Fantasy Baseball Articles

Article / Updated 03-28-2023

Since the 1980s, fantasy baseball has become a popular way to interact with the baseball games you watch and love. With fantasy baseball leagues popping up all over the place, you may be asking yourself what the point of this game is, and how to join a league to get in on the action. To play fantasy baseball you first must understand the basics of fantasy sports and the whole reason behind joining a league. Fantasy baseball basics Fantasy baseball can be played in many different ways, which can determine how you score players and how the winner of the league is selected. The most common variation of playing fantasy baseball is called Rotisserie. In this version, each person in the league compiles a team of real players; the players are scored by category; and the person with the highest cumulative point totals at the end of the season wins. The categories for scoring points are as follows: Team batting average (total number of hits divided by total number of at-bats) Team earned run average (total number of earned runs times 9 and then divided by total innings) Total home runs Total runs scored Total saves Total stolen bases Total strikeouts Total team WHIPs (total number of walks allowed by pitcher divided by total innings) Total wins This configuration is the most common and is known as a “5x5 fantasy baseball league,” referencing the five hitting stats and five pitching stats that are used for scoring. Some leagues adopt more or less scoring categories depending on the complexity of the league. Keep in mind that some leagues score weekly as opposed to a cumulative end-of-season scoring schedule. If you are in a league that scores weekly, you have more chances for your team to win, in either specific categories or as a whole. New twists on the game have emerged, including versions such as: Daily fantasy baseball. You choose your team from players that are playing on that particular game day, and total the points at the end of the day to choose the victor. This version is a great way to learn how to play a whole season without getting too invested in both time and money. Head-to-head. You pit your whole team against another person’s team and score your points for the week. The person with the most points wins, but instead of winning in each category — like with the standard rotisserie style rules — you receive just one win for the week. Round-robin. This scenario follows the entire season, scoring your wins and losses, and the winner is determined by which team has the best win/loss record for the season. Single-elimination. A set number of teams play a single-elimination tournament to decide the victor. For instance, if your team at any point loses, you are done and out of the tournament. If the team wins, you move on to the next match, and so on until a team wins the season and cashes in. Another popular feature included in most fantasy baseball leagues is the ability to trade players. Trading can be done in one of two ways. Your league can choose to include a trading floor where all players can trade together and all trades are done in public. You league can opt to allow trades privately between different team owners. This version often causes conflict within the league, and usually results in an impartial judge (non-league member) determining whether or not the trades are fair. The reason you might want to trade players can be complex. Some people trade players to get rid of a bad player. Others trade a group of bad or mediocre players for one really good player. Often when trading players or creating a roster from scratch, each team is restricted by a salary cap. Each player is assigned a salary; if you select all top-notch players, you will exceed your salary cap. This rule keeps the better players more evenly distributed among league members to prevent one team from having all the higher ranked players. Why join a fantasy baseball league? Now that you have a generalized grasp on how the game works, you can find a fantasy baseball league that follows the rules by which you want to play. Many league options are available online, and more personal games can be found at your local watering hole or a friend’s man-cave. Approach playing fantasy baseball with the goal of finding new friends who love baseball as much as you do. Of course, you also might have the opportunity to win a nice chunk of change!

