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  • Home
  • News
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Check Out Our Videos
  • Programs
    • Play Ball Everywhere
    • Full Count RBI
    • Lessons & Activities
    • Diamond Dreams
    • 2021 Coach Academy On Demand
  • Events
    • 2023 Swing for the Fences Gala
    • 2022 FAMILY INFO NIGHT
    • 2021 Swing for the Fences Gala
    • 2020 Play Ball Portland
  • Contact
    • 2020 Centennial Portrait Postcards
    • Signup for Full Count RBI
    • Team Shop
  • Give
    • Give Back Guide
    • Coach Gatto "I Believe" Fund

Full Count Lessons & Activities

Want your child to have access to baseball's power to teach from home? Starting Monday, March 16th, we will be adding resources weekly during school closures in effect to slow/stop the spread of coronavirus in our communities. Access our daily links below or follow us on Facebook.
Friday, June 5th
Today's lesson is a sock ball drill that can be done while lying on your back and teaches hand-eye coordination, goal setting, and concentration while providing a brain reset. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
Friday, May 29th
Today's lesson covers the 4 seam grip and teaches coordination, repetition and memory, and throwing fundamentals. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
Thursday, May 22nd
Today's lesson focuses on the top half of your child's hitting stance and teaches balance, coordination, timing and hitting fundamentals. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
Monday, May 18th
Today's #PlayBallAtHome lesson is part of our #MoveMonday series. This edition comes from the YouTube channel Keep KidsMoving. Led by T'Challa, your Young Panther will get moving, build strength, and be the superhero they imagine.
Friday, May 15th
Today's lesson focuses on the bottom half of your child's hitting stance and teaches balance, coordination, timing and hitting fundamentals. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
Monday, May 11th

Today's #PlayBallAtHome lesson is part of our #MoveMonday series. This edition comes from USA Baseball’s Fun At Bat program and is a warm-up drill your child can do before any bat and ball activities or games at home. Led by the USA Baseball mascot, kids will enjoy this easy and fun to follow warm-up.
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Friday, May 8th
Today's lesson teaches hand-eye coordination, setting goals, and making contact. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
Monday, May 4th
Today's lesson is a celebration of #MaytheFourthBeWithYou. Normally, on this day, MLB stadiums across the US would be filled with Star Wars fans for a fun themed day at the ballpark. So instead for our #MoveMonday, we bring you a Light Saber choreography lesson from Production Crate.
Friday, May 1st
Today's lesson is a seated bucket drill. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
Wednesday, April 29th
Today's lesson comes from our friends at Science of Sport and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Join Dr. Ricardo Valerdi of University of Arizona Engineering as he runs a lesson on broad jumps, measurement, and plotting on a chart. Broad jumps help increase lower body strength and help develop a strong foundation for throwing and batting.
Tuesday, April 28th
Today's lesson is from retired All Star pitcher Ryan Dempster and will help your child get comfortable with the feel of the ball and learn pitching grips. This is a simple #PlayBallAtHome activity that will help your child be ready when we can play in person again.
Monday, April 27th
Today's lesson is for our new feature "Move Monday" — we'll be selecting our favorite movement-focused activities for your child to do on their own or with you or a sibling. This edition of "Move Monday" is a high energy, fun, and kid-focused Zumba video just under 4 minutes. A great way to end your day, use for recess or PE, or start your morning. Baseball is both movement, timing, and rhythm and dance is a wonderful way to be ready to Play Ball.
Friday, April 24th
Today's lesson comes from our program partner KairosPDX and Executive Director Kali Thorne Ladd. Her latest "Science of Success" video reminds us the importance of breathing. Kids and adults alike will learn how to use breathing to restore calm and even come up with their own fun breathing styles.
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Watch on KairosPDX YouTube Channel and take a deep breath before the weekend.
Wednesday, April 22nd
Today's lesson is in celebration of Earth Day and promotes the principles of reuse/recycle and uses items from your own home. Watch this video of Mariano Rivera describing how he made his own glove with cardboard. We recommend using a squishy ball to test out the glove in case a hardball might sting!
Tuesday, April 21st
Today's lesson comes from our friends at Science of Sport and the LA Dodgers Foundation. Join Dr. Ricardo Valerdi of the University of Arizona Engineering School as he runs a lesson on stadium design including how to use Google Maps to measure.
Monday, April 20th
Today's lesson is a fun balance competition with MLB pitcher Brent Suter that was shared by Reds Community Fund. Can your child beat an MLB pitcher's balance or develop their own goals for balance? All pitchers need a foundation of balance in their toolkit.

