“Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” -John Woodenkristinnacarlson.weebly.com/uploads/5/0/6/9/5069957/baseballcoac… · “Sports do not build character, they reveal

“Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” -John Wooden

CoachingYouth Baseball

By Krissy Carlson

vIntroduction

Introduction“Baseball is a lot like life. It’s a day-to-day existence, full of ups and downs. You make the most

of your opportunities in baseball as you do in life.” -Ernie Harwell

Baseball is still America’s pastime. For years, boys have developed character, made

lasting friendships, and learned how to be part of a team while playing baseball.

As a baseball coach, you will help boys become responsible young men. This manual

will teach you how to help boys develop their baseball skills while teaching them

the fundamentals of life: working together, playing hard, doing their best, and most

importantly, having fun.

“Every season is a journey. Every journey is a lifetime.” -Mike Krzyzewski

viiTable of Contents

Chapter One: Preseason Activities 3 Selecting a Youth Baseball League 3 Applying to be a Youth Baseball Coach 3 Attending the Coaches Meeting 4 Team, Player, and League Format 5 Coach Conduct 6 Game Schedules 6 Team Names and Uniforms 6 League Equipment 7 Playing Fields 7 League Rules 8 Communication 8 Umpires 9 Questions 9 Freezing Players 9 Attending the Coaches Look 11 Attending the Draft 13

Chapter Two: Regular Season Activities 19 Setting Up a Practice Schedule 19 Contacting Your New Team 19 Having Your First Team Meeting 20 Practicing with Your Team 20 Stretching and Warm-up 21 Running 21 Baseball Positions 22 Batting Practice Drills 23 Pitcher and Catcher Drills 24 Playing the Game 25 Game Rules 25 Baseball Signs 25 Batting Order and Field Positions for Games 26 Field Positions with Missing or Injured Players 27 Angry Fans and Parents 28 Positive Reactions During Games 28 Bad Plays 29 Game Ball Presentation 29

Chapter Three: Postseason Activities 33 Participating in the Postseason Tournament 33 Trophies 33 Nominating Players for the All-Star Team 34 All-Star Commitment 34 Having the End of Season Party 34 CertificatesandAwards 35 Staying in Touch with Your Players 35

Index 39

List of Figures ix

Figure 1.1 Example of partial Draft Sheet 10Figure 1.2 Example of completed partial Draft Sheet with evaluations from Coaches Looks 12Figure 1.3 Example of partial Draft List 13Figure 1.4 Example of Draft method with partial Coach Draft List through the 8th round 14Figure 1.5 Example of completed partial Coach Draft List through the 8th round 15

Figure 2.1 Baseball Positions 22Figure 2.2 Coach and player using hitting stick 23Figure 2.3 Sample batting order 27Figure 2.4 SampleListoffieldpositions 27

Figure 3.1 Sample playoff bracket for 13 teams 33

3Chapter One

Chapter One: Preseason Activities“I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day and I dream

about it at night. The only time I don’t think about it is when I’m playing it.” -Carl Yastrzemski

Selecting a Youth Baseball League“If you’re not having fun in baseball, you miss the point of everything.” -Chris Chambliss

When you decide that you want to become a youth baseball coach

• Find a local youth sports organization that offers a baseball program.

• Check with other parents in your community to find a program that suits your

needs.

Once you decide on an organization, find the web site of the youth sports association

and contact the Baseball Commissioner to find out how to apply to become a coach.

Applying to be a Youth Baseball Coach“Baseball? It’s just a game - as simple as a ball and a bat. Yet, as complex as the American

spirit it symbolizes. It’s a sport, business - and sometimes even religion.” -Ernie Harwell

In addition to filling out the league’s coaching application and background check, most

leagues require that you receive certification from the National Youth Sports Coaches

Association (NYSCA) to be a youth baseball coach.

To apply to be a coach

1. Go to www.nays.org.

• The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) offers NYSCA certification

through online training sessions or through live, on-site, interactive video

training clinics available through your local youth sports association.

2. Pay the membership fee and attend a training clinic or participate in the online

clinic. (You must re-certify every year.)

4 Coaching Youth Baseball

3. Complete all required applications and the background check.

4. Return the completed paperwork to the league with proof of your NYSCA

certification.

The league will contact you if it approves you as a youth baseball coach.