Step by Step / Updated 03-27-2016

If you are a big fantasy baseball fan and are looking to join the world of online fantasy sports, then look no further. The following list contains the top five fantasy baseball sites according to site layout, up-to-date statistics, outside advice and help, and team management options.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Stealing third base is generally easier than stealing second. You can take a bigger lead at second than at first without drawing many throws. If your timing is good, you can also take off from second before the pitcher actually releases the ball. Pitchers generally find it more difficult to pick runners off second than at first; the timing between the pitcher and his fielder must be precise. To catch you at second, either the second baseman or the shortstop has to cover or cheat (lean) toward the bag; this leaning opens up a hole for the batter. Alert coaches let you know when the fielders are sneaking in on you. The potential to steal third depends on the batter at the plate. If a right-handed hitter is at-bat, you have an advantage because the catcher must throw over or around him to get the ball to third. But never try to steal third with a lefty at the plate, unless you get such a good jump that even a perfect throw cannot beat you. Stealing third isn't a good gamble unless your success rate is 90 percent or better. Because you're already in scoring position at second, getting picked off can devastate your offense. Stealing third when your team is more than two runs behind is foolish. And making the first or last out of an inning at third, whether through an attempted steal or simply by running the bases, is considered a big mistake. The only reason to steal third with fewer than two outs in a close ball game is so that you can score on a fly ball or ground out. However, if you're a proficient base thief, it does makes sense to steal third with two outs; being on third rather than second in that situation offers you nine more opportunities to score. Memorize the following if-you're-on-third-you-can-score-on list and dazzle your friends with your baseball erudition: A balk An infield hit A wild pitch A passed ball A one-base infield error A fielder's choice (where the hitter and any other baserunners are safe) Baserunning interference Catcher's interference A steal of home Home, stolen home Speaking of stealing home, think long and hard about it — the odds are against you. If you must, only attempt to steal home during the late innings of a close, low-scoring ball game with two men out and a weak hitter at the plate. Obviously, home plate is the one base you steal entirely on the pitcher, because the catcher makes no throw on this play. Your best victims are pitchers with unusually slow deliveries or long wind-ups. Having a right-handed batter at the plate when you attempt to steal home provides you with two advantages. First, the hitter obstructs the catcher's view of you at third. Second, if the batter remains in the box until just before you arrive at home, he can prevent the catcher from getting in position for the tag. Delayed, double, and fake steals With the delayed steal, slide-step into your regular lead when the pitcher releases the ball and then count 1-2-3. This should slow your takeoff just long enough to persuade the catcher and infielders that you aren't stealing. Race for second after you count. (You may also first break out of your lead and return to first to camouflage your intentions.) Catchers have no way of knowing who will cover second base on a delayed steal until either the second baseman or shortstop moves toward the bag. If you've caught those two infielders napping and no one covers second, the catcher has to hold onto the ball or risk throwing it into the outfield. Double steals are possible whenever two bases are occupied. With runners on first and second, this play is nothing more than two straight steals occurring simultaneously. With only one out, the catcher will probably try to erase the lead runner heading to third. With two out, he may go after the slower of the two base stealers. With runners on first and third, double steals become more complex. Imagine you are the runner on third. Your teammate on first should break full-out for second as the pitcher delivers the ball. You move down the line toward home. Halt as the catcher receives the pitch. Don't move until the catcher commits to throwing the runner out at second. Be alert in case he fakes a toss to the bag and instead throws to his pitcher, who fires back the ball for a play at the plate. The throw's trajectory should tell you if it is going to second base or to the pitcher — the throw will be higher if it is going all the way to second base, so hesitate long enough to see this. Dash home as soon as the second-base-bound throw leaves the catcher's hand. If you are the runner on first for this play, helping your teammate at third to score is your primary goal. You may break for second while the pitcher is in his set position. Should your movement distract the pitcher, he may balk. In that case, both runners advance one base. Attract a throw to first, and you can force a run-down. While you jockey to elude the tag, the runner on third can score. Fake steals open the infield for the batter at the plate. You can bluff the opposition by taking two and a half quick strides out of your primary lead before coming to a halt. Your movement should draw the infielders out of position, because one of them must cover second base.