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February 3 to 5, 2006

Rennaisance Toronto Airport Hotel

Participant Resource Package

2 2006 Best Ever Baseball Clinic

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2006 Best Ever Baseball Clinic 3

Welcome to the 2006 Best Ever Baseball Clinic

It is with great pleasure I welcome all coaches and baseball enthusiasts to the 19th Annual Best Ever Baseball Clinic. This year’s clinic promises to deliver interesting baseball topics in a practical, informative and fun format where participants can get useful baseball drills and engage in great discussions in small and large group settings. In my role as Director of Coach and Player Development for Baseball Ontario, I have had discussions with hundreds of coaches about what they need to help them become the best coaches possible. A common need or theme arising from those discussions is: “How do I run effective practices?” Or, “How do I practice specific game situations?” Out of consideration of these and other questions came the theme for this year’s BEC: Baseball . . . How To Practice It. The roster of speakers at this year’s event will cover in detail the practical application of many common baseball situations from pre-season indoor workouts, to pre-game and pre-practice preparation, position-specific infield and outfield practice plans, proper batting practice, pitching for young players as well as practicing technique and Pitcher Fielding Position drills (PFPs), and an insightful perspective on coaching young athletes. As well, there is the Exhibitor’s Hall that features many long-time Baseball Ontario sponsors and some new contributors as well. Participants at this year’s clinic will see changes not only to the baseball part of the clinic, but to the venue itself. We feel that the Rennaisance Toronto Airport Hotel will be an excellent venue for the new format. As well, this Participant Resource Package will allow coaches to not only follow the program, but keep notes in an organized manner for future reference. And finally, Baseball Ontario is thrilled to have the Toronto Blue Jays as our premier sponsor for this event. As a result, all participants will receive two free tickets to a Blue Jays game in April or May. Please go to the Blue Jays booth to acquire your ticket voucher. This event is made possible by the hard work of many people behind the scenes. I would like to thank Jenn Gaudet and Mary-Ann Smith from the Baseball Ontario office in Cambridge for their efforts with registration, promotion and the web page dedicated to the BEC. Many thanks to Dirk Drieberg from Vaughan and Mark Orton from Oshawa for the overall administration of this event and handling of the Exhibitor’s Hall and the acquisition of sponsors. While the topics addressed at this year’s BEC are by no means exhaustive, I hope they are a great start to providing coaches with the tools to become better at their passion. Please fill out the survey at the back of this Participant Resource Package so we can begin planning the 20th Annual Best Ever Baseball Clinic, and customize it to your needs! Yours in Baseball, Wayne Parro Director of Coach and Player Development Baseball Ontario


2006 Best Ever Baseball Clinic

February 3 to 5, 2006

Rennaisance Toronto Airport Hotel

Clinic Theme:

BASEBALL . . . How to Practice It

S P E A K E R S :

Pete Caliendo

Hitting mechanics are just part of development of a hitter

Practicing indoor for real game situations

Remo Cardinale Pitching: 12 year olds and below Pitcher's Fielding Practice – PFPs

Around the Bases

Rick Johnston

Bunting and the Short Game Functional Batting Practice

Ken Joyce

Infield Practice Planning and Execution Outfield Practice Planning and Execution

Jonathan Mathews

Practicing the Corners First and Third Defence

Mike McRae

11 Common Pitching Misconceptions . . . and how to correct them

The critical components of a solid delivery . . . and how to implement them into a throwing program

Marc Picard

Pre-game and pre-practice preparation – Proper Run, Stretch, Throw Routines

Absolute Catching Drills

Doug Wilton Coaching is Teaching – The Art of Teaching


Pete Caliendo

Pete brings unmatched experience and expertise to the development of baseball skills to all players and coaches. His vast knowledge and worldwide presence has earned Pete immeasurable respect within the baseball community.

Currently, Pete is President of Caliendo Sports International, a worldwide baseball company that trains individuals, teams, coaches and deals in professional baseball operations worldwide.

As Director of Baseball Operations and Coach for the Schaumburg Flyers, a professional independent team, Pete had over 20 players sign with major league organizations along with making the playoffs. As Player procurement Director for the North Shore Spirit, Pete put together the full roster of 22 players that went on to the Northeast World Series.

As a skill development coach, Pete provided more than 200 youth coaches training programs throughout the world. He is a large proponent of having a national certification program for all volunteers in baseball. To support this knowledge base, he has produced 5 baseball instructional tapes (“Coaching Made Easy) used as a benchmark resource by coaches across the country. Pete presented at the National High School Coaches Clinic as well as 12 additional Association Clinics and has presented in 15 separate countries.

Internationally renown, he served as the Pan Am Baseball Association Director, an organization that won 3 gold medals in the Pan Am Games, including the Gold over Cuba. His experience also includes coaching the Belgium Baseball Federation National Team, 1999 Team USA, a team with professionals that competed in Australia’s Intercontinental Cup, serving as the International Baseball Federation’s technical commissioner and served as USA Athletes International’s Baseball Operations Director. While living in Europe, Pete became an associate scout with the Toronto Blue Jays for European professional baseball.

