Special Assistant to the AD @HailState • Former Baseball Coach at Mississippi State, UGA, and UAB
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#TBT to when I was thrown out at Arkansas for arguing balls and strikes...
Once I was tossed, the umpire told me to go “where he could not see me.”
So naturally, I went and stood on home plate.
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A home plate umpire dropped his phone so I hung on to it until he blew a call.
I went out to argue and handed him his phone.
“Who’s phone is this?” the umpire asked...
“I figured it was yours. It had a lot of missed calls.”
#ThrownOutThursday (I mean, #ThrowBackThursday.)
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Today is the first Opening Day in 55 years where I won’t be in a dugout wearing the uniform...
On the bright side, I can smoke all the cigars I want while watching baseball.
(No more smoke break trips to the bullpen.)
Good luck to everyone this season.
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Someone just tried explaining Throwback Thursday to me... so I thought I’d give it a shot.
If I remember correctly, my buddy and I were trying to decide where to eat after the game. #TBT
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After 31 great years at @MSState, I’m excited to be coming back home!
(Don’t worry @SEC Umpires... This is an ‘off-the-field’ position.)
Welcome home, Coach Polk!
Legendary coach Ron Polk will return to Mississippi State as Special Assistant to the Athletic Director.
#HailState🐶
hailstate.com/news/2020/5/13…
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The @NCAA limits baseball roster sizes to 35 players.
We’re the only sport that has such a hindering restriction.
That is why I now wear #35… in protest of the NCAA.
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Whenever it was late in a game, we were losing by a lot (which wasn't often), and I was ready for a cigar, I would play my automatic ejection card...
All I had to say was:
"How'd we get a junior high umpire callin' an SEC game?"
Worked every time.
#ThrownOutThursday
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Someone told me I had gotten too "soft" on Twitter lately.
Here was my response:
"Oh yeah, well I heard you were a .400 hitter in college...
.100 your Freshman year,
.100 your Sophomore year,
.100 your Junior year,
.100 your Senior year."
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After watching some of the umpiring performances in the NCAA Regionals this past weekend, it's safe to say I would not have lasted very long.
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You may back-up the same routine throw 100+ times in a season.
Maybe it only saves your team 1-2 runs a year... But every run counts.
It takes no talent to backup throws... Just attitude and effort.
You have a place to be on every single play...
Get there.
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Football coach using The Baseball Playbook, too?! @Coach_Leach
Grab your copy now at:
TheBaseballPlaybook.com
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Umpire was having a rough game at LSU, so I'd frequently ask: "Where was that last pitch at?"
Guy must've been an English major as he finally replied: "Don't you know you don't end a sentence with a preposition?"
Me: "You're right. Where was that last pitch at, Knucklehead?"
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People keep asking how much time I will spend driving to my 34 speaking events over the next 38 days...
Well, instead of hours on the road, I think of it in terms of cigars smoked.
For instance:
Birmingham to Nashville = 2 cigar drive
Birmingham to Memphis = 3 cigar drive
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The drag bunt can add 10-15 points to your average over a season, and you don’t have to be a plus runner for it to be effective.
Execution & deception are the keys... Not speed.
Showing bunt from time to time will also bring the corners in, giving you more hitting real estate.
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Beware of trying to 'cookie cut' your hitters.
Reminds me of one of my favorite poems...
“There once was a .400 hitter named Krantz,
Who had a most unusual stance,
But with the coach’s correction,
His form is now perfection,
But he can’t hit the seat of his pants.”
-Unknown
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A hitters approach at the plate should center around the concept of:
“yes, yes, yes, YES” or “yes, yes, yes, NO”.
The idea is to commit to swinging every pitch and then have the ability to hold back at the last possible instance.
Great hitters have the ability to check swing.
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There's nothing worse than a coach who can't hit a good fungo.
COACHES: Please, master the art of the fungo.
(I’ve been called the best fungo hitter of my time… I'd have to agree.)
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You have a place to be on every play.
Get there.
Understand your responsibilities on every play, even if the ball is not hit to you.
It takes no talent to backup throws... just attitude and effort.
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COACHES: When evaluating and/or recruiting players, do not overlook how a player comes on and off the field, how he handles adversity, how he handles success...
Watch him in all of components of the game.
Not just how he hits, runs and throws.
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Nothing puts pressure on a defense like aggressive baserunning.
Getting down the line,
hard turns,
aggressive leads,
dirt ball reads...
This all makes fielders feel rushed and uncomfortable…
which leads to free bases.