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Presenting your coaching philosophy to parents makes you an approachable and likeable coach. Let the parents know before the first practice how you're approaching the season and what you want your focus to be. This reduces the chance of having misunderstandings that can sabotage the season and smother the fun. After all, some of your players' parents may be looking at the season from a point of view entirely different from your own. Determining playing time How much time players get in the field accounts for the most disagreements between coaches and parents. Several factors should dictate the amount of playing time kids receive — most notably what type of league you're coaching in and the age of the players. Your job is to explain your process for delegating playing time well in advance of stepping on the field to reduce the chance of problems arising. You can enter the season with a general plan in place regarding playing time, but compiling an outline of how many innings each player will play is impossible. Try to let everyone understand what you're aiming to achieve. Sometimes you have to deliver news that won't go over well with parents. Let them know that you understand the disappointment and that although they may disagree with you, they need to maintain their composure, control their emotions, and accept your decision as the coach. It's your job to determine who plays where and how often kids get into the lineup. Be sure parents know that you're always available to speak to them in private about any decisions you make regarding their child. Having an open-door policy signals that you're willing to do everything possible to work with parents every step of the way. Rotating the rookies Parents who sign up their children for a beginning-level program have a right to expect that the coach will spread out the playing time evenly among the kids on the team. You should reinforce this goal during the preseason meeting. (Of course, some parents may forget your discussion as soon as they see their child taking a turn on the bench.) Let them know that giving kids an equal opportunity to play, have fun, and learn the basics of the game is what the beginning level is all about. Relegating certain kids to the bench or getting them into the game for only an inning or two will quickly drain their interest in the sport. Inform parents that you will carefully track each player's number of innings on the field so that they are evenly distributed as fairly as possible, and that you'll do your best to give kids an equal amount of time at all of the different positions on the field. If you decide to institute a policy that states the kids who regularly attend practice will share the bulk of the playing time — and you should — make sure you explain the policy clearly during your meeting. Fielding the veterans If you're coaching a team that features kids ages 12 and older, your policies on playing time may be much different. At advanced levels, playing time is more often tied directly to ability. Parental eyes are extremely prejudiced, and most parents view their child as the better player when he's competing against another kid for a specific position. Share with your parents that you understand how they feel and that you realize they won't always agree with you. Speak from the heart that delegating playing time is one of the most difficult aspects of your job. Creating your lineup: Who plays where (and why) Some parents, when signing up their youngster to play baseball, are already envisioning where they think he should play in the field. Mom and dad were catchers in their heydays, so Junior should be a catcher, too, right? Naturally, position assignment often doesn't play out as they'd hoped, particularly when half-dozen dads think their sons should be playing shortstop. The pre-season meeting is the time to set the record straight. Where a child plays depends on his age, his interests, and his abilities. It'll be up to you, through your practice observations, to evaluate all of your players, assess their skills, and fit them into the right spots to mold a team together. Let parents know what your plans are for evaluating the kids and that you'll make your decisions based on what's best for the team. If you have a time frame in mind to announce the starters — after the tenth practice, for example — be sure to share it with the parents and kids so they fully understand the process. Emphasizing the importance of model behavior in the stands Sometimes the childish behavior at youth baseball games doesn't take place on the field; it takes place in the stands, with parents as the culprits. Crazy parent behavior may make for entertainment in the movies, but in real life, it only leaves the children embarrassed. Be very clear and straightforward during the meeting about how you expect parents to behave during games and practice. Emphasize that parents need to be models of good sportsmanship before, during, and after games, regardless of who wins or loses or what transpires on the field. Let the parents know that children are easily distracted and don't perform as well — or have nearly as much fun — when faced with negativity from the stands. Make it clear that you won't tolerate the following actions: Yelling at umpires Shouting instructions Arguing with coaches Criticizing players

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Bunting occurs when a batter holds the bat in the hitting zone and, without swinging, lets the ball make contact with it. The idea is to deaden the ball so that the baserunners can advance (or the hitter can get to first base) while the opposing fielders run in to make a play. Anyone may be called upon to bunt at anytime during the season. For example, say you come to bat with the winning run on first and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth inning; in this case, a sacrifice bunt would get the runner into scoring position. Bunts can help win ball games, so everyone who swings a bat should know how to lay down a bunt. Pitchers need to know how to bunt, even if they play in a league that allows designated hitters. Choosing your bunting stance The most commonly used bunting stance is the pivot. Take your normal stance at the plate while waiting for the pitch. As the ball comes to the plate, pivot your upper body toward the pitch while keeping your feet in their stance position (see Figure 1). Figure 1: An ideal bunting stance. The pivot has several advantages: You can flow into a pivot quickly so you maintain an element of surprise. In the event of a fake bunt — where you "show" bunt to pull in the infielders