Tips

Tip: Signs
Keep signs simple. You can use a simple numbers system. That is, how many signs will you give before a specific cut-off gesture. By counting the number of signs before the cut-off, the player knows the play. For example:
2 signs = take (two...take)
3 signs = hit and run (three words in hit and run)
4 signs = bunt (four letters in bunt)
5 signs = steal (five letters in steal)

Tip: Measuring ability
Baseball is one of the few sports that cannot measure ability strictly by athletic prowess. Stats, radar guns, and tape measures do not measure the heart of a player (a critical part in baseball). Listen to coaches and scouts about that player that may not be as gifted as the rest, but has the heart of a lion.

Tip: Coaching Attitude

When coaching, follow every negative comment with a positive one shortly down the road. Players will respect you if you criticize them when need be, but also praise them at every opportunity.

Tip: Work with scouts
When recruiting on the college level, the best way to improve your team is to form a relationship with pro scouts. Often, they will scout players that are not quite ready for the professional level, but might be with some cultivating.

Tip: Baseball Recruiting
Many coaches do not realize the value of the Internet in their recruiting efforts. Many sites allow you to search a talent pool for players. Players can make themselves available to web talent pools by posting their baseball resumes online.

Tip: Hustle
Hustle is what determines the winners from the losers and the players from the athletes. Hustle catches the attention of coaches. A coach may take a player who hustles over one who is more talented, because that person is more valuable as a team player.


Tip: Coaching Camps
Coaching camps are available throughout the country. Tips, advice, ideas, and counsel that the college and professional coaches give at these camps are invaluable.

Tip: Tantrums
Perhaps it is because the game can be so frustrating, but baseball naturally lends itself to tantrums. Try to discourage that immediately. One way is to get everyone to laugh instead, but you know what works for individual players.

Tip: Trying to get noticed
You never know when a scout is in the stands looking at you. Be sure to hustle on and off the field. Avoid public displays of anger. And always handle yourself with class and dignity on the field.

Tip: Admitting mistakes
Umpires are human and will make mistakes. Especially at advanced levels, the game moves so quickly that you simply can´t make every call right. Umpires should realize this, but players and coaches should respect their decisions.

Tip: Staying out of the limelight
Even at the amateur level, certain umpires have the wrong attitude. Never should an umpire be more important than the game. The umpire forgets the game on both sides of the ball should be fun!

Tip: Measuring ability
Baseball is one of the few sports that cannot measure ability strictly by athletic prowess. Stats, radar guns, and tape measures do not measure the heart of a player (a critical part in baseball). Listen to coaches and scouts about that player that may not be as gifted as the rest, but has the heart of a lion.