Keeping Non-Players in the Game

I will often turn around and talk to the players on the bench about something that just happened in the game. I also encourage them to cheer for their teammates.

Pick signs, look for pick off moves by pitchers and fielders, bull pen/warming up pitchers, warm up fielders, and shag foul balls.

Here is my plan for the upcoming season... lets say i keep 16-18 players...
9 in the field, one DH (on most days)...
that leaves 6-8 boys sitting around (or hopefully not)

Bench Jobs-
1) Charting opposing team.
2) Pitch count clicker
3) Hanging Manual Scoreboard numbers
4) Throwing and collecting warmup balls from 1b and CF
5) the rest take turns organizing dugout stuff between innings and chasing down foul balls (including the DH to keep active)

-- until i find a HS kid that can do it right i dont let them keep score... me and my asst. share those duties, they ALWAYS screw up the book.
-- on cold days (most days) i have them all run to left field corner at the start of every full inning
--we always meet in a full team huddle (usually very brief) outside the dugout as we come off the field (keeps them involved in what went on out in the field, and what our gameplan is at the plate)
-- a second catcher must always be in shinguards with mask and glove nearby for warmup duties and a player is assigned to stand by bullpen mound with glove on while a pitcher is warming up.(state rule)

good stuff gater..I always put two smart kids in charge of picking the opposing teams coaches pitching signs..Usually have them in 1-2 innings and use them if needed especially in the run game.