and then swing away to drive the ball past them — the pivot allows you to easily resume a standard batting stance. With a pivot stance, getting out of the path of errant pitches is easier. The squared stance is your other bunting option — and perhaps the best option for players just starting out. Bring your feet parallel to home plate and each other while keeping them shoulder-width apart (see Figure 2). This stance gives you better plate coverage and a longer look at the ball than the pivot, but it also has its drawbacks. Figure 2: The squared-stance bunt. You become more vulnerable to being hit by a pitch, you risk stepping out of the batter's box (in which case the umpire may call you out), and, because you have to get set in this position early, you decrease your chances of surprising the opposition. Whether you pivot or square around to bunt, make sure you drop into a slight crouch and square your shoulders toward the pitcher. Shift your weight forward as you stand on the balls of your feet. Hold the bat handle firmly with your bottom hand so that you can control it, but don't squeeze the handle or you may hit the ball too hard. Slide your top hand up near the bat label. Pinch the barrel with your fingers and thumb, your thumb on top. This action shapes the hand into a U that absorbs any impact when the ball strikes your bat. It also protects your fingers (see Figure 3). Figure 3: Holding the bat for the bunt. Many bunters hold their bats parallel to the ground while waiting for the pitch. Some think it is better to hold the top of the bat barrel slightly higher than the handle. This strategy keeps you on top of the ball, which is where the bunter has to be. If you come up underneath the pitch, you pop it up. If you hit the ball dead center, you produce a soft line drive that can be converted into a double play. Hold the bat near the top of your strike zone so that you know that any pitch over your bat is a ball. This prevents you from offering at high pitches, which are the hardest to bunt. Try to bunt a low pitch. Watch the ball make contact with the bat in front of you and the plate. Give with the ball, don't push it. You should experience the sensation of "catching" the ball with your bat and guiding it to its destination. Let your bottom hand direct the bat's angle. Bunting into a sacrifice With the sacrifice bunt, the bunter advances the base runners while giving up a chance for a base hit. With a runner on first, bunt toward the area between the mound and the first baseman. With a runner on second or runners on first and second, bunt toward the third baseman to bring him off the bag (see Figure 4). Figure 4: Where to place the sacrifice bunt. Running the squeeze play: The squeeze play is a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. If a manager calls for a squeeze play, it's usually during the later innings of a close game with less than two outs. Running the safety squeeze: On a safety squeeze, the runner breaks for home only after you drop your bunt on the infield. If the bunt isn't good, the runner stays at third. As the bunter, your job is to push the ball away from the pitcher and towards first or third base. Running the suicide squeeze: The suicide squeeze is a riskier play. It requires the runner to dash toward home plate as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand — he is coming home no matter what kind of bunt you drop! So you can't take the pitch even if it is out of the strike zone. You must bunt the ball somewhere. Don't be too finicky about placement. With the runner bearing down on home, just bunt the ball to the ground in fair territory, and you drive in a run. Even if you bunt it foul with less than two strikes on you, the worst that can happen is the runner gets sent back to third. If you don't make contact with the ball, the catcher has the runner dead at the plate (which is why it's called the suicide squeeze). Bunting for hits To successfully bunt for a hit, you must catch the opposition unaware. This is where the pivot gives you an advantage: It enables you to deceive the infielders longer than the squared-around stance. To bunt for a hit, you should be in motion as the bat makes contact with the ball. You should also grip the bat a little more firmly than you did for the sacrifice. Left-handed hitters use drag bunts, so named because the bunter appears to drag the ball along the first baseline as he runs toward first. To execute the drag bunt, shift your weight onto your right foot as you pivot and step toward first base. Hold the bat solidly with its head pointed toward third. Don't pull back the bat or the ball will go foul. You should be moving into your second stride as you make contact with the ball. With your running start, you should beat out the bunt, if it stays fair.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Baseball and softball are nearly identical in many respects, but you'll notice a few major differences between the two sports when you begin to compare. You need to know the differences if you're planning to coach beginning-level softball if all your experience has been in baseball — and vice versa. The following list gives you a glimpse at some of the more glaring distinctions: Pitching area: Youth baseball programs, particularly at the advanced levels, feature a pitching mound that the pitcher throws from (the younger levels may call for hitters to hit off a tee or from a ball pitched from their coach). That isn't the case in softball — at any level. The pitcher delivers balls on level ground with the batter. The other major pitching difference is that softball pitchers deliver the ball in an underhand motion; baseball pitchers can throw overhand or even sidearm if they choose. Distance from the pitcher's area to home plate: The game of fast-pitch softball puts a greater emphasis on pitching, because the pitcher throws from a distance much closer to home plate than in baseball. At the beginning levels of youth softball, pitchers generally deliver pitches about 35 feet from home plate. At the higher levels of play, pitchers throw balls from 40 feet. Base