I was searching the net, looking for different times related to baseball and softball activities. I was investigating things like running and throwing times. I came across this really cool site with an interactive activity that simulates reaction time to a major league fastball. It is very simple, but I wasted atleast 10 minutes of my life before my wife made me stop. Check it out.
Cure for the Forgettful? : Positive Discipline
This is really a fun post. I’m a stickler for team rules and discipline, but I want to give credit to a coaching friend for this one. After a varsity baseball practice our sophomores were taking the field and the coach, Mr. Ryan Pierce, found the glove of one of my players. My first reaction was to make that player run the next day, but Coach Pierce had a better remedy.
“I’ve got the cure for this,” he said.
I thought, ‘I’ll see what he’s got in mind.’
The next day he showed up to practice with that glove, covered in the most interesting array of pre-pubescent stickers in the history of Nickelodeon. When that player saw his glove, he laughed. His teammates laughed. The coaches laughed. Coach Pierce turned a negative into a positive. Needless to say, that player has not forgotten his glove to this day.
I have since adopted this policy. Below are some recent victims….. I mean players that were in need of discipline.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
It’s become a family event at my house. As you will see, my 4 year old daughter really enjoys artistic expression on varsity gloves.
I guess the point is, to be disciplined, yet find ways to have fun with it. There are ways to make your point with out blowing your stack. Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe that every so often, the bear needs to growl, but if the bear growls too often, it loses meaning.
BEFRIEND THE ENEMY
“Don’t tell your friends about your indigestion. “How are you” is a greeting, not a question.”
-Arthur Guiterman
As the coach of the home team, it is your responsibility to be the first person that an arriving coach meets. Thus, you want to leave that coach with a good first impression. It may not be the first time you’ve met that coach. It may be a great friend of yours. It may be the biggest jerk you know. Despite any of the previously stated scenarios, you only have one chance to make a first impression for that day.
The home coach should pick the proper time for this meeting. Remember that the opposing coach is just as busy as you are on a game day. He may have been on the road for up to 2 hours. His job is to get his troops prepared to play as soon as they come off the bus. So, he’s ready to get busy. The best time to greet the opposing coach is on his jaunt from the bus to his dugout. It is a short period of dead time for that coach. His players will be spending the next 5-10 minutes doing all of the wonderful things that young players today need to do in order to be ready to loosen up. Here’s a brief list: putting on cleats, taking off earrings, covering tattoos, and turning off cell phones. There are others, but I might vomit as I continue to list them.
Let the visiting coach know your name and ask him his. Here’s a little trick in case it is the first meeting for you and the visiting coach. Look up the opposing coach’s name on the Internet. Most schools have great websites that usually contain a list of their entire staff including coaches. I like to know their names ahead of time. I like to send the opposing coaches a welcoming message, but also a one of preparedness. I like to think that the mental edge for the day belong to me.
Finally, offer up only information, such as location of restrooms, concession information, access to the athletic trainer, etc. Don’t bore the other coach with mundane and trivial problems that you’re having with your players, parents, or other coaches. It’s not a therapy session, just an informational greeting.
DON’T PACK UP EARLY
“Never do today what you can as well do tomorrow, because something may occur may occur to make to make you regret your premature action.”
-Aaron Burr
This one is part respect for your opponent and part superstition. I guess the old saying about not counting your chickens comes to mind. With only one inning left in the game, sometimes players get the bug to start packing up the equipment bags as though they are in some sort of hurry to leave. Maybe they’ve got a hot date or something. This is never a good idea whether a team is either winning or losing.
In the lead, it is extremely disrespectful to your opponent to start packing up in anticipation of a victory. And who wants to give the other team added motivation to come back and beat you? Not me. When behind, a player that packs up gear is showing disrespect to his own team. This type of player sends a “we suck, we can’t come back” message to his teammates. This should never be tolerated. Hopefully, another player will see this poor display in action and convey the proper message to the not-so-sharp player. Otherwise, it will be up to the coach to explain the situation. I have found that a little extra cardiovascular activity will typically remedy this type of behavior.
Some people are more superstitious about baseball than others. “Early gear packing” seems to be a big one. I can remember coaches and players saying that this habit was taboo for years. I suppose the fear is that some innocent bench player that is just trying to be tidy will upset the baseball gods. In turn, the gods will strike that team down with horrible luck. Though, we all know teams make their own luck. Besides, there are no baseball gods. Right?