He completed his European tour as T-5 Sports Agency’s worldwide Baseball Operations Director prior to returning to the U.S. as a Coach and Baseball Operations Director with the Schaumburg Flyers, Independent Professional Baseball Team based in Illinois. Following that stint, Pete became Calgary’s Professional Baseball President, a Northern League organization.

Pete has also coached in the United States with the Mickey Owen Baseball School, Doyle Baseball and the Billy Williams Baseball School.

An active community supporter, and as the President of Caliendo Sports International, the Italian American Association awarded him the prestigious “David Award” recognizing business excellence.

Pete’s BEC Topics:

Hitting mechanics are just part of development of a hitter

Practicing indoor for real game situations


Remo Cardinale

Remo Cardinale joins Baseball Canada’s national team program for another tour of duty in 2005, taking the reins as field manager of Team Canada at the XXXVI Senior World Cup qualification tournament in Bradenton, Fla.

Since his foray into Canadian amateur baseball coaching in 1982, Cardinale has worked in various roles at the local, provincial and national levels. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as he has coached teams at four world championships and eight national championships. Such competitions include the IBAF World Cup tournaments in 1998 (Italy) and in 2003 (Cuba), where he served as pitching coach for Team Canada on both occasions.

Before guiding Team Ontario to a silver medal at the Canada Summer Games in 2001, Cardinale held the position of pitching coach for various Baseball Canada national junior and senior teams from 1995 to 2000.

Between 1989 and 1994, he helped mold young, developing Canadian baseball players at all levels as pitching coach and manager of the Ontario provincial team. His own personal baseball playing experience aided him as he began his career as an Instructor, helping him parlay his amateur pitching background into a successful coaching acumen.

The second Canadian amateur player signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977, Cardinale spent two seasons pitching in the Blue Jays’ minor league system. Now the top pitching instructor at The Baseball Zone indoor training facility in Mississauga, Ont., Cardinale also remains an active coach for the Mississauga North Baseball Association.

He was recognized for his coaching accomplishments as the 2001 winner of Baseball Canada’s Lionel Ruhr Award, given to the association’s coach of the year. He has since continued his work as both a coach and instructor, as he is fully certified as a Baseball Ontario course clinician for Levels I, II and III.

He has three children – daughters Natalie and Kristina and son Michael.

Remo’s BEC Topics:

Pitching: 12 year olds and below

Pitcher's Fielding Practice – PFPs Around the Bases


Rick Johnston

Rick Johnston oversees all baseball operations and is Head Instructor at The Baseball Zone in Mississauga (www.thebaseballzone.ca). Rick has more than 30 years experience in elite baseball as a player, coach and instructor. As a player, Rick has played in numerous international tournaments as a member of the Canadian National Team. Included in these are such competitions as: the 1988 Seoul Olympics; the 1987 & 1991 Pan American Games; 1985 & 1987 Intercontinental Cups; and the 1988 International Cup. He has also played at the Canadian Senior Championships as well as being a league award winner and record holding member of championship teams with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Inter-County Baseball League. Rick also attended and excelled in baseball at Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio and at the University of British Columbia as an original member of the National Baseball Institute.

As a coach, Rick has an equally impressive array of experiences having coached various levels of elite youths up to Major League Baseball players. He has been both field manager and hitting coach for various Team Canada and Team Ontario youth teams, has coached and managed in Croatia and France, has been the manager at the University of Toronto, and has been a guest coach at the Toronto Blue Jays’ spring training camp. He has also served as a scout for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Most recently, Rick has managed for four years in the Inter-County Baseball League for Toronto and Brantford and was named Manager of the Year three of those seasons. He also guided Ontario’s entry to a Gold Medal in the 2005 Canada Summer Games as the team’s Manager.

Rick seamlessly parlayed these extensive experiences into a successful career as Executive Director of Total Concept Baseball, Inc. (TCB). In its four years of operation, TCB built a top-flight reputation in Southern Ontario as being the top choice among individuals and teams seeking elite baseball instruction. Working with a team of experienced coaches, Rick’s TCB program helped enhance the careers of many young players in the fundamental areas of hitting, pitching and fielding. Among the many pupils of the program are one of only six Canadians ever drafted in the first round of the MLB draft, as well as over 100 other professionals, draftees and players on college scholarship.

Rick is an OBA course clinician for Levels I, II & III and in 2002 became the first-ever Canadian asked to speak on a technical subject at the 15th Annual Best Ever Coaches Clinic.

