How to Win a Baseball Game

Co-authored by Isaac Hess

Last Updated: June 3, 2021 References

Winning a baseball game is not always easy. However, you can use certain tactics to help you win. You can also improve certain aspects of your team, such as speed, hitting, pitching, and defense, you are more likely to win games. Another important aspect of winning baseball games is building up team spirit, as a team that plays better together will win more games.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Using Specific Strategies to Win Games

1
Strive to get the first out in every inning. Getting the first out stops the other team from gaining momentum. Additionally, it's harder for the other team to get runs once they have on out on the board.^{[1]
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2
Always throw to the next base. That is, when a runner is rounding the bases, always toss the ball to the base in front of the runner. Throwing ahead makes it easier to get the runner out.^{[2]
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3
Wait for the right moment to reach third. Coaches and players know that they should only run to third base on the first and last out if they know they can make it easily. It's not worth running if they aren't sure they can make it.^{[3]
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4
Check the outfielders' positions before running. While it's important to check with the base coach and to look at the number of outs, it's also important for the players to note where outfielders are playing. That way, they know when to run when the ball is hit. If it's hit between outfielders, it's time to run hard.^{[4]
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5
Make sure first is covered. When a ball is hit to right field, make sure your first basemen knows to be on the base. If she's not there, your team could be missing out on too many outs.^{[5]
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6
Play full out. When balls are going towards outfield, players should be attempting to stop them in the infield by hitting them down with their gloves. It's much easier to get an out if the ball is stopped in the infield.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using Speed to Win Games

1
Increase players' speed. Increasing speed is important, because the faster that players run the bases, the more runs they'll score. One way to increase players' speed is through strength-training exercises.^{[7]
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- Try squats. With your legs set apart and toes pointed outward, lower yourself towards the floor. You should stop when your thighs are parallel to the ground. Stand back up and repeat. This exercise builds up leg muscles.^{[8]
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- Try hill sprints. On a slight incline, run up the hill, increasing speed in short bursts. Slow down between bursts. These exercises build up speed over time, as well as strengthen muscles.^{[9]
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2
Use fast runners to steal bases. The player should start by leading off the base.
- That is, the player should start moving off the bag as the pitcher is getting ready to throw.
- Once the pitcher starts throwing, the player should start running to the next base. The idea is to make it to the base before the catcher has a chance to throw the runner out.
- If the player goes too far, he or she can be picked off, meaning the pitcher can throw to the baseman before pitching and get the player out.
3
Increase speed to beat out infield hits. With a good defense, the other team can easily get a player out with an infield hit. However, faster runners are more likely to get on base or advance to the next base.
4
Encourage runners to score from first or second. By picking up speed, runners are more likely to be able to score from these bases, increasing your chances of winning.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Encouraging Good Hitting

1
Teach rotational hitting. Rotational hitting involves putting your whole body behind a swing, as opposed to linear hitting, which focuses on the upper body.
- In rotational hitting, the batter moves the bat with his or her body, rather than ahead of the hips.
- Additionally, the swing of a rotational hitter starts low and moves high. On the other hand, the swing of a linear hitter starts high and moves low.
- Rotational hitters hit the ball right in the center. Linear hitters often hit the bottom of the ball, creating backspin.
2
Encourage positivity. Be positive, and encourage a player to do his or her best. Similarly, teach your players to think positively about their hitting. For instance, help them learn how to visualize a positive outcome as they step up to the plate.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Isaac Hess
Baseball Coach & Instructor
Expert Interview. 20 March 2020.} These types of visualizations can help your players swing and hit better, as confidence boosts ability.^{[11]
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3
Use bunts. Sometimes, the best way to score or to advance a runner is for a player to bunt. Bunting is when the ball is hit lightly into the infield so that the pitcher or infield players must run in to pick it up, giving a player time to advance on base.
- To bunt, the player should grip the bat with the bottom hand as normal but move up the other hand towards the middle. Hold the bat out over the plate, and essentially, allow it do the work by letting the ball hit it as it comes over the plate.^{[12]
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4
Try hit-and-runs. Hit-and-runs are when a base runner takes off from the base as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. Obviously, the batter must hit the ball in some way for this to work. Nonetheless, it can make it easier for the runner to advance and get closer to scoring.^{[13]
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5
Know the pitcher. If possible, study the pitcher prior to the game. By knowing what types of pitches are likely to come across the plate, you can better prepare your players to hit the ball well and win the game.^{[14]
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6
Teach your players to analyze from the dugout. That is, even if you don't have advanced knowledge of the pitcher, your players can learn about the pitcher before they step up to the plate.
- Look at speed, what types of pitches they're throwing, how their special pitches move, and what side of the plate they're pitching from. All of these can help your players be better prepared when they step up to the plate.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Creating a Great Defense

