| There are many things said by coaches and | | | | when playing in extremely weather conditions |
| players during a game. Many things said provide | | | | related to temperature is to not mention or |
| useful information and guidance to players. There | | | | discuss it. The more you speak or talk about it, |
| are other things that I feel are best not said | | | | the colder you will get. |
| during a game. | | | | Coaching Point: The wearing of high quality cold |
| Here are three things that I feel should never be | | | | weather and hot weather under wear gear is a |
| said by coaches or players during a game: | | | | must for staying warm in extreme conditions. Hot |
| 1. "We are going to lose." - Expecting to win is | | | | hands packets in the back pocket are a common |
| vital. The old saying, "Whether you expect to win | | | | tactic for keep a players hands and fingers from |
| or expect to lose, you are probably right!" is | | | | going numb. A heater in the dugout may be |
| never truer than in coaching youth baseball. Having | | | | required in extreme conditions. And most of all, |
| a positive attitude is the first step toward having | | | | remember, that cold weather is brutal on high |
| a good game. I do not even use the word "lose" | | | | dollar thin walled bats. It is wise to invest in a |
| in any conversation during practices or game. I do | | | | portable bat warmer. The popular models feature |
| not want to plant a "seed" that might grow into a | | | | microwavable inserts that hold the heat and keep |
| team mindset. | | | | the bats warm for several hours. |
| Coaching Point: Your players are going to emulate | | | | 3. "Watch out for that curve ball!" - It is best not |
| your attitude and your frame of mind. Your | | | | to tell a batter what pitch to look for or to |
| words and body language are closely observed | | | | expect. Mental concentration is a part of batting |
| and noticed by your players. Never show negative | | | | success. Sometimes telling a player to what pitch |
| emotion or lose control of your emotions. Players | | | | you think is coming, makes the player to start |
| learn to handle pressure as well as their coach | | | | guessing on pitches. The player will be more |
| does. If the coach expresses too much concern | | | | successful he is thinking or concentrating for |
| or alarm when something goes wrong, the | | | | himself. |
| players may lose faith or panic. | | | | Coaching Point: The batter should always know |
| 2. "It is too cold...it is too hot! - Playing baseball in | | | | the count and the situation. The batter should |
| extreme weather temperature conditions is | | | | have a good mental and physical approach at the |
| difficult to deal with. Playing in such conditions | | | | plate. The batter should always expect the fast |
| requires a lot of stretching and constant warm-up. | | | | ball away and adjust to the fast ball in. The batter |
| I have coached in extreme cold and hot | | | | should always expect the fastball and adjust to |
| conditions. I have coached with snow falling and | | | | the off-speed pitch. |
| frost on the infield grass. I have coached when it | | | | I hope that you found this article informative and |
| was so hot and humid that your lineup sheet | | | | useful. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. |
| would be soaking wet with sweat before you | | | | Good luck to you and your team in the coming |
| could finish making it out. The best approach | | | | season. Have a great day, Nick. |