Tips for Little League Coaches

Teach a Little-Leaguer to Bat without Getting Hurt

By: Amy Breckin

Gloucester Township Little League coach Bill Staines Jr. has been coaching boys’ baseball for close to 20 years. He has produced three videos dedicated to teaching children how to play the game of baseball. His team, the Phillies, have won five championships over the course of his 20-season tenure as coach.

With all of this experience, Coach Staines says that there is one issue that plagues him every season. The most difficult task in coaching, he says, “Trying to teach the kids how to hit without having them hit me. Sometimes you need to protect yourself, if you know what I mean.”

The Phillies little league baseball team consists of boys around the ages of nine or ten. This age is difficult in baseball because the kids are now playing with real bats and balls, and the days of hitting off of a tee are over. Basically, coach Staines says that this fact can get a little scary. He says, “We try to make them understand the importance of safety, and we only let one kid have one bat at a time. You always have to have your eyes open because you never know what can happen when you are dealing with kids. I’ve gone to practice dressed in football pads, a helmet, and a cup. Sometimes you get some wild swingers.” Coach Staines has several tips for those future little league coaches out there.

How to teach a little-leaguer to bat (Tips from Coach Staines):

1. Keep your eye on the bat at all times, these kids love to swing.

2. Stay behind the batter at all times.

3. Don’t get distracted. Teach discipline, this is a game, but it can be
dangerous.

4. Hold the bat with the child, and help them learn how to swing through the
pitch.

5. Show them how to stand; posture is vital to a good swing in order to make
contact.

6. Have an experienced coach pitch to the kids, so that they can gain
confidence by hitting.

7. Teach the child the art of dropping the bat after a hit. (Most kids forget
to leave the bat)

8. Show the kids how to have their hands around the bat, but make sure that
they feel comfortable. Having them choke up on the bat is a good idea,
until they feel confident in their swing.

9. Show the child what to look for while batting. Teach them the strike zone.

10. Most importantly, have fun with the kids. Teach them a few dugout chants!

Coach Staines and his Phillies will be taking part in the annual Gloucester Township baseball parade this Saturday. It will be the usual route, around Lincoln Drive in Glen Oaks. So, how does the team look this year? Coach Staines says, “They look good. We’ve followed my list of ten tips and I’ve molded some strong hitters this year.” The Phillies will be hosting the Cherry Hill Strikers this weekend. And the Phillies new chant that they will be screaming from the dugout, “Rally, rally, the pitcher’s name is Sally.” Ah, an oldie, but a goodie.