Attending the Coaches Meeting“I’ve come to the conclusion that the two most important things in life are good friends and a

good bullpen.” -Bob Lemon, 1981

Once the league has approved your application, you will attend a required coaches

meeting. At this meeting, you will receive an information folder. Inside this folder, you

will find

• Meeting Agenda

• League Rules

• Copy of Special Rules for Your Division

• Your Assistant Coach’s Application and Freeze Form

• Your Player Freeze Forms

• Preliminary Draft Sheet

• League Code of Conduct

You will also have to fill out the following information on the coach’s information sheet:

• Team Name

• Coach’s Name and Contact Information

• Assistant Coach’s Name Contact Information

• NYSCA Certification Number and Expiration Date

5Chapter One

You will receive a league schedule which gives the dates for all league events, including

• Registration

• Coaches Looks

• Draft

• Practice Start Date

• Game Schedule Release Date

• Required Field Work Days

• Regular Season Events

• Playoffs

• All-Star Selection and Tournament Dates

During the meeting, the Commissioner will explain the policies and rules of the league.

He will discuss the following topics:

• Team, Player, and League Formats

• Coach Conduct

• Game Schedules

• Team Names and Uniforms

• League Equipment

• Playing Fields

• League Rules

• Communication

• Umpires

• Any questions you may have

Team, Player, and League Format“A team is where a boy can prove his courage on his own.”-Mickey Mantle

The number of teams in your league depends on how many boys sign up to play for that

division. Usually, each team has between 10 and 12 players.

The league determines each team’s standings by the number of wins, losses, and ties.

They also consider runs allowed and runs scored. In the event of a tie, the teams with

identical records will have a coin toss to determine who places higher in the standings.


Coach Conduct“Coaching is a profession of love. You can’t coach people unless you love them.” -Eddie

Robinson

As a coach, you must hold yourself to a higher standard. You will establish yourself as a

role model for young boys. Most youth leagues are recreational leagues. Your main goal

in a recreational league is to teach the boys the fundamentals of baseball while having

fun.

Your players will watch how you react during practices and games. Strive to be the best

role model you can be. Think before you act or react.

Game Schedules“There are three things you can do in a baseball game. You can win, or you can lose, or it can

rain.” -Casey Stengel

The league will have 12 regular season games. Your Division Commissioner will set up

your game schedule. If the officials have to call a game for rain, your team will make up

the game according to the league’s make-up schedule.

Recreational leagues limit teams to three events per week. For instance, if you have two

games, then you may only have one practice. Most leagues define a week as Sunday to

Saturday.

Team Names and Uniforms“I really love the togetherness in baseball. That’s a real true love.”-Billy Martin

Most leagues allow coaches to choose team names on a first come-first served

basis. Returning coaches may keep their team name from the previous season. The

Commissioner has the right to refuse any name that he deems inappropriate.

7Chapter One

The league will provide a uniform jersey and baseball cap for each player. As a coach,

you may not ask your players’ parents to pay for uniform upgrades or modifications.

However, you may ask them to contribute if you choose to have your players’ last names

put on the backs of the jerseys. Each player should provide his own pants, belt, and

socks for the uniform.

League Equipment“It matters little how much equipment we use; it matters much that we be masters of all we do

use.” -Sam Abell

The league provides your team with batting helmets and catcher’s gear in a league

equipment bag. You must keep all equipment in the equipment bag when you are not

using it.

You must provide the league with a $150 deposit check. The league will not cash this

check. They will hold it until the end of the season when you return their equipment.

The league will only cash the deposit check if you do not return the equipment at the end

of the season.

The players should provide their own gloves and bats. Players may also choose to

purchase their own helmets and catcher’s gear.

Playing Fields“If you build it, he will come.” -Field of Dreams

The league will provide proper playing fields for each division. Make sure that your

coaches, players, and fans treat the playing field with respect.

• Players may not roughhouse in the dugout.

• Coaches may not allow anyone other than players and coaches in the dugout or

on the field at any time.


• Coaches should put the field “to bed” after the last game of the night.

1. Remove the bases and put them in the storage room.

2. Rake the mound and home plate area.

• Teams must clean the dugout after every game.

League Rules“Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes,

even the best lawyer in the world can’t get you off.” -Bill Veeck

The league will set a hierarchy for its baseball rules. Most leagues follow this standard

order of precedence

1. League-specific rules

2. PONY baseball rules

3. Major League Baseball rules

Typically, the Home team will furnish the official Score Keeper who will keep the

score in the official league book. The Away team will provide a responsible Scoreboard

Operator. Children cannot run the scoreboard or keep the official league book. The

official Score Keeper and the Scoreboard Operator must be at least 16 years old.

