Author’s note:
I coached HS baseball for a total of nine years at Brenham High School and at Austin’s McCallum High School. Before that, I pitched at the University of Texas under the legendary Bibb Falk, and I coached for one year at UT under the equally-legendary Cliff Gustafson. The outline posted here expresses my baseball philosophy and the system I used coaching high school teams. I used a scaled down version of this system while coaching my son and his contemporaries in youth baseball leagues. I do not pretend that this system is innovative or the only system. My coaching philosophy evolved from what I learned from those two outstanding coaches and from my Dad, who was the best pitching coach I ever had. I encourage readers to review the outline and to use whatever seems suited to your individual coaching situations. Good luck to you and to your teams.
MAC HARDBALL
McCALLUM KNIGHTS BASEBALL
I. Team Philosophy
A. Aggressive but not reckless
1. big lead/dive back every time
2. think two bases when ball is hit – sprint to the next base and anticipate taking the extra base
a. home to second
b. first to third
c. second to home
d. baserunners should advance two bases on most hits
e. hitter must sprint to first on contact and round the bag hard
3. run at every opportunity
a. steal bases
b. take the extra base
c. advance on passed ball/wild pitch/opponents’ errors
d. think two bases on every play
4. we must be able to score on plays other than hits; put ball in play and advance runners
5. put constant pressure on our opponents
B. Hitting approach
1. work the count – be smart, get your pitch, do not swing at pitcher’s pitch
a. first pitch, 2-0, 3-1 is your pitch; only swing at something you can drive
b. ahead in the count: do not swing at just any strike; look for something in your zone
c. two strike approach: choke up, move up, short stroke, put ball in play, foul off close pitches
d. DO NOT TAKE STRIKE THREE
2. know your strike zone; know which pitches you can handle and which you cannot
3. get a pitch you can hit, not just any strike
4. on deck circle approach
a. no conversation with dugout unless it is about your time at bat or about the pitcher you are facing
b. PREPARE to hit – concentrate on pitcher and situation
c. think about your mechanics – coach yourself
5. batter’s box approach
a. see ball, hit ball – no thinking
b. between pitches – step out and think/coach yourself on mechanics, remind yourself of what you need to do on the next pitch
c. in box – see ball, hit ball
6. swing mechanics
a. balanced stance – not open, not closed
b. get in a rhythm with P’s delivery
c. short stride to hitting position when P’s arm is at top of delivery – hands go back slightly
d. step closed on inside part of front foot
e. weight and hands stay back – do not move head, hands or body forward during stride to hitting position
f. you can be early on your stride to the hitting position but NEVER late
g. the stride is first, then the swing – stride and swing are NOT simultaneous
h. head and eyes down, on ball – weight centered over back foot as swing begins
i. front shoulder in – take your front shoulder to the ball
j. hit down and through ball, barrel of bat above your hands
k. weight and hands stay back – hit the ball back in your stance, not out on front foot
l. back side down and through ball – slight transfer of weight to front side during swing
m. let the ball come to you – do not reach for the ball – track it deep, let it travel
n. keep your hands inside the ball – do not roll your wrists as you hit the ball
o. swing down – hit hard ground balls and line drives
7. be aware of what the situation requires
a. often we can score a run with a fly ball (runner at third) or a ground ball (infield back, runner at third)
b. advance runners by putting ball in play
c. situation hitting scores runs without base hits
C. Defensive principles
1. make every routine play
2. do not allow opponents extra outs
3. no walks – make opponents hit their way on base, throw strikes
4. never leave a base uncovered – outfielders be ready to back up plays and cover bases
5. be alert – remind each other of situations, number of outs and the play we are going to make
6. SS must tell P on every double play situation who will cover second on a ball hit back to P – SS tell P on each hitter
7. catch every fly ball – do not ever let a fly ball or popup drop – CALL FOR THE BALL
8. hit the cutoff man every time
9. back up each play
a. OF back up plays at bases
b. P back up third and home on hits – DO NOT STAND AT THE MOUND AND WATCH – P IS NOT A CUTOFF MAN
c. 1B be ready to cover home
d. C back up throws to first with no one in scoring position
10. P break to first on any ground ball to right side – C yell “GET OVER THERE”
11. everyone up on toes on each pitch – anticipate that the ball is coming to you and know what you are going to do with it
