This page is where you will find my opinions on coaching and managing a successful baseball team. There's a million different ways to coach but I think there's only a handful of ways that actually work, especially with kids and teenagers. I'll start from the ground up, spanning from arrival at the diamond right through to the end of game cool down and everything in between. A lot of these philosophies assume that you will coaching these players for more than a year or two, this is the best way to actually create and maintain a winning attitude and culture with a team. If you have them for only a year then all bets are off as they have had years of different coaching.
- Players should arrive at least a hour before game time and coaches should arrive before the players, ESPECIALLY if it's anything other than a rec/house league team. Everyone should show at the field dressed and ready to go (unless your field has a locker/change room) I think it's unprofessional and sloppy when a team shows up in street clothes and change in the dugout. A classy and successful team shows up ready to play or leaves the locker room as a team dressed for business, this creates an atmosphere that will rub off on the team a help translate to stronger play. Having everyone their early allows for plenty of time to warm up, get some batting, running and throwing in, as well as doing some basic drills before the game. On top of that, team building is now possible. If everyone gets there 20 minutes before the game, there's a rush to get the warm ups done and no time to socialize as a team. For a practice players should show up at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to get their warm ups completed.
- Get the team away from anything or anyone unrelated to baseball, take them to left or right field (depending if your home or away). Your there to play baseball, do it without outside distractions. A strict rule should be in place that before, during and after the game, players are restricted to talking with team personnel only. This keeps the players and coaches mind on baseball only.
- One of the most important things you can do for your players is to not allow them to throw a ball before warming up. Cold arms are at a higher risk of injury. The muscle's should be warmed up before any throwing or batting is done. (This ties into my other pages, please my Warm Up and Cool Down page.) It's critical that when they get into their teenage years, they warm up properly to avoid any issue with the shoulders and elbows. This is especially true for any pitchers because of the added stress on their arms from throwing so much.
- Players should warm up as a team, no player is left behind. Have a set warm-up routine from the get go. Once it is established with the team, have the players run it on their own. The idea is to have them team gel together and coaches can get in the way of that, have the team leader take control of these warm up and cool down sessions.
- Players and Coaches must display sportsmanship and respect for baseball, teammates, coaches, opposing players and coaches, fans, umpires and themselves at ALL times. At no time will throwing of equipment, yelling or swearing at anyone or dirty playing (Attempts to injure another player or coach) will EVER be permitted. All will be punishable by benching and suspension by the team PLUS whatever (if any) punishmenbts the league passes down. Sportsmanship is a key component to playing baseball and is MANDATORY. Coaches MUST enforce these rules for a successful team. If players are throwing temper tantrums on the field the team morale and talent will suffer.
- During games all players should be playing an active role in the teams success. Whether it's preparing for an at bat properly(on deck and in the hole players). Or cheering on team mates when on the bench and in the field. Quiet teams, play quietly which means they get down easily and aren't as energetic about the game which results in losses. Everyone should be trying to motivate each other and talking a lot ,playing up tempo baseball. (This is where a captain is crucial)
- On any team other than a rec/house league team, player intensity must be at a high level. If players are walking onto and off of the field, mopping around the dug out, looking tired or bored, they must be dealt with. Obviously first by the coach and/or captain, speaking to the individual about the problem to try and reach a resolution. Second punished by a benching for a game. If this is a team that has tryouts to make the team then a last resort maybe to cut said player and call up a previously cut player. Baseball is a game that takes dedication and patience and players need to be up tempo in order to produce consistantly.