Communication“Kids today are looking for idols, but sometimes they look too far... They don’t have to look any

farther than their home because those are the people that love you. They are the real heroes.”

-Bobby Bonilla

As a coach, you must be a good communicator. Always have an open-door policy with

your players and their parents. This means that you must be open for suggestions,

criticisms, and concerns.

9Chapter One

If you have any questions or concerns about the league, your players, or their parents,

direct them to the Division Commissioner. Do not discuss your concerns about your

players with anyone other than your team’s coaches and the Commissioner.

Umpires“I’ve never questioned the integrity on an umpire. Their eyesight, yes.” -Leo Durocher

The league will contract professional umpires to officiate the games. You need to

understand that umpires are human and can make mistakes. However, coaches, fans,

parents, and players may not berate umpires for bad calls. You may politely ask the

umpire to explain his decision, but the umpire’s decision is always final.

Questions“The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.” -Thomas Berger

Direct all questions regarding league rules, player concerns, parent concerns, and

coaching concerns to the Division Commissioner.

Freezing Players“Kids are our future, and we hope baseball has given them some idea of what it is to live

together and how we can get along, whether you be black or white.”-Larry Doby

You can freeze a certain number of players for your team, depending on whether you are

a new coach or a returning coach. When you freeze a player for your team, no one else

can draft that player.

You must have parental consent for all frozen players. You must have the freeze form

signed by the parents and turned in by the end of the freeze period.


New coaches can freeze up to 4 players:

1. Your son

2. Your Assistant Coach’s son

• If you do not have an Assistant Coach, you can freeze any other player in

the league

3. Any other unfrozen player in the league


Returning coaches can freeze up to 7 players:

1. Your son

2. Your Assistant Coach’s son

3. Returning player from the previous year

4. Returning player from the previous year




You may not freeze a player after the freeze period ends.

Once the league closes the freeze period, it will issue the Draft Sheet. The Draft Sheet

will list all players eligible for the Draft. You will receive a Draft Sheet prior to the

Coaches Look.

Num. Last Name First Name DOB Fielding Throwing Hitting Comments1 Allen Denny 08/30/19972 Anton Paul 05/23/19953 Aspen Austin 01/29/19974 Axley Charlie 06/01/19965 Banks Eddie 07/14/19976 Barton George 03/04/19967 Baty Bobby 08/31/19978 Benson Danny 09/17/19969 Boston Jack 05/10/199610 Bradford Kenny 04/07/1997

(Figure 1.1 Example of partial Draft Sheet)

11Chapter One

Attending the Coaches Look“Look for your choices, pick the best one, then go with it.” -Pat Riley

You will attend two Coaches Looks. At the Coaches Look, prospective players will run

drills so the coaches can evaluate the players and decide if they want to draft them for

their teams.

Usually, the league will have one Coaches Look on a week night and one on a weekend.

During the Coaches Look, you will use the Draft Sheet to score prospective players on

their skills.

At the Coaches Look

1. Use your player Draft Sheet to evaluate the players while they participate in

various drills. Some coaches come up with their own scoring method, but most

score on a scale of 0 to 5:

• 0 needs a lot of work

• 1 needs some work

• 2 shows promise, but needs work

• 3 is good

• 4 is really good

• 5 is outstanding

2. Score the players on the following criteria:

• Fielding the ball

o Movement (speed, agility)

o Technique (stopping the ball, turnaround, accuracy of throw)

• Throwing

o Arm strength (speed, force)

o Accuracy (throwing straight to other player)

• Hitting

o Body position (how they hold the bat and position their bodies)

o Mechanics (how they swing the bat)

o How many times they make contact with the ball


3. After you score all of the players, add their numbers from each of the drills. For

example, F-3 + T-2 + H-4=9. A 9 is a fairly good score. Keep in mind that, unless

he is a baseball phenom, a baseball player will probably not earn a 15.

4. Evaluate pitchers and catchers separately by putting notes on the Draft Sheet. For

example, if the player is a good catcher or pitcher, you would put “C” or “P” in the

Comments section of the Draft Sheet.

• Pitching (not included in scoring)

o Accuracy

o Arm strength

• Catching (not included in scoring)

o Stopping the ball

o Hand-eye coordination

o Focus (knowing everything that’s happening on the field)

o Arm strength (making the throw to second base)

5. If the player shows exceptional talent in hitting or running, note that in the

Comments section also.

