Just drafted my baseball team. ..

[Soccermom]

I feel so much more confident this season. I may not be an Il Padrino type expert, but based on the tryouts, I know a heck of a lot more about baseball mechanics/coaching than the majority of the parents there. And, I scouted the parents as well as the players for purposes of the draft. I should have at least 2 or 3 dads ready and willing to step up and be my assistants.

I am coaching 9-10 year olds this year, my younger son. My strategy is simple: aggressive base stealing, work with pitchers and catchers on passed balls and throwing, and making sure I don't limit anyone who wants to learn a certain position.

Good times ahead! And, I think I picked a pretty good team if I do say so myself.

[Green Monstah]

I feel so much more confident this season. I may not be an Il Padrino type expert, but based on the tryouts, I know a heck of a lot more about baseball mechanics/coaching than the majority of the parents there. And, I scouted the parents as well as the players for purposes of the draft. I should have at least 2 or 3 dads ready and willing to step up and be my assistants.

I am coaching 9-10 year olds this year, my younger son. My strategy is simple: aggressive base stealing, work with pitchers and catchers on passed balls and throwing, and making sure I don't limit anyone who wants to learn a certain position.

Good times ahead! And, I think I picked a pretty good team if I do say so myself.

Bit of advice. I was a baseball junkie growing up. Our coach had us over to his house for a special team meeting early in the season where we watched an instructional video on cut-offs, backing up, bunt situations, etc. and he would provide his own commentary and rewind and replay important parts. It was nice because it provided me with an image of what I should be doing at any position on any particular play.

Not sure if today's generation would be able to handle sitting still for 2 hours, but I still remember the video and the things I learned by watching it.

[Soccermom]

Bit of advice. I was a baseball junkie growing up. Our coach had us over to his house for a special team meeting early in the season where we watched an instructional video on cut-offs, backing up, bunt situations, etc. and he would provide his own commentary and rewind and replay important parts. It was nice because it provided me with an image of what I should be doing at any position on any particular play.

Not sure if today's generation would be able to handle sitting still for 2 hours, but I still remember the video and the things I learned by watching it.

That is not a bad idea. A video/DVD would probably be great for visual learners. I was also planning on giving my team quizzes --like during practice and even some written quizzes. Make it a contest. Baseball is such a thinking game. They have to react too quickly to think and then do in a game situation, so I want to drill the things they need to do quickly and without hesitation into their heads over and over. You know, things like, pitcher always covers home with a runner on 3rd, when ball is hit to right field, which base do you throw to, etc.

Any idea the name of your video? Or suggestions for a good instructional one for 9-10 year olds. I know there is stuff on the internet. Any favorites?

Oh, and by the way, my team is the Yankees.

[mUUser]

It's hard to even think about, but this will be my last year coaching my daughter's travel team.

These past several years have provided some of the great experiences and bonding moments I've had with her. Wouldn't change a thing.

Good luck, and enjoy.

[Green Monstah]

That is not a bad idea. A video/DVD would probably be great for visual learners. I was also planning on giving my team quizzes --like during practice and even some written quizzes. Make it a contest. Baseball is such a thinking game. They have to react too quickly to think and then do in a game situation, so I want to drill the things they need to do quickly and without hesitation into their heads over and over. You know, things like, pitcher always covers home with a runner on 3rd, when ball is hit to right field, which base do you throw to, etc.

Any idea the name of your video? Or suggestions for a good instructional one for 9-10 year olds. I know there is stuff on the internet. Any favorites?

Oh, and by the way, my team is the Yankees.

I don't remember the name, but it was produced in the mid-80s, so there's gotta be something better! If I can think of it, I'll let you know.

[Shaka]

That is not a bad idea. A video/DVD would probably be great for visual learners. I was also planning on giving my team quizzes --like during practice and even some written quizzes. Make it a contest. Baseball is such a thinking game. They have to react too quickly to think and then do in a game situation, so I want to drill the things they need to do quickly and without hesitation into their heads over and over. You know, things like, pitcher always covers home with a runner on 3rd, when ball is hit to right field, which base do you throw to, etc.