12. rundowns
a. run the runner back to the base he left
b. never chase runner to the next base
c. if infielder cannot tag runner immediately, throw to next base and run him back to the base he left
13. defense is nothing more than catch and throw – be consistent
14. IF WE DO NOT GIVE RUNS AWAY AND DO NOT ALLOW EXTRA OUTS, WE WILL WIN
II. Signs
A. Indicator
1. either hand on belt buckle
2. next sign after indicator is on
3. a return to the indicator at any time during the sequence wipes off the sign
4. there must be a new sign after every pitch – signs do not remain on after a pitch is made
5. pickoff throw is not a pitch – sign remains on until a pitch is made to the hitter
B. Bunt signs
1. either hand on left side of chest
a. sacrifice bunt
b. drag bunt (if no one on base or runners on with two outs)
c. safety squeeze (runner at third, less than two outs)
d. bunt strikes only – get the ball down
2. either hand on right side of chest
a. suicide squeeze bunt
b. hitter acknowledge sign to coach by holding the bat with a hand on each end
c. runner acknowledge sign to hitter by touching cap bill
d. runner break when the pitcher’s arm is at the top of the throwing motion
e. runner try for a walking lead before breaking if pitcher is winding up
f. hitter MUST bunt the ball fair and on the ground
g. hitter MUST get the bat on the ball – do not take the pitch, even if it is bad
3. either hand across letters
a. bunt and run
b. runner break on pitch regardless of jump
c. batter bunt a strike only
d. runner think two bases – round base hard and look to coach
e. runner look in at pitch like hit and run – if hitter takes the pitch, steal the base
4. either hand skin on skin
a. arm, ear, cheek, nose, hand – any skin spot
b. fake bunt swing
c. square to bunt, then use a short stroke to hit any pitch – protect the runner
d. runner break on pitch regardless of jump
e. this is a hit and run play – runner look in to find ball, hitter put the ball in play on the ground
C. Running signs
1. either hand on left leg
a. steal
b. aggressive lead/dive back
c. BREAK ONLY IF RUNNER GETS A GOOD JUMP
d. first step must be a crossover step with left foot
e. BAD JUMP – STAY PUT
f. do not look in at ball – head down, run hard
2. either hand on right leg
a. hit and run
b. aggressive lead/dive back
c. runner break regardless of jump
d. hitter swing at any pitch – trying to hit ground ball through infield
e. runner must look in and find ball – get back if ball hit in air
3. either hand across letters
a. bunt and run
b. aggressive lead/dive back
c. see above for details of play
4. either hand skin on skin
a. fake bunt swing
b. aggressive lead/dive back
c. see above for details of play
5. either hand on bill of cap
a. fake bunt steal
b. aggressive lead/dive back
c. hitter square early to bunt
d. keep bat at top of strike zone
e. on the pitch, hitter pull head of bat back toward C mask – take the pitch
f. RUNNER BREAK ONLY ON GOOD JUMP
g. runner steal second – do not look in at ball, head down, run hard
6. either hand on top of cap
a. delayed steal
b. aggressive lead/dive back
c. on the pitch, two shuffle steps toward next base, then GO
d. shuffle steps may be slide steps or sideways hops
e. runner should not attract C attention with the shuffle steps
f. on the pitch, “shuffle, shuffle, go”
g. runner steal second – do not look in at ball, head down, run hard
7. run on contact
a. runner at third only
b. coach will tell runner – no sign
c. runner break for home aggressively as soon as ball is hit
d. runner must score on any ground ball – do not hesitate
e. gamble play – if ball is hit in air or back to the pitcher, runner may be out
8. run on first movement
a. runner on first, LH P
b. coach will tell runner – no sign
c. often will be discussed before game in preparing for certain LH P
d. runner break for second as soon as LH P moves his front knee up
e. do not look in at ball – head down, run hard
f. gamble play – if LH P throws to first, runner may be out
9. palms down
a. no indicator necessary
b. steal only on sign – play it safe
c. this is primarily for runners who are allowed to run on their own
D. Hit away/Take
1. take – coach maintains continuous eye contact with hitter until hitter looks away
2. hit away – coach looks away from hitter or is not looking at hitter
3. index finger up – “take one”
a. no indicator necessary
b. take a strike – do not swing until after P throws a strike
c. take on 2-0, 3-0, 3-1 pitch
III. Defensive plays
A. Fly ball rules
1. OF get everything he can get coming in – OF call off INF and catch the ball
2. CF get everything he can get left and right – CF call off LF and RF
3. OF back up each other
4. OF help each other on up and back
5. OF help each other on which base to throw to – talk between pitches about situation and runners