Num. Last Name First Name DOB Fielding Throwing Hitting Comments1 Allen Denny 08/30/1997 1 2 22 Anton Paul 05/23/1995 3 3 2 C3 Aspen Austin 01/29/1997 3 2 34 Axley Charlie 06/01/1996 1 1 15 Banks Eddie 07/14/1997 4 3 26 Barton George 03/04/1996 4 4 3 P7 Baty Bobby 08/31/1997 2 2 48 Benson Danny 09/17/1996 2 4 3 C9 Boston Jack 05/10/1996 3 2 5 power hitter10 Bradford Kenny 04/07/1997 2 3 1

(Figure 1.2 Example of completed partial Draft Sheet with evaluations.)

If players do not attend either of the Coaches Looks, the league places their names in a

blind draw.

After the Coaches Look, the coaches will draw numbers for their draft order. At the

Draft, you will draft your frozen players first and then you will draft all other players by

your draft order.

13Chapter One

Once you have scored all the players who show up to the Coaches Looks, total your

scores and make your Draft List by descending order of total score. Remember to note

the catchers and pitchers on your Draft List.

Order DraftNum. Last Name First Name DOB Score1 6 Barton George 03/04/1996 11-P2 9 Boston Jack 05/10/1996 10-power hitter3 8 Benson Danny 09/17/1996 9-C4 5 Banks Eddie 07/14/1997 95 2 Anton Paul 05/23/1995 8-C6 3 Aspen Austin 01/29/1997 87 7 Baty Bobby 08/31/1997 88 10 Bradford Kenny 04/07/1997 69 1 Allen Denny 08/30/1997 510 4 Axley Charlie 06/01/1996 3

(Figure 1.3 Example of partial Draft List)

Attending the Draft“Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else

but to be better than someone else. This is the nature of man and the name of the game.” -Ted

Williams

The Draft moves very quickly, so you have to come prepared to the Draft. Bring the

following items

• Your Draft List

• A pencil to mark the numbers of your draft picks

• A highlighter to mark off the players picked by other coaches

• A different highlighter to mark off your picked players

• Your Assistant Coach (optional)

At the Draft

1. The Commissioner will give all of the Coaches a Coach Draft List so each coach

can record all of the draft picks.


2. The Commissioner will conduct the Draft in a serpentine order, (down one way,

up the next). For example, if there are 13 coaches, the Draft would start at the

person who drew the number 1, then move on to number 2 and so on through the

numbers. When the Draft gets to number 13, that coach will pick two players and

then the next coach to pick a player will be number 12.

Num. Coach 1st round 2nd round 3rd round 4th round 5th round 6th round 7th round 8th round1 Zachary2 Calhoun3 Goodson4 Franks5 Caster6 Branch7 Stevens8 Gliden9 Tate10 Mullin11 Johnson12 Jackson13 Daniels

(Figure 1.4 Example of Draft method with partial Coach Draft List through the 8th round.)

3. Write the player’s draft number on the Coach Draft List on your line under your

round pick.

4. You must follow your player freeze list when drafting your players. If you have

frozen the maximum of 7 players, your first 7 draft picks will be those players. If

you have only frozen 6 players, then your first 6 drafts will be those players, and

so on.

5. After you have drafted your frozen players, draft additional players according to

what your team needs. If you need pitchers, freeze players who pitched well.

6. Use your Draft List to pick the players you want.

7. You can choose to forgo a draft pick in order to pick from the blind draw.

8. All coaches will continue to draft players until every player from the Draft Sheet

and the blind draw has a team.

15Chapter One

9. You may not trade players with any coach or make any kind of agreement with

any other coach under the table. All draft picks and blind draws are final.

10. The Commissioner will give you the information sheets for each player on your

team. You will use these to contact your players.

Num. Coach 1st round 2nd round 3rd round 4th round 5th round 6th round 7th round 8th round1 Zachary 103 52 26 9 46 4 37 112 Calhoun 43 101 65 42 50 54 92 193 Goodson 14 23 45 32 70 20 51 164 Franks 24 60 48 102 22 79 58 415 Caster 104 7 2 83 95 33 100 136 Branch 27 15 35 44 31 74 29 367 Stevens 59 75 73 93 8 89 66 288 Gliden 86 99 82 53 18 10 84 579 Tate 61 3 96 85 56 1 21 6410 Mullin 80 90 17 71 62 47 88 6711 Johnson 91 72 6 34 68 55 76 3912 Jackson 69 38 49 78 97 63 30 7713 Daniels 25 81 98 40 87 5 94 12

(Figure 1.5 Example of completed partial Coach Draft List through the 8th round.)

19Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Regular Season Activities“Measure yourself as a coach not by what you have accomplished, but by what you should

have accomplished given the ability of your players and the strength of your competition.”

-John Wooden

Setting Up a Practice Schedule“Donning a glove for a backyard toss, or watching a ball game, or just reflecting upon our

baseball days, we are players again, forever young.”-John Thorn

Before you contact your team, set up a practice schedule. Remember to stick to the three

event per week rule.

1. Find a practice field. Many schools let youth sports teams use their fields. Contact

locals schools in your area to see which fields are available.

2. Set up days and times that will work for as many people as possible.

3. Try to skip days between practices so the players can have time for other

activities.

• Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

• Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

4. Remember that you cannot accommodate everyone’s schedule. Offer to help with

carpooling players to practices and games.

Contacting Your New Team“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures

behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the

way baseball is.” -Bob Feller

Once you have set up your practice schedule, contact your players.


1. Organize your player information sheets and call all of your players’ parents.

2. Introduce yourself. Tell the parents about yourself and what you plan to

accomplish during the baseball season.

3. Verify that all player information is correct and get an email address so you can

email information to the parents.

4. If necessary, ask for volunteers for Assistant Coach or Team Mom positions.

Having Your First Team Meeting “In any leadership position, the most important aspect of your job will be getting your team to

work together.” -Dale Brown

Have a parent meeting before your first practice. During this meeting, do the following:

1. Hand out copies of the team roster. This will help the parents organize carpools

and allow the boys to form new friendships.

2. Explain what the players and parents can expect from you and tell the players

and parents what you expect from them.

Practicing with Your Team“Baseball, to me, is still the national pastime because it is a summer game. I feel that almost

all Americans are summer people, that summer is what they think of when they think of their

childhood. I think it stirs up an incredible emotion within people.” -Steve Busby

During your first practice, evaluate each player’s skills. Ask your players which positions

they have played before. Watch how they perform and use this information to set up

future practices and set up your practice drills.

21Chapter Two

Stretching and Warm-up“Overcoaching is the worst thing you can do to a player.” -Dean Smith

Players must stretch their bodies and warm-up their arms before beginning any practice

or game to avoid injury.

1. Have your players break off into pairs and throw the baseball back and forth

between each other to loosen up their arms.

2. Have your players do stretching exercises that focus on their legs, shoulders,

elbows, and arms.

3. Have your players run the bases to warm up their legs.

Running“First master the fundamentals.” -Larry Bird

Your players need to be able to quickly run the bases. Have the players run the bases

before practice and have them run the bases again after practice. Make sure your players

know that they must watch the Third Base Coach for signals to run, stop, or steal during

a game.

Baseball Positions“Ninety feet between home plate and first base may be the closest man has ever come to

perfection.” -Red Smith

In baseball, you will have 9 players on the field. The following diagram (Figure 2.1)

illustrates the player positions and explains each of them.


(Figure 2.1 Baseball Positions)

1. Pitcher-stands on the pitcher’s mound and throws balls to the catcher, trying to

strike out the batters on the opposing team.

2. Catcher-squats behind home plate and catches and fields the balls the pitcher

throws. He also fields the ball and tags the runner out at home plate.

3. First Baseman-stands at first base and catches the balls that the batter hits

between the pitcher, catcher, and second base positions. Since most outs are at

first base, the first baseman must be quick and accurate.

4. Second Baseman-stands between first and second base and catches and fields

balls that the batter hits between the first baseman and short stop positions.

5. Third Baseman-stands at third base and catches and fields the balls that the

batter hits between the pitcher, catcher, and shortstop positions.

6. Shortstop-stands between second and third base. Catches and fields balls that

the batter hits between second and third base positions.

7. Left Fielder-stands in left field and catches and fields the balls that the batter

hits into the left side of the outfield.

8. Center Fielder- stands in center field and catches and fields the balls that the

batter hits into the center of the outfield.

9. Right Fielder- stands in right field and catches and fields the balls that the

batter hits into the right side of the outfield.

