Monday, October 7, 2013
Role of the Power Hitter
I happened to run across an incredible article on the role a power hitter plays on a baseball team. Not only does it talk about his responsibility, but some of the other role players that can make up a team also. I cannot stress how important it is for our youth baseball players to understand player roles. It helps win games, establishes accountability amongst teammates, and more than anything helps them LEARN the game. So, take a look into this post and tell me what you think:
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The Importance of Baseball IQ
In my last blog post, I talked about players being coachable and how they should listen to the advice that coaches offer. Well, this time, I would like to take the opportunity to get on my peers just a bit. Just as being coachable is important, delivering great coaching advice should not be undermined either. It is our duty as coaches to be sure that we teach the intricacies of the game that help mold smart players by offering information they can ALWAYS use as they progress through the ranks. Even though we all like to think that our son is the next Justin Upton or Stephen Strasburg, the reality is that it takes a boatload of talent and a world class work ethic to get to where those megastars are in their careers. However, there is something that an athlete can have at ANY level that takes no talent to build upon, and that is Baseball IQ. Baseball IQ is a player’s ability to assess a situation, and the steps necessary to achieve a desired outcome.
It is a coach’s job to develop and nurture player IQ. In this blog I will talk about not only the misconception of the young mind in baseball, but also use a specific scenario that can help Baseball IQ and how critical it is to evaluate conditions to achieve the desired outcome. As a coach, one of the first things you have to do is understand how the young mind works. To the amateur baseball mind; in player’s and parent’s alike, baseball game is comprised of a pitcher whose job is to strike as many people out as possible and a batter whose job is to get a hit as many times in a game as possible. Do not get me wrong, this can ultimately help a team achieve victory, but not guarantee it at all. To the professional and more seasoned baseball fan, you understand the chess game that is being played, the unintentional-intentional walk, the fielder’s choice, or the lefty versus lefty matchup. It is the small battles within the war that help us all understand the game we love so much more.
Let’s take a specific example: The leadoff hitter is walked and is rewarded first base. The leadoff batter then steals 2nd base. The current batter at the plate grounds out to the 2nd baseman and the leadoff batter is now on 3rd base with one out. How can you score that run from 3rd base? Well, to most young baseball players, and even a lot of parents, 9 times out of 10 they will tell you that the next batter has to get a hit. This is incorrect. It is POSSIBLE; however, incorrect. There are 5 ways to score that run from 3rd base without actually getting a hit, which are:
1. Grounding out
2. Sacrifice fly
3. Scoring on a pass ball
4. Balk
5. Dropped 3rd Strike
With that, you’ve boosted your Baseball IQ in a matter of seconds and learned how to score a run without getting a hit in an inning. The problem is that as coaches and fans, we do not put enough emphasis on the small things that work just as well as homeruns and strikeouts. Take the opportunity to give your kids that “A-ha!” moment that may actually help them become the player they strive to be. Raise Baseball IQs and raise success!
It is a coach’s job to develop and nurture player IQ. In this blog I will talk about not only the misconception of the young mind in baseball, but also use a specific scenario that can help Baseball IQ and how critical it is to evaluate conditions to achieve the desired outcome. As a coach, one of the first things you have to do is understand how the young mind works. To the amateur baseball mind; in player’s and parent’s alike, baseball game is comprised of a pitcher whose job is to strike as many people out as possible and a batter whose job is to get a hit as many times in a game as possible. Do not get me wrong, this can ultimately help a team achieve victory, but not guarantee it at all. To the professional and more seasoned baseball fan, you understand the chess game that is being played, the unintentional-intentional walk, the fielder’s choice, or the lefty versus lefty matchup. It is the small battles within the war that help us all understand the game we love so much more.
Let’s take a specific example: The leadoff hitter is walked and is rewarded first base. The leadoff batter then steals 2nd base. The current batter at the plate grounds out to the 2nd baseman and the leadoff batter is now on 3rd base with one out. How can you score that run from 3rd base? Well, to most young baseball players, and even a lot of parents, 9 times out of 10 they will tell you that the next batter has to get a hit. This is incorrect. It is POSSIBLE; however, incorrect. There are 5 ways to score that run from 3rd base without actually getting a hit, which are:
1. Grounding out
2. Sacrifice fly
3. Scoring on a pass ball
4. Balk
5. Dropped 3rd Strike
With that, you’ve boosted your Baseball IQ in a matter of seconds and learned how to score a run without getting a hit in an inning. The problem is that as coaches and fans, we do not put enough emphasis on the small things that work just as well as homeruns and strikeouts. Take the opportunity to give your kids that “A-ha!” moment that may actually help them become the player they strive to be. Raise Baseball IQs and raise success!
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