Rick’s BEC Topics:

Bunting and the Short Game

Functional Batting Practice


Ken Joyce

Ken’s credentials include: Manager, Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays) 2005; Manager, Charleston Alley Cats (Toronto Blue Jays) 2004; Hitting Coach, New Haven Ravens (Toronto Blue Jays) 2003; Hitting Coach, Medicine Hat Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays) 2002; numerous other professional coaching positions dating back to 1994 and college coaching positions dating back to 1988. Among Ken’s baseball achievements are: Toronto Blue Jays Bobby Mattick Player Development Award Recipient, 2004; Selected as Northern Division Manager of South Atlantic League All-Star Game, 2004; and inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, 2001. Ken and his wife Janet have two children, Tommy 6 and Jill 4 and make their home in Portland, Maine.

Ken’s BEC Topics:

Infield Practice Planning and Execution

Outfield Practice Planning and Execution

Jonathan Mathews

Jonathan is current a member of the coaching staff at Indian Hills College in Iowa. He has also been a manager in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league team in Elizabethton, as well as a coach with the Twins’ “A” team in Ft. Myers. He has also held a position as volunteer coach at the University of Iowa. His college playing experience started at Indian Hills in 1990 In 1992 he helped the team reach the Junior College World Series and was named Academic All American in his sophomore year. From 1992-1994 he played baseball at the University of New Orleans. Was named Academic All American two consecutive years. In 1994-1995 he was drafted and signed by the Colorado Rockies and played in the Northwest League for the Bend Rockies.

Jonathan’s BEC Topics:

Practicing the Corners

First and Third Defence


Mike McRae

Mike began his career by becoming the first head coach at Brock University. From there, the Niagara Falls, Ontario, native joined Niagara’s staff as a hitting instructor in 1996-97 before moving to Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., from 1997-98. From 1998-2001, McRae served as an assistant coach at Maine, where he was responsible for the 12-man pitching staff.

He also served as an assistant coach for the Canadian National Youth Team, which competed in the World Championships in 1996 and 1997 and as a guest coach for the Toronto Blue Jays during their 1997 spring training.

McRae was a four-year letterwinner at Colby College and captained the 1991 team. He also lettered as a goalie on the Colby College hockey team. McRae earned his undergraduate degree from Colby in 1991 and his master’s degree in education from Niagara in 1993.

McRae and his wife, Michelle, reside in Niagara Falls, with their children, Madison and Mason.

Mike’s BEC Topics:

The critical components of a solid delivery . . . and how to implement them into a throwing program

11 Common Pitching Misconceptions . . . and how to correct them

Marc Picard

Marc has been a teacher at Pickering HS since 1985; Manager – 2 time Prentice Cup Champions (1998-2003); Manager – Windsor Selects Juveniles – 1984-1990, 6 Time National Champions; Coach – Windsor Select Juniors – 1991, National Junior Champions; Ontario Youth Team Manager – 1989-1992, 1998-2000, 3 Times National Champions; Canada Summer Games Manager 1993 and 1997, Gold and Silver medal; New York Yankee Eastern Canada Scout from 1991 to 1999; Coaching Instructor for Baseball Ontario, Level 1 through Level 3; currently Manager of Team Ontario 17’s.

Marc’s BEC Topics:

Pre-game and pre-practice preparation – Proper Run, Stretch, Throw Routines

Absolute Catching Drills


Doug Wilton

Doug has been a coach as long as he can remember (30 years). He coached high school basketball for 10 years immediately after leaving high school and he has coached Paralympic World Record holders. Of course, Doug has coached every baseball age from T-ball to Midget. Doug is a career teacher and currently is the Principal at an elementary school in Markham, Ontario. He feels that he really did not learn how to coach well, that is teach, until he became a teacher. Teaching skill, technique, theory etc. is no different than teaching the 3 Rs. Teaching must be planned, reinforced and assessed – and after all this, it’s not really about your teaching, it’s about their learning.

Have you ever been angry at a player that did not remember a sign, or a strategy from one practice/game to the next? We know that kids only remember 20% of what they hear, and will only retain it for a short time if not reinforced, so why should we be surprised when they “forget.” We blame them for not paying attention, but often we haven’t taught them properly. We also know that the best way for kids to learn is to teach/demonstrate to others. Do we ever do that in a positive way?

So what does this mean for your baseball practices especially around the area of teaching skills, techniques, strategy, signs, plays….? What do you know about how your kids learn e.g., learning problems, attention deficit, visual vs tactile vs auditory learners? Have you ever given a kid 5 or 6 things to think about when in the batter’s box or when working on their windup – system overload? Teaching is an art!

Doug lives in Pickering, Ontario with wife Mary, son Eric and daughter Lindsay.

