BASEBALL TEAM

Coaches Notes:             

Throughout the season I'll be adding to this list as I see a need.

Team Philosophy:

We will let the Umpire do his job - no player will argue with an umpire unless they want to sit on the bench for a while. (It is also my hope that our fans will not yell at umpires either)

There will be no throwing of team equipment, we can't afford to replace broken items because of your need to put on a show.

It doesn't take any talent to hustle. Run on and off the field. Run out all ground balls and pop-ups. Hustle will set a player and our team apart from the rest.

"Ragging" in baseball is all too common. Baseball is a humbling sport. What goes around often comes around. My recommendation? Bite your lip.  Remember what you just made fun of someone for doing may happen to you worse next inning.  It is more important to show positive support for your teammates and opposing players.  "Class" and "Sportsmanship"  are something not everyone has - Prove you do.

As you progress in skill level you will understand more how baseball is a mental game. Those who are most prepared and can think a step ahead of the opponent will be the most successful.

Fielding Hints:

While in the field, always have the thought process of, "What should I do if the ball is hit to me on the ground or in the air." Also think "What do I do if the ball isn't hit to me?" If you are always thinking this, you will always know where to throw the ball or where to be to best help out during the play.

Always know how many outs there are. If you aren't sure yell out "How may outs?" and have your teammates tell you.  Even Major Leaguers forget, but this mental lapse is not excusable. Benny Agbayani of the New York Mets and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies are two Big Leaguers with embarrassing incidences. Both took the game ball and gave it to a fan thinking there were three outs, when there were only two. Beyond embarrassing, you could cost your team the game!

Batting Hints:

Your general approach to hitting should be simple. Try to hit the ball hard! Sometimes measuring the amount of hits one receives is deceiving. You can be hitting the ball well and using proper mechanics, but not have anything in the hit column. Or, you can have a bunch of hits, but you may not be doing much mechanically right. This will eventually catch up to you. Let the number of times you strike the ball solidly be your measuring stick.

Three simple rules to hit by:

1. Get a good pitch to hit. Not only do you have to know the strike zone, but you need to know your strengths and weaknesses in the strike zone.

2. Be quick with the bat. Bat speed will enable you to wait longer and explode on the ball.

3. Think. Remember what the pitcher likes to throw. Know what  he threw last time you were up and anticipate pitches (yes, even guess at the proper time).

Even the best hitters make outs 3 out of 10 times! Realizing this is an important part of being a baseball player.

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