WebBall.com - Coaching Q&A

Coaching

QAll Star Team or Not

Our league is going through the decision on whether to keep travel baseball or split all the kids up and play an "in-house" season and select an "All Star Team" toward the end of the year and attend a few tournaments, and hopefully qualify for state. Our age group is 13 - 15 year old, the 14 and 15 would play in house together and the 13's would play a schedule of their own. Most of the kids and parents who played on the A travel team last year and prior years have nothing but positive feedback, but the board indicated they are looking after the good of the whole organization.

AWe have dealt with some of this in recent and past Nose 2 Nose surveys - you can check on the website for results.

The trouble in my mind with the all-star approach (which is what happened where I used to coach) is that throughout the regular season the players with the greatest all-star potential may have sub-par coaching, whereas a team built from the start as a travelling team usually benefits from better coaching throughout. Maybe the league wants to spread that coaching ability around. Or do something more to reward players who might improve dramatically during the season. (Arguments on both sides).

In my experience "the good of the whole organization" usually means - the fewest hassles from parents whose kids don't get accepted on the travelling team. But that assumes all-star selection is any more fair.

QBacking Up Your Decisions

At the start of the season ours was the team to beat - on a winning streak; be down 10 runs and always come back; the boys never gave up. But we lost 2 games in a row and everybody is mad at the coach (me). I believe in being fair. I play different players at different positions (most can play 4-5 positions well). At our last game a player who'd done his share of bench and outfield, played 3rd. I also rotated other players during the game. We only lost by one due to a not-thinking error - over throw on a steal. Game Over. After the game my asst. coach tells me everyone is upset, yet no one said anything to me. The parents met with local league president: they think I should step down. I don't think I have done anything wrong, just made certain parents mad by moving their sons or sitting them a inning or two. My assistants are complaining I don't get there opinion before making the lineup or deciding who starts where. Have I done something wrong? Should I step down?

ATough question. When I first answered this (a year ago) my advice was:

Call a parent meeting and take charge. Remind them of the wins. Remind them that baseball is a game of imperfection. Every team loses. If errors weren't a part of the game, there wouldn't be a shorthand code for them in the scorebook. Point out to them that some of the stars of the game today started in their current positions quite late - after playing as many positions as possible. The intent is not to limit your kids but to let them experience every aspect of the game.

If you get real resistance, suggest to parents that those who believe this is easy should be willing to volunteer to help out more. Those who think this is about winning should consider the pressure they put on their kids in other aspects of their lives. This is a game. They are learning it. But nobody is being paid big dollars to be player or coach. The chance of any kid making it to the MLB is 1 in 10,000. Set the dreams aside and let them have fun. This is "the tough speech" - it won't win you fans - it will give them a dose of reality. That said, because you are under time constraints you do need to work with your assistant coaches at the prior practice to discuss position and line up strategy, so that not everything is last minute.

So that was the answer last year.

But I wonder if I might not suggest something additional this year. His biggest problem really, was that he had isolated himself from the rest of the team, kept too much to himself. What if that beleaguered coach had statistics on things like fielding performance and on-base percentage to direct and support his decisions? And what if he had shared that with his other coaches? For that matter, what if he'd communicated more with the team during the winning streak? What if at least some others understood and appreciated that he would be trying things for a couple of games? What if he and his coaches and talked or emailed the night before to set the batting order. (Imagine them on the phone together, each with a list of stats and scanning through them to come up with some new ideas.)

Now would software have solved the problem? Maybe not, but it would be an added tool, along with better in-person communication, better planning, and a better idea of who has done well in which positions. As it happens the email came to me almost one year ago to the day. Even part way through his season he might have been helped.

QBase Coach Responsibility

A runner has hit the ball into the left field corner area. Whose "coaching" responsibility is it to send, on not send the runner on to 2nd base. My friend contends that it is the responsibility of the 3rd base coach. I believe the 1st base coach has that duty and the runner does not look at the 3rd base coach until he has the ball in sight and a decision needs to be made whether the runner should proceed to 3rd base.

AFirst base coach should read the ball clearing the outfield, get the runner in an arc through first. He also has the best line on the runner, the ball and second base. Only once the runner is 2/3rds to second base - depending on if the ball is coming in or not, should he look to 3rd base coach for advice on going past 2nd to 3rd - at which instant that 3rd base coach better be out past 3rd base so the runner can see him.

If, as it sounds like, the senior 3rd base coach does not have confidence in 1B coach, or else if 1B coach is not judging the speed of his runners well - then the 1B coach has simply got to work harder at getting better - but the 3rd base coach still doesn't have a good line on the ball and it would be foolish for him to assume that responsibility -
a) because of the angles and
b) because the runner can't look at left and at coach
- he has got to trust the voice behind him.

QBeing the Coach

How do I tell a parent that their son won't be playing infield. As a 10-12, this boy played mostly 2nd base because his dad was the coach. The boy is not fast so his left to right movement is not what you want from your middle infielders. I have watched balls go through his legs for years. This boy is now 14 and on the roster of the team i manage 13 to 15 yr. I have on my team plenty of players who are better infielders than this boy. What do I do?

AShort answer - be the coach.
Use your eyes and best judgement, put players where you know they will do best and don't apologize for your instinct and know-how. If you feel the need to explain anything, remember you have two audiences - the player and his parents and they may not be thinking along the same lines.

For the player: 'I want to play you where I know you can contribute most - you have good outfield instincts' (for instance) and/or 'sometimes focusing on outfield helps a player think more about long balls when he is at bat so this can help that side of your game as well.'

To the parents: 'I've been working a lot with him in practice to improve his lateral motion - that's very important for infield, and I don't think he wants to be put in a pressure position where an error could embarrass him. Meantime I like what he adds to our outfield - good instincts, good legs, good arm (whatever).'

It's never easy. Just show that you acknowledge their goal and are working towards it, but keep the promises vague.

QBig Age Gap

I am 12 years old and the league I play in is really screwed up. I'll be 13 in June. They have me playing with 13,14 and15 year olds and one player on another team is 16 years old. He's the pitcher, and not to be a baby but I am scared to face him. I've always played against people older than me because of when my birthday falls, but not someone 4 years older! I have always been one of the best on my team but this year I'm going to be the worst. What should I do?

P.S. It would be cool to go back down to minor leagues, but they wont let me.

AFirst thought, somebody has more faith in your abilities than you may have yourself.

However, I agree with you that 4 years is way too big a gap at that age. Even if you're a big kid, even if you've done well before, there is no way ANY league should force a player to play beyond his immediate age group or desire. I think far too many coaches and administrators get caught up in trying to build superteams. (I've been caught up in that myself.) The result, kids get burned out, quit, and their true long term potential - maybe even a possible pro career - is blown.

