Sample Team Manual

The following material should be used as an example to follow in creating your own team manual. You may want to delete some of this material in addition to adding your own. One defensive strategy is illustrated, and a blank field is included to chart your own additional plays.

• Baseball Team Expectations • The Coaches’ Dictionary • The Pitcher’s Arsenal • Pitching Philosophy • General Mechanics for Pitchers • Signs • Bunt Defenses • First-and-Third Defenses • Pickoffs • Communication • Defensive Plays • Blank Field Diagram

As a member of the finest baseball program in the state, you will be expected to do the following: • Exhibit the positive attitude of a team player. Always be a team player; constantly work to build team morale. • Conduct yourself with the honor, dignity, humility and graciousness expected of those with outstanding character. Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. • Try to reach your physical limitations consistently and to set challenging goals for yourself each day, each week and each month of the season. • Be on time for team meetings, practices, transportation departures and any other team-related activities. • Be at practice every day. Players who miss practice the day before a game will not be included in the lineup unless the coaching staff has been consulted and agrees to let the players play. • Exhibit passion for the game and work hard each day. No player is to sit at practice unless given permission by the coaching staff. Intensity, intensity, intensity! • Commit yourself to the idea that you will be the hardest-working team in the state. • Respect your fellow players, their equipment, the game and yourself by having pride in your school, your team and your appearance. Care for your equipment. Keep everything in its proper place. Keep your practice and game clothing clean. Don’t throw any equipment at any time. Keep the locker room, dugouts and bench area at practice clean by putting things in their proper places. Wear all baseball equipment properly. • Be respectful to umpires, opposing players, coaches, fans and other field personnel at all times. • Accept adversity and deal positively with it. Worry only about the things you can control. • Be able to accept criticism and practice self-discipline, especially when you think no one is watching. • Understand that no player is guaranteed playing time. It’s the responsibility of the coaching staff to decide on playing time, which will be determined by attendance, players’ performance and ability, attitude, commitment, coachability, the pregame strategic plan, and game situations.

From Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills Online Course • © 2006 Human Kinetics, Inc. • www.asep.com • 800-747-5698 • Understand that everything the coaching staff does has a purpose: to make the team better. • Adhere to the school athletic code and all state policies and procedures. Specifically, avoid profanity, gambling, smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse. • Prepare yourself mentally for each game. Focus only on the game or practice once you reach the field, and refrain from talking to parents or friends until after the post- game team meeting. Game and Practice Rules • Once on the field, you must be in complete uniform. This includes a cap, which you must wear properly. If you don’t have the complete uniform, you won’t play. • During games, you must wear a helmet when out of the dugout on offense. • You must wear the practice uniform of the day. • Play the game, not the opponent. It’s not about you! Eligibility for a Varsity Letter By collective agreement, the coaching staff may award a letter to you if you do the following: • Complete the entire season in good standing. • Fulfill all team-related obligations, including returning school equipment on time. • Perform the role of a regular in over half of the team’s games during the season.

Following is a list of sayings used by the coaches. To prevent confusion over these meanings during a game, definitions are supplied. Also, definitions are given for nonverbal signals that are often used.

Saying Meaning “Wait till it reaches the ear.” Don’t leave too early at third base. “Watch the line drive.” Make sure the ball is out of the infield on a line drive. Don’t assume it is. Turn your head to watch the ball. “Ground ball anywhere.” When on third base, we will run on almost any grounder and score. “Your favorite pitch.” Don’t swing unless the pitch is in the zone you’re looking for in that situation. “Extra.” Verbal signals for the suicide squeeze. Determined before “Big number.” the game. “Com’n Babe.” “Tag on a fly to right.” When on second, you’re going to tag up on any fly ball to right and come to third. “Come over on a ground When on second, if the ball is hit behind you on the ground, ball.” hustle to third. If the ball is hit in front of you, hold and try to come over on the throw to first. “On or out in 3.” Reminder to pitcher to throw the ball in the box. Remember, contact is your friend. Don’t waste pitches. The runner is either on base with a hit or out in three pitches. “First guy on finds the move.” The first-base runner in a game must try to get the pitcher to throw to first base so the team can see the move. “Don’t celebrate too early.” Play the game; don’t try to show up the opponent with big high fives after routine plays. Never be surprised by what you can do! As Yogi said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Signal Meaning Hand motion on neck Pitcher should throw a high, tight fastball. Flicking fingers like a curveball drill Pitcher should aim at hitter’s gluteus maximus. Pointing at head with forefinger Keep your head in while batting. Concentrate on keeping your nose on the ball. Opening and closing hands with You’re gripping the bat too tightly; focus; relax; use fingers wide breathing exercises.

