How To Maximize Your Baseball . - The Baseball Playbook
ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDNo part of this book may bereproduced in any formwithout permission in writingfrom the author.PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAii
DEDICATED TO All baseball coaches and players who have an interest in teaching and learning this great game.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSI wish to\ thank the following individuals who have made significant contributions to this Playbook. Luis Brande, Bo Carter,Mark Johnson, Straton Karatassos, Pat McMahon, Charles Scoggins and David Yukelson.Along with those who have made a contribution to this Playbook, I can never forget all the coaches and players I have had thepleasure tf; work with in my coaching career who indirectly have made the biggest contribution in providing me with theincentive tQ put this Playbook together.iii
TABLE OF CONTENTSBASEBALL POLICIES AND REGULATIONS . . 1FIRST MEETING . . 5PLAYER INFORMATION SHEET . . 6CLASS SCHEDULE SHEET . . 7BASEBALL SIGNS . . 8Receiving signs from the coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Sacrifice bunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Drag bunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Squeeze bunt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Fake bunt and slash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Fake bunt slash hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Take. 12Steal . 12Stealing third base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Hit and run. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Run and hit . 14First and third double steals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Visual signs with runner(s) on base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Signs for the infielders from the dugout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Signs for the outfielders from the dugout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Signs for the first baseman from the dugout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Signsforthecatcherfromthedugout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Signs for the pitcher from the dugout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Signals between catcher and pitcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17OFFENSIVE SIGN STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20STRUCTURED BASEBALL PRACTICE SESSIONS . 23Preparation of daily practice schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Pre-practice schedule . -. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Meeting prior to practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Stretching program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Warming up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Availability of equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Batting practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Defensive work in practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Conditioning work in practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Simulated situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Defensive practice check list. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Scrimmage game practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Pitchers control chart . 51Production rating chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53OUTFIELD-INFIELD DRILL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Basic one ball outfield-infield drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Multiple ball outfield-infield drill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58MANAGERS RESPONSIBILITIES - PRACTICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66FUNDAMENTAL DRILL SERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Drill series number 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Drill series number 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88BUNT DEFENSE . 104Runner at first base- standard play . 106Runner at first base- second baseman early break . 108Runner at first base- first baseman early break . 110Runner atfirst base- Pick-off early break . 112Runner at first base- Pick-off from pitcher . 114iv
Runners atfirst and second base . 116Standard play . 116Shortstop early break . 118Pick-off early break . 120DOUBLE STEAL DEFENSE . 122Throw back to pitcher . :124Fake throw by catcher . 126Throw through by catcher . 128Throw to shortstop . 134Steal on stretch . 136Intentional pick-off . 137DEFENSIVE SITUATIONS . 139PICK-OFF PLAYS . 200Signal system . 200Pick-off plays atfirst base from the pitcher. . 202Pick-off plays at second base from the pitcher . 203Pick-off plays at third base from the pitcher . 204Pick-off plays from the catcher to the infielders . 205RULES FOR FORCE PLAYS IN THE INFIELD . 207RULES FOR CUT-OFF PLAYS . 209FLY BALL COMMUNICATION FROM THE INFIELDERS . 213FLY BALL COMMUNICATION FOR ALL FIELDERS . 215INFIELD COMMUNICATION . 219DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT BY THE COUNT . 222BASERUNNING . 225SLIDING . 259Teaching area and dress . 259Bent leg slic;le . 259Pop-up slide off the bentleg slide . 260Hook slide .261Breaking up the double play slide . 261Head first slide . 262BASIC RUNNING FUNDAMENTALS . 263SPRINT FORM DRILLS . 264FIRST BASE COACH GUIDELINES . 265THIRD BASE COACH GUIDELINES . 267HITTING . 269Bat selection . 270Grip on the bat . 270Knuckle alignment . 270Position in the batter's box . 270Feet in stance .271Knees in stance . 271Waist in stance . 271Shoulders in stance . 271Head and eyes in stance . 271Arms, elbows and hands in stance . 271Inward rotation . 272Stride . 272Hips on the swing . 272Front shoulder on the swing . 272Head and eyes on the swing . 272Weight distribution . 273Rear foot. . 273Bat arc . 273HITTING: COMMON FAULTS AND CORRECTIONS . 274Mental factors .276Physical factors . 277v
