Baseball coaches take care of choosing the players who start and which players go to which positions. One of the other aspects that does not reveal itself during games is developing players' skills. A baseball coach in a kids pitch league must make sure his players know how to perform the basics of the game, whether it be hitting, pitching, fielding or base running. The overall goal should always be to promote fun and teamwork. On top of that, though, a coach should do everything he can to help develop each player's skills.
Lay Out Expectations
Setting expectations and letting all involved know about those expectations will prevent problems in the future. According to the Youth Baseball Info website, you should lay out five different expectations to parents and players before the season starts. Players should attend all practices and games, and they must display respect for their teammates, umpires and coaches or they will have to do pushups or sprints as punishment. Players should also be expected to give their full effort all the time and pay attention in practice. Lastly, parents should be told that they can discuss playing time and other issues with the coach at times other than practice and games.
Count Pitches
Kids love the idea of working as the pitcher. Too much of a good thing, though, can be harmful, and pitching is no different, as overusing a pitcher's arm puts him at risk for fatigue and injuries. According to Barton's Youth Baseball Tips, you should keep track of how many pitches your pitchers throw with either a pencil and paper or a hand-held clicker. Kids should start with throwing 35 to 40 pitches in their first outing and then gradually increase the workload in each subsequent appearance.
Foster Growth
Youth baseball players need to get better each day. Players who do not develop get passed up and will likely have to quit the game at an early age. By working with each individual player on his weaknesses and providing feedback on how to get better, you will give your players every chance they can get to become a better player and more integral part of the team.
Throw Batting Practice
The best way to learn how to hit is to hit. Using your pitchers to throw batting practice will not only wear them out but will also be inefficient. To make batting practice more efficient, you can do the pitching, because you are likely to be much more accurate than a youth baseball player. Your hitters will be able to take copious swings and will develop their skills in the batters' box.
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