I hope you can adjust. If not, try again to be moved into your own age bracket. If that doesn't work, find another baseball organization, if there is one in your area.

Otherwise, sit back, relax, ride it out, have a so-so year and don't worry too much. I have the feeling there are a lot of playing years left in you!

QBreaking Pitch to Work On

Since I'm without a pitching coach, what breaking pitch should you suggest I work on? The Sinker/Splitter, or the Cutter? Not gonna chance the slider or curve until I get a pitching coach. Also, I notice how you encourage the screwball on the website, but im trying to shy away from it, because of what it did to Fernando Valenzuela and what it has done to John Franco. What other types of breaking pitches should I throw? Just the sinker?

ATo make the answer short... Cutter (and changeup). The point of the screwball discussion is about the inward turning action of the forearm vs outter turn of the doorknob slider (pronation and supination respectively). The reason pro pitchers get injuries is because pitching is hard on the body. Period. Almost ever pitcher in the world needs rehab at some point. (Meantime they made millions and can retire happy).

QBullpen Management

What specific roles does a coach have to do in relation to Bullpen Management

AOne of the coaches at WebBall (Adam Todd) served as a volunteer pitching coach for a local 13-15 age team in 2004, so let me tell you what he did in managing his pitching staff.

1) He begins pre-season at tryouts assessing the available talent to determine who the pitchers are that he wants to work with. They may not be just the best throwers, but those he believes he can help make better.

2) Pre-season he works with them first on slowly building up their basic conditioning - monitoring the number of pitches they throw, making sure they participate in all team conditioning, fielding, hitting, baserunning practices. (Our division does not have the DH rule.)

3) During pre-season he may work on adjusting mechanics... torquing, or arm-action, or drive dynamics, or landing and extending release point - anything on an individual basis that might help that pitcher be a little faster, more accurate, etc.

4) He may also teach a new pitch - something he might also try in-season if he sees that a pitcher is struggling. The new pitch will depend on that specific pitcher... he has introduced some to a knuckle-curve, others to a screwball, others to a 3-finger fastball - it depends on what he thinks that pitcher might be best at.

5) He will also, pre-season, try to determine who his starters are and who are the best relievers. And he will continue to assess this in-season. The criteria might include - endurance for starters (which will build through the season), versus warm-up time: pitchers who warm-up to full velocity more quickly are often good relievers. He will also see which pitchers are better with runners on base, who has the better pick-off moves - in other words which players can go in during tough situations with the game on the line, and which pitchers prefer to take charge of the game from first pitch.

6) In-season, he will try to make sure that each starter gets a full bullpen session 2 days prior to each start, and that relievers also are on this cycle. he will also protect them from overwork the day before a start. (This may be each bullpen coach's most important legacy - keeping his staff healthy so they can continue to pitch next season and beyond.)

7) On game day he first runs his catchers through a special pre-game routine - of blocks and throws because he believes the better the catcher the more confident the pitcher. Then he'll get his starter working through a set warm-up routine (this after regular team throwing, conditioning, fielding work). Usually this will start about 20-30 minutes before the first game pitch. Once the pitcher has had 20-30 good warnm-up throws, he will get the catcher in the crouch and follow a set pattern which might be, say, 20 fastballs in a row, 10 breaking balls in a row, then two or three five-pitch simulated batter situations (each with a mix of pitches, in an attempt to get the "batter" out - not only on strikes but on well-placed balls out of the zone that generate misses or weak hits or pop-ups.

8) During the game we will track pitch count, and the pitching coach will make sure that a relief pitcher starts his routine in time to be ready to go in at a moment's notice. Also, he will watch his pitcher on the mound and If necessary he will go out there and suggest adjustments in his release point to get back on focus. The pitching coach might also relay pitch calls through the catcher, but the preference is for the catcher and pitcher to run their own game - signals from the bench or more often about defensive plays (pick-offs, etc). 8) After the game there maybe a post-analysis session - which pitches worked best, what could be done better, what to work on before the next start.

QCoach Bickering

I was hired by my head coach to teach the catchers how to block balls in the dirt. He does not give me the time or he does not want to listen to my input. He also does not allow the kids to be loose when they play the game or when they sit on the bench. He also said some things that I have never heard from another coach - I have coached with other head coaches but none are as abusive as this coach. I know that the kids should be focused on the game but you also need to be have some fun on the field or you will not be successful. He is ruining the team's self-esteem and he has taught me nothing but how to run down a kid. What would you do?

ASome guys coach to help players improve, and some coach because it's a power trip. Most often I have found that those who coach on a power trip do so because they are not in control of the rest of their lives - not exactly management material, not happy at work, or home, or both. It's an unfortunately reality - and why our current Nose 2 Nose debate is on the issue of coaching accreditation. Would that filter out such bullies? Maybe, maybe not. But it is then up to the parents or the administrators to take a stand - just because a guy has a uniform on doesn't mean he has a right to order anyone around or mess up your kids lives. In the meantime, work with the kids when you can and give them the kind of coaching they deserve.

QCoaches Suck

Our coaches SUCK what should we do

AYeah, I was a lousy coach once too. (Well. maybe twice.) If they suck because they don't know baseball - tell them about WebBall. If they suck because you just don't get along with them, think about what you as a team can do to change their attitude - I've never seen a team where the players always packing up the gear and raking the field without being asked, where the coach can stay an a-h very long. Or, if they suck as human beings, you paid to play, so you have every right to get yourself or your parents in front of the league association and ask for a) replacements or b) a proper training program.

QCoaching Dads Beware

My son is 9 yrs old. I have been an asst coach on all of his teams. When he was 5-7 he played only on natural ability with very little real coaching. At 7 he made the 7 yr old All Star travel team and was a stand out hitter. As I began to learn more about baseball from attending clinics and reading I have tried to pass on my knowledge to my son and other players. My son made the 8 yr old All Star team and his performance was average. He has also made the 9 yr old All Star team this year. Our All Star teams are the top 10% of a large pool of 9 yr olds (approx 75). As my son has become older and has received more information on how to play baseball his performance has improved but he seems to be playing nervously. Especially overthinking how he should hit, to the point of not being able to hit the ball well at all. What can I do as a parent and coach for my son so he can relax, have fun, and play at a high level (which he has the ability to do)?

AWhat you have described is the curse of being the coach's son. The more you learn, the more you teach, the more you teach, the more he feels he has to remember. Worst mistake is advice given in the dugout between innings of a game, or yelled from the bench or third-base box, while he is up to bat. That is a time for doing, not learning. Teach in practice, coach in the game. Next you'll be expecting him to be the team catcher and field captain. :-)

[Note stated at the time is that this is what WebBall Head Coach Richard Todd put his own son through. Fortunately they both survived the experience.]

