Handbook of Expectations and Goals
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Team Philosophy
- Role of the Coach
- Player Expectations
- Practice Structure
- Game Structure
- Basic Defensive Strategy
- Basic Offensive Strategy
- Hitter Signs
- Acknowledgement and Signature Page
- Pyramid For Success
- Practice Warm � Up Routine
- Position specific practice checklist
Introduction
You wake up and it�s game day. You slept, but feel as though you have already played the game. Sticky, sweaty, kind of jittery, yet ready to play again. It�s early and you are tired while you go to the field. As you pull into the parking lot you may see others that look as you do. Someone has music playing with his car door open. Coach Percifield is there welcoming everyone as they pull in. Coach Steb pulls up in his truck, gets out and says �Heck Of A Day! Get the gear.� Coach Hilberg pulls in and bounces out of his truck and says something snide to coach Steb or at least about Coach Steb. Today is the day we start the new season, Playoffs! The bus ride up is quiet and you can feel the tension and anticipation in the air. Some are sleeping, some are talking quietly, and some are playing cards. The coaches are up front making the lineup and discussing how to play and pitch their hitters. The long bus ride is almost over. We stop for a quick bathroom break and stretch. The players are loose, yet focused on the game ahead. This is what it is all about! All the batting practice, all the fielding drills, all the base running has come down to the next three hours. The entire season is before you. The bus pulls through town as players begin to get up and get dressed. Some are putting their jerseys on, some are getting their pants on, everyone is still focused on the game. We hop off of the bus and walk into the stadium. It seems like everyone is watching and wondering who we are. The whole time you feel special, like,� hey we are a good team�. There is another game going and while you wait it�s like you are in baseball heaven. What do we do as we wait is the big question. Should I play catch, watch the game or get something to eat ? All the anticipation of playing in front of a crowd of this size starts to turn your stomach. Then the other team comes walking in. You've heard of these guys and know that they have the best record in the state. They look human and we do have some guys of the same stature. However, they have the "look". The "look " of winners. You wonder "do we have the Look"?
As the teams warm up you try to act relaxed even though your insides feel like a pencil that could easily snap at any moment. Then you look across the field and see them start warming up. They line up on the foul line and one at a time they sprint in a style like synchronized swimmers. All of them not missing a beat. They then get into organized lines and belt out their exercises with voices of marines. As infield /outfield starts you watch anxiously. Right fielder has a pretty good arm, center field excellent, right field �I think we can run on him�. As infield continues you don�t know if you should sit, stand, run or throw. Then it happens, �Columbia � Burbank you may take infield�. Coach gets everyone together and we break out to our positions, the whole time sprinting and hoping not to trip. Infield outfield is full of thoughts. Pick up the ball, hit the cut-off, stay down, good throw, be quick, keep it in front, get to it - get to it, and then it�s over.
After the announcements and flag salute the time has come. Time to turn it up! The game is like a concert as each inning builds to a crescendo. Each inning brings a new stress. On defense, the pitcher almost over thinks each hitter. You know they can hit so you just want to make them hit your pitches. When the ball is hit you turn and see your teammates give their 150%. Nice Catch!, Great throw!, Get to it!, Get to it! Excellllllent!! On offense, you go up to bat knowing you can hit anything as long as you relax. As you approach the batters box you start feeling the throb. The throb starts in your neck, you take a deep breath and step in. As you pick up the pitcher you start feeling the throb go down your arm and into your little finger. You call timeout, step out and take another deep breath. This seems to do it and now you're ready.