Doug’s BEC Topics:

Coaching is Teaching – The Art of Teaching


2006 BEST EVER CLINIC – EVENT SCHEDULE DATE TIME SPEAKER TOPIC

7:00 pm – 7:20 pm OPENING REMARKS INTRODUCTIONS AND THE NEW NCCP PROGRAM

7:20 pm – 8:00 pm Mike McRae The critical components of a solid delivery . . . and how to implement them into a throwing program

8:00 pm – 8:40 pm Remo Cardinale Pitching: 12 year olds and below

8:40 pm – 9:20 pm Marc Picard Absolute Catching Drills

9:20 pm – 10:00 pm Jonathan Mathews Practicing the Corners

February 3

10:00 pm – 10:40 pm Rick Johnston Bunting and the Short Game

9:00 am – 9:40 am Pete Caliendo Practicing indoor for real game situations

9:40 am – 10:20 am Ken Joyce Infield Practice Planning and Execution

10:20 am – 11:00 am Doug Wilton Coaching is Teaching

11:00 am – 11:20 am George Birch BASEBALL ONTARIO AWARDS PRESENTATIONS

11:20 am – 2:00 pm

BREAK OUT SESSIONS:

Cardinale / McRae: Macintosh 1 Room from 11:20 am to 12:05 pm & 12:35 pm to 2:00 pm

Caliendo / Johnston: Ambrosia III & IV Room from 11:20 am to 12:05 pm & 12:35 pm to 2:00 pm

Joyce / Mathews: Macintosh 2 Room from 11:20 am to 12:35 pm & 1:05 pm to 2:00 pm

Picard / Wilton: Spartan Room from 11:20 am to 12:35 pm & 1:05 pm to 2:00 pm

2:00 pm – 2:40 pm Mike McRae 11 Common Pitching Misconceptions . . . and how to correct them

2:40 pm – 3:20 pm Remo Cardinale Pitcher's Fielding Practice – PFPs Around the Bases

3:20 pm – 4:00 pm Ken Joyce Outfield Practice Planning and Execution

February 4

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm HOT STOVE DISCUSSION ALL SPEAKERS

9:00 am – 9:40 am Marc Picard Pre-game and pre-practice preparation – Proper Run, Stretch, Throw Routines

9:40 am – 10:20 am Jonathan Mathews First and Third Defence

10:20 am – 11:00 am Pete Caliendo Hitting mechanics are just part of development of a hitter

11:00 am – 11:40 am Rick Johnston Functional Batting Practice

February 5

11:40 am – 12:00 pm WRAP UP COMMENTS AND NEXT SEASON


Mike McRae The critical components of a solid delivery . . .

and how to implement them into a throwing program 1. Balance & Posture: *head and eyes must be level

* balance & posture is essential throughout the delivery

* balance = maintaining correct posture throughout the delivery

* achieved by tightening core, being on balls of feet

2. Hip & Shoulder Separation / Create torque

* torque is created by separation of upper & lower halfs (hips and shoulders)

* elite can approach 90 degrees of separation

* use lower half to deliver arm, takes stress of shoulder

* good hip rotation keeps head on line with target

* poor hips causes head to lean and stear the ball

3. Active Glove side

* firm up the front side hand and turn in the elbow

* go to the glove; do not pull

* must brace front side to create whip-like action (ie. bullwhip, fly fishing)

* achieved through different styles, methods

4. Proper sequence of body movements

*late hip rotation

*shoulders rotate after hips (creates torque)

*throwing arm delivers ball

*firm and turn the glove side to create the whip-like action of the throwing arm

*out of sequence = risk of injury

=loss of posture and command

5. Rhythm & Tempo

* individualized; each pitcher must find optimum body speed

* slow body = slow arm = slow fastball

* get your body in motion to create hand speed

* example of riding no-hands on bicycle


Remo Cardinale Pitching: 12 year olds and below Full vs Set Windup

Stance

Balance Point

Throwing & Landing

Follow Through

Holding Runners


Marc Picard Absolute Catching Drills

1) Receiving/ Framing Drills

1) Barehand Flips

2) 2 Ball Barehand Flips

3) 3 Man Drill

4) 2 X4 Drill

5) Close the Gap drill

6) Rapid Fire Drill

7) Backhand Flips

2) Blocking Drills

1) 3 Ball Dry Blocks

2) 5 Ball Dry Blocks

3) Short Hop Blocks

4) Narrow the Distance Drill

5) Beat the ball to the ground Drill

6) Block and recover drill

3) Pop Up Drills

1) Multiple Ball pop ups

2) Somersault Drills

4) Conditioning Drills

1) Pre-practice warm up Drills

2) Mirror Drill

3) Multiple Ball Bunt Drill

4) 4 Corner Throwing


Jonathan Mathews Practicing the Corners

I. Develop a philosophy A. Emphasis on defense

B. Checklist for each position

C. Progression teaching throughout

II. Corner Positioning

A. Back

B. Half way

C. In

D. Double Play Depth

E. No Doubles

III. Fundamentals

A. Third Base 1. Ground ball fielding technique

2. Throwing footwork

3. Backhands

4. Slow rollers

5. Pop fly priorities

B. First Base

1. Footwork around bag

2. Throws in dirt

3. Feeds to pitcher

4. Double play feeds

5. Bunts

6. Pop fly priorities

IV. How to Practice It (Drills)

A. Indoor Drills

1. Short hops

2. Four corners

3. Knee drill

4. Slow roller box

B. Outdoor Drills

1. Good Morning America

2. Throws in dirt (thrown and fungoed)

3. Slow rollers

4. Fungos

a. At you

b. Glove side

c. Backhand

d. Count hops

e. Back to hitter

V. Throwing Program

A. Figure 8

B. Back Side

C. Take Away

D. Take Away Shuffle

E. Regular Catch

F. 90 Feet

G. Quick Catch


Rick Johnston Bunting and the Short Game A. Objectives/Philosophy B. Coach Responsibility