Indoor Batting Cage Practice: Our Set-up Chart
| Station #1: | Cage Sequence #1: 3-2-7-1 (track 3, 2 sacs, 7 cuts, 1 H&R) |
| Station #2: | Cage Sequence #2: 2-7-1 (2 sacs, 7 cuts, 1 H&R) |
| Station #3: | Cage Sequence #3: 2-8-1-1 (2 sacs, 8 cuts, 1 H&R, 1 Squeeze) |
| Station #4: | Cage Sequence #4: 2-6-1-1-1 (track 2, 6 cuts, 1 sac, 1 H&R, 1 Squeeze) |
| Station #5: | Cage Sequence #5: 1-NO ROCKS IN THE AIR!!! |
Drill List
1. Vision Soft toss (No side or standing feeders)
2. Launch & Drop (up the middle to opposite field)
3. Battle with the paddle
4. Battle with the paddle top hand
5. Lite-Flite Bunt
6. Launch
7. Dot Drill
8. Vision Tee
9. High Tee
10. Tee Walk-ups
11. Hitting discs
12. Front Toss Whiffle Balls
What you see above is basically the chart that is used during the season when we are stuck inside due to weather. Our cage area has space limitations. Therefore, we have to be creative utilizing the space that we have. This chart serves as a portion of a practice plan. It will be posted. The players are placed into their hitting groups. They should be able to look at the chart, understand where they should be, and what they are to do once they get there. It usually takes 2-3 three times for the players to totally understand the process, but when they get used to it, it’ll be like clockwork.
Here’s how the chart is used. The top of the chart is a map that displays the numbered cage station areas. It also shows the direction in which the players are to rotate. The table in the middle of the chart has Stations 1-5 listed. The coach is to write in drills for each station from the drill list at the bottom. Then, the coach is to circle a cage sequence to be followed once any given hitting group rotates into the machine area of the cage. The whole team rotates when the group on the machine is done. There is no reason for any one on the team to be standing around.
Everyone has a place to be and a purpose once they get there. By planning ahead of time there is less wasted time and more time for the coaches to float around and work with hitters. This is typically used in 45-60 minute session. We try to get everyone to each station twice. Each player should get between 100-125 cuts. If a player gets less than that, it’s on them for not working hard enough.
Basic Bunt Coverage #4: Runner at 1st
Situation: Runner at 1st, less than 2 outs
Description of responsibilities by position:
C: The catcher must first check for any short bunts in front of the plate. In which case, C fields the bunt and 3B retreats to cover third base. Ultimately, we want the C and 3B to switch responsibilities. The point of this coverage is to bait the runner and third base coach into thinking that third base has been abandonded. An easy out or run-down could occur which may lead to a double play after the initial out at first base is made.
1B: The first baseman is responsible for fielding a bunt on the right side of the infield beyond the range of the catcher. The first baseman must charge hard as soon as the hitter shows bunt.
2B: The second baseman rotates to cover 1st base. This player may cheat towards first base in an obvious bunt scenario.
SS: The shortstop rotates to cover second base for a possible force play.
3B: The third baseman is responsible for fielding a bunt on the left side of the infield beyond the range of the catcher. The third baseman must charge hard as soon as the hitter shows bunt. If another player fields the bunt, the third baseman must retreat back to cover third base.
P: The pitcher is responsible for fielding any bunt in front of home plate out of the range of the catcher.
RF: Comes in to back up any throw to first base.
CF: Comes in to back up any throw to second base.
LF: Comes in to back up any throw to second base.
Bunt Coverage #3: Suicide Squeeze Play
Situation: This coverage is a defense for a suicide squeeze play.
C: The catcher’s first priority is covering home plate. The only bunt that the catcher should field is one in which the ball stops so close to home plate that it can be fielded with very little movement. Otherwise, as with other bunt coverages, the catcher’s job is to direct traffic after another fielder gets the ball.
1B: The first baseman is responsible for fielding a bunt on the right side of the infield beyond the range of the catcher. The first baseman must charge hard as soon as the hitter shows bunt.
2B: The second baseman rotates to cover 1st base.
SS: The shortstop rotates to cover third base.
3B: The third baseman is responsible for fielding a bunt on the left side of the infield. The third baseman must charge hard as soon as the hitter shows bunt.
P: The pitcher is responsible for fielding a bunt directly in front of home plate. Since the catcher is most likely staying home, the pitcher must cover ground that would normally be covered by the catcher.
RF: Comes in to back up any throw to first base.
CF: Comes in to cover second base.
LF: Comes in to back up any throw to third base.
Basic Bunt Coverage #2: Runner at 2nd
Situation: Runner at 2nd base or runners at both 1st and 2nd. Less than 2 outs.