QCoaching Leadership

We always hear, this is how you hit, this is how you pitch, this is how you play infield. As a coach I would like to have some ideas on how to discipline the players. I feel this is left out on a lot of teams. Where do you lay down the lines? Such as when and how do you punish the team if you are talking and you have a few in the back that just won't shut up? How do you discipline laziness as a team. And one other thing my team lacks in ENTHUSIASM - I cant get them pumped up. After my pitcher pitches out of bases-loaded/no-out situtation, I can't get the rest of the team fired up. They wont even come in and congratulate my pitcher. How do i get them fired up?

AMy replies may or may not help but this is how I reacted and you can pick any or all answers that make sense to you...

This isn't football. Rah-rah is good for getting the adrenaline pumping but baseball demands focus, attention and quick reflexes, so raw emotion isn't always helpful.
Leadership - your ability to read their mood and lead them upwards is a key.
I don't get the shut up comment. Do you want enthusiasm or discipline (often opposites) or do you mean you want respect - something that goes back to point #2. Respect is earned and it is part of the leadership issue. Maybe if they don't shut up it's because you or the other coaches aren't saying anything useful or helpful. Maybe the players think they are being punished by having to listen instead of doing. Leadership by example also means the coaches show they have the ability to listen to their players. (This one I really understand because at times as a coach I used to over-explain - talk too much. Probably doing that here.)
When a pitcher pitches out of a bases-loaded situation - how did he get into it? Did he walk batters or let them hit - did his fielders miss the plays? And how did the out happen - a strike out, ground out? Don't give the pitcher the credit unless you also give him the blame. Another thought - maybe they just don't like that pitcher.
They're kids. If you are going to punish, do it sparingly for things that affect the game - not showing for practices, or early enough for warm-ups, etc.
The only real punishment is benching. Period. They want to play. But the trouble is you don't want to have sitting on the bench though of as being in the penalty box - then anyone taking a turn riding the pines will resent it. It's a tricky balancing act, but it starts with you understanding your players.

QEvery Long Toss Question

I am a high school and American Legion baseball coach. Concerning your pyramid training program for pitchers, I have some questions: What distances should the drills be performed at? Should the drills be performed on flat ground or off of the portable mound? Should the drills be performed from the windup, stretch, both, or just throw? What percentenge of maximum speed should the drills be performed at? Should ice treatments be administered after each workout?

AIf you are referring specifically to training with weighted balls - regular pitching distance 60'6". Use long toss workout as well, but with regular balls - in this case the distance going out and coming back creates the pyramid.

We are among those who favor work on flat ground as it puts less impact on the landing legs, however it does need to finish with bullpen/mound work.

As for wind-up, stretch, etc. we encourage use of Paul Nyman / Ron Wolforth backward chaining / backshaping approach. In other words, not only would we do everything from stretch, but we would first work from release point, then from upper body turn, then from start of foot plant, then from stretch.

You need to achieve 80-85% minimum velocity on all pitches (depending on start point, working backwards) if the purpose is to increase velocity. You need to do get at least some at 100% effort as there is no point in training below the demands of the game. Practices should always be the hard part.

Yes, ice is important because it seals up microtears in muscle fibers which cause strains and bruising. The ice starts the recovery. Equally important are wind sprints to reoxygenate the muscles. That may be enough, if not, then use ice, followed by a brisk walk to raise core body temperature. The final recovery step is nutrition of course.

QFair Draft

Our 9-10 year old boys teams (of which there are 4) were handpicked teams, 3 teams exceptionally strong, and 1 team consisting of "marginal" players. What should I do to realign this league for next year, so the teams are balanced?

ABest idea I've heard (from Chris Johnson who has contributed to WebBall) and others...
Put the coaches together to pick teams in a draft - BUT - after all the players are divided THEN the coaches draw from a hat to see which team they get. With no guarantee that a coach will get a loaded team, you'll see the fairest draft you've ever seen!

QFair Play Time

Are there any rules in youth leagues about fairness in giving players minimum guaranteed playing time? I am about to go before our local little league board to ask them to adopt a set of rules that would guarantee fairness in playing time for all players. Do you have any information about any other leagues that have tried to do a similar thing? Can you give me any suggestions about how I might sell this idea to the little league board?

APersonal experience suggestions you will be dealing with a group of coaches who would rather not have an additional player rotation issue to deal with. I've tried to be fair but have always encounter one major stumbling block - the players themselves - everytime I worked out a fair rotation for a few games in advance, I would get illness or injury or other events or just plain no-shows fouling up my attempt. Best solution I managed is to make sure to include game appearances or innings played or plate apperances in my stats so everyone could see who got how much playing time and let them come to me if they felt treated unfairly.

(There's more on this issue elsewhere on the website.)

QFinding Instructors

As a father of a 12 yr old who is just getting into pitching, but takes it very seriously, I am concerned about teaching him proper mechanics in order to avoid injuries later. The question is...how do I find good instruction? Most of the coaches I know are not terribly knowledgable about pitching. How can I find private instruction and be comfortable that it is correct instruction?

ALocally, the best (only) thing to do is look for the best pitchers in your age group and ask their dads/moms if they have had private instruction and where. In interviewing private instructors ask the key questions - how many types of pitches will you teach him (fewer is better to start) - what should he do on days he's not here (jogging, wind sprints, core work, leg strengthening are all good answers) - how long are the sessions, how much warm up time, how many pitches (be wary of any instructor that doesn't count the pitches).

To the answer given above, we could also add that any of the instructors who participated in our first Pitching/Hitting Challenges are worth considering if you are willing to travel and they are willing to take you on. There also some others listed in event calendar. But unfortunately beyond that we cannot provide recommendations in all markets.

QGetting Involved

I was just wondering how I should go about being the pitching coach of my son's team. I know quite a bit about pitching mechanics/strategies but I'm not sure how go present it to the team. Any Ideas?

AThe key in most cases is just to volunteer your services to the head coach, say you've noticed a couple of things with the pitchers that could help with their velocity or command or whatever and take it from there. The key of course is to be a good observer, to understand that each young pitcher is unique in terms of ability, adaptability, body structure, etc. Knowing pitching and teaching it are 2 different things. A head coach may know more than an assistant about pitching (IMHO) but the assistant should be better with the pitchers in getting that knowledge to stick.

QGood Coach

Are you a good coach?

AHere would be some of my criteria for judging a coach...

