| One critical key to a successful baseball player is | | | | helping them out. The initial base to throw to is |
| knowing what to do before the time for action | | | | based upon the base runners, if the ball was |
| arises. | | | | caught or fielded off the ground and where the |
| As a youth baseball coach you need to teach | | | | fielder is when they get the ball. |
| your players to think: Focus on teaching them | | | | Backing up plays -- One highly overlooked, yet |
| baseball rules and strategies. | | | | very important responsibility of the outfield is to |
| I question if these goals would appear on many | | | | back up the plays. A team that realizes that |
| coach's radars. During my seasons of coaching, a | | | | every player has a responsibility on every play, |
| lot of coaches do not make this a priority. | | | | regardless of if the ball is hit to them or not, will |
| However, if asked, most coaches will agree that | | | | have golden opportunities to make outs that |
| this is one of the most important goals. When a | | | | would otherwise not be there. Proper movement |
| youth ballplayer realizes the proper play at any | | | | based on the location the ball was hit and where |
| given time, they will not need to be reminded in | | | | the play is being made is very good to teach |
| the future each and every time the given play | | | | your players. |
| occurs. Therefore, the player will get a greater | | | | Infielders: |
| enjoyment out of the game, due to their | | | | Where the play is at -- Teach your infielder to |
| increased knowledge. | | | | know where the play is before they get the ball. |
| The following are common circumstances that I | | | | Too many times a player is trying to decide |
| recommend working on with your youth ball | | | | where to make the play while they are in the |
| players, especially players that have very little or | | | | middle of it. This causes everything from fumbled |
| no exposure to the game of baseball. | | | | ground balls to late or erratic throws. |
| Running the Bases: | | | | Covering Bases -- There is not much more |
| When to take off immediately for the next base | | | | frustrating then a sure out turning into an extra |
| -- This can be a confusing time for a base runner. | | | | base, because your shortstop didn't move to |
| Sometimes the coach is telling you to go on | | | | cover 2nd on a ground ball that the 2nd baseman |
| contact, other times, they are instructed to tag | | | | threw past first. The base runner takes off for |
| up, and still others, they are supposed to wait until | | | | second on the throwing error and the first |
| a play is made ahead of them before advancing. | | | | baseman has the ball in plenty of time only to eat |
| If you wait until game time and hope that your | | | | it, because no one is covering 2nd. Tons of |
| base coaches will be able to instruct your base | | | | variations on this can be seen in every little league |
| runners, you are asking for a headache. It is far | | | | game. |
| better to spend ten minutes a practice to drill | | | | I have no doubt that there are hundreds of other |
| these situations into your player's head. The | | | | of situations that can be thought of for your |
| scoreboard will reflect the fruits of working on | | | | players. I tried to cover some of the main issues |
| this. | | | | that can be easily fixed with proper instruction |
| Outfielders: | | | | and dedicated practice time. Youth baseball |
| Throwing to the correct base -- Every outfielder | | | | coaching can be fun and rewarding. Try these |
| must know the process of figuring out what base | | | | suggestions and you will see games go a lot |
| to throw to before they get the receive the | | | | smoother and you may find some of those |
| baseball. Not only should the outfielders be thinking | | | | precious outs that would have otherwise not been |
| about where to throw, but the infielders should be | | | | recorded. |