Update

Hi everyone!  Hope all is well with you and your families. I am currently at a baseball coaching summit meeting in a secret facility discussing the future of the game.  Actually, I’m on vacation visiting family.  That means I cannot guarantee posts this week and maybe into next as well.   If you are new […]

When should a catcher go to the mound?

At the major league level you will often see catchers call time-out and take a trip to the mound to have a word with their pitcher.  Usually these trips are not called for by coaches.  The catchers decide when the time is right.  At the lower levels, catchers are usually hesitant to call time-out and […]

You have to be pretty darn good

A few days ago Cole Hamels lost his 12th game of the season.  If they have not yet brought it up, someone is bound to start talking about the possibility of a 20 loss season for Cole. That certainly would be a nightmare of a season for Hamels but on the other hand, you’d have […]

How to be still – The National Anthem

The following video is all you need to know about what is expected during the National Anthem.  It’s also an example of a coach paying attention to the details.  The success at Vanderbilt is no accident. Tomorrow’s Post:  You have to be pretty darn good

How to be still – The baseball knee

Yesterday’s post was about getting players to move faster on and around the field at all times.  It not only makes your team look great, it gives them the message that the game requires a faster pace.   However, there are times when players need to be still.  A lot of baseball meetings occur pre […]

There is no walking in baseball

Is anyone else aggravated by how many players walk on, off, and around the baseball field?  To me it’s like nails on a chalkboard.  Every summer I usually help out at a couple camps that have kids between about 8 and 15 years old.  One of the toughest things to teach the campers early on […]

The toughest outfielder

Probably the toughest job for a third base coach is deciding when to send the runner home and when to hold him at third base.  I’ve done a couple written posts on that topic and even created a video or two as well.   This past winter I spoke at a coaching clinic where the […]

Let me try that again

One of the biggest challenges a coach faces is figuring out how to create game-like pressure in practice.  We all know there are players who perform well in practice but seem to become an entirely different player once the game starts.  However it’s done, amping up the pressure during parts of your practice can be […]

Over pitching – Part 2

In yesterday’s post I brought up the concept of over pitching.  It happens at all levels but you will most often see it with young pitchers who feel they have to do too much out on the mound.  In todays’ post, I’m going to give some game situations where over pitching tends to come up. […]

Over pitching (Part 1)

I recently had two conversations with two different people on the same day.  Both were about pitching.  The first was with a high school pitcher and the second, about 30 minutes later, was with a first round draft pick and former major league pitcher.  If I just gave you the gist of the conversations, my […]

Spinning plates

In the New York Times article linked below, the manager likened coaching to being a plate spinner.  For those who coach, you’ll understand the analogy.  I think the article does a good, concise job of showing the daily (largely unglamorous) routine of a minor league coach.   The article also addresses the importance of recognizing […]

A letter from a friend

When you write a daily blog, you sometimes wonder if you are only writing for yourself.  I don’t get a ton of feedback from people about what I write so when I do, I am very appreciative.  Below is one such email I received from a friend and coach I have not spoken to in […]

Lifting the front elbow

I received an email recently from a player who said he was having trouble controlling his lead elbow on the swing.  He referred to it as “chicken winging” which is basically lifting the lead elbow too much before and/or during the swing. As he said, this tends to make his top hand “lazy” and hurts […]

Sorry … back Thursday

Hi everyone! I apologize for the lack of posts Monday and today.  We extended our 4th of July vacation and I am one of those people who have no trouble setting aside the phone and computer for a few more days! Next post will definitely be Thursday! Coach 

Happy July 4th

Last week I helped my college coach run a baseball camp that was about an hour from my house.  To get there, I had to drive right through Valley Forge National Park.  On the way there and back I passed by George Washington’s Headquarters and the rolling hills where his army camped for that famous […]

The problem with private instruction

When I talk to kids who work with a private instructor, a common theme tends to emerge.  Before I get into it, take a look at the following video.  Afterwards, I’ll explain why I’m using the analogy shown and how it applies to private instruction. The analogy of the rocks shows us that in life, […]

Don’t run into a tag – Part 2

In YESTERDAY’S POST I talked about a double play situation where the runner should do all that he can to induce more throws by the defense.  Today’s post expands on that issue by explaining what the second baseman should do in this situation to maximize his ability to get two outs.
  Let’s say, as mentioned […]

Don’t run into a tag

I had another “shake my head at the TV” moment the other night while watching a major league game.  With one out and a runner on first base, a soft ground ball was hit towards the second baseman.  He charged to field the ball, easily tagged the runner going to second base, and threw to […]