Coaching Management 14.2 by Momentummedia

Coaching Management VOL. XIV NO. 2

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Coaching Management Baseball Edition Preseason 2006

CONTENTS

Vol. XIV, No. 2

LOCKER ROOM

COVER STORY

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Unmasking Umpires

An overhaul of NCAA Division I scholarship limits? ... Warning fans of bad behavior ... Heading off tobacco use ... The NCAA steps up its fight against sports wagering ... The posthurricane healing power of baseball

Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dave Lafferty leads a new school’s first team to a 30-3 record and the state finals.

Publisher Mark Goldberg

Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Frankel Associate Editor Marketing Director Dennis Read Sheryl Shaffer Marketing/Sales Assistant Assistant Editors Danielle Catalano R.J. Anderson Kenny Berkowitz Art Director Pamela Crawford Abigail Funk David Hill Photo Research Greg Scholand Dina Stander, Laura Smith Signs of Life Studio

COVER PHOTO BY US PRESSWIRE/JOEL AUERBACH

LEADERSHIP

The Coach in the Mirror

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Before you can help your athletes succeed, you need to know who you are and why you do what you do. In this article, three coaches explain how they have defined and redefined their coaching philosophies.

CONDITIONING

Year of Strength FIELD MIXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 NETS & CAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 FACILITY EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 TEAM EQUIPMENT & APPAREL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 PRACTICE AIDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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They can be the most powerful people on the diamond, and knowing how to communicate with them makes you a more effective coach.

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A veteran strength coach at Arizona State University shares his outline for a year-round baseball strength program.

MORE PRODUCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Business Manager Pennie Small

Production Manager Kristin Ayers

Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter

Production Assistant Jonni Campbell

Administrative Assistant Sharon Barbell

Prepress Manager Adam Berenstain

Circulation Director Dave Dubin

Asst. Prepress Manager Jim Harper

Circulation Manager John Callaghan

IT Manager Mark Nye

Advertising Sales Associates Diedra Harkenrider, (607) 257-6970, ext. 24 Rob Schoffel, (607) 257-6970, ext. 21 Ad Materials Coordinator Mike Townsend Business and Editorial Offices 2488 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970, Fax (607) 257-7328 info@MomentumMedia.com Mailing lists for Coaching Management Baseball are provided by the Clell Wade Coaches Directory.

The Coaching Management Baseball edition is published in February, September, and December by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada. Copyright © 2006 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Coaching Management is printed by Banta Publications Group, Kansas City, MO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Coaching Management, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852. Printed in the U.S.A.

COACHING MANAGEMENT

LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD ABCA Targets Scholarship Limits A new system for administering college baseball scholarships may be on the horizon. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) is working on a scholarship overhaul proposal it intends to pitch to the NCAA in July. “The current model is inadequate and inappropriate,” says Mike Gaski, Head Coach at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a member of the NCAA Division I Baseball Rules Committee. “It’s broken, and we need a whole new paradigm.”

scholarships also helps fuel baseball’s high transfer rate, another trend troubling coaches. “It’s easy for a player who’s getting nothing more than one semester of room and board to leave if everything isn’t completely to his liking,” says Dave Keilitz, Executive Director of the ABCA. “Baseball leads the country in transfers, and the lack of scholarship dollars is the major reason.” The NCAA’s new classroom measure for teams, the Academic Progress Rate (APR), has put the transfer issue foremost in coaches’ minds as well. When a player transfers out, his team loses a point toward its APR.

to consider two different plans. The one favored by the most coaches will ultimately be proposed to the NCAA. The first option is simply to request an increase from 11.7 to 14 full scholarships. A second option would allow every program to award 27 tuitionand-fees-only scholarships. The ABCA settled on 27 scholarships because that is the average number of players per team who get some type of scholarship under the current system. “This would be a totally new model,” Keilitz says. “No other sport limits the amount of

because room and board costs are similar everywhere,” he explains. “The best a player could do would be to make a lateral move financially, so players wouldn’t be moving to a new program for a better deal.” Keilitz acknowledges that any plan to raise scholarship limits will face hurdles. Adding scholarships is costly, and because Title IX compliance means schools may have to commensurately increase spending on women’s sports, the cost is more than just the scholarships added for baseball. In addition, only about half of the 285 baseball programs in Division I currently offer the full 11.7 equivalency scholarships already allowed. For programs that offer fewer than 11.7, joining a push for more scholarships may only put them at a greater disadvantage. Even so, Keilitz believes the majority of baseball coaches are behind adding scholarships. “Seventy percent of our members say they support adding scholarships,” he says. “As an association, we feel strongly about this. It’s time to address it.”

The current 11.7 equivalency scholarships per team are insufficient for a sport that regularly sees rosters of 27 or more, Gaski says, and divvying up the money creates a recruiting nightmare for coaches. “Nobody who goes out to recruit is happy with this system,” says Gaski. “It’s humiliating to say to a family, ‘We think your son is worth 20 percent.’ You do that with used cars. Baseball coaches have become rug salesmen in terms of how we have to recruit now.” The ubiquity of small partial

COACHING MANAGEMENT

When enough points are lost, a team faces sanctions. And while a study group assigned last summer to review baseball-specific issues with the APR made adjustments to lessen the impact of a player leaving for the pros, they decided against making the same APR allowance for transfers. With the addition of APR concerns, longstanding dissatisfaction with the current scholarship system is turning into a grassroots push for change. In November, Keilitz sent out a survey asking Division I coaches

aid an athlete can get to that university’s cost for tuition and fees. It would mean that no baseball player could get a fullride scholarship, but it’s already unusual for a player to get one under the current system.” There are advantages and disadvantages to both models, Keilitz says, but he believes the tuition-and-fees model has greater potential to dramatically decrease student-athlete transfers. “The cost to a player of going to school at one institution would be about the same as at another institution,

Keilitz plans to assemble a committee to draft a proposal. He’ll submit the proposal to the NCAA Legislative Issues Committee in July.

Warning Cards Come to Baseball The yellow card is a traditional warning on a soccer field. But in some places, it’s also a caution for fan misbehavior. At Springfield High School in Akron, Ohio, Athletic Director Ray Fowler began giving out yellow warning cards for over-the-line spectator behavior during the 2004-05 basketball season and plans to have them ready this year for baseball, where he believes they may be especially help-

US PRESSWIRE/JIM BOUNDS

The American Baseball Coaches Association plans to propose major changes in NCAA Division I financial aid limits this year—either raising the team limit to the equivalent of 14 scholarships or setting the bar at 27 tuition-and-fees-only packages. Above, two Division I teams square off as the University of Miami’s Paco Figueroa is safe at second under the tag of North Carolina’s Greg Magnum in 2005.

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LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD ful in curbing rude comments toward umpires. The 3x5 cards are printed with a statement that student-athletes deserve positive support, and that continued rude comments or poor sportsmanship may result in ejection from the game. The cards seem to work, Fowler says, mainly because the message on them helps the fan to think about his or her behavior without forcing a confrontation. “It simply says, ‘We appreciate your attendance at our events. Our participants need your positive

ship, and Fowler’s buddy mentioned a carding program being used in neighboring Minnesota. Fowler called the Minnesota State High School League, which encouraged him to borrow the idea. He also credits similar procedures he’s heard of in Maine. Springfield has expanded yellow-carding to all sports. The system is explained to student-athletes and parents before each sport season and reviewed at parents’ preseason meetings. Last year, word of the cards spread

Springfield High School in Akron, Ohio, gives these yellow warning cards to disruptive fans at its home events. Athletic Director Ray Fowler says they may help curb abuse of umpires during baseball games by prompting spectators to examine their behavior. support and encouragement. Abusive behavior toward players, coaches, or officials will not be tolerated. If your behavior continues, you will be asked to leave.’ “The nice thing about it is you avoid the verbal conflict,” Fowler continues. “The person you’re warning is pretty heated up, and this gives them an opportunity to realize what they’re doing. If somebody doesn’t want to take the warning, they’ve been warned, and you go from there.” Fowler got the idea during a fishing trip with a fellow athletics administrator from Wisconsin. The conversation turned to poor sportsman-

through the community, Fowler found, and most spectators were eventually aware of them. This year, he didn’t have to use any during the fall sports season. “It’s kind of like that slap on your hand you don’t want to get,” he says. Fowler advises reserving card duty to the administrator in charge of game management, not police or security, since the idea is to head off the need to involve those authorities. Further, be as unobtrusive as possible, he recommends. “You’re not confronting the person as much as just handing them the card,” he says. “You simply walk up to them, give them a card, and walk away.”

Intervention Plan Nixes Tobacco Use According to an NCAA study, 40 percent of college baseball players use smokeless tobacco on a regular basis—despite a formal ban by the association. That’s a higher percentage of athletes than in any other collegiate sport, making baseballers particularly susceptible to oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, nicotine addiction, and cardiovascular disease. “At every level of the game, baseball athletes are at high risk for using smokeless tobacco,” says Margaret Walsh, a professor at the University of California School of Dentistry and one of the authors of “Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of an Athletic Trainer-Directed Spit (Smokeless) Tobacco Intervention for Collegiate Baseball Athletes,” published in the Summer 2005 issue of the Journal of Athletic Training. “This study shows that a brief intervention can help prevent smokeless tobacco use among college baseball athletes.” Working with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Walsh conducted the study along with researchers from West Valley College, Fullerton College, Major League Baseball, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The researchers circulated questionnaires on tobacco use to 1,585 volunteer varsity and junior varsity baseball players at 52 California colleges and universities. Approximately half of the baseball programs were then assigned to a control group, which received no special intervention beyond

what’s normally done on their campuses and in their athletic departments. Players at the other schools were enrolled in a specially designed intervention and prevention program. First, they were screened by volunteer dentists and hygienists who had been trained through a videoconference and printed training manual. Nonusers weren’t specifically counseled, but they did take part in an hour-long session led by team leaders they’d identified in their first questionnaire. These sessions included graphic slides of facial disfigurement caused by oral cancer, and a pair of videos, Dangerous Game: The Truth About Spit Tobacco, and Tragic Choice: The Bob Leslie Story. The latter concerns a high school coach who started chewing at age 13 and quit 14 years later, only to develop oral cancer and die at age 31. The team leaders then led a group discussion in which they emphasized that using is a personal choice, but that everyone should be informed of the potential consequences before making it. The program helped keep nonusers from starting smokeless tobacco, with the number of new users in the intervention group (5.1 percent) significantly smaller than the number of new users in the control group (8.4 percent). However, while more than a third of the using athletes in the intervention program quit, that was no better than the rate among the control group. The key to success was the support of coaches and athletic trainers, says Walsh, who believes that other col-

For the complete study results, see: www.nata.org/jat/ readers/archives/40.2/i1062-6050-40-2-76.pdf. For information about ordering Tragic Choice: The Bob Leslie Story and other resources for quitting, see the National Spit Tobacco Education Program’s Web site: www.nstep.org.

COACHING MANAGEMENT

LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD leges could easily recreate the study’s intervention program by working with local dental professionals. “This program works,” says Walsh. “Coaches are very potent role models for their players, and when coaches are supportive of a program like this, their athletes are less likely to initiate tobacco use.”

Any Wagering Not a Safe Bet Though he coaches in a state and city known for its casinos, University of Nevada at Reno Head Baseball Coach Gary Powers says his players aren’t very different from counterparts across the country when it comes to sports wagering: Opportunities to get involved, legal or illegal, are everywhere. And like student-athletes everywhere, Wolfpack baseball players get a stark reminder that, unlike other students, they can’t join in on pools on NCAA basketball tournaments or any other form of wagering on sports. “When it gets to the bowl games, March Madness, or Super Bowl weekend, they can’t be like a lot of students around campus and get caught up in the excitement,” Powers says. “We constantly remind them about that. They know the rules they have to follow to be an intercollegiate athlete. They understand their opportunity to play is a heck of a lot more important.”

Most alarmingly, the survey found 1.4 percent of studentathletes said they or someone

COACHING MANAGEMENT

The NCAA says it’s more closely monitoring legal bet-

wouldn’t say whether any officials have been disqualified.

he misses a shot. They say he must be fixing the game.

Thus far, though, the antiwagering campaign has focused on educating student-athletes on gambling’s dangers. A Web site on the subject is targeted for launch in time for this year’s basketball tournaments, NewmanBaker says.

But coaches have a major role, too. When asked what keeps them from betting on sports, student-athletes in the survey first listed their own personal values and the threat of stiffer punishment. But after that, the major influence was coaches, Newman-Baker says.

A key educational piece is the “Don’t Bet On It” anti-wagering brochure distributed to most teams. It includes testimonials from student-athletes describing how they started with small bets with a fellow student acting as a bookie,

“It is everyone’s responsibility to provide education about sports wagering to our student-athletes,” Newman-Baker adds. “This education includes not just explaining the rule and telling the student-athletes not to do it—but also

As part of a stepped-up drive to curtail sports wagering, the NCAA will begin screening of umpires who work its Division I baseball tournament, largely because the College World Series can be wagered on through legal sports books in Nevada. Other efforts focus on educating student-athletes at all levels about the dangers of getting involved in gambling on sports of any kind. ting in Nevada—some recent point-shaving scandals were uncovered after legal book makers notified authorities of an unusual number of bets on college games. The NCAA is also having the contractor who checks the backgrounds of officials working NCAA basketball tournaments also check on baseball-tournament umpires. That’s because the College World Series can be wagered on in legal sports books in Nevada, says Rachel NewmanBaker, NCAA Director of Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities. Newman-Baker

ran up debts, and ended up thrown out of college sports after being caught throwing games or shaving points. The key point is that even seemingly innocent bets can spiral out of control, leading to debts that grow until the only apparent way out is to agree to shave points or fix a game. In the brochure, Stevin “Hedake” Smith, a former basketball player at Arizona State University prosecuted for shaving points in the 1990’s, describes how much it hurts when friends in the pick-up games he plays in now often make jokes when

explaining why it is important that they don’t as well as what consequences can occur if they are involved in such activity. Coaches definitely play a vital role in the process, but so do athletic directors, athletics administrators, other studentathletes, and national office staff.” There are signs the NCAA’s anti-gambling education helps. Survey respondents in Division I reported less sports wagering than in Divisions II and III, and, NCAA officials suggested, that’s because

AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS

That message is one the NCAA is trying to get across more strongly. Prompted by an anonymous survey of 21,000 student-athletes in all three divisions that found that 34.6 percent of male studentathletes engaged in some type of sports wagering in the past year, the NCAA Sports Wagering Task Force has begun stepping up its antigambling efforts.

they knew had been asked to affect the outcome of a game. One percent said they knew of a teammate who did so. The numbers are small but suggest the problem isn’t solved, even though the penalties for involvement with organized gambling are very serious. Gambling on one’s institution can be punished by permanent loss of all eligibility, and for any organized gambling on pro or college sports, the punishment is a one-year suspension. The same penalties can apply to giving information to gamblers.

anti-gambling efforts so far have focused on the highestprofile division, where contests are more likely to be the subject of wagering. About two-thirds of male student-athletes reported taking part in any form of gambling in Divisions I and II and more than three-quarters in Division III. These included playing cards, betting on games of skill, buying lottery tickets, and betting on sports. Only about half of females reported the same.

percent in Division II, and just less than 25 percent in Division III said they had. About 22 percent of baseball players across all divisions said they’d wagered on college sports, behind golf, lacrosse, wrestling, and football. The survey’s good news was that comparatively few student-athletes seem to be problem gamblers—only about 5 percent of males (and half of one-percent of females), based on activities they said they’d engaged in because of gambling or how it makes them feel.

As for betting on collegiate sports, about 17 percent of student-athletes in Division I, 21

In Reno, Powers says the casinos beckon but aren’t part of most people’s lives, student-

A collection of NCAA educational materials against sports wagering can be seen at: www1.ncaa.org/membership/ enforcement/gambling/resources/index.html. The National Council on Problem Gambling maintains a 24hour confidential help line: (800) 522-4700.

athletes included. If there is an advantage to living there, it’s that the downside of gambling is close at hand. “It doesn’t take people very long to figure out that you don’t make money in those places,” he says.

Recovery Begins On Opening Day A year ago, most Americans had never heard of Slidell, La. But when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in August, the town of 25,000 people just 30 miles from New Orleans was one of the hardest-hit areas, and news media from around the world reported its devastation. Five months later, as Slidell continues to cope and rebuild, the return of high school baseball is bringing welcome comfort to student-athletes and residents of this grief-stricken community.