ISOLATED HITTING DRILLS . 287HITTERS EVALUATE THEMSELVES . 292PLAYER HITTING QUESTIONNAIRE . 295BAT DISCIPLINE . 297BUNTING . 301Sacrifice bunting . 302Drag bunting . 303Push bunting . 304Fake bunt and slash . 304PITCHING . 306Windup . 306Stretch delivery .312Basic pitches . 31'3Fast ball .313Curve ball .316Slider . 319Change-up . 319Screw ball .321Fork ball .321Knuckle ball . 321Tipping pitches .322Control . 322Thinking pitcher and game strategy . 325Analysis of pitcher's strengths and weaknesses . 325Analysis of hitter's strengths and weaknesses . 325Pitch selection strategy . 327Situation pitching . 329Other pitching strategy . 331Pitchouts and intentional walks . 333Holding runners on base and pick-off mechanics . 334Runner at first base . 334Runner at second base . 337Runner at third base . 339Pitcher as a fielder . 340Pitching mechanics concentration program . 347Recovering from game day pitching . 350Relief pitching . 352CATCHING . 355Giving signals to the pitcher . 355Stance . 357Receiving the ball . 359Shifting techniques . 360Handling the ball in the dirt . 361Throwing . 362Pick-off throws . 365Calling plays . 365Force plays . : . 365Tag plays . 366Catching pop-ups . 367Fielding bunts .369Pitchouts . 370Intentional walks . 370Drills for the catchers . 370INFIELD PLAY . 373Placement of the infielders . 373Basic infield positioning . 374Ready position . 375Fielding ground balls . 376vi
Throwing the ball .384Basic infield plays .385Fake throws .385Decoy plays . -. 386Tandem relays .386Going back on fly balls . 387Watching runners touch bases . 388Appealing a runner missing base . 389Faking ground balls . 389Infield positioning during intentional walk . 389Tag plays at the bases . 389Rundown plays .392Angle throws in the infield . 393Double plays . 394Rrst basemen play around the bag . 405OUTFIELD PLAY . 408Placement of the outfielders . 408Basic outfield positioning . 408Ready position . 409Movement to the ball . 410Catching fly balls and line drives . 410Fly ball communication . 412Playing the sun . 412Playing the fences . 413Back up responsibilities . 413Fielding ground balls . 414Throwing the ball . 415GAME ADMINISTRATION . 420Pre-game schedule . 420Game administration policies . 427Game administration sheet . 428Game charts . 429PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER AND SCRIPT . 437MANAGERS RESPONSIBILITIES - GAME DAY . 439ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONAL RAPPORT WITH UMPIRES . 440PLAYER EVALUATION . 442MOST VALUABLE PLAYER CHART . 447AWARDING LETTERS IN BASEBALL . 449TREATMENT OF MINOR BASEBALL INJURIES . 450Abrasions . 450Ankle injuries . 450Athlete's foot . 451Blisters . 451Contusions . 451Dental injuries . 452Eye injuries . 452Anger injuries . 453Knee injuries . 453Muscle strains . 453Shoulder, arm and elbow injuries . 453Spike wounds . 454Stretching . 454STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY PROGRAM . 456Strength program . 456Flexibility program . , -. 458COACH-ATHLETE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS . 468PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN COACHING BASEBALL . 471BASEBALL TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES . 474vii
SCORING BASEBALL GAMES . 489Scoring the game . 489Determining percentages . 497Cumulative performance records . 497Keeping the scorebook .498Other statistical information . 500MAINTENANCE OF BASEBALL FIELDS . 503Turfgrass maintenance . 503Non-turfgrass maintenance . , . 518viii
Foreword - by John GrishamI was a student at Mississippi State in 1976 when Ron Polk was hired to revive adeclining program. This was before he was a published author. He quickly provedthat he knew how to coach, but like many of us who sooner or later secredy put pento paper, he showed no signs of literary potential.There comes a time in the life of every author when inspiration spills forth, whenthe ideas cannot be contained any longer, when words have to be arranged in somefashion on paper so they can be saved forever.Same with baseball coaches, or at least some of them. Ron Polk's knowledge of thegame became so vast that he had· to write this book just to store everything. Hisplaybook is the most comprehensive collection of baseball basics, planning andstrategies you'll find anywhere.In 1993, Coach Polk came to dinner, but before we ate there was a little leaguegame to be played. Coaching kids is nerve-wracking enough, but with a legendarycollege coach sitting in the bleachers watching every move, I, well, I choked. Didn'tbunt. Didn't change pitchers. Didn't do this or that or a dozen other basic strategiescovered in great detail in the following pages. After dinner, Coach Polk gave me acopy of his Baseball Playbook. I read it for hours one weekend. I pored over thediagrams, studied charts, read and re-read things I should've already known. Afterthree days with this book, I was a new coach.We lost our next six games, and,. with the parents in open revolt, I put Polk awayfor awhile. I'd like to say we rallied and won the city championship, but fiction canonly take me so far.After my coaching career came mercifully to a close, I began reading his book forpleasure. No kidding. Coaching made me realize how little I knew about the game,but my love for baseball still drives me to a deeper understanding. I collect and readbaseball books of all varieties - biography, humor, rules, how-to; strategy, even fiction,but when I want the final word on why a player did this or if he should have donethat, I always go back to Ron Polk.Baseball is a wonderfully complicated game. The Baseball Playbook is a superbmanual in trying to understand it.