C: The catcher must field any bunt in front of the plate. In essence, we’d like the catcher to be able to field any bunt he can get to within reason. The catcher is the only player with momentum already going into the throw as the ball is fielded. If the catcher does not field the ball, he needs to call the base that the ball should be thrown to. Based on positioning, the catcher has a vision advantage compared to the rest of the defense.
1B: The first baseman is responsible for covering first base. The only bunt the first baseman should field is a foul pop-up or a bunt so hard down the line that a tag play on the batter is essential.
2B: The second baseman rotates to cover 2nd base. This player may cheat towards 2nd base in an obvious bunt scenario.
SS: The shortstop rotates to cover third base.
3B: The third baseman is responsible for fielding a bunt on the left side of the infield beyond the range of the catcher. The third baseman must charge hard as soon as the hitter shows bunt.
P: The pitcher is also responsible for fielding a bunt on the right side of the infield beyond the range of the catcher.
RF: Comes in to back up any throw to first base.
CF: Comes in to back up any throw to second base.
LF: Comes in to back up any throw to third base.
Mountains: Setting Player Expectations
Below is a handout that I gave to prospective players during an off-season meeting. I drew it up about 6 years ago. Simply, it describes the types of players needed to have a successful program. I also like to share this at the pre-season parent meeting. I guess it would be similar to the classic, John Wooden “Pyramid of Success”. The link below has a great printable version of Wooden’s “Pyramid”.
Bulldog Baseball Player Types
Mountain- a champion, dedicated student, serious about weights, encourages others, involved in other sports, + leader, goes to camps, always relaxed & focused, wants to do extra, bottom line is “will help the team”
Rock- good student, does lift weights, occasional detention for tardy, sometimes satisfied with performance, plays summer ball, could be a leader but sometimes chooses not to be, bottom line is “won’t hurt the team”
Gravel- up & down student, very seldom in the weightroom, In School Suspension, frequent detentions for preventable reasons, leadership is limited to weekend party locations, plays summer ball, bottom line is “if things are going well he’s fine; if things get rough he may jump ship and point fingers”
Dust- MUST BE ELIMINATED, poor student, no weights, In School Suspension, Out of School Suspension, constant detentions, KO of classes, talks a good game, may be very athletically gifted (not willing to be coached), party scene is central focus, nothing extra beyond the season, bottom line is “he will destroy team concept”
Where do you fit?
Maximizing Practice for Infielders: 2 Fungo Drill with Cardio Conditioning
This drill has three purposes:
- Get as many ground balls as possible in a 15 minute span
- Incorporate a cardio conditioning aspect by running the balls to the bucket after successfully fielding it
- Be a low arm intensity drill (great for mid-season)
Equipment and personnel needed:
- 2 coaches with fungoes or regular bats
- Line of players at each infield position
- 4 buckets (1 with each coach (2), 2 placed on opposite sides of mound or circle)
- minimum of 50 balls (25 on each side)
Drill Process:
- Coach #1, standing on the 3rd base side in foul territory, hits a ground ball to a player in the line of 2nd basemen. That player fields the ball, runs to the bucket on the 1st base side of the mound, drops the ball in the bucket, and then sprints to the end of the line. Without hesitation, Coach #1 hits another ball to a player in the line of 1st basemen.
- Coach #2 does the same as Coach #1 except he hits to the lines at 3rd base and shortstop. The only difference is that those players will drop the balls in the bucket on the 3rd base side of the mound.
- It is important for the coaches to call, “Last ball!!!” when he/she hits the last one in the bucket. That signals the player that fields it to switch buckets. The bucket nearest the mound should now be full. It needs to be carried to the coach. The empty bucket nearest the coach should be taken back to the area near the mound. The whole process starts over again.
Hints:
- I recommend keeping each line to three or four players at the most. Any more than that and the players aren’t moving enough to get their heart rates up.
- Be careful that you don’t hit the players that are carrying in buckets.
- Mix up positioning of the coaches. On occasion place one coach at home plate hitting to the corners and the other coach just in front the rubber in order to hit to the middle infielders. This allows the middle infielders to work on double play flips after fielding ground balls (the receiver of the flip runs the ball to the bucket). It will also allow the corner infielders to work in fielding bunts.
- Make it a game. Each coach starts with the same amount of balls in his/her bucket. A missed ball stays in the outfield. After 15 minutes the side of the infield with the most balls left in their bucket wins.
- Have players alternate lines in order to experince new positions.
- Add 10 pushups for those that miss a ground ball.
If you enjoyed this post, you will also enjoy:
http://coach5150.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/team-hitting-drill-the-octopus/