“Almost every player on my team received some type of damage to their home. Most of them are now living either in a shell of a house or in a FEMA trailer, or they’ve moved in with relatives,” says Bill Morris, Head Coach at Salmen High School, which had a pre-Katrina enrollment of 1,100 students but now has only about 550. Salmen was submerged to the roof when the hurricane hit, and most of the school building was a total loss. In the fall, Salmen students attended class from 1:15 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. at nearby Northshore High School, whose own students were in class from 6:55 a.m. to 12:37 p.m. In mid-January, Salmen took over a former junior high whose students had begun sharing an enrollment-depleted elementary school. Like the return of school, the return of

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Circle No. 103 COACHING MANAGEMENT

LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD

Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the baseball field at Salmen High School in Slidell, La., and the Spartans face an all-awaygame season this year. They also lost their school-day home, as classes this year are held at other nearby school buildings. baseball has given studentathletes some sense that life goes on despite everything they’ve endured. “Of course, the athletes know things aren’t back to ‘normal,’” Morris says. “But getting back to lifting weights

and starting batting practice and just being with their teammates again, even if it’s not at our place, gives them some feeling that things are returning to the way they were. “It was always good therapy, coming to practice,” he adds.

“When you’re lifting weights or practicing, you forget everything else except what you’re doing right then and there.” Rick Mauldin, Head Coach of Northshore’s team, says his athletes have enjoyed similar benefits from getting back

Circle No. 104

COACHING MANAGEMENT

into the baseball routine. “In the first couple weeks of school, you could see so much pain and anxiety on the kids’ faces,” he says. “We started working out right away, and once our conditioning program got going and the players were together again, you

could see them slowly getting their breath back and starting to feel better.” Naturally, preparing for this season involved some unique challenges for both coaches, not the least of which was scheduling. With a restricted travel budget, Northshore scheduled games against some local teams outside its 5A class. Salmen, meanwhile, is playing all away games, filling holes in other teams’ schedules created by opponents whose baseball programs—or entire schools—are no longer operational. Facilities posed another big challenge. Northshore’s field survived the hurricane, but its recently installed $25,000 scoreboard, new batting cage, and dugout roofs did not. While the team can do without those things for now, some immediate repairs, such

as fence straightening, were necessary before the start of the season. “We had been talking about a number of building projects, including a new locker room, a new equipment shed, and lights for the field, and all that’s on the back burner now,” Mauldin says. Also, with shared weightroom facilities, lifting and conditioning sessions for both teams have been held while the other’s classes are in session or in the evening after the school day. Hardships aside, for both coaches, the experience of sharing a home has come with its own rewards. Morris and Mauldin speak highly of each other’s willingness to share and to accommodate studentathletes’ needs, and they see the arrangement as a prime example of how people can work together to overcome adversity. They have benefit-

ed from outside generosity as well—one sporting goods company that heard about the two schools’ situation donated several thousand dollars worth of equipment to help the programs get back on their feet. As the season gets into full swing, Mauldin suspects that a few surprises may still be in store for his team. Since so many high school students were displaced by Katrina, he says many top baseball players are now at new schools, which means tough roster decisions for some area coaches. “I know coaches who had kids who’d been loyal to them for a long time, and suddenly here were three new kids from another school who might take their spots,” Mauldin explains. “Some coaches told those kids they’ve already got their teams picked—I don’t know

if I could do that. How can you tell a kid who is going to your school now because his house was blown totally off its foundation that you won’t give him a chance to play?” While Mauldin’s team wasn’t put in that situation, he feels that no matter what decisions he faces as a coach this year, the events of the past several months have given him a new perspective on his job. “Every coach will tell you that winning is very important, but I’ll tell you what, it’s not the most important thing,” he says. “Getting these kids together, getting a uniform on them, and having the parents and the teachers here excited about baseball again, that’s what it’s about. When the umpire says ‘Play ball!’ at our first game, it’s going to be such a wonderful sound.”

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Q&A

Dave Lafferty Seneca High School, Tabernacle, N.J.

In the spring of 2005, the Seneca High School Golden Eagles took the field as the two-year-old school’s first varsity baseball team. Though they had played two seasons as a junior varsity squad, the team had no seniors or players with varsity experience, and Head Coach Dave Lafferty didn’t know what to expect. But on opening day, junior right hander Ryan Brecko threw a perfect game, and Seneca went on to a 30-3 record in its first year and the South Jersey Group 2 state title game, where the team lost 3-1.

CM: What were the keys to last season’s success? Lafferty: It’s simple: I had very, very good players. Nobody wins that many games without good players. The talent was there—I just tried not to screw things up. In all my years of coaching, this is clearly the most unusual group of kids I’ve ever encountered. It’s because of their boyish passion for the game, the respect they showed for the game, and the humility they showed when they had success. I’ve been around a lot of teams, and these guys just loved being around baseball and each other. Is that something you instilled as a coach or did it come naturally? I felt it came naturally. But having coached a long time, I do realize that some folks in the profession can suck the life out of kids. I think I have learned to not do that. I also try to make practices very enjoyable: a place where you make your jokes but also do your work and accomplish your goals. How do you straddle the line between fun and focused? One of the first things I said to the team was, “It’s okay to make mistakes. I’m not going to yell at you if you make a physical error in the field. I’m not going to yell at you if you throw to the wrong base, but we’re going to talk about it.”

COACHING MANAGEMENT

In this interview, Lafferty discusses his coaching style, his points of emphasis for building the Seneca program, and how his other jobs make him a better baseball coach.

right in line. It was an interesting dynamic—it was understood that if you were on the team, you were expected to never fool around during practice. They policed themselves pretty darn well.

I made a concerted effort to play 13 to 14 guys every single game. If you know that you’re probably going to get in the game, whether it’s an at-bat, playing an

How did you develop the blueprint for your program? The first thing I wanted to do was make a big, big deal about being “the first team ever.” For example, there’s a huge 24 x 36 team photo that hangs in our trophy case along with a wooden plaque. I also posted the first lineup card under glass and displayed the balls from the first hit, homerun, pitch thrown, and last out of the first game—in which our pitcher threw a perfect game. I told people that even if we finished 4-30, I was going to do that. How did you deal with rising expectations as the team kept winning? I wrote a certain word on the chalkboard in the locker room every day: Humility. I wanted them to be humble and thankful for what they have. And this group of guys always were. I’m sure the expectations are going to be high next season, but mine will be very simple and the same as they were last year and the year before: Act right, be on time, and be humble. How do you keep all players involved in the game?

Seneca starting pitcher Ryan Doolittle delivers a pitch in the first inning of a 2005 New Jersey playoff game. In its first year as a varsity program, Seneca won 30 games and made the state finals.

SCOTT ANDERSON/COURIER-POST

With no seniors on the team, where did you look for leadership? With this group it kind of took care of itself. We had two kids who were generally considered to be our best players, and they gravitated toward leading on the field. Then we had a couple of kids with spectacular personalities who provided vocal leadership. The other kids just fell

It was also the first year of coaching varsity baseball for Lafferty. Then 50 years old and a guidance counselor at the school, he had been a J.V. baseball coach and a head high school basketball coach, and remains Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Rowan University, where he helped coach the Profs to a Division III national championship in 1996.

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inning in the field, or pinch running, your head is going to stay in the game. What did you tell your team after losing in the state final? I said, “I know you’re disappointed today, but when you look back on this you’ll realize that you did something few others have done. You guys took a first-year baseball program to the state final. And you lost to the best pitcher in the state.” Vin Mazzaro, who was later selected in the third round (101st overall) by the Oakland Athletics in the Major League Baseball draft, threw 94 mph with pinpoint control. I said, “There is no shame in losing, let’s move on.”

start running and don’t stop until I get tired.” The other players saw that and knew they have to be on time. I don’t think we had any players show up late for any practices last year. And when kids make errors, and they will, I don’t throw stuff, I don’t yell and scream, and I don’t publicly humiliate them. As a result, we have a level of trust. How does what you’ve learned coaching basketball translate to baseball? I started coaching basketball as an assistant under John Giannini, who is now the head coach at LaSalle University. He was very much an attention-to-detail guy, and when I walk into practice I have the

On two occasions I had a kid mouth off to an umpire last season. I took him out of the game. I did not yell and scream at him or make a scene. I just pulled him over and said, “Come out of the game and apologize to that umpire right now.”

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After being away from this level for so long, what was the hardest thing to get used to? I had spent the last 13 years working with men between the ages of 19 and 29. Coming back and working with 14and 15-year-olds, you are reminded of the physical differences and the lack of life experience and confidence in young players. Is your coaching style the same for basketball and baseball? I think so. I have very high expectations in three areas: acting right, being on time, and making the right choices. I have attempted to create a situation where they are comfortable with me. They are even comfortable making fun of me, because that’s part of our give-andtake relationship. As long as they’re on time and act right, there aren’t any problems. They know what to expect from me, and where I draw the line. On two occasions I had a kid mouth off to an umpire last season. I took him out of the game. I did not yell and scream at him or make a scene. I just pulled him over and said, “Come out of the game and apologize to that umpire right now.” He did, and all the guys saw that and took notice. In our first year, our best player showed up five minutes late one day and I just said to him, “You’re late. Was there an accident? Is everybody okay? All right,

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entire two hours planned out. We practice roughly 44 times a year, and I have a general framework for an indoor and an outdoor workout for each of those days. If it were to rain on May 1, I already have an idea of what I want to be doing indoors or outdoors that day. What’s your advice to young coaches about reaching their players? You must be patient. You cannot impart all of your wisdom and knowledge in a week. What your players will learn from you, besides the game, is planning, preparation, and patience. How does being a guidance counselor affect your coaching? I’m more aware of personal stuff that goes on in players’ lives than classroom teachers can be. Most of the guys feel comfortable coming in and talking to me, so I’m aware of the distractions they face. For instance, there are some kids who got very upset because they got B’s in advanced physics. The goal then is to get them out on the field and make practice a two-and-a-half-hour refuge from physics. I am also able to notice when a guy is having trouble concentrating, maybe missing a cut off man or not aware of a situation. Do you do anything out of the ordinary during practices? I usually close with what I call a “Moment of Zen,”which I got from “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. I think it’s

Q&A really important that as a coach you’re serious about what you do, but don’t take yourself too seriously. For instance, I once told this story: Late in the 2003 season, I was at the Vet, and the Phillies were playing the Florida Marlins, who would go on to win the World Series. The score is 3 to 1 in the top of the ninth. Juan Pierre is on first base and Ivan Rodriguez is at bat. Rodriguez bunts and moves the runner to second. Then Mike Lowell comes up next and singles home the run and they go ahead, 4-1. The Phillies scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and lost, 4-3. I’ll say to the team, “Who won the game for the Marlins?” A kid who’s thinking will say, “Ivan Rodriguez.” Exactly. A Hall of Fame catcher bunted and when asked why afterward, he said, “Because it was time to win the game.” Then I’ll tell the team, “Okay guys that’s it, let’s get out of here.” What else do you do to make players look forward to practice? We have a game they love to play called Two Pitch. I give each player two pitches thrown with a high, slow-pitch softballstyle arc. I give up some long home runs and they love it. There’s also plenty of trash talking. I have one kid, and he’s one of my better players, who hasn’t gotten a hit off me in two years. So I’ll be on the mound shouting, “I own you! You can’t touch me!”and those kinds of things. And probably every two weeks we’ll play home run derby. I always save those games for after we do all of our work. Your assistant Brian Gibney had five future big-leaguers in 25 years as a head coach at another school. Is it intimidating having such an experienced assistant? Nah. If I were 25, it might get to me. But I’m 50 now, with 29 years in coaching, and I want to see things done right. I’m not worried about who gets the credit. What is your advice to coaches just starting a program? First, you have to be secure with yourself as a coach. If you’re starting a program, you’re probably going to have a losing season. And if you have a losing season in the society that we live in, in this day and age, you are going to be criticized. You have to expect that and can’t allow your insecurities to be shown to the players or lash out at them. They’re not trying to lose and they’re not trying to make mistakes. I had it in my mind that as long as I got effort and attitude, I’d be happy. So I would say to a young coach, ‘Make sure you’re getting effort and attitude, and have a five-year plan.’ Circle No. 108 COACHING MANAGEMENT

What’s the best way to interact with an umpire? You could kick dirt on his shoes, call him something unprintable, or offer to pay for new glasses—but any of those might rub an umpire the wrong way—and maybe get you tossed. Over 30 years of umpiring at the collegiate and high school levels, Ken Allan has seen all that and more. He’s argued countless calls, good and bad, thrown out his share of coaches, and somehow retained his love of the game. And when it comes to working with umpires, he can summarize his advice to coaches in one word: respect. “I have tremendous respect for coaches,” says Allan, the California Interscholastic Federation’s Baseball Rules Interpreter. “I respect the incredible amount of time that coaches put into their jobs. I respect that they’re trying to win every ballgame. I try very hard to always treat them with respect. “Coaches have to understand that umpires are not the enemy,” he continues. “We don’t have a stake in who wins. We’re just there to officiate the ballgame. And we need to be treated with respect, too.” Allan recognizes that there are lots of reasons coaches come onto the playing field. They might want to contest a call, clarify a rule, or ask about the strike zone. They might need to stand up for their players, even if that means getting tossed from the game. Good umpires do their best not to take it personally—in fact, that’s an important part of their training at all levels of the game. Good umpires, like good coaches, can also take constructive criticism and realize that their craft can stand improvement—last year’s Major League postseason showed that. But no matter how justified a coach may be, there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach an on-field official.

We’ve all seen the wrong way. But if an umpire really blows a call, what are you supposed to do? If his strike zone is too high, can you get him to lower it? If he doesn’t understand a rule, how do you explain it without getting tossed? What’s the best way for coaches and umpires to work together—for better umpiring, coaching, and competing? Starting Out According to Dave Yeast, NCAA National Coordinator of Baseball Umpires, lack of respect is a major contributor to high turnover among sports officials. Showing respect, he says, begins by understanding the pressures umpires face both on and off the field. First, coaches should remember that umpiring at most levels is an avocation done for love of the game. “By the time an umpire shows up for a 4 o’clock start, he’s probably put in a full day’s work,” says Yeast. “Chances are, he’s rushed to get from work to the game on time. Coaches need to respect that dedication. And regardless of the level they’re playing at, coaches can help by making the environment as professional as possible. Even little things can show an umpire that you appreciate what he’s doing.” When umpires arrive at La Quinta High School in Westminster, Calif., Head Coach David Demarest takes care of three little things by providing places to park, dress, and rest. “We have certain areas where it’s more convenient to park, which I tell the umpires about as soon as they arrive,” he says. “We have a clubhouse where they can change into their uniforms. We also have a snack bar that’s always open to them, carte blanche. If they need water or anything else, it’s there. If they want something to eat after the game, it’s there, too. And it has nothing to do with whether we win or lose.”

They can be the most powerful people on the diamond, and knowing how to communicate with them makes you a more effective coach. BY KENNY BERKOWITZ 14

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As part of his welcome, Demarest takes a little extra time with rookie umpires to establish a cooperative relationship. “I think about what I’d want if the roles were reversed,” he says. “If I was in my first year and I was working with an umpire in his 33rd year, it would be nice if he came over and started a conversation, told a joke, or did something to make me feel relaxed. The umpires can be just as nervous as we are before a game. And all it takes is to treat them with respect and remind them, ‘Smile, laugh, breathe. This is just a high school baseball game, it isn’t the end of the world.’” Initiating an informal conversation with an umpire, agrees Allan, is a great start to creating a sense of mutual respect. Given the chance, lots of umpires are more than happy to talk about anything other than the game. But some umpires won’t be interested in conversation, especially if the discussion shifts uncomfortably toward balls and strikes. At that point, it’s best to back off and take your next cues from pre-game actions. For example, experienced umpires walk onto the field in a very confident manner. “The pre-game meeting should be friendly but professional, just going over the lineups and the ground rules,” says Allan. “Most good umpires will stick to business. For them to tell you a lot you already know, either about the rules or about your role as a coach, shows a lack of confidence.” Less-confident umpires may be more likely to take offense when none is intended, and may be less likely to change a wrong decision. When confronted with such a situation, Demarest asks the umpire in advance for the best way to contest a call. Kenny Berkowitz is an Assistant Editor at Coaching Management. He can be reached at: kb@MomentumMedia.com. JOEL AUERBACH/US PRESSWIRE

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“I want to make sure he feels comfortable with me coming out to talk during the game,” he says. And even though it’s already understood that a coach is allowed onto the field, by asking respectfully, Demarest sets a precedent that allows him to question the umpire’s decisions without causing offense. He notes this is especially helpful for new and less-confident umpires. The key is to begin the relationship respectfully, says Ron Davini, Executive Director of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. “At the pre-game meeting, show that you have confidence in him. If you show him you’re human, he’ll show you he’s human, too,” says Davini, who served as Head Coach at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz., from 1977 to 2005. “That’s the basis for everything you do from there on out: treating each other in a professional manner. If you show respect for an umpire, you set the tone for the whole game. Coaches need to remember that umpires are not bad

guys and they’re not the enemy. They’re real people with real feelings, and they’re doing the best job they can.” Allan encourages coaches to learn umpires’ names and ask how they’d like to be addressed. “Umpires hate to be called ‘Blue,’” he says. “If you want to call me by my name, that’s fine. Or you can say ‘Umpire.’ But don’t call me ‘Blue.’ I’ve got a name.” Allan’s bottom line? “Just realize that an umpire has a job to do,” he says. “And help him do it.” Questioning a Call Some calls can be questioned, and others can’t: If a ball whacked down the third base line is called foul, it’s foul. An umpire can’t change the call, so there’s nothing to be gained by arguing. Just let it go, even if you know the call was wrong. As Davini puts it, “Take care of the things you can change, and don’t worry about the rest.” The key, says Bob Brontsema, Head Coach at the University of California-

Santa Barbara, is to pick your battles. “Before risking an argument, get to know the umpire,” he says. “The first time you work together is like going on a first date. Some umpires will allow some discussion, and some won’t. More than anything else, you need to know who you’re working with.” Brontsema starts quietly sizing up an umpire before the game, and continues throughout the early innings. He’ll wait until he sees a second or third mistake before going onto the field. “There are close calls in every game, so I don’t want to go out the first time an umpire misses a call,” he says. “But once I see a pattern, I’m ready to talk.” As a general rule, Brontsema advises other coaches not to argue balls and strikes. “Every now and then, you can argue balls and strikes without getting thrown out,” says Brontsema, who’s been tossed eight times in the last 12 years. “But you have to recognize that we don’t have a great angle over in the dugout, and eventually, you learn to accept

T H E C AT C H E R C O N N E C T I O N Of all your players, the catcher has the most contact with an umpire. That gives him a unique opportunity to build an effective working relationship with an umpire— or to destroy it. There are four ways for a catcher to make a home plate umpire’s life easier: blocking bad pitches, giving him a clear view of the strike zone, keeping the game moving, and helping him communicate with the coaching staff. At the University of California-Santa Barbara, Head Coach Bob Brontsema teaches his catchers the fundamentals of always keeping the pitch in front of them. “Blocking balls in the dirt is a great way to make sure the umpire doesn’t get hit with too many wayward pitches,” he says. “We want our catchers to work with the umpires, not against them. Blocking balls is one way to show them this, and they really appreciate it.” For Ron Davini, Executive Director of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association, the key is training your catchers to show the umpire the entire strike zone. “Give the umpire a clean look at a pitch,” advises Davini, former Head Coach at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. “Stay low, stay solid, stay smooth. Don’t sway too much. If you’ve got a strike, hold the pitch so it stays in the strike zone and everyone can see.”