As the game goes on each inning gets you more and more pumped. The other team has a run but we know this is our game if we just stay true to our beliefs. It comes down to the end, tme is running out. Our first batter goes up, everybody is tense trying to keep positive even though that devilish guy that appears on our shoulder keeps stabbing you and telling you it's to late. On the other shoulder you have that good guy that is saying don't listen to him. Then all of a sudden our batter gets a hit and we have a man on first. There are no outs and one of best hitters is up. You wonder what coach will do. You know this hitter hasn't seen the ball all day, but he could this time. You also know that he hasn't bunted all season. We have to get the runner in scoring position. The infield stays back and the pitch is thrown. Bunt, bunt, bunt you hear through the wild screaming and hollering. He didit, he did it. Coach yells "great bunt" and is jumping up and down knowing that we are right where we want to be. Man in scoring position, one out, our number four hitter up. The baserunner gets a lead, coach reminds him there is one out and don't get picked. The pitch is thrown, the ball gets hit hard. The ball goes to the right side. The 6 foot 4 inch first baseman reaches out and almost grazes the ball as it wizzes by him. The ball slices toward the first base line and skips out to the right field fenceline. The baserunner is screaming around third base and jumps up and down as he steps on home for the tying run. The hitter rumbles around first, then at second he sees coach waving him on to third he struggles and feels the burn as he runs as hard as he can even though it seems as if everything is in slow motion. He slides and the dust blows up everywhere. It gets quiet and the umpire yells "SAFE". Man on third, one out, tie score against the best team in the state.
IT'S A GAME OF INCHES BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Abner Doubleday was credited with inventing the game in 1839 in Cooperstown, New York. In 1846 the first professional game was played between two teams in Hoboken, New Jersey. Baseball is a simple game. Most of you have played it or watched it for years and loved it or you would not be reading this handbook now. You may find as you read this handbook that you knew everything inside. But you may also find you did not. You may also find that what we present in this handbook is a slightly different approach to the game. The goal for this handbook is simply to get everyone on the same page and to help us get off to a quick start this season.
Baseball is not an individual sport. It is played with a roster of twelve to eighteen players. These players come together as individuals, and as the season progresses contribute to the development of a team. Two teams play against each other over seven innings. During these seven innings, the team with most runs scored before 21 outs are recorded wins. In between the first and last out recorded, there is much teamwork, strategy and decision making by coaches and players. This handbook will give insight as to how we will prepare ourselves to offensively and defensively be a better team. Most of adult life, work and play situations involve teamwork. What you learn and experience on the field can and will be used in life.
It�s funny, as simple and basic as the game is, the best teams and athletes in the major leagues only win 60% of their scheduled games. The best hitters fail to reach base 70% of the time. The best hitter in either league only got a hit 36% of the time based on 500 at bats. Good Pitchers may win 40% of their starts. Yes, Baseball is a simple game but it requires teamwork and hard effort to improve the basic skills necessary to hit, field and catch. Successful teams are prepared and focused. They have set routines and have a common theme of playing as they practice.
We intend to have that same theme this year. This handbook is the start to that discipline and structure that is so necessary. The majorities of baseball fans view the physical aspects of the game and are in awe of size, speed and dexterity of the players on the field. But what viewers do not see is the more important aspect of mental preparation and toughness. This is the part of baseball that is not easily taught or evaluated. Yogi Berra, famous hall of fame catcher from the Yankee�s has a saying (Yogi-ism), �75% of Baseball is 90% mental preparation�. The player himself must prepare for the game by ensuring he is in good physical shape and is mentally prepared to react to plays. He must also be prepared to make snap judgments relative opposing runners on base. This handbook will help you prepare for the mental aspects of the game by defining and outlining our offensive and defensive strategies.
Baseball is a game of routines. The way we warm up. The way we play catch. The way we hustle on and off the field. The routines we use prior to stepping into the batters box. If we get organized and structure our practices like we prepare for an opponent, we will perform mentally and physically better. The simple routines like stretching and warming up our arms are critical to moving and throwing better. The ability to throw accurately and timely to a cut off man is a critical skill that must be practiced repeatedly. Hitting is most players �Achilles heal�. Hitting is as much mental preparation as physical skill. A player must have a routine that combines relaxation, balance and hand-eye coordination. This is practiced, but often a player must use additional time, away from practices. Tony Gwynn, hall of fame player from the San Diego Padres, hit 100-200 strokes off a tee each day.
Baseball is a game of hustle. Not only on and off the field but also in making plays or trying to cut off a ball. There will be a coaching staff and team expectation that hustle will occur during all aspects of practice and games. Do not confuse motivation and hustle. You are motivated or you would not be reading this handbook, but hustle should not be the coach having to make a player or team run laps to gain hustle. Hustle means you recognize that team synergy is derived from everyone giving its best. It�s not realistic to think every player will be highly motivated every day or every game. But if every player comes prepared to take that leadership role to set the standard for others, the team as a whole will take on that character.
