| I can write forever about the necessity of good | | | | okay, I couldn't help myself from yelling.) My big |
| communication for a pitcher with all his | | | | question is why weren't the players on his team |
| teammates. It's not something that's taught very | | | | yelling that to him instead of me? |
| often but it can affect the outcome of the | | | | Probably because kids are not taught the value of |
| baseball game. | | | | communicating with their teammates. |
| What can be more frustrating than losing a game | | | | Some Examples Of Communication For Pitchers: |
| because a catcher got crossed up and missed a | | | | - Your fielder makes a great play. If he's an |
| pitch because he thought the fastball was being | | | | outfielder, point to him, give him the thumbs up |
| thrown and was surprised by the curve ball? Or | | | | sign, and let EVERYBODY see you doing this. |
| losing a game because an infielder throws the ball | | | | - Your infielder makes a great play. Walk half way |
| away when throwing to a base where he had no | | | | toward him and point to him and tell him how |
| chance of getting the runner anyway? Those are | | | | great he is. Say something like, "You are the best |
| just two examples of breakdowns in | | | | third baseman I've ever seen." |
| communication. | | | | - Your fielder makes a terrible play. At the end of |
| Talk on the baseball field and then talk even more! | | | | the inning, he very well may be hanging his head. |
| A pitcher can be MOST helpful to his catcher and | | | | Walk over to him and tell him, "Don't hang your |
| infielders. On popups or fly balls, he should both | | | | head Johnny. You make 20 great plays for every |
| yell and point. On pitches that get away from the | | | | one you have trouble with. You're the best |
| catcher, yell and point. | | | | around." |
| Speaking of balls that get away from the catcher | | | | - Your first baseman or third baseman is going |
| and the catcher can't find the ball, here's what | | | | near the fence to catch a foul popup. Tell him |
| happened back in 2005. My son was playing in a | | | | something like," You've got room Johnny, you've |
| game and the catcher on his team could not find | | | | got room." |
| a pitched ball in the dirt that he had blocked. He | | | | - A slow roller down the first base or third base |
| looked left, right, in front of him and behind him. | | | | line and your catcher and fielder don't know who |
| Some loud mouth spectator, standing on the side | | | | is going to pick it up. You be the one and shout |
| of the backstop yelled, "Left foot, left foot." The | | | | out the name of the player who you think should |
| catcher then looked down by his left foot and | | | | field the ball. What's more frustrating than have |
| there was the ball, just about an inch from his left | | | | them both come to a halt because each of them |
| heel. Neither of the two runners on base was able | | | | thought the other one was going to field the ball? |
| to advance. | | | | Communicate with your teammates. It is a huge |
| The man who yelled loudly will remain anonymous. | | | | part of successful baseball! |
| It's someone I know very, very well. (Okay, | | | | |