Have a look at my pre-season checklist from 2017
Take offense in groups of 4 hitters.
Challenge your leadoff hitter in every inning to get on base any way they can. Get hit by a pitch, walk, drive a ball to the wall, reach on a dropped strike 3...it doesn't matter how. Get them to keep it simple and not try to do too much.
Have your second hitter in the inning focus on getting the leadoff hitter 90 feet closer to home plate. If the leadoff man is on 1st, give them the freedom to bunt if they think that is their best option. If the runner on first can run, make sure they understand they need to take a pitch early in the count to give them a chance to steal a base. If the leadoff hitter is on second base, move them to 3rd with a single, a ball to the right side, anything that gets them to 3rd base with 1 out.
Ultimately, you want to put your team in a situation where there is 1 out and a runner at 3rd base. The 3rd hitter in the inning focuses on scoring that base runner and putting one run on the board. A single run in every inning will get your team 7 runs in a game and that should give you a chance to win most nights.
Have your infielders change their routine between innings.
We have all seen the typical routine for infielders that takes place between innings - the first baseman rolls a ground ball to one infielder at a time before receiving the ball back and repeating with the next infielder in line. It tends to be slow, largely ineffective at getting an infielders hands and feet going, doesn't always get the arms loose (especially on a cold spring night in Alberta), doesn't engage the first baseman, and is only done because it has always been done this way.
In 2004 the head coach of our team implemented a new routine for between innings and I think it paid huge dividends:
-everyone takes a ball onto the field except the fist baseman
-beginning with the 3rd baseman, infielders will take turns starting with the ball in their glove, setting their feet in a typical fielding position (ball straight at them, ball to the backhand, ball to the forehand) and making double play feeds
-the middle infielder will turn each double play
-after receiving the last half of the double play, the 1st baseman lobs the ball back to the fielder who started the double play and the next infielder can go through their double play feed
-after all three infielders have gone, the 1st baseman takes his turn and shadows a fielding position, feeds the short stop to start a double play and the cycle begins again
If you play in a cold climate, consider giving your infielders a bit more of a thorough warm up between innings by having them play 30 seconds of “quick hands” catch at 35-40 feet. This will get their arms loose and warm quickly as they come out of the dugout.
Approach your pre-game like a mini practice.
Most teams need more practice time. As coaches, it seems like we never have enough time to teach on the field. This year, I challenge you to adjust your approach to your pre-game preparation. Try looking at your pre-game more like a short practice session and less like a progressive lead-in to game time. While preparing your players defensively, take them through a few simple drills. The infielders can do a star throwing drill and the outfielders can work on their outside turn footwork. You can also run a few relays while doing fly ball work and discuss positioning and communication. In the cages, make sure players use the tee and hit front toss rather than only hitting live during their pre-game.
Have a look at my pre-season checklist from 2017
Take offense in groups of 4 hitters.
Challenge your leadoff hitter in every inning to get on base any way they can. Get hit by a pitch, walk, drive a ball to the wall, reach on a dropped strike 3...it doesn't matter how. Get them to keep it simple and not try to do too much.
Have your second hitter in the inning focus on getting the leadoff hitter 90 feet closer to home plate. If the leadoff man is on 1st, give them the freedom to bunt if they think that is their best option. If the runner on first can run, make sure they understand they need to take a pitch early in the count to give them a chance to steal a base. If the leadoff hitter is on second base, move them to 3rd with a single, a ball to the right side, anything that gets them to 3rd base with 1 out.
Ultimately, you want to put your team in a situation where there is 1 out and a runner at 3rd base. The 3rd hitter in the inning focuses on scoring that base runner and putting one run on the board. A single run in every inning will get your team 7 runs in a game and that should give you a chance to win most nights.
Have your infielders change their routine between innings.
We have all seen the typical routine for infielders that takes place between innings - the first baseman rolls a ground ball to one infielder at a time before receiving the ball back and repeating with the next infielder in line. It tends to be slow, largely ineffective at getting an infielders hands and feet going, doesn't always get the arms loose (especially on a cold spring night in Alberta), doesn't engage the first baseman, and is only done because it has always been done this way.
In 2004 the head coach of our team implemented a new routine for between innings and I think it paid huge dividends:
-everyone takes a ball onto the field except the fist baseman
-beginning with the 3rd baseman, infielders will take turns starting with the ball in their glove, setting their feet in a typical fielding position (ball straight at them, ball to the backhand, ball to the forehand) and making double play feeds
-the middle infielder will turn each double play
-after receiving the last half of the double play, the 1st baseman lobs the ball back to the fielder who started the double play and the next infielder can go through their double play feed
-after all three infielders have gone, the 1st baseman takes his turn and shadows a fielding position, feeds the short stop to start a double play and the cycle begins again
If you play in a cold climate, consider giving your infielders a bit more of a thorough warm up between innings by having them play 30 seconds of “quick hands” catch at 35-40 feet. This will get their arms loose and warm quickly as they come out of the dugout.
Approach your pre-game like a mini practice.
Most teams need more practice time. As coaches, it seems like we never have enough time to teach on the field. This year, I challenge you to adjust your approach to your pre-game preparation. Try looking at your pre-game more like a short practice session and less like a progressive lead-in to game time. While preparing your players defensively, take them through a few simple drills. The infielders can do a star throwing drill and the outfielders can work on their outside turn footwork. You can also run a few relays while doing fly ball work and discuss positioning and communication. In the cages, make sure players use the tee and hit front toss rather than only hitting live during their pre-game.
Have a look at my pre-season checklist from 2017
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