Scouting opposition

1. Pitching
We track what pitches were thrown in what counts and in what situations. We also look for a possible pattern with pick offs.

2. Hitting
We track where the ball was hit off of what pitch and location. We also take note of those who bunt, steal, and hit & Run.

3. Defense
We take notice of the obvious. Arm strength, etc.

I have charts available if interested. Please email me at Iebsbl@yahoo.com....Anyone else that is interested please let me know.

Track team
Track personel
Track coaching

Team- Do they have a team approach at the plate or an individual approach at the plate? In other words does everyone take cb unless two strikes or do the 3 4 5 attack curveballs early in the count. Hitters that are used to being pitched in reverse many times will hit in reverse. And sometimes a coach will have a team approach and lay off cb's unless two strikes. This type of information can be easy to scout. And it can be very beneficial when playing a team for the first time.

Are they aggressive up in the count or do they work counts? Is this a team approach or an individual approach? Again this can be very valuble information. When hitters are in 2-0 3-1 counts are they aggressive or are they patient? Is it a team approach or an individual approach?

Do they move runners in obvious sac situations? How do they defend the bunt? Is there a weakness in how they field the bunt? Are they sound in the cut game? Do they defend first and thirds well? Do they hold runners well? Do they work in the middle with runners at 2nd base? How do they work in the middle?

In other words team scouting.

Scouting personel on the offensive side.
You want a break down of each hitter in the line up.
Lead off how well does he run? What side of the plate does he hit from. What number is he? Is he a Sr or a Fr? Did he show bunt at anytime during the game? Did you notice any tendencies when he showed bunt? Did he get up in the box?

Break down each hitter in the line up.

Is he aggressive up in the count? Is he patient up in the count? Did he take cb's unless he had two strikes? How did he look on breaking balls? When he got a fastball over the plate did he have bat speed? How was his plate discipline? Did he chase when he got down in counts? Etc etc.

On the defensive side - Corner inf - Are they athletic on the corners? Are they vulnerble to the bunt game? How are their arms?

MIF- How do they work lead coverage? How are their arms? How athletic are they? Does the 2b cover bunts well? Can he get there from the hole?

OF- How are their arms? How athletic are they?

C- How does he block and recover? Can we take advantage of dirtballs? What was his game pop? Is he athletic or vulnerable to the bunt game? How accurate is his arm?
Does he give away signals? Does he cover up or can we get signs off of him? Is he a Sr or a Fr?

Pitchers - Do they do a good job of holding runners? Do they slide step? When? What was his htp time? Does the coach call the game or the catcher? Do the pitch the middle of the order in reverse? Do they pitch everyone in reverse? Do they challenge down in the count in hitters counts to the bottom of the order? Do they challenge the middle of the order in hitters counts?

Coaching - Make sure you watch infield because sometimes its more valuable than seeing the game. Are they fundementally sound? Do they run their cuts properly? Do they get on and off the field? Do they throw and catch at a high level? Do the outfielders take good routes to balls?

You can get tendencies in baseball if you know what to look for. You can get valuable information in hitters if you know how to look for it. The better the team they are playing the more valuable information you will get. And remember to scout both teams because you dont know which one your going to be playing? Take a partner and be on the same page. Take a stop watch so you can get home to first times. Pop times. HTP times on pitchers. And take good notes.

Make out a line up before the game starts. Remember to get numbers. It can be huge and has been for me in the past. And never underestimate an opponent based on your scouting of the teams. Sometimes dont look very good one day and then you play them and they are much better. Try to keep your ego out of it. Try to stick the information you can really evaluate.

Stay away from fans that will want to talk to you and ask you questions. They will only distract you and before you know it your eating pop corn , talking to a nice guy and not doing your job. Take a partner and have a game plan and stick to it. Good luck

Thank you both for the quick replies. I better find a partner.

One thing that may help the person your scouting for. If you can get ahold of the teams stats for the year that can help you out. I am not a big stats guy but some stats can be helpful. HR's, K's, BB's for hitters. K's, BB's, IP, for pitchers.

That kid that goes 0-4 when you watch them play may be leading the state in HR's.

Internet searches can be helpful. K's, BB's, HR's, IP - are usually stats that are not fudged on and can tell you something that other stats do not. If a kid walks alot, hits a bunch of HR's or a kid K's a lot of batters or walks alot of batters that can be very useful to know. Good luck

Coach May,
Here in Iowa all the coaches have to report their stats and put them on a web site called Quick Stats. This will make it easy to do what you suggested. Besides team and individual stats you can also see who they played and their scores.

In the event that you can not see an opponent I would agree with Coach May and rely on the internet. We have played teams that are just to far away to scout. We have googled News Articles on the team and you might be amazed at what you can pick up from local newspapers.