Does he provide a positive leadership example that you can learn from beyond baseball?
Does he run practices that are fun, interesting, varied, and that the players look forward to?
Does he work in practices on both teamwork and individual skills so that by yearend you are better than you were at the beginning? (Everyone, no matter how good to start, should improve every year.)
Does he treat the game of baseball with respect - including respect for his own players (correction without criticism), other teams, and the umpires? -
Does he look for opportunities to try all the strategies of baseball to generate runs and encourage his players to push themselves beyond their previous personal limits? -
Does he put the team before his own ego - i.e. praise players more than his "clever coaching" for victories - but does he take the blame for strategic mistakes he made, and does he use losses as an opportunity to learn and teach.

That's what I try to do, not always successfully but the intent is there, and the wins and losses often take care of themselves. (It's baseball - even the best teams lose, even "weaker" teams can have a great day.)

As it happens this year (2003), we are not the winningest team around, but I am really enjoying the season and I think the players are too. Sure there are those in every organization who judge everything in terms of the W/L column, but even in the seasons when we have dominated the competition, I know the success is not the coach's.

QHigher Level

What is a good way for a player to adjust to a higher division in their league.

AIf you are talking about a higher calibre of play - read the new scouting section to see what skills and abilities scouts and coaches look for most.

If you are concerned about the move from say, peewee to bantam or LL to big league, - i.e. bigger field dimensions, older players, then the above is also good insight. Plus try to get an early opportunity to work on both your arm power and leg power before the season - look through the Pow'r Alley section for exercises and conditioning programs, and note that I said power not strength - always work through the full range of motion for a muscle group and do it at speed - you want to strength your muscles over their full length - not bulk up in the middle which is all static weight lifting would do.

QHow many coaches?

I have a quetion about how many coaches sould be coaching the players in a game?

ATwo answers - 1) it depends on the team level and 2) it depends on how you define coaching.

1) I've seen lower division teams with only one coach, and top ranked teams with 5 or 6 even at the high school level - bullpen coach, fielding coach, bench coach, manager, basecoach(es), hitting coach. It realy depends on issue 2...

2) Coaching in a game should be team oriented, focused on the game situations - never instructional. If you get two or three coaches yelling at a player to 'sit back in your swing' or 'get your glove to the ground' or 'turn your hip more' or some other kind of mechanical instruction, or players have coaches or even one coach saying 'what did you try to steal for', or 'don't swing at the high stuff' then it's not how many coaches that is the problem but what they are trying to do that's wrong. In-game coaching should be reminders of the count - adjust to fielding position for a bunt or double-play (for instance), or signalling pitches to their catcher (though I like to see my catchers learn by trying to call their own games). The only in-game instruction should be quiet, one-to-one, after the fact.

QInterview

I have an interview with a college coach tomorrow and I was wondering what I should do after the interview? For example do I have to send a letter or what should I do?

AI wouldn't say you have to, but it can't hurt, and it could reinmforce a positive impression in his mind. Don't lay it on thick, thank him for considering you for his team, remind him of two key assets you bring (that you mentioned in the interview) that could help the team - i.e. 5-tool player, power, contact hitting, fielding, your fastball, whatever is appropriate. Be confident, but not arrogant, and respect what he's trying to accomplish and how you want to contribute.

QLacking Team Work

I am the coach of a 12 year old team in a very competitive league. The players skill level is good. One place they are lacking is playing and existing as a team. They seem to get down on each other whenever anyone makes a error. This just builds problems. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

AAs coach you have to step in and cut off the backstabbing at the knees. You have to show them that errors don't hurt your game plan - that even players paid millions make some mistakes.

Then, I'd start to think about how to work on the errors in practice - not as error correction but as skill tuning. Realtively error-free baseball depens on how much fielding practice they get and how much they work through game situations to understand coverage (to cut down mental errors.) Also, of course, look at some of the team-building ideas under Coaching > Your Program.

QLate Night Games

What is the best way to prepare for a late night game (8 or 9:00 p.m. start), or a game that takes quite a long time to travel to (1 1/2 - 2 hr. drive).

AThe only things to adjust for late games and long travel is your previous night's sleep and your meal times. You want that meal two-three hours prior and in some ways most games start to early with not enough time between school and game to eat at the proper time anyway. Drink plenty of water to keep your mental focus for the late game and if you find your concentration going at 11 pm then don't be afraid of a small sugar/adrenaline kick - a chocolate bar - but remember that will only give you about 15 minutes of oomph and you may be worse after it - so think of it as prep for the last at bat or last inning in the field only.

QLosing and Discipline

I manage a 13 year old team. We played our first game last night and lost 7-4. Losing this particular game may very well have been the result of a lack of field discipline. My greatest challenge this season is to help these boys experience something they can take with them for life. I'll never get in a kid's face about a mistake on the field, because fundamentally...I'm there for them....NOT the other way around. My dilemna is in balancing my desire to make this a fun experience for them with the undeniable knowledge that some of them aspire to move to the 'next level' (probably High School ball) in a couple years and they're at the age when practice discipline seems critical to creating a disciplined game atmosphere that will yield positive results. I want to show I have confidence in them. I want to be a friend AND a coach, but I'm not being completely honest if I allow them to believe that haphazard preparation will produce winning competitive results.

AWow, does this sound familiar - wait till they get to be 16 when girls, cars, and jobs (in any order) take priority.

Make practices short but productive - follow the practice schedule suggestions on WebBall. (Bored kids are unmotivated kids.)
Bring in the conditioning stuff - boys at the puberty cusp get excited about power training.
Don't be a friend, be a mentor. That doesn't mean you have to be the heavy, just the guy with good ideas.
Don't try to teach during games. Give them a reason to come to practices.

You'll pull through. Have a good season.

QMotivation

I am a junior varsity baseball coach at [a] school in Ohio. The question I am about to ask you is probably the hardest one you will have to answer. The talent level is very low at our school and the number of players is also very low. So without saying the wins don't come too often. We dont even compete on some days. How and where do I start? Do I go back to fundamentals? This is a double-edged sword because I played ball here 13 years ago and if we did not get to the regionals, it seemed like a lost season. I just want to start this program in the right direction. I have tried to be stern, I tried the lighter approach, and nothing seems to work. Please give me some feedback so I can make my school and their students realize the meaning of pride.

ABoy, have I been there. And did I ever find the magic pill, not so far. But here are my thoughts...

I'm a fan of content over style. If the kids get a feeling for the game, how to work at it, what to focus on, how to build better ballplay step by step, then in time results will come. I suppose in a way that means going back to fundamentals. But it also means giving them a purpose. Get them involved in the process from the beginining of the season - setting objectives, deciding what goals to set as a team for the year. Put it on paper - get everyone to sign off on it. Make it realistic, but challenging too. Then at the start of each practice define what aspect of the game you'll focus on toward the goals. And at the end of each practice ask for feedback (during the cooldown period). How did we do? Did we work on the right things? Did anyone understand something about mechaincs or ball handling or pitcher-hitter psych better than before? Do this as the season progresses - regardless of wins and loses - are we on track, do we feel good about the progress? Are we learning better baseball?