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Another thing, says Davini, is to help keep up the pace of the game. “Some pitchers have a ritual they go through, and baseball is slow enough without going through the cycle every time you throw a pitch,” he says. “If they’ve got to go through the cycle, we ask our catchers to help make it a quicker cycle, and speed up the game a little bit. And we train everybody to hustle on and off the field to make the game go as quickly as it possibly can.” The best catchers, says Dave Yeast, NCAA National Coordinator of Baseball Umpires, are trained to work in partnership with umpires to make the game go smoothly and communicate with the dugout. “Catchers need to have a feel for the strike zone, so if there’s a close pitch that I’m calling a ball, I’ll tell him, ‘I’ve got that pitch low’ or ‘I’ve got that pitch outside.’ And if he’s been taught right, he’ll motion to the dugout,” says Yeast. “I’m building some trust with that catcher,” continues Yeast. “I know it’s working if the coach yells from the bench, ‘Dave, where was that pitch?’ and the catcher responds, ‘Outside.’ That way, I don’t have to answer to the dugout on every pitch, and that’s a good feeling. That’s when I know I’m doing a good job.”

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variations as part of the game. Sure, it would be nice if the strike zone was completely consistent, but that’s part of what makes baseball great. Once you’ve identified the umpire’s strike zone, let your players know, because they’re the ones who will have to adjust.” As the director of California’s umpiring clinics, Allan agrees. Instead of trying to change an umpire’s strike zone, train your athletes to mentally move from one zone to another. “If you see the umpire is calling low strikes, your job is to prepare your hitters,” advises Allan. “You’ve got to tell them, ‘Hey guys, you’ve got to look out for that low strike and be ready to swing at it. Don’t let it surprise you.’ The key is to encourage your team to adjust to the umpiring.” The one thing you should never do, says Allan, is ride an umpire about blown judgement calls, especially from the dugout. “Don’t piss off the people who are trying to help you,” says Allan. “The umpire is trying to get the play right, so don’t yell, ‘You guys have been blowing stuff all day.’ Coaches

need to remember that umpires are human.” If you contest a call, make sure to control your emotions. Don’t scream on your way out of the dugout, and don’t run. Instead, as you walk onto the field, use those few seconds to gather your thoughts and construct the most effective argument you can. “Try to be as calm as possible,” advises Allan. “If you appear under control, an umpire is much more likely to listen to you. Going off the deep end is not going to help.” The best approach, agrees Brontsema, is to appear reasonable—as if you’re trying to hold a conversation, not spark a fight. “Don’t go out without your wits about you,” he says. “If you go out there emotional and upset, it’s not going to work too well. But there are quite a few times when I’ve asked the umpire to talk to another member of his crew, and they’ll get together and change a call. It actually happens more often than you’d think. That’s really the best you can hope for: that they’re willing to talk to each other about the call

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and come back with a decision, whether they agree with you or not.” So how do you ask an umpire to get a crewmate’s point of view without making him feel you’re challenging his authority? “Personally attacking an umpire means going out there and saying, ‘You’re an idiot,’ or ‘You have no idea what’s going on,’” says Brontsema. “Asking for help means going out there and saying, ‘Hey, you had a tough angle on that one. Did you get a good look at it? Because if you didn’t, your partner might be able to help you out.’ That way, you’re not starting an argument as much as you are trying to get some information.” Being asked a question gives an umpire the chance to review the play in his mind, honestly think about his call, and determine whether another umpire might have had a better angle. But providing the umpire with some new information is an even more persuasive way to state your case. “I might not have seen everything that happened out there,” says Allan. “Give me the kind

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E J E C T I O N A S M O T I VAT I O N Conventional wisdom says that getting ejected from a game can fire up your athletes. They see how hard you’re willing to fight for them and they respond by playing even harder than before. But conventional wisdom isn’t always right. “I’ve seen it work and I’ve seen it backfire,” says Dave Yeast, NCAA National Coordinator of Baseball Umpires. “If the coach thinks he needs to be ejected to fire up his team, that’s fine with me. But I’ve seen it get into athletes’ heads, and that’s all they can think about. They see their coach upset, and instead of concentrating on the ball, they’re getting mad at the umpire. I’ve seen really good middle infielders miss the next ground ball, or miss the next pop-up, because they’re still steaming about what their coach said.” Even when getting ejected succeeds in motivating your team, it can fire up the other team, too. For David

Demarest, Head Coach at La Quinta High School in Westminster, Calif., watching the other team’s coach get thrown out of a game helps him teach his players how not to behave. “Whenever I see poor sportsmanship on the field, I make sure my athletes see it, too,” says Demarest. “If there’s a batter on the other team throwing his helmet, or a pitcher kicking the dirt, or a coach losing his temper, that’s in our favor. We feed off that energy, and I tell our team, ‘See that guy on the mound? See that coach? See how bad that looks? That shows we’re getting to them.’ “As the coach, your athletes will feed off everything you do,” he continues. “If you rant and rave and yell and complain, that’s what they’re going to do. That doesn’t mean you can’t get upset. But you’ve got to remember that your kids are looking up to you. And as much as I hate to see bad sportsmanship by the other team, I’ve seen it work in our favor.”

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of information that will prompt me to ask for help. For example, suppose I’m the first base umpire, and there’s a pickoff play. From where I’m standing, I saw that the ball was in the first baseman’s glove when he tagged the runner, so I called him out. “Then the first base coach starts shouting, ‘That’s a terrible call! You’ve got to go for help on that!’” he continues. “Well, with that kind of information, no umpire would go for help. But

I’d have a totally different response if the first base coach said, ‘Kenny, you probably couldn’t see it, but the first baseman dropped the ball.’ With that kind of additional information, I’d probably go for help.” In NCAA officiating clinics, umpires are trained to distinguish between sincere questions and those that are purely argumentative. “We teach them to listen to what the coach is saying,” says Yeast. “If a coach is asking a reasonable ques-

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tion, he deserves a reasonable answer. If a coach asks me where a pitch is, I’ll motion with my hand that it’s inside or outside, high or low. Then, if he says, ‘No, it’s not,’ I know he wasn’t really asking for my opinion. It wasn’t a question at all, it was a complaint. “There are going to be times when we just simply disagree,” continues Yeast. “Is it sometimes reasonable to question a pitch? Sure. But if every time I call a pitch that coach is coming out to the plate, it’s not reasonable anymore. If I’ve answered the question, and the coach keeps repeating himself, then it becomes argumentative. So I say, ‘I’m not going to change that call. It’s my call, and I believe I got it right. Now we’ve got to get the game moving again.’” How far is too far? Every umpire has his limit, but for Yeast, when a coach

“If a coach truly wants to get to the bottom of what happened on a play, he can ask specific questions, like ‘Dave, what did you see on that play?’ or ‘Can you explain why you called that interference?’”

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keeps arguing, he’s crossed the line. “If a coach truly wants to get to the bottom of what happened on a play, he can ask specific questions, like ‘Dave, what did you see on that play?’ or ‘Can you explain why you called that interference?’” says Yeast. “But when they get more and more agitated, I just say, ‘Coach, I’ve explained it. I’ve answered all your questions. I’m going to turn around, walk away, and end this conversation. If you follow me, I’ll have no choice but to eject you. This is your warning.’ “That gives the coach a chance to walk away, because if he doesn’t, he’s gone,” continues Yeast. “My advice to every coach is that if an umpire lets you walk away, walk away. We tell the umpires the same thing: ‘If the coach is walking away, don’t follow him, and don’t try to have the last word. It’s over. Get the game going again.’ As an umpire, the faster you can get that next pitch thrown after an argument, the better off we all are. Once that next

COVER STORY

pitch is thrown, everyone can return their focus to the game.” Training Your Athletes As a coach, it’s not enough to teach yourself to work with umpires. It’s your job to keep players from being ejected and teach them to show respect as well. During 28 years at Corona del Sol, Davini taught his athletes that contesting calls was his job, not theirs. “If it was the kind of call I couldn’t argue, I’d tell a player to shake it off,” he says. “If I could contest it, I would. I’d say, ‘Let me take care of this, because I can stand up for you. I can find out why he made the call, and if I can’t change it, then we’ll both have to live with it.” For Allan, who’s ejected only one player in 30 years of umpiring, the responsibility for maintaining order always sits with the coach. “The coach needs to get the player away from the umpire before he says something stupid and gets himself kicked out of the game,” says Allan. “Once the coach shows up to argue a call, that athlete should know to immediately get out of the way. The bottom line is that the spokesman for the team is the head coach, not the players and not the assistant coaches.” At La Quinta, Demarest trains his athletes to control their tempers by deliberately making bad calls in the preseason. “We show players that umpires are going to make mistakes, just like the rest of us,” he says. “For example, we’ll make the wrong call to end the inning, just to teach them to hustle back to the dugout without complaining. That’s because this game is 90 percent mental, and they can’t let a bad call affect their performance. And whether we win or lose, we want our athletes to play the game with class.” To teach by example, Demarest ends each game by thanking the officiating crew. “If an umpire does a good job, you’ve got to tell him,” he says. “It means a lot to them when you’ve lost and you still tell them they’ve done a good job.” It’s all part of treating the umpire like a human being, whether you’ve won or lost, and no matter how tired or angry you may be. After decades behind the plate, Allan understands that coaches are sometimes unhappy with his performance—it comes with the territory—and nearly every call he

makes is bound to make someone mad. But when coaches start to blame a loss on the umpire, Allan thinks they’ve lost sight of the true spirit of athletics, which is to use the game to teach their athletes about life. “I had a game several years ago where I couldn’t get a good look at a trap in the first inning,” says Allan. “Then, in the paper the next day, after looking at a videotape, the coach said it was the worst call he’d ever seen in a high school

game. They lost that game 9-1, and all that coach did was give his team an excuse for losing. Believe me, unless it’s the last play of the day, an umpire isn’t going to cost your team the game. “Players are a mirror of their coach,” continues Allan. “When coaches complain about every little call, the players will do the same. When you get right down to it, a baseball game is a teaching situation for your athletes. And coaches need to remember that.” ■

Circle No. 113 COACHING MANAGEMENT

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THE COACH IN THE MIRROR

ROB BARBER

BY LAURA SMITH IN HIS 33 YEARS AS A BASEBALL COACH, one game sticks in Eric Kibler’s mind as the moment his coaching philosophy was born. The moment isn’t one of glory or triumph—in fact, it’s an experience he’d probably rather forget. But instead of forgetting it, he filed it away to help him recall what makes him a coach and shapes his approach to mentoring his team at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. “I was a very young coach, and I humiliated a kid in front of his teammates,” Kibler says. “He made a mistake, and I shouted at him out on the field.

That might not sound like a big deal, but I knew as soon as the words were out of my mouth that it was wrong. I felt terrible. After the game, I apologized to him and to the entire team. I told them that wasn’t the way a coach should ever act, it wasn’t right, and it wouldn’t happen again. And it hasn’t—I have never done that since.” That experience helped Kibler define two things about his coaching philosophy. “First, I believe in using the game to build kids up,” he says. “I don’t allow any coach in my program to take away a kid’s dignity, because my biggest

goal is for players to leave my program feeling confident. The second is that I will always evaluate my own performance and be willing to say I’m sorry when I make a mistake. Those are two big elements of my coaching philosophy, and they were formed from that experience.” What’s your coaching philosophy? Whether you think about it daily, analyze it once a season, or rarely reflect Laura Smith is an Assistant Editor at Coaching Management. She can be reached at: ls@MomentumMedia.com.

COACHING MANAGEMENT

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on it at all, it’s the framework on which your performance is built. Coaches who take the time to clarify and refine their philosophies are rewarded with a roadmap for better decision-making and a deeper, more meaningful experience for themselves and their athletes. Here, we ask veteran coaches in three different sports at three different levels of competition to talk about their coaching philosophies. They discuss what their philosophies are, describe how they evolved, and recall the experiences that formed their beliefs. The Mental Game Named Coach of the Year in 2005 by both the High School Baseball Coaches Association and the American Baseball Coaches Association, Kibler says the cornerstone of his philosophy is a focus on the process. “We don’t talk about winning a lot,” he says. “We even keep goal setting to a minimum, because if that’s overemphasized, it can lead to a focus on the outcome. Winning is important—don’t get me wrong—but

I believe in working hard and allowing the results to take care of themselves.” Kibler believes in preparing his team well and then allowing them to make most of the decisions in games. “I tell them that practices belong to the coaches, and games belong to the players,” he says. “I make a few decisions during games, but for the most part, this is their chance to show how well they’ve prepared.” Focusing on the mental game is another key aspect of Kibler’s coaching philosophy, and the first requirement of the mental game is that it has to be fun. “My players are under a lot of stress in their lives already—there are grades, parents, girlfriends, getting into college,” Kibler says. “The first thing I tell them is that baseball is not supposed to be another source of stress, and if it is, we’re doing something wrong. We’re going to play hard, but we’re going to play relaxed.” That approach opens the door to another staple of Kibler’s approach: teaching players to take risks. “Baseball

is a game of failure, so you’re never going to play well when you’re afraid to fail,” he says. “I teach my players that if they aren’t making mistakes, they’re not taking risks. If you can get players to think, ‘Coach believes in me, so I’m going to take a risk,’ you will see performances you’d never see otherwise. “The mental aspect of my coaching has grown over the years to the point that I give it just as much thought as I do the Xs and Os,” he says. “I’ve learned that confidence, desire, and a willingness to take risks can take a team places no one thought they could go.” That approach proved itself for Kibler in 2005, when his team unseated defending Arizona 5A state champion Hamilton High School for Kibler’s third state title in four appearances in the final. By Kibler’s own evaluation, the team was not his most physically talented, but their desire and mental toughness filled the gaps. Providing plenty of positive feedback is another way Kibler adds to his players’ confidence. “I make sure to praise

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LEADERSHIP

the kids whose contributions might go unnoticed,” he says. “If a player lays down a good bunt or someone on the bench steals a sign, I point out in front of the

going to play a good game every game. It’s their job to say to a teammate who just struck out, ‘It’s okay. You’ve done it for us in the past, so I’ll get it done today.’ That extends to life off the field, too.” Kibler presents team rules with the same team-focused approach. “My rule is, ‘If you do anything that takes away from the reputation of this team, it’s a violation of some sort,’” he says. “Having them first think of how their choices will affect the team is a simple way of doing things. “Kids need to know that their coach will enforce his rules,” he adds. “Many of them have people in their lives who have a lot of rules but don’t enforce any of them. My philosophy is to have few rules and enforce them all.” Working with parents is a plank of Kibler’s platform that has evolved markedly over the years. Early in his career, he had an open-door policy at all times and attempted to solve parent problems

“I grew up in a small community where everyone helped everyone else, and my goal has been to create that same kind of connected community on my team here in the middle of Phoenix. I think we’re succeeding ....” team that those are the things that turn the tide in a game. After every game, whether we won big or stunk the place up, I leave them on a positive note.” Responsibility to team also permeates Kibler’s philosophy. “One of our mottoes is, ‘We’re here to pick each other up, not to show each other up,’” he says. “I stress to my guys that not everybody is

as they arose. “I had people calling my house at all hours, showing up on my doorstep, or cornering me after church on Sunday,” he says. “Now I take a much more proactive approach with parents. I have a contract listing 22 items that they and their sons need to sign. It tells them exactly what I will and will not negotiate and spells out the proper times and ways to communicate with me. “We won’t talk about playing time,” Kibler continues, “and we don’t have discussions with parents before or after games—I ask them to make appointments. But I am always available to discuss any issue affecting their kid’s well-being—depression, social difficulties, problems at home. If they want to talk about anything like that, I’ll sit down right away and say, ‘How can I help?’” Kibler says the roots of his philosophy go back to his childhood in a small farming community, where he watched his father coach baseball and wanted to be like him someday. “He was a humble, disciplined man,” he says. “He didn’t say a lot, but he was always

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prepared and he always made sure his players had fun. I learned from him what hard work is and that it brings rewards like nothing else. I grew up in a small community where everyone helped everyone else, and my goal has been to create that same kind of connected community on my team here in the middle of Phoenix. I think we’re succeeding at that.” Watching other coaches has also helped Kibler define his philosophy. “Gordie Gillespie, John Wooden—I’ve studied their philosophies and gone to hear them speak,” he says. “I analyze how they coach and I think, ‘If I can get anywhere close to that, that’s the right way to do it.’”

