How to Set Up a Baseball Clinic for Kids

Baseball is a demanding sport with a lot of different skills that must be practiced and honed to master the sport. Setting up a baseball clinic for kids will give them the chance to practice each of these skills one at a time before putting them all together out on the field in a real game. Whether practicing for their very first game or honing their skills before the Little League World Series, young baseball players can benefit from basic skills practice.

Things You'll Need

  • Large, open space
  • Baseball bats
  • Baseballs
  • Batting helmets
  • Baseball mitts
  • Bases
  • Cones
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up each area of your space as a station to work on a different skill. Label the areas with signs so kids know what skill they are practicing, as well as which other stations they will be visiting. Some stations can include baserunning, batting, fielding and catching.

    • 2

      Practice the importance of looking at the coach for a signal at the baserunning station. Set up two bases and line children up behind "first base." Show children the pre-determined signals for run and steal. Have a coach give a signal to each child in line. With younger players, you can teach how to overrun first base or how to stop if you are on second or third base. With older players, baserunning drills can include lessons on how to slide safely.

    • 3

      Set up a batting drill in a batting cage or open outfield. Allow one child to bat each time, while the rest of the waiting batters can retrieve balls. Give each player five pitches each, more if you don't have a lot of other children waiting. Give pointers on adjusting stance and swing after each pitch and help the child make adjustments. Go through the rotation twice, making note whether the child adjusted the swing or stance and giving more pointers.

    • 4

      Set up the ground ball station in the grassy outfield. Line up the children with a partner and toss ground balls to each other. As another drill, line up the children and let a coach toss ground balls. Be sure to explain the importance of calling "mine!" before attacking a ground ball. Allow the player to throw the ball back to the coach before tossing the next grounder.

    • 5

      Gather all the players in the outfield for a catching and fielding exercise. Get a coach to hit high fly balls into the outfield and explain the importance of calling for the ball before attempting to catch it. Explain that it is equally important to back away from someone who has called for the ball as it is to catch it. Allow the caller to catch the ball and throw it to a waiting shortstop before hitting the next high fly ball.