This article covers youth baseball pitching 101. We have a hybrid kid pitch ruleset in Major division this year with kid pitching. Review our FAQ for the latest about how we will approach kid and equipment requirements including helmets with facemasks.

Warm-up

It’s important to get loose and warm-up:

4 Seam Grip

We are throwing fastballs only. Here is a quick 4 seam grip to throw straighter.

How to Throw

Before trying pitching make sure your kid(s) can throw. Here is one video on very basics:

How to Pitch

Your team’s coach will teach kids how to pitch, but here is a quick video to help reinforce what they learn.

At rookie and t-ball level the goal is coaching basic baseball fundamentals. There are two sets of drills you can start with from Little League University for Rookie or T-Ball Player. First are these T-Ball Drills. Next, is “The Basics” series posted below.

Whether you are a coach or a parent, both of these will create a good baseline for your kids. Also check our our articles on running a practice and managing a game to learn more about coaching basic baseball fundamentals.

Baserunning

Throwing

Fielding Ground Ball

Hitting

Catching

How to Play Baseball Rules

We provide a few bats per team, but some kids like to bring their own bats. Some things to consider so your child doesn’t choose something that is not a fit for them. This is from Dick’s Sporting Goods Bat Buying Guide.

Choosing right weight

So to keep things simple, just try this test to make sure the bat isn’t too heavy.

To determine if a bat is too heavy, here’s one simple trick. Hold the bat handle and extend your arm away from your side. If you can’t hold the bat extended for 30-45 seconds, the bat might be too heavy for you.

Choosing right length

1. Place the bottom of the bat in the center of your chest, pointing it to the side, parallel to your outstretched arm. If you can comfortably reach the top of the bat with your fingertips, the bat is the right length.	2. Position the bottom of the bat in the center of your chest, facing outward. If your arm can reach out and grab the barrel of the bat, then it is the correct length.	3. Stand the bat up against the side of your leg. If the end of the bat reaches the center of your palm when you reach down, it’s the appropriate length.

Basics of Hitting

Each team will coach hitting their way, but if you are working on hitting from home here is a simple tutorial to get started: