Baseball Coaching Information - Baseball Article Summaries

General Comments on Position Specialization - Coach Bob (length=3508)
In theory it sounds good if every youngster could play every position. But I am of the opinion, that when put to the test in game situations, it is not good for the team, for them as individuals, for ...

Coaching Concerns - A sport or an Activity? - Splitter (length=1395)
Thure, You are not wrong at all in your plans. The kids on your team learned very little this spring and I would bet many learned bad things they will have to "unlearn" going into their next season. B ...

Competition in Youth Sports - Single L (length=2146)
As a coach, my goal is to help young players learn the skills and the character attributes that baseball teaches. This includes learning how to compete--how to play with competitive intensity, how to ...

How do you relax when you play the game? - Splitter (length=1346)
I recently had a conversation with a kid who was going to his first all-star tournament and was nervous about it. Here is what I told him: You will fail. That's baseball. If you were a quarterback and ...

Moving Down from 12 yo to 9 yo - Kenneth Bean (length=2085)
Hi DRP A couple of thoughts: One thing to keep in mind is that this will be your first season with this particular team. You are an unknown quantity, (quality?) to these particular kids. First impress ...

An Open Question for Everyone - Randy Dykstra (length=483)
That's funny because our league's rules committee was emailing back and forth today and forfiets were hot topic.... Now while I highly advocate promptness many people don't and I think that at all cos ...

Buying "Victory" at Season's End - Coach Bob (length=1682)
Gerald, you have touched on a sore point with me, so I MUST wax philosophical for a moment if I may. Our League (LL) provides trophies for the (single) team that wins their Division (T-Ball, machine p ...

Focus and enthusiasm - Chip (length=12111)
Thanks for your kind words. While I ahve some experience and lots of opinions, many of the other guys have three or four times more years in the pressure cookers. Taking on a subject like this sometim ...

High School Rejection - Kenneth Bean (length=2942)
Hi Gary Whew! that's allways and always, one of a dad's toughest jobs. A couple of thoughts: You mentioned that as a catcher, his arm might not be strong enough. Read this carefully now...it's crucial ...

Is this such a Bad play??? - Chip (length=3765)
Giving you my perspective on your comments in order: (1) No, of course, the play is not dirty. Neither is the hidden ball trick, the shortstop cutoff play (on a double steal), the second base decoy p ...

Kathy is Right - Coach Bob (length=656)
Kathy is right, Bob. Coaching is TEACHING. Do you think that anyone should teach fundamentals of anything and simply look at the short-term successes? Continue doing what you are doing - providing the ...

Me and Mine - Randy Dykstra (length=2291)
Our greatest honor as coaches, is to spread the knowledge of the game we love and share it with as many people as we possibly can. I love all levels of the game. I love teaching kids, sharing my joy o ...

Playing them all over the place-Comments? - Splitter (length=3760)
Mark, I appreciate your post and I think I understand where you are coming from. However, I think it is neccessary for players to understand whatever postion they play. And I don't expect the young gu ...

Problem Players - Kenneth Bean (length=2047)
Hi Coach Scott, I had my share of "problem Players" over the years. I was, to borrow a phrase, appalled at the intensity in the first Draft I participated in, and consequently declined to draft therea ...

Success - Seadog (length=1388)
Splitter, This a great story more coaches need to read. It is obvious to many why you are a great coach. Developing a childs self esteem is as much our job as teaching the game of baseball. To many ...

Yes, but.... :)) - Randy Dykstra (length=3285)
If you have followed this board for any significant time, you would know I am the first one to ADVOCATE players must EARN their playing time. But yet they also have to be given a chance... If kids don ...

Coaching Problems - Cary (length=1118)
If you ask any of your seven-year-olds why they are playing, I guarantee you will not get a single response of "To win games." I ask this question to every player every year. The answers I get are tha ...

Postive Reinforcement vs Criticism - Karen (length=2106)
This is just an observation for all the coaches out there. My son is playing on two teams this year. One is very competitive and the players are very intense. The other is a school team and is less c ...

Skill Expectations: 7 and 8 year olds - Splitter (length=3185)
I like what has been posted for tee-ballers. In our league, that means the kid is 5 or 6. The only thing I would add there is that by six a kid should be able to hit a ball off the tee at with at leas ...

Opinions on best resources - Chip (length=1140)
Wanted to check with you-all (Translation: cracker for "everybody out there") about the two or three best resources you've found for coaching. Can be a book, video, audio tape, site, coaching aid (lik ...

Benefits of fungo bats???? - Walter Kiriaka (length=495)
Wouldn't think of running my practices anymore without it. The fungo's vary in weight, the light one I have means someone can bat flys without tiring as easy. I've tried wood and metal. Some are very ...

Choosing a team... - Kathy (length=982)
This past September, my 10 year old son went to several tryouts for AABC select teams for the 2000 season. He has played select baseball for the past 2 years and did extremely well at the tryouts and ...

Coaches That Talk Too Much - Frustrated (length=826)
After my son's 8-10 year old baseball team had their team meeting I was happy with what I thought to a well thought out meeting. The coach seemed so organized and did an excellent job in covering what ...

Goal Setting - sedaog (length=1240)
DRP, Its a great age to start goal setting.Here is what I have done in the past. Ask each teamate to write down the three areas of their game they would like to improve on the most.I.E.Hitting, baseru ...

High School Goals and Objectives for 'Motivating' America's Students - TJ (length=2488)
Dear GaryB, Good luck to your son. On a near term basis, my advice that I have to offer to you if your son does get cut from the varsity squad is to first have your son seek immediate feedback from ...

High School Rejection - seadog (length=1207)
Gary, First of all I want to say it appears that your son has a lot to be thankful for to have a parent like yourself. It sounds like you have been there for him every step of the way and will continu ...

NATURAL POSITIONS & those Hot Stops, Today - TJ (length=1344)
Hey Seadog Good post ! Say Coker, As far as 'natural' corner or 'natural' SS, it is unbelievable to me these HOT STOPS, today. There is nothing 'short' about this talent. They are all that good. I c ...

Need Advice on "problem" player - TJ (length=1373)
I believe a Baseball Coach has a responsibility to do his best to instruct all facets of the game of baseball. This include both the primary as well as the secondary attributes. The permanence of this ...

Off-season workouts - Kathy (length=2108)
Old Ag, In many ways I agree with you. I see some parents drive their kids to sports burnout with verbal and mental abuse. They push so hard and expect so much from their kids that they force the fun ...

Off-season workouts - seadog (length=1317)
Mitchell, This may not be a popular post or acceptable answer to you but I feel it needs to be said. You said 2 things that alarmed me.1)He is ONLY 71/2 yrs old....... Give him a chance to grow up.you ...

Position Specialization - Jeff T (length=836)
I would work a player like this into the O.F., while continuing work at the other positions. I'm a big believer in exposing a kid to a variety of positions, as it will help (IMHO) to learn the game be ...

Practices don't have to be long to be good - Marty Schupak (length=4143)
Youth Baseball Practices Don’t Have To Be Long To Be Good Back in the late 70's an old college professor of mine was fond of saying, "Don't confuse activity with accomplishment." Jump forward about ...

Problem Player Revisited - tomc (length=1849)
I did not read through the original thread, but thought that I might throw out something you or other folks might be able to use. Here is one way I deal with a problem parent/player that is complaini ...

Question for Bear & friends - Old Ag (length=3231)
Perhaps the root cause is the American (human?) tendency toward short term goals. This problem has been thoroughly discussed in regard to corporate America. Yet it also pervades youth sports, most not ...

R U READY!!!!! - Manager SWB (length=2709)
We had our draft in mid Jan, and have been practicing for three weeks. I have one 7yr, a couple of 8yr, two 10yr, two 11yr, two 12yr, and the rest are 9yr. It's a strange mix. My son's one of the twel ...

Starting a tournament team - Joe (length=649)
Hi folks: We have a group of kids that want to be challenged beyond what Little League offers. We believe a tournament team is the way to go. But, we are new at this. Without pestering everyone to dea ...

Suggested Reading and Viewing; Coaching Help - Kathy (length=635)
Mike, Go to the Baseball Home Page for this site and look under the Youth Baseball Books heading. I have 4 of my favorite books listed at the top of the page. My son is 9 and I have found a lot of ...

Tryout standards and evaluations - Randy Dykstra (length=2869)
The way you pick your team depends a lot on what your goals are for that team. The pros run tryouts and the first thing they do is time everyone in the 60 yard dash and then evealuate their arm stren ...

Understanding and Teaching Pitches - TJ (length=6814)
Wow, lot's of good opinions, lot's of misinformation. Summary: 1. I prefer to teach How and When it is a good time to Teach a Pitcher to Develop Pitches. 2. To become a successul pitcher at all 90 ft ...

Good Question - Tony (length=1526)
I am really glad you asked this question. Let me first say that I coach Soccer, Baseball, and Basektball and also officiate in each. So I understand what is like to be on both sides. I feel that peopl ...

7 & 8 yr. skills - Gerald Wyatt (length=3367)
What Kathy said is so true. Fundamentals and keep it fun... for everybody. RAD's ideas make things fun too. At this age they are just starting out so our goal as coaches should be to plant a seed th ...

7 & 8 yr. skills - Randy Dykstra (length=999)
I agree with the previous posts. My philosophy is teach them right from the get go! you just can't expect the same results. One drill I like to use with thesse kids is to use 2 hula-hoops on a fence ...

A few things missing - Tony Lindsey (length=1612)
There are many factors, some within and some outside a coaches control, that influence the use of pitch count. Warm-Ups DO COUNT and should be considered. I coach in NY and the beginning of the season ...

An Open Question for Everyone - RICHARD (length=806)
I don't know maybe it's me. But I hate when kids miss a practice and really get POed when they miss a game. A child thats sick is one thing, a child that misses for religious reason is also one thing, ...

Batting Lineup -- you be the coach - Gary Owens (length=972)
Good question. I'm anxious to see what others think as well. Here's my shot at it: 1. RH hitter with speed 2. LH hitter with speed 3. Most consistent power hitter 4. Most aggressive power hitter (long ...

Bear's Batting Lineup, Coaching A Line-Up Card, Maximizing a Players Contribution Opportunity - Bear (length=1886)
Hi Darrell, I enjoyed your 1st game line up as much as the time it took, and the process you went through to find your right answers as you get closer to game day. I will pray for good weather. I ...

Bench Depth??? - Paul Faubert (length=617)
I'm coaching a 12U select (travel) team with a good friend of mine and we have come to an impasse on the size of the roster. I am leaning towards 14 players with 2-3 of them being strictly pitchers. O ...