Baseball is a simple game, however just look at the standings and you quickly realize, the best teams only win 60% of the time. Some only win 25% of the time. In the minor leagues, where the focus is on player development, many teams lose as many games as they win. We will not win all the games. We will not lose all of our games. But at this level we want to focus on team dynamics and team effort as we master the fundamentals of baseball. We will judge our season on how well we came together and played the game. How well we problem solve and make decisions under pressure. Much of what we do on and off the field will prepare you for group dynamics in real life. So much of life is not done in solo settings. So wins and loses should not be the determining factors of a good or bad season. Attitude, Commitment, and Focus will stimulate good team performances, which, in turn, will lead to more wins.
Team Philosophy
A group of individuals brought together with a specific mission and goal. Teams do not always start out as teams. Not all teams are successful (2003 Tigers, 1962 Mets). Not all successful franchises (Teams) are teams in the true sense. One could certainly question the New York Yankees buying all the best players to form a team instead of letting team dynamics (and a good minor league system) determine development. One only needs to look at the Florida Marlins (World Champions 1997, 2003) to know that money and best players are not necessary elements in winning the World Series. Team USA 2003 is another example, the best college baseball players in the country traveled to Mexico to play world teams, only to be eliminated before the final medal round. Teams go thru several stages. Part of the growth of teams is getting to know each other and the weaknesses and strengths of assigned players. To a large extent, a baseball team is like a leaderless group setting. A number of talented and bright people brought together to solve a problem or improve a business. No one player is better or more valued than any other player, and on any given day, one of those roster players, maybe two will make an important leadership decision or �play� that will improve the team and win the game. The chance to make critical decisions under stress during a game is invaluable during real life.
A very important part of teams is learning player weaknesses so improvements can be made. A good example of this might be the 2003 Los Angeles Dodgers. They had the best pitching staff in the majors (team ERA 2.38) but the worst hitting in the league (.246). Since you must score runs to win, the Dodgers will be forced to improve their hitting if they want to take advantage of the best pitching staff in 2004.
Our philosophy will be to practice, as we will play our games. We will focus on small ball and getting players on base. We will teach good throwing and catching techniques to minimize errors. We will instruct how to run bases and improve speed. We will teach how to be aggressive and patient when hitting. Our pitching goals will be first strike, first out, no walks. The team will be a leaderless group while on the field. This means everyone could be �the� leader on any given play. So communications between the players is critical. The pitcher controls the flow of the game. We want every pitch to have purpose. It is to our advantage to allow hitters to put the ball in play or strike out, so that out defense can make outs before run scores. Every player must know where to throw the ball on the next play.
Now that we have discussed positive aspects of teams, lets discuss what will not be tolerated. Lack of focus during practice. Lack of hustle. Poor communications with other players. Poor attitude or language.
Experience is no guarantee for making the team. It is better to have a junior varsity player eager to hustle and learn than a veteran with a poor or inconsistent practice attitude. In that light, will have a �three strikes your out� policy to ensure players keep focused and motivated. The intent of this handbook is to convey expectations about conduct and expected behaviors. Coaches are not going to tolerate repeat violations or attitude problems. If you are not committed to the team and our desires to get to the next level, do not show up.
Before we can achieve on the baseball field, we must become focused on the purpose for attending Columbia high School. Then we must develop a program that enables us to succeed in developing strong beliefs and character. With a sense of pride and personal development, we can learn how to become solid teammates and people. Then and only then, will we be able to begin our development of baseball skills off and on the field of competition.
Framework for success.
This is a six-step program for you to begin a positive personal development plan
- Become academically focused, aware and personally responsible for your schoolwork and education.
- Become willing to learn and accept positive personal development.
- Accept the purpose of the baseball program and perform your role within the program.
- Excel with tremendous work ethic and desire to compete at the highest level.
- Bring a relentless attention to detail and pursuit of excellence.
- Have an attitude that accepts things you cannot change and focuses your effort on the goals and aspirations that will bring you success.
Once we have accepted these six items, we can then begin to develop a three � stage system that will result in excellence on the baseball field. We will begin by 1. developing personal character. Once we have accepted these principles, we will progress to becoming solid teammates. Then we can work on-2. field performance and 3. athletic development.
