Coaching Youth Baseball: A Baffled Parents Guide

by Bill Thurston

Overview

The quickest way to become an experienced coach.

You thought you were going to sign your kid up for the local youth league. Now, here you are, a newly appointed coach. Part of the successful Baffled Parent's series, Coaching Youth Baseball has everything you need to manage, motivate, and encourage an eight to twelve -year-old ball team.

Written by a four-time New England Coach of the Year, it shows novice coaches exactly how to go about building skills, developing teamwork and sportsmanship, and creating an experience that both kids and coach enjoy.

Bill Thurston leaves no question unanswered. He addresses both broad organizational issues like how to get uniforms or arrange for practice time and more focused specifics like what to do at the first practice. The Baffled Parents Guide is the ultimate coaching guide for the uninformed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071358224
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	03/29/2000
Series:	Baffled Parent's Guides
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Bill Thurston has coached Amherst College's baseball team for 35 years. He is also an American Olympic team pitching coach and has been named New England Coach of the Year four times.

Table of Contents

Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?

How to Use This Book

A Word on Coaching
Part One Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up Kit

1. Creating an Atmosphere of Good Habits

The Essentials

Competition

Establish Your Identity as the Coach

The Growth Book

On Risk Taking

Questions and Answers

2. Before Hitting the Field: Baseball in a Nutshell

Basic Rules and Positioning

The Ball Is in Play

Basic Safety Measures

3. Setting Up the Season

Create the Practice and Game Schedule and Send a Letter to Parents

Call the Parents before the Season

Solicit Parental Help

Finding an Assistant

Appropriate Numbers of Players on the Team

Equipment

Questions and Answers

4. Essential Skills--and How to Teach Them

Catching

Throwing

Infield Defense

Outfield Defense

Team Defense

Pitching

Playing Catcher

Batting

Bunting

Baserunning

5. The Practice

Preparation Is Key

Format for Practice

Practice Session Worksheet

Questions and Answers

6. Sample Practices

Basic Beginning Practice

Intermediate Practice

Advanced Practice

Questions and Answers

7. Game Time

The Mental Aspect

Be Prepared

Coaching the Game

Key Elements

Taking Stock after the Game

8. Dealing with Parents and Gender Issues

Perspective on Parents

Be Organized at All Times

Help Parents Look at the Big Picture

Addressing Gender Issues

Questions and Answers about Dealing with Parents

Questions and Answers about Gender Issues
Part Two Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of Mind

9. Warm-Up: Baserunning, Catching, and Throwing

Catching the Ball

Throw-and-Catch

10. Defensive Fundamentals: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team Defense

Infield

Outfield

Team Defense

11. Batting Practice: Batting, Pitching, and Playing Catcher

Batting

Pitching and Catching

12. Ending Activity: Scrimmage Situations

Appendix

Umpire Signals

Sample Scorebook Page

Glossary

Resources

Associations and Organizations

Websites and Electronic Newsletters

Index

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Novice coaches will find instant relief for Opening Day jitters in this all-encompassing how-to primer. Includes everything from ordering uniforms to planning practice activities and development teamwork.

From the Publisher

Novice coaches will find instant relief for Opening Day jitters in this all-encompassing how-to primer. Includes everything from ordering uniforms to planning practice activities and development teamwork.

USA Today