Fox Point / East Side Little League: Major League Sunday Clinics
Tuesday, April 22Major League Sunday Clinics
East Side Little League is pleased to announce this season's Sunday
Practice program. Beginning Sunday April 27 from 2:00-3:30 and
continuing every Sunday of the season we will be hosting practices for
all members of the Major Leagues. These practices will be designed to
focus on a particular skill set each week. If time permits and numbers
allow we may have a short scrimmage following the practice, but the
focus of the day will be practicing specific skills. Below is a
schedule of the practices and a brief description of the focus of each
practice. Each practice will be staffed by managers and coaches from
all four major league teams.
Hitting - This practice will begin with an introduction to the philosophy
of hitting, followed by a question and answer session with the players.
We will focus on the grip of the bat, the correct swing plane,
situational hitting, and bunting. We will make extensive use of the two
batting cages, hit it sticks, batting tees, wooden bats and other
related instructional hitting equipment.
Base running - This practice will focus on how to read coaching signs,
correctly leaving the bag, stealing bases, tagging up on fly balls to
the outfield, sliding properly, and running the bases intelligently and
aggressively. We will address base running in a variety of situations
including foul balls, stealing home, rounding second base, advancement
opportunities, and the ever so famous infield fly rule.
Infielding - This practice will address the fundamentals of fielding a
ground ball regardless of position on the field. We will focus on
footwork, soft and quick hands, and turning the body to provide an
optimum throwing posture. We will also work on fielding each specific
infield position, turning double plays and receiving cut off throws from
the outfield.
Outfielding - This practice will focus on the proper way to approach, set
up for and catch a fly ball. We will also address the issues of
footwork, body position and throwing to a cut off man. We will work on
the proper way to field a line drive as well as groundballs to the
outfield. Backing up infielders will also be discussed and practiced.
Pitching and catching- One half of the practice will involve pitchers
focusing on fielding the position. How to take ground balls, pop ups
backing up infielders and base coverage, including home plate, will be
discussed. While pitchers are doing this, catchers will be working on
various techniques for catching and receiving the pitch, blocking
pitches in the dirt, and the art of catching pop ups behind the plate.
Footwork, body position and the use of the catching equipment will be
addressed. The other half of the practice will focus on pitching and
catching mechanics. Pitchers will be paired with catchers to work on
the intricacies of pitching and the thought process involved.