Think you can beat ⁦@bruter24⁩ in a balance competition? Think again pic.twitter.com/KGKdXuS8fh

— Reds Community Fund (@RedsCommunity) February 1, 2020
Friday, April 17th
Today's lesson is a big congratulations to you, our ballplayers and families, for making it through the week. We are so proud of you! What's more rejuvenating than a little humor to celebrate a job well done? End the week with some fun, laughter, and quality time watching the video below or find your own favorite MLB Blooper video.
Thursday, April 16th
Today's lesson teaches fielding approach. This is part of our new series, Drills with Coach B, developed by our Lead Program Mentor Gerald Bolden. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear.
  • MLB has provided a full day of fun games and worksheets about Jackie Robinson for the children in your care; link to full slate of MLB Jackie Robinson Day activities (scroll to "Kids Activities")
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Tuesday, April 14th​
Today's lesson is an agility ladder video from Go Dog Sports that we found on YouTube. This ladder drill is customized for baseball skill development. Kids will develop speed, response time, quickness, and fielding readiness. We recommend the following modifications for #PlayBallAtHome:
  • Lay down 6 tees or towels spaced out like a ladder if you don't have an agility ladder at home (most of us don't!)
  • Grass lawn not needed, can be done on any surface (just focus on balance on asphalt or sidewalk so you don't skin your knees)
  • If indoor, make sure you get this activity parent or caregiver approved!
Monday, April 13th
Today's lesson (4/13) is an invitation from MLB RBI to any past participants of Friends of Baseball programs or volunteer events to record a short video about what Jackie Robinson means to them. Instructions from MLB:
  1. PROMPT: What’s the thing that most resonates with you when you think of Jackie Robinson?
    1. We’ve chosen you for a reason, so please don’t be afraid to showcase your unique personality!
  2. RECORDING PREFERENCES: vertical video (held high like a selfie), good lighting, 15-20 seconds max, clean background
    1. If  unsure about what constitutes as a clean background, please record against a plain wall.
  3. DRESS CODE: We ask that you please wear a hat, T-Shirt, or Jersey signifying the RBI league you participate with (that's us Friends of Baseball -- wear your FOB hat, tee or sticker in the video)
    1. Please make sure your eyes are not covered by your hat
  4. SUBMISSION: Please submit by Monday at 5:00pm E.T. using this link: https://mlbplayball.leagueapps.com/events/1595611-jackie-robinson-day-video-submissions or email to info@friendsofbaseball.org if for some reason the link doesn't work
    1. All responses will be used in some way. At the very least, a Facebook compilation will be created to include everyone.

DEADLINE REMINDER: Deadline is at 5:00 pm ET, so it makes a great lunch or early afternoon activity!
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Friday, April 10th
Today's lesson comes from one of our Full Count RBI program partners KairosPDX and Executive Director Kali Thorne Ladd. Her "Science of Success" video speaks to the opportunity to develop resilience through care and connection and intervene on not having this crisis map trauma to your children's brains. Remember, playing catch is always a great personal connection opportunity with children — and if you don't have equipment, rolled up socks or tees make a great ball especially if you can't be safe outside.
Thursday, April 9th
Today's lesson is a brand new feature from Friends of Baseball. We are thrilled to be announcing a new series called Drills with Coach B. These are specially formatted drills that you can do at home with simple home supplies and/or gear. In Coach B's Sock Ball drill you will work on hand-eye coordination and goal-setting. This just over 7 minute video is paced to allow you to follow along to learn it and then practice on your own when it's over.
Wednesday, April 8th
Today's lesson is from retired All Star pitcher Ryan Dempster and will help your child "build their base" which will help develop their pitching ability while they #PlayBallAtHome

Build your Base with Retired All Star pitcher Ryan Dempster

Here’s a little drill that you can do to stay in pitching shape as we stay home for safety! Whether you are a little leaguer, high school or college, heck even in a men’s league, I know how much this drill helped me, hopefully can do the same for you! Build that Base!! pic.twitter.com/Pt3QRosrRm

— RyanDempster (@Dempster46) March 29, 2020
Tuesday, April 7th
Today's lesson is from MLB, USA Baseball, and USA Softball. Their #MLBatHome mods of their #PlayBall activities will help you use the space you have (outdoor or indoor) to play Home Run Derby at Home!