But... - Paul Faubert (length=1415)
It doesn't have to be that way. If the leagues select the manager early enough and allow him to select the team, they can develop as a team and be competitive. We select teams in the first 2-3 weeks o ...

Coaching Son - Chip (length=1102)
Like the other contributors, I don't know you or your son, his temperament, likes & dislikes. We all could be off base. My main reaction to your post has to do with the "#7 All-Star" comment. As a co ...

Coaching Styles - Paul Faubert (length=3838)
I'm not real sure where I fit in. I guess it depends on whom you ask. The other coaches will all say I am too intense and am all about winning. The kids on my team will say I'm a great guy that likes ...

Coachs' Hi-5 results = OUT!!! - Scottr (length=462)
Michael, This is so-o-o easy of an answer but inexperienced umpires misinterpret it many times. A homerun ball is considered a "dead ball" while the batter is running the bases so any "high-fives" is ...

Comments & Thoughts - Bear (length=2162)
Yes, we try to teach the kids to have a plan. Many plans, Many ideas. Many on-going replanning efforts. Heres a few to consider Yes, we preach the plan they develop should try to include: a) Out of S ...

Dear Randy, - Bear (length=1218)
Sounds like a Bear of a Fun time ! Priority #1. - No kid plays the same position in a row. Priority #2. - Rotate everybody. Period. Priority #3. - Invoke the 'bat the bench rule' and can only score 5 ...

Dear Tom, - Bear (length=1187)
I read your 'posting' with much passion. My first response was to provide a simple..common reply with four letters. That being O U C H. However, let's examined, if I may, the audience whom may not un ...

Difficult Situation - Tony (length=1167)
Tom, As a coach who has no children, my first instinct was to think "I am glad this guy's kid isn't on my team" because I do not like having to deal with extra baggage (i.e. parents). But! after think ...

Difficult Situation - Tony (length=600)
Yes, True But... What if the parent's coaching is conflicting with the coaches and is confusing the child. I had one father of two boys on my team. He was very dedicated to his sons and worked them (m ...

Fun Practice Endings - Jeff T (length=744)
Good idea--and great incentive. Here are some of the things I've done. 1. Home run derby. Coach pitches from 2B grass and players hit from the back dirt off the mound. 10 outs (any swing that's not ya ...

Great Stuff, Toni, 20 reasons for Coaching Baseball - Bear (length=1845)
Thanks Jon Hoelter, I published this in our 1998 Program Guide and expect to again for 1999. ! Top 20 Reasons to Coach Youth Baseball 1. You get to spend most of your summer with other peoples' kids i ...

How far do you go? - scottrochelle (length=451)
This really is a no brainer and it shouldn't bother you to manage your team the way you believe it should be. The key word is "manage" as in manager...aside from managing the team you're allowing your ...

How many coaches is enough? - Jeff T. (length=1153)
The more, the merrier, as I prefer. However, I look as these "coaches" as helpers, as I limit "final decisions" to myself and 1 or 2 main assistants. You point out a main advantage, in that the player ...

How many coaches is enough? - Jerry Hart (length=1679)
Consensus? The well wasn't dry. Great input. I hadn't really thought that much about it, but I seem to always wind up with 2 fairly knowledgeable and reliable available coaches of record and 2-4 less ...

How many coaches is enough? - Joe Zander (length=2044)
Four coaches is my preference for both practices and games. Like you, I operate practices with multiple stations. If the team is broken down into groups of 3 or 4 players for drills, then it is practi ...

How many coaches is enough? - Jon Toner (length=659)
But what does that tell you about what is required of coaches? My best coaches are well-meaning dads who only know baseball from what they've seen on TV. After I teach them how I run the team, they r ...

How many coaches is enough? - Jon Toner (length=1206)
You know what they say about idle hands... I have two coaches of record (guys who take the team if I'm not there), but I usually recruit about 3 other people to help as part-timers. We break the kid ...

How many coaches is enough? - Neill Riddell (length=1116)
I agree, Roger, it is good to have a large number of coaches at practice to maximize efficient use of you time and to keep the kids involved. As the number fo coaches grows, however, the responsibilit ...

How many coaches is enough? - Roger (length=489)
I like to have 4-5 total coaches helping in practice. The way I do it is have 3 kids in each station and we work on a different drill in each station. For instance: Station 1: Hip turners. Station 2: ...

How many coaches is enough? - Steve C. (length=769)
God am I jealous! Yes, 4 or 5 coaches at practice is great if you can get them. There's nothing worse than leaving kids standing around, and you can set up some stations for drills that don't require ...

How many coaches is enough? - Steve (length=1302)
My experience shows me more coaches are better. I, too, go with two coaches of record but I highly encourage all parents to pitch in, regardless of their baseball experience. Anybody can toss pop flie ...

How much practice? - Jeff T (length=1602)
With our team, when we began from scratch, we went 3 days/week with 2 hr practices. Part of this was because of the distance some families had to travel. As a coach, of course I'd like to go 5 days, b ...

I need help from a seasoned coach or player - Jeff T (length=512)
What I have found is that the more competetive you can make it, the better. For instance, instead of a "drill" call it a game and let the boys compete with each other. You can have a bunting game, a r ...