1. Attitude is defined as, � A state of mind or feeling.� This is something that can be controlled with human choice. You are responsible for how you respond to every action in your life. In this program you will have a positive attitude and demand another opportunity to compete and perform for yourself and teammates.
2. Effort. - You will be required to give your best effort in the classroom, at home, and on the baseball field. You deserve it for yourself. Never start something that you are not willing to give one hundred percent of yourself. You must show respect for the game and yourself in this program, give your best effort everyday.
3. Pride is a proper sense of personal dignity, worth, and honorable self �respect founded upon something real and tangible. We must understand that pride is something that is developed and groomed over time. It is contagious within the program and between teammates. When the wave of pride and confidence begins, be quick to jump on and push the program and each other forward. Become a leader and develop a strong sense of pride for yourself, your team and community. � When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, then excellence becomes a reality.� Joe Paterno, Penn State University. Individual sacrifice for team success, it�s a matter of pride. Check your ego at the door and play baseball for the young kid in you that loved the game so much as we all still do.
4. Respect � You shall show care and regard for yourself, teammates, opponents, umpires, coaches, teachers and everyone you interact with each day at Columbia High School.
5. Discipline � You will have personal discipline to handle yourself in a positive and respectful manner on and off the field. It will take time to develop the ability to understand how to behave when you have numerous opportunities presented to you. Discipline will come when you believe in yourself and understand the importance in your actions.
6. Self � Awareness � The ability to evaluate yourself and the decisions you have made in the past. You should always understand where you are in your goal process and how you are progressing towards personal successful situations.
7. Commitment- The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to an idea or course of action. We demand you commit yourself to character development, your teammates, and relentless pursuit of excellence on the baseball field. If you are not bound emotionally and intellectually to this program we will not succeed.
8. Focus- A center of interest or activity. The focus of this program is you, the baseball player. How we play, interact, learn and explore the game of baseball will determine how you develop as a young adult.
9. Concentration- To converge toward or meet in a common center. We will attempt to build a relationship from two sides of a large pit and converge in the middle with a common platform to concentrate our effort to develop success in every avenue of this program.
10. Integrity- We will all develop a large sense of personal pride, care, character, and overall enjoyment of the game, your teammates and your daily life and this unwavering feeling of commitment to excellence will drive this program forward.
Once we have developed our core beliefs and ideals we will focus our energy to understanding how this relates to each other in the area of teamwork.
1. TEAM- A group on the same side: A group organized to work together. You will have to work together to develop a confidence and understanding of each other. This will happen by developing a strong sense of character within you and giving yourself up for the good of the team.
2. TEAMMATE- A fellow member of a team. We are all on the same side and dedicated to a goal of SCAC East Championship. We must respect the differences in our individual characteristics and not allow personal challenges or differences deter the entire team from our goals and ideals.
3. TEAMWORK- Cooperative effort by the members of a group or team to achieve a common goal. If we truly believe in our goal of the SCAC East championship, we will agree to understand our key role within the dynamics of the team. Here is a three-step key to teamwork by John Wooden of University of California at Los Angeles.
Characteristics of a team player: �Each of us must make the effort to contribute to the best of our ability according to our own individual talents together for the highest good of the group.� John Wooden. We will play the nine players based on talent. Each player must stay within his role on the team. If we all try to be the number 1 pitcher, no one can start game two. Stay focused and in control of your actions within the system and program. � Understanding that the good of the group comes first is fundamental to being a highly productive member of a team.�
Actions of a team player: Once you have accepted that your teammates are more important than you, you will be able to focus on playing baseball not concerned with how you look or should play. Get outside yourself, and allow your ability to play baseball be as smooth and relaxing as the rolling sea. �Show me what you can do, don�t tell me what you can do. Show me what you can�t do, don�t tell me what you can�t do.�
Synergy - Two or more people working together in a way that there combined power is more than just the sum of their individual power. Here is an example: The horse-pulling contest at the county fair. The first place horse pulled a sled weighing 4,500 pounds. The second place horse pulled 4,000 pounds. The owners figured the two horses together could pull 8,500 pounds. But when they hitched the horses together, they were able to pull 12,000 pounds, far more than the sum of their individual efforts. Believe in the heart of an athlete and warrior to overcome any and all odds to perform at the highest level with their teammates. One ballplayer will never win a game single handedly; nine ballplayers together can win every ballgame. When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, then excellence becomes a reality.
