State Association Rules

While Calif. has lifted the date restrictions, our school continues to implement them. My advice - do as you probably teach the players... Control what you can control and do the right thing.

Most HS players play baseball outside of the school program at times during the year and you don't monitor their every mechanical move then either. Similarly, many get some form of outside instruction. It is still beneficial to the player and program that they are playing more baseball and working on improving.

Sure, there are many programs that fudge the system, but abiding by the rules and being all about integrity, IMO, is the more important message to send your HS age eager learners.

Yes, you can still compete. The strength of your team will come largely from the abilities, experience and efforts of your players. Not all of the abilities and experience will come as a result of your tutelage or under your watch. Work hard when you have them. Give them a good foundation for when you don't.

One thing I'm working on is teaching the players to be better at helping and instructing each other, particularly in hitting drills. This may be something that helps you with your January scenario going forward. The returners can help each other as well as keep an eye on new incoming players and provide gentle suggestions when appropriate. That may give you a bit of a running start when you get them.

We are lucky enough to have a baseball "class" 7th period everyday. So we are able to talk about things they can work on at open field to make sure they're getting as quality of reps as they can. But you can only do so much with 45 minutes a day.

I also look at open field as a chance to see who works hard when not being "supervised." Kinda reveals work ethic and character in kids.

quote:

Originally posted by ironhorse:
We are lucky enough to have a baseball "class" 7th period everyday. So we are able to talk about things they can work on at open field to make sure they're getting as quality of reps as they can. But you can only do so much with 45 minutes a day. …

Is that available to all players? That class isn’t available to our Fr and So players.

quote:

Originally posted by ironhorse:
We are lucky enough to have a baseball "class" 7th period everyday. So we are able to talk about things they can work on at open field to make sure they're getting as quality of reps as they can. But you can only do so much with 45 minutes a day.

I also look at open field as a chance to see who works hard when not being "supervised." Kinda reveals work ethic and character in kids.

Yes, you are blessed to have a baseball "class." My worry is allowing them to take a lot of cuts during the month and 1/2 open facility time, without them receiving correct instruction. Our older players can help some, but although they have learned a lot, their are not coaches and may not be able to see swing mechanic problems or explain solutions. We will trust our older guys to get some hacks. It's the young players that I am thinking of, the one's that have not had a lot of experience in our program.

quote:

Originally posted by Stats4Gnats:

Is that available to all players? That class isn’t available to our Fr and So players.

Yeah. We're really lucky in that we actually have 2 periods of baseball. One for 9th-10th, one for 11th-12th (or varsity level younger kids).

quote:

Originally posted by Nicholas25:

quote:

Originally posted by ironhorse:
We are lucky enough to have a baseball "class" 7th period everyday. So we are able to talk about things they can work on at open field to make sure they're getting as quality of reps as they can. But you can only do so much with 45 minutes a day.

I also look at open field as a chance to see who works hard when not being "supervised." Kinda reveals work ethic and character in kids.

Yes, you are blessed to have a baseball "class." My worry is allowing them to take a lot of cuts during the month and 1/2 open facility time, without them receiving correct instruction. Our older players can help some, but although they have learned a lot, their are not coaches and may not be able to see swing mechanic problems or explain solutions. We will trust our older guys to get some hacks. It's the young players that I am thinking of, the one's that have not had a lot of experience in our program.

The best thing you can probably do is set them up with drills that reinforce correct actions, not just stand and throw to each other. Some I like (in no particular order:

High-tee drill
Long tee drill
Double teee drill
One-hand bat
InsiderBat (this may be the best one)
Front toss
Angle front toss
Small ball (thundersticks and small balls)

A lot of those, to me, are hard for the kids to have too many bad habits if you talk to them about the results they should be looking for in each drill. It would take about 15 minutes of group time (however you can arrange that) to explain the purpose of these and then turn them loose.

The thing is, if one wants to go by the rules (and I know many could care less), it is supposed to be a "free play" type environment. It's like an open gym in basketball. I, as a coach, am not supposed to organize, coach, or instruct. It's tough...

I get that. But I think talking to some of your senior leaders is well within the rules. Kinda help them on how to be leaders and set up good drills and stuff.