For Kibler, evaluating his coaching philosophy is an ongoing effort. “I assess it after every season, but really, I’m always tweaking it,” he says. “I take issues that arise as an opportunity to refine my philosophy. For example, with steroids being such a big topic in the professional ranks, I’ve done a lot of thinking about my philosophy on talking to my players about that. I’ve decided to focus on the message, ‘Integrity is everything.’ “I’m constantly learning and evaluating myself,” he adds. “And the final part of my philosophy is that the day I can’t say I’m doing that—and walking through the gates ready to put in 100 percent—I’ll turn in my keys. That is

MA KING A S TATEM ENT Along with figuring out your coaching philosophy, consider writing a personal philosophy statement. Developing a concise, written description of your philosophy will allow you to think about what is important to you and communicate that to others. When there’s a decision to be made, your philosophy statement will serve as a personal guide to steer you in the right direction. Here is a way to break the task down into a six-step process. Write a list. The first step is to create a list of everything important to you in life—everything. If family is important to you, list it. If having time to exercise is a priority, list it. How about your professionalism? Winning? Salary? Try to include everything that may impact your daily behavior. Prioritize your list. Next, prioritize each item on the list: 1 = very important, 2 = somewhat important, and 3 = moderately important. Here’s an example: Family: 1 Influencing students: 1 Success of athletes: 2 Friends: 3

Winning games: 1 Championship titles: 2 Lifelong learning: 1

There is no right or wrong in this process. The items listed and the numbers next to them should reflect your true feelings. Create the statement. Look at all the #1 items and write a paragraph or more that links them together. If some of the #1 items do not seem to fit what you want to say, it’s okay to leave them out. And you may decide to “upgrade” a few #2 items because they help to define what you are truly about. Elaborate and add text to bring out what really inspires you on a daily basis. The following is an example of the opening of a philosophy statement: “I love to learn, and learning inspires me to teach others. Through coaching, I hope to positively influence

COACHING MANAGEMENT

what I expect from my players, so that is what I expect from myself.” Focusing on the Journey Mark Guthrie, Head Coach of Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, has used a coaching philosophy with three basic principles to guide 19 teams to NCAA Division III titles. The first principle is that the experience belongs to his student-athletes. “I had my time, and this is their time,” Guthrie says. “So I let them tell me what they want to accomplish. I allow the student-athletes to set their own individual and team goals, and my role is to help them reach those goals.”

By Dr. Dennis Docheff

today’s youth, so they might be good citizens tomorrow. Patience, kindness, and love direct my interactions with athletes. Although I like to win, it is imperative that I do so in a fair and just manner. I believe in doing what’s right.” Publish it. When people think of publishing, they typically think of books or magazines. But coaches have many avenues to publish their philosophy statement. The simplest way is to place it in a frame and hang it on the office wall or post it in the locker room where athletes can read it. Other ideas include: placing it on a Web site; printing it on 3x5 cards you hand out to athletes; and including it in a preseason packet for athletes and parents. Put it into practice. The most important part of the process is putting the philosophy into action. Try setting one or two monthly goals that are directly related to your philosophy and check your work at the end of each month. Another idea is to create a term “report card,” either on your own or with a mentor to gauge progress toward your larger goals. Or keep a journal, where you write about your daily activities, then reflect on how well your behavior matches your philosophy. Review it. As people grow and mature, things that were once important in their lives may change and thus their philosophy may change, too. Even if the philosophy statement remains the same from year to year, reviewing the document will refresh your perspective. Certainly, trying to live out a public philosophy puts pressure on a coach. It takes courage to tell people, “This is what I’m about. Please hold me accountable.” However, writing and reviewing your philosophy will help you coach in a manner that truly represents who you are. And the longer you use it, the more likely you will be to reach your goals. Dennis Docheff, EdD, is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Central Missouri State University and a former football, basketball, and track and field coach.

LEADERSHIP

Guthrie starts each season by asking his team to set a goal for the season. “Not surprisingly, they always come back with, ‘To win the national championship,’” he says. “Everything is geared toward winning the title, from how I plan practices to how I approach meets. If they told me one year their goal was to win a conference title, I’d base everything on that instead.” Second, Guthrie believes in regularly putting his student-athletes into challenging competitive situations—even if they feel they’re in over their heads. “We’re a D-III school, but we run at Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue, the Drake Relays, and the Kansas Relays,” he says. “I believe in taking my athletes where they are going to see fantastic talent. It gives them confidence when they get to the most critical situation we face—our national meet.” A team focus is the third hallmark of Guthrie’s philosophy. “I talk to my athletes a lot about how every member of the team, whether they score points or not, contributes to the final result,” he says.

Guthrie says that watching other coaches—both those he respects and those he doesn’t—has helped him refine his philosophy. “I remember early in my career watching a coach chew out a kid who had screwed up in a meet,” he says. “I knew right then that wasn’t going to be part of my philosophy. Some coaches say, ‘You have to tear kids down to build them back up,’ but I don’t believe that. When an athlete screws up, they know it, and the last thing they need is to be torn down. I tell them, ‘Tomorrow is another day. Let’s start over from here and do what we need to do.’” Guthrie also believes in testing his beliefs by watching how they stand up in tough situations. “Going into the D-III indoor championships two years ago, one of my athletes was the top thrower in D-III history in the 35-pound weight, and we were counting on him for 10 points toward the title,” he says. “Instead, he fouled three times. It was a big blow, but I followed my philosophy. I told him, ‘The sun is still coming up tomorrow and even though this is pretty

important to us, it’s not the end of the world.’ Then at the outdoor nationals, he threw a lifetime personal record and won the hammer. If I had jumped down his throat at the indoor nationals and told him he had let us down, I’m not sure he would have had the confidence to put it behind him. So I believe my philosophy served me well, and it goes back to when I saw that one coach early in my career do just the opposite. “The longer you coach, the more your philosophy evolves,” he continues. “You see what works and build on it, and you see what doesn’t work and change it. It’s a slow process. I think it takes at least a decade before you have a fairly solid philosophy. And even after that, good coaches never stop looking for ways to adapt.” Guthrie sets aside a special time after each season ends to evaluate his philosophy. “I go out on my boat alone and just cruise and think about what happened during the season. Are my core beliefs and my approach working? If the answer is no, I start breaking

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down what isn’t working and figure out how to change it. “The toughest time to evaluate your philosophy is when you’re succeeding,” he continues. “After a losing season, it’s easy to look back and try to figure out what went wrong. But it’s just as important to go back after a great season and ask, ‘Did we do everything we could or is there a better way to do it?’” Over the years, Guthrie says his philosophy has evolved to be much less about wins and losses and much more about the process. “I’ve come to realize that it’s all about the journey, and I’ve developed a little tradition to communicate that to my athletes,” he says. “I make sure we are always the last ones to leave a competition. We wait, and after all the other teams have left, we just stand there for a minute and look around so they don’t forget the experience. The medals will tarnish and the ribbons will fade, but the memories are what will carry them for the rest of their lives. I tell my athletes, ‘Just stand here a minute and soak it in so you’ll always

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remember what you’ve been through and what you’re a part of.’” Three Little Words University of Idaho Head Women’s Basketball Coach Mike Divilbiss has a philosophy that’s distilled down into three words: hard, smart, together. Divilbiss freely admits the words are borrowed from legendary coach Dean Smith, but he has put his own stamp on the phrase that has come to stand for a very specific way of doing things. On the basketball court, “play hard” translates to putting in maximum effort every day. Playing smart reminds his players to take care of the little things: boxing out for rebounds, making the sure pass, reading defenses properly. And playing together means an athlete understands teamwork—she knows when to pass the ball and when to take it to the basket.

However, “hard, smart, together” extends beyond the basketball court. “It applies to every facet of their lives, and of my life too, because I also ask it of myself,” Divilbiss says. “I expect them to play ‘hard, smart, and together’ in the classroom and socially as well. I expect

“I asked myself, ‘What are you doing here? Who are you? What’s important to you?’ I ended up completely re-examining my coaching philosophy and really asking myself, ‘Why coach ... in the first place?’” them to extend maximum effort in their schoolwork and to ‘play together’ by helping each other make good decisions in social situations. “I don’t believe you can be one person in one part of your life and a different person in another part of your life,”

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he continues. “So my players can’t tell me they’re going to be a mess academically and then become disciplined and accountable on the court. My philosophy is that we have to build quality people who are ready to make good decisions and give maximum effort on and off the basketball court. ‘Hard, smart, together’ has become shorthand for that.” Divilbiss says he still puts time into thinking and reading about coaching philosophies. “I spend a lot of time listening to other coaches, too,” he continues. “I go to clinics now not so much to learn about basketball, but to hear coaches talk about why they do what they do.” Divilbiss also looks at pivotal experiences in his coaching career as opportunities to define his philosophy. One came when his Lewis-Clark State College team, 26 and 0 and ranked number one in the country, lost in the conference finals on a half-court shot at the buzzer. “I didn’t get down on the kids, but I didn’t lead,” he says. “I lost my perspective and I was making it all about the scoreboard. Ever since, I’ve

wished I could have that moment in the locker room back. But evaluating that experience helped me return to who I am and what I believe in.” Moving from Lewis-Clark to the NCAA Division I University of Idaho provided Divilbiss another opportunity to analyze his core beliefs. He had built the LC State program into an NAIA contender, winning 33 games in his last season and taking his team to the Final Four. In his first two years at Idaho, his team won 11 and 10 games. “Coming off a season with 33 wins, that was a soul-searching time for me,” says Divilbiss, now in his fifth season at Idaho, with a contract extension through 2010. “I asked myself, ‘What are you doing here? Who are you? What’s important to you?’ I ended up completely re-examining my coaching philosophy and really asking myself, ‘Why coach basketball in the first place? What’s so important to me about it?’” Divilbiss’s soul searching resulted in a personal philosophy statement that’s published on Idaho’s athletics Web site.

In place of the usual collection of stats and accolades, the coach’s bio describes how he molds a basketball team into a family and teaches players to handle successes and failures in life. “In the end, I came back to the fact that winning wasn’t the most important thing to me and that success was about much more than the scoreboard,” he says. “Changing jobs ended up providing me with the chance to truly define my coaching philosophy.” Along with pivotal moments, Divilbiss uses his daily experiences and interactions to refine his coaching philosophy. “I continually ask myself, ‘What does this team need from me?’ I also ask my captains that question and listen carefully to their answers. If I’m constantly adjusting my approach to give them more of what they need, I know I am working from a sound philosophy. “There’s really no time when I’m not evaluating my philosophy,” he adds. “It’s synonymous with who I am as a person, and that’s something I think about every day.” ■

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CONDITIONING Outfielder Colin Curtis connects for Arizona State during the semifinals of the 2005 College World Series.

YEAR OF STRENGTH BY RICH WENNER

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

A veteran strength coach at Arizona State University shares his outline for a yearround strength program.

Thanks to the Arizona State University baseball team’s history of success, we receive numerous requests for our strength training program. While it would be easy to simply respond with some sample workouts of sets and reps, that wouldn’t provide the true picture of how we prepare our baseball players for competition. Just as students are often asked to “show their work” when solving math problems, we think the process we use to develop our strength schemes is at least as important as the final result. We start by dividing the year into stages. Within each stage we employ

multiple programs, each emphasizing a different aspect of training. The stages and programs are coordinated to bring the athletes to a peak at the end of the regular season and last through the playoffs. Using this structure, which is common to most of our sports teams, we have developed a strength program that accomplishes our goals for this squad. Our primary goal is to keep players healthy by strengthening any weak areas and keeping their bodies in balance so they can last an entire 60-plus game season without breaking down. The secondary goal is to increase

Rich Wenner is Head Strength Coach for Olympic Sports at Arizona State University. He is one of only 32 strength coaches to be inducted into the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Coach Practitioner Distinction Program.

COACHING MANAGEMENT

CONDITIONING

performance. Some may question this approach, but we firmly believe that if a player is hurt or beaten up, it won’t matter how strong he is because that strength can’t be used. Annual Plan The first step in developing our sports performance program is establishing the annual plan. Starting with the Sunday following the final game of the season, we list each of the next 52 weeks and pencil in the important milestone dates that the strength program is scheduled around. These dates include the obvious ones such as the beginning of practice and our competition schedule, but the calendar also includes “uncontrollable factor” dates. These are events outside of athletics that will affect the training schedule, such as holidays, exams, and semester starts. We also include our strength and conditioning testing dates, which occur at the beginning and end of the fall season. All these dates are taken into account when we determine the length of the training cycles and the workload for specific weeks. For example, we typically use two- or four-week cycles because

TABLE ONE:

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Volume

Db complex

Walking lunge

Stability ball Db bench

Strength

Leg press

Db bench

Vertimax

Power

Med ball chest pass

Db squat jumps

Step-up

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Strength

Power Pull

Back Squat

Bench Press

Power

Speed Squat

Chain Bench

Shrug Pull

Volume

Db bench

Db complex

Step-up

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Power

Vertimax

Speed squat

Med ball chest pass

Strength

Back squat

Bench press

Power pull

Volume

Db bench

Db squat jumps

Step-up

STRENGTH

This shows a typical week’s worth of strength exercises for the Strength cycle.

TABLE THREE:

EXPLOSIVE POWER

This shows a typical week’s worth of strength exercises for the Explosive Power cycle.

Stage Coaching Once we’ve established our milestone dates, we start filling in our program calendar. We first divide the year into three stages: rejuvenation, developmental, and competitive. Each stage is then divided into lifting cycles. The rejuvenation stage is the shortest stage, lasting from three to six weeks, depending on how far we go into the NCAA playoffs. The rejuvenation stage serves as a buffer between the end of the playing season and the beginning of our strength-development phase. We start with a short (one- or two-

week) postseason program, which varies by player. Starters who are run down by the demands of a full season may be given some time off, while backup players may do simple active recovery work. Players needing extra or specialized work will lift three times a week. This group includes players in injury rehab or those needing to add extra strength and bulk for the following season. This is followed by two to four weeks of off-season work. Except for players already following a specialized plan, we use our General Conditioning cycle designed to prepare the players for the strenuous workouts they will encounter in the development stage. Since we gear the Gen-C cycle toward the individual athlete, it has several different looks. For most of our returning athletes, we use a high-volume circuit workout. Typically, this would consist of three or four sets of eight reps of seven to 10 exercises, alternating upper- and lower-body exercises along with conditioning work. However, if the player is in serious need of strength or size gain, then we emphasize hypertrophy. In this case we would use more weight and do sets of

GENERAL CONDITIONING

This shows a typical week’s worth of strength exercises for the General Conditioning cycle.

TABLE TWO:

we find that gives athletes enough time to get used to exercises without physical and mental adaptation setting in. But we occasionally have to use three- or five-week cycles if we lose workout time to final exams or holidays. On the plus side, certain weeks such as Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July serve as natural downtime in a periodized plan. During the season, competition dates will determine the content for each training week. A week with one or two home games, for example, will have much more lifting than a week with four or more road games.

