Did you know that baseball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world? It is estimated that around 10 million children worldwide play the sport, with more than 3 million children actively playing in the Little League.
Baseball is a sport that adults and children can enjoy together. Are you looking to start playing baseball but aren’t sure where to begin? Read on below for a complete guide on how to get started in the game of baseball!
Love for the Glove
Whether you see yourself as a batter or pitcher, playing baseball for beginners all starts with a love for the glove. A glove will be the first bit of equipment that you buy and is a single piece of equipment that you need in every context of the game.
Above the price and quality of the glove, you first consider how the glove fits. A badly fitted glove will be horrible to learn in and lead you to get the basics all wrong. When buying a glove, you should buy one that fits now and not try to grow into the glove. Not sure about the best gloves to try out? Take a look over here!
First, Practice Catching
As you would expect, there is a vast difference between catching with your hand and catching with a glove. It is important after you’ve bought your glove that you spend many hours catching with it before you enter the field of play.
You will get used to the feel of it and you will be able to improve your catching technique. Catching requires you to use your weaker arm, which at first feels strange. Before long, with many hours of practice, it will become second nature to you.
Playing Baseball Early On
At the beginning of your career, you don’t want to commit to a position and specialize in it too early. Instead, keep your options open and try the many positions on the field.
You might find later on that you enjoy batting more than pitching, or even that you are a better batsman than pitcher. Likewise, for your position in the outfield, try them all out and see which one you prefer the most.
Forget About the Mistakes
Even Hall of Famers make mistakes from time to time, and so will you. Learning from those mistakes is important to becoming a better ball player. Listen to your coach and other players around you. Much of the advice you get will help you with how to play baseball better.
Don’t let the mistakes drag you down, as you will lose all confidence in yourself and not enjoy the game fully. It’s important to get over the mistake for the next game and carry on in this fashion.
Play One of the World’s Greatest Sports
Without a doubt playing baseball will be the smartest decision you’ve ever made. Whether you are good or bad it doesn’t matter, you will improve and love the game even more. You never know how far you could make it.
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