23Chapter Two

Batting Practice Drills“You can’t sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You’ve got to

throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That’s why baseball is

the greatest game of them all.” -Earl Weaver

You can take your players to the batting cages for extra batting practice, but during

regular practice, you can teach them the fundamentals.

Have your players practice with a hitting stick. A hitting stick is a device that looks like a

ball on the end of a flexible pole. You can buy one at any sporting goods store.

To use the hitting stick

1. Keep a firm grip on the handle and hold the hitting stick with the ball end in the

strike zone.

2. Make sure your players have proper batting form while holding the bat.

3. Have the player swing the bat.

4. When the player hits the ball end of the hitting stick with his bat, the hitting stick

will swing outward.

5. Bring the hitting stick back to the strike zone position and have the players

continue to hit the ball end until they feel comfortable swinging the bat.

By using this method of batting practice, you can help the player learn how to correctly

position his hands on the bat and swing straight.

(Figure 2.2 Coach and player using hitting stick.)


After training your players on the hitting stick, you can have them practice batting like

in a real game.

1. Position your players in the infield and outfield. Since most teams will have 11 or

12 players, you will have 2 or 3 free players who are not in a fielding position.

2. Have your free players come up to bat against your players on the field and let

them have their turns at bat until they connect with the ball.

3. Instead of having your players run all of the bases like in a real game, only have

them run as far as they can on that play.

4. Then have them switch off with one of the others players on the field so that

player can then go up to bat.

5. Continue until all players have a turn at bat.

Pitcher and Catcher Drills“Baseball is a man maker.” -Al Spalding

Try your players at different positions until you find the right fit. Your players learn

the positions as they practice them. However, practice your pitchers and catchers

differently.

• Have your pitchers and catchers warm up with each other in their field positions.

• Have your catchers make throws to second base.

• If your catcher is nervous, take him aside and have him squat with his hands

clasped behind his back and throw baseballs at him. Have him use his protective

gear to block and deflect the balls. This will help him overcome his fear of being

hit by the ball.

• Do not always practice the same pitcher and catcher together. They need to adapt

to different each other’s styles of pitching and catching.

25Chapter Two

Playing the Game“Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage,

fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem.” -Saul Steinberg

Game Rules“Tell a ballplayer something a thousand times, then tell him again, because that may be the

time he’ll understand something.” -Paul Richards

Leagues can deviate from the PONY rules, so your youth sports association will provide

you with a copy of their league-specific game rules. Explain the rules to your players,

paying special attention to the following areas:

• Rules for stealing bases

• Dugout rules

• Rules for pitching

o Length of time between games with a specific pitcher

o Number of innings with a specific pitcher

• Catching

o Length of time between games with a specific catcher

o Number of innings with a specific catcher

Baseball Signs“Keep it simple, when you get too complex you forget the obvious.” -Al Maguire

During games, the Third Base Coach will need to “talk” to the players using non-verbal

signs or signals so they will know when he wants them to steal bases, bunt, stay on base,

or do something else.

Make your signs inconspicuous so the other players and coaches do not notice your

movements. Keep your signs simple for young players and add complexity for older

players. However, keep in mind that the more complex a signal is, the less likely the

player will remember it.


1. For beginning players, use simple signs with only one or two movements.

• Touch the brim of your hat if you want your batter to bunt.

• Touch your shoulder, then your elbow if you want your runner to stay on

base.

2. For players under 10 years old, limit yourself to three movements.

• Touch your nose, then your eye, then your ear if you want your runner to

steal second base.

3. For players over 10 years old, you can use as many complex signals as you want.

• Rub your hand across your chest from left to right, then touch your head

from front to back, then touch your left leg if you want your runner to steal

home.

Use any kind of signal that your players can retain. You should change your signs often

so the opposing teams do not learn them. You should also tell your players that you

will show them nonsense signs intended to throw off the opposing team. For example,

if your signal for stealing second base is touching your elbow, then you should scratch

your head while looking at your first base runner. Your base runner will know it means

nothing, but the opposing team’s pitcher will wonder if it’s a signal to steal second base.

Battingorderandfieldpositionsforgames“To me, baseball has always been a reflection of life. Like life, it adjusts. It survives

everything.” -Willie Stargell

When setting up the batting order for games, load the batting order. Loading the batting

order means that you put the weaker hitters in between the stronger hitters. By the time

you have your first game, you will know which players are weak and which ones are

strong.

Have a copy of your batting order to hang in the dugout. Your dugout coach will prepare

the players for their turns at bat. Make an extra copy of your batting order because you

must provide a copy of it to the opposing team.