It forces teams to prepare differently to play you.
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I never put pressure on kids to win.
I just tell them to go out and compete.
If we lose, the better team won that day.
We might have been the best team,
but we weren’t the best team on that day.
Good luck to everyone playing in NCAA Regionals this weekend.
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Today marks my 54th consecutive Opening Day in college baseball, dating back to 1966 as a grad assistant coach at @ArizonaBaseball.
That puts me at about 378 Opening Day cigars, and counting…
My best to all this season.
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Nothing puts pressure on a defense like aggressive baserunning.
Getting down the line, hard turns, aggressive slides, dirt ball reads…
It all makes fielders feel rushed and uncomfortable… which leads to free bases.
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When evaluating and/or recruiting players, do not overlook how a player comes on and off the field, how he handles adversity, how he handles success...
Watch him in all of components of the game.
Not just how he hits, runs and throws.
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One of the first things you must master in practice is the ability to play catch at a high level.
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“The best team does not always win.
It’s the team that plays the best.”
No truer words in baseball.
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If your team's getting thumped late in the game, wait for the next bangbang play. Go out & yell at the ump but when you get close, say "By the way you got the call right. But hey, we're down 11-0 & I need a cigar, think we could argue a bit longer & then you throw me outta here?"
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The first thing a team must establish on the field is the ability to play catch at a high level...
This is the mark of a great defensive ball club and should be a major priority for all coaches.
... and it starts in the Off-Season.
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Unfortunately, the NCAA is not a great fan of our game.
11.7 scholarships is not enough for a roster of 35...
@ssminnowdad @TADavis1
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Great hitters have the body control to say “YES, YES, YES…NO” on a pitch out of their hitting zone...
They start their swing on every pitch but have an innate ability to check their swing.
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Too many coaches & hitters over-complicate 2 strike hitting.
A simple 2 strike approach I developed that I use w/ players is called 2-2-2-2.
2" toward the plate.
2" toward the pitcher.
Widen the stance 2".
Choke up 2".
Then, when you've got 2 strikes, don't forget to COMPETE!
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In order to have a cohesive team with strong chemistry, a coach must cultivate an atmosphere of trust and pride.
This is done by ensuring that each team member understands his role & that his contribution to the team is valued.
Winning or losing is a product of team effort.
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In terms of evaluating players in recruiting, I always valued my judgement when I watched a kid coming on and off the field, how he handled adversity, how he handled success, and watched him in all of components of the game.
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I was honored to finally get to meet @HailStateFB @Coach_Leach in person and deliver him a fresh copy of the Baseball Playbook, which has came a long way since the copy he used as a textbook in college.
Nowadays, I'm not sure whose playbook has more pages...
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First Basemen:
When reacting to balls hit in the 4-hole, remember this tip:
"Slow let it go... Hot take a shot."
With a weaker hit ball, the second basemen has the better play with momentum towards the bag.
With a sharp hit ball, you have the best chance of knocking it down.
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The first thing a team must establish on the field is the ability to play catch at a high level...
This is the mark of a great defensive ball club and should be a major priority for all coaches.
... and it starts in the Off-Season.
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Great hitters have the body control to say “YES, YES, YES…NO” on a pitch out of their hitting zone...
They start their swing on every pitch but have an innate ability to check their swing.
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A cardinal sin in baseball is for an outfielder to miss the cut off man.
When this happens, you almost always allow the batter runner to get to second base, which takes away the double play.
OUTFIELDERS:
Aim for the knees.
Hit your cut-off.
Keep the double play in order.
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The Drag Bunt can add 10-15 points to a hitter’s batting average, and you don’t have to be a plus runner for it to be effective.
Execution & Deception are the keys.. Not speed.
+ the threat of the bunt will bring in the corner infielders, giving you more hitting real estate.
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Infielders should never give up on a play when there appears to be no play at a base.
Full Arm Fake.
Expect A Play!
This can steal you a few big outs each season and is a good way to keep aggressive baserunning teams in check.
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Coaches, take notes...
Use this time to work on mastering the art of the fungo.
(You know you need it).
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I never put pressure on kids to win.
I just tell them to go out and compete.
If we lose, the better team won that day.
We might have been the best team, but we weren’t the best team on that day.
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“I respectfully disagree.”
(That had to be what I said to the fine gentleman in this photo.)
#ThrownOutThursday... I mean #ThrowBackThursday
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Saw a lot of big home runs this weekend across NCAA Regionals. Fun to watch and good for our game. I hope @NCAACWS does not dumb down the bats again!