1. Uncover and Tap into talent pool

2. Sell the importance of this part of the game

3. Eliminate the false sense of security

4. Teaching to prepare

C. Benefits of The Short Game

1. As it relates to the team and run creation

2. As is relates to the individual

D. Types of Bunts

1. Sacrifice

2. Bunt for a Hit-Drag/Push

3. Safety Squeeze

4. Suicide Squeeze

5. Bunt and Run

6. Run and Bunt

7. Fake Bunt-Slash

8. Fake Bunt

E. Why Bunt? Fake

1. To get on base

2. To move a runner

3. To score a runner

4. To draw and read

F. Technical Aspects/Critical Teaches

1. Sacrifice – establish plate position, show early, bunt a strike, get it down on grass

2. Bunt for Hit – establish plate position, show late, bunt to trouble zone, release late

3. Safety Squeeze – establish plate position, later then the sacrifice, get a strike, keep away from pitcher

4. Suicide Squeeze – get sign, no double take, show late, you better make contact, looks are not important

5. Bunt and Run – get ball down or make contact, similar to hit and run, good bunter poorer hitter

6. Run and Bunt – make third baseman field ball, more designed for runner

7. Fake Bunt-Slash – you better have the right guy, shorten trigger, short swing

8. Fake Bunt – fake drag and read movements, sets up other offensive plays


Pete Caliendo Practicing indoor for real game situations Once you have your players perfected in the fundamentals of the game then it is time to put them through the real test of game situations. This must be done prior to the season to not only prepare them for the real thing but also to see which players can handle the real game pressure. If the fundamentals have been taught then we can perform each task at game speed without worrying about injuries. Football players prepare at game situation so when the real thing occurs they can react and reduce the risk of injuries. 4 corner throwing with a stop watch Double plays with a stop watch Ground balls with a stop watch Pitching home with a stop watch

Pick offs with a stop watch Swing and run with a stop watch Outfielder catch to pop with a stop watch

Ground balls with runners running down the line Double plays with a runner sliding Quick hands pop drill Hitting Warm up hitting, opposite field High speed tracking Soft toss curve, change and fb

Count hitting from up close, react Live pitchers, get guys out

Bunting situations at high speed with counts As a coach you must identify the game situations which occur the most in games and which ones your players need the most work on. This will be determined by the number of players, coaches and equipment you have at practice. Runner close to 1st down the line, 1b man takes throws from a coach, throws are at him, dirt, r-l, tags,

etc, runner is running down the line, if you have an umpire he can make calls, if not have players rotate, they need to understand how difficult this call is so they respect the umpires more. Make your players make the call loud.

DP, runner is sliding, 2nd and ss take the throw from a pitcher, set up who gets the throw before the

pitch. 3rd, play at home, runner reacts at 3rd, ball hit r-l-at him, squeeze.

Pitcher throws home, second catcher, or first, 1st base down the line, use a runner that does not know

what the pitcher is going to do, runner must dive back, also work on break for second. Catcher pass ball, use pitcher covering home runner coming down the line, if umpire place behind

home if not place a player with a mask. Pitcher ball hit to first, runner running, cover 1st base.


Ken Joyce Infield Practice Planning and Execution 1. Set-Up - A. Stance – Set/Ready B. Moving to Ball – Charging/Crossovers C. Fielding Technique (soft hands) D. Set-Ready Drill (no glove, with glove) E. Circle Drill 2. Square Drill - A. Infield In (work footwork to throw to plate) B. Infield back 1. right at them 2. glove side 3. backhand side 3. Mass Infield Drill - A. Set-up (2 fungo hitters) B. 1st Round 1. 6-4-3 DP’s (w/short 1st baseman & screen) 2. 5 to 3 (balls in all directions) C. 2nd Round 1. 4-6-3 DP’s (w/short 1st baseman & screen) 2. 5-3 slow rollers D. 3rd Round 1. 5-4-3 DP’s (w/short 1st baseman & screen) 2. 6-3 (balls in all directions) E. 4th Round 1. 3-6-3 DP’s 2. 4-2 (infield in) 3. 3rd baseman work pop-ups & tag plays F. 5th Round 1. 4-3 (balls in all directions) 2. 6-5 (balls in 5.5 hole w/R on 2nd) G. 6th Round – (one fungo) 1. Slow Rollers (one after another around the infield) 4. Cut-offs & Relays - A. Stance 1. Upper half square to OF’er, lower half turned 2. Move feet to meet ball, catch at chest level on glove side B. Relay Drill 5. Fly Balls - A. Balls in the Infield (know priority system) B. Balls in Foul Territory (know your surroundings) C. Balls in OF (attack aggressively)


