Coaches Corner

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 27 January 2008

Coaches Corner

"I liked [about playing in Little League] that I was playing for fun, because that's what baseball should be at that age -- fun. Too many kids take the game too seriously, and I guess it comes from their parents. Baseball isn't meant to be about pressure. If you can't have fun, why play it? For me, Little League was all about having a good time, and I did!"

Derek Jeter, from his interview with Little League Magazine

TIPS FROM THE COACH

(Reprinted with permission from tips from the coach.com)

I was recently asked by a friend for some tips about how his sons should approach their upcoming Little League tryouts. They wanted to know how to catch the coaches’ eye. The obvious answer is to play well. But there are a few things they should do to insure an eye-catching performance.

Understand that a tryout is not a social event. You are there to take someone's job.

Dress like a ball player. Wear baseball pants, cleats and a hat. You will get major deductions if you show up in baggy jeans and the latest skater dude apparel. Wearing your hat backward or sideways is a major no no.
When you arrive, place your equipment away from everyone else's. Run, preferably by yourself, to get warm. Stretch away from everyone else in the outfield. Coaches will notice that this is a serious, disciplined, knowledgeable ball player. Also your equipment is less likely to grow legs.
Throw sufficiently to be completely warm. There may be a lengthy wait while waiting to perform at your position. Be sure to keep throwing if necessary to stay loose and warm.
Many think that hustling and trying to aggressively make plays is the way to impress coaches. Understand that it is early season and your game is not in midseason form. When it comes time to show your defensive skills you will be much better taking it slow and smooth, focusing on proper mechanics. Get your feet under you and focus on making an accurate throw. The odds are if you try too hard, rush it and throw it as hard as you can, you will boot it and throw it into the stands.
When hitting, take a pitch to get a feel for the timing of the pitch. Be selective and only swing at pitches that you can expect to hit with a high degree of success. Here again it is early season so your stroke is not in midseason form. Don’t overswing but just swing smoothly and try to hit line drives and hard ground balls. I once saw a kid hit four straight line drives turn to the coaches and say, “ its going to be a long day, do you want to see any more?” I drafted him!
If you have pitching tryouts, again remember that your arm is not in shape. Make sure you are warm and then focus on using perfect mechanics, throwing only 80%. Throw a couple of curves again just focusing on the proper release. Don’t worry about really snapping them off but just flip them up there for strikes. Only on the last couple of pitches, if your arm feels good should you throw your full fastball.

I go into this more thoroughly and humorously and chronicle all the things which you will encounter in my book A PARENTS GUIDE TO BASEBALL-Surviving And Thriving Youth League To College available at www.tipsfromthecoach.com

Good Luck. It’s going to be a great season. Yours in Baseball
Bruce Lambin
THE COACH

The black edges of home plate are not a part of the plate.

A batted ball that strikes home plate and remains fair is a fair ball.

Any time supplies are used from the safety kit, a report must be completed and given to the TLL Safety Director.

Safety

It is mandatory that every manager designate an individual to serve as the team Safety Parent. This should be someone other than the manager, a manager may not be the team's Safety Parent. It is the responsibility of the Safety Parent to be alert for any unsafe activities, and has the authority to enforce TLL safety rules. The manager must make sure that the safety kit is present at every game, and that supplies are replenished when necessary.

Uniforms

To allow us to keep our registration fees low while still providing new and safe equipment and play on quality fields, every year we must "recycle" our AA, AAA, Majors and Softball uniforms. By "recycle" we mean that each player in those divisions are loaned their uniforms for the season. The uniforms are returned at the end of the season and reissued the following season. The only items that the player keeps are the hat and undershirt (if applicable) We anticipate replacing pants and jerseys every three seasons.

Equipment

Our goal is to use safe and quality equipment every year at all levels. To maintain this goal, the equipment must be used respectfully and returned cleaned and packed neatly in the bag. We plan to replace all equipment every three years. If anyone observes any unsafe equipment, please notify your Manager, Safety Parent or e-mail the Equipment Director.

Applications

To apply for a coaching position with Tahoma Little League, complete an application and release form and return it to Tahoma Little League, P. O. Box 1252, Maple Valley, WA 98038. All applicants are subject to a Washington State criminal record check.

Questions?

Your contact person is listed on the list of Board members. Locate the appropriate league director, and click on his name to send him an e-mail. Or, for other general questions, contact Tahoma Little League.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 27 January 2008 )

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