By now you have a pretty good idea of your teams strengths and the areas that need extra work. You will have reviewed the progress charts and are ready to go.
Check your bag, make sure your equipment is in good repair and that you have a first aid kit. Cuts and scrapes are part of playing the game. As the players get older I strongly recommend ice be available as well as water. Younger players in particular need to be reminded to stay hydrated on a warm summer evening. In many cases parents take turns bringing water or fruit to games.
Try to have the players at the ball park as far before the game as is reasonably possible.
Make sure you and your associate coaches are there first. This is very important because to get dedication, you must demonstrate dedication. It is vital to impress on the players (and parents) the importance of being timely to the team's long term success. Same thing applies to practices.
Giving the team an opportunity to 'circle up' while they warm up contributes to team building. Establish how long it should take for the players to warm and stretch - as a team. Have one or 2 of the more outspoken players lead from inside the ring.
If the league allows, give yourself time to warm up both the infield and outfield on the diamond. Pre-game batting practice is also a huge advantage.
Warming up the infield.
Have the players take their positions. Have a coach or a non starting player hit balls to the out field from the outfield sideline. These should be caught or fielded then thrown back to the coach. As always, encourage proper technique.
With the catcher beside you, hit 2 ground balls to 3d, short, 2nd and first. Each of these will be taken as 'live' and returned to the catcher. Next repeat with the throws going to 1st. Drop a couple of bunts for the catcher to throw to 1st. Repeat by ' turning 2' or making the throws first to 2nd then to 1st. Remember short stop covers 2nd on a ball hit to right field while the 2nd baseman covers on a hit to left. End the drill with a pop-up for the catcher.
With experience this drill should move as quickly as possible. It prepares the player for the game plus boosts their confidence as they succeed in fielding and throwing in front of parents or peers.
At this point, if time allows, take a position behind the pitchers mound ( infield still in place). Hit 2 ground balls to left field and have the fielder return the ball to 2nd base. Repeat with centre and right fields. Finish with throws from the outfield to home. With many players this isn't possible so use the opportunity to practice getting the ball to the nearest infielder and having them throw home.
When you figure out how long it takes to achieve the above, based on how many activities you can run at the same time, that's how far before the game you need the team together.
Gather the other coaches together and put together your batting order.
Consider the most important aspects:
1) Lead-off - ability to make frequent contact, excellent foot speed, good baseball knowledge.
2) Batting second - good foot speed, ability to bunt, good baseball knowledge.
Ideally can hit to right field, often left handed.
3) Batting third - average foot speed, ability to make frequent contact, some power. Usually the best hitter.
4) Clean-up - better than average foot speed, hits hard, has the ability to 'clear the bases'. Usually the most power.
5) Batting fifth - average foot speed, good bat control, some power.
6) Batting sixth - Similar to lead-off.
7) Batting seventh - Typically a hitter that is similar to #2 but does not hit as well.
8) Batting eighth - Has some power but does not hit well.
9) Batting ninth - Generally the pitcher or your worst hitter. However this batting position can be used to 'set up' the top of the order. i.e. Similar to Lead-off.
7) Batting seventh - Typically a hitter that is similar to #2 but does not hit as well.
8) Batting eighth - Has some power but does not hit well.
9) Batting ninth - Generally the pitcher or your worst hitter. However this batting position can be used to 'set up' the top of the order. i.e. Similar to Lead-off.
Tips:
Be careful not to clog the bases by having a very slow runner ahead of a faster one, unless you expect the slower player to 'clear the bases'. Ultimately, take your best players and insert them in the line up then fill in the rest. In spite of the above, some coaches like to 'hide' the player mid line-up. This way you can anticipate where your 'outs' are most likely to occur. On the other hand, nothing breaks momentum like an untimely out.
Try to alternate left and right handed batters.
Hand in your line-up card. Good luck coach!
Try to alternate left and right handed batters.
Hand in your line-up card. Good luck coach!
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