Practice Tips

Things have changed? I guess it is how you look at it. the bases are still 90 feet the distance between the pitching rubber and home plate is 60'6'' etc etc. work on the fundamentals. KIS
Keep it simple.

Ok I guess I should have stated that kids have changed. When I played it was not hard to get kids out to play. I have been teaching for 5 years now and kids do not want to do much if there is not a controller in their hands. We have a total school population of 250 kids (that is preK-12) I have 1 senior(never played before), 2 juniors, 4 sophomores, and 7 freshmen. We have had the oppurtunity to play some summer ball but only two kids showed up. maybe that clears up my statement a little better.

Mudville, you have a PM.

Ron Polk's - Baseball Playbook.

The Coaches bible.

Baseball Skills and Drills by the American Baseball Coaches Assoc. Sections written on hitting, pitching, and defense by three successful college coaches.

It covers the fundamentals of dang near all of the basics and list drills at the end of every chapter. Worth the $15 or 20.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/073603738...808?v=glance&s=books

Baseball Strategies also by the ABCA
Pitch Like a Pro by Leo Mazzone covers the Braves pitching program

The books these guys recommended are essential pieces of every coach's library; I can't imagine not having read them all and owning them.
My advice would be three things:
1- Be overly organized. Nothing worse than watching a coach who seems to waddle through practice without a concrete plan. I type all my practice plans, have them timed closely, and document after each practice what we covered well and what we need to work on better in the future. I know it sounds a bit ****...but it is HUGE.
2- Focus on the "little things". More games at the high school level are won/lost on poor communication, failure to execute simple plays, not backing up bases, not blocking pitches in the dirt, etc. than by home runs. Make your players drill repeatedly on the little things and they'll find a way to win regularly.
3- Don't be afraid to have some fun. Remember: you are "playing" baseball, not "working" baseball! We try to do a few fun things here and there from time to time....not because I don't WANT to work like animals every second, but because I know those momentary "breaks in the action" can help your kids stay focused and motivated over the long haul.
Good luck! Coach Knight