Mark Teixeira’s Offseason Baseball Tips for Kids

Patch recently asked to give us his best advice on honing baseball skills in the offseason.

What are three things I can do to become a better fielder?
1. Make sure you know what to do if the ball is hit to you. Are there runners on base? How many outs are there? What is the score of the game? All of these factors decide where you will throw the ball when it is hit to you.
2. Your feet and legs are very important: Make sure you are doing plenty of footwork, speed and agility drills. This will put you in the best possible position to catch and throw the ball.
3. Practice every possible situation: Don't just field ground balls or fly balls. Turn double plays, field slow rollers, barehanded plays, balls near the fence and any other play that could occur during a game.

What are three things I can do to become a better hitter?
1. The tee is not just for little kids: Hitting off of a tee is the drill that I do the most. It keeps the ball still and allows you to concentrate on the correct mechanics over and over again. Muscle memory is best built using the tee.
2. Be patient: It is very important to swing at good pitches. It doesn't matter how talented you are; you must swing at strikes to be successful.
3. Take your "best" swing every time: Make sure to swing hard and follow through. Many players are not successful hitters because they cut their swing short and do not get the most speed and power out of their swing.

How can I stay in shape during the offseason?
Play, play, play: When I was a kid, I swam, played tennis, baseball, basketball, soccer, and was basically outside all day long. Strength and athletic ability are developed at a young age by playing many different sports and being active all year long. When the sun is out, turn off the television, computer and video games!

Do you have a kid who wants to play baseball this fall? Here are two local options for your little-leaguer to enjoy some "fall ball."

Deale Shorebirds fall baseball:

The Deale Dawgs will be offering a high school eligible baseball team at the JV and varsity levels. Practice begins in August at the end of the summer season. Games begin in September and is geared for incoming high school athletes all the way through first-year college players.

Registration continues through Aug. 31. For a 20-game season, the fee is $180, plus $40 for a new uniform and ball cap. Follow this link to register.

Those interested should contact Coach Gibson at deale.dawgsbaseball@gmail.com or cagibson12@msn.com. The Deale Shorebirds are a feeder organization for Southern High sports.

RBI Baseball:

RBI Baseball has a two-division, wooden bat fall league for JV and varsity-level players for athletes 19 and younger. Featuring a 20-game season, all registration fees are due Aug. 15 and payments must be received, as well.

RBI also is offering a wooden bat league.

The season runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 4. Registration and season fees come to $250. Money should be paid electronically at RBIplaybaseball.com via credit card or PayPal. Those interested can also call 443-838-8640.