Author: Mark Hertz

teaching youth umpires

What Skills Do Youth Umpires Need to Learn?

My name is Mark Hertz and I’m a former college baseball player and current coach of a youth baseball team. Over my many years in the game, I’ve seen hundreds of umpires call games at all levels. I’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique skills and knowledge youth umpires […]

how to teach a 5 year old how to hit a baseball

How Do I Teach My 5-Year-Old How to Hit a Baseball?

As a long-time player and coach, I’m excited to share my best tips for teaching a 5-year-old the fundamentals of hitting. I’ll cover everything from stance and grip to making contact and follow-through. My goal is to make learning fun while setting up kids for success as they progress. The […]

t-ball field size

What Are the Ballfield Dimensions for T-Ball?

Hey there parents and coaches! My name is Mark Hertz and in my many years involved with baseball as both a player and youth coach, I’ve gotten asked a lot of questions when it comes to those pint sized sluggers just starting out in t-ball. So let’s dive right in […]

balance youth baseball with other sports

How To Balance Youth Baseball With Other Sports

Playing youth baseball can be a fun and rewarding experience for kids. However, with so many sports and activities competing for your child’s time these days, it can be challenging to find the right balance. As a long-time player and coach, I’ve seen how playing multiple sports can enrich a […]

how long is a t-ball season

How Long Is A Standard T-Ball Season?

As a long-time t-ball coach and former pro baseball player, parents often ask me – how long is a standard t-ball season? After 15 years of coaching 5-7 year olds just getting started in baseball, I’ve got a pretty good handle on what a typical t-ball schedule looks like. A […]

tball parent

What Is My Role as a T-Ball Parent?

As a dad who grew up playing baseball and has now coached t-ball for my own kids over the past decade, I’ve learned a thing or two about how parents can best support their young athletes in those early years on the diamond. As a t-ball parent, your most important […]

girl playing tball

Can T-Ball Help My Daughter Prepare for Softball?

As a parent, you want to set your daughter up for success when she starts playing softball. You may be wondering if signing her up for t-ball can help prepare her for making the transition to softball in the future. In short, yes – T-Ball can be an excellent way […]

competition in 6 and 7 year olds

How Competitive Is Youth Baseball at Ages 6-7?

I’ve been playing baseball since I was 5 years old and have been coaching youth teams for over 15 years. In my experience, baseball can be quite competitive even for 6-7 year olds, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach competition at this young age. At […]

youth pitcher injuries

What Arm Injuries Are Common Among Youth Pitchers?

As a long-time baseball player and coach for youth pitchers, I unfortunately see a lot of arm injuries. The most common arm injuries in young pitchers are elbow and shoulder overuse injuries like Little League elbow and shoulder tendinitis. These injuries stem from pitching too much, throwing improper mechanics, and […]