6. communicate loudly and early
7. CALL FOR THE BALL
a. OF who calls for fly yell “BALL”
b. other OF acknowledge call by answering “TAKE IT” and back up play
c. CF is in charge of fly balls to outfield
d. if CF calls “BALL,” other OF get away and back up play
B. Popup rules
1. OF get everything he can get coming in – OF call off INF
2. INF must go back hard after popup until OF calls for ball
3. third base line behind 3B – SS calls off 3B, gets everything he can get from SS position into foul territory behind third
4. first base line behind 1B – 2B calls off 1B, gets everything he can get from 2B position into foul territory behind first
5. any INF call off P
6. 1B and 3B call off C
7. P direct traffic on infield popup – P call for which player to take it
8. CALL FOR THE BALL
a. INF who calls for popup yell “BALL”
b. other INF acknowledge call by answering “TAKE IT”
c. follow rules for which INF has control of popup
d. if OF calls “BALL,” INF get away and yell “TAKE IT”
e. if OF cannot get to popup, yell “TAKE IT” to INF and back up play
C. Outfield cutoff rules
1. on every ball that goes over, through or by an outfielder, OF must hit the front cutoff man, regardless of where the runners are
2. SS/2B use the double cutoff
a. SS front cutoff man on balls to left field and left center – 2B ten feet behind him in line with throw
b. 2B front cutoff man on balls to right field and right center – SS ten feet behind him in line with throw
c. back cutoff man must watch baserunner and direct front cutoff man’s throw
d. back cutoff man must catch the ball and make throw if the cutoff throw is bad
e. 1B – watch hitter touch first, trail hitter to second; if hitter rounds and goes to third, 1B should fall off into infield to be cutoff man
f. 3B stay at bag on ball over, through or by outfielders – no cutoff responsibility on ball hit over or through outfielders
g. P must back up third or home – DO NOT STAND AT THE MOUND AND WATCH – P IS NOT A CUTOFF MAN
D. Infield cutoff rules
1. ball over, through, or by OF – SS and 2B double cutoff, 3B covers third, 1B trails runner
2. on all throws to INF cutoff man, communicate loudly
a. INF or C who is lining up play must tell cutoff man what to do
b. yell “ONE,” “TWO,” “THREE,” or “FOUR” for cut and throw to a base – no need to say “CUT,” yell number of base only
c. yell “CUT” to have the cutoff man catch the ball and hold it
d. do not wait until the ball is on top of the cutoff man – give him time to make the play
3. hit or fly to LF, play at home
a. 3B is cutoff man
b. C line up cutoff man for throw to home
c. SS cover third
d. 2B cover second
e. 1B cover first – get hitter rounding bag too far
f. P back up home
g. LF throw ball through head of cutoff man to home
h. if throw is too high, cutoff man fake cut and throw to second – do not jump for high throw
4. hit or fly to CF, play at home
a. 1B is cutoff man
b. C line up cutoff man for throw to home
c. 3B cover third
d. SS or 2B cover second, depends on whether hit is to left center or right center and whether there may be play at third
e. if possible throw to third, SS cutoff man for throw to third, 2B cover second
f. P back up home
g. CF throw ball through head of cutoff man to home
h. if throw is too high, cutoff man fake cut and throw to second – do not jump for high throw
5. hit or fly to RF, play at home
a. 1B is cutoff man
b. C line up cutoff man for throw to home
c. SS cover second (if no possible throw to third)
d. 2B cover first (if no possible throw to third)
e. if possible throw to third, SS cutoff man for throw to third, 2B cover second
f. 3B cover third
g. P back up home
h. RF throw ball through head of cutoff man to home
i. if throw is too high, cutoff man fake cut and throw to second – do not jump for high throw
6. hit or fly to LF, play at third
a. 3B cover third
b. 2B cover second
c. 1B cover first
d. P back up third
e. LF throw through to 3B, no cutoff necessary, SS stay out of the way
7. hit or fly to CF, play at third
a. SS is cutoff man
b. 3B line up cutoff man for throw to third
c. 2B cover second
d. 1B cover first
e. P back up third
f. CF throw ball through head of cutoff man to third
g. if throw is too high, cutoff man fake cut and throw to second – do not jump for high throw
8. hit or fly to RF, play at third
a. SS is cutoff man
b. 3B line up cutoff man
c. 2B cover second
d. 1B cover first
e. P back up third
f. RF throw ball through head of cutoff man to third
g. if throw is too high, cutoff man fake cut and throw to second – do not jump for high throw
9. OF must talk about where to throw the ball
a. often the throw to home is wasted and the best play is to keep the hitter from moving to second
b. know the situation and do not waste a throw