It's not easy - it can be done - give yourself time. This is a topic on which WebBall would really like to hear the experience of others who have succeeded in turning a tough program into a winner.

QMoving Up

I have coached/managed for 5 years in our local little league minors division 7-10 year olds. I have been asked to move up to our seniors division 13-15 year olds next year with my son. My coaching philosophy is/has always been "teach the game" and the rest will take care of itself. My fear is the parents will want me to emphasize winning more than I’m accustomed too and make this more cut throat than I would like? Do I change who am and play to win or stay in what I believe in and stay the course. I feel if I teach better than the next guy with some talent thrown in winning will take care of itself or am I all wet? My gut says don’t change and see what happens? I know I/we will take some lumps this season due to my inexperience but hey I will learn along with the kids and there is no harm in that.

AWinning always seems to be a major topic. First 13-15 y.o. players still need to learn the game - they don't know as much as they think they do :-) Second, parents are much the same at all ages - stars in eyes, focused on their own son's performance as much or more than on how the whole team does.

That said - everybody like to win, but not every team can win - many intangibles. So, you need, in practice, to maintain your emphasis on skills development - getting players up to the best of their ability. Then, in games, you need to know/learn how to tap into that talent at crucial moments to build a successful offense - whiling encouraging a strong 100%-effort on defense.

Winning unfortunately is often at-odds with everybody plays equally. So, where you need to be perhaps a little more cutthroat (not my strong suit either) is in who gets more playing time and who is held in reserve for critical opportunities. It may surprise you to learn that, for me, it doesn't always mean starting your best 9 each and every game.

First there is no best 9 at that age - consistency is not always part of the repertoire of every player.

Second, in any game, there will come a time when you need a faster baserunner. Or you may need a long sac fly to produce an RBI. Or you may need an expert bunt or good hit-and-run contact batter, or a faster outfielder or tougher glove at third, or a pitcher who can get that one easy ground ball out. In other words, you always need strength on the bench. So I tend to put my most consistent 9 out there first, but have some special situation players to go to ready on the bench.

Beyond player management, the other crucial component is coaching strategy from third base - aggressive coaching - if based on good percentage baseball [see above] - can often mean the difference. This doesn't change how you teach in practice, it doesn't even change how you utilize best players, but it does mean taking more risks sometimes. I guess what I am saying is that - despite what you might hope for as a coaching philosophy - winning doesn't take care of itself. You have to train as a coach as hard as your guys train as ballplayers.

QOh, Those Coaches

QOh, Those Parents

We will be starting our second season of coaching, we have learned a lot about baseball, probably more so than the average coaches due to the help of a professional athlete now retired and back living in our area. Our experience with coaching our first travel team has been good, but now we are facing the inevitable parent(s) that think their son is better than this player and better than that player. What suggestions or references can you offer ?

AEvery player's parents have stars in their eyes. (I know I did!) 13 is way to young to mean anything long term for baseball - heck this year's stars may be out of the game in two years due to other interests, and some quiet kid on the team may shoot up to be the 6'2 superstar shortstop.
I would have a meeting with all parents and players and explain to them nicely that the objective is to give everyone a chance to perform in whatever situations they can best help the team. That at age 13 it is way too early to get your hopes up about future prospects. That the focus now must be on playing and learning good baseball. That nobody on the team is yet there but that the coaches are working together to help build the talent base. Meantime you will do what you can to give everyone good playing time, but you are not going to sacrifice the team's goals for the sake of any one player better or worse. As trained coaches you can spot details in players mechanics and make-up that separate those who deserve more playing time and that a parent who has some understanding of baseball, as strong as anyone on the coaching staff, is encouraged to come out to practices and help us get the best out of every player and the whole team.

QPitching Targets

I am a coach of 9 and 10 year olds. I have read much of the site regarding pitching. I am trying to figure out how to correct this problem. Two of my pitchers pitch when they are out of the strike zone pitch outside about 6-8 inches. I think they do not want to hit the batter. But I am not sure. I look at their form but am unable to pick out what is causing this problem. I would appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks.

AYou're right. They are afraid of hitting the batter. The problem starts when they are learning to throw - they have only a vague sense of pitching to the plate. what you need them to do is focus more specifically on the area between the catcher's knees and shoulders and learn to ignore the batter. (That's the idea behind a prop like the Bullpen Buddy.)

For instance. if they learn to aim at the catcher's left knee - an actual target, in other words, not a vague reference to some space over the plate - they will more easily be able to pitch to that target even when the batter steps in.

QPizza Time

I have a majors team in our league (the 2nd year with this team - 4 kids returning) and our team has no 'spunk'. The 4 returning kids are 12. I have one more 12 and seven 11's. Fundamentally the team is sound but together they are not a team. I've been coaching 15 yrs and I've never seen a team like this. The playoffs start in 2 weeks and I need to get through to them to play like I know they can. They have lost confidence in themselves etc. Let me know if you have any advice on my situation.

AYou need to get them motivated (a desire to win), and you need to get them to gel. Is that about it?

Couple of quick suggestions - I appreciate you don't have much time.

1. Hold a practice with contests in the second half - relay races, throwing contests, batting contests. Challenge them to challenge themselves. (And throw in some goofy stuff like who can throw their hat the highest - tell them it's practice for when they win the championship.)
2. Work on those drills which require maximum teamwork - the Double Play drill (from Coaching directory or from Playng > Infield page) is my personal favourite.
3. Go out for pizza. (I'm serious - why wait till the season is over to celebrate being a team?).
4. Above all, no lectures, no stress, have a good time out there.

QPlayer Nerves

As a baseball coach, I observe that during the practice my players are active and lively. But, during the game, they feel nervous and even trembling. The result now is that they can't hit anymore. Do you have some suggestions to overcome this problem?

AWell, on the positive side, we'd guess you're making practices fun, involving, and a good experience. But a series of questions for you to ask of yourself...

Are there times in practices when you simulate game conditions so they can get comfortable with the pressure?
Do you make sure that practices also teach the more difficult skills, the things they have trouble with?
Do you get uptight yourself about games and does that transfer over to the players?
How easy do you make it for them when they walk up to the plate?
Do you minimize the amount of advice you give in games?
Do you fill their heads with too much to worry about?

We always believe that practice should be the hard part so that games are easy.

QQualified Coaching

As a coach and board member with a baseball association, we interview coaches to manage and coach our teams. Can you recommend resources in order for us to develop coaching interview questions.

ASome suggestions...

