Baseball Coach's Survival Guide

Jerry Weinstein has won 15 league championships or co-championships in 19 years at Sacramento City college (CA) with 232 drafted players and 119 pro signers, 15 of those in the Big leagues. He also serves as assistant coach for the USA Baseball Teams in 1996 and 192 and as a scout for several pro ball teams. Tom Alston is a successful high school varsity and JV coach with extensive youth league experience as a coach and as clinic director for Babe Ruth, Pony, Little League, and Bambino. He is the author of Winning Pitch, a regular column in Collegiate Baseball, and his articles have appeared in various publications.

• About This Resource VIISection 1 Getting Started 1Setting Goals 1Establishing Standards 3Maintaining Positive Relationships 5Communications 7First Steps for a New Coach 12A Note to Walk-On Coaches 13Evaluating Your Performance 15Fund Raising 17How to Do It 18Other Ways to Raise Money 18Other Considerations in Fund Raising 22Section 2 Recruiting and Tryouts 25Announcing the Tryouts 25Developing as Many Athletes as Possible 29The Plan for Tryouts 29Keeping Large Rosters 30Player Development 31The Coaching Staff 32Avoiding Legal Problems 32Section 3 Game Control from Start to Finish 35Winning 35Controlling the Situation 35Practice 37Individual Practice Goals 37Schedules and Goals 37Game Day 39Scouting 44The Game 44Offensive Signals 49Sample Signal System 49Getting the Players Involved in Offense 52When to Work on Signs 53Game Notes 53Charting the Pitcher's Progress and Performance 58Defensive Signals 82Calling the Pitches from the Dugout 82Defensive Alignment 83Postgame 84Section 4 Pitching 85Overview of the Five Most Important Pitching Skills 85Downhill Plane--The Goal in Mechanics 87The Pitching Sequence 87The Pitch 92Right Hander's Stretch Move 94Left Hander's Stretch Move 97Control 97Section 5 The Pitches 99Fastball 99Movement and Velocity 100Change-Up 101Curve Ball 103Other Breaking Pitches 106The Pitching Plan 108Identifying Hitters and Attacking Their Weaknesses 111Warming Up 115Fielding Techniques for the Pitcher 122Controlling a Known Fielding Situation 126Holding Runners on Base and Identifying Running Situations 126Basic Holding Situations 127Left-Handed Pitchers Holding Runners on First 130Arm Soreness 133Post-Pitching Arm Exercises 135Section 6 Catching 143Signal Stance 143Giving Signals 144Going from Signal to Receiving Stance 145Receiving Stance 146Receiving Techniques 151Remedies for Dropping Pitches 157Throwing 158Step-Catch-Throw Technique 160Throwing Runners Out at Second 162Throwing Runners Out at Third 164Situational Throwing 165Catcher's Picks 167Blocking Balls in the Dirt 168Tag Plays at Home Plate 169Catching Extras--Receiving Throws 172Catching Extras--Hit Balls 174Catcher's Game Performance 175Section 7 General Infield Play 179Positioning 179Fielding the Hit 183Thinking in the Field 185Drills to Develop Ground Ball Skills 186The Little Things in Infield Play 189Defending the Hit and Run 190Some Thoughts for the Third Baseman 192Some Thoughts for the First Baseman 192The Double Play 194Drills for Double Play Techniques 198Section 8 Outfield Play 199Thinking Before the Pitch 199Reacting to the Ball 201Communication 203Playing the Hit 204Throwing Fundamentals 205Additional Tips 208Throwing Drills 208Section 9 Defensive Strategy and Positioning 213Positioning 213Defensive Focus 214Defensive Positioning 215Making Adjustments 217Individual Skills 218Other Factors 218Section 10 Team Defense 219Cutoffs and Relays 219Outfielder's Role 236Short Man 238Bunt Defense 242First and Third Defense 254Pop-Up Priority 262Section 11 Hitting 267The Stance 267Positioning in the Batter's Box 269The Eyes 270Hitter Momentum 271Stride 271The Swing 273The Hitting Game Plan 276Two-Strike Hitting 277Situation Hitting 278Five Hitting Zones for the Advanced Hitter 278Taking Pitches 279Batting Practice 280Hitting Drills 281Hitting Drills with the Aid of Equipment 286Live Batting Practice 288Section 12 The Short Came 291Sacrifice Bunt 291Base Hit Bunt 295Base Hit Bunt to Third Base 296Base Hit Bunt to Second Base 298Base Hit Bunt to First Base 299Base Hit Bunt to Shortstop 300Fake Bunt, Fake Hit and Bunt 300Section 13 Base Running 301Pregame and During-Game Homework 302Batter/Runner Technique 303Leads at First Base 305Returning to First Base 307Using the Stopwatch 308Secondary Leads 309Fake Break 310Stealing Second Base 310Stealing Against a Right-Handed Pitcher 311Primary Leads vs. Left-Handed Pitchers 312Stealing Against Left-Handed Pitchers 313Delay Steal 316The Shade--An Aid to Stealing Second 316Extra Innings at First Base 316Leads at Second Base 317Three Methods of Stealing Third Base 319Leads at Third Base 321Stealing Home 321Forcing a Balk 322Ball in the Dirt at Third 322Sliding 323Other Tips for Base Running 323Section 14 Offensive Strategy and Techniques 325Plan for Today's Game 325The Hitter's Plan 327Big Inning Offense 327Batting Order 330Controlling the Tempo 331Offensive Techniques 332Hit and Run 332First and Third Short Game Techniques 335Stealing a Run--First and Third Offense 338Section 15 Scholarships and professional baseball 343Approaching a Career in Baseball 343Evaluating a Pathway 345Getting Help with the Decision 347AppendicesAppendix A Baseball Terms 349Appendix B Score Card (sample: front and back) 350