Personal Responsibility - You are your own decision maker. You have the power of human choice. It is the factor that will determine the outcomes of your life. If you choose to accept the fact that your teammates and the goals and ideals of this program are more important than your personal success, you will become embellished in a rich environment that will take your physical and mental ability to compete to the next level. This will make you the athlete that dominates the game.
Performance � Once we have developed a sound character and related those ideals to our teammates we can begin to focus our energy into personal and team performance.
Excellence � To excel is to surpass or do better than others. Our first goal is to develop a character That is excellent. Then we must become excellent teammates. Now we can become excellent baseball players. Excellence is the continuous, relentless, never-ending commitment to improve. It is the gradual result of always trying to get better and never allowing yourself to excuse or give ninety percent effort. If we are to be excellent we must rise up to the challenge presented and demand all effort to accomplish the goal set forth. Excellence must be practiced and understood before it will materialize in personal or team performance. We must make a special effort to be excellent in all areas of our lives. Become excellent in character, become an excellent teammate, become excellent in our daily lives, become excellent in our approach to practice and become excellent in cleaning up the field. A near miss in excellence is not almost right it is wrong. You cannot do one thing in life 90 percent and expect to be excellent in other areas. Once you concede defeat in one area, you will allow yourself to perform at a lower level in all areas. Excellence is the ability to do 20 things one percent better that day, not one thing twenty percent better. Be better in all areas of life everyday. Excellence is the highest standard of measurement we use to determine personal achievement. We must strive for excellence each and everyday in all aspects of life. Good enough never is, we must be excellent. Be Excellent.
Details � Excellence will be learned by the ability to understand the importance of details. You must have enough personal pride and discipline to recognize a situation where you are willing to give up and concede defeat. It may be a very small point or task, but as soon as you place yourself in a higher level than the task, you have faulted your character and in turn let your teammates down and brought the level of performance of the team to a lower level. � When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, then excellence becomes a reality.� Joe Paterno
Desire � We must now determine if we have the desire to become excellent. This is the want. You must be willing to put the program, your teammates, and the details necessary to become excellent in the game of baseball, ahead of your ego and personal �agendas�. It is not one play in the game where talent will overcome, it is the next 78 day high school baseball season that determines who are the champions and who will labor in mediocrity for a 28 game season. NOW determine if you have the desire and commitment level necessary to be the BEST, and to develop a heart of a champion and warrior. This is the desire you must have.
Work Ethic � Once we have determined excellence is what you want to become, we must work hard to accomplish this goal. Excellence is not born into or bought. Anyone can get better everyday. We must want to become the best person, teammate, and baseball player. If you have the correct attitude, focus and solid character, all young players can develop into a college baseball and or professional baseball player. Baseball is a game that allows for mistakes, but will never allow failure, excuses, or quitters. Develop your work ethic to never allow you to give up when it gets tough. Push through the emotional and physical pain and drive yourself to be excellent in your training.
Knowledge � In order to perform for the team and program we must understand all functions related to personal success in school, life, and baseball. We must understand what is expected of us in the classroom and on the baseball field. If we do not gain the knowledge in the classroom and perform on tests, we will let the team and program down by not being able to perform during games. If we do not have the knowledge of the correct placement each player should be during game situations, we will let the team and program down. It is a simple decision. Have the personal responsibility to learn and understand your class work and role on the baseball field. There is no excuse for not being committed to knowledge.
Execution � Once we have the character of a champion, the desire to work as a team, the integrity of a positive teammate, and have gained the knowledge of quality baseball, we can focus on execution and dominance. We will execute all plays and perform at a 100 percent level. We will never conceit defeat or perform at a level lower than our optimal. We will dominate and perform for fun, enjoyment and success of each other in the game of baseball.
Role of the Coach and Coaching Staff
The role of the coach is to ensure the baseball program is managed in a safe manner while following the rules of high school athletics. The coach is responsible to organize and manage practices and games with the assistance of the coaching staff in a collaborative manner. Over the course of 3-4 years in high school, the coaches will help a player develop and improve his skill level. Most coaches focus on player development and execution of basic skills more than wins. At this level it is more important to set goals and monitor growth of your players. This includes protecting players arms and ensuring that risk to serious injuries are minimized.