In search of the 20 reasons for coaching Baseball - Toni Baines (length=496)
In search of the 20 reasons for coaching baseball. This was on the web earlier this year and I'm interested in getting a copy of this as we gave our copy to the Australian Baseball coach of the 2000 O ...

Is winning enough? - JN (length=636)
Thanks for the insight. To clear a couple things up we have two or more coaches (being loud) I stand corrected, all at the same time. I am just as confused as the kids. We have one coach that is setti ...

PRACTICE & Training - Bear (length=1449)
a Bear Schedule: 11-12 yr old. Trng Length: 90 minutes of a Bear's practice Pre-Season before time change: -Sat am 10:06 BiPs starts. Be ready to go. -Sun am 11:06 BiPs starts. Be ready to go. -Week ...

Practice jitters...need help before first game. - Coach Bob (length=1138)
Even though I have been coaching youth baseball for 35 years, I can still recall the apprehension that I had at our very first game. I was coaching 8-9 year olds in PeeWee (LL). We had been selected t ...

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place - Tony (length=781)
I have a boy that played for me last year that says he is not coming back this year. He is a lefty, with very little arm strength, but good speed and good in the outfield. I know the reason he is unha ...

Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place - Tony (length=1397)
I really appreciate your insight. I will elaborate further. I have three lefties, Vince, Brandon and Tony. Vinnie is not a rock, but is the second slowest and tallest kid on the team. He is a natural ...

T-Ball/Coach Pitch HELP! - Bear (length=239)
There is some cute lil' t-ball material for $12-$14, which may help you and the real lil' 'rookies'. Check out: teeball@bullhorn-media.com or you may email the author at bullhornpr@aol.com cheers Be ...

Thank You - Tony (length=640)
Tom, You are talking to someone that did not have a father figure in his life, and I have alot of respect for fathers that want to be there for their kids. I also have never had a real good assistant ...

Things WILL Get Better! - Coach Bob (length=3645)
Guy, I understand how you feel, for there are few situations (and the resulting emotions) that I have not seen. I have been associated with kids baseball (T-ball though American Legion World Champs) f ...

To Coach or Not to Coach - RICH (length=510)
We try to keep our beginning of the season workouts very "intense". Lots of drills and repitions. Not to much BP. But lots of baserunning, to get them in shape,lots of playing catch, to build the a ...

Top this for stupidity - Paul Faubert (length=1342)
This is going to sound real stupid, but I actually did it last year when coaching 3B in the 12U division of our local Police Athletic League (90' bases). It was my first time coaching 3B on that size ...

UNRULY PARENTS - Paul Faubert (length=1535)
We've suspended people from the diamonds, but usually as an action they have taken when a coach, not a parent in the stands. I am against suspending the kid because mom or dad acted like a jerk. I al ...

UNRULY PARENTS - Tony (length=1310)
The title of the post is UNRULY PARENTS, but in the original post and Jon's post I see the word father alot. Let me tell you that I have had more problem's with loudmouth mothers than father's. That s ...

WHEN SHOULD YOU START LIVE PITCHING? - micky (length=398)
The season starts this week (practice) opener is may 21st.I coach a group of 9-10 yr.olds.when should I start live pitching with the players meaning player vs. player? are there any drills that we can ...

What is More Important Offense or Defense - Steve Martin (length=2649)
Great thoughts and I appreciate them! For what it's worth, here are my thoughts: If Ted Williams is correct when he says that hitting a baseball is the most difficult skill in all of sport, then any t ...

What's More Important: Offense or Defense? - Coach Sam (length=1084)
My thinking has changed on this subject over the years for young teams, say 12 and under. I used to pride myself in having the best defensive teams and spent many hours in practice teaching it. Last s ...

What's More Important: Offense or Defense? - Jeff T (length=1140)
A year ago I'd said defense and pitching, but in my involvement with my AAU team that lost a number of 3-4 run games; my 11/12 L.L. team that had great pitching and went 6-7; and a 9/10 L.L. team that ...

Who's on first? - Gary Owens (length=3982)
Randy, I must admit that a lot of the ideas for drills I use come from others on this message board. From them, I have learned that you need to make the drills into some kind of contest to grab the k ...

Youth Coaching Philosphy and Strategy - Darrell (length=1730)
My philosophy is simple, Play hard,learn, have fun, and win, in that order. Some background. We are an independent select team, no affiliation to any national or local organization. We play in the Wi ...

Youth Coaching Philosphy and Strategy - Jeff T (length=2848)
My basic philosophy (in league play) is developing players to their potential thru teaching the basic skills (in the 2 years I have them) and building confidence by attempting to place them in a situa ...

Youth Coaching Philosphy and Strategy - Paul Faubert (length=1572)
I guess I'm a National League kind of guy. I like to play small ball and go for 1 or 2 runs. I'm not real big on taking pitches unless the it suits the situation. I'd rather have my hitters swinging b ...

any good forms, tools, etc.? - seadog (length=1496)
Dan, I don't have any easy answers but I can make some suggestions. I have a large library of books and videos I draw from such as Tom Emanskis Baseball world,Dusty Bakers hitting book, Rod Delmonicos ...

pitching machines vs. coaches or players pitching - Coach Scott (length=615)
Coach D. Said € "We were concerned about kids not learning to hit live pitching and not developing any pitchers so last year we progressed from machine pitch the entire game to 3/3 machine/player pitc ...

pitching machines vs. coaches or players pitching - Coach Scott (length=579)
This is kind of a catch 22 situation, but in my judgement, machines should be used as a training tool and not relied on entirely throughout the season. My kids hit the ball a ton in the cages but bat ...

unruly coach and player - micky (length=998)
Tim---I've had the same thing almost happen to me before. one of my assi.son was on my team what a night mare it turned out to be,first of all the guy knew little about teaching the game which is ok,b ...

video - Randy Dykstra (length=1417)
Maybe its just me but I very seldom watch a video more than once or twice...but I go back a refer to books constantly.... Video, is good to see specific mechanical points... and actions, but few video ...