COACHING MANAGEMENT

CONDITIONING

12 reps. (See “General Conditioning” on page 32 for a sample workout.) The developmental stage is where most of the strength and power gains will be produced. It typically lasts 20 to 25 weeks, beginning four weeks after the start of the rejuvenation stage and continuing until the official start of practice. During the developmental stage, most players will do strength work three times a week. Players in need of extra strength work or those rehabbing a injury may do one or two extra 20- to 30-minute workouts each week. We start the developmental stage in the final weeks of the Strength cycle. Several different training methods may be used depending on the strengthtraining background of the athlete and the sequencing of the program in the developmental stage. For players experienced in weight training, we’ll use max-effort lifting. For others, we’ll stick with traditional strength-training sets. (See “Strength” on page 32 for a sample workout.)

As our players start fall classes, we return to Gen-C cycle workouts. If a player has been training hard all summer, this serves as a new stimulus of training. For players new to the program or who have been training sporadically, such as those who were unable to lift consistently while playing in a summer league, it serves as a way to get into training shape. Three weeks of the General Conditioning cycle is followed by four weeks of the Strength cycle. We then switch to our Explosive Power cycle for four weeks. Once again, several different training methods will be used. Athletes with several years of strength training in their background will employ dynamictype training using bands and chains. Complex-type training will be used for the athletes who have had less strength-training experience. (See “Explosive Power” on page 32 for a sample workout.) All players also do a standard plyometric set, which usually consists of Vertimax work, tuck jumps, split jumps, and skater jumps. We alternate the Strength and

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Explosive Power cycles through the fall before going into a maintenance mode with lesser loads in December to avoid overworking the players. The competitive stage begins the day of our first official practice and runs through the end of the playoffs. We split this stage into three programs: preseason, in-season, and championship season. In all three programs, we use both Strength and Explosive Power cycles, but with work loads and exercises designed to maintain strength and power rather than increase it. During the preseason, players will generally lift three times per week if they are not too broken down from practice. Since the strength workouts are conducted following practice, we often alter the planned workouts to compensate for fatigue. In-season, we generally lift twice per week, but depending on the game and travel schedule we may get to perform three workouts in some weeks and only one in others. During the championship season, we try to complete two

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CONDITIONING

TABLE FOUR:

E X E R C I S E R O TAT I O N

Here’s an example of how exercises are rotated through foundational, supplemental, and major assistant emphasis in a typical training week.

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Foundational (5-8 sets)

Total Body

Lower Body

Upper Body

Supplemental (3-6 sets)

Lower Body

Upper Body

Total Body

Major Assistant (2-4 sets)

Upper Body

Total Body

Lower Body

workouts per week, but that depends on whether we host any playoff rounds or travel. We are less concerned about volume during the championship season because we often end up playing more games in a shorter amount of time than the regular season, and we don’t want to overwork the players. Cycling Through As strength and explosive power cycles are repeated, the exercises, sets, and reps schemes are changed to avoid adaptation. We try to avoid making these changes during any week that contains a lengthy road trip, transition from preseason to in-season or from in-season to championship season play, or any big games. During the season, there may be no good time to change workouts, so we often just choose the least bad time to change. Although we schedule in advance what cycles will be used for the entire season, we do not choose the exact

TABLE FIVE:

exercises for that cycle until we write the workouts about a week before starting a new one. This way, we can base our selection on what kind of group we have and what has and has not worked before. For example, if the players have been doing great on their single-leg lifts in one cycle, we’ll move on to something else in the next. But if they’ve struggled with the single-leg lifts in one cycle, we’ll carry some over into the next cycle with some variations in sets and reps. Ideally, our cycles are four weeks in length with three medium-heavy to heavy weeks and one light week. That way we can accommodate a week with a lot of road games with a light week, or we can use the light week as recovery time. Day Planner Generally, the weekly plan consists of three full-body workouts per week performed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each session will have three

D A I LY W O R K O U T

This an example of a daily workout in the Strength cycle.

Prework >Partner ankle stretches >Shoulder press >Crunch and hold >Strength-led heel touch >Single-leg Romanian dead lift

Auxiliary Circuit >Walking lunge >Db row >Glute ham raise >Arnold press

Post Work Foundational >Power pull

Supplemental >Speed squat

Major Assistant >Db bench

COACHING MANAGEMENT

>V-ups >Reverse hypers >Internal/external rotations >Arm care program >Ham, pec, rotator stretches

main exercises. We do five to eight sets of the primary exercise for each, which we also call our foundational exercise. We do three to six sets of our supplemental exercise, and two to four sets of our major assistant exercise. Assuming an ideal week of three lifting days, we rotate total body, lower body, and upper body training through the foundational, supplemental, and major assistant positions. (See “Exercise Rotation” above on this page.) Each exercise is also assigned to one of three rotating categories: volume, strength, or power. When done for volume, we use more reps per set and lower weight loads. For strength, we use fewer reps and greater weight loads. Weights and reps for the power exercises fall between those used for strength and volume with an emphasis on performing the exercise as explosively as possible. To determine each day’s workout, we follow a common template, no matter what cycle we’re in. The format is pre-work, foundational exercise, supplemental exercise, major assistant exercise, auxiliary circuit, and postwork. (See “Daily Workout” at left for a full sample workout.) The pre-work consists of mobility drills for the ankle, hip, and shoulder, along with exercises to get the abdominals, lower back, and glutes warmed up. These include partner ankle-mobility exercises, staggered-stance shoulder presses to open up the hip flexors and shoulder joint, supine leg-lowering exercises, hip bridges, single-leg Romanian dead lifts, and various crunches, with holds being our mainstays. Other exercises we occasionally rotate in are overhead squats, hurdle mobility drills, Supermans, back extensions, band good-mornings, and a lunge matrix.

CONDITIONING

Our foundational total body exercises are based on a pull movement (shrug pull, power pull, etc.) during the developmental stage, and the Hammer Jammer during the competitive stage. We avoid power cleans due to the stress they place on the wrist. Our supplemental and major assistance exercises for the total body usually involve a resisted jump-type movement. The foundational lifts for the lower body are the squat in the developmental stage and step-ups or lunges in the competitive stage. We have found step-ups and lunges to be a little safer during the season, although some advanced players, especially catchers, will squat all season long. Supplemental lifts for the lower body are speed squats and front squats in the developmental stage and walking lunges or single-leg squats in the competitive stage. Major assistant lifts for the lower body are unilateral leg exercises such as single-leg squats, walking lunges, lunges, or step-ups in the developmental stage and unilateral multidirectional exercises in the competitive stage.

Upper body foundational exercises will be some type of lat/upper back exercise, such as pull-ups during the competitive stage and pressing movements, such as bench presses, in the developmental stage. The supplemental exercises will be a pressing movement in the competitive stage and an upper back/lat movement during the developmental stage. The major assistance exercise will be a unilateral pressing movement during the developmental stage and a unilateral upper back/lat movement during the competitive stage. The auxiliary circuit generally consists of a unilateral leg exercise, an upper back exercise, a glute/ham exercise, and a shoulder exercise, but will vary greatly from player to player based on specific weaknesses that need to be addressed. The post work generally consists of abdominal and posterior chain exercises, rotator cuff work, partner stretching, and arm care. During most workouts, we split our players into two groups: those who have substantial strength-training expe-

rience and those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. We can then challenge the experienced lifters a little more without putting those less experienced at risk. We can also add some teaching of lifts into the less-experienced group. We do adjust the workouts slightly by position, with pitchers generally doing a little less upper body work and more explosive leg work and unilateral work. But we have found that differences between experienced and inexperienced lifters are far greater than the differing needs of position players and pitchers. This program probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work everywhere, but it works for us. What can work anywhere, though, is the system we use to create our program. By splitting the year into stages and fitting the proper group of exercises into each stage, you can create a program that will work for your team. â&#x2013; This article also appeared in the October 2005 issue of Coaching Managementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister publication, Training & Conditioning.

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COACHING MANAGEMENT

Guide to Infield Mixes & Soil Additives Game-On 888-593-0395 WWW.HAYDITEGAME-ON.COM Game-On Soil Conditioner Use Game-On to reduce compaction of your infield surface. GameOn increases drainage and helps prevent rainouts. Game-Dry Game-Dry is a unique product that soaks up wet spots and puddles. It can also be worked into the surface to help condition the soil. Game-On Red Game-On Red is the perfect product to use as a topdressing. Your field will have the brick-red color of professional fields. Game-On Warning Track This warning track product is durable and will not break down quickly. It is available in brown and red. Customers: Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio Columbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus, Ohio Ross Twp. High School, Merrillville, Ind. Morgan Park Academy, Beverly, Ill. Osceola Softball, Kissimmee, Fla.

Eagle Picher Minerals 800-366-7607 WWW.EPCORP.COM PlayBall!® Infield Conditioner PlayBall! is made from 100-percent calcined diatomaceous ear th. It requires much less material (only 5.2 tons) to effectively condition a field tilled four inches deep. Axis Premium Soil Amendment Axis is applied to natural turf root zones at a 10-percent-by-volume application. This soil amendment adds porosity to increase air- and water-holding capacity. Expect 30percent savings on irrigation and a healthier turfgrass system. Customers: Baltimore Ravens, Ravens Stadium, Baltimore, Md. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. National Baseball Stadium, Panama City, Panama Felix Bolleart Stadium, Lens, France Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.

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Check out www.AthleticBid.com to contact these companies. Red Diamond by Moltan Co. 800-264-5826 WWW.MOLTAN.COM

Pro’s Choice 800-648-1166 WWW.PROSCHOICE1.COM

Red Diamond™ CC Conditioner Red Diamond CC Conditioner is used throughout the sports-turf industry for the daily maintenance, preseason renovation and new construction of any infieldskinned surface.

Red Infield Conditioner Red Infield Conditioner is designed to meet the challenges of wet, dry, or compacted fields. This unique, durable granule helps create passageways for drainage, eliminating compaction.

Red Diamond CC Drying Agent Red Diamond CC Drying Agent can be used to absorb excess moisture from any turf area and infield-skinned surfaces, reducing rain delays and eliminating rainouts.

Select Premium Infield Conditioner This infield conditioner keeps infields smooth, safe, and resilient. Its specially-sized granules and deep red color make this conditioner among the best infield topdressings.

Red Diamond RBI Conditioner Red Diamond RBI Conditioner provides unique surface coloration, promotes safety, and improves the moisture management of infield-skinned surfaces, mounds, and home plate areas.

Rapid Dry® Drying Agent These tiny granules are designed to quickly wick away excess water from your infield, keeping your games played safely and without delay.

Red Diamond Professional Packing Clay Red Diamond PPC provides resilient pitching and home plate surfaces. It is easy to install and maintain, and can be used in new construction, renovations, and daily repair. Customers: Baylor University Baseball, Waco, Texas California State University, Fullerton, Calif. Oklahoma Redhawks, Oklahoma City, Okla. Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia, Pa. Trenton Thunder, Trenton, N.J.

Circle No. 502 Circle No. 125

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Pro Mound® Packing Clay This unique, durable blue gumbo packing clay bonds to form a solid sub-surface in pitcher’s mounds and batter’s boxes, allowing players to “dig in” and establish without leaving large holes. Customers: ASA Fast-Pitch Softball, Oklahoma City, Okla. Chicago White Sox, Cellular Field, Chicago, Ill. Memphis Redbirds, AutoZone Park, Memphis, Ill. Colorado Rockies, Coors Field, Denver, Colo. Florida Marlins, Dolphins Stadium, Miami, Fla.

Circle No. 503

Guide to Infield Mixes & Soil Additives PARTAC PEAT CORP./BEAM CLAYÂŽ 800-247-BEAM WWW.BEAMCLAY.COM

Profile Products, LLC 800-207-6457 WWW.TURFACE.COM

Mar-Co Clay Products, Inc. 800-950-2555 WWW.MARCOCLAY.COM

BEAM CLAYÂŽ Baseball Diamond Mix This premium infield mix provides a firm yet soft, safe, and consistent surface with great drainage and color with no separation of ingredients. BEAM CLAYÂŽ Regional Infield Mixes These mixes are blended at bulk plants nationwide to meet the unique needs of every state and climate. BEAM CLAYÂŽ Pitcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mound Mix This mound mix is an extra firm mound clay, available in red, orange, brown, and gray. Mound/batterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s box bricks and our patented, red polyurethane pads are also available. BEAM CLAYÂŽ 3/16â&#x20AC;? Red Warning Track This premium long-lasting product is crunchy, yet firm, with great drainage and color. It is made with BEAM CLAY binder. Customers: New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, New York, N.Y. New York Mets, Shea Stadium, New York, N.Y. Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pa. San Diego Padres, PETCO Park, San Diego, Calif. Toronto Blue Jays, SkyDome, Toronto, Ont.

TurfaceÂŽ Quick Dry Eliminating puddles and standing water, Tur face Quick Dr y rids infields of muddy, slipper y conditions. Apply and rake in for it to work continuously.

Mound Clay This processed clay is available dry or moisturized. Its bonding ability makes it useful for building and maintaining pitcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mounds and batterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boxes, and for binding sandy materials.

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Turface ProLeagueÂŽ Red The first and only patented red clay conditioner, Pro League Red combines rich color with proven infield conditioning benefits, creating superior sliding and fielding surfaces. Turface MVP Turface MVP absorbs more water per pound than many competing products, improving drainage and reducing bad ball hops and injuries. Field & Fairwayâ&#x201E;˘ Both Emerald and Natural Field & Fairway have excellent water absorption qualities that help eliminate puddles. The emerald color disguises worn turf and reduces compaction in native soils. Customers: Seattle Mariners, Safeco Field, Seattle, Wash. Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz. Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Boston, Mass. Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards, Baltimore, Md.

Clay Track Surfacer This baked clay product is used for warning tracks, running tracks, and pathways. It provides proper texture and color to alert players when they approach a fence or structure. Diamond Clay Conditioner This baked, crushed, and uniformly-screened clay is designed to amend heavy clay fields. It provides the correct drainage, texture, and color for any size ballpark. Infield Clay This controlled blend of clay, sand, and aggregate is available in three standard mixes and two particle sizes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed to maximize safety, playability, and drainage.

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Guide to Infield Mixes & Soil Additives Southern Athletic Fields 800-837-8062 WWW.MULEMIX.COM

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. 800-336-2468 WWW.STABILIZERSOLUTIONS.COM

Mulemix Field Conditioners Conditoners are used to reduce compaction and absorb moisture. Mulemix Field Conditioners are good, stand-alone products that reduce the tackiness of a field’s clay, keeping your games on schedule. SAF Coat Infield Topdressing This crushed red rock product is primarily used as a percolation product that allows water to percolate and helps dry athletic fields quicker. It is available in a deep-red color. Mar Mix Infield Mix The Screened Red Infield Mix is compactable, yet allows water to percolate. It’s great when used with Mulemix Conditioners or SAF Coat. This infield mix is composed of approximately 70-percent sand, 30-percent clay naturally-blended materials. Mar Mound Clay Screened Red Mound & Plate Clay is used on pitcher’s mounds, batter’s boxes, and high-wear areas. It’s compactable, easy to use, and is available in bulk and bag. Customers: Atlanta Braves, Atlanta, Ga. Houston Astros, Houston, Texas Louisville Riverbats, Louisville, Ky. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Stabilizer™ Stabilizer is a natural soil binder that produces a firm, resilient playing surface by reducing dust and retaining moisture. Hilltopper® Mound and Home Plate Clay Hilltopper combines lasting polymers and natural clays to make your mound and home plate areas flexible and stable. No water is needed—just tamp and play. Stabilizer Ballyard Mix™ Stabilizer Ballyard Mixes adds life and resiliency while reducing dust and mud. It creates a long-lasting surface that requires little maintenance. Hilltopper® Infield Mix This revolutionary infield surface is dustless, waterless, and mudless. It substantially reduces maintenance and down time. Customers: Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia, Pa. Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh, Pa. California State University, Fullerton, Calif. University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans.

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Diamond Pro 800-228-2987 WWW.DIAMONDPRO.COM Infield Conditioner This vitrified clay product can be applied to skinned areas to enrich color, prevent rain delays, reduce compaction, and improve safety. Calcined Clay Top-Dressing, Professional, and Drying Agent These calcined clay products are used as conditioners on the infield. The professional grade has a more uniform particle size, and the standard topdressing has a larger particle size. Mound/Home Plate Clay This richly-colored screened clay is easy to use. It binds into holes and low areas for greater durability and consistency. Warning Track Mix Several mixes are available for creating a safe, well-drained warning track surface. Customers: Texas Rangers, The Ballpark at Arlington, Arlington, Texas Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. Atlanta Braves, Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga. Little League World Series, Williamsport, Pa. Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, Neb.

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COACHING MANAGEMENT

Circle No. 129

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NEW NEW Xco Trainer Unique features: • Sleek aluminum tube filled with shifting granulate delivers delayed impact for overload training effect • Compact design allows 3-D freedom of movement in any position or angle

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Circle No. 513 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Guide to Nets & Cages Beacon Athletics

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800-264-4519 www.masa.com See ad on page 8 Circle No. 515

Primary Advantages: Beacon’s batting cages and netting systems are custommade to fit teams’ specific needs. Since the company has experts with real experience, it can provide free consultation and guidance in product selection, ensuring that you get the right products to meet your needs.

