Hitting: Flex stance requires studying
When using the flex stance, the key to making it work starts with knowing when to be flexible. You can use all three stances — the standard stance, which is medium open with your front foot 8-12 ...
Tips from the pros: Josh Reddick on outfield defense
Outfield defense is often undervalued, but the Red Sox know just how important it is. Josh Reddick is a prime example, as the 24-year-old rookie has earned playing time not just because he can swing the ...
Rod Carew on hitting: Standing in the batter's box
Like many aspects in the art and science of hitting, where you take your stance in the batter’s box offers as many opinions as there are fans in the ballpark. But, wherever you choose to stand in ...
Hitting: Good stance begins with feet
Throughout my career, and even since the conclusion of my playing days, people always took notice of my unique batting stance. My stance actually came about because of Nolan Ryan, the great Hall of Fame ...
Tips from the pros: Jeremy Hazelbaker on baserunning
Base running and base stealing are important facets of the game, and Portland Sea Dogs outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker has them down to a science. The 23-year-old speedster was named the 2010 Red Sox Minor ...
Tips from the Pros: 'Be able to throw from different angles'
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the June 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal. Infield defense and versatility are important, which is why 22-year-old Ryan Dent is a big-league ...
Hitting tips: Your stance is your foundation
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the June 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal. John Wooden once said, “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” The late, great basketball ...
Tips from the pros: 'Location is more important than velocity'
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the May 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal. Stephen Fife understands his craft. Currently in the starting rotation for the Double-A Portland ...
Hitting success starts with the grip
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the May 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal. For decades upon decades, from Ty Cobb to Mickey Mantle to Tony Gwynn to Miguel Cabrera, Major ...
On hitting: Perfect practice makes perfect
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the April 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal. Hitting, indeed, is fun. But becoming a good hitter is never easy. In fact, it’s laughable ...
10 important keys to good hitting
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal. In the 44 years since I debuted in Major League Baseball, I’ve watched thousands of ...
Solving traffic jams on the basepaths
If two runners are caught on the same base, the trailing runner is called out.
Revisiting runner interference
In my last column I covered the general provisions of the batter-runner interference rule relating to the runner’s box (Pro 6.05-k; NCAA 7-11-p; NFHS 8-4-1-8). In this edition I’ll review ...
Interference and the 45-foot box
The batter-runner interference rule continues to be a source of confusion for umpires, coaches and players.
The baseline rule is poorly written
From this corner, the most poorly written rule in the game of baseball is the baseline rule. A well-coached runner can be taught how to take advantage of a rule that has more holes than Swiss cheese and ...
When to catch it - and drop it
Knowing the rules can help infielders pick up double or triple plays by letting a bunted or batted ball fall to the ground untouched.
The Infield Fly rule can be tough to follow
The Infield Fly rule can be tough to follow at times, even for Major Leaguers.