11 year old after game dress down - MarshallUmps (length=1197)
I'm 63 and have "progressed" from coaching to umpping (over 150 games per year). As an umpire, I've learned more about the game than I ever knew as a coach. My favorite coach of all time was a 9th gr ...

11 year old after game dress down - roddnet (length=2023)
After reading all the posts on this topic I think that neither one was correect in how they handled the situation. I think it is the kid's baseball experience. He should be the one to make the decisi ...

3 KEYS TO THE GAME - THE COACH (length=3297)
TIPS FROM THE COACH There are three vital elements necessary to be successful at playing or coaching baseball. 1. RESPECT THE GAME 2. WORK HARD 3. HAVE FUN RESPECT THE GAME You must respect ...

A Special Coach - Jeffrey Lem (length=5670)
First of all, my apologies. This is probably not the best forum for this kind of post, and the post is a tad long and rambling, but I just felt I had to do this. The Canadian team going to Williamspor ...

Age Appropiate Baseball Coaching - THE COACH (length=1878)
The term "age appropiate baseball coaching" has been brought up here frequently recently. What does that mean? What part of the game is not age appropriate to teach? At what age should these elements ...

All star selection: HELP - Lori (length=1868)
Thanks, BBN, for your advise. Having coached myself through t-ball to minors, I am familiar with the scoring categories that are normally used. Our problem stems from a situation where a child was ch ...

BACK KNEE TRIGGER - THE COACH (length=2553)
You would be surprised the number of ex pro and college players that contact me for help. They know vast amounts about how to play baseball but when confronted with having to explain how to do it to a ...

BP against the curve - Old Ag (length=1457)
Trying reading what I wrote for a change. In youth ball (which is the topic of this board) the most difficult part about the curve is the difference in speed. That is, recognizing the curve. IF the cu ...

Batting Order----Old Ag/Cuda - Scorekeeper (length=3540)
This looks like the perfect situation for my favorite way of setting a lineup for that age level. I say give strikeouts your biggest priority. I don't care if a kid never got a hit or walked, the kid ...

COACHING GAFFES - THE COACH (length=3869)
Play Ball, I have considered writing a book “ EVERY WORD OUT A YOUTH LEAGUE COACH'S MOUTH AT GAMES IS WRONG”. Catchy title, huh? Its a little over stated but I think you will recogize some of these. ...

Calling Pitches in LL - LEGAL - Scorekeeper (length=3560)
Dawgoneit Ag, Have you got spyware on my machine letting you know what I'm typing? WHen I started this post, you hadn't made your's yet, so you can imagine how hard I was laughing when I read your's! ...

Calling Pitches - Scorekeeper (length=2293)
I'm going to try to get more info to the 1st question I ever posted to this BB. I know this topic has strong supporters on both sides, so I hope no one will be offended on either side. I'm trying to f ...

Calling pitches for 11 YO s - Old Ag (length=6278)
Have the catcher & pitcher work together. The pitcher should feel free to shake off the catcher. As far as pitches, your pitchers (especially at 11YO) should have more than just one fastball and a cha ...

Coach's Son Syndrome - J Ross (length=2647)
From the team I coached (7 & 8 year olds) I put forth 4 names as possible All Stars this year, my son was listed second. The first was by far the best choice. The 2nd (my son) is a good pitcher and is ...

Coach's Son Syndrome - Single L (length=4087)
Until he was 11 or 12, I wanted my son to have fun playing ball. Period. So I didn't coach any of his teams. I knew I would be too intense. Better to stay out of it. But at 12, he decided he wanted to ...

Coach's Son Syndrome - Splitter (length=4761)
Phil brought up a great subject, "Coach's Son Syndrome" (see his post un "'Splain this to me, Lucy"). I, like I beleive many of you to be, am sensitive to that subject. Not that I take any offense at ...

Coaches Need to Look in The Mirror - Catching Coach (length=1927)
Saw a coach this past weekend react to a player that didn’t turn the middle piece of a 6-4-3 double play well. Player is 12 years old and plays for a Majors division Cal Ripken League team. Coach gree ...

Coaching Mutiny - Seadog, (length=1153)
Frustrated, Ask the head coach to call a parents only meeting and explain that one of his job as the head coach is to fill out the lineup card.Let him say that he is open to input but that he has the ...

Coaching during games - Scorekeeper (length=4305)
When I had the opportunity to practice and work out with a couple of pro teams, lo those many years ago, one thing I noticed right away was that there was a much different kind of coaching going on. I ...

Coaching on the Big Field - Blaquetop (length=2470)
I coach recreational as well as tournament/select -- baseball & Softball. You must create/develop what is comfortable to you and the kids. Teach them the way you learn. To improve their God given tale ...

