Youth & Play

American Legion, Babe Ruth and PONY Baseball

A parent's guide to three youth baseball organizations beyond Little League: American Legion, Babe Ruth League and PONY, with how they differ, where players fit and what to check before signing up.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 10 min read

Baseball Cleats, Helmets and Protective Gear

A practical guide to choosing and fitting baseball cleats, batting helmets, catcher's gear and other protective equipment, with what to check in league rules and when to replace gear.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 11 min read

Baseball Drills You Can Do in the Backyard

Fifteen simple drills for throwing, hitting, fielding and running that work in a small yard with cheap equipment, plus safety rules, a weekly plan and advice on adjusting for age.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 10 min read

A Parent's Guide to Youth Baseball

Practical advice for baseball parents: what your role is, what to say after games, how to deal with coaches and umpires, equipment and arm-care basics, and how to think about travel ball and the road to high school and college.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 11 min read

Baserunning Fundamentals for Young Players

A coaching-style guide to baserunning for young players: running out a hit, rounding bases, leads, steals, tagging up and reading the ball, with simple drills and the safety points that matter.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 13 min read

Coaching T-Ball and Coach-Pitch

A practical guide for first-time volunteer coaches of young players: how T-ball and coach-pitch differ, how to plan a short practice, teach the basics, run game days and keep kids safe and happy.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 10 min read

Girls in Baseball: Paths Through Youth Ball

A practical history and guide for girls who want to play baseball: how Little League opened its doors, how the youth ladder works, when the baseball-or-softball choice arrives, and where girls-only and national-team options exist.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 10 min read

High School Baseball and the Road to College

A practical guide to college baseball recruiting for high school players and parents: the divisions, scholarships, the timeline by grade, what coaches look for and how to contact them.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 10 min read

Hitting Fundamentals for Young Players

A plain guide to teaching a young hitter the basics: grip, stance, load, swing path and contact, with simple drills, common faults and safe practice habits for parents and coaches.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 12 min read

How to Bunt: Sacrifice, Drag and Squeeze Bunts

A step-by-step guide to the three kinds of bunt: the sacrifice, the drag or push bunt for a hit and the squeeze play. It covers grip, stance, bat angle, placement, signals, safety and the mistakes players make most often.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 11 min read

How to Keep Score at a Youth Game

A step-by-step guide for parents and volunteers: set up a scorebook, learn the position numbers and the common symbols, follow a worked inning, handle judgment calls and check your math.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 11 min read

How to Play First Base and Third Base

The skills behind the two corner infield positions: footwork and receiving at first, reaction time and the long throw at third, plus positioning, cutoffs, bunts, drills and the common mistakes young players make.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 13 min read

How to Play the Outfield: Reads, Routes and Throws

A skills guide to outfield play for young players and coaches: reading the ball off the bat, drop steps and routes, catching, calling for the ball, handling grounders, throwing to the right base and practicing safely.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 12 min read

How to Play Shortstop and Second Base

A practical guide to playing shortstop and second base: the ready position, fielding and throwing, turning the double play, covering bases, relays and the communication that holds a middle infield together.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 11 min read

How to Slide Safely: Feet-First and Head-First

A coaching guide to sliding in baseball: when to slide, how the bent-leg, hook and head-first slides work, how to teach them in stages, and the safety habits that keep young players from avoidable injuries.

4Baseball Staff · Nov 5, 2026 · 10 min read

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