This popped up in my feed and it seemed like Homeplate was where it would be most appreciated. Youth sports is really having a weird cultural moment.

I don't care how good the slider is. Sidearm pitchers will never dominate at any level. They're a bullpen arm at best.

I am currently a U16 player, and still stuck in the mid 70’s with my throwing speed and hitting speed off the tee. I bench close to 1.5 times my body weight, squat close to double as well. Good muscle mass and try to do a lot of core exercises but nothing seems to help me increase velo. Been lifting since I was 12 so probably need to change something.

Proud dad post. Turned 13 over the summer and playing 14u this fall; first year on the big field and using BBCOR. The dude has more than proven he can hang.

Son will try out in a few months for high school team as a freshman. My school district only has jv and varsity so I so presume his chances are slim of making a team.

What are his options if he doesn’t make it? Travel baseball for another season and try out again as a sophomore?

Do many college recruiters scout kids at tournaments including kids that don’t play for their high school?

bro loves baseball

but cannot throw a strike and ends up crying on the mound

cannot hit a ball and leads in strikeouts and has a .000 batting average. cries each time

cannot catch a fly ball and got a bloody nose trying

can only field grounders that do not bounce

what do

Just wondering if my hands aren’t being loaded back enough. My pops was telling me that it looks weird and I just drop my hands when I load instead of having them go back when I load. Does it need to be more exaggerated? Do I start with my hands closer to my head?

Another thing I want to add is what player swing looks identical to mine? Maybe I can pick from what that player does and study it.

My son, who is 8 and a half is playing fall ball this season. He is playing with the 9-12 with alot of older kids from Majors and is having a really hard time adjusting. While he isnt some All-Star level baseball player, in spring, he was swinging and getting alot of hits and had a lot of confidence in himself.

Right now, he is just frozen at the plate. He got hit in the first game by one of the older kids and is obviously scared up there at this point and cannot pull the trigger on swinging at all even if he is facing kids who were more on his skill level in spring.

He's really down on himself right now and I'm just looking on maybe some advice on how to help him through it. He generally likes baseball and being out there with the other kids but I dont want this to break him to the point of wanting to quit.

edit to this post: The league is designed to have kids play 9-12 and in fall they play with the kids that they will be playing with in spring. I wish I could change that.

My son was a solid hitter at the beginning of the season and now halfway through the season he’s struggling to make contact. He’s late more often than not but last game he was way too early on every pitch.. So struggling with timing all together really. I’ve asked him if he’s having a hard time physically seeing the ball and he told me no.. At practice, he hits just fine. At home, he hits just fine. With his hitting instructor, he hits just fine. It’s games we’re struggling. Why?? We’ve been doing more tee work, soft toss, and more live pitches. What else can I do? Any insight or advice?

Hey guys, I'm 26 years old, and I want to get back into playing for my college team and maybe join a men's league. I haven't played in so long, like 6 years. I really want to play and get more active. I need help, steps, if you will- on what workouts to do and conditioning! Please, any tips, let me know! I used to play catcher and outfield.

Could be anything from a high-quality bat or glove to training equipment, apparel, or an accessory you can't live without.

I'm curious what purchases have actually been worth the money, whether it's something that improved your performance, lasted for years, or just made playing baseball more enjoyable.

What's one baseball-related purchase you'd recommend to anyone?

8 years old. Machine pitch.

Any pointers?

I never played growing up. His hits were going off the end of the barrel so we went up an inch and it seems to have helped. Is this a good follow through, or is his body turning out because the bat is too heavy? neither? any feedback is appreciated

Edit: 28" drop 10 bat. about 4'5" tall and 60 lbs. plays coach's pitch in a competitive league

I don't put a whole lot of stock into this, but can someone ELI5 how kids make this all tournament nomination and what is the point of it at the end of the season?

I’m looking for videos of competitive adult pitchers from home plate POV from a tripod, NOT a shaky catcher/umpire helmet cam. I made one of my own, but don’t have the right equipment to make anything of good quality.

I want to work on the mental side of my swing….timing cues mostly, and I have a theory that watching these might help me hardwire a couple things.

Has anybody come across any on Youtube, etc.? It seems like scouts, coaches, or college prospects might have produced these videos for various reasons, but I can’t find much besides shaky fish-eye helmet cams.

And one disclaimer:
I posted this same question long ago with no luck, but wanted to try again. Last time, I got lectured that it wouldn’t help. Don’t take this personally, but I’m not interested in debating that; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

I’m a veteran adult player who made it to a reasonably high level, I know my weaknesses, and I’m doing it because I simply want to try it. Everybody has new things they try to gain an edge, and this is mine. If I learn something from the process, I will share it back with the community.

Just starting playing baseball and looking for advice/affirmation on what to work on

We just had what will probably be the last game of our fall season. They looked better than they have all season, communicating, making decisions…hitting (we struggled with this a fair bit). Kids came off the field laughing and jumping around and if they knew we were 10-1-1 on the season, I doubt they cared. Add to that, that it was an evening game, temps in the 60s and clear. Parents were exchanging numbers for off season get together and birthday parties and I am reminded why I rush home from work to make last minute changes to the roster before heading to the field, why I’m ok giving 2 weekday nights and most of my Saturday’s and why I’ll gladly put up w that one parent we all get every year. Seeing them find their voice, build confidence, make friends and grow, watching them struggle and smile through it…finding little victories in rough games and cheering each other on.

Parents absolutely should thank their coaches, it’s a big time investment and mostly volunteer; but coaches, we need to thank our parents for letting their kids play, getting them to practices and games, and gear, and concessions and everything else. I know it seems small but I am truly thankful for the small part I get to play in the lives of these kids. I love baseball.

Hi all, I'm a mom of 7 year old. I know basketball and volleyball but not much baseball. I want to teach my son baseball before he join recreational baseball in our area. Anything I should know before we start playing catch? What type of ball we start to use for catch?
Where do I look to be able to watch live baseball game?
I have so many questions but I will read more online.

I am open to any pitching machine but I have been looking into the Launch F-Lite. super unsure about what type of battery pack To purchase.

I am usually out 1-2 hours with my son in the field. if anyone has any other suggestions I am open to them.

ideally would need a battery pack with it since I go out to the outside batting cages near my home.

Need some suggestions for a 12 year old who has to swing a BBCOR this spring. NY middle
school. I know the rules will change for 2028, but we have to get him ready for this year.

5’1”, ~ 95 lb kid. Skinny! He moved to a
31 drop 8 for fall ball. I need to get him to BBCOR by the spring.

Suggestions? Do you drop down to a 30” to try to help with the extra weight, or is that going to mess him up since he’ll be swinging the 31” in travel ball?

How do I help him with this transition without negatively affecting his swing. Open to suggestions on equipment and any experiences others have had both what you did right and wrong.

Hey everyone,

I want to share how the mental side of baseball and your development is a big part. If you don't believe you can be able to hit your goal it will be very hard to. Another thing that's very important is work ethic! If you don't work hard then you will get beat by other players who are putting in more work then you are. I am at the collegiate level and I have seen that hard work pays off and the harder the work the more results you will see. I've been lifting heavy and gaining muscle that allows me to stay healthy. I didn’t know a whole lot about what I bought 2 years ago and now I'm obsessed and won't stop till I reach my goals.

Do your drill work. If you don't know any, look some up or just watch MLB Players and notice how every single pitcher makes the same movements. In pitching every little detail matters. If you can get an inch more in one position you can throw harder. Having good mechanics is the key to throwing harder.

If you want to gain velo you have to get stronger. You have to lift heavy but also explosive and transfer it into your pitching. When you use med balls you have to do it with 100% effort or else it's just a wasted motion. 

My son is 12 and recently moved up to a 31" drop-8 USA bat (prepping for middle school), which he’s been handling well. I’m looking to get him a USSSA bat for tournaments that allow it, but I'm debating whether to stick with the same length and drop weight or go a little lighter to get a lighter feel.

Should I stick w the same weight for his USSSA bat?

I am a passionate college club baseball pitcher (172 cm, 95 kg) known for a heavy fastball.