Coaching=picking up new players - roddnet (length=1748)
our travel team (AAU) is a 12U team that picks up 2 players almost every year. Not that we try and drop them, but things happen that kids either move or decide to play another sport or whatever.. Howe ...

Cost our team a game (LONG) - Mike C (length=3499)
I've got a question for those of you who coach youth baseball and your opinions. It's my first time coaching Pony League (13-14 year olds) or ANY youth baseball for that matter. I've played competitiv ...

Defensive assignments - Scorekeeper (length=1273)
The farther back an fielder is the more range he has. I may be wrong, but I have never heard of a coach positioning fielders for a freak occurrence like a bloop single unless the pitcher is noted for ...

Don t Teach A Formula For Failure - THE COACH (length=4103)
Bat back. Elbow up. Step and Swing! This has been the mantra for batting instruction mouthed by youth league coaches for decades. I honestly can not think of a more effective formula for failure. By ...

Fun and Diversion - CoachGranpa (length=1099)
A while back there was a posting asking for "fun" related activities at practices or after games that the kids would enjoy (and get their minds off the grind). There were several good ideas that I tri ...

GOOD, LOSING TEAM - THE COACH (length=2946)
Is winning how to judge whether you have done a good job coaching? A wise old coach once told me “ The first rule of how to be a good coach is get good players.” I will amend his statement by adding ‘ ...

Giving batters signs. - Scorekeeper (length=1448)
I guess stealing signs has just been ingrained into baseball as cheating, because as far as I know, there's no rule against it. As a catcher, knowing what was going on back there, when I batted, I us ...

HELP and ADVICE NEEDED IN YOUTH BASEBALL- OREGON - Coach Bresser (length=1927)
I will take this slowly and will make sure that I don't exaggerate one iota so that you can follow me! I have two son's, ages 7-and-6 years. If there ever were "NATURAL" athletes at their age, they ar ...

HELP and ADVICE NEEDED IN YOUTH BASEBALL- OREGON - Scorekeeper (length=4430)
Hey coach, take a deep breath! In RADs defense, I have to say that I honestly thought he was making a joke when I saw the ;^) after the message about the WWF. I don't know for sure what it means becau ...

HELP with batting order - Old Ag (length=1332)
What age? What type ball? Here are a couple of examples that might help. For 9/10YO Rec ball, conventional order: 1 - Good judgement, aggressive swinger, good contact, speed. Sets the tone for the gam ...

HEY Coach JT! - Scorekeeper (length=1128)
Just as a suggestion, although if you're anything like I am you're getting as much of a hoot out of designing the thing as you'll ever get from using it, have you thought about apprcahing the fellow w ...

Inspirational talks - THE COACH (length=1225)
For the most part, inspirational talks are a negative. The worst possible thing a manager can do is try to fire his team up for the "Big" game. There are no "Big" games. You are not playing the anothe ...

Is that really what we want to teach our kids? - ctandc (length=6779)
I've read both of the monster threads...lots of good points on both sides...but the 'equality for all' kind of makes my stomach turn. I've coached for a good while now...since my son started playing, ...

LAW SUITS A PLENTY/mayday - THE COACH (length=1953)
I am working on a TIPS FROM THE COACH that fits into this thread. TIPS FROM THE COACH I am often asked what is the single most important thing a coach should do…………Tell your players they are GOOD, a L ...

LET THEM ALL PLAY? - THE COACH (length=2842)
I am 55 yrs old. Old enough to have seen the evolution of youth baseball. When I was 10 in 1957, The Major League teams drafted 18 players. After a couple of weeks the team was cut to 15. The others w ...

LL Fall Ball Lineup - Scorekeeper (length=2670)
That is a classic line and so very true! I want you to know I will use it many times in the future. When I asked the question, I was thinking of a post a while back on the ...

LL Fall Ball Lineup - Scorekeeper (length=2483)
Its interesting how different people interpret the question. Not that its bad, but evidently InCoach assumed you were trying to choose a BO that would allow you to WIN! I'm only saying that because of ...

LL Fall Ball Lineup - Scorekeeper (length=1879)
Now there's a way to make sure everyone gets equal AB's that I never heard of and it makes me mad that I didn't think of it! And, its actually elegant in its simplicity. You have my admiration! See if ...

Let s make a team - Old Ag (length=1919)
Hokay. I have 12 boys, all of whom are good hitters. ;-) F6 - No fear. Aggressive as all get out. Left unchecked, will call a fly ball hit well into the left center gap - and go after it with everythi ...

Looking for more answers. - Scorekeeper (length=4802)
Maybe someone with lots of coaching experience can help me on this. Last night I went to our major team's 1st AS game and just wanted to cry. 0-0 after 1. 8-0 after 2. 18-0 after 3 and 26-0 after a me ...

Need to spice up practice a bit, team seems ready, season starts in two weeks,-suggestions? - Uncle Charlie (length=1707)
I coach travel league 12 year olds and kids have fun with the following. I call it puke (barf) baseball. The hitter throws-up the ball and hits it. Play continues as though it was a pitched ball. Rule ...

New Coaches - Old Ag (length=3063)
In addition to the things Splitter mentioned, here are some points you might want to address. Just a few, rough thoughts.  1. Before committing to coach, they should ask themselves why on they ...

