Amazing Baseball Tips

This book offers a wealth of baseball and softball knowledge intended to be shared with coaches, parents, and players to help them have a well organized team while making the season fun, memorable, and instructional for young players. Many new coaches are parent volunteers who may have knowledge of the game, but applying their knowledge to teaching, capturing the attention of the whole team, keeping chemistry among parents, coaches, and the players, are just a few of the challenges that come with being a coach. "Coaches are roll models who must keep the perspective that the game is for the kids". At youth levels, we are teaching much more than the science of baseball. We are teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, respect for others, self respect, and "how to win and lose with dignity." This book is intended to help youth programs build an annual structured player draft, so all teams at each age level can be selected fairly and competitively each year, resulting in fair and balanced competition. From the first team practice, to the season ending party, the contents of "Amazing Baseball Tips" will allow you to be certain that all of your players and parents request you as their coach for years to come!!! Practice drills, teaching techniques, coaching philosophy, the basics of pitching, fielding, hitting, bunting, base running, defensive strategies, choosing your line-up and defense, calculating stats, and most importantly... THE MENTAL ASPECT OF THE GAME" are all in the contents of this guide for coaches, players, and parents. Player responsibilities for each defensive position, and tips for equipment are also covered in "Amazing Baseball Tips".

Every game should be viewed as a several hour vacation from work, school, or any bothersome issues in life!" At age 44 (my favorite player's number as a child, Reggie), I have enjoyed thirty-nine years of baseball. When I watched Reggie hit three first pitch homeruns, off three different pitchers in the post season, I had no idea how much baseball would do for me in my future. After dealing with a divorce, the hardest part was being an every other weekend Dad. My son Bryan had a lot of interest, and showed signs of being capable of playing the game for a long time. Coaching allowed me to spend more time and share more things with him than the "every other weekend Dad". Coaching has also allowed me to share these experiences with my second son, Brady, who also shows interest and ability in playing for a long time. I have come to realize what the game of baseball has done for me, and that makes me think I can never re-pay the game enough. I have coached for sixteen years, from T-ball to Semi-Pro, and wish to share the knowledge with volunteer coaches, players, and parents, so they too can benefit from the positive impact the game can have on all of us. My 2008 season was a great year. The Hampstead Heat Semi-Pro team posted a 24-5 record and were The Central Maryland Men's Baseball Association Champions. The West Manheim Firedragons York County 10-12 year old fall baseball team, posted a perfect 10-0 regular season record, and had a 14-0 record, before losing in the semi-final tournament round to finish 14-1 in a twenty team league. I was blessed to have great chemistry among players, coaches, and parents to finish the year with a 38-6 overall record.