27Chapter Two

1 Strong hitter2 Strong hitter3 Weak hitter4 Strong hitter5 Strong hitter6 Weak hitter7 Strong hitter8 Strong hitter9 Weak hitter10 Strong hitter11 Strong hitter12 Weak hitter

(Figure 2.3 Sample batting order.)

During the game have a copy of your list of field positions handy. Even though you will

probably not play all nine innings, prepare field positions for all nine innings.

1st Inning (or 2nd Inning, 3rd Inning, etc)P Pitcher NameC Catcher Name1st First Baseman Name2nd Second Baseman Name3rd Third Baseman NameSS Short Stop NameLF Left Fielder NameCF Center Fielder NameRF Right Fielder Name

(Figure 2.4 Sample list of field positions.)

Field Positions with Missing or Injured Players“You have to go understand that life and baseball is littered with all kinds of obstacles and

problems along the way. You have to learn how to overcome them to be successful in life.”

-Dave Winfield

Due to conflicting schedules, illnesses, or injuries, players will miss games. Have a

backup player for every field position and a backup batting order in case you have a

missing or injured player during a game.

Ask your players’ parents to call or email you if their son won’t be at a practice or game

so you will have time to makes changes.


Angry Fans and Parents“For the parents of a Little Leaguer, a baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown into

innings.” -Earl Wilson

When you have your first practice and parent meeting, explain the rules of baseball

etiquette to your players’ parents. The players, fans, and parents need to understand

that you will not tolerate

• Name-calling, taunting, or any other derogatory or inappropriate behavior.

• Shouting directions to players from the stands or coaching from the sidelines.

• Any negativity directed at coaches, players, or officials.

During a game, if any parent or fan does any of those things

1. Immediately signal the official for a time-out.

2. Approach the parent or fan and kindly, but firmly, ask them to stop immediately.

3. Tell the offending fan or parent that you will have them removed from the

ballpark if they continue to behave inappropriately.

If the behavior continues

1. Ask the official for another time-out.

2. Do not approach the fan or parent.

3. Find a league official and ask him to remove the offending fan or parent from the

ballpark.

Positive Reactions During Games“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.” -John Wooden

Sometimes the games will get intense. No matter what happens, always keep your

emotions in check and react positively.

29Chapter Two

During intense situations, stay calm and

• Firmly explain to your players what you expect from them.

• Bench players who are not doing what they should do.

• Do not argue with or show negativity to other coaches, parents, fans, or officials.

• Do not call names or use bad language.

Bad Plays“One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a

situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.” -

Nolan Ryan

Players will make bad plays. Your job as a coach is to help them relax and let it go. If a

player gets upset about a bad play, he will continue to make mistakes.

If a player makes a bad play

1. Reassure him that everyone makes mistakes and tell him you are not mad at him.

You can criticize the action, but you should never criticize the child.

2. Remind your player that he should always try his best.

3. Do not let him give up. Tell him he needs to get right back out there and try again.

Game Ball Presentation“You owe it to yourself to be the best you can possible be in baseball and in life.” -Pete Rose

After every game, present the game ball to the player went above and beyond in the

game. Pay special attention to those players who have not received a game ball yet and

single out their best plays of the game so you can draw attention to them after the game.

Every player should get a game ball during the season, so keep a list of players who have

already received game balls.

Chapter Three 33

Chapter Three: Postseason Activities“Since baseball time is measured only in outs, all you have to do is succeed utterly; keep

hitting, keep the rally alive, and you have defeated time. You remain forever young.” -Roger

Angell

Participating in the Postseason Tournament“A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”-Ara

Parseghian

After the end of regular season play, your team will participate in the league’s

postseason tournament with all of the other teams in the league. Most tournaments are

single-elimination, which means that your teams keeps playing games until you lose.

The league will determine each team’s rank based on its record.

(Figure 3.1 Sample playoff bracket for 13 teams.)

Trophies“You win games with your strengths, not your weaknesses.” -Bear Bryant

Most leagues only award trophies to the first and second place teams. The Division

Commissioner will award the trophies to the first and second place teams after the final

game of the tournament.


Nominating Players for the All-Star Team“Today’s Little Leaguers, and there are millions of them each year, pick up how to hit and

throw and field just by watching games on TV. By the time they’re out of high school, the good

ones are almost ready to play professional ball.” -Mickey Mantle

At the end of the regular season, you may nominate up to 3 players for the All-Star team.