Offense or Defense - Scorekeeper (length=2019)
I don't know what you think my example proved, but what I see it as is the perfect example of how defense allows things that wouldn't normally be possible to work. Without all of those gold gloves bai ...

Opinions on Parent Coaches - Neill Riddell (length=2062)
While I am sure that there are many parent managers who would never be qualified to manage at that level (or other levels for that matter) there are others who surely are. It is too bad to write them ...

PARENTS - Repost for Knowledge Base - Hopper (length=3191)
I don't disagree one bit. However, let me say that we all, coaches and parents alike, have made the mess that youth sports has become. Let me examplify. Youth sports is about teaching kids how to play ...

PARENTS - COACH H (length=1575)
I have been coaching for over 20 years, and I have never had a "son" play. During the last 20 years I have noticed 1 thing that is causing coaches to quit, PARENTS. A "lot" of my friends have resigned ...

PARENTS - Kathy (length=1288)
I understand the points you are making... but like Old Ag, most of the problems with parents and coaches that I have witnessed have occurred when my son played in the rec. league. I'm not sure what's ...

Perfect Game revisited - coaching mistake - CZ (length=3746)
It figures on the heals of this perfect game discussion we had the other day, my son would go out and begin to fire one up, until dad and his brother got into the mix of course. Sean didn't pitch tues ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=1900)
I like the way you put that! I guess I like it because its very much in tune with my way of thinking. (Great minds...) For the last week or so we have been bandying around what's more i ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=3592)
Do you remember Fling, Flang, Floo, where the two oldest kids threw fingers to see who got 1st pick? I know everyone remembers throwing the bat, but I remember we went through periods of choosing team ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=2437)
For a manger to try to do 2 teams is absolutely too much! They need a break too! But for the kids, at least from my observation, that low pressure playing time seems to be like a Red Bull! Although my ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=3038)
IMHO, that's exactly it and I think it sucks! Its one thing for a guy making a ML salary, a Minor League player fighting to get to the show, or a college player bustin' his butt to sit on the bench. I ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=1314)
Oh c'mon AgMan! How 'bout we change your handle to Young Ag to start a makeover. Then we find you some spiffy new clothes that include a shirt that's 4 sizes too big and pants that allow half of your ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=2452)
Personally, I think the studs ought to be playing at the rec level too! There's a whole lot less pressure on them there and they can play just for the sake of playing. I respectfully disagree that sit ...

Playing Time - Scorekeeper (length=3348)
Yes, finishing with 8 players is not finishing with a full team, but that isn't the end of the world either. The chances of losing a game because of poor coaching, poor play, or superior play by the o ...

Please stop me if you can! - Scorekeeper (length=3008)
Maybe you guys will take the time to critique me on something before I try to communicate with our HS coach asking him what he's talking about. I'm actually asking for someone to give me reasons why I ...

Poor Coaching to All Who Have Replied - #1momfan (length=1217)
You must understand we are from a small area, and there are no other teams. My son has proven himself time and time again. The assistant coach wants to put my son anywhere but where the head coach has ...

Poor Coaching - #1momfan (length=1569)
My kids play for a small association in Arkansas. I have 2 boys and girl that play baseball. My problem is with my oldest son's coach. My son joined this team 4 years ago and automatically earned the ...

Remind me why - Old Ag (length=2117)
Why do we coach? You have asked a good and valid question. Goodness knows there were times I asked myself that, after a long night of dealing with a pain in the backside parent. So why do we coach? To ...

Rookie Coach...Need Advice - DerrickM (length=1239)
I'm coaching for the first time a team of 11-13 year olds this fall. I've been an assistant since my son was in t-ball, but this is my first head coaching "gig". I've got a great group of kids and eve ...

Rules for Coaches - amleg2005 (length=1020)
Was wondering if anyone can help me(us) out. We have a problem with one of the little league teams in our town. Its not the team exactly but the head coach. Parents from several of the other teams hav ...

Runners on 1st and 3rd - Scorekeeper (length=4390)
A pitch out is very smart move, depending on the situation! If you have a pitcher who can get the ball where its supposed to be and a catcher who has a decent chance of making the play, go for it. But ...

Scorekeeper, Scorekeeper - Scorekeeper (length=7748)
Absolutely true! I could tell the coach exactly that and go golfing. That means something I do absolutely nothing about something I happen to believe very deeply about. I've tilted at my share of wind ...

Sportsmanship? - THE COACH (length=3195)
TIPS FROM THE COACH It is suggested that one of the main reasons that boys should play baseball is to learn “sportsmanship”. Yet, I have a very hard time defining sportsmanship. It is one of those thi ...

Survey - Dugout discipline - Coach Tony (length=1086)
I would say 4 1/2 only because of the no clowning aspect of 5. I am known as adisciplinarian of a coach, but also as a goofy, at sometimes big kid. Dugout rules no food. Only water/sports drink, seeds ...

TIP FROM THE COACH - THE COACH (length=3543)
Coach, Strategy doesn’t win games. Preparation wins games. The single most important task a coach has is to prepare his players so that they can expect to have success/fun in the games. You will only ...

Tee Ball Coaching & Tips - Scorekeeper (length=1740)
Noah, No doubt that book has a lot of good advice, just as the advice you gave is excellent and I'm certainly not saying to ignore any of it. I don't mean to be facetious, but did anyone ever try let ...