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An infielder should never just give up on the play when there is no play at a base.
Full-arm fake and expect a play.
This play is good for at least a few outs every season and can be a great combatant against aggressive baserunning teams.
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First Base is the most under-taught position in the infield, which makes no sense as it's the scene of so many 'bang-bang' plays.
Whether it's footwork, stretching, picking, etc... there are many fundamental areas that should be practiced consistently.
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Baseball is a difficult game.
There are many intricacies that must be learned in order to continue playing as you progress up the ranks.
In terms of hitting, this is what separates Big League hitters...
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You can't hit and stride at the same time and be successful at the plate.
Load.
Stride.
...then Hit.
We're talking milliseconds, but that's the order and it's very important.
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You may back-up the same routine throw 100+ times in a season.
Maybe it only saves your team 1, maybe 2 runs a year... But every run counts.
It takes no talent to backup throws... Just attitude and effort.
You have a place to be on every single play...
Get there.
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Sorry everyone…
I would’ve been on here sooner, but I just could not get Twitter to work on my flip top phone (or my typewriter).
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Pro Coaching Tip:
When you make a mound visit and need to buy some time, and the umpire asks you, “Righty of Lefty,” simply reply back with:
“I got no clue, who would you bring in here?”
Umpire will be stumped and you just got your guy 4-5 more warmup pitches in the pen, easy.
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The best, most consistent athletes are the ones that can control their emotions effectively, fine tune their focus of concentration, and bounce back from setbacks in an emotionally mature way.
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Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸
So thankful to live in this great country and have the freedoms that we do. #USA
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MIDDLE INFIELDERS:
When runner attempts to steal 2B, you must hold your ground until you read no swing/contact.
Vacating early exposes the INF & routine ground balls become hits that advance runner to third.
You should be at DP depth, which will allow you to get to 2B in time.
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When a hitter is in a mindset where he feels he must see where the pitch is before swinging, he loses the ability to “pull the trigger”. Hence, he loses his aggressiveness.
Expect to hit every pitch and have the ability to say no at the last possible second.
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MIDDLE INFIELDERS:
When you see a runner stealing, hold your ground until you see no contact.
When you vacate early, you expose the field and a routine ground ball can become a base hit.
You should be at double play depth, which will still allow you to get to 2B in time.
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The Drag Bunt can add 10-15 points to a hitter’s batting average, and you don’t have to be a plus runner for it to be effective.
Execution and deception are the keys.. NOT SPEED!
+ the threat of the bunt will bring in the corner infielders, giving you more hitting real estate.
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Just another day in the life...
⚾️ Fungos
🎥 @SEC Baseball Video Coordinators
📱@WarrenBuffett’s Flip-Top Phone
📚 105,000+ Copies Sold...
Are you ready for baseball season?
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"The best, most consistent athletes are the ones that can control their emotions effectively, fine tune their focus of concentration, and bounce back from setbacks in an emotionally mature way."
Excerpt from the TheBaseballPlaybook.com
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COACHES: You must ensure that each team member understands his role and that his contribution to the team is valued.
This is how you cultivate an atmosphere of trust and pride.
Winning or losing is a product of team effort.
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Plate discipline must be emphasized in batting practice, no matter what time of year.
Every swing should have a purpose. Swinging at pitches outside the strike zone (or hitting zone) in practice sessions will carry over into games.
Coaches need to make this a point of emphasis.
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“There once was a .400 hitter named Krantz,
Who had the most unusual stance,
But with the coach’s correction,
His form is now perfection,
But he can’t hit the seat of his pants.”
-Unknown
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One of the most difficult aspects of infield play is being aggressive in your approach to the ball while at the same time getting in a position to field the ball under control.
Get to the ball quickly and then fight to get under control during the actual fielding process.
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What a humbling experience this was! Many thanks to the hundreds of former players and their families who attended, along with thousands of other Bulldog Faithful.
Dudy Noble is a very special place to me and to be enshrined at its gates is an incredible honor. #HailState
At the house that Ron Polk helped build, he will now forever stand at the door
#HailState🐶 | #SBW23
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I’m here in Indianapolis and wanted to wish all of my good friends at the @NCAA a Happy New Year!
#NoClueAboutAnything
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In addition to developing an athlete’s level of skill, coaches must strive to instill pride, confidence, and a sense of personal identity within their athletes so that they may become better people in the way they define themselves both on and off the baseball field.
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My Twitter guy brought his son to see @HailStateBB at @VandyBoys…
I told him he could call me Uncle Ron, but for some reason he kept calling me grandpa!
