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Coaching 1st Base (BE - DO - KNOW)

02/27/2010, 7:00am (CDT)
By Cindy Bristow

So What Should A 1st Base Coach Do?

WHAT YOU MUST BE

1.  You must be an extra set of eyes - NOT the only ones!

2.  You must coach at the level of your opponents and your own players: (fake stab by 2nd base to get you to yell "back" in a bunt situation...)

3.  You must know the situation BEFORE the current batter puts the ball in play!

4.  You must be thick-skinned and help your runners be that way too!

5.  You must know all outfielders range, arm strength and accuracy.

6.  You must know the speed, baserunning skills and injury status of all ballers.

7.  You must be aware of your role (assistant or head - if asst. you MUST be supportive of the head!!)

WHAT YOU DO

1.  Remind the runner of the following (depending upon their skill/intelligence level:

  • Number of Outs

Stage of the Game (to know if she'll risk going to 3rd on an OF hit).

  • To pick up the 3rd base coach on an OF hit.
  • Which OF's to run on.
  • The catcher's arm (quickness of release and strength).
  • The current play (if they ask - don't just give it to them).

2. Know the following:

  • Where the 2nd baseman is and how they run pick-offs.
  • Coverage tange of the big 4: pitcher; catcher; 3rd; 1st.
  • Aggressiveness of the 3rd base coach.
  • Importance of the Batter/runner.
  • Ability to score in this game, against this pitcher - need-to-take-chance-ratio...
  • Injury status of current batter and runner.
  • Ability for 3rd base coach to take recommendations...
  • Anything else that will help.

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