A true master and student of baseball training will study the available techniques, take the best, and form them into a comprehensive program. Even the most talented ballplayers need to continually develop core strength and conditioning, which is fundamental to an effective training regimen. Even though the need for a quality training program is universally recognized, there are few that deliver on the promise of improved performance.

Let's face it; every baseball player, coach and parent is looking for the edge that will enable them to take their game to the next level. Billions of dollars are spent each year on the newest, high-tech equipment, individual batting and pitching lessons and many different gadgets and gimmicks. The problem is everyone believes they are a training expert and most don't understand the first thing about proper baseball training methods.

As you investigate training programs, you want to know what to look for. The program you choose should include methods that improve balance as well as strength: medicine ball drills, free weights and other dynamic movements are good examples. By approaching your workouts in a more "holistic" (or complete) manner your overall conditioning will improve at the best possible rate while honing your baseball specific muscle groups.

Be sure to stay away from machine-based training. Trying to do baseball strength training on machines is a complete waste of time. Worse actually, because it's taking time from more effecitive training. One problem with machines is that most of them require sitting, which is exactly opposite of what is done on the baseball field. Since baseball is played on your feet your baseball training should as well.

Another mistake is to train by throwing a heavy baseball or swinging a heavy bat. Again, more damage is done with these techniques and they are not improving your game. These techniques will severely affect your baseball hitting and pitching mechanics in a negative way and can even lead to injury!

So in order to maximize your baseball performance, be sure to include as many baseball-specific movements in your training program as possible. Movements in gym workouts should recruit the same joints, muscles and movements that are used in the course of practice or a game. Get this right and you will be the envy of your peers; get it wrong and you will never know how good you could have been.