1. Certification. I don't know if it's available in your area, but 3M does sponsor a National Coaching Certification Program - it's as much about attitude, conditioning, nutrition and safety as it is about baseball technique - which makes it a good measure of a quality coach. There are several levels and coaches must have achieved certain levels before they can complete at the more advanced tournaments, etc. The quizes asked before completion would be an excellent source.

2. Interview players and parents they've had before.

3. As for your own questions - you might glean some stuff from WebBall - touching on nutrition, safety, strategy, etc. In fact, WebBall might look into setting up our own coaching skills test in the new year - good idea?

QReal-World Pitching Cycles

I saw your pitching cycle and I would like to get my pitchers in a routine as well. Our region games are on Tuesdays and Fridays. If a kid starts Tues. what would be his routine from the time he left the mound Tues. night assuming he threw 70+ pitches and then what about the Friday starter that has Sat. and Sun. off from practice and school and then the Tues. starter doesn't see the mound until the next Tues. That is seven days, two with no practice. What do I do there

AThis, I guess, is where life and reality as a youth baseball coach clash with the nice 4-day theory of pro ball. We would always suggest that the day after game day be a rest day and the day before a game include primarily conditioning work, not throwing work.

At least you are giving them 7 days, not 3, but I assume you would not have only 2 starters to consider. These are still young kids and sometimes inconsistent and you need a couple of long-relievers working the same routine. In any suggested cycle, depending on your talent availability... you need to consider which pitchers are self-starters and which need more discipline.

The Friday pitchers are always going to be better monitored... so Monday long toss, Tuesday doing team pre-game and charting the game (and some field time at another position), Weds. mound work, Thurs. fielding practice - plus hitting practice whenever it fits in (even if you can DH them). Long-Toss Monday can be varied with other distance or velocity work. All sessions must include proper tubing warm-up and wind sprints afterwards. You should suggest to them that on the weekend they NOT do even recreational throwing on Saturday - though they could go for a jog or bike ride - and on Sunday they could do another sport recreationally that also uses upper body - swimming or tennis maybe.

The Tuesday pitchers need to be the self starters because they have to do some more rigorous stuff on their own on the weekend. Monday will need to be a light/short bullpen day for tune-up with you, but ask them to find time on Saturday with a friend or dad to throw a complete bullpen. Sunday can be bike ride, jog, other aerobic conditioning stuff. Weds (after game day) has to be their complete off day - no throwing, hitting, etc., but if there is a team practice they can maybe do baserunning type drills. Thursday becomes their long toss day, and Friday they do team pre-game and charting the game (and some field time at another position).

By the way, if I could I would tell all pitchers they are banned from playing video games or cell text-messaging 24-36 hours prior to stepping on the mound for game day. Pitch grips and carpal tunnel syndrome don't mix.

QReprint Permission

What we would like is to lift a tip or two off of your site and provide you with credit and a direct link to your website. I am also personally a member of your fine WebBall. We encourage our campers to visit your site.

APages from WebBall cannot be used on another website without specific permission. We have made some general tips available for some sites and you can print out pages to hand out to your players but if you want anything more, please give us a list of the pages/tips you might be interested in.

(We get this request a lot and while I won't go into all the reasons why we try to limit permission - mostly to maintain traffic to our site and control information that circulates under the WebBall banner - we have seen some blatant cases of WebBall content being lifted. If you happen to see such an abuse of copyright, I'd appreciate if you could let us know about it.)

QRushing Players

I manage a 10 y.o. travel team and I've got some issues with league rules. The league voted in favor of playing "full" baseball: all rules in place (i.e. infield fly, dropped 3rd strike, leadoffs, balks, etc.) I have a big issue with progressing these kids so quickly before they fully grasp the fundamentals. I am most concerned for pitchers who have only been pitching for 1.5 to 2 years and their mechanics have not been engrained. The kids will worry so much about rushing the ball to home plate they'll sacrifice proper arm motion. These other managers won't see the effects of the bad mechanics this year, but 2-3 years down the road when arm problems crop up. Are these managers truly deciding what's best for the kids, or finding a way turn the game into a track meet - win at all costs? Don't get me wrong: winning is an attitude that can become a habit when the kids believe in themselves, but I couldn't tell you which team won the league when I was 10, can you?

ALet me put it as concisely as I can... You are right and they are wrong. The problem is, of course, how to get them to re-think what they are doing. All the points you raise are valid. I am less concerned about infield fly - that actually makes things easier for kids - takes the pressure off having to catch the high pop-up. But on the other points... 1. Dropped third strike is really a misnomer - it's really passed ball to the backstop we are talking about, which not only challenges the catcher, but the pitcher in terms of accuracy and confidence. 2. Lead-offs and balks go hand-in-hand, obviously - you can't have one without the other. Our local league here does have those in effect at age 11-12 (except for Little League) but balks aren't really called unless blatant until 13 and up.

The real problem is a group of coaches/managers with no perspective - for the most part this is probably their first time through the coaching experience and they want to act like managers of pro ball clubs. I don't even think it is "win at all costs" - I just think it's about bragging rights of coaching a club that plays by the "real" rules. It's fantasy baseball with real kids. That's not a condemnation, it's just the common mentality - I know, I was the same - we are all anxious to see our kids as stars in real baseball. Unfortunately it is only years later, when kids drop out due to arm injuries at age 15 that reality sets in - that the damage we have done is fully realized, but also, too often irreversible.

I would impose the following rules on all leagues up to age 12...

Pitchers must throw from the stretch only (which is actually better in learning and takes away one of the problems with lead offs, and gets rid of the over-emphasis on wind-ups).
Lead-offs are allowed (because this is a skill baserunners should learn early - how to turn, how to react quickly.)
A pitcher may throw to a base provided he steps before his arm moves. (This is like the real balk rule except the mechanics don't matter yet - he can step with either foot and step anyway he wants to.)
No dropped third strike (it just doesn't matter yet).
Intentional walks are not permitted (mostly because you get into same issue as dropped third - errant throws.)
Limit on steals per inning - not sure about this but some leagues have used this to limit excessive baserunning and forced errors. The challenge (as per recent case) is to determine the details - whether attempts and caught stealing count, whether a double steal is 2 or 1. I have heard of league imposing max 3, I'd suggest max 5.
Infield fly in effect (it really makes no demands on fielders or runners) - fielders try to catch the ball, runners are expected to stay on their bases, batter is out. Without the IFR, fielder errors are common. It's up to the ump to call it correctly.
Maximum 5 run rule (not 6) per inning (and open last inning of course - just to keep it closer).
Mercy rule of 12 runs (not 10) - just to give the losing team extra encouragement.
Maximum of 20 runs per game. (I dunno, just seems like another possible way to be fair).