paths: The base paths in softball are several feet shorter than those in baseball. When pitchers throw from 35 feet, the bases typically are 55 feet apart; when pitchers deliver balls from 40 feet, the bases usually are 60 feet apart. The smaller base paths in turn create a smaller infield area, which affects the defense of the infielders. Field size: Outfield measurements vary greatly. A common distance from home plate to the outfield fence in softball is 150 feet for the younger kids, while for the older kids it extends to 225 to 250 feet. Size of the ball: A regulation softball is significantly larger than a regulation baseball. A softball measures between 11.88 and 12.13 inches in circumference and weighs between 6.25 and 7.00 ounces; a baseball measures between 9.00 and 9.25 inches in circumference and weighs between 5.00 and 5.25 ounces. Sometimes, leagues for the youngest softball players use smaller and softer softballs, because a girl's hand at the beginning levels of play isn't big enough to grip and throw a regulation softball. Bats: At the youth level, bats used for baseball and softball are interchangeable. At the advanced levels of play, players use softball-specific bats, which come in a variety of different materials, such as graphite, carbon, Kevlar, and liquid metal, to name a few. Many softball programs only allow specific types of bats to be used.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Encountering a shark in the ocean, a rattlesnake in the grass, and an IRS agent at your front door are all terrifying experiences. However, you don't need to add "conducting your first baseball practice" to that list, too. If you've never coached a youth baseball team before, that first practice may weigh on your mind for weeks. Even if you have coached a season, your nerves are likely to be frazzled and excited before you meet your new players. You have a lot at stake when you step on the field to practice for the first time because your first impression sets the tone for the season and provides your kids with a pretty good indication of what's in store. Not to worry, you can get through this nerve-wracking time. Greeting your team for the first time Making a great first impression is oh-so-important when greeting your players for the first practice of the season. Having positive contact with the kids before they even have a chance to earn their first grass stains helps put them at ease. Here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure that your initial greeting goes smoothly: Beat the players to the field. Make sure you're the first one to arrive. Greeting each player and his parents as they arrive sends a positive message that you're enthusiastic about getting started. If you pull up a few minutes before the practice is supposed to start, you give the impression that you're disorganized, too busy, and unprepared for all the responsibilities that coaching entails. Make everyone feel comfortable. As soon as the kids climb out of the cars and make their way to the field, welcome them with a friendly smile and hello. You don't want a child to stand off to the side, wondering whether he's at the right field or if anyone will talk to him or even say hello. Chitchat. You should begin establishing bonds right away. If time allows, talk briefly with each child to find out a little bit more about him. Ask him how long he's been playing baseball, what team he played for last season, and what positions he has played in the past. Taking a genuine interest in your players — which they'll recognize and appreciate — is the foundation for forging special relationships with them — one of the benefits of both playing and coaching organized baseball. Introducing everyone Formally introduce yourself and any assistant coaches you have at the start of practice once everyone has arrived. The introduction helps to alleviate your players' anxiety and makes them more comfortable. You can do it in the infield or gather the kids in the dugout, whatever is most comfortable for you. During your intro, share some quick tidbits about yourself, including the following: Whether you prefer being called "Coach," "Coach Brad," or any other moniker. (Feel free to use any funny nickname you may have that will get a chuckle out of the kids.) How long you've coached and where. Details about your coaching and playing background. If you have a child on the team. Your favorite major league team or player. After the coach introductions, you can have each child stand up and introduce himself to the rest of the team. Ask him to relay his name, age, and favorite team. Keep the player introductions short and to the point. Some kids are going to be overly shy, and the last thing you want to do is traumatize them before the practice has even begun. Choosing the skills to focus on first Before the first practice arrives, you should have a plan in place for which drills you want to begin with and how those drills will lead into the more intensive practices to come. If you're coaching a beginning-level team, chances are many of your kids have never played baseball before — or any other type of organized sport for that matter. Because of the somewhat complex nature of the game — from the fundamentals of batting to the art of playing the infield and outfield — your best bet is to ease your players into the first practice by picking out some basic drills to focus on first. Using the first couple practices of the season to cover some of the most fundamental skills — such as batting stances and proper glove positions for grounders and pop ups — establishes a solid foundation that you can build on without overwhelming your players in the process. If you're coaching players with a little more experience, you can utilize the first week of practices to refresh your players on some of the basics. Use the first couple practices to really evaluate your players and your team's strengths and weaknesses. For example, you can cover the most basic elements quickly, but you should move on to more advanced techniques, such as executing bunts to move runners into scoring position, hitting the cutoff man, and turning double plays, among others, almost immediately.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