Any idea the name of your video? Or suggestions for a good instructional one for 9-10 year olds. I know there is stuff on the internet. Any favorites?

Oh, and by the way, my team is the Yankees.

Good approach. I personally believe that situational awareness is one of the most under-taught concepts in youth baseball. On virtually every pitch a fielder should be asking himself what he's going to do if the ball comes to him. When the ball does come their way they can then concentrate on fielding the ball cleanly with the resulting play being automatic.

One other thing, it's very important to establish a quarterback. I prefer to use the catcher but others use the SS or SB. That player has to make sure the defense is set up properly for the situation and call the throws and cut offs.

[Jacob]

That is not a bad idea. A video/DVD would probably be great for visual learners. I was also planning on giving my team quizzes --like during practice and even some written quizzes. Make it a contest. Baseball is such a thinking game. They have to react too quickly to think and then do in a game situation, so I want to drill the things they need to do quickly and without hesitation into their heads over and over. You know, things like, pitcher always covers home with a runner on 3rd, when ball is hit to right field, which base do you throw to, etc.

Any idea the name of your video? Or suggestions for a good instructional one for 9-10 year olds. I know there is stuff on the internet. Any favorites?

Oh, and by the way, my team is the Yankees.

Can you forward that quiz and instructional video for me to use with my adult softball team

[Paperback Writer]

Good approach. I personally believe that situational awareness is one of the most under-taught concepts in youth baseball. On virtually every pitch a fielder should be asking himself what he's going to do if the ball comes to him. When the ball does come their way they can then concentrate on fielding the ball cleanly with the resulting play being automatic.

One other thing, it's very important to establish a quarterback. I prefer to use the catcher but others use the SS or SB. That player has to make sure the defense is set up properly for the situation and call the throws and cut offs.

Excellent advice. Not baseball but slow-pitch softball - our pitcher was the guy calling the shots. One game after reviewing the score book, we had more outs from outfield and infield assists than GO, FO, etc. The opponent really liked to run the bases and force throws but we had the arms to throw them out, a pitcher who knew where to direct the throw, and every player was situationally aware and backed up throws.

[cougjunkie]

Buy the whole team a copy of Tom Emanskis defensive drills video. It worked for Fred Mcgriff!

[Green Monstah]

Buy the whole team a copy of Tom Emanskis defensive drills video. It worked for Fred Mcgriff!

**Fingerwag**

[Soccermom]

Blue jerseys and socks --coaches choice for pants --what to choose. . ..

White?
White with blue piping?
pinstripe?

I want my team to look sharp!

[Mormon Red Death]

I don't remember the name, but it was produced in the mid-80s, so there's gotta be something better! If I can think of it, I'll let you know.

Tom Emanski! He coached back to back to back national champs. Fred Mcgriff endorses him

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using Tapatalk

[pellegrino]

Yankees Suck! (sorry, I had to get that out of my system)

Regarding baseball being a thinking game, I still remember my first coach who would constantly drill it into our heads that for each play we had to know what we were going to do with the ball if it came to us. That was a big help as I got older.

[cougjunkie]

Blue jerseys and socks --coaches choice for pants --what to choose. . ..

White?
White with blue piping?
pinstripe?

I want my team to look sharp!

I think all white baseball pants never look as good as something with pinstripe or piping. Not to mention you have 9 and 10 year olds it won't stay white for long.

[The_Tick]

Very nice Soccermom.

My wife is managing and I am coaching softball again this year. We have moved up to the All-American girl league. 8th grade to 12th grade all on one team. (Except for the 8th graders, these are the girls that aren't good enough to play HS Softball)

It will be 99.9% drama. I am there to enjoy the .1%.

A recommendation....

I am going to have the kids fill out a little questionairre this year. Do you have a nickname, are you allergic to anything, favorite color and favorite treat. (We like to do fun stuff for the girls throughout the season.)

On this same paper though we ask them to list their favorite position played, all positions they have played, and anything they absolutely don't want to play. We then also ask them for their best attribute in softball and what they think they are weak at.

Gives you great insight on the kids.