Tee Ball Coaching & Tips - Scorekeeper (length=1460)
Things like that are great and I'm sure lots of coaches use them, but when is it that playing gives way to drill after drill, after monotonous drill? It sounds to me like lots of people know about th ...

That's not the same thing as producing better players - RD (length=1298)
We have travel baseball here as well. We have 12u teams that play on a bigger field than than your average little league size field. To be honest, the better little leaguers have just as much talent a ...

That's not the same thing as producing better players - Scorekeeper (length=7792)
Better ball players according to you, not to me. That's the same thing as saying they don't play "real" baseball in the LL. Well I got news for all of you who think that way. The only "real" baseball ...

The Parents Meeting, A Must Youth For The Youth Baseball - Marty Schupak (length=3699)
Each year I organize a parents meeting approximately two to four weeks before the start of the season. I prepare a hand out of approximately three or four pages included is a list of the team with pho ...

The dreaded words - Scorekeeper (length=3450)
The dreaded moment finally came last night. My little talk with the coach about allowing his pitchers to do something besides sit and stare while the other players get to field, hit and run bases must ...

The meeting with the coach - Scorekeeper (length=9738)
Well, I had my meeting with the coach. I went to the game and when it was over was waiting patiently for everyone to clear out when the mom of one of the other kid's mom's got this guy. Ya know, as mu ...

To: Joe Zander - Seadog (length=1604)
The rant and rave of some people about Daddyball is getting annoying.95% of all youth coaches are Dads.All Dads have their kids interest at heart and the rest of the players 2nd, just as it should be ...

Transition - Scorekeeper (length=7967)
I think I made it pretty clear a while back about how I feel about BB's like this one, but for the sake of clarification, I'll do it again. My view of everyone who would take the extra time to share t ...

Tryouts - CoachDave (length=4591)
I coach travel. I would recommend the following, in priority order: (1) Call up the head coach and ask some questions about the tryout. He may tell you want your son can expect. I put out a complete l ...

WHY COACHES WALK SO SLOWLY TO THE MOUND - THE COACH (length=4018)
In only the second inning, your pitcher has given up 3 hits and walked the last 2 batters on 8 straight balls. Everyone in the stands is looking to the dugout muttering ‘he has to go talk to him”. You ...

What did he teach your son? - Ron Peltier (length=6572)
Moose, I will tell you some of what we did and learned but want to be clear with you that I am fairly new the serious side of baseball coaching. I'm sure that some of our collegues who participate in ...

What happens? - Scorekeeper (length=3419)
Whew! I thought maybe I had rambled on so much that hadn't made my point, but I guess I did! You summed it up in just 2 paragraphs! The "fun" seems to be the missing ingredient! Since the HS season wa ...

Where did the fundies go? - Scorekeeper (length=1540)
When did the overwhelming need to work on "trick" plays completely take over HS and below baseball? What ever happened to, "See the ball, hit the ball" and "Catch the ball, throw the ball"? I watch ou ...

Why Youth Baseball is on the Decline - Splitter (length=5527)
This has been rolling around in my head for some months now and, finally, the answer dawned on me. I hate to say it, but the clinching clue came from a "King of the Hill" episode. Here we go.... Socce ...

Why...Decline (you too, Old Ag) - Old Ag (length=1390)
"I do want to hear suggestions for keeping the fun in baseball while teaching kids to compete." Ok. Here goes. 1. Treat the kids fairly. Make them earn their positions, playing time & spot in the orde ...

With Sympathy. - Walter K (length=1762)
Some coach's do a lot more than coach, they teach Life Skill's. We had pictures today and all the teams came in more or less on time. Our 12/13 Pee Wee Team came in with 5 players on time. We waited f ...

Youth playing time and the big safety factor--Ag/Rich - COACH (length=1134)
I coach a boys Bronco League Team ages 11 and 12. My problem, one of the players has not played or participated in sports since his first year in T-Ball and is far from ready to play in an advanced le ...

coach playing favorites in little league - firstimemom (length=2003)
I need some advice. The problem is this. This is the second year my 6 year old has played youth baseball. Last year was great. Great, fair coach. Put emphasis on how important it is to be there, pra ...

coaching guidelines - concerned (length=2144)
Most leagues that use this forum see to have quality coaches, so I would appreciate any input regarding coaching standards. We always appreciate any volunteer that offers to coach, but does anyone scr ...

coaching help - Really - Old Ag (length=3245)
Re: Team getting down when they get behind. You can lead them, but you can't force them to follow. Talk to a couple of the players on the team who don't hang their head. Enlist their help in trying to ...

coaching - roddnet (length=1104)
Personally my wife and I love clinincs. Not necessarily as a LL practice but things like camps and clinics are good. As a matter of fact this week my 11YO son is at the FSU campus in Tallahassee atten ...

high ball isn t a lock - Southern (length=1346)
Well Coach, Its like this. You know how dumb we Red Neck Southerners are. We have to find out the truth from Yankees and Texans. Its probably because we are two stupid to know how to use a DVD.....He ...

opinions please - lefty (length=1173)
A couple of thoughts while reading your post. I found it very interesting and informative and timely. It's really too bad that coaches have to set out the rules like that - way back when, they would h ...

to Snapper and CADAD - Chicago HS Coach (length=1179)
It's seems that this is another case over an overzealous dad blaming an official for a strikeout when he is not behind the plate or even on the field. This just goes to show that you are more focused ...