All great base stealers have a love of larceny. They derive joy from picking the opposing team's pockets, especially in pressure situations. To excel as a base thief, you have to be cocky. When you get to first base, your body language and demeanor should announce, "I am stealing and there is nothing anyone can do to stop me!" You have to embrace the role of intimidator. Stealing a lot of bases with your team far ahead or behind doesn't mark you as a great thief. Far more valuable are the runners like Tony Womack (see Figure 1), who ignite their offenses by stealing in the early innings or during the late portions of a close game. Figure 1: Premier base stealer Tony Womack. A good base thief should be successful on at least 75 percent of his stolen base attempts. If your percentage is below that, your attempts are probably hurting your team. Reading the pitcher Ninety percent of all stolen bases come off the pitcher rather than the catcher. If you waited until the pitch reached home plate before you tried to steal, you would be thrown out 95 percent of the time. However, if you get a good jump as the pitcher delivers the ball, a catcher can do little to get you out, even if you aren't blessed with exceptional speed. Base runners should study the opposing pitcher the moment he takes the mound: See if he has two distinct motions: one when he throws home and another when he tosses the ball to first to hold a runner on. Watch the pitcher throw to the plate from the stretch; note what body parts he moves first. See whether he does anything different when he throws to first base. See if he sets his feet differently on his pick-off move. Try to detect any quirk that can reveal the pitcher's intentions. Ironically, good pitchers are often the easiest to steal on. Erratic pitchers typically use different release points from pitch to pitch (which is why they are erratic). You never know when they are going to let go of the ball. But the better pitchers have purer mechanics. They establish a rhythm and stick to it. Pedro Martinez, the American League Cy Young Award winner in 1999 and 2000, does the same thing to get to his release point on nearly every pitch. So a runner may be able to spot some clue in his motion when he plans to throw to first base. After you have a pitcher's pattern down, take off for second the moment he moves toward his release point. He might indicate this with a hand gesture or some slight leg motion. Even a pitcher's eyes can fall into a pattern. Many pitchers take a quick glance toward first before throwing home; when they don't sneak a look toward you, they are throwing to your base. You can also figure out pitchers by observing their body language. Watch the pitcher's rear leg. If it moves off the rubber, the throw is coming toward you. To throw to the plate, every pitcher must close either his hip or his front shoulder. He must also bend his rear knee while rocking onto his back foot. After the pitcher does any of these things, the rules state he can no longer throw to your base. You should immediately break for the next bag. If the pitcher breaks his motion to throw toward any base, the umpire should call a balk, which allows you and any other baserunners to advance. If you are on first base, left-handed pitchers are traditionally harder to steal on than right-handers because the lefty looks directly at you when he assumes the set position. However, this also means you are looking directly at him so he is easier to read — if you know what to look for. Scrutinize his glove, the ball, and his motion. If a southpaw tilts back his upper body, he is probably throwing to first; a turning of the shoulder to the right usually precedes a pitch to the plate. When he bends his rear leg, he is most likely preparing to push off toward home. When a righty is on the mound, observe his right heel and shoulder. He cannot pitch unless his right foot touches the pitching rubber. Throwing to first requires him to pivot on that foot. If he lifts his right heel, get back to the bag. An open right shoulder also indicates a throw to first. Lead — and runs will follow Base thieves can choose between a walking lead and a stationary lead. Lou Brock, the former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, used a walking lead. Brock was faster than most players, but he wasn't especially quick out of his first few steps (most taller players find it difficult to accelerate from a dead stop). He would walk two or three small steps to gain momentum before taking off toward second base. If you require a few steps to accelerate, this is the lead for you. A walking lead does, however, have one disadvantage: A good pitcher can stop you from moving by simply holding the ball. If you continue to stroll, the pitcher can pick you off. For that reason, some prefer the stationary lead, when a batter takes a few strides off first base then stands still while the pitcher prepares to throw. The pitcher can still hold the ball, but the batter is not budging until the pitcher makes his first move to the plate. Whichever baserunning lead you choose, use the same one whether you are stealing a base or not. Set up the same way on every lead. You don't want to telegraph your intentions to the pitcher. He's watching you for clues as closely as you are watching him.