STRUCTURED BASEBALL PRACTICE SESSIONSIn most high school and college athletic programs, baseball has traditionally taken a back seat to football and basketballwhen it comes to the developing of highly structured and organized practice sessions. This is very unfortunate for with a littlemore effort in practice organization, a baseball coach can develop in his players a deeper appreciation for practice and thegame of baseball.One of the reasons for this fact is that in many baseball programs there are only one or two coaches involved, whereby infootball and basketball they generally have a much larger staff. Even though a baseball coaching staff is limited to one or twocoaches it should not mean that practice sessions become unorganized and unstructured. With a small coaching staff it doesmean that it will take a little more ti
baseball books of all varieties - biography, humor, rules, how-to; strategy, even fiction, but when I want the final word on why a player did this or if he should have done that, I always go back to Ron Polk. Baseball is a wonderfully compli
2018; Las Vegas, Nev., December 12, 2018. 2019 Official Baseball Rules_2019 Official Baseball Rules 3/26/2019 5:16 PM Page iii. iv FOREWORD This code of rules governs the playing of baseball games by professional teams of Major League Baseball and the leagues that are members of the
2013 Official Baseball Rules_2013 Official Baseball Rules.qxd 2/5/13 10:54 AM Page vii. 1.00—Objectives of the Game. 1.01 Baseball is a game between two teams of nine players each, under direction of a manager, played on an enclosed field in accordance with these rules, under jurisdiction of one or more umpires. 1.02 The objective of each team is to win by scoring more runs than the opponent .
2014 Official Baseball Rules_2013 Official Baseball Rules.qxd 3/12/14 3:36 PM Page iv. The Playing Rules Committee, at its December 1977 meeting, voted to incorporate the Notes/Case Book/Comments section directly into the Official Baseball Rules at the appro-priate places. Basically, the Case Book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the same effect as rules when .
Approved March 24, 2018 American Legion Baseball shall be played in accordance with rules adopted by the National Baseball Committee and Americanism Commission and Major League Baseball. Changes to the Official MLB Rules are noted in Rule 1 of the American Legion Baseball rules. These rules generally pertain to matters of safety, equipment and .
Dugout Steps Baseball is a full simulation of the game of Baseball. Dugout Steps Baseball features a highly detailed interaction between Pitchers and Batters, giving flavor to the age-old battle between Hurler and Slugger. Dugout Steps Baseball provides for a wide variety in Pitcher Perform
Which professional player’s baseball card is the most valuable? 10. Which team won the first World series in Baseball? True or False Questions: Open-Ended Questions: Baseball Trivia Answers. 1. d) A “Can of Corn” is the term used for this type of hit. 2. b) British Baseball only p
Assassins Patrick Lawson 55 Assassins Jon Nase 13 93 . Assassins Connor Wengryn 14 Assassins Chris Zickert 7 26 Baseball U CT Matt Brown 13 Baseball U CT Will Bunkoci 60 Baseball U CT Jay Chiappetta 51 Baseball U CT Tim Cianciolo 11 8 Baseball U CT Max Cotier 21 . Garden
Historical view point from medieval sources. The Indian Archives, National Archives of India, New Delhi, 2001. 40) Duniya-i-ilm-o-Adab ki Azeemush Shan Shakhsiyat – Qazi Saiyid Nurullah Shushtari. Rah-i-Islam, New Delhi 2002. 41) Aurangzeb and the Court Historians: A case study of Mirza Muhammed Kazim’s Alamgir Nama. Development of Persian .
