http://www.theoleballgame.com/Baseball-Coaching-blog.html The baseball coaching blog keeps you up to date with all the additions and changes to the oleballgame.com website. Subscribe here. en-us baseball Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:31:34 GMT Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:31:34 GMT theoleballgame.com http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-resource.html Links to baseball resource sites I have found interesting and informative. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:31:34 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/must-a-catcher-throw-the-ball-in-an-attempt-to-retire-a-baserunner-before-batter-interference-is-called.html John D asked:Must a catcher throw the ball in an attempt to retire a baserunner in order for a batter, who steps out of the batter's box and hinders/prevents Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:53:40 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/do-you-have-any-recommendations-for-team-pitching-goals-similiar-to-the-team-hitting-goals-described.html Eric asked: I love the concept of the team hitting goals. I believe it will benefit my team tremendously. I was wondering if you have any recommendations Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:02:54 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/in-a-bunt-defense-what-is-the-reverse.html Anonymous asked: Where do the infielders go in the reverse bunt defense? Rick answered: Thank you for your question. To fully answer your question, Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:17:59 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/hey-is-it-possible-for-a-15-year-old-who-hasnt-played-baseball-for-a-few-years-can-be-able-to-rejoin-the-game-in-a-high-school-jv-level-with-pitches-up-to-80-mph.html John asked: Well, its been 6 years since my friends 15 year old has played baseball. He is not sure wether or not he will be able to hit pitches up to Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:57:17 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-a-umpire-award-a-base-for-obstruction.html Rick Ortiz asked: Batter runner hits long fly ball to right field, as he rounds third he hits the third baseman and goes down. Runner gets up, looks home, Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:03:36 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/are-we-instucting-our-hitters-and-pitchers-to-do-the-same-thing-ground-balls.html Ron asked: I hear so many pitching coaches teaching their pitchers to keep the ball down to get more ground balls. My question is: If ground balls are Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:23:20 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-the-dh-also-be-the-backup-catcher.html Anonymous asked: I realize anyone on the team can DH. But if the DH for a certain game is also the backup catcher... and say the catcher is pinch hit Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:42:44 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/scoring-winning-run.html Andrew asked: The situation is: bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, no outs. Defense playing in - batter hits to shortstop who dives to smother the ball Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:28:14 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/why-do-we-call-the-final-baseball-series-the-world-series.html Fred asked: We play the World Series in the USA but no teams we play are outside the United States. Also how did the World Series get it's name? Rick Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:40:03 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/do-you-go-to-a-school-to-be-a-umpire-or-are-you-elected-by-committee.html Anonymous asked: Do umpires go to school or are they elected by committee ? Rick answered: Thank you for your question! There are a couple of Umpiring Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:52:19 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/does-this-website-or-another-supply-statistics-for-mlb-teams-batting-average-with-2-strikes.html Jason asked: I am trying to find MLB team batting averages throughout the 162 games with two strike counts? Can you give me advice? Jason, CA Rick answered: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:06:50 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-does-two-outs-no-doubles-mean.html Anonymous asked: What does two outs no doubles mean? Rick answered: Thank you for your question. Two outs and no doubles is a defensive strategy. It Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:35:35 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-the-fake-bunt-ok-to-usewith-every-single-batter.html Scott asked: I have a child in Little League Baseball, Minor A's 8-12 yr old. One of the Teams he played, had the best record. Then at about the halfway Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:54:49 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/around-the-world.html Players always follow their throws: Base hit to LF who throws to 3B who throws to Catcher who throws to 2B who rolls the ball to SS who throws to 1B who Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:15:49 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-it-bad-sportmanship-to-steal-bases-in-the-bottom-of-the-9th-down-120.html William asked: It is generally recognized that stealing bases when the game is way out of hand, by the winning team is considered unsportsman-like. After Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:29:30 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/if-a-batted-ball-hits-first-base-and-then-bounces-out-of-play-is-it-fair-or-foul.html Anonymous asked: If a batted ball hits first base and then bounces out of play, is it fair or foul? Rick answered: Thank you for your question! When Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:04:23 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-players-advance-if-third-baseman-catches-ball-in-foul-territory-and-then-momentum-carries-him-out-of-base-line.html Mike asked: While playing softball today this situation came up. A foul ball was caught in foul territory by the third baseman. Momentum carried him Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:17:40 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/when-did-mlb-batters-start-using-arm-leg-guards.html Ken asked: What year or decade did batters start using them? Rick answered: Thanks for your question Ken. I have had no luck in locating any information Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:09:38 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/force-play-at-first.html Joe asked: If a first baseman fields a ground ball and has the ball in his right but dives to tag the bag with his left, is the runner out? Rick answered: Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:57:39 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/dugouts-home-team.html Anonimous asked: What are the rules as far as home team choosing dugout whether first or third? Rick answered: Thank you for your question! There are Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:07:36 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/need-an-id-on-an-old-baseball-photograph-jersey-thanks.html Dan asked: Hi! Can anyone tell me anything about this old negative on glass photograph... I reversed the image (inverted) so as to be able to see the Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:38:22 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/index.html Baseball coaching techniques developed from 46 years combined playing and coaching experiences, in this very special game. Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:25:10 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/batter-runner-is-hit-by-ball-he-bunted-down-1st-base-line-umpire-calls-ball-foul-but-batterrunner-is-out-is-this-correct.html Anonymous asked: Batter/runner is hit by ball he bunted down the first base line. Umpire calls the ball foul, but batter/runner is out. Is this correct? Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:29:40 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/my-coach-is-making-his-son-the-starting-pitcher-on-varsity.html Wally asked: Hello Rick, I just wanted to get some advice on my situation that I'm sure is quite common amongst atheletes. As I said before, my coach Sun, 14 Aug 2011 22:38:23 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/how-to-teach-to-have-a-level-swing.html David asked: My son is starting to develop an uppercut motion in his swing. He's dropping his whole back shoulder and coming up under the ball. What drills Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:30:50 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/on-deck-batter.html Ezra asked: I just witnessed in a ball game the following. Ball was put in play with runners on first and second, first runner scored as the ball was Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:25:09 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/if-a-pitch-hits-your-hands-while-holding-the-bat-is-it-a-walk-or-a-strike.html Anonymous asked: If a pitch hits your hands while holding the bat, is it a walk or a strike? Rick answered: When a pitched ball hits any part of the Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:27:20 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-mlb-batter-first-used-a-shin-guard-while-at-home-plate-who-invented-the-batters-shin-guard.html Johnny asked: What Major league batter first used a shin guard while at home plate? Who invented the batter's shin guard? An offshoot of my previous Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:06:24 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/how-often-per-year-has-a-base-runner-on-second-base-score-on-a-scrifice-flyball.html Dan asked: How often has a baserunner on second base score on a fly ball in the outfield? Rick answered: Great baseball question, thanks Dan! The source Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:35:55 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-player-first-used-or-invented-the-shin-guard.html Johnny asked: What player first used or invented the shin guard? We were just wonderin. Rick answered: Johnny, thank you for your question. Shin guards Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:52:30 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/focus-refocus-during-a-long-inning.html Anonymous asked: I am an assistant coach on my son's coach pitch team. The team is pretty good but has trouble focusing or getting refocused during a Thu, 14 Jul 2011 04:54:53 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/scoring-a-runner-hit-by-a-batted-ball.html Bob asked: The team had two outs with the bases loaded. The batter hits a ground ball between the short stop and third that hits the runner heading to Sat, 02 Jul 2011 05:20:52 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/over-throwing-first-base.html Anonymous asked: When a batter has hit the ball and is running toward first base, the ball is fielded and overthrown, what is the rule as far as how many Sat, 02 Jul 2011 05:08:04 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/hittingpower.html Eduar asked: rick its eduar the high school jv 2nd base. Rick answered: Some information on hitting power. Your hitting power is generated from Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:59:15 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/were-batters-allowed-to-run-to-what-is-now-known-as-third-base-after-hitting-the-ball.html Eddie asked: I once heard on a baseball history program that originally the first batter of each inning determined which base was first base, the first Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:07:14 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-team-did-brownie-szafranski-pitch-for.html A. Szafranski asked:It's family legend that my grandfather, Brownie (Braunislaw) Szafranski pitched in the major leagues and left to fight in WW2. I can't Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:36:39 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/on-deck-circle.html Eugene asked: We were in a recent tournament where the umpire would not let the on deck batter stand in the on deck circle to take practice swings. He Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:57:34 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-you-be-tagged-out-at-first-if-you-do-not-make-an-attempt-to-second-base.html Eugene asked: Player hit a ball down third base line. Ran to first, was safe and over ran first base, turning away into foul territory. The first base Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:47:32 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/does-a-runner-have-to-tag-the-next-base.html Jim asked: Does a runner have to tag the next base when the ball is caught in the outfield before returning to the previous base? Rick answered: Jim, Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:45 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/my-son-benchedwhat-to-tell-him.html Anonymous asked: My son (7) just started playing baseball last year and fell in love with the sport. Baseball is taken very seriously in this area and Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:49:35 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/on-a-force-play-at-first-if-the-infielder-dives-and-touches-the-bag-does-the-ball-have-to-be-in-the-same-hand-that-touched-the-bag.html Anonymous asked: In a youth league with amateur umpires, there was a ball hit to the first baseman. The ball was bobbled and by the time the first baseman Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:58:41 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-drills-by-categories.html Baseball drills by category. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:27:41 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/sitemap.html This sitemap lists every page on theoleballgame.com and will help you find the information quickly and easily. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:27:40 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/circus-outfield-fungos.html Circus outfield fungos is a fast and economical way to get your outfielders a lot of flyballs, in a short span of time. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:26:52 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/who-hits-first-home-or-away.html Anonymous asked:Is home at bat first or is away? Rick answered: Thank you for your question. Visitors always bat first, home team last. Yours in baseball, Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:54:21 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/runner-at-2nd-with-no-outs-batter-hits-ground-ball-cleanly-fielded-by-shortstop-who-holds-the-ball-to-prevent-runner-from-advancing-batter-is-safe-at-first-how-is-this-situation-scored.html Paul asked: Runner at 2nd with no outs. Batter hits ground ball cleanly fielded by shortstop who holds the ball to prevent runner from advancing. Batter Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:48:39 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-teamwork.html Baseball teamwork will usually be listed as one of your player's top goals, at the start of the season. Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:41:58 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-the-pitcher-condsidered-an-infielder-.html Anonymous asked: Ground ball hit to but not fielded (untouched) by the pitcher and then hits the runner is the pitcher considered an infielder if so is Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:27:25 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/if-a-foul-ball-is-caught-next-to-1st-base-and-the-first-baseman-catches-the-foul-and-then-steps-on-1st-because-the-runner-who-was-on-first-left-early-is-the-runner-out.html Jim asked:Rick answered: Jim, thank you for your question. The answer is yes, the runner is out. This situation is a live ball appeal. The defense Mon, 30 May 2011 20:58:56 GMT