Beckum Stapleton Little League

Player Training & Skill Development Guide (Ages 4–18)**
A complete development roadmap for baseball & softball.

This guide outlines the core skills, recommended drills, and practice focuses for each age group.
All drills listed are common enough that you can “copy-paste” them into YouTube and find reliable demonstrations.

AGES 4–6 | Introduction to the Game (Baseball & Softball)

Main Goal: Fun, basics, comfort with equipment, attention span building.

Core Skills to Develop

• Proper throwing motion (no “shot-putting”)

• Basic catching with two hands

• Learning glove orientation (thumb to the sky, fingers down)

• Simple batting stance and swing path

• Running bases in correct order

• Body coordination & confidence

Recommended Drills (searchable on YouTube)

• “Alligator Catch Drill” (two-hand catching)

• “Tee Work Swing Basics – Youth Baseball”

• “Throwing Progression for Kids – T, L, Throw”

• “Bucket Toss Drill” (soft, safe catches)

• “Ground Ball Roll Drill” (coach rolls ball slowly)

• “Base Running Fun Drill – Home to First”

Practice Tips

• Keep reps extremely short (1–2 minutes each).

• Use soft or foam balls early on.

• Keep it fun—avoid long lectures.

AGES 7–8 | Foundation Phase (Baseball & Softball)

Main Goal: Build real fundamentals with simple consistency.

Core Skills to Develop

• Correct throwing mechanics

• Catching pop-ups & ground balls

• Making contact with the ball consistently

• Beginning to track pitches

• Proper ready position

• Learning defensive assignments (where to throw the ball)

Recommended Drills

• “Four-Corner Throwing Drill”

• “Soft Toss Hitting Drill”

• “Basic Fielding Triangle Drill”

• “Pop Fly Tennis Racket Drill”

• “Footwork Ladder for Kids Baseball”

• “Relay Throws for Beginners”

Practice Tips

• Introduce light competition games (relay races, throwing accuracy contests).

• Continue tee work—most pros still use it.

AGES 9–10 | Skill Building & Position Interest (Baseball & Softball)

Main Goal: Correct technique, stronger hand-eye coordination, consistent defensive mechanics.

Core Skills to Develop

• Sharper infield footwork

• Throwing with accuracy on the move

• Swing path refinement

• Basic pitch recognition (inside/outside, high/low)

• Learning cutoffs & basic team strategy

• Catchers: stance, receiving, blocking basics

Recommended Drills

• “Ground Ball Reps – Right, Left, Charge”

• “Shuffle & Throw Drill”

• “One-Hand Top Hand Batting Drill”

• “Front Toss Batting Drill”

• “Backhand & Forehand Glove Work Drill”

• “Basic Catcher Blocking Drill”

Practice Tips

• Start encouraging kids to try multiple positions.

• Introduce situational drills with runners on base.

AGES 11–12 | Advanced Fundamentals (Baseball & Softball)

Main Goal: Improve strength, game IQ, and consistent technique under pressure.

Core Skills to Develop

• Infield rhythm (catch → transfer → throw)

• Outfield crow-hop and proper routes

• Stronger, faster swings

• Sliding technique

• Base-stealing basics (softball: leading rules vary)

• Catcher: quick transfers, improved blocking, simple framing

Recommended Drills

• “Infield Rhythm Drill – Catch/Transfer/Throw”

• “Crow Hop Outfield Drill”

• “Pitch Recognition Drills for Youth”

• “Two Tee Drill for Swing Path”

• “Cutoff & Relay Drill”

• “Catcher Receiving & Framing Basics”

Practice Tips

• Begin conditioning (bodyweight only): planks, squats, lunges.

• Teach players to read the field and anticipate plays.

AGES 13–14 | Competitive Development (Baseball & Softball)

Main Goal: Strength, consistency, mechanics under game speed, and position specialization.

Core Skills to Develop

• Advanced footwork (double-play turns, angles)

• Bat speed development

• Gap-to-gap hitting approach

• Outfield tracking + drop-step mastery

• Pitchers: consistent mechanics, balance, and accuracy

• Softball hitters: timing inside/outside pitches, load efficiency

Recommended Drills

• “Double Play Footwork Drill – Short to Second to First”

• “Long Toss Throwing Routine”

• “High-Level Tee Work – Inside/Outside Tee Drill”

• “Outfield Drop Step & Route Drill”

• “Pitcher Balance Drill (Post & Pivot)”

• “Softball Fastpitch Load Mechanics Drill”

Practice Tips

• Increase reps with real game pressure.

• Introduce mental skills training (focus, confidence cues).

AGES 15–18 | High School Preparation Phase (Baseball & Softball)

Main Goal: High-level mechanics, strength, game intelligence, and advanced positional mastery.

Core Skills to Develop

• Efficient, repeatable swing mechanics

• Elite footwork (infield angles, outfield routes)

• Understanding pitch sequence & approach

• Leadership and communication

• Strength and conditioning

• Softball pitchers: spin, control, and consistency

• Baseball pitchers: off-speed development, command

Recommended Drills

• “Advanced Tee Drills – High Tee, Low Tee, Outside/In”

• “Hit Trajectory & Launch Angle Basics (Controlled)”

• “Agility Ladder + Reaction Drills”

• “Pitcher Flat-Ground Mechanics Drill”

• “Softball Fastpitch Spin Drills – Wrist, Peel, Roll Over”

• “Infield Angle & Timing Drill – Approach Steps”

Practice Tips

• Strength training should follow safe, age-appropriate programming.

• Video analysis becomes useful at this stage (many free apps exist).

• Encourage players to lead warm-ups and take ownership.

UNIVERSAL DRILLS FOR ALL AGES

These drills apply to every player and can be found easily on YouTube.

• Tee Work (Baseball & Softball)

• Soft Toss

• Wall Ball Glove Work

• Throwing Progression – Wrist → Elbow → Full Throw

• Ground Ball Fundamentals

• Pop Fly Tracking Drills

• Running Mechanics for Baseball/Softball