QStarting Over Each Year

After last summer and being told we, as coachs, would keep the core of our teams together, I now find they will be broken up, once again next year. I feel, very strongly, that the only way to make our house league strong and be able to furnish our BB teams with good players (last year the bantam BB team was barely stronger than the house league team and lost 20 of 22 games by such scores as 20 to o, 18 to 2, etc.) and I believe that if we can keep the core of our teams together, we will be able to start our seasons at a higher level and go up from there. As it is we have to start all over again every year and there are only about 10 to 12 practices a year which does not give us sufficient time to really develop.
Most of our executive are involved in hockey and use that as a guide line, and I feel it is like comparing oranges to apples.

AMy own opinion - as a coach, I like some continuity year over year, but given your record I think you need to actively scout the next year's younger talent because obviously last year's picks were not good enough. As for practice times, what you need is to get 8 in before the season starts - using all the techniques of the 59 minute baseball practice video and the key drills on WebBall - a lot of baseball in a short period of time - maximize each player's prep time. And enourage as many as you can to work on some kind of off-season program.

QTalent vs Tantrum

I'm a Pony League (13-15) manager with a large squad of 13 year olds. One of my more talented 13 year olds has got to be the most unstable, hot tempered, know-it-all kids I have been around. Performs well under pressure, but is constantly complaining, throwing fits, etc. What do you think: cut him or give him another year to mature then bounce him?

AIf you're a coach, you're a teacher, And it sounds like this kid needs to learn. My advice, stick with him. But, establish some limits - help him discover self-discipline. Talk to him pre-season - tell him your concern about his behaviour and that you value hime as a player. Remind him this is a team sport and you have the growth and development of the other kids to think about. Explain what you will and won't tolerate - and stand by your word. Don't cut him but bench him if you have to.

If gentle persuassion doesn't work, have another heart-to-heart mid-season. This time lay out the realities for him - there are lots of kids out there who want a chance to succeed in baseball - none of them is good enough yet to play pro. Let him know that he can be replaced - his continuation in organized ball is up to him.

By the way, in both talks, I'd have an assist coach listening (without commenting) - to back you up later and to reinforce that the problem isn't simply personal between him and you.

QTeam Closeness

I am one of the coaches for a boys traveling team. The team always gets down on themselves very quickly when they get behind in runs. They also get down on some of the players that make a mistake. The team is made up of good kids but I also see that some of the team has formed little cliques. I see this when we are warming up and some of the kids will only play catch with certain kids. I believe this is one of the reasons that tend to fall apart so quickly because they are not acting as a team. Do you have any suggestions on how you would try to pull the whole team closer together?

AFirst, this is a potential problem with any team that should and can be addressed at the first practices of the season. See a page or two in the Coaches Corner under Program Builing or Grass Roots for ideas.

Second - in pre-game throws, in addition to stepping back after every 5 throws, make one line shift left or right after every 5 throws - the coaching reason to announce - in a game situation you need to be able to throw to every other player so you need to know everyone's throwing style and catching ability.

Third - pre game speech - "we win as a team, we lose as a team... so if you see a teammate who hasn't handled a play well, give him some constructive advice." If that doesn't work get tougher "the coaches are feed-up with players getting down on each other - if you have a problem keep it to yourself during the game then come and talk to a coach quietly after the game and we'll talk to the player also quietly about some things he can do to improve - because we can only win as a team." If that doesn't work... "We're here to make every player better. And the only way that can happen is by giving them practice time and play time.

So they next time the coaches hear any excessive criticism, the loud mouth will be benched and the struggling player will be given even more play time to get better."

The reason I would do this (only if necessary) is that, quite frankly, no kid is that good - they will move up an age group and confront new challenges and eventually all but 1 in 10,000 of them will not make the MLB. So it's important that each kid realize he has to work on getting himself better, not at the expense of his teammates.

QToo Much to Think About

I am a 14 year old pitcher. I pitch 3/4 and took your advise last time and I'm doing a lot better. I have a fastball, breaking ball, cut fastball, and change up. My problem is I'm given too much advice which confuses me. So when you're pitching should you focus on your target a lot? And I also have a big thing about relaxing. It's hard for me to do in a game; I just get so nervous. Can you help me?

AGood to know our ideas help sometimes. :) Sounds like you're thinking on the mound too much. The purpose of the rock-back wind-up is to get in your pitching rhythm while focused on the target. This could be the most important part to your pitch - to zone in, remove distractions, and relax in the rhythm.

You need to work on the nervousness in practice and in pre-game bullpen, so it has less impact once you take the mound. Once you are warm, throw the remaining bullpen pitches in your routine as if they are crucial game pitches, i.e. 3-2 count or 0-2, or 3-0 with runner on third. The more you challenge yourself in the bullpen, the less you will feel the challenge in the game.

There is a cautionary tale for coaches in this, of course, a mistake I too have made and a trap which we all fall into - games are for playing not teaching. Please try to provide your mechanics advice in practice only not in the game. You want a confident pitcher not a confused one. Keep your remarks during a mound visit to the kinds of pitch selection to make, to being sure he is checking the runner, or varying his timing. If you notice an elbow below its usual height or some other change in motion that is a result of his getting tired, that's okay to mention - as long as you promise to get someone up in the bullpen too. In other words be a manager not a trainer at that point.

QTurning Pro?

What do I have to do to become a college baseball coach

AThere is no set path - you could gain experience coaching community ball, or high school ball and build a rep. If you have sufficient baseball contacts you could get in touch with people you know. Or you could check pubs like Collegiate Baseball News and others that might give clues as to when new head coaches might be looking for help. You could also go on an application writing campaign using a database of colleges and coaching staffs. We have a CD_ROM available through one of our sources that shoudl give you the contacts you need. WebBalll Store > Software.

QWatermelons!!!?

My coach says that to the big hitters we should throw watermelons (rainbows). We play in Little League. He will only let us throw some change ups, fastballs and rainbows. We all think he's nuts. We can throw 2 seamers and 4 seamers that really break and they don't hurt our wrists. And he said "I know that rainbows work so I will let you pitch them to each other" and we are good hitter (as good as most of the people in Little League) and we had a field day - we were like hitting homers! Our pitches really work and strike people out. We are going against a good team - what should we?

AYour coach is frankly wrong. He has some notion that a watermelon is like a big overhand curve when it's more - as you say - like a batting practice pitch. 2-seam, 4-seam, change-ups should all be thrown with the same body mechanics and arm action - not ever by arcing / lobbing the pitch in. If he really wants you to get out the big guys, tell him you should throw low and inside - that's the toughest for a big guy your age to hit. Why? Because big is usually the result of early growth spurt and they don't have the muscles to control their body or the balance to hold it together inside. Also try to vary the finger pressure on the fastballs you throw - to get a little side rotation (without turning the wrist - just by pushing down harder with one finger or the other). This will create movement that the gangly kids will have trouble adjusting too.