​#MLBatHome Home Run Derby
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Monday, April 6th
Today's lesson is inspired by the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates pre-game dugout dance. With many school districts starting up Distance Learning this week, we will be transitioning our lessons to more physical recreation inspired learning to provide that brain reset needed for all styles of learning and growth.

Have your child watch the video and come up with their own dugout dance or learn the dance of one of the Pirates' players. Or come up with a family or household hype routine to dance away the COVID-19 social distancing blues.


Dugout Dance with the 2016 Pittsburgh Pirates
Friday, April 3rd
Today's lesson comes from our partners the Seattle Mariners and first baseman Evan White. In the video below, White demonstrates some drills you can do in a small space on a wall or in your backyard and a tennis ball, foam ball, or whiffle ball and the visualization practice he uses to mentally prepare for hitting.

Practice with Mariners First Baseman Evan White
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Thursday, April 2nd
Today's lesson comes from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri and features the legendary Buck O'Neil.
Have your child watch this MLB Network video of Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President, Bob Kendrick, talking with MLB Network's Harold Reynolds about Buck O'Neil carrying the torch of the Negro Leagues.

Buck O'Neil Coloring Page from NLBM with video link and reflection question

Follow NLBM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NLBM President Bob Kendrick is posting online video tours of the Museum's Black Baseball In Living Color exhibit while the museum is closed.
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Wednesday, April 1st
Today's lesson is a challenge from our partners at Portland Diamond Project. PDP's own Mike Barrett has issued a challenge to all ballplayers (kids or kids at heart) to record your own Bat Flip video while you #stayhomesavelives

Watch the Bat Flip Challenge Video to Learn More
Portland Diamond Project Facebook
Portland Diamond Project Instagram
Portland Diamond Project Twitter
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Tuesday, March 31st
Today's lesson is a fun introduction to design for your youth using research, inspiration, and color choice.

Design Your Own Sports Team Logo
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Monday, March 30th
Today's lesson is a worksheet we love from Education.com that teaches kids the positions on a baseball field and also how to locate items on a map or grid.

On the Baseball Field Grid Worksheet
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Friday, March 27th
In honor of Social Emotional Learning day (#selday), we are sharing one of our favorite activities that our Full Count Program Mentors do with our youth to boost self confidence and also encourage positive relationships.

Ballplayer of the Week
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Thursday, March 26th
Happy #OpeningDayAtHome! Our friends at Major League Baseball have put together an impressive lineup of classic modern games for you to watch all day today on several channels and social media outlets — watch on your phone, tablet, or computer or you can tune in to MLB Network, FS1 or ESPN2 for a Homerun Derby Marathon!

Link to schedule of Games

And we developed this especially fun #OpeningDayAtHome BINGO activity for you to do with the child or children in your home while you are watching. Play Blackout or play a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line to win (get creative with how your child fills in each square!)

Download #OpeningDayAtHome BINGO Cards
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Wednesday, March 25th
Popcorn Game provided by our partner Playworks Pacific Northwest
Download Playworks #PlayAtHome Guide and tune in on Facebook at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm daily for live recess 5 days per week
Tuesday, March 24th
Mistake Ritual Lesson provided by our partner Positive Coaching Alliance
Read more on PCA's website about Developing Mistake Rituals

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Monday, March 23rd
Full Count RBI Coloring Pages provided by Believe in Wonder
Click link above or image below to download all 4 coloring pages illustrated by Brian W. Parker
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Friday, March 20th
Measure Your Strike Zone provided by Science of Sport
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Thursday, March 19th
Jackie Robinson Values & Bookmark Project

Scholastic's Breaking Barriers Interactive Website for grades 4-8

Scholastic's Breaking Barriers Full Printable Lesson in English

Scholastic's Breaking Barriers Full Printable Lesson in Spanish
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Wednesday, March 18th
Baseball Sudoku
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Tuesday, March 17th
Full Count Crowd
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Monday, March 16th​
Baseball By the Numbers
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 Baseball-themed Pumpkin Carving Templates

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World Series Bingo: Games 4 & 5

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​NOTE FROM FOB: ​Thank you for practicing social distancing to stop the spread of this virus. Friends of Baseball is not a healthcare organization nor can we provide medical advice, please refer to the CDC or your local health authority for recommendations.


CDC Coronavirus Protect Yourself Website
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