If You Have a Boy Child...Teach Him Baseball!

I have been blessed with two wonderful girls who have blossomed into quite delightful and accomplished young women.

But it would've been kinda nice to have had a boy as well. Among other pleasures, it would have enabled me to exercise some theories when it comes to properly introducing my son to the art and science of baseball. Besides the inherent joy of playing this wonderful game, if my son had the requisite natural talent and proper coaching to aspire to the game's highest levels, it would make for quite a career.

Some quick research indicates that the average major league salary today is about $3.2 million a year. Since the average major league career lasts 5.6 years, a person would have a nice nest egg by his early 30s. Of course NBA players average over $5 million a year for careers lasting an average of 5 years, but since my genes would never produce a giant, that route would seem impractical. Plus there are fewer NBA spots open than in the MLB, and the international competition is brutal

And football is out of the question, since it pays a measly $1.9 million a year for an average career of just 3 years. Plus, you're a basket case and a physical wreck by the time the NFL has used you up.

So back to baseball. So learning based on the coaching and nurturing mistakes made during my nascent baseball upbringing in the late 60s and early 70s, here's how I'd get my son started:

• Get a bat in his hands by the age of 3 and teach him to hit from both sides of the plate. Never let him learn his natural hitting side. My baseball career was on the ropes the first time I faced a good lefty curve ball (I batted left handed). A switch hitter never has to face a pitcher with a curve ball that breaks away and it gives the coach more flexibility when putting together a line-up, resulting in more playing time for switch hitters.
• If right-handed, teach him to play every position, including catcher. At the very least, hit him a million ground balls at shortstop and second base and a million fly balls to center field. Players who can play the middle positions (catcher, SS, 2nd base) are more valuable for their gloves and lessens the need to become power hitters, which is a rare gift as opposed to something that can be taught. 
• If left-handed, teach him to play first base and the outfield. Also teach him to pitch. Every team needs lefty pitchers because they are a rare breed. Even if he doesn't have a blinding fastball, teaching him a variety of breaking pitches and changing speeds will enable him to get even the best hitters out.
• Teach him to hit line drives to all fields using a short, quick and even stroke. Pull hitters are worthless unless they can hit with power. Line drive hitters hit for high average, drive in a lot of runs and, once their mechanics are fully developed and they start filling out physically, they can add power to their repertoire down the road. Think Don Mattingly and Mike Trout.
• Have him play all sports. I don't believe in club teams and travel teams since it focuses on and wears down specific muscle groups. Your son will develop better overall athletic skills if he plays baseball only during baseball season and plays basketball, tennis, cross country, hockey, etc. during the appropriate seasons. I would recommend against football, given the risks to life and limb. Once out of high school and the potential is there, then maybe baseball becomes a year-round vocation.
• Finally, practice, practice, practice. One positive thing I did growing up was throwing a golf ball against a concrete wall and fielding the crazy ricochets blasting back at me. It made my reflexes lightning quick and enabled me to handle any hot smashes coming my way at first base. Also, the best batting practice in the world is hitting off a tee. It's more difficult than you think. The only way to make solid contact is with a perfectly level swing, which is the key to good hitting merchanics.

This piece is running long, but I have a lot more. Let me know if you're interested.