Contrary to popular beliefs, coaches are not playground monitors or referees for player disagreements. A coach is not there to yell at players to hustle or get ready. The coach is not there to pick up players gear or to maintain the field after a practice or game. However, most will work along side players. Previously we mentioned �three-strikes you�re out� rule that will be used this year. If a coach warns a player about hustle or an infraction it�s recorded. Three-strikes during season and your off the team. For the purposes of this handbook the term coach will include your normally assigned teachers and your ability to keep grades �C� or better. Any problems of attitudes or grades reported to a coach will be recorded as an infraction. We expect you to represent yourself and your team in a positive manner at school and in the community. Remember, your responsibility to the team extends past practices and games.
Three-strikes you�re out
1st incident - Warning and team consequence. (Such as pushups, or running)
2nd incident - Loss of one game. Parent will be notified for conference.
3rd incident - Dismissal from the team. Parent will be notified.
Players are expected to arrive on time to practice and organize their equipment away from walkways and playing surfaces. Players are expected to wear uniforms appropriately. Players will be expected to stretch and loosen up to reduce risks of injury. Players are expected to openly communicate with the coaches if an injury or potential injury has occurred. The effort during these activities must be such that proper technique and intensity is used. Players will be expected to learn signs and understand defensive and offensive roles. Pitchers will be expected to adhere to pitch counts and not over use arms.
Players will be expected to maintain equipment and field. This means the team will follow the basic rule of �we all work or we all play�. At the end of practice everyone helps put back equipment and gear and finishes up field. Players will be expected to make practices. Unless there is a family emergency, you�re expected to make practice. If you miss more than three practices unexcused you�re off the team. You will not start a game if you miss a practice other than a family emergency or injury.
If you�re injured or see a medical doctor for a sports related injury, you will be required to bring in a release to play signed by the doctor.
We expect team members to discuss any concerns or questions directly with a coach. This is much more effective than complaining to others. We will never punish a player for asking questions in a respectful manner; we consider this as part of being an adult.
Practice Structure
As previously mentioned, we will only be as successful as we practice. Practices will be structured and based on three activities in this order; first, stretching which includes running and focused catch and/or short toss. Second, skill-stations. These stations will focus on fielding, hitting, catching and throwing. Lastly, game situations, which could include live hitting and pitching. Pitchers and Catchers may have separate skill stations and routines.
If you are at the field before practice you need to be raking, stretching, jogging and/or something that is beneficial to the TEAM.
3:00 Practice begins 5:30 or later Practice ends
See an example of a practice plan:
3:00 WARM UP LAPS
3:10 Stretch
3:20 PLYOMETRICS
3:40 Split into groups 3 GROUPS
STEB - RUN CATCH PERCIFIELD - TIMES 1ST/2ND HILBERG - RAKING /HELPING W TIMES
4:00 SPLIT OUTFIELD - Steb INFIELD - Hilberg PITCHERS / CATCHERS - PERCIFIELD
4:40 HITTING � STEB STANCE, RELAXATION, PIVOT, WIP, DOWN V, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, FRAME IT UP, SHORTEN UP, CHOKE UP, ETC�
100 SWINGS MENTAL HITTING
5:00 SITUATIONAL HITTING HIT AND RUN
5:15 CONDITIONING RAKE FIELD
Game Structure
The basic plan for games will be that players will be expected to arrive a minimum of 20 minutes prior to bus departure for an away game. Home games players will be expected to arrive 1 hour or more prior to start of game for warm-up. Uniforms will be worn correctly anytime while on the playing field. Gear bags will be clean, maintained and stored correctly.
Basic philosophy of our team will be small ball. Lead off hitter will be expected to crowd the plate, choke up, and make the pitcher throw to you. Everyone will be expected to learn how to execute a bunt, so we can advance runners. Batters will be expected to learn the strike zone and when two strikes are taken, batters will choke up and will be expected to make contact. Walks are much better than strikeouts.