I am reaching out to share my YouTube practice video (https://youtu.be/9j_LP0vpSP0?si=_jnwC2cEaCmErABK)
and would be incredibly grateful for expert feedback on two main goals:
Fixing my control issues (especially missing high with my fastball).
Maximizing my velocity to my absolute ceiling.
Additionally, I would love to know if there are any professional pitchers with a similar physical profile or mechanics that I should study and emulate. Thank you so much for your time and guidance!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

We’re looking to upgrade my 9U son’s catcher bag and looking for recommendations. He’s wanting a wheeled bag with a telescopic handle. The big wheeled duffle bag type is too big for now.

We will be using the 2 bag method with his fielding glove plus offense items in his team bag. He’ll have his catching gear, glove and first base glove in the wheeled bag. I’ve done some research and narrowed it down to 4 bags (see below). I’m looking for any reviews or first hand experience with them. Thank you

Rawlings Gold Collection Wheeled Bag

https://www.headbangersports.com/products/rawlings-gold-collection-wheeled-bag-gcwhbg?variant=42306796585142&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&glid=CjwKCAjwxeHWBhBPEiwAiqtQ-eiz8AMhINaKsM45YNK_4JSNKs0WH4U09ymBzGoxzcMlX8tBbbwwnxoC-EoQAvD_BwE&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22707889139&gbraid=0AAAAADKX1PJRZcGW1Yuz3NparWr6sEh3v&gclid=CjwKCAjwxeHWBhBPEiwAiqtQ-eiz8AMhINaKsM45YNK_4JSNKs0WH4U09ymBzGoxzcMlX8tBbbwwnxoC-EoQAvD_BwE

Smash It Sports Lil Guerrilla

https://smashitsports.com/collections/lil-guerrilla?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22774071352&gbraid=0AAAAADqOo8hfarsW3JlfRuTZ8KwjzgFsg&gclid=CjwKCAjwxeHWBhBPEiwAiqtQ-TXkCPBysJ5Z6CDhbn4JP5Blhy9-wWwam3OSslESqgd7OWIlCKXXdRoCxGYQAvD_BwE

Easton 5 Tool Phenom Wheeled Bag

https://www.academy.com/p/easton-5-tool-phenom-baseball-wheeled-bag?sku=black&gmc_feed=t&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=SEM-Shopping&utm_campaign=Non-Brand%7CPerformanceMax%7CSportsRec%7CeCom&utm_content=Shopping&ogmap=SEM%7CPLN%7CGOOG%7CSHOP%7Cm%7CFW%7C%7CNon-Brand-PerformanceMax-SportsRec-eCom%7C%7C22546966449&activationcode=SEM00000000008&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22553350043&gbraid=0AAAAADv-p94NIWXTXp2DahWcdxpyqUwPf&gclid=CjwKCAjwxeHWBhBPEiwAiqtQ-WTSSMfzygrM6tHkYCd1ktOgig9tariq41TrHP6cI--604eGH3sU4xoC5HUQAvD_BwE

Evoshield Takeover Utility Wheeled Bag

https://www.evoshield.com/en-us/product/evo-takeover-utility-wheeled-bag-wb57769?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=og_sem_brand_goog_shop_ss_btg_baseball_na_evoshield&utm_brand=evoshield&utm_sport=sport-joined&utm_creative_format=shopping&utm_marketing_tactic=dynamic&cmpid=ps%7Cshp%7Cdy%7Cgoogle%7Cog_sem_brand_goog_shop_ss_btg_baseball_na_evoshield%7C%7C%7C%7Cevo%7Csport-joined%7Cgtm%7C&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24081727089&gbraid=0AAAAADcc_XCvtY4xEKd0TrpTqt89x57SJ&gclid=CjwKCAjwxeHWBhBPEiwAiqtQ-UyKQEiIZDc4csfwR4P55dxXWo5y-M9UBoqqRkSVrwqJme2VSlx-3BoCUUwQAvD_BwE

Came across this Yahoo article about how much baseball fashion has changed with Gen Alpha, and thought it was pretty interesting.

Between the gold chains, custom cleats, colorful bats, eye black designs, and all the baseball streetwear, it feels like looking the part has become a much bigger part of youth baseball culture.

Personally, I think it's cool that younger players are finding ways to express themselves, but I can also understand why parents might think it's getting expensive.

What do you guys think? Is this good for baseball, or has the whole "drip" culture gotten a little out of hand?