Doug Wilton Coaching is Teaching

It’s not about your teaching, it’s about their learning 1. How we retain information

2. What must be learned (focus on each)

a) physical skills

b) strategies

c) promote self esteem

d) baseball etiquette

3. Different kids have different learning styles

4. Some Principles/Factors of Learning (accountability, questioning, engagement, brain, higher level thinking…


Mike McRae 11 Common Pitching Misconceptions . . . and how to correct them 1. Teaching every pitcher ONE specific model of how to throw the baseball

2. Lengthening our arm path

3. Believing there is nothing we can do or should do about arm action

4. Throwing less and resting more

5. Limiting throwing and long toss

6. Pitchers spending the greatest amount of their time at practice shagging balls in the outfield, running poles, or hitting fungos.

7. Jogging long distances to build our legs and to give our pitchers better endurance

8. Slowing down and pausing at the top in order to throw a strike

9. Balance is the ability to hold your lift leg at the top

10. Pulling or tucking our glove to our side in order to speed up our throwing arm


Remo Cardinale Pitcher's Fielding Practice – PFPs Around the Bases Importance of Pitcher’s Defensive Responsibilities

Hit Back to Pitcher, man on 3rd, man on 2nd, RHP vs LHP

Fielding Bunts Correctly

Covering 1B — 3—1, 4-1, 4-3

Double Play — 1-6-3, 1-4-3, 3-6-1

Field Bunts To 3B

Base Loaded 1-2 Less Than 2 Out

Base Coverages


Ken Joyce Outfield Practice Planning and Execution 1. Set-Up - A. Stance – Set/Ready B. Timing of Stance C. Quick Turns – Staying Athletic 2. Quick Feet Drills - A. Quick Turns – coach points direction to turn B. Toss – coach tosses after step-up & turn C. Wrong Turn – coach throws opposite side of turn D. 2 Ball Drill – coach throws a ball to each side 3. Ground Balls – A. No Runner on Base (field like Infielder) B. Backhand (catch ball in web) C. Reverse Pivot to Glove Side D. Get Around Balls to Each Side E. Charge with Runners On Base F. Do or Die at the Plate 4. Fly Balls – A. Catch with no Movement (2 hands) B. Glove Side – player must get around the ball C. Tag Plays – player must get in position to throw D. Sun Balls 5. Line Drives – A. Front B. Side to Side C. Over Head & Shoulders 6. Throwing – A. Fence Pick-Ups – stationary balls, thrown/hit balls B. Throws to Relay Man (hit cut-off man at waist so he can meet the ball) C. Throws to Cut-off Man (throw low enough for ball to be cut) D. Throws to Bases (no short-hops) 7. Fence Play – A. Ball-Fence-Ball (read where ball is going to end up) B. Communication at Wall (2 players) C. Wall Jump (stay to side) – find wall 1st 8. Long Fungo – A. Fly Balls B. Line Drives C. 45° Line Drives


~ OUTFIELD SITUATIONS ~ 1. No Doubles – Manager’s preference when to go no doubles (most often done from 8th inning on with tying or winning run at the plate). Make sure no ball gets over your head!

2. Throw to 2nd Base – When in no doubles…always throw to 2nd base; on bloop single or soft ground ball single…throw to 2nd base; when runners on base are not important…throw to 2nd base.

3. Cut-Offs & Relays – (Nobody on 1st base) ball to be thrown to 3rd base, be sure to hit the relay man at the waist (so he can go meet the ball at chest level), (Runner on 1st base) ball to be thrown to home plate, be sure to hit relay man.

4. Runner on 1st base – Play a little deeper with 2 outs and the middle of the order at the plate (3, 4, 5, 6 hitters).

5. Outfield In – Always play in with winning run on 3rd base…take away the line drive and bloop single, play shallow enough to throw runner out on fly ball (any ball over head will score run anyway).

6. Winning Run on 2nd base – OF play in to give best chance to throw runner out at home plate (know your arm & runner’s speed).

7. Foul Ball – (With runners on base) know the speed of the runners & the importance of the runners to determine if to catch or drop fly ball.

8. Intentional Walk – Overplay to the opposite side of the hitter, all OF’s should shade toward RF for righties, LF for lefties (anticipate bad pitch that hitter hits).

9. Twi-Light Fly Balls – OF’s remind infielders to help track and point out any fly balls hit.

10. Fly Ball Communication – CF over LF & RF, all OF’s over all IF’s…remember to call out “I’ve got it, I’ve got it, I’ve got it” & wave arms as visual if crowd is too noisy.

11. Communication Help – Opposite OF can help with communication by calling player’s name repeatedly.

12. Throws to Bases – make sure to make accurate throws to all bases, do not short hop any of the infielders at a base…if throw is to arrive on a hop, make it a one hop from the waist to the feet.

13. Outfield Throws – Pre-game throws and depth in OF should be determined by how your arm feels that day, do not overthrow when sore.

14. Ball Over OF’s Head – (More than one runner on base) Fly balls or line drives that make OF’s go back toward fence should be thrown to 2nd base to keep runners on 1st from advancing (keeping the double play in order).

15. Full Count with 2 Outs – Base runners are going on the pitch, OF’s signal each other before the pitch with hand circle to remind each other.

16. Ground Balls in OF – (In gaps & down lines) OF’s should field ball & come up throwing as if runner is advancing…do not wait to see what runner does.

17. Pitcher Changes – OF’s stay in their positions during changes, do not sit or kneel down.


~ OUTFIELD BACK-UP COVERAGE ~

1. Stolen Base – (2nd or 3rd base) Move in a direct line to base after ball hits catcher’s mitt.

2. Ball in Dirt – (WP or PB) Anticipate flight of ball, check runner, and step toward next base.

3. Bunt Plays – (1st, 2nd, & 3rd base) Cover all bases, ball-bag-you; anticipate where ball is going to be thrown (know what bunt play is on).

4. Cut-Offs & Relays – CF always to the ball, LF & RF either to the ball or in opposite direction to back-up a base.

5. Pick-Offs at Bases – Watch the pitcher, infielders & the catcher, anticipate picks and take step in direction of throw to the base.

6. Ground Ball to IF’s – Charge hard in (anticipate ball getting through the infield), RF’er should take steps toward RF line after fielder catches & throws to 1st.

7. Ball to OF – (Line drive, ground ball, fly ball) back each other up on all balls to OF…remember to look for CF’s chest or back if you are in LF or RF. If CF’s chest is to you, go with him after ball. If CF’s back is to you, head away from him to foul line to back up throw (ball-bag-you).

8. Communication – One OF call for ball (I’ve got it, I’ve got it, I’ve got it) while the other OF’er looks for base runner position on bases to communicate (tag or halfway).

9. Fly Ball to Wall – One OF cover (go for the ball) the other back up the play on grass area (not getting too close to wall).

10. Be Active – OF’s should be involved in every play of every game, do not be a spectator in the OF, get involved by anticipating and moving on all plays.

* Videotape OF’s from behind plate to give them visual feedback on their performance *


HOT STOVE DISCUSSION ALL SPEAKERS


Marc Picard Pre-game and pre-practice preparation – Proper Run, Stretch, Throw Routines

1) Dynamic vs. Static Stretching 2) Agility/Speed Drills a) ladder drills b) cone drills c) running drills d) ball drills 3) Surgical Tubing Drills 4) Long Toss-How long, how far? 5) Sprints vs. Poles 6) Post-practice/game stretching


Jonathan Mathews First and Third Defence I. Game Situation

A. Score of the game?

B. Inning of the game?

C. Where are they in the line-up?

II. Potential Plays

A. Throw through

1. Pitcher

2. 1B

3. 2B

4. SS

5. 3B

6. Catcher

B. 2nd baseman breaking straight in

1.Positional responsibilities

C. Shortstop breaking straight in

1. Positional responsibilities

D. Throw back to pitcher


E. Fake to 2nd – Check runner


F. Hold


III. Forced Balk Play

A. Philosophy- Get an out vs. Damage Control

B. Positional Responsibilities

1. Pitcher

2. 2nd Baseman

3. Shortstop

IV. How to Practice It

A. Controlled atmosphere

B. Progression teaching

C. One situation at a time


Pete Caliendo Hitting mechanics are just part of development of a hitter Once you have developed good hitting mechanics then you must have a good month prior to the season of training your swing for real game situations. Of course this will change every individual situation. “The swing should be natural, smooth and powerful with eloquent balance” Teach young hitters to hit the other way with power. Learn to be a zone hitter with certain counts Learn to hit outside the zone in certain counts Be mentally prepared to hit every pitch thrown All essentials in becoming a better hitter Mechanics Visual

Quickness Balance

Ability to recognize speed, location and pitch, before you can use you’re hitting mechanics you have

to be able to identify the type of pitch being delivered, its velocity and location. This must all be calculated from the release to the half way point (approximately 2 tenths of a second) before you start your swing.

Ability to decide and react, then you have to train in a way that allows you to see and react according to what you determine the pitch, speed and location. At first you train for velocity, then location and then pitch, after you have mastered these areas then you mix it up to work on quick decision and reaction skills.

Call out location, as some one tosses you the ball you call out location, outside, inside, middle, down and in, up and away, etc.

Call out location and pitch, then you all out location and pitch. Hitting process Training to see pitches at higher speeds then pitchers throw, working on identifying the pitch, then

trying to hit this speed with your timing. Soft toss, toss from the side, just to get lose, toss the ball in 3 zones, in, out and middle. Look for a

player that bends his front knee to much, is off balance from a side view. Once you have corrected any in balance then you go to the next drill.

Bp practice, toss from out front underhand, treat it like Batting practice, first 10 pitches hit to the right field line, then right, then right center, then center, then left center, left and finally down the left field line. The next round hit pitches to location.

Front toss, curve, change, FB. Toss the ball underhand from the front, using different pitches. First throw all fastballs, then all curves, then all changes. Then fast balls to certain locations, curves to one location and changes to one location, then mix the pitch and location.

Overhand close, same distance, about 40 feet, toss overhand, work on timing; continue the pattern above when it comes to pitches.

Overhand farther, finally work your way to regular distance and throw overhand with different pitches.

Pitcher throwing game situation. Now you put in your pitchers to try and get hitters out. Learn to be mentally prepared to hit every pitch till you do not like the pitch Learning to hit outside the zone, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, and 3-2.


Rick Johnston Functional Batting Practice

A. Organization of the Practice B. Time lines – large percentage of practice time – organization is critical C. Coach, Assistant coaches roles 1. Throwing BP – must throw strikes 2. Using Catchers 3. Fungoes – weak side and dead area D. Equipment needs 1. Screens 2. Balls – all types and lots 3. Machines 4. Cages E. Types of Batting Practice 1. Offensive - four groups if possible - hit, shag, baserunning, stations 2. Defensive – play out all balls 3. Situational – develop you team offense 4 Team - play your defense against an offense 5 Competitive – points based on batted balls, place players in groups of three 6. Tee/Toss – Break the field in half, lots of swings and GB’s F. Station work (You will need a coach to over see or else their will be problems) 1. Tees, toss, etc. 2. Shadow/Dry 3. Bunting – Build your short game, don’t let hitters go through motions 4. Drill Specific/Player Specific – drill success rate needs to be 60% or better 5. Medicine balls

6. Rotation time lines – four groups of three x 12 plus pickup and change over=close to 60 minutes daily

G. Player Grouping 1. Rats or Gorillas 2. Hitters can hit off of each other H. Rainy Day Batting Practice


BASEBALL ONTARIO 2006 BEST EVER CLINIC SURVEY

Very Poor Poor Good Very Good Excellent 1. Overall, taking everything into consideration, how would

you rate the 2006 Best Ever Clinic?

Comments:

Very Poor Poor Good Very Good Excellent

2. In terms of “value”, please rate the 2006 Best Ever Clinic on the following:

Exchange of Ideas Opportunity to Learn New Drills Upgrading of overall baseball knowledge Opportunity to see Suppliers Networking/Make New Contacts OVERALL

Comments:

MuchWorse Worse Same Better Much Better No Opinion

Did Not Attend in 2005

3. How would you compare the 2006 Best Ever Clinic relative to the 2005 Best Ever Clinic?

Much Worse Worse Same Better Much Better

No Opinion

4. In your opinion, compared to previous years (other than 2005), was the 2006 Best Ever Clinic…?

Comments:


5. In your opinion, was the scheduling/organization of the various events at the 2006 Best Ever Clinic…?

Comments:


6. In terms of “value”, please rate the 2006 Best Ever Clinic on the following:

Pre-Clinic Communication Registration at Event Location (i.e., GTA) Hotel (Rennaissance) Breakouts Speakers Trade Show

Comments:


Very Poor Poor Good Very Good Excellent 7. Please provide your rating on the Renaissance Hotel for

each of the following:

Location Parking Main Hall Breakout Rooms Trade Show Hall External amenities (Restaurants, etc.)

Comments:


8. Which statement best describes your impressions of each of the Speakers at the 2006 Best Ever Clinic:

Peter Caliendo Remo Cardinale Rick Johnston Ken Joyce Jonathan Mathews Mike McRae Parc Picard Doug Wilton

Comments:

Too Low About Right Too High

9. With regard to the Best Ever Clinic, is the cost of Registration to attend? Comments:

Never 1 in 2-3 wks 1 per week More freq.

10. With respect to the Baseball Ontario Website, how often did you visit it for information on the 2006 Best Ever Clinic?

Comments:

Rep/Select Head Coach Rep/Select

Assist. Coch HL

Head Coach HL

Assist. Coach Other

11. Please indicate your coaching status for the 2006 season

Please indicate the number of years coaching baseball

Please indicate the number of years attending the Best Ever

OPTIONAL — Name: Phone Number:

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, INCLUDING TOPICS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE COVERED AT THE NEXT BEC:

19th annual best ever baseball clinic c€¦ · welcome to the 2006 best ever baseball clinic it is...

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