Category: Coaching

IT CONTINUES TO BE A DIFFERENT GAME   (Part 5-the 2001 Season)   November 1, 2001      Coach Bill Thurston Amherst College   This is the fifth in a series of statistical studies comparing wood bat performance to that of the high-tech aluminum bats. As in the previous four studies, only Division I hitters and pitchers… Continue reading It Continues to be a Different Game

ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD SHORTSTOP Anticipates all defensive plays that could involve him; ready to throw to right base or home plate. Stays on top of the ball, with most throws. Plants his feet and throws overhand when possible. Works on holding runners close. Charges the ball aggressively especially on topped or slow hit balls… Continue reading Shortstop Tasks and Tips

The defensive skills of the first baseman are often taken for granted. This position is the most under-rated defensive position on a team. The defensive skills of a good first baseman can often make the difference in winning a championship. Set & Ready Position – With No Runners On Base The first baseman positions himself… Continue reading First Base Tasks and Tips

First base is a pride position. First base is a guts position. As the father of a middle infielder, nothing drives me crazier than an infielder making a stellar play, throwing the ball low to first (as I teach them), then the first baseman waves at it, trying to “pick” it and the infielder gets… Continue reading Improving the First Baseman’s Stretch

FIRST BASE 1. Must be able to handle all types of throws 2. Covers a wide territory 3. Tossing ball to pitcher covering first 4. Throwing to second base on double play a. Back point of second, if throwing from behind baseline b. Front point of second if throwing from in front of baseline 5.… Continue reading Infield Skills

Our objective in a nine-inning ball game is to hold our opponents to four-runs-or-less. This goal provides direction for our defense during the course of a game and practice. Once the goal has been established (four, five, six runs or whatever works in a specific program), then the players have to understand how to achieve it… Continue reading Four Runs or Less

DEFENSIVE QUOTATIONS: The following quotations can be heard in every baseball park at any time. These are at the heart of baseball philosophy.   Prevent the big inning. “If you hold them scoreless, I promise you a tie” said the offensive coach to the defensive coach! We cannot lose if we do not let them… Continue reading Defensive Concepts

Every infielder must strive to achieve the following. He must have: The correct attitude Excellent sensory perception Good rhythm with all ground balls Proper mechanics The ability to make the plays Once he has developed these five areas, he must never settle for anything short of perfection. Every infielder must desire to be involved in… Continue reading The Five Essentials of Infield Play

A team unprepared to deal with rundowns might panic at the sight of a runner caught off base. In reality, few situations favor the defense more. Once your team masters the following strategies, they’ll view rundowns as “slam dunk” outs. The keys to successful rundown defense are as follows: Conduct the entire rundown far away from… Continue reading Rundowns: Slam Dunks of Defensive Baseball