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Referees whistle most nonfoul violations against the offensive team. Here's a quick overview of the types of nonfoul violations that a referee can call: Goaltending: A referee calls goaltending when a defensive player illegally interferes with a shot. If the defensive player touches the ball as it makes its downward path to the basket, touches the ball while it is on the rim, or touches the rim or net itself as the ball is being shot, the offensive team receives the basket. Kicking: A defensive player may not kick the ball as a means of deflecting a pass. On any kicked ball violation in pro ball, the offense retains possession of the ball, but the shot clock continues running. In college, the shot clock is reset. Most coaches encourage this defensive tactic even though it violates the rules, because it forces the opponent to reset its offense. Offensive nonfoul violations result in a loss of possession. Such violations are listed as turnovers, and almost all result from the player mishandling the ball. For that reason, most coaches put a premium on having a reliable point guard who commits as few of these violations as possible. The team that turns over the ball the most usually loses. Mistakes such as these cause coaches' hair to turn gray. A few of the more grating violations include the following: Traveling: Any time a player possessing the ball is not dribbling, he must keep one foot (known as his pivot foot) planted on the floor. He may move the other foot in any direction and as many times as he desires. After a player establishes a pivot foot, he may not move it, or the referee whistles him for traveling. Double dribbling: A double dribble occurs when a player either dribbles the ball with two hands at the same time or dribbles the ball, stops, and then resumes his dribble (known as picking up his dribble). Carrying or palming: A player dribbling the ball may not bring her palm under the ball when it reaches its apex off the dribble. Always keep your palms facing the floor when dribbling the ball. Palming became an area of emphasis with the NBA in the late 1990s. Young, fast point guards, such as Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers and Stephon Marbury of the New Jersey Nets, would freeze their defenders by palming the ball in the middle of a dribble. The move was almost like being able to stop your dribble and then restart it. In the 1999-2000 season, referees became much more vigilant about whistling this violation. (Now if they would only call traveling violations.) Three seconds: No part of an offensive player may remain in the free throw lane for more than three consecutive seconds unless the ball is being shot. If the shot hits the rim, the player standing in the lane gets a new three seconds. Thus if you happen to be camping out in the lane for two seconds and the shot hits the rim, you may remain in the lane for another three seconds. After a player steps out of the lane, the count resets, and she can re-enter the lane for another three seconds. A player can go in and out of the lane as often as she likes. For your own sake, treat the three-second lane as if you were swimming in the ocean: If you suspect you have ventured too far offshore, you probably have. Swim back to shore. (That is, jump out of the lane — quick!) Lane violation: This rule applies to both offense and defense. When a player attempts a free throw, none of the players lined up along the free throw lane may enter the lane until the ball leaves the shooter's hands. If a defensive player jumps into the lane early, the shooter receives another shot if his shot misses. An offensive player entering the lane too early nullifies the shot if it is made. Finally, not a violation but a good rule to know: Out of bounds: When the ball touches the floor outside the borders of the court (or on the borders themselves), the referee awards the ball to the team that did not touch the ball last. The plane of the borders (sidelines and endlines) does not constitute out of bounds, but rather the ground itself does. Thus if the ball is flying out of bounds and a player jumps from inbounds and tosses it back inbounds before any part of his body touches the out-of-bounds floor, the ball is still alive. As Dennis Rodman learned by sailing into a photographer, be careful where you hurtle yourself. The landing is not always soft.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

With runners on base, after the pitcher goes into his wind-up or makes any movement associated with delivering the ball to home plate, the pitcher must not interrupt his motion or the umpire can call a balk. A balk occurs when a pitcher tries to catch a runner off base with a pick-off throw after he has started his delivery to the batter. To avoid balking, a pitcher standing on the rubber cannot raise either foot from the ground toward home plate unless he is starting his delivery. The umpire also calls a balk if the pitcher drops the ball while trying to deliver a pitch. A balk does not occur if the pitcher is in his set position when he throws to a base. Deceptiveness is one of the keys to an effective pick-off throw. However, you can't be so deceptive that the umpire calls you for a balk. You can, however, avoid balking while attempting a pick-off at first by doing the following: When you are in the set position, take the sign from your catcher with your foot on the rubber and your hands visibly separated. After you have your sign, bring your hands together and pause one full second before going into your delivery. If you swing your striding foot past the rear portion of the pitching rubber, you must deliver a pitch. Move only your head while in the set position. If you shrug your shoulders or move your legs or hands, the umpire can nail you for a balk. If you make any motion toward a base, throw to it. You must complete any movement you start without interruption until you are in the set position. Always step directly toward the bag you are throwing to. You may step and fake a throw to second or third, but you cannot fake a throw to first without first stepping off the rubber. If you want to move out of the set position without incurring a balk, step off the rubber. Never make a pitching motion unless you have the ball. Don't drop the ball during your delivery. "It may sound funny, but don't even scratch your nose or wipe your mouth when you are on the rubber with a runner on first. I've seen guys called for balks for doing just those things. You're concentrating so hard on the hitter, something itches, and you just do the natural thing. Just make sure you step off the rubber first." — Bill "Spaceman" Lee, former Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos pitcher