Baseball Starter

W. George Scarlett is a professor of child development at Tufts University. He is the author of numerous books and articles about children’s play and organized youth sports. He lives in Carlisle, Massachusetts.

“a great place for one new to coaching to begin...could be a lifesaver to someone who knows baseball but is new to coaching children and young adults”—ARBA; “The Baseball Starter steps up to the plate and delivers! This book is a must read for youth coaches who want to teach their players not only great fundamentals but be able to deliver them in a positive and age appropriate way. I found myself reading it as a refresher course in the basic fundamentals of the game after 26 years as a college coach, it is a great foundation to help foster a child’s love for the game.”—John Casey, Head Baseball Coach, Tufts University; “I’ve known George Scarlett for a long time and he has always had incredibly keen insight into how to make youth baseball more fun and exciting for the players. I am very happy and proud that George has now put all this wisdom into The Baseball Starter. If you are the coach and/or parent of a youth baseball player; please read this book...it’s terrific!”—Bob Bigelow, author of Just Let the Kids Play; international youth sports reformer, activist and lecturer.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      Foreword by Sol Gittleman      Preface      Introduction      Part One: Teaching Baseball Mechanics      1. Offense: Hitting, Bunting and Baserunning      2. Playing the Field: Throwing, Catching and Fielding      3. Pitching      Part Two: Managing Practices and Games      4. Managing Practices      5. Managing Games      Part Three: Additional Essentials      6. Character and Team Culture      Conclusion: Children and the Game of Baseball      Part Four: Appendices      One: Drills      Two: Practice Games      Three: Resources      Index