Baseball training: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What baseball training is

Baseball training teaches hitting, throwing, fielding and pitching mechanics through drills and feedback. Players book it before a season, when they want to move up a level, or when a skill like hitting off-speed pitches or throwing accurately keeps letting them down.

Signs you need it

  • The player swings and misses the same pitch height or location each time
  • Throws to the infield sail high or bounce short before they arrive
  • Ground balls go through the legs, or the player is slow to get in front of them
  • Pitches miss the strike zone in bullpen sessions more than they should
  • The player wants to earn a place on a travel or high school team and needs specific skills

What the pro does

  • Watches the player hit, field and throw to find the mechanics that cost the most
  • Builds a hitting approach with tee work, front toss and live pitching
  • Teaches fielding footwork and glove position for ground balls and fly balls
  • Trains throwing mechanics from grip and crow-hop to release point, in short sets
  • Covers pitching mechanics and strike zone control, with pitch counts and rest set by the league or coach

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Individual lessons versus group sessions
  • The player's age and position, since pitchers, catchers and fielders need different work
  • Session length and the number of sessions in a block
  • Whether the session is in a cage, on a field or at a training facility
  • Whether the trainer uses video, radar or other tools
  • Whether the player wants one skill focused on or a full program

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, length of each one and the start date
  • Field, cage or facility location and whether facility time is included
  • Whether balls, bats, gloves and tees are provided
  • Group size and whether the session is individual
  • Make-up policy for rain and facility closures

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What do you look at first when you watch my player hit, field and throw?
  • How do you change a swing or pitching motion without changing too much at once?
  • Do you work on the specific positions my player plays, such as infield or outfield?
  • How do you handle pitch counts and rest, and do you follow the league's rules?
  • Will you give my player drills to do at home or in the backyard?
  • What is your coaching background, and do you hold a coaching certificate?
  • How will you track progress from one session to the next?

Red flags

  • Changes a swing or pitching motion in one session without explaining why
  • Pushes a young pitcher to throw many pitches in one day without rest
  • Promises a college roster spot or a scholarship
  • Uses the same drills for every player regardless of position or age

What you can do yourself

Players can practice tee work, long toss with a partner and ground balls on a field. A parent can hit fly balls and grounders in the backyard, and a player can film their swing from the side to check the basics. Hire a trainer when a hitting or throwing problem keeps repeating, when a pitcher is changing mechanics, or when a player is learning a new position.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to train baseball players. Ask whether the trainer holds a coaching certificate and whether the facility requires insurance. If the trainer works with children, ask for proof of a background check. Check with your state or local licensing agency only if a facility has rules about how sessions run.

Baseball training questions

Can training help a player who is not on a team yet?

Yes. Training helps players build skills for tryouts or open leagues. Ask the trainer to test hitting, throwing and fielding in the first session so the plan fits the player.

Should I buy a specific bat or glove for my child?

Ask the trainer whether the equipment fits the player's size and the league's rules before you buy. Many trainers can check a bat or glove and tell you whether it suits the player's level.

Does the trainer need a background check?

If the trainer works with children, ask for proof of a background check before the first session. Many leagues, clubs and facilities require one.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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