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Instructional Books and Videos

Baseball Direct brings you an comprehensive selection of instructional books, video and software that you can use to improve your performance as a player or a coach. The more you know and the more you do, the more you'll enjoy the game.

With more than 40 products to choose among, we've organized this page by general skills. In each section, you'll find books and videos focused on specific areas of the game. Some books may cover more than one topic, and these will be grouped according to their main focus. Some items are parts of sets. Please see the Collections section for an overview of each.

[ Comprehensive | Hitting & Baserunning | Pitching | Fielding | Conditioning | Coaching | Officiating | Collections ]

Officiating

Officiating Baseball

Based on National Federation of State High School Associations rules, this book covers officiating procedures and responsibilities, plate and field umpire mechanics, and rules application. Learn pre-game and post-game duties and equipment and safety regulations.
Paperback. 160 pages.
#1440 $15.95

Comprehensive

MLB Superstars Show You Their Game

Some of the biggest names in baseball share the secrets to their success in this insightful and entertaining DVD. You'll see the daily workout regimens that enabled Roger Clemens and Steve Finley to be successful into their forties. Tom Glavine, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson teach you the art of control pitching. Pudge Rodriguez and Cal Ripken Jr. provide fielding tips while Tony Gwynn, Larry Walker and Alex Rodriguez offer advice on hitting. Hosted by Jennie Finch.
47 mins.
#1421 $24.95


Baseball Skills & Drills

Expert instruction from top college coaches and drills to improve performance in every facet of the game. This comprehensive program includes the following segments: Hitting and Baserunning with Texas A&M's Mark Johnson; Pitching and Catching with Florida's Pat McMahon; and Fielding with Clemson's Jack Leggett.
120 mins.
#1232 $49.95

Play Ball! Official Rules & Regulations

Dusty Baker guides ballplayers through the basic rules and regulations of Little League Baseball, including equipment, scoring, age groups, and conduct. Also features the history of Little League Baseball, narrated by Vin Scully.
30 mins.
#1215 $19.95


Play Baseball the Ripken Way

Cal and Bill Ripken's instructional book clearly explains proper baseball fundamentals-hitting, fielding, baserunning, pitching and much more. The ultimate guide to playing the game, based on the teaching of Cal Ripken Sr.
Hardcover. 228 pages.
#1073 $24.95 Sale Price: $21.95 (Save 12%)


Good as Gold, by Frank White with Matt Fulks

Eight-time Gold Glove second baseman White stresses his fundamental approach to every aspect of baseball—defense, hitting, baserunning and throwing. There are also chapters on conditioning and the mental side of the game.
Paperback. 162 pages.
#1060 $19.95 Sale Price: $15.95 (Save 20%)


Backyard Baseball Drills

Coach Marty Schupak's video includes over 30 fun drills that can be done in one's own backyard. For beginners as young as 4. Also includes advanced drills for ages 8-14.
#1036 $19.95


The Baseball Drill Book, Bob Bennett, Editor

Seventeen top college coaches present 198 drills proven to improve individual and team performance. The drills cover all the bases: conditioning and warm-up, throwing and catching, baserunning and sliding, hitting and bunting, pitching, fielding, and offensive and defensive tactics.
Paperback. 309 pages.
#1035 $19.95


The Baseball Handbook, by Bernie Walter. Forward by Denny Neagle.

This comprehensive guide is your one-stop source for expert advice on offense, defense, pitching, baserunning, and special situations. The book is packed full of photos, diagrams, and advanced strategies to show you the way to greater success on the field.
Softcover. 241 pages.
#862 $19.95


Baseball Skills & Drills, by Mark Johnson, et. al.

Presented by the American Baseball Coaches Associate (ABCA), this book is both an instructional guide and a practice tool for coaches and players at all levels. Master all the fundamentals through this book's expert instruction, photos and drills. Written by Pat McMahon of Mississippi State, Mark Johnson of Texas A&M, and Jack Leggett from Clemson University, and developed in cooperation with the ABCA. Use Baseball Skills & Drills to develop winning fundamentals.
Paperback. 227 pages.
#857 $18.95 Sale Price: $15.95 (Save 16%)


Baseball Strategies

Every aspect of baseball strategy is addressed in this book written for coaches and players. Developed by the American Baseball Coaches Association, the book contains the collective wisdom of 18 top coaches, including several who have won national championships.
Softcover. 347 pages.
#873 $24.95


The Mental Game of Baseball

A must for any player or coach who wants to play the game right and smart. Theory and applications are illustrated by anecdotes and insights from major and minor league players, who at some point discovered the importance of mastering their inner game to achieve peak performance.
Softcover. 340 pages.
#869 $19.95

[ Comprehensive | Hitting & Baserunning | Pitching | Fielding | Conditioning | Coaching | Officiating | Collections ]

Conditioning and Training


Complete Conditioning For Baseball

Train like the pros and top college players! This comprehensive training program will help you hit, throw and run like an all-star. It features 85 exercises and drills, 10 training workouts, and 4 sample 12-week training programs. Lots of photos and diagrams make it clear how to succeed.
Paperback. 195 Pages
#828 $15.95

[ Comprehensive | Hitting & Baserunning | Pitching | Fielding | Conditioning | Coaching | Officiating | Collections ]

Coaching

Gold Glove Baseball

Solid defense begins before the first pitch is thrown. From player placement to situational awareness, the nuances of superior fielding are vast and varied. That's why the American Baseball Coaches Association's top defensive minds have compiled Gold Glove Baseball. An all-star lineup of coaches provides in-depth instruction, special insights, and practice drills on every aspect of defensive play.
Paperback. 249 pages.
#1624 $19.95