Primary Advantages: M.A.S.A. has improved and expanded its selection, offering you five grades of netting to meet the demands of every level of play, with prices to meet any budget. Regardless of which grade you choose, rest assured that you will be getting the highest quality.

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PRODUCTS: Pitching L-Shaped Screen The framing is constructed of 1/2-inch heavy gauge steel tubing, with easy assembly. Pro Model Backstop Batting Cage Flo-coated steel construction makes this giant backstop extremely durable. Use the quick-lift crank for easy transportation.

Beacon Outdoor Batting Cage This cost-effective, heavy-duty batting cage comes in singleand multiple-sided versions. Tuff Pitchers “L” Screen This L screen is the toughest in the business. It measures 8’W x 8’H and is made with heavyduty #72-knotted nylon net.

Pro Series Batting Tunnel This pro industry work horse is constructed from #36 nylon with a 320-pound breaking test. Batco Batting Cage The unique design of this product surpasses all other cages in portability and storage. It weighs just 45 pounds.

SPI Nets

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Primary Advantages: SPI Nets offers a full range of nets for your training needs. The quality and excellent pricing is matched only by SPI’s incomparable service. The company’s products and customer service are carefully monitored to assure that you receive maximum value for your dollar.

Primary Advantages: VPI’s nets are hung on the square like a tennis net, which virtually eliminates sagging. The company also offers the Big Bubba Professional Portable Batting Cage, an optimal choice for all levels, at considerable cost savings. The heavy-duty aluminum construction, easy portability, and collapsible design make it the perfect backstop for any field. A unique dolly assembly with 16-inch pneumatic wheels at the rear makes one-person maneuvering easy. The unit measures 10’W x 22’D x 12’H and collapses to just five feet high for easy storage.

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PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS: Premium Batting Cage Nets SPI Nets premium cages offer top quality, lots of features, and the best prices available. Deluxe Practice Screens SPI Nets practice screens are among the highest-quality

COACHING MANAGEMENT

screens in the business, at very competitive prices. Custom Netting SPI Nets can fully customize your nets to meet your exact specifications at an affordable price.

Big Bubba Pro Batting Cage This cage (pictured) is the choice of high school, collegiate, and professional baseball programs. It is 18’W x 22’D x 12’H. Protective Screen Heavy-duty one-and-one-halfinch square-galvanized steel is covered with slip-on #36

poly netting for quality and durability. The screen measures 7’W x 7’H. Batting Tunnel Net This “no sag” net system features heavy-duty polyethylene. It is 100-percent waterproof and is available in 12 stock sizes for immediate shipment.

Baseball Facility Equipment Aer-Flo, Inc. 800-823-7356 WWW.AERFLO.COM Wind Weightedâ&#x201E;˘ baseball-softball tarps are virtually windproof. These patent-pending covers for the mound, home plate, and bullpens have a steel chain in their hemmed edges so that they stay down in windy conditions. No stakes or sandbags are necessary. The installer device allows installation in 25 seconds by only two people. The tough, waterproof 14-ounce vinyl-polyester fabric is treated to fight UV rays and mildew exposure. Wind Weighted tarps and installers take the drudgery out of the game. Circle No. 518 Bannerman Ltd. 800-665-2696 WWW.SPORTSTURFMAGIC.COM When player safety comes first, look to Bannerman, manufacturers of groomers

that shape, level, and provide maintenance care for baseball diamonds. The B-BP-4 Ballpark-4ÂŽ (shown) and the B-BP-6 Ballpark-6ÂŽ models have five tools: a ripper blade, a rake, a leveler, a roller, and a brush. Available accessories include a wing brush kit, a top link kit, a 50-gallon water tank kit with spray nozzle, and the new highway transport kit. Circle No. 519 Restore your diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luster in 20 minutes or less. Bannerman manufactures groomers that can level and provide maintenance care for baseball diamonds, warning tracks, and walking trails. The B-DM-6 Diamond MasterÂŽ

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has five grooming tools: a ripper blade, a rake, a leveler, a roller, and a finishing brush. Available options include an extension wing brush kit, a hydraulic tractor top link, a 50-gallon water tank with spray nozzle, a long-tine â&#x20AC;&#x153;fluffingâ&#x20AC;? rake, and a new highway transport kit. Circle No. 520 BetterBaseball 800-997-4233 WWW.BETTERBASEBALL.COM BetterBaseball is a total baseball supply house, specializing in nets and batting cages that are custom-cut to any size you want. The company provides quick, friendly customer service. BetterBaseball supplies everything, including bases, plates, mounds, gear, and hardware. All team equipment needs can be found easily online, or teams can call the company toll-free for more product information. Circle No. 521

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Circle No. 131 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Baseball Facility Equipment Challenger Industries, Inc. 800-334-8873 WWW.CHALLENGERIND.COM DURAPlay Home Plate Baseball and Softball Mats can be used anywhere a home plate area is needed. Whether covering the batter’s box for protection or establishing a home plate area indoors or out, these durable mats create batter’s boxes that are ideal for either sport. Pre-cut mats are available for fungo/on-deck circles, pitching mounds, and single batter’s boxes. Synthetic turf products are also available for batting cages, dugouts, or the whole field, and installation is available as well. Contact Challenger for more information. Circle No. 522 Challenger also offers the new TT33 baseball field turf. The latest in synthetic turf technology, it’s great for

Southern Athletic Fields... ...your complete source for all athletic field needs! • • • • • • •

Mar Mound Clay Infield Mixes Field Conditioners Drying Agents Warning Trac Infield Topdressing Various Field Accessories

800.837.8062 www.mulemix.com Circle No. 132

COACHING MANAGEMENT

covering the entire field, foul ball areas, or just the infield. The company also offers a complete line of synthetic mats for baseball and softball, including a “permanent” home plate mat with inlaid batter’s box lines and home plate. With this product, you’ll no longer need to repaint season after season. All mats are made with the same high-quality athletic turf as before, complete with a five-millimeter urethane cushion. Circle No. 523 Earth & Turf, LLC 888-693-2638 WWW.EARTHANDTURF.COM Earth & Turf introduces the MultiSpread™ Model 320, a one-cubicyard topdresser with an exclusive widespread beater for lawn-maintenance professionals, schools, universities, golf courses, and athletic fields. Model 320 spreads topdressing materials, infield mixes, and grass clippings. Its two-wheel ground drive with 26 x 12.00-12 turf tires ensures easy pulling by 20-HP tractors. The MultiSpread Model 320 is another of Earth & Turf’s “simple, well-built designs.” Circle No. 524 Fair-Play Scoreboards 800-247-0265 WWW.FAIR-PLAY.COM When your baseball games begin in the morning and play on into the night, count on the bright, wide-angle digits of Fair-Play Scoreboards to remain sharp and readable, such as Fair-Play model BA-71092. Your scoreboard controller adjusts the brightness of the display with a simple press of a button to reflect current playing conditions. Catch the spirit of Fair-Play—call

toll-free or visit its Web site for a free catalog. Circle No. 525 Fair-Play model BA-7100-2 with MP-30 controller. Fair-Play makes it almost as easy to score a game as it is to watch one with the new MP-30 scoreboard controller. The sleek hand-held controller includes a simple touchpad to control scores, innings, balls, strikes, and outs. Pair the hand-held controller with a solid performer like the BA-7100-2 softball scoreboard and play ball. Catch the spirit of Fair-Play—call toll-free or visit its Web site for a free catalog. Circle No. 526 Heying Co. 712-756-8847 WWW.INFIELD-DRAG.COM Restore and maintain infields easily with the PR-72 Pro Groomer™ by Heying Co. This groomer keeps granular infields level, well groomed, and in safe playing condition. It saves labor by mixing in new material, breaking up hard-compacted surfaces, and removing weeds. The Pro Groomer works with a variety of towing machines, with no need for hydraulics, three-point hitches, or tools to adjust. The Pro Groomer is six-feet-wide and available in a manual or electric lift. More information is available online. Circle No. 527 Imerys 800-552-9671 WWW.PLUS5LINEMARKER.COM The PLUS 5® field marker is now available from Imer ys. This marker is preferred by coaches and groundskeepers for its brighter white lines and ease of use. It’s good for

Baseball Facility Equipment tur f and harmless to skin and clothing. PLUS 5 is licensed as the official marking material of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Call Imer ys today or go online to learn more. Circle No. 528 Jaypro Sports, LLC 800-243-0533 WWW.JAYPRO.COM Jaypro’s Little Slam Batting Cage offers heavy-duty construction with a full line of features. Designed for collegiate and high school use, this batting cage measures 17’6”W x 12’D x 12’H. Constructed of two-inch heavy wall aluminum, it is easy to fold, collapsing to just five feet high. It includes a climatetreated nylon net and ricochet cushion to rebound balls and prevent frame

damage. The Little Slam transports easily on three pneumatic turf wheels. Vinyl skirt is optional. Circle No. 529 Jaypro’s Professional Pitcher’s Safety Protector is a versatile 7’W x 7’H L-shaped net that accommodates both left- and right-handed pitchers and works well with pitching machine and livearm delivery. It is constructed of heavy-gauge 15/8” (outside diameter) galvanized-steel tubing with a durable, attractive green powder-coated finish. Heavy-duty twofoot-square galvanized legs provide extra stability. The Professional Pitcher’s Safety Protector is available in black and comes with a weather-proofed #42 knotless nylon double-sided slip-on net. Picture is shown with optional wheel kit. Circle No. 530

Seating Services 800-552-9470 WWW.SEATINGSERVICES.COM Seating Services is proud to introduce its Tread Mount Stadium Chair. Now there is finally a way to put stadium chairs on your existing 24-inch rowspacing bleachers. This unit requires minimal re-work and is extremely cost-effective. The tread mounts can be used on rises up to 10-1/2 inches. These chairs can be customdesigned for fundraisers, such as placing season ticket holders’ names on the number plates. Circle No. 531

GOT DRAINAGE PROBLEMS?

WE HAVE THE SOLUTION Professional sports turf drainage, featuring the WaterWick™ system. The fastest drainage system available. Call Emch Bros. Today! 616-293-8655

WaterWick Installation Drain Tile Installation

2 Circle No. 133

Finished Veins COACHING MANAGEMENT

Team Equipment & Apparel Atwater Slicks 770-806-0864 WWW.ATWATERSLICKS.COM “The Slicks” fabric is known worldwide (800,000 garments sold) for performance, durability, and as a breakthrough in textile engineering. The Atwater Slicks compression shirts, which provide a

superior balance of comfort, compression, and anti-microbial properties, allow the body to stay dry and breathe while deterring the growth of mildew and bacteria that cause odors. Athletes wear these in many sports, and other casual-wear Atwater clientele love them as undergarments to wick sweat from the body and keep it off outer-layer shirts. Atwater Slicks are available in crew neck and mock neck in black, white, and beige. Circle No. 532

Better Baseball

Your Complete Baseball Supply Headquarters We specialize in secure online sales of sporting goods and sports equipment for individuals, teams, and schools. • Netting • Baseballs • Bags • Bats • Gloves • Field Equip.

• Mounds • Softballs • Bases & Plates • Batting Cages • Pitching Machines • Training Aids/Books/Videos

Quick service and quality products are our trademark. We have been in business since 1993. We have 10,000 customers, and we would be honored to add you to our list! We ship by UPS and get most orders out in 24 hours, so come join our team, and help us play BetterBaseball!

1-800-997-4233 www.betterbaseball.com Circle No. 134

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Perform better with an entirely new textile technology for compression, moisture-wicking, and odor control in athletic apparel. The Atwater Slicks are used as sliding shorts or compression shorts, with or without a cup pocket. This revolutionary fabric is a world leader (over 800,000 garments sold), and its innovative cup pocket puts the cup where it belongs—and keeps it there. Most claim that these cup pockets are among the best in the industry. The Atwater Slicks provide comfortable compression, abrasion control, odor control, and moisture-wicking to keep you dry. Order by phone or online. Available in black, white, and beige. Circle No. 533 Fergo Athletics 888-OK-FERGO WWW.OKFERGO.COM Fergo Athletics is an apparel manufacturer that passes huge savings directly to teams. It custom-designs athletic apparel for high schools, colleges, clubs, and recreational leagues in every sport. As part of its dedication to schools, Fergo will meet any quote or bid in price, quality, and style and then write your team, school, or club a 10percent royalty check on the total order. Call the company for more details about this offer and to find out more about all Fergo products. Circle No. 534 Fergo Athletics offers high schools, colleges, and park/recreation teams some of the industry’s lowest prices on custom-made baseball apparel guaranteed. Services include imprinting, sublimation, and embroidery work on 11 customdesigned uniforms, Tshirts, practice wear, warm-ups, caps, bags, team jackets and fleeces, and even banners. Call Fergo Athletics for

Team Equipment & Apparel more details about these services and to find out how the company can help your team meet its needs. Circle No. 535 Hoosier Bat Company 800-228-3787 WWW.HOOSIERBAT.COM Hoosier Bat makes all-ash bats used by many Major League and minor league players. Its patented three-piece wood bat, the WoodForce 2000, is now NCAAapproved. With ash in the handle, hickory in the “sweet spot,” and maple on the barrel end, the WoodForce 2000 provides a solid sweet spot that will not flake, retaining the same look and feel as a traditional all-ash bat. All of Hoosier’s bats are made from quality wood and crafted to exacting standards. Circle No. 536 Markwort Sporting Goods 800-937-4824 WWW.MARKWORT.COM Markwort Sporting Goods offers the Catcher’s Protective Inner Forearm Sleeves, which protects the vulnerable areas of a catcher’s inner forearms. Designed by college baseball coaches to protect catchers’ inner forearms and wrists when blocking the ball, these comfortable, lightweight Lycra® Spandex sleeves have padded pillows that create a buffer zone from stray balls. They may be worn for practice or during games to provide an effective layer of protection from bruises and other possible arm injuries. These sleeves slide on quickly and easily, allowing catchers plenty of freedom of movement, and they can be spun around when catchers bat to protect the lead elbow. Circle No. 537

WSI Sports 651-994-9945 WWW.WSISPORTS.COM WSI Sports’ new WikMax Heatr generates heat while wicking away moisture. This revolutionary shirt keeps muscles warm and encourages recovery time for injured areas. The WikMax Heatr is ideal for pitchers. It’s patent-pending and made in the U.S.A. Circle No. 538 PRO WikMax Slider™ from WSI Sports is made with the most advanced fab-

ric available on the planet today. PRO WikMax™ wicks moisture away as well as any other product, period. The comfortable four-way stretch fabric provides custom fit to everyone. The super durability of PRO WikMax will actually help protect the skin from abrasions, and it will last a lifetime. A built-in second layer on the hip offers extra protection. Circle No. 539 Schutt Sports Group WWW.SCHUTTSPORTS.COM Schutt®’s Burst™ Series Chest Protectors are brand new for 2006. These protectors are engineered to be lightweight and comfortable for optimal performance. This new series of chest protectors uses memory foam to ensure excellent rebound characteristics. The ultra-lightweight mesh-foam covering and Coolmax® layer on the backside keeps athletes cool during their games. Players can’t expect to win without the right equipment, so check out Schutt Sports online today. Circle No. 540

Circle No. 135 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Case Study

When Every Game Counts, Count On Diamond Pro® Diamond Pro professional groundskeeping products can be found on baseball and softball fields nationwide, at all levels of play. Municipal fields used by youth leagues, high school and college facilities, and Major League ballparks alike rely on the superior quality of Diamond Pro infield conditioner, mound and home plate clay, calcined clay topdressing, and drying agents. Since 1989, TXI’s unique expanded shale and clay product has been used on baseball and softball fields as an infield conditioner. In 1993, TXI launched the Diamond Pro brand, which is now well known to baseball coaches and groundskeepers across the United States. Professionalism, superior performance, and outstanding customer service are just a few of the reasons Diamond Pro has reached this level. Professional teams demand that their fields look great and be game-ready under any conditions. Municipalities want ease of application and the value of season-long performance. High schools and colleges look for a consistent, safe field with a professional look. Diamond Pro professional groundskeeping products meet all these needs, delivering long-lasting performance and quality while enhancing the look and feel of a well-maintained athletic field.

Diamond Pro 1341 W. MOCKINGBIRD LN. DALLAS, TX 75247 800-228-2987 DIAMONDPRO@TXI.COM WWW.DIAMONDPRO.COM

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Diamond Pro is recommended by many professional groundskeepers, parks and recreation directors, and high school and college coaches. Check out what these customers and suppliers had to say: “Incorporating Diamond Pro into our infield has helped in the everyday maintenance and in building a reputation as one of the best infields in baseball.” Trevor Vance Head Groundskeeper Kansas City Royals “Selling Diamond Pro makes my job easier because it’s well received by customers, backed by top-notch service, delivered promptly, and offers excellent profit margins. Our customers trust Diamond Pro and this has helped double sales in the past year.” Jane Urish Director of Sales & Marketing Allegheny Lawn & Golf Products, Inc. Coraopolis, Pa. “With first-class athletic facilities, you need first-class products. Diamond Pro gives me that quality and look for both our baseball and softball fields.” Jeff Kershaw Manager of Athletic Facilities Louisiana State University “At the Little League World Series, we play 31 games over nine days, rain or shine. We are committed to using materials that are safe, playable, and dependable. Diamond Pro fulfills that commitment.” Jim Scott Head Groundskeeper Little League Baseball, Inc. Williamsport, Pa.

Diamond Pro’s Web site is a great resource for learning more about the complete line of groundskeeping products. It’s also full of information on how to take care of your baseball or softball field. The site contains an Online How-To Workshop, which offers ever ything from precise field dimensions to step-by-step instructions for renovating pitcher’s mounds and batter’s/catcher’s box areas. Also included is a coverage chart that explains exactly how much infield conditioner should be used for optimal coverage of any size field.

Practice Aids Aer-Flo, Inc. 800-823-7356 WWW.WINDWEIGHTED.COM The Bunt Zone™ Infield Protector doubles as the perfect target-training system for bunting practice. It uses three color-coded zones: Yellow is the bunt-forhit target area; green is the sacrifice bunt zone; and red is the bad bunt zone—never go into the red zone for hit-and-run or pull-hitting situations. Players get instant feedback at every practice. Tough nine-ounce vinyl-polyester mesh survives spike traffic. The Bunt Zone (patents pending) provides maximum turf protection while improving team bunting skills. Ground staples are included. Call Aer-Flo tollfree, or visit online. Circle No. 541 Zingbat 866-ZINGBAT WWW.ZINGBAT.COM Zingbat™ introduces the Trainer Series

product line. This economically-priced version of the regular Pro Series Zingbat is ideal for youth players. The Trainer Series teaches batters basic swing mechanics. The Composite Zingbat Trainer is available in one length and weight (30”, 17 oz.), while the aluminum Pro Series can be customized to meet teams’ specific length and weight requirements. Call today for a free instructional CD or video. Circle No. 542 Fitterfirst 800-FITTER-1 WWW.FITTER1.COM Fitterfirst’s Xco Trainer is an innovative new product that builds and tones muscles while strengthening the surrounding connective tissue and stabilizing joints. The Xco Trainer’s 3-D design allows freedom of movement, letting users train anywhere in an unlimited variety

of positions, and its delayed impact at the end of each motion produces overload for maximum results. The Xco Trainer is available in 1-, 1.3-, 2-, and 2.6-pound sizes. Discounts available on team sets. Call today or visit the company online for more information and its 2006 catalog. Circle No. 543 Glove Radar 800-589-3805 WWW.GLOVERADAR.COM Turn any ball glove into a radar gun with Glove Radar® from Sports Sensors, featuring improved sensitivity. Glove Radar aids in developing players’ throwing skills. Glove Radar “sees” through the glove and measures the speed of the ball as it approaches the glove. It easily attaches to a baseball glove and is worn by the receiver of the ball or by multiple partners in non-game situations. It utilizes Doppler radar—like conventional handheld radar speed guns—but performs accurately at any throwing distance. Circle No. 544

The Anti-Microbial Compression Apparel Recommended WORLDWIDE by thousands of physicians and surgeons, our fabric is recognized by the textile engineering community as a breakthrough in the compression garment field. Over 800,000 post-surgical and therapeutic garments have been sold around the world. Now, our patent protected weave with anti-microbial protection is available in athletic garments including shorts, sliding shorts, pants, shirts, sleeves and pads. Designed for wear directly against the skin, our fabric breathes, and it deters the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria (preventing body odor in the garments). Compression enhances performance. Stay on top of your game with ATWATER SLICKS! Made in the USA.

• Comfortable Compression & Extreme Durability • Odor Elimination for Extended Wear • Anti-Microbial Protection • Stay Dry in All Climates • Wicks Moisture AWAY from the Body • Wearable for Days Without Irritation or Discomfort Shorts - Pants - SS Shirts - LS Shirts - Sliding Shorts - Sleeves - Knee Pads AVAILABLE COLORS: BLACK - WHITE - BEIGE

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Circle No. 136 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Practice Aids Swing Speed Radar 800-589-3805 WWW.SWINGSPEEDRADAR.COM The Swing Speed Radar™ from Sports Sensors is a small, inexpensive, Doppler radar velocity sensor that measures the swing speed of baseball and softball players. The Swing Speed Radar helps players develop optimum bat speed for distance, quickness, and bat control for consistent ball contact. The Swing Speed Radar provides real-time velocity feedback to assist players, coaches, and instructors in measuring performance improvement and trouble-shooting swing mechanics. Circle No. 545 Master Pitching Machine, Inc. 800-878-8228 WWW.MASTERPITCH.COM The Iron Mike Pitching Machine features a throwing arm that lets batters see a full wind-up before the ball is

pitched, allowing them to better develop the fundamental skills used when facing a live pitcher. This capability makes the Iron Mike a preferred pitching machine of professional and amateur players and coaches. This machine is self-feeding, includes a remote control, and carries a manufacturer’s warranty. Circle No. 546 Grand Slam Pitching Machine 800-GRANDSLAM WWW.AGRANDSLAM.COM Grand Slam is one of the most effective pitching machines for working batters’ hand-eye coordination. Its self-feeding reservoir holds over 60 golf ball-sized Wiffle® balls and allows batters to take 50 swings in five minutes. Each pitch is guaranteed to hit the

strike zone. It’s ideal for indoor training or outdoor use—all you need is 16-20 feet of free space. Forty-eight balls and a lifetime warranty are included. Circle No. 547 Swift Stik 877-845-7845 WWW.SWIFTSTIK.COM Swift Stik is one of the most versatile training bats on the market. Batters can improve hand-eye coordination, increase their bat speed, build muscle memory, and isolate the bat’s “sweet spot.” Swift Stick may be used with Wiffle®, tennis, or soft-foam balls. Use Swift Stik during practice with any drill so batters can increase their swings before muscle fatigue sets in, or use it before a game to lock in hand-eye coordination. Visit Swift Stik’s Web site to see how it gets results fast. Circle No. 548

Home Run, LLC d/b/a

HOOSIER BAT COMPANY Fast becoming THE name for bats. We have what the players want!

WOOD FUNGO +++ Guaranteed +++ Never Flakes • No Taping Required

GAME BATS Major League Stock • Minor League Stock

WOODFORCE 2000 Hickory Hitting Area- No Taping Required Game Use Approval for Short Season A and Rookie League NCAA BESR Certiﬁed 28 B.P. 3-Piece Bat for One Hand, Soft Toss and T drills

ORDER YOURS TODAY Fax 219-465-0877 • e-mail:baseball@netnitco.net 1-800-BAT-ERUP (228-3787)

www.hoosierbat.com Mention this ad for FREE Laser Engraving or Key Chain Circle No. 137

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Circle No. 138

Practice Aids Power Systems, Inc. 800-321-6975 WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM Power Systems’ Baseball Power Program is a 12-week training program designed to bolster the performance of baseball athletes. The package includes the necessary equipment to develop the speed, agility, and explosiveness needed to excel in this competitive sport. The program includes: the Pro Agility Ladder™; a six-pound Power Med. Ball™; the Lateral Stepper™; the VersaDisc™; a large Power Chute™; one Power ThrowBall™ set; a nylon carry bag, the Power Program Manual; and your choice of VHS or DVD. The video shows proper equipment use, and the training manual takes you through the program step by step. Circle No. 549 Develop cat-like quickness to make game-saving plays with the erratic bounces of Power Systems’ Reflex Ball. The Reflex Ball develops quickness and improves hand-eye and total-body coordination as it forces athletes to make

split-second decisions to catch the ball. Use in team or individual practices by throwing it on any hard surface. The Jumbo Reflex Ball (four-inch diameter) has a softer bounce, and its larger size makes it easier to catch. The more compact Reflex Ball (three-inch diameter) produces faster, more unpredictable bounces. A Reflex Ball training manual and VHS/DVD are also available. Circle No. 550 Quickswing, Inc. 877-467-9464 WWW.QUICKSWING.COM Get the edge. Quickswing’s innovative design promotes a short, quick, compact swing that is essential for effectively hitting baseballs. Quickswing can improve handeye coordination, reflexes, muscle memory, and timing skills. It can

be used indoors or outside and can be adjusted to varying degrees of difficulty and heights. Quickswing is used by Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins, and is endorsed by Hall-of-Famer Paul Molitor. Circle No. 551 Sports Attack 800-717-4251 WWW.SPORTSATTACK.COM The Hack Attack baseball pitching machine’s exclusive visual arm-action design signals batters to stride, showing them the angle of release. This in effect provides a lifelike sense of timing and location. By simply changing the speed with three dials, the Hack Attack throws unmatched Major League pitches, including rightand left-handed fastballs, breaking balls, curveballs, sliders, and more. The Hack Attack pivots in any direction, instantly setting up for fungo work or catching drills with grounders, long fly balls, deep line drives, towering pop-ups, and more. Circle No. 552

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Circle No. 139

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Circle No. 140 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Practice Aids Sports Attack 800-717-4251 WWW.SPORTSATTACK.COM The Junior Hack Attack Baseball Pitching Machine is the Major Leaguequality training tool designed to develop serious young players. Its unique features include a patented threewheel design that allows hitters to experience a live-arm sense of timing and location. Pitches— such as curveballs, sliders, right-and left-handed breakers, and more—can be quickly dialed with the three-speed knobs. Lightweight and extremely portable, the new Junior Hack Attack can help develop your dedicated players into the pros they want to be. Circle No. 553 Sports Products Consultants 800-474-8243 WWW.TIMIT.COM The patented Timit RadarWatch™ measures the speed of a pitch from any location on the field or in the stands— even for someone warming up in the

bullpen. With a default distance up to 60 feet, it eliminates the need to position oneself behind the catcher as a person would with a radar gun. The Timit RadarWatch keeps pitch counts, displays the runner’s time to first and the catcher’s release time to second, and captures the speed of a pitch in mph— all at the same time. Circle No. 554 Sports Products Consultants 800-474-8243 WWW.PERSONALPITCHER.COM The Personal Pitcher™ from Sports Products Consultants helps players at any level develop muscle memory, bat speed, and hand-eye coordination. Because it mounts on any standard camera tripod and is safe to use indoors or outside, it is the perfect tool for pre-game warm-ups, hitting stations, and extended batting practices.

The machine holds up to 40 golf ballsized Wiffle™ balls that are automatically pitched at six-second intervals. Circle No. 555 Sports Tutor 800-448-8867 WWW.SPORTSMACHINES.COM The HomePlate machine is the first programmable pitching machine designed for both batting cage and onfield use. The HomePlate machine simulates almost any pitch batters are likely to face with only seven seconds between pitches. Up to eight different pitches—including fastballs, curveballs, change-ups, sliders, and more—can be stored in eight different programs. The programmed pitches can be thrown sequentially for specific hitting drills or randomly to simulate game conditions. HomePlate models start at $2,995. Circle No. 556 Batting Tutor by Sports Tutor is the pitching machine built for true portability. Batting Tutor comes in batter y-pow-

NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN PITCHING MACHINE! SAVE $130 ON THE PRO TRAINING SPECIAL! Featuring Our Exclusive “Pitch Isolation Training”™ What You Get....A Complete Training Package Without Comparison! • Personal Pitcher Pro® w/Fast Balls, Curve Balls, Sliders, Autofeed, & a 2 Year Warranty! • Hitmaster Grobat® Training Bat w/Variable Length & Weight (feels like your game bat, but with a Sweetspot Simulator™) • Tripod, 4 Dozen Balls, 4-Hour Battery, AC Adapter/Charger • Pro-Style Batting Gloves & FREE Webglovs (catching practice)

AND Finally, Something NO ONE ELSE HAS! Pitch Isolation Training™ Chris Richard, MLBPA, the first user of the Personal Pitcher, hit his first ML pitch for a HR in 2000. He’s been instrumental in approving these products GUARANTEED to improve your game!

Only the PRO Personal Pitcher allows you to accurately control the type and location of the pitch, so you can ISOLATE your problem pitch and ELIMINATE it!

Visit Our Website to Order: www.personalpitcher.com SPORTS PRODUCTS CONSULTANTS, INC.

or Call 800-4PITCHER (800-474-8243) Circle No. 141

COACHING MANAGEMENT

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Practice Aids ered and AC/DC models and is available for both baseball and softball. Batting Tutor transports easily and throws real and dimpled balls up to 65 mph. Batting Tutor is a valuable training aid for schools without on-field accessible electricity. It’s also ideal for youth team practices. Batting Tutor models start at $1,295. Circle No. 557 Stalker Radar 888-STALKER WWW.STALKERRADAR.COM/ SPORTS_SPORT.SHTML The ultra-high performance Stalker Sport Radar Gun precisely measures the speed of a baseball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand and as the ball crosses the plate. Baseball radar speeds can dif-

fer by up to 12 mph. The Stalker Sport is three times more powerful than most sports radar guns, accurately clocking pitches from over 300 feet away. A new double-capacity battery handle is available, providing up to 40 hours of use between charges. All Major League Baseball teams use the Stalker Sport. Circle No. 558 Xvest 800-697-5658 WWW.THEXVEST.COM Xvest has a new weight configuration, and it’s heavy: 84 pounds of heavy. The new Xvest, known as the Fire Fighter model, was developed especially for fire fighters and their rigorous training. It has the same basic design as the original Xvest, but internally it has a new weight configuration that allows for 84 pounds of weight. Because of its ability to adjust weight like the original Xvest, everyone from body builders to military personnel is buying them. For more

information on all the Xvest models, call the company or visit its Web site. Circle No. 559 “I have found the Xvest to be an excellent tool for providing overloads in plyometrics, strength training, conditioning, and rehabilitation programs. The fit and adaptability are excellent. The Xvest allows freedom of movement and doesn’t interfere with any of the agility, bounding, or running programs that I write for a wide variety of athletes, both collegiate and professional. The Xvest has proven itself in my programs. Thank you for all your efforts and help in improving my capability as a strength and conditioning specialist.” —Donald A. Chu, Ph.D., PT, ATC, CSCS, author of Jumping Into Plyometrics Circle No. 560

IT’S A DOPPLER RADAR DOUBLE PLAY! Developing Hitting and Throwing Skills Has Never Been So Convenient or Affordable!

MSRP $69.95 Coaches Special $55.00 MSRP $99.95 Coaches Special $75.00

GLOVE RADAR ® is the ideal aid for developing the throwing skills of infielders, outfielders, pitchers, and catchers. Use it for training, tossing, warming-up, or just having fun! Easily attached to virtually any baseball or softball glove, GLOVE RADAR’s accurate to within 1 mph of radar guns costing considerably more. Its low cost, compact design, and remarkable versatility make GLOVE RADAR ® the smart choice for teams and individual players. The NEW Swing Speed Radar ® determines your optimum swing speed for your best distance, quickness and bat control/ball contact. You can determine swing and bat characteristics that achieve the best results. The Swing Speed Radar ® features simple one-button operation and a large LCD display. Rugged, compact design makes it convenient to carry and use. It’s not how hard you swing, but how well you swing! Works great for golf, too!

For more information, and special pricing for coaches, call toll-free 888-542-9246. Visit our websites at: www.swingspeedradar.com or www.gloveradar.com Circle No. 142

S P O R T S S E N S O R S , I N C . , P. O . B O X 4 6 1 9 8 , C I N C I N N AT I , O H 4 5 2 4 6 - 0 1 9 8

Circle No. 143 COACHING MANAGEMENT

YOUR “ONE-STOP SOURCE” FOR AMERICA’S LEADING BASEBALL SURFACES & SUPPLIES!

THE PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE . . . SINCE 1922 A SUPPLIER TO EVERY MLB TEAM, OVER 150 MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS, OVER 700 COLLEGES, PLUS THOUSANDS OF TOWNS & SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE. SPECIAL MIXES FOR INFIELDS, PITCHER’S MOUNDS & HOME PLATE AREAS.

REGIONAL INFIELD MIXES AND RED WARNING TRACKS FOR EVERY STATE & CLIMATE FROM BULK PLANTS NATIONWIDE! PLUS INFIELD CONDITIONERS: IF TOO HARD AND POORLY DRAINING!

THE REDDER, LESS DUSTY, MORE UNIFORM INFIELD CONDITIONER & DRYING AGENT FOR CONSISTENT INFIELD CUSHION IN WET OR DRY WEATHER!

® DIAMOND PRO IMPROVES DRAINAGE & ENHANCES COLOR!

ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY CIRCLE NO.

COMPANY

PAGE NO.

