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Isaac Hess
Baseball Coach & Instructor
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Q&A Comments (35)
Co-authored Articles (33)
How to
Play Baseball
Baseball is one of America's most beloved and iconic sports out there. For those new to the game, the rules can seem confusing and complicated. But once you understand how to set up the field, how to play offense, and ho...
How to
Mark a Baseball Scorecard
Keeping score at a baseball game can be a great way to stay involved in the game and keep track of everything that happens. It is also a useful skill to have if you are a coach, player, or parent of a child on a baseball...
How to
Throw Wiffle Ball Pitches
A Wiffle ball is a plastic ball featuring 8 holes on 1 side and no holes on the other side. The way you angle these holes will impact how the ball flies and curves on its way to the batter. Each pitcher does things a lit...
How to Improve Your Reflexes and Reaction Speed
Get faster reflexes with these simple exercises Having good reflexes aids performance in sports, exercise, and everyday physical activities like crossing the street or driving. We’ve put together a list of mental and p...
How to
Test Your Grip Strength
Grip strength is a measure of how strong the muscles in your hands, wrist, and forearms are. Together, these muscle groups can help you hold on to something and keep it stable (like a dumbbell or weight bar). Grip stren...
How to
Break in a New Baseball Glove
Learn how to steam a baseball glove at homeA new baseball glove can feel stiff and clumsy. It can even make it difficult to play the game. You can always wait for your glove to break in naturally, but that can take a ver...
How to
Swing a Baseball Bat
The pros on ESPN might make it look easy, but in reality baseball is a difficult sport that requires a lot of conditioning, muscle memory, and hand-eye coordination. However, beginning with the correct batting technique ...
How to
Calculate ERA (Earned Run Average)
ERA (Earned Run Average) is the average number of earned runs a pitcher has allowed per every 9 innings he pitches. This is one of the most useful calculations in baseball, as it shows the pitcher's overall effectiveness...
The Ultimate Glossary of Baseball Slang, Terms & Jargon
Talk baseball like a pro with these iconic slang wordsFans, players, and commentators have developed their own lingo for baseball. It can sound like they’re speaking in a completely different language, but luckily, we...
How to
Make a Baseball Bat
Creating your baseball bat lets you have a more personal connection with the game. Handmade bats can also be great keepsakes to pass on from generation to generation. Using a wood turning lathe, you can craft a durable b...
How to Throw Baseball Pitches
Learn different grips and pitches to elevate your game Baseball is one of the most beloved American pastimes. However, you can still learn to pitch no matter where you are located in the world! Learning how to pitch prop...
How to
Hit a Baseball
Hitting a baseball is one of the most challenging tasks in sports, even when it’s pitched in the same manner again and again by a batting machine. Even more challenging is when you have to face a live pitcher who might...
How to Throw a Baseball the Right Way: Step-By-Step Instructions
Improve your aim, distance, and strength with these tipsPlaying baseball is incredibly fun and rewarding, but in order to perfect your game, you must perfect your throw. Take the following steps to get your throwing mech...
How to
Calculate a Batting Average
Batting average has been one of baseball's "big three" statistics for decades, along with runs batted in (RBI) and home runs. Fans of the more recent "sabermetrics" approach to baseball statistics criticize batting avera...
How to
Pitch in Slow‐Pitch Softball
Although it might seem easier to pitch slowly, the slow-pitch can be difficult to master. However, pitching this way is a requirement for slow-pitch softball leagues. Practice your underhand throwing technique, and then ...
How to
Calculate Slugging Percentage
While batting average counts a home run the same as a single, slugging percentage takes into account the actual number of bases scored. Despite the name, this statistic is actually an average, not a percentage. A player ...
How to
Build a Pitchers Mound
A regulation pitcher's mound is a raised section in the middle of a baseball diamond where a pitcher stands to throw a pitch. A pitcher's mound is typically made of clay, sand, and dirt. Measure the distances carefully t...
How to
Throw a Baseball Harder
For any baseball pitcher, learning how to throw a baseball faster will greatly increase your effectiveness. While increasing your pitching velocity is not the only quality necessary for a great pitcher, it is one of the...
How to
Perform a Baseball Slide
Sliding is an essential component of baserunning in nearly all levels of baseball. This maneuver can help a runner avoid a tag, prevent one from overrunning a base, and avoid collision or injury from an errant throw. A w...
How to
Throw a Baseball Farther
Proper throwing mechanics are the most important element when it comes to how hard or far you can throw a baseball. Use your front elbow to aim at your target, keep your throwing elbow bent at 90-degree angle, and rotate...