Those players will attend the All-Star tryouts.

The All-Star team will play tournaments during the summer, so make sure your players

know the level of commitment required for participation before you nominate them.

• Choose players who have a lot of talent.

• Do not let the parents pressure you into choosing their son if he isn’t qualified.

• Explain the level of commitment required for All-Stars.

All-Star Commitment“No one has ever drowned in sweat.” -Lou Holtz

When you choose the players you want to nominate for the All-Star team, talk to their

parents about the high level of commitment involved.

• All-Stars lasts through the end of July, so tell the parents that their son will have

to commit to spending almost all of his summer playing baseball.

• Explain that All-Star games are tournament games and require a high level of

competition.

• Let them know that All-Stars can be expensive if the team doesn’t have a sponsor.

Having the End of Season Party“A person really doesn’t become whole, until he becomes a part of something that’s bigger than

himself.” -Jim Valvano

After the last game of the season, schedule a party to celebrate the end of the season.

This will allow the players to connect as a team one last time before they go their

separate ways.

Chapter Three 35

You can also take this time to show your appreciation for your players, parents, and

Assistant Coaches.

Consider cost when planning the party. Unless you can pay for the party yourself, you

will have to ask the parents pay for their child to participate. Some ideas for parties

include

• Going to a Major or Minor League baseball game

• Going to a bowling alley, arcade, or other party place

• Having a cookout or pool party

CertificatesorAwards“The deepest principal in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” -William James

All children want to feel special. Make certificates of appreciation or get awards for your

players. You can make them serious or you can make them funny, as long as you let your

players know that you appreciate them.

Focus on each player and single him out for his individual performance for the season.

Highlight each player’s strengths and let all the players know how much you appreciate

their individual efforts.

Staying in Touch with Your Players“Kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” -Unknown

As a coach, you become an important figure in your players’ lives. Make sure that your relationship doesn’t end when the season does. Let your players know that they can contact you and you will be there for them.

Index 39

A

All-Stars, 34

Angry fans and parents, 28

Applying to be a coach, 3

Awards and certificates, 35

B

Bad plays, 29

Baseball positions, 22

Baseball signs, 25

Batting order, 26

Batting practice drills, 23

Blind draw, 12, 14

Bracket, tournament, 33

C

Catching, 12

Catching Drills, 24

Catcher, 22

Center Fielder, 22

Certification, NYSCA, 3

Coach Conduct, 6

Coaches Look, 11

Coaches Meeting, 4

Commitment, All-Star, 34

Communication, 8

Contacting your team, 19

D

Draft, 13

Draft List, 13

Draft method, 14

Draft number, 12, 14

Draft Sheet, 10-12

Drafting players, 14

Drills, batting, 23

catcher, 24

pitcher, 24

E

End of season party, 34

Equipment, League, 7

F

Fielding, 11

Field positions, 26

Fields, playing, 7

Fields, practice, 19

First Baseman, 22

Format, team, player, and league, 5

Freezing players, 9

GGame ball presentation, 29Game, playing, 25Game, rules, 25Game schedules, 6

HHitting, 11Hitting stick, 23

IInjured players, 27

KKeeping in touch with your players, 35

LLeague, selecting, 3League rules, 8Left Fielder, 22

MMeeting, team, 20Missing players, 27

NNAYS, 3Nominating players for All-Stars, 34NYSCA certification, 3

OOrder, batting, 26-27

PParty, end of season, 34Pitcher, 22Pitching, 12Pitching drills, 24Playing the game, 25Plays, bad, 29Positions, field, 26Positions, baseball, 22Positive reactions, 28Postseason tournament, 33Practice schedule, 19Practicing with your team, 20

QQuestions, 9

RRight Fielder, 22Rules, game, 25Rules, league, 8Running, 21

SSchedules, games, 6Schedules, practices, 19Scoring, Coaches Look, 11Second Baseman, 22Shortstop, 22Signs, baseball, 25Staying in touch with players, 35Stretching, 21

TTeam Names, 6Third Base Coach, 25Third Baseman, 22Three event rule, 6, 19Throwing, 11Tournament, postseason, 33Trophies, 33

UUmpires, 9Uniforms, 7

WWarm-up, 21

Documents

“Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” -John Woodenkristinnacarlson.weebly.com/uploads/5/0/6/9/5069957/baseballcoac… · “Sports do not build character, they reveal