(#110)
I like the language of the game. After 3 innings of the nine inning game, players are saying “it’s a 6 inning game.” Then finally, it’s a one inning game. 3 outs away from a win.
Both games of a doubleheader are two completely different games and they must be played as such. The first game performance does not automatically carry over to the second game. The other team is not going wave the white flag. We start over at zero. Get back to work. There are 7 more innings that need need to be played at a high level. Finish the job.
When you have an opportunity to sweep a doubleheader you have to get it done. When the other team is doing everything they can to avoid getting swept, you must do everything you can to make sure the sweep happens.
After a big offensive inning for your team, the pitcher and defense must make the bottom of the inning quick and efficient. Don’t let them back in the game by pitching behind on the count, walking people, booting routine ground balls or making errant throws.
Saw one fly ball dropped by the opponent’s outfielder because he was trying to catch it with one hand. Make it hurt. The styling and profiling for NIL points is simply not necessary.
Just like the leadoff hitter’s job is to get on base and start the inning, the pitcher and defense must get the first out quickly. As Coach Polk says, “The inning is half over.”
Getting behind on the count almost assures the hitter he will get fastballs to hit. That’s what they practice hitting all the time.
I saw a couple of players with the body language of “don’t hit it to me.” Slap yourself and snap out of it. But seriously, you can get out of the funk instantaneously by creating the body language that comes with confidence. How do you look and think when you are playing well? How do you stand, how do you move around when in the zone on defense? Create that look and the mindset quickly follows and you’re back on track. Changing your emotional state from the outside-in (body language) is quicker and easier than changing it from the inside-out (thinking).
The goal is to make the routine play all of the time and the great play some of the time. That’s just the way the game is played. The rule, the mindset must be, “the routine ball is an out.”
I like the walkie-talkie system used by the coach and the catcher. Speeds the game up. Hitter’s won’t like it.
It’s a good idea to bunt for a hit with a runner on second and no outs, especially to the third base side. The third baseman is usually hesitant to commit as quickly as he needs to with the runner on second. Then the pitcher has to field it and a lot of times that’s iffy. It shouldn’t be, but it is. You can move the runner to third, beat it out or make him misplay it and get on base, maybe even score a runner on an errant throw. On defense, make it a rule that we will get at least one out on every bunt. They only get three outs.
There’s nothing better than clutch hitting… driving in runs when you have a opportunity to do so, especially with two outs. Load the bases and then unload them.
Nice to see two strike pitches being driven to the opposite field gap. Minimize or avoid strikeouts.
It wouldn’t hurt any player to shorten his stroke and stay on the plane of the ball longer. These two things can bust any slump. Hitting is timing and timing means getting the barrel in the right place at the right time. Timing is easier when the stroke is shorter and on the flight of the ball longer. I even like to see the follow-through below the front shoulder.
I love to see right-handed hitters hit hard line drives down the right field line and left-handed hitters hit hard line drives down the left field line.
Abner Doubleday had a pretty good plan during the summer of 1839 for positioning infielders and outfielders in strategic spots to field most balls that are hit. Long before data and shifts, but effective for more than a century and a half.
I told Josh one time after a tough game on the mound when he was 11 or 12 years old, “You don’t have to be a pitcher, but if you are going to be one, you must be physically and mentally tough enough to take the responsibility that comes with that position.” (Note: He usually was). If pitching is 90% of the game, you have to live up those expectations. Work quickly. Attack the strike zone. Get ahead and stay ahead. Compete on every pitch. Win the battle. Discipline, confidence, motivation, and determination all added together is “toughness.”
Saw a hitter on TV who was still thinking about a borderline strike one call on the first pitch when he waved at the 0-2 pitch for a strikeout to end the game. This pitch now. Next pitch.
I wonder what USM’s hitter’s game plan is? I would definitely use it.
Every team needs a brain, body language, and mindset coach on the staff.
Until Volume 6.
Rick Clarke's Diary of a Mad Baseball Coach 