Coaching Baseball Successfully

Build a winning program on the field and off. One of the nation’s top high school coaches, Mike Curran, shares his expertise on all aspects of coaching. From establishing a coaching philosophy to player development to in-game decision making, this is the approach that has made his program a perennial national powerhouse. Includes dozens of drills, practice plans, and advice for handling off-the-field challenges. Foreward by Rod Carew. Paperback. 191 pages.
Paperback. 191 pages.
#1623 $19.95


Coaching Pitchers, by Joe "Spanky" McFarland

How can you improve pitching mechanics? When should pitchers hold runners and pitch from the stretch? What are the keys to developing pitcher-catcher chemistry? This book by James Madison?s head baseball coach has the answers to these questions and every other aspect of the pitching position.
Softcover. 191 pages.
#872 $19.95


Weaver on Strategy, by Earl Weaver with Terry Pluto

Earl Weaver led the Orioles to four pennants and one World Series title in 17 years of managing. In this book, Weaver explains some of his more unusual tactics, outlines his approach to the game, and offers tips on everything from when to pull your starting pitcher to when and how to argue with umpires.
Paperback. 196 pages.
#867 $17.95


Coaching Youth Baseball

New Third Edition! This book just gets better. If you're thinking about coaching youth baseball, or have just started, this book might be just what you're looking for. More than drills and strategies, it offers ideas on all aspects of coaching kids, from ways to build a team to suggestions for dealing with critical parents in the stands. No matter how long you've been involved, there's bound to be something good in this book for you. A great resource for building your coaching skills.
Paperback. 143 pages.
#833 $14.95


Maximizing Baseball Practice, by John Winkin

Maximizing Baseball Practice will help you field the most competitive team possible. You'll find everything you need to set priorities and plan practices, improve player skills, and develop teamwork. Learn from the master, John Winkin, who has racked up more than 900 wins by preparing his teams for optimal game performance even when practice conditions were far from ideal. Fifty nine illustrated drills and more than 160 photos show you how.
Softcover. 130 pg. B&W photos.
#849 $17.95 Sale Price: $14.95 (Save 17%)


Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way

Cal and Bill Ripken learned to play baseball the right way, in large part thanks to the lessons learned from their father, Cal Ripken Sr. Those lessons, paired with their combined 33 years of big league experience, helped develop the Ripken Way, a method of teaching the game through simple instruction, solid explanations, and encouragement. In this book, Cal and Bill share this approach to coaching and development. Includes more than 50 drills, practice plans, advice on communicating with parents and players, and methods for creating a positive and fun environment.
243 pages. Paperback.
#1587 $16.95 Sale Price: $13.95 (Save 18%)


The 59 Minute Baseball Practice

This innovative video was made to help coaches and parents run a productive, efficient youth baseball practice in just under an hour. Coach Marty Shupak has drawn on his 12 years of experience to develop a highly effective practice routine. Learn over 30 easy and productive drills, how to practice without a field and much more.
#868 $24.95


Tee-Ball Basics and Information

A comprehensive overview of the game: it's origins, recommended rules of play, equipment needed, playing field specifications, and how to make the game fun for all. The 35-minute video is designed for administrators, coaches, and parents.
VHS 35 min.
#1061 $29.95 Sale Price: $24.95 (Save 17%)


Coaching Tee-Ball Teams

Learn how to organize practice sessions and view over 30 drills and games that instill proper fundamentals. This 30-minute video shows how to strike a balance between instruction and fun.
VHS 30 min.
#1062 $29.95

[ Comprehensive | Hitting & Baserunning | Pitching | Fielding | Conditioning | Coaching | Officiating | Collections ]

Collections


Baseball The Ripken Way Collection

Bill Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr. have developed a method of baseball instruction based on their combined 33 years of big league experience and the teachings of their father, Cal Ripken Sr. An essential instructional tool for coaches, parents and youth baseball players. 3-DVD set includes videos on hitting, pitching and defense.

This collection includes the following three titles:
- Baseball the Ripken Way: Hitting
- Baseball the Ripken Way: Pitching
- Baseball the Ripken Way: Defense

#1563 $59.85
Sale Price: $49.95
(Save 17%)


Play Ball! Training Pack

This four-DVD collection gives the Little Leaguer all the basic skills, drills and techniques to improve his game and better understand the rules of Little League Baseball. Includes DVDs on hitting, pitching, fielding, and rules & regulations. Expert advice from Dusty Baker, Rex Hudler, Bud Black and Reggie Smith.
150 mins., 4 DVD's
#1216 $59.95


Baseball, Skills & Drills (complete set)

This disc includes all six videos in the Baseball Skills and Drills series: The Fundamentals of Hitting, The Fundamentals of Pitching, Coaching Psychology, The Fundamentals of Baserunning, The Fundamentals of Fielding, and Defensive Skills by Position.
Over 5 hours.
#1039 $79.95


Set of Three ABCA Videos

These videos, produced by the American Baseball Coaches Association, are the most complete instructional resources of their kind for coaches and players at the summer youth league, high school, and collegiate levels. Each tape presents key techniques for improved execution, a selection of drills for mastering the primary skills and special coaching insights.
3 tapes, each 40 min. VHS
#854 $64.95

[ Comprehensive | Hitting & Baserunning | Pitching | Fielding | Conditioning | Coaching | Officiating | Collections ]


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