The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Youth Baseball

Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?

How to Use This Book

A Word on Coaching

Part One Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up Kit

1. Creating an Atmosphere of Good Habits

The Essentials

Competition

Establish Your Identity as the Coach

The Growth Book

On Risk Taking

Questions and Answers

2. Before Hitting the Field: Baseball in a Nutshell

Basic Rules and Positioning

The Ball Is in Play

Basic Safety Measures

3. Setting Up the Season

Create the Practice and Game Schedule and Send a Letter to Parents

Call the Parents before the Season

Solicit Parental Help

Finding an Assistant

Appropriate Numbers of Players on the Team

Equipment

Questions and Answers

4. Essential Skills--and How to Teach Them

Catching

Throwing

Infield Defense

Outfield Defense

Team Defense

Pitching

Playing Catcher

Batting

Bunting

Baserunning

5. The Practice

Preparation Is Key

Format for Practice

Practice Session Worksheet

Questions and Answers

6. Sample Practices

Basic Beginning Practice

Intermediate Practice

Advanced Practice

Questions and Answers

7. Game Time

The Mental Aspect

Be Prepared

Coaching the Game

Key Elements

Taking Stock after the Game

8. Dealing with Parents and Gender Issues

Perspective on Parents

Be Organized at All Times

Help Parents Look at the Big Picture

Addressing Gender Issues

Questions and Answers about Dealing with Parents

Questions and Answers about Gender Issues

Part Two Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of Mind

9. Warm-Up: Baserunning, Catching, and Throwing

Catching the Ball

Throw-and-Catch

10. Defensive Fundamentals: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team Defense

Infield

Outfield

Team Defense

11. Batting Practice: Batting, Pitching, and Playing Catcher

Batting

Pitching and Catching

12. Ending Activity: Scrimmage Situations

Appendix

Umpire Signals

Sample Scorebook Page

Glossary

Resources

Associations and Organizations

Websites and Electronic Newsletters

Index

Acknowledgments

About the Author