Verbals

We used to say "find a way"...but now, we just teach our players to think for themselves.

Now, our players all play summer ball with me, etc., so I coach them for roughly 100 games a year, and some of them play with me multiple years, making it easier. In the Spring season, I have 4 assistants, and one of them will frequently tell hitters on deck, or in the dugout to do it during the course of an at-bat, depending upon situations. But mainly, we rely on our players to think for themselves.

quote:

Originally posted by IEBSBL:
We use the wristbands and I do not like calling a number on every single play. The one thing I have found that is difficult is now I need to create a verbal for the drag and push when there is nobody on base. What are some verbals that you guys have used or heard for a drag or push?

To be a good hitter, you have to turn off your ears--ignore the patter coming from the dugouts, the catcher, and the 3B coach.

To be certain that a verbal from the 3B coach penetrates the intense focus of the batter, it should be something totally un-usual for the 3B coach to say. Something out of character.

realteamcoach,
Regarding players making their own decisions about when to bunt: The HS season is short (25 games). Every game matters. The goal is to win every inning you can. In that context, I want my 3B coach making those decisions.

I give a hang loose sign to my hitter letting him know its his decision on the drag.

Freddy 77,
I understand what you are saying. I am not suggesting that the batter is in the box and the pitcher is in the wind up and I am yelling a verbal. What I mean is that I give it prior to the at bat or in between pitches.

quote:

Originally posted by IEBSBL:
Freddy 77,
I understand what you are saying. I am not suggesting that the batter is in the box and the pitcher is in the wind up and I am yelling a verbal. What I mean is that I give it prior to the at bat or in between pitches.

IEB,
My post was misleading.
I was thinking the batter had a foot out of the box staring at you for a sign, but he was focused on seeing a visual sign and (no offense intended) tuning out anything you were saying.

Had a thought this morning about using military alphabet code to call my defenses...bravo whiskey foxtrot, etc.

26 words at your disposal, pair them or triple them and you've got a lot of options.

"You got him" is a verbal we have used as he steps into the box to let him know that the drag is available. Since drags and pushes are for base hits, I give players the option by verbal.