| Baseball coaching is teaching the big and little | | | | 4) Does the pitcher throw a lot of off-speed or |
| details of the game. Every position or location on | | | | junk pitches? Does the pitcher have below |
| the field requires a player to observe and to be | | | | average, average, or above average pop on the |
| aware of what is happening. Many young batters | | | | fastball? You will move up in the box if the pitcher |
| on deck often do no pay attention to what is | | | | is a slow ball junk pitcher and move deeper in the |
| happening. They are often guilty of looking into | | | | box if the pitcher has high velocity on the fastball. |
| the crowd or even talking to someone through | | | | Coaching Point: There are other duties of the |
| the fence. On-deck batters that do not closely | | | | on-deck hitter at the high school, college and even |
| observe the pitcher and the catcher are missing a | | | | travel ball level. If the batter ahead of you gets a |
| greatly opportunity to "scout" the opponent. The | | | | RBI hit, you may have to move the bat out of |
| on-deck circle is a crucial location from which the | | | | the sliding zone if the umpire does not move it. |
| observation process should be done. Here are 4 | | | | Only do this if time allows. The on-deck batter will |
| things that the on-deck batter must do and 4 | | | | may also coach the scoring runner at the plate by |
| things they not do. | | | | using signs or verbal call to signal "get down", "you |
| On-deck batters should always: | | | | are up", or a "needed slide location to avoid a |
| 1) Identify the ARM SLOT of the opposing | | | | possible tag". |
| pitcher? Is the opposing pitchers arm motion, | | | | 1. Never talk to the crowd, fans or family through |
| over the top, side-arm, at 1 O'Clock, or 2 O'clock, | | | | the fence. The on-deck batter should be seeing |
| 3 O'clock or submarine? The on-deck batter must | | | | and concentrating on what is happening on the |
| know this before getting into the batting box. | | | | field. This is for performance, concentration, and |
| Knowing the "arm slot" or pitchers arm angle | | | | safety reasons. |
| during the delivery will accelerate the batters | | | | 2. Never Swing Before looking. For safety |
| ability to "pick the ball up" or see the ball in the | | | | reasons, never swing the bat in the on-deck circle |
| pitchers hand before it is released. Picking the ball | | | | without looking to make sure that he is clear of |
| up early allows the batter to see the ball out of | | | | the fence and that other players have not |
| the pitchers hand at the release point. | | | | approached him. Making sure that everyone is |
| 2) Take practice swings every time the pitcher | | | | clear of you before you swing a bat is a rule for |
| throws a pitch to the batter ahead of you. Try to | | | | all batters, of all ages, to live by. |
| pick up the pitchers speed, timing, rhythm, and | | | | 3. Never talk to the batter unless it is positive |
| release point. Time the fastball by taking a stance, | | | | praise or encouraging words. "Warning" the batter |
| loading, and swing in rhythm with the pitching | | | | that he better look out for that curve-ball is not |
| delivery. This timing warm-up exercise should be | | | | encouraging words. Simply telling the batter that |
| taken facing the pitcher. | | | | he can do it and to keep his eyes on the ball is |
| 3) Does the pitcher have a tendency to work | | | | far more appropriate and productive. |
| slow or fast? If the pitcher works too slow or | | | | 4. Never take a knee or kneel in the on-deck |
| fast, you may want to call time and step out to | | | | circle. If a ball is hit toward you, you must be able |
| change the pitchers rhythm. | | | | to move quickly. |