1
Be solid down the middle. As many balls go down the middle of the field, you need especially solid defense in that area, particularly your catcher, center fielder, your shortstop, and second baseman.
- The catcher is especially important. The catcher will help throw people out on base, catch balls to get people out at home, and even call pitches. Your catcher needs to be steady and consistent.
2
Know the other team's batters. If possible, study how the other team's players bat. For instance, maybe one player always pulls to the left or right. If so, you can compensate by shifting your players that direction, making it easier to field a hit.^{[15]
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3
Know your pitchers. Certain pitches will lead to certain kinds of hits, such as ground balls. If you're pitcher is inclined to create a certain type of hit, you can adjust your defensive strategy to match.^{[16]
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4
Teach your players to communicate. When balls come flying between two fielders, teach them to call who's going to get the ball so you don't have collisions.
5
Try defensive drills. For instance, set all of the players in the outfield, and use a ball thrower at home plate. Designate base runners, then play out different scenarios to help your players prepare for games.^{[17]
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Isaac Hess
Baseball Coach & Instructor
Expert Interview. 20 March 2020.}^{[18]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Building Up Solid Pitchers

1
Throw strikes. Though a bit obvious, you need pitchers that can throw strikes consistently. That means staying in the strike zone, while still throwing pitches that batters have a hard time hitting.
2
Help your pitcher build up pitches. Most great pitchers have a variety of pitches to throw, from curve balls to change-ups. A variety of pitches will help keep the other team from getting hits as often.^{[19]
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- For instance, a fastball followed by a much slower pitch can confuse batters.^{[20]
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3
Know the other team's batters. By studying what kinds of pitches the other batters can and cannot hit, you can help the pitcher know what pitches to throw to what batter.^{[21]
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4
Find an ace pitcher. An ace pitcher can turn things around for your team, especially if you've been losing for a period of time. Ace pitchers can help you win tournaments.
- The most important trait of an ace pitcher is consistency. Your ace should be able to throw great pitches on a regular basis, even if he or she does not have as fast a pitch as other pitchers.
5
Have back-up. Every pitcher has to be taken out of the game sometime. You need good relief pitchers and closers who can follow up for your star pitchers and help win the game.
6
Try finding left-handed pitchers. Because so few pitchers throw left-handed, having one pitch on your team can sometimes bewilder batters, working to your advantage.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Encouraging Team Spirit

1
Spend time together. One of the best ways to create team spirit is to go out of town together. For instance, you can sign your team up for an out-of-town tournament. Being together for an extended period of time helps build up team togetherness.^{[22]
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- Team spirit is important because a team that gets to know each other off the field will play better on the field.
2
Set rules for the team about respect. That is, create an environment based around respect and encouragement. If you encourage that type of environment, you'll build up your team spirit.^{[23]
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- One way you can push encouragement and respect is to actually set up guidelines about how your team can talk to each other. For instance, one of the guidelines could be no negative talk about another player during practice.
- Lead by example. Though you may need to point out where a player needs to improve, always take time to acknowledge how a player is doing well.
3
Talk about strengths. That is, ask your players to talk about what they bring to the team as individuals. These strengths don't need to just be baseball skills; they can also be personality traits, such as "always positive." By talking about what each individual can contribute, you start building up the team as a whole.^{[24]
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4
Expect commitment. Establish that you expect your team to show up on time every time you meet, both physically and mentally.^{[25]
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Expert Source

Isaac Hess
Baseball Coach & Instructor
Expert Interview. 20 March 2020.}^{[26]
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5
Establish team values. You can establish them for your team, but you can also take some time to brainstorm them together. When brainstorming what your team values, also talk about what the words mean to the people on the team.
- For instance, some values you could establish for your team are honesty, integrity, professionalism, and toughness.