Pitch Description Fastball in Held on the seams; try to make the ball “run” on the hitter; move thumb or tilt hand; think movement, not speed. Fastball out Held across the seams; middle finger at large end of horseshoe; cut fastball works well here too; speed is more important here. Fastball up Throw at bottom hand of hitter who uppercuts. Extra-fast fastball Aim at middle of plate 2 to 4 mph faster than normal. Curve, slider or Master at least one of these. Throw as a control pitch at the slurve hitter breaking across the plate, or throw one (an extra-effort pitch) at the middle hoping to catch the outside corner. Changeup Always throw for the middle of the plate and low. This pitch has to be thrown 15 to 20% of the time to be effective. Throw at lunging hitters. If the pitcher can’t master it, use BP fastball instead. Great 2-0 pitch! Wave or chase Can be a fast or breaking ball. When called, the pitcher must understand this is not supposed to be hit. Use as a setup pitch or against batters who are free swingers. Back-door Thrown to outside part of plate. Use on batters who give up breaking ball on pitches or who are too far out in front on strides. Shake off Use when you think the batter is smart and may know what’s coming, especially on 2-0 or 1-2 counts. Use often.

• Early: 1 out of 2, 2 out of 3 COUNTS • 1-1 Strike; focus hard • 0-2/0-1 Tilt (up and in, then low and away) or • Doubles 2 in one spot Work the “L” • One-pitch situation (0-2; 1-2) o High hard heat or o 55-foot curveball (chase it!) General Goal: On or out in 3 Every Monday Is Changeup Day

Aim for postural stabilization and late rotation Tighten abs before throwing Daily drills (do in pairs or on your own): • Towel drill • Elbow alignment drill • Two-knee drill (all pitches)

Floating indicator (first sign after): neck up. Hand clap signifies end of signals; runners must touch cap to acknowledge the sign.

Action Sign Bunt Touch wrist. Steal Touch elbow. Run and hit Touch left shoulder. Fake bunt Touch belt with both hands. Delayed steal Touch both elbows with crossed arms. Fake bunt and hit Touch wrist with swinging arms. Take Wipe hand across brim of cap. Suicide Tap fists together twice; runner goes at release point on stretch; first move on windup. Wipe off Either hand rubbed across chest. 3-0 count Automatic take unless zone sign is given. Drag bunt Drag one hand across belt. Safety squeeze Touch brim of cap with both hands at same time; runner goes when ball is bunted down LF line or at pitcher.

Defense Responsibilities Straight First base, pitcher, batter charge plate. Second base covers first. Shortstop covers second. Outfield charges on all bunts. 11 call First base stays; pitcher fields first-base side; third base fields third- base side; second base fields middle. 12 call First base fields first-base side; second base covers first; third base stays; pitcher fields third-base side. Wheel Signal will be circle of hands. First base, third base, pitcher charge; second base covers first; shortstop covers third.

Pitchers must throw strikes except on a suicide squeeze attempt. Pitchout sign is closed fist down. Recognize bunt situations and read hands.

Defense Responsibilities Black Catcher throws through to second-base bag; second base covers; shortstop takes throw; second base is cutoff man 12 feet in front of bag unless different alignment is discussed. Red up Catcher fakes to second base and then throws to third; third puts up hands to signal throw. Long lead; early break throws Pitcher freezes runner at third, then turns and throws to second, who moves into base line. First baseman stays in runner’s back pocket. Outfielder charges.

Pitcher and catcher always have green light to throw. Daylight • When fielder passes runner, pitcher throws to bag. • Sign: an open glove to pitcher when he’s walking back to the rubber. • Coach can give open-hand sign to fielder who relays to pitcher. Timing • Second baseman bluffs runner when pitcher starts stretch. • When pitcher sets, he counts, “One-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand,” then turns and throws to bag. • Shortstop breaks hard on one-one thousand count. • Coach signals with two hands on face.

Pitcher and Catcher Catcher: Get ball back to pitcher quickly. Pitcher: Get back on rubber immediately to get sign. Catcher: Shift from sign to receiving stance. Don’t get too comfortable with the players on. Verbal pitchout: Coach calls, “Fire.” Throw fastball outside of zone. Use in squeeze situations. Talk, Talk, Talk “Go, go, go.” “Mine, mine, mine.” “Cut 1, 2, 3, 4.” “Cut hold.” “Relay, relay, relay.” “Take it, take it, take it.” “3, 3, 3.” “Triple.” Shortstop or second baseman tells outfielder where to throw. Feedback must always be positive: “Shake it off.” “Hang tough.” Never tell a pitcher, “Throw strikes.”

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Bunt Situation, Runner on First Tactic: Get one out for sure. If play on the runner at second is easy, get the force out there, but be certain to get at least one out. In most instances, get the bunter at first. Responsibilities: • Left field: Move toward infield. • Center field: Move in to back up second base. • Right field: Move in to back up first base. • First base: Charge bunt; cover area to first baseline side of mound. • Second base: Hustle�� to cover first base. • Shortstop: Cover second base. • Third base: Charge bunt; cover area to third baseline side of mound. • Catcher: Field the bunt if reachable. Call the play otherwise (who fields and where to throw). If third base fields the ball, hustle to cover third base. • Pitcher: Deliver pitch; charge bunt.

This field diagram is for creating your own defensive play alignments.

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