Baseball Programs

The Mascots curriculum is designed to have the children begin their baseball experience in a fun environment that also introduces simple basics of the game, including the following objectives:

• Simple base running and base recognition.

• Hitting; holding the bat properly, focusing on making contact with the ball off of a tee.

• Throwing in an overhand motion.

• Fielding, with emphasis on using two hands and not falling down.

• Fitness and agility.

• Improved hand/eye coordination.

• An introduction to social skills such as following simple instructions and taking turns.

The Minors curriculum is designed to have the children continue their baseball experience in a fun environment that also reinforces the fundamentals of the game, including the following objectives:

• Simple base running and base recognition.

• Hitting, focusing on proper stance and level swing to make contact with the ball off the tee.

• Introduction to hitting from a pitch.

• Throwing…point, step, and throw with proper motion and aim.

• Fielding, with emphasis on using two hands, staying in front of the ball and not falling down.

• Improved hand/eye coordination.
  Understanding straightforward game situations, such as throwing a player out.

• Fitness and agility.

• Advancement of social skills such as following instructions, taking turns and teamwork.

The Hall of Famers curriculum is designed to have the children continue improving their fundamentals skills while preparing them for their next level of participation, organized tee-ball Objectives:

• Base recognition and proper base running techniques.

• Five steps of hitting with focus on proper form including full swing and hip rotation.

• Correct throwing mechanics emphasizing accuracy and distance.

• Proper fielding technique, keeping their body in front of the ball.

• Using the baseball glove for fielding of line drives and pop fly catches.

• Teamwork.

• Game situations.

• Fitness and agility.

The Sluggers Plus Program will focus on the following:

• Hitting – hitting for power including full hip rotation and finishing the swing; hitting coach pitch; recognizing balls and strikes.

• Fielding – moving to the ball; making quick plays; game situations; tag plays; catching fly balls; outfield play.

• Throwing – reinforcing mechanics, particularly on difficult plays; making long throws; making accurate throws, throwing in game situations.

• Base running – understanding game situations – when to run, and when to stay. Pitching – basic mechanics.

Pre-requisite experience for the Sluggers Plus Program

For a player to be successful in the Sluggers Plus Program, he or she should be able to:

– Execute basic hitting concepts including proper positioning at the plate or tee, execute a full swing and have satisfactory lower body mechanics – no falling down, spinning or excessive foot movement.

– Understand and obey bat safety rules

– Be able to use a baseball glove and field ground balls that are hit within the frame of their bodies or a couple of feet to either side of them.

– Execute a basic baseball throw with some arm extension and stepping with the proper foot. They should be able to throw a ball and hit a target 15 feet away from them.

– Understand basic base running techniques including proper base order and touching bases as they round them.

– Be motivated to improve and excel as a baseball player.

If a player cannot execute these functions they should be placed in a Hall of Famers class for another session. If players who cannot execute these functions are allowed in the Plus program they will likely undermine its success as they will require significant remedial work, therefore reducing your ability to work with other players who are ready to move to the next level

The Majors curriculum expands on the skills learned in the 3 year old program, with slightly more technical instruction and game situations, including the following objectives:

• Proper base running and sliding techniques.

• Hitting, focusing on proper stance, level swing, and follow through off the tee.

• Begin hitting from a pitch.

• Throwing…point, step, and throw with proper motion for distance and accuracy.

• Fielding, with emphasis on using two hands, staying in front of the ball.

• Catching pop flies with two hands.

• Learning various offensive and defensive game situations.

• Fitness and agility.

• Advancement of social skills such as following instructions, taking turns and teamwork.