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#TBT to when #PolksFolks and @HailStateBB traveled so well to Rosenblatt @NCAACWS in 1981...
I know @MSState will do the same this weekend in Omaha.
📸: @nancymccarley
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"Baseball is a game played in spurts.
So we practice in spurts just like a game."
This means for hitters, we only allow them to take 6 or 7 cuts in a given BP round, to mirror a game at-bat.
A tired swing is counter productive.
@CBNewspaper
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I might have the most wins in @SEC history, but I also have the most losses... (and there’s one more record I have)
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You’ve probably heard it 1000 times, but it’s so true, especially in baseball...
“The best team does not always win.
It’s the team that plays the best.”
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Here’s how @HailStateBB (and the Left Field Lounge) got @ESPN to start covering college baseball…
🎥: @CABA_Baseball
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A common fault with many 1B that often goes unnoticed by coaches is stretching too early, especially on shorter distance throws like double play turns.
It is imperative that you coach your 1B to not stretch until reading ball flight on all throws across the diamond.
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Plate discipline has to center around the mental to physical concept of “yes, yes, yes, NO” or “yes, yes, yes, YES”.
A hitter must establish the fact that he will be swinging at the pitch, and then make the adjustment to hold back on the swing at the last possible instance.
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#TBT to @HailStateBB's run to the College World Series in 1979.
Of the 63 games we played that season, 49 of them were COMPLETE GAMES by the pitcher…
But I guess that was when real men were playing the game. 🤣
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The key to coaching is commitment.
It’s not easy. It’s a tough life...
But at the same time, it’s enjoyable and extremely rewarding.
Coaches often put way too much pressure on themselves and their players to win.
Don’t do that.
There will be enough pressure as it is.
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Today’s #TBT goes out to all of my former assistant coaches...
I was very fortunate as a head coach to be surrounded by incredible assistants. Watching them go on to do great things in our game has been very rewarding.
Surround yourself with great people!
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Down to Up glove work must be ingrained in Infielders from an early age. It plays a huge role in not only fielding GB's, but also in receiving the ball on force plays/steals/picks..
To give yourself the best chance on balls in the dirt, you must work Down to Up with the glove.
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Strike zone discipline must be emphasized in all components of batting practice, from soft toss to cage work to on-field BP.
The goal is for hitters to develop a keen awareness of the strike zone that carries over into the game. This takes a high degree of focus and repetition.
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Baserunners:
You DO NOT have to steal if you DO NOT get a good jump (on a straight steal).
Shut it down and establish your secondary lead as the pitch is on its way to the plate.
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Brian Shoop began coaching with me as a grad asst at @HailStateBB and I was honored to coach with him at @UAB_Baseball through the end of his great career.
Very proud of what he accomplished on & off the field. We have a great friendship and I have great respect for his family.
A TRUE COACHING LEGEND‼️
Thank you for the last 14 years Coach Shoop. Enjoy retirement!
🔗: bit.ly/BrianShoop
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This year's @ABCA1945 Convention was the biggest one yet!
I'm proud that 5 @HailStateBB coaching alum have served as ABCA President over its 75 years. No other program has more than 1.
We also all started as Grad Assistant Coaches… which no longer exists, thanks to the @NCAA.
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Just felt right to finish out my head coaching career as a @HailStateBB Bulldog…
Look forward to visiting the new Dudy Noble Field again tomorrow with @UAB_Baseball.
Full Interview from @CABA_Baseball: bit.ly/PolkInterview
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Baseball is a game played in spurts.
So you should practice in spurts just like a game.
With hitters for example, we only allow them to take 6 or 7 cuts in a given BP round to mirror a game at-bat.
Anymore can be counter-productive as the hitter becomes tired & loses focus.
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It would sure be nice to get a 3rd assistant for @NCAA Baseball...
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It is shocking to me how many people nowadays don’t know how to keep the scorebook during a baseball game.
This is a great way to learn the game!
TheBaseballPlaybook.com provides detailed instructions on how to accurately keep the book during games.
Give it a try.
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"I don't want to interrupt practice for the purpose of coaches talking to each other. I have a rule in practice where coaches do not talk to each other. You only talk to players."
Coaches should understand the practice plan well before practice starts.
@CBNewspaper
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When teaching bat discipline, you must stress the importance of maintaining aggressiveness at the plate...
When a hitter loses his aggressiveness he hinders his ability to establish himself both mentally and physically as a good hitter.
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