy John” surgery has been on the rise, and our goal is to reduce that risk to young players. Strength training and repetition are key to improving your game, but how do you do it safely? Here are some tips from D-BAT – the top baseball and softball training facility in the country:

Use Conservative Weight Loads

The more weight, the stronger you’ll get, right? Not necessarily. The elbow – and the UCL within it – are only as strong as the muscles that support it. Strengthen those muscles the smart way by lifting enough that you’re pushing yourself, but not so much that you are overextending your abilities. Manage the risk vs. reward. Gradual improvements in load will give you the strength both your muscles and elbow can support.

Don’t Forget Shoulders and Wrists

Strengthening the throwing arm isn’t just about the arm and elbow. Shoulders and wrists are also a vital part of the strengthening process. Find exercises that focus in on these areas with a good combination of weight, stability training, and endurance.

Get Mechanics Right First

Many pitchers are tempted to get reps in – which are a good thing – but without the intent to keep their mechanics in check. When pitching without proper mechanics, you are more prone to injury and pain. Instead, slow down and get it right. Your body will thank you.

Don’t Go on Low Carb Diets

When you’re perfecting that pitch, your body needs calories! When your body is chock full of calories, it equates to high levels of glycogen. This sugar this is stored in the muscles and gives the energy necessary to perform your best. Without ample calories, your body and pitching arm will feel it.

Ready to improve your pitching skills? Bring your baseball or softball player into D-BAT and be prepared to see the difference the best baseball training facility can make! Find the closest facility to you HERE!