c. if there is no play on the lead runner, throw to keep the other runner or the hitter from moving up an extra base
E. Bunt defense rules
1. C call throw – take charge
2. runner at first only
a. 1B charge, has first base line
b. 3B charge, has third base line
c. P charge, has middle
d. 2B break to first – do not be late, cheat to first
e. SS cover second
f. do not leave third uncovered – C, P, LF or 3B can get there, depending on who fields the ball
3. runners at first and second
a. C call play
(1) Regular – C call “Blue”
(a) SS keep runner close to second
(b) 1B charge, has first base line
(c) P has third base line – P MUST field ball bunted to third
(d) 3B stay at bag unless ball gets by P
(2) Wheel – C call “White”
(a) purpose is to get force at third
(b) 2B keep runner close to second, break hard to first on pitcher’s head turn to plate
(c) SS cheat to third and break on pitcher’s head turn to plate
(d) 3B play in and charge hard, has third base line
(e) P has middle
(f) 1B charge, has first base line
(g) 2B cover first
(h) use only when we really need the out at third
b. coach must call play for C, C relay call to infielders
4. squeeze defense – runner at third
a. 3B must recognize play and yell “going”
b. AUTOMATIC PITCHOUT – C must recognize and jump outside, P must recognize and throw pitchout
5. runner at second only
a. same as Regular (Blue)
b. SS keep runner close to second
c. P has third base line
d. 3B stay at bag unless ball gets by P
e. 1B charge, has first base line
f. 2B cover first
g. SS cover second
h. we may use Wheel play (White) if we really must keep the runner off third
F. Double steal defense
1. first and third plays
a. coach must call play for C
b. C relay play to infielders
c. C give signs to infielders
(1) C hand on head
(a) throw through to second
(b) C look at third as he is coming out to throw to second – look runner back
(c) 3B signal “touchdown” if runner has irresponsible lead – C throw to third on “touchdown” signal
(d) SS or 2B on throw to second – whoever is not covering, watch runner at third and yell “4” or “tag him”
(e) if call is “4,” INF who is covering must run to meet throw from C and throw home
(f) if call is “tag him,” INF covering second stay at bag and tag stealing runner
(2) C hand on mask
(a) C throw high to P – make it look like a throw through to second
(b) C do not look runner at third back
(c) P cut ball off and throw to third
(3) C hand on chest protector
(a) C fake throw to second
(b) C do not look runner at third back
(c) C throw down line to third
(d) C try to make runner at third duck throw
(4) C call “Black”
(a) P fake pickoff throw to third and then throw to first
(b) good play if runner at first has big lead or is moving far away from the base with each pitch
(c) good play on 3-2 count with two outs or in any situation when the runner at first is likely to be running
(d) P can use this play on his own without the “Black” call – do not overuse, save for when we really need the out
2. first and second – both running
a. we must cover both third and second
b. ordinarily the throw will be to third to get the front runner
c. C has the discretion to throw to second to get the trail runner if the runner at first is slow or is loafing
d. be alert at second on this play – this could get a big out
G. Pickoffs
1. daylight play at second base – SS or 2B break to second and throw glove (SS) or bare hand (2B) out
a. P must throw to bag OR step off
b. P must not deliver pitch with SS or 2B at or breaking to bag
2. timing play at second base
a. SS give sign to P, hand across letters, P acknowledge – touch cap bill
b. SS break, touch second base, return to position in front of runner
c. P (on SS touch) – turn head and look to home, count thousand & one, thousand & two, turn and throw
d. 2B – count thousand & one, break to bag (we may be able to count to two here)
3. bases loaded or runner at second and third, P full wind-up, pick runner off second
a. coach must call this play for SS
b. SS give sign to C after coach calls play – adjust cup
c. C give sign to P – closed fist, hold fist steady, wait for SS to break
d. P wait, looking in for sign
e. SS allow runner at second to go as far as he will go
f. SS break to bag when he is ready
g. C throw open hand down on SS break
h. P turn and throw to second when open hand goes down
i. if runner at second does not get off far enough, SS call off play by telling P to step off
4. runners at first and second – 1B behind runner, pick runner off first
a. coach must call this play for 1B
b. 1B sign to P – adjust cup
c. P acknowledge sign – touch cap bill
d. RH P
(1) P stretch, look at second base, see 1B out of corner of right eye, wait for 1B to break
(2) 1B let runner at first go as far as he will go
(3) 1B break to bag when ready
(4) P turn and throw to first on 1B break
(5) 1B call off play by telling P to step off