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Aer-Flo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Atwater Slicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Axis/Play Ball! (Eagle Picher Minerals) . 37 Bannerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Beacon Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 BetterBaseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Challenger Industries . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Cramer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Earth & Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Emch Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Fair-Play Scoreboards . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fergo Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Game-On Field Conditioner . . . . . . 19 Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Glove Radar/Swing Speed Radar . . 51 Goldner Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Heying Company (Infield-Drag) . . . . . 33 Hoosier Bat Company . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Inland Tarp & Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Jaypro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 K&K Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 M.A.S.A. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Mar-Co Clay Products . . . . . . . . . . 36

CIRCLE NO.

COMPANY

541. . . 518 . . . 533 . . 532 . . 519 . . . 520 . . 510 . . . 514 . . . 521. . . 522 . . 523 . . 561 . . . 562 . . 509 . . 501 . . 511 . . . 524. . . 563 . . 526 . . 525 . . 534 . . 535 . . 543 . . 500 . . 565 . . 564 . . 544 . . 566 . . 547 . . 527 . . 536 . . 529 . . 530 . . 567. . .

Aer-Flo (Bunt Zone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aer-Flo (Wind Weighted tarps) . . . . . . . Atwater Slicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Atwater Slicks (fabric) . . . . . . . . . . . . Bannerman (Ballpark-4). . . . . . . . . . . . Bannerman (Diamond Master) . . . . . . . Beacon Athletics (dugout) . . . . . . . . . Beacon Athletics (nets and cages) . . . . BetterBaseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Challenger Industries (DURAPlay) . . . Challenger Industries (TT33 Turf) . . . Cramer (Co-Stretch Tape) . . . . . . . . . . . Cramer (Cold Shoulder Wrap) . . . . . . . . Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Picher Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . Earth & Turf (Linear Aerator) . . . . . . . . Earth & Turf (MultiSpread 320) . . . . . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fair-Play Scoreboards (BA-7100-2) . . . Fair-Play Scoreboards (BA-7109-2) . . . Fergo Sports (custom-designs apparel) . Fergo Sports (custom-made apparel) . . Fitterfirst (Xco Trainer) . . . . . . . . . . . . Game-On Field Conditioner . . . . . . Gatorade (Endurance Formula) . . . . . . . Gatorade (Nutrition Shake) . . . . . . . . . Glove Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goldner Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grand Slam Pitching Machine . . . . . Heying Company (Infield-Drag) . . . . . Hoosier Bat Company . . . . . . . . . . . Jaypro (Little Slam Batting Cage) . . . . . . Jaypro (Pitcher’s Safety Protector) . . . . . K&K Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Markwort Sporting Goods . . . . . . . 28 Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . . 48 More Than ERA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Partac/BEAM CLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 PIK Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Plus5 Field Marker (Imerys) . . . . . . . . 38 Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Pro’s Choice Field Products . . . . . . . 9 Quickswing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Red Diamond Conditioners. . . . . . . 25 Seating Services Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Southern Athletic Fields . . . . . . . . . 42 SPI Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Sports Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports Products Consultants . . . . . 50 Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Stalker Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Turface Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC VPI Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC White Line Equipment Co. . . . . . . . 29 WSI Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Xco Trainer (Fitterfirst) . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Xvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

IF TOO SOFT & DUSTY!

STABILIZER® & HILLTOPPER®

PRODUCTS DIRECTORY

FOR FIRM, YET RESILIENT, PLAYING SURFACES

TO QUICKLY DRY INFIELDS! The Original & Most Absorbent is Now NEW & IMPROVED GRANULAR

OVER 200 OTHER INFIELD PRODUCTS! Premium & Standard in 6 Colors! Protective Safety Covers for Chain Link Fence WALL PADDING • WINDSCREEN • RAIL PADDING TAMPERS • DRAG MATS • RAKES HOLLYWOOD® BASES • FIELD MARKING MACHINES BATTING PRACTICE COVERS • RAIN COVERS PERMA-MOUND™ PADS • MOUND BRICKS SAFE “T” MATT™ BATTER’S BOX PADS TYPAR® GEOTEXTILES & TURF BLANKETS ON-DECK CIRCLES WITH TEAM LOGOS PERMANENT FOUL LINES & MUCH MORE!

FOR INSTRUCTIONS & BROCHURES

www.BEAMCLAY.com

800-247-BEAM

908-637-4191 / FAX 908-637-8421 PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION KELSEY PARK, GREAT MEADOWS, NJ 07838

“The best infield mix I’ve ever used.” — GEORGE TOMA Circle No. 144

COACHING MANAGEMENT

PAGE NO.

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CIRCLE NO.

COMPANY

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M.A.S.A. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mar-Co Clay Products . . . . . . . . . . Markwort Sporting Goods . . . . . . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . Partac Peat Corp./BEAM CLAY . . . Plus5 Field Marker (Imerys) . . . . . . . . Power Systems (Power Program) . . . . . Power Systems (Reflex Ball) . . . . . . . . Pro’s Choice Field Products . . . . . . Profile Products (Turface) . . . . . . . . . Quickswing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Red Diamond Conditioners. . . . . . . Schutt Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seating Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern Athletic Fields . . . . . . . . . SPI Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports Attack (Hack Attack) . . . . . . . . Sports Attack (Junior Hack Attack). . . . Sports Products (Personal Pitcher) . . . Sports Products (RadarWatch) . . . . . . Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports Tutor (Batting Tutor) . . . . . . . . Sports Tutor (HomePlate) . . . . . . . . . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stalker Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swift Stik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swing Speed Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vantage Products Int’l. . . . . . . . . . . WSI Sports (WikMax Heatr) . . . . . . . . . WSI Sports (WikMax Slider) . . . . . . . . . Xco Trainer (Fitterfirst) . . . . . . . . . . . . Xvest (Don Chu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xvest (Fire Fighter model) . . . . . . . . . . . Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40 37 45 48 37 42 49 49 36 37 49 36 45 43 38 40 49 50 50 50 39 50 50 38 51 48 48 40 45 45 39 51 51 47

www.FundraisingForSports.com TIPS & ADVICE

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specifically for sports booster clubs, a valuable resource to help you raise money for your athletic teams.

of your Fundraising Project • Receive TIPS & ADVICE from fundraising experts who have experience raising funds for sports teams

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implemented by teams at schools around the country

More Products Cramer Products, Inc. 800-345-2231 WWW.CRAMERSPORTSMED.COM Cramer Co-Stretch Non-Adhesive Stretch Tape is the innovative choice that beats traditional stretching and self-adhering tapes. It has excellent tensile strength, tears cleanly, and features a “no-slip” grip, making it among the top sports-medical tapes. It’s excellent for use as an anchor for tape applications or compression bandages, and it contours easily to the body, allowing you to effortlessly wrap any appendage. Circle No. 561 Cold therapy is one of the best ways to combat pain and swelling due to over exertion and heavy stress on muscles and joints. The Cramer Cold Shoulder Wrap provides complete cold therapy coverage to the shoulder, rotator cuff,

upper arm, and elbow for athletes who place a heavy workload on those areas. The Cold Shoulder Wrap is designed to be portable, as it comes in a size that fits most athletes. Its easy-to-use package serves as an effective right- and left-sided solution for icing athletes. The sealed ice cells prevent leaking, and the anti-microbial finish helps to prevent odor. Circle No. 562 eFundraising 866-235-9660 WWW.EFUNDRAISING.COM eFundraising’s Scratchcards are one of the most profitable fundraising products in America, with up to a 100percent profit opportunity—rarely seen

with other fundraisers. Check out the company’s special offers and fundraising tips online, and find out how this fundraiser can be personalized for your group. Here is just one of the many success stories: “You have helped our organization reach our goals. After attempting various forms of fundraising in the past, we decided to try the Scratchcard fundraiser. This by far has been our most successful fundraising event we have participated in. Thanks.” —Dwan Lee, Capitol Athletic Basketball. Circle No. 563 The Gatorade Co. 800-88-GATOR WWW.GATORADE.COM Gatorade Nutrition Shake is a balanced nutritional supplement that’s ideal for

Medals, Pins & Patches Something for everyone!

Custom & Stock Items • Custom designs created by you • Up to 7 colors on • Any size – any shape custom patches, • Up to 5 colors on medals, price patches 50%-100% includes drape ribbon, event embroidered card and poly bag • No setups or die charges • Stock medals for speedy • Minimum order 100 pieces delivery • Delivery in 3-5 weeks

800-251-2656 In TN: 615-244-3007 Fax: 615-244-5937 www.goldnerassociates.com kbond@goldnerassociates.com Circle No. 145

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Circle No. 146

231 Venture Circle Nashville, TN 37228

More Products use as a high-energy meal replacement, or a pre-event or between-meal snack. Gatorade Nutrition Shake contains vitamin C, calcium, and iron, so it’s great for athletes who want to perform at their best and need to supplement their diet with a convenient, balanced, and nutritious product. Gatorade Nutrition Shake is available in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla. Circle No. 564 After years of extensive research, scientists at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute have developed Gatorade Endurance Formula for athletes’ longer, more intense workouts and competitions. Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink with a five-electrolyte blend containing nearly twice the sodium (200mg) and three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to more fully replace what athletes lose in sweat when fluid and electrolyte losses become substantial. Circle No. 565

and stock items are also available. Looking for an item with your team logo? As a top-50 distributor, Goldner also offers a full line of promotional products, including team caps and T-shirts, trophies and awards, fundraising items, giveaways, and much more. Circle No. 566 K&K Insurance 800-426-2889 WWW.KANDKINSURANCE.COM K&K Insurance is dedicated to providing customized insurance programs for youth and adult sports activities, ranging from weekend recreational leagues to world-class competition in a wide variety of sports. K&K’s innovative coverage, risk evaluation, and claims handling results in programs designed to meet the needs of athletes, officials, spectators, and administrators involved in amateur and professional sports. Circle No. 567

Goldner Associates, Inc. 800-251-2656 WWW.GOLDNERASSOCIATES.COM

Check out

www.AthleticBid.com

Goldner Associates has been a leading supplier of medals, pins, and patches for 40 years. The company can create custom designs in any size or shape,

to contact these companies.

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Company News

Wind-Proof Rain Covers Banish Stakes and Sandbags

Wind Weighted® Baseball Tarps have a steel chain hemmed inside their edges all the way around the tarps. The result: Wind cannot get under these tarps. No stakes or sandbags are ever needed. This tough industrial-grade vinyl-polyester fabric is treated against both UV and mildew exposure. Multiple patents are pending. Hundreds of high school teams use Wind Weighted Tarps, and so do the following colleges and universities. Anderson University, Anderson, Ind. Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Calif. Charleston Southern, Charleston, S.C. Cypress College, Cypress, Texas DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind. Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Mass. Farmingdale State University, Farmingdale, N.Y. Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla. Manatee Community College, Bradenton, Fla. Mesa College, Grand Junction, Colo. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo. Penn State University, College Station, Pa. Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Ind. Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Fla. The Citadel, Charleston, S.C. Troy University, Troy, Ala. U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. University of California, Berkeley University of Colorado, Boulder University of Minnesota, Minneapolis University of Nevada, Reno University of New Mexico, Albuquerque University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Washington, Seattle University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky. University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. Virginia Military Academy, Lexington, Va. Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y. Washington State University, Pullman, Wash. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.

SPORTS DIVISION

Aer-Flo, Inc. 4455 18TH ST. EAST BRADENTON, FL 34203 800-823-7356 INFORMATION@AERFLO.COM WWW.AERFLO.COM

Circle No. 147 COACHING MANAGEMENT

Testimonial

Stay Active with Cho-Pat’s Dual Action Knee Strap “Just thought I would drop you a note. Several years ago, I had knee replacement surgery as a result of too many hours on the tennis court. As a part-time tennis teaching professional, the pain was almost overwhelming, even after the surgery. I bought one of your Dual Action braces a few months ago (I have tried every brace on the market), and I can’t tell you what it has done for my comfort as well as my game. I am playing competitively again and can chase down balls with confidence and without pain. This is the greatest thing since graphite tennis rackets. I just ordered another one. Thanks.” M. John Velier Las Vegas, Nev. “I’ve been using the Dual Action Knee Strap for nearly a month now, and I’ve gone from only being able to take brisk walks to comfortably following a walkrun routine. I’ve been diagnosed with condromalacia patella, and the knee strap offers excellent comfort during exercise and added stability and support, so I can enjoy my workout painfree. Thank you.” Dorothy Tagan “Several months ago, I purchased a pair of your Dual Action Knee Straps. I’m happy to report that they are the finest of several different kinds of straps I’ve tried. They provide just the kind of support I need. I’ll be looking forward to using them when hiking in the Canadian Rockies in a few weeks!” Arthur Jensen New Wilmington, Pa.

Cho-Pat, Inc. P. O. BOX 293 HAINESPORT, NJ 08036 SALES@CHO-PAT.COM 800-221-1601 SALES@CHO-PAT.COM WWW.CHO-PAT.COM

COACHING MANAGEMENT

Company News

Everything You Need for a Great Baseball Field Partac Peat/ Beam Clay® supplies field maintenance products to Major League, minor league, college, high school, and recreational fields worldwide. Some of the 200 infield products the company now offers:

Testimonial

Training Performances Enhanced with Power Lift Equipment “This first-rate gear has led to first-rate workouts. It gives us intangibles, like motivation and improved work ethic. We call it the ‘Wow Effect’.” Joe Kenn Director of Athletic Performance Arizona State University

BEAM CLAY® Baseball Diamond Mix is a premium infield mix that provides a firm, safe, consistent playing surface with great drainage and color. BEAM CLAY® Regional Infield Mixes are blended at bulk plants nationwide to meet the unique needs of every state and climate. BEAM CLAY® Pitcher’s Mound Mix is an extra firm mound clay, available in red, orange, brown, and gray. Mound and Batter’s Box Bricks and our patented, red polyurethane pads are also available. BEAM CLAY® Red Warning Tracks warn players of their distance to fences and walls. These mixes are firm yet “crunchy”, with excellent drainage and color, and aesthetically provide the finishing touches to a great ballfield. Pro’s Choice® Soilmaster™ Pro’s Choice® Rapid Dry™ Pro’s Choice® Pro Mound® Diamond Pro® Infield Conditioner Hilltopper® Infield Mix Hilltopper® Mound & Home Plate Clay Red Lava Dust and Red Brick Dust Perma-Mound® and Safe “T” Matts® Mound and Batter’s Box Pads Stabilizer® • Diamond Dry® Windscreens • Wallpadding Fence Guards™ • Permanent Foul Lines DURA-Pad® On-Deck Circles with Team Logos

PARTAC PEAT CORP./BEAM CLAY® KELSEY PARK GREAT MEADOWS, NJ 07838 800-247-BEAM FAX: 908-637-8421 PARTAC@GOES.COM WWW.BEAMCLAY.COM

“Florida State has chosen Power Lift equipment because it is the most functional, most durable, and bestlooking equipment made. We perform over 80 percent of our workouts on the self-contained Half Racks and Olympic Platforms.” Jon Jost Director of Strength and Conditioning Florida State University “Power Lift Equipment has been a great benefit to our program. The high quality of Power Lift aligns with the tradition of Ohio State Football.” Allan Johnson Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach Ohio State University

Power Lift P.O. BOX 348 JEFFERSON, IA 50129 800-872-1543 MRICHARDSON@POWER-LIFT.COM WWW.POWER-LIFT.COM

HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE

B-BP-4 BALLPARK-4 GROOMER

When the safety of your players comes first, look to Bannerman, the leading Groomer manufacturer for over 24 years, to shape, level, and care for your baseball diamonds, warning tracks, and walking/bike trails. The B-BP-4 Ballpark-4® (shown) and the B-BP-6 Ballpark-6®, B-DM-6 Diamond Master® (shown) models have five standard tools, including: Ripper Blade, Rake, Leveler, Roller, and Brush. Accessories available include: Wing Brush Kit, Top Link Kit, 50-gallon Water Tank Kit with spray nozzle, and NEW Highway Transport Kit. Restore your diamond’s luster in 20 minutes or less with one of the industry’s leading groomers.

B-DM-6 DIAMOND MASTER ®

New to the Bannerman family of groomers is the B-MG-6 Master Groomer. This brush unit is the “Quick and Slick” answer to working in light to heavy topdressing and other turf building materials down to the base of the grasses, that you’ve only dreamed of, until now. For use on greens, tees, fairways, and all types of sportsturf surfaces both synthetic and natural.

B-MG-6 MASTER GROOMER

THE HOME OF SPORTSTURF MAGIC Circle No. 148

41 Kelfield Street, Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 5A3 CANADA 1-800-325-4871 USA 1-800-665-2696 www.sportsturfmagic.com

AN INFIELD CONDITIONER THAT GIVES YOU BRICK RED COLOR WITHOUT THE BRICK. Unlike infield products such as brick dust

ultimate playing surface—with half the

or vitrified clay, Turface Pro League Red

tonnage of an aggregate product. For over

delivers the rich red color you

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