Correcting Errors

kdog - I think that would depend on what you are currently doing.

quote:

Run the error makers, stay calm and coach them up, run the team, hit more, hit less, take a day off, what????

Is the team young? Are these returners that are making the mistakes? Are the errors truly errors (all of them?) Sounds like your guys are in a slump of sorts. Ask them what they are thinking when they are at the plate, on the field. They should all KNOW that they are going to get a base hit - before they walk up to the plate. They should all WANT the ball hit to them when they are on the field. They should be thinking of the next play - not the LAST play.

This might be random.

But if the errors continue, then either

--environment: this is a group of who have been known for their clutch fielding during their entire careers, but are being sabotaged in HSV by a coaching staff that inadvertently promotes choking

--heredity: this is a group of fielders who have never been known for their clutch fielding--choking is in their DNA

In my experience, regarding the mental side of the game, clutch fielders are born, not made. Hard hands and sailed throws in Little League will be the same 4 years later.


"...Run the error makers...run the team" ??

This is a ridiculous approach if the team is working hard.

If the team is lazy, then either the coaching staff has sucked the spirit out of a group of hard workers, or you've got a group that lacks character, good luck with that.

kdog,
Your post reeks of panic.

Even with their eyes closed, ballplayers can smell a panicked coach.

When should a leader of men panic?

Never.

Not in the military. Not on a ballfield.

i would resort back to more reps.. and dont have bad body language when you see the errors cause the players see your disappointment in the body language. Make sure they are not thinking of the last play and is ready for the next and that is something that can be practiced also when they boot one in practice. Lots of reps, if that isnt getting progress do ball in glove drills get the foot work down then add the ball to the equation. Make sure they are fielding with there glove out front and eyes behind the glove. Left side of there face to stay away from hard hands/ locked elbows. Are they flipping? are they staying low and athletic as they move to the ball? or are they standing up sprinting to a spot and then stabbing? lots of things that could be going wrong. Positive attitude, alot of confidence and alot of reps. Stay away from punishment because then they will be afraid to make mistakes and they will be thinking to much instead of being a athlete. and they will not be getting better at fielding by running poles.

"Are they flipping...stabbing..?"

With all due respect, if HS varsity infielders are flipping their gloves; or stabbing at the ball; or have to be reminded to field with their glove out front-- then what you've got is a remedial program of non-baseball players for whom it's about five years too late for "reps."

you just work harder in practice. Try to stay positive. etc etc but there comes a point if it continues then changes in the lineup card are in order.

Guys,
It just occurred to me, Kdog posted a month ago regarding the fact that he coaches at a low socio-economic school that doesn't allow cuts, etc.

Given that context, I apologize for any negativity in my responses. I give Kdog huge credit for taking on that job.

It's tough to learn baseball at the last minute, like lacrosse. If your HS team is still learning how to field groundballs, and the opponents' fielders have been practicing groundballs since they were 7yo with their dads (or moms), your team is probably going to make more errors than them. Much more than the other sports, baseball depends on a stable family support system.

agree, you will start to see who the real baseball players are and who are just good athletes. Good athletes are the kids who would do "good" in any sport, but usu. not great in any. It's usu. the kid that tries to play 3 or so diff sports in HS. No one sport is given the attention it deserves. These are the kids who still need a lot of work on basics. They can field it, but do not have good throws, they need too much coaching when on base, etc. Some will drop out and find the ONE sport they truly want to play, others will keep playing because the school is just a so so sports school. The true baseball players will find good teams to play with in the Summer. I say find the best player for the position and drill them as much as you can. If the others want to get playing time they need to put in the effort to show improvement or they sit the bench. Rotate drills, also tell them to put in outside timeif possible. Too many kids sit around for 6 months out of yr and don't pick up ball/glove.
Not making a difficult play is one thing, not making basic throws,catches is another. It's a team sport and the mistakes of a few can take everyone down, esp. a pitcher who is getting no help from those behind him.