QWe Must be Crazy To Do This

My husband and I are coaching our daughter's softball team for the 1st time. (11/12 year old's) I have assisted the last two years but this is my first year as "manager". I have a couple of questions:

Do you have any suggestion for our first practice to "break the ice" with these girls? Keep in mind these are girls in the "everyone/everything is stupid" stage.

We have a lot of "attitude" on our team and I want to make it clear what is expected but I want it to be fun for them too.

ASuggestion 1. Run. Right now. As fast and far as you can in the other direction - these are evil evil people who must be avoided at all costs. Well, okay, maybe it's not as bad as all that. Actually you might find that other than your own child, it could be fine - believe me from personal experience (in my case son) the coach's kid is always the worst.

Suggestion 2. If you come in with a plan of attack the rest can take care of itself. Look and be organized. get down to running drills, building a team, talking with players about their goals for a year - and always always carry a clipboard - having notes and drill diagrams to follow is good - even better is to be able to write notes about players - you have no better a group of budding paranoids who will worry about what you have noted about them - the power of the pen! On the Coaching section of WebBall you will find practice plans, and more. After the first goal setting meeting come to each practice with a list of drills - announce upfront what will be covered, and review afterwords in the cool down phase so they are reminded they got something out of it.Piece of cake. Well, not as easy as running away now, but do-able.

QWhat Are Rules For?

Our house rules state maximum 5 runs per inning. I understand the reason for a 5-run rule, but the players need to know there is still a chance to catch a team in the lead. For example, tonight's game we played a team that beat us previously. My pre-game pep-talk told the players tonight was a good opportunity to see how we've improved. We were down 7-2 when we came up for last bats. I told the players we could win if we focused and gave it our best. They did. We scored 6 runs with only one out and the other team reminded me the rules said maximum 5 runs so the 6th didn't count - game over as a tie. I was proud of my players and can not support the rule. I strongly believe there should be unlimited runs in the last inning for situations such as this. The opportunities to teach our kids valuable life lessons don't come often enough. Because of the rule their spirit was broken, ironically, by a rule made to prevent exactly that.

AAt WebBall I spend a lot of my time answering questions about play and competition and fairness. I have seen players and coaches (including dads with their sons or daughters) have years of positive experience in baseball. I have also seen the other side. Baseball is a game of failure. A 3 for 10 batting average is considered good. A 2 for 4 on base percentage great. Errors are so much a part of the game they are part of the scoring system. So, as you know, are wins and loses - once the game gets competitive. And the strongest life lesson is not how to win, but how to handle a loss. It's the nature of the game - of every sport really - every team but one will end their season with a loss. I want you to do something before the next game. Ask your players what they remember about the last game. Just that nothing more. I suspect that many will not first answer whether the team won or lost. They might remember hits, or running around the bases. Or a ball they caught. Might even remember the snack they had. In other words the entire experience - not just the outcome. As adults we focus on outcome, but not at the youngest levels. That comes later. Clearly they played a good game, they had some hits, scored some runs, learned what it meant to not give up. But too much competition at young ages can ruin the experience. Your rule is not something I might have proposed - but it is for times like this. It gives us all perspective. After all, it might just as easily have gone the other way - you could have come up short. That would have changed the outcome, but not the experience. Take the tie - be happy with the rule. And take that with you for the rest of this season and onward through the next 10 or more years of coaching. Over that time, you will experience great victories and humbling defeats, you will deal with players who are stars and those in slumps, you will suffer through umpiring good and bad, and somewhere along the way what you will remember most is the experience - just like the kids. My son who is now 25 coaches with me - after years of being a coach-player duo. It has become a life-long experience - even though he is still at the age when winning is everything. We had good years and bad, but the experience of all those years I would not trade for anything. Enjoying being a coach, teaching kids the game, being out in the evening sunshine. Wins and losses and all the rest... that's not baseball that's just accounting.

QWhat Are We Teaching?

I had a rather bad thing happen at my game Saturday I would like to know (1) What you think about it and (2) what action would you take to deal with it? Both teams were standing on the sideline getting ready to start the game. We, of course, had done our team cheer. When the other team made their circle the team cheered one two three UP YOURS. I coach 12 & under kids and just believe this was totally out of line.

AClearly they'll let anybody coach. Any group of kids can get away with this once maybe, but if it happens again - against your team or any other, then it is obviously the fault of the coaches for allowing it to go on, and you would be right to report it to the league executive. Any org affiliated with LL or Pony or Legion or whatever should have conduct standards established. The other person to discuss it with would be the game umpire as he is the official representative of baseball on the field. A lower key approach would be during the postgame handshake just a quick comment to the other coach "I hope you're not going to let them keep doing that cheer." By the way age has nothing to do with it - I wouldn't want to hear a 17 year old team act like that. Respect for the institution of baseball is important at every age.

QWhich Coach to Listen to?

My son is 11 and for the last 9 months he has been seeing a coach that was a division 1 pitching coach. He teaches Tom House's program and it has improved my son's pitching and accuracy 3 fold. We do towel drills weights and band work. He has learned to keep the ball down and away from hitters. His top speed is around 54-55 mph at the plate with Glove Radar. He has also learned to throw the overhand curve at about 42-43 mph and for strikes. He has pitched several times this season with his rec team & travel team and never been hit hard, i.e. a lot of ground balls & strike outs. But his travel-team pitching coach (no college or pro background) wants him to start using body [tug/tuck] and said the reason he can't throw faster is because he is falling off the mound from the loaded position towards home. My son was taught this so his release point is out front and the batter has less time to pick up the ball. What should I do or say to this youth league coach

AYour youth league coach clearly does not have some current information that has nothing to do with his background or lack of it. (College or pro background makes someone neither right or wrong, although in this case, he's right.) Yes, getting a release point forward is important - towel drill is good, and we stress getting forward with our kids by trying to get them to lock their glove out front and pull their chest to the glove, rather than old-school "tuck and pull" bringing the glove to the body.

Bottom line: Tom House is right, the Div 1 instructor is right, WebBall is right, your youth coach is misinformed. Your son's speed is great for his age, the differential to his breaking ball ideal, and the results speak for themselves.

Unfortunately a preponderance of evidence is seldom enough. And it's hard to be tactful. So approach it as positively as you can. Point out to the coach that while you appreciate the work he is doing with the team, your son is pitching well, and you don't want to risk what he has developed so far. Tell him that you also have gotten valuable professional instruction for your son, and have checked with some leading resources and they all believe that the way your son is throwing is how he should continue. According to the experts "glove tuck" is just no longer the best way to go.