e. LH P
(1) stretch, let runner come to stop
(2) P raise knee to throw
(3) 1B break to bag when P knee comes up
(4) P throw to first with normal move
5. runner at third
a. RH P
(1) 3B give sign to P – hand across letters
(2) P acknowledge sign – touch cap bill
(3) P take stretch and wait
(4) 3B break when ready
(5) P step off when 3B breaks, snap throw to third
(6) RH P can also raise knee and throw on 3B break
(7) 3B call off play by telling P to step off
b. LH P
(1) stretch, look to second, see 3B out of corner of left eye, wait for 3B to break
(2) 3B let runner at third go as far down the line as he will go
(3) 3B break to bag when ready
(4) P throw to third on 3B break
(5) 3B call off play by telling P to step off
6. C pickoffs
a. C look at INF, scoop up dirt and throw it down
b. INF acknowledge – touch cap bill
c. with or without pitchout, C come out throwing
7. bunt situation pickoff – runner at first
a. coach must call play for C
b. C give sign to infielders – step out front, alert INF “watch for bunt,” give number of outs, adjust cup
c. 2B and 1B must acknowledge – touch cap bill
d. 3B and 1B in on grass moving toward plate – charge hard on pitch
e. 2B must cheat to first before pitch
f. pitch out
g. when P moves to home, 1B break hard to plate, 2B break to first
h. C come out throwing to first, 2B covers
8. bunt situation pickoffs – runners at first and second
a. fake Wheel play
(1) run this pickoff immediately after running Wheel (White) and unsuccessful bunt
(2) coach call play for C
(3) C call “Gray”
(4) P stretch and look at second
(5) SS start cheating to third
(6) 2B do not hold runner on, wait
(7) P turn toward home, SS break to third as turn begins, 2B break to bag when P looks at home
(8) P turn immediately and throw to bag
(9) timing play
b. fake daylight play
(1) run this play in a certain bunt situation
(2) coach call play for C
(3) C call “Red”
(4) SS fake daylight pickoff – break hard to bag with glove out – call for ball
(5) bench yell “back”
(6) PITCHER MUST NOT THROW TO SECOND
(7) PITCHER MUST THROW STRIKE FOR HITTER TO BUNT
(8) if this play works, the runner will be diving or sliding back into second as the hitter bunts – we will get an easy force out at third
(9) if runner at second does not react to SS move to bag, P step off
9. WE MUST RECOGNIZE SITUATIONS WHEN A PLAY MAY BE ON DO NOT MAKE THE COACH TIP THE PLAY BY HAVING TO TELL YOU TO LOOK FOR THE SIGN
H. Steal defense
1. Pitchers must work on holding runners close, being quick to home, slide step, vary number of looks to first, throw to first at different points in the stretch
2. Pitchout – coach must call – C sign to P is fist with thumb pointing at empty batter’s box
3. C must have quick release and good footwork to the ball
4. INF who is not covering – hold your position through the swing to protect against the hit and run
IV. Offensive Plays
A. Hit and Run – play described under “Signs”
B. Bunt and Run – play described under “Signs”
C. Squeeze – play described under “Signs”
D. Fake bunt swing – play described under “Signs”
E. Steal – play described under “Signs”
F. Double steal – runners at first and third
1. #1 – steal sign + 1 finger
a. runner at first deliberately get picked off – rundown and/or break for second
b. runner at third break for home when 1B throws ball to second
2. #2 – steal sign + 2 fingers
a. runner at first break when C stands to throw to P
b. runner at third break for home when C throws to second base
3. #3 – steal sign + 3 fingers
a. runner at first break when P goes into stretch
b. if P does not balk and steps off, runner at first get in rundown
c. runner at third break for home when P throws ball
4. on #1, 2 & 3, runner at first must not run into an out, stay in rundown until runner at third scores
5. straight steal
a. steal sign to runner at first, no numbers
b. runner at first try to steal second
c. third base coach will tell runner at third whether to stay or go
d. if going, the runner at third must have a good lead and break as soon as the throw goes over the pitcher’s head
V. Team Rules
A. Help each other, encourage each other – NO criticism of each other – WE ARE A TEAM
B. NO tantrums, NO throwing bats, helmets, gloves or any other equipment
C. NO taunting or mouthing of any kind to our opponents or to the umpires
D. Sprint on and off field – hustle on every play
E. Physical errors are part of the game but mental errors should not occur – repeated mental errors will get you a place on the bench
F. Go to class, stay out of trouble, make your grades, ask for academic help if you need it – there is no good reason for anyone to be ineligible
G. Represent McCallum with class, on and off the field
H. THE 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IS OUR GOAL THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR