Essential Skills Kids Learn From Baseball
Baseball ranks second among the top five organized sports for kids. Baseball is more than just a game. It’s a valuable learning tool. The skills and life lessons that players learn while playing can be used throughout their lives.
Consider these 10 essential skills baseball instills in kids:
How Youth Baseball Instills Teamwork and Communication
Baseball is a great sport for teaching teamwork skills. Each player on the field needs to be able to communicate and work together to make plays.
The catcher and pitcher need to know what pitches are going to be thrown, and they need to be able to signal each other. The infielders also need good communication skills. They need to know where each other are playing so they can cover more ground. When there is a hit, they need to be able to decide who is going to get the ball and what base to throw it to for the next out.
The outfielders need to be able to call for the ball and know where they are supposed to be playing.
All these communication skills come into play when a team is trying to win a game. If everyone can work together, they are much more likely to be successful.
Kids Baseball Helps Develop Motor Skills and Hand-Eye Coordination
Baseball is a great way for children to develop motor skills. Baseball involves throwing, catching, batting, and running. These motor skills are essential for everyday life. In fact, research published by the National Institutes of Health shows that physical activity that involves a range of motor skills promotes cognitive development, especially in children between the ages of 4-6.
The throwing needed in baseball helps children learn to control their movements. Catching and batting teach children to react quickly and accurately while boosting hand-eye coordination.
Youth Baseball Teaches Agility and Strength
Baseball is a sport that develops agility and strength. Players need to be able to move quickly to catch fly balls or tag out runners. They also need to be strong enough to swing the bat and hit the ball. Baseball players often work on their agility and strength during batting practice or conditioning drills. They may also use weights or resistance bands to increase their strength.
Kids Who Play Baseball Develop Focus and Attention
Baseball is a great way to improve focus and attention. It teaches players how to keep their eye on the ball and follow through with their swings. It also requires that players are aware of what their team needs during each play. Players must always be ready to dash for the ball or get ready to catch and throw.
Players must be able to focus on the game to make good, strategic decisions. They need to be able to pay attention for long periods of time because baseball is a slower sport than most. This takes concentration and practice.
Youth Baseball Teaches Kids Discipline
Baseball is a great way to teach young players discipline. Commitment to practicing with the team and on their own will produce results. The game’s rules and structure help to instill a sense of order while its focus on practice and hard work teaches players the importance of dedication.
By learning these important life skills at an early age, they will be better prepared to handle the challenges that come their way later in life.
Kids Baseball Shows Children How to Handle Disappointment
Baseball is a challenging game that can teach young players how to handle disappointment and keep trying. When they strike out, or make an error, they learn how to deal with the frustration and move on. This can help them in other areas of life, where they may experience disappointment.
Kids Develop Perseverance Through Baseball
Baseball can also teach young players how to work hard and stay focused on their goals. If they don’t achieve their goal the first time, they can keep trying until they succeed. This perseverance can help them in many different areas of life.
Baseball Helps Teach Kids Patience
Baseball is a great sport for teaching young players patience. There are many things that can happen during a game, and it often takes a long time for the outcome to be determined. Players must learn how to wait for their opportunity and then take advantage of it when it comes. This can be a difficult skill to learn, but it is very important in life.
Baseball is a game that moves slowly. There are many innings in a game, and each one can take a long time to play out. Baseball can be a lot like chess, where players need to plan their next move. They often have to be two steps ahead mentally before a play takes place. They have to know where the next out is, where they need to be if the ball doesn’t come to them, and where they need to be if the play suddenly changes because the runner takes a chance at stealing. This helps kids learn how to plan and prepare for tasks ahead of time.
Youth Baseball Also Helps Develop Social Skills
There are several different social skills that children acquire playing baseball. These skills include teamwork and communication which we’ve already discussed, as well as confidence and cooperation.
Children learn how to believe in themselves and grow their confidence as they see their hard work pay off during a game or practice. They learn how to communicate with different personalities as they cooperate with their teammates and coaches toward a common goal.
These essential social skills help kids succeed both on and off the baseball field, changing their lives in many positive ways. These skills also translate into the home environment as well, knitting families closer together.
Sign Up for Youth Baseball
Do you have a child that is interested in picking up the sport of baseball? Contact the coaches at i9 Sports® to learn more about our coaches, baseball programs near you, and more! You’ll quickly see for yourself that baseball is more than just a game!