Pitchers will be on pitch counts. The pitching philosophy will be �first strike, first out, no walks, ball over the plate�. Pitchers will be given 90 pitches off the mound that includes warm-ups between innings. At that point, coaches will evaluate arm and strike to balls ratio. Pitchers walking three in an inning will likely be pulled. Using the �ball over the plate goal�, pitchers will not use breaking pitches or off speed when over a �2 ball no-strike count�. Catchers will be responsible to keep pitchers focused at on the plate with pitches. We want out pitchers to throw to the bottom-half of the plate. Bad things happen when pitchers throw-high over the plate. Catchers will have an important role in framing pitches for the umpires for low strikes or painted corners. Catchers will have signals with all pitchers for all pitches and for defensive pick off moves.
Respect for the game and those who play it are important factors for any player. Understanding that opposing teams, umpires and fellow teammates are playing the game because of the challenge and sport it provides. Sportsmanship is an important trait for any athlete. Whether it is picking up an opposing catchers mask, retrieving a baseball, or ensuring an opposing player is ok after a hard slide, its all-good sportsmanship. Our expectation is that all our players and coaches will be leaders in sportsmanship.
Basic Defensive Strategy
When we are on defense, there are four possibilities we must consider. First, for everyone is to know where you will throw the ball based on number of runners on base. That means everyone must know how many outs there are, the inning and score. Next, infielders have base cover assignments based on where runners are and the number of outs. Outfielders are back up�s to the infielders and assure that overthrows do not result in runners advancing. We also then have positions for infielders when a base hit occurs to the outfield. This will involve a cut-off person to assist the outfielder who is fielding the ball gets the most direct throw back into the infield for stop any further advancement by the runner(s). The best defensive teams use all nine positions in any play whether it be a primary base cover person or backing up a throw.
Last season we gave up a lot of �dinkers� in no-man�s land between the infield dirt and our outfielders. We are going to shorten up and move our outfielders in unless we have a true power hitter up. This will require good speed and technique for our outfielders. We will tend to use strong up the middle positioning for infield. The second base and shortstop will be deep and strong up the middle. This will put a little more pressure on first and third base positions to cover gaps.
Shortstop and Second have important roles also when we have a runner on second base. Our strategy will be to aggressively hold the runner on and coupled with a slightly pulled in outfield, reduce the chances of a run scoring on a single.
Basic Offensive Strategy
As we mentioned earlier, we will focus on small ball. The ability to move runners into scoring position, or drive in a run with a timely single or double. As we have all witnessed with our program and by watching the majors on television. A team�s success is often determined by how well the defense is playing and by the low pitch count of the starting pitcher. Pitchers get into routines, on a good day; it can be hard to muster even two runs. However, generally at this level, pitchers have not refined control to a point where 12 pitch innings are strung together. So what we need to focus on offensively is making sure first and foremost we go into the batter�s box with the objective of knowing the strike zone and making the pitcher throw into that zone. Next we must mentally prepare ourselves to get good contact and put the ball in play. Walks are as good as base hits. We will focus on short compact swings, driving the ball the other way, and making contact with two strikes.
In conclusion, Baseball is a simple game, however the lessons learned on and off the field while competing will be used your whole life. Somewhere around 2,500 college and high school players get drafted each year. Of that number, 250 actually get to play minor league level ball. Each one of you will become a successful adult. Look at this year as an opportunity to have fun playing a simple game while learning valuable tools for your future. Please sign and return the next page on your first day of practice.
Signs
Signs are used for many reasons and situations in baseball. The coach to let the hitter know what he wants accomplished on a certain pitch count uses them. The signs can be used to transmit the wishes of a coach to both hitter and runner. Signs can also be used to confuse and distract opposing teams.
Signs are not suppose to be so complicated that it�s not only confusing to the opposing team but your own players. Signs generally include one sign that serves, as the �indicator� meaning the next sign given is the �hot sign�. Coaches may give from 3-5 signs using a variety of hand motions or touches to key body parts.
It is important for a batter to back out on each pitch to look at the third base coach for his sign. Runners should look for the same sign as it might include a hit and run or bunt execution.
Believe it or not the number one reason signs fail is not that the opposing team figured out the signs. No, it�s missed signs. Missed signs equal lost opportunities to score.
Hitters or runners not understanding a sign should tap on the top of the batters helmet or ball cap to indicate that a repeat of the signs is necessary.
Leads off hitters are often given no signs by the third base coach meaning to �hit away�.