TABLE OF CONTENTS
PG
3
Championship Principles
4
Improve Your Baseball Skills
8
USA Baseball Coaching App
9
USA Baseball Online Education Center
10
Pitch Smart
12
Community Programs
C H A M P IO N SH IP PR I NCI PLE S
Championship Principles are character-building traits that can be learned through
sports. When playing baseball or softball, remember the following Championship
Principles to be the best teammate you can be:
Never Give Up
Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, “I’m Possible”!
Helping Others
Help yourself by helping others.
Honesty
Always do the right thing.
Responsibility
Think before you do.
Leadership
A star wants to see himself rise to the top. A leader wants to see
those around him rise to the top.
Teamwork
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Respect
A person’s a person no matter how small.
Being Supportive
Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for
your teammates.
S PO RT SM A N SH IP
One of the greatest character traits sports can teach all athletes, parents and coaches is
sportsmanship. Sportsmanship includes:
- Playing fair
- Being honest
- Following the rules of the game
- Respecting officials, coaches, teammates and opponents at all times
- Remembering the Golden Rule to treat others as you wish to be treated
3
PITCHING
PITCHING PREGAME
ROUTINE
Be well rested
Have a timed routine
Get your body warmed up
Play catch before taking the mound
Have a plan in the bullpen
Stay focused prior to entering the game
“I’m never satisfied.. I’m always trying to find
ways to get better. Don’t try to mimic other
people, be the bestt version of yourself that
you can possibly be. Whatever tools you have,
sharpen and harnesss those to the maximum
capability.”
- CHRIS ARCHER | PITCHER
4
HITTING
STAGES OF THE SWING
1
Grip
2
Stance and Balance
3
Load
4
Stride
5
Swing
6
Contact Point
7
To grip the bat in the proper position in the hands,
players should lay the bat handle at the top of the
palm where the fingers and palm meet, rather than
deep in the palm.
Before starting the swing, the hitter’s weight should
be evenly distributed on both feet, and shoulder
should be level.
To load in anticipation of a pitch, the player should
shift most of their weight onto the back foot.
The stride should be a small step forward with the
player’s front foot. Make sure the front foot remains
aligned with the back foot, and the player does not
step towards or away from the plate.
The swing begins as the back hip rotates to drive
the hands through the zone . As the back hip is
rotating towards the ball, the back foot will pivot.
The player’s weight should transfer from back foot
to middle of the body.
The contact point is the location in the swing in
which the ball is hit. The player’s head should remain
fixed, with eyes on the ball at all times.
Finish
The finish of the swing allows for all of the force
generated to be used. The player should be balanced
throughout the entire finish.
“I just focus on the swing and not
so much the result. I try to really
work on the things that I know
help me: where my hand position
is, how my body gets loaded, is
my foot down in time…”
- EVAN LONGORIA
THIRD BASEMAN
5
BASE RUNNING
On Contact Out of the
Batter’s Box
Always hustle and run hard out of the box
Take note of where the ball is hit on contact
to determine whether to run through or round
first base
Be sure to pick up signals from the first
base coach
“I play the way I do because that’s the way I’ve
always played. But I also want to be contagious
to my teammates and other guys around the
game because that’s the way I think the game
should be played.”
-KEVIN KIERMAIER | OUTFIELDER
6
COACHING
Benefits of Coaching
Builds friendships and relationships
Builds character and loyalty
Develops winning/successful attitudes
Develops mental toughness
Develops standards and goals
“To me, it’s all about
out creating a positive environment
and wanting those kids to come out to play. Whatever
you’re doing, you’re trying to create a quality environment
oy being there.”
where the kids enjoy
- KEVIN CASH | MANAGER
7
USA BASEBALL MOBILE COACH APP
USA Baseball Mobile Coach, which is free to all users, features the ability for baseball
coaches at all levels to plan practices using drills supplied in the application through
the practice planning function. The app also includes information related to Pitch Smart,
including guidelines, resources, and pitch counting features. The USA Baseball Mobile
Coach app features the following:
• Drill library with baseball
specific drill documents and
videos
• Ability for coaches to create
practice plans
• Pitch Smart pitch counter
that allows coaches to enter
players and their ages and
keep track of pitch counts
• Additional tools and resources
g a stopwatch
p
including
• Mobile and desktop platforms
platf
SCAN HERE
TO DOWNLOAD
8
USA BASEBALL ONLINE EDUCATION CENTER
Supported by Major League Baseball, the USA Baseball Online Education Center emphasizes
a culture of development, safety and fun within the sport through online training courses and
programs focused for players, parents, coaches, and umpires.
Some of the free courses that can be found on the Online Education Center are:
• Introduction to Pitch Smart
• The Fundamentals of Infielding
• The Play Ball Parent
• Coaching the Pitching Delivery
• The Confident Baseball Coach
• Coaching the Basics of Hitting
• Introduction to Umpiring
For more information, visit USABaseball.Education
9
USA Baseball and MLB
team up
to help young players reduce arm injuries by
providing a comprehensive resource for safe
pitching practices. Pitch Smart provides a
series of practical, age-appropriate guidelines
to help parents, players and coaches avoid
overuse injuries and foster long, healthy careers
for youth pitchers
WHAT IS TOMMY JOHN SURGERY?
Tommy John surgery is a surgical graft procedure
in which the ulnar collateral ligament – or UCL –
in the elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. The surgery
was first performed by Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974 on Tommy John, who was a
pitcher at the time for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
PITCH SMART ORGANIZATIONAL COMPLIANCE:
Is your league Pitch Smart Compliant? Find out if your league or organization
has made the pledge for arm safety on PitchSmart.org!
BLAKE SNELL
10
PITCH COUNT LIMITS & REQUIRED REST:
REQUIRED REST
AGE
DAILY MAX
0 DAYS
1 DAY
2 DAYS
3 DAYS
4 DAYS
7-8
50
1-20
21-35
36-50
--
--
9-10
75
1-20
21-35
36-50
51-65
66+
11-12
85
1-20
21-35
36-50
51-65
66+
13-14
95
1-20
21-35
36-50
51-65
66+
15-16
95
1-30
31-45
46-60
61-75
76+
17-18
105
1-30
31-45
46-60
61-75
76+
19-22
120
1-30
31-45
46-60
61-75
76+
See the age-specific guidelines at PitchSmart.org
RISK FACTORS FOR ARM INJURIES:
There are several risk factors associated with arm injuries and Tommy John surgeries for pitchers.
These risk factors include:
•
Specializing in a single sport at too young of an age.
•
Pitching while fatigued.
•
Not taking enough time off from baseball every year.
•
Throwing too many pitches and not getting enough rest during the season.
•
Pitching on consecutive days.
•
Pitching for multiple teams at the same time.
See the full recommendations and information on the compliance levels at
11
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE
Positive Coaching Alliance is a national nonprofit developing
“Better Athletes, Better People” by working to provide
all youth and high school athletes a positive, characterbuilding youth sports experience. Since its 1998 launch,
PCA has impacted more than 5 million youth athletes. PCA
reaches youth and high school sport leaders, coaches,
athletes, parents and officials through partnerships with
schools and youth sports organizations nationwide through
live workshops, online courses, founder Jim Thompson’s
books, e-communications that provide tips and tools as well
as a free resource center called the PCA Development Zone.
For more information, please visit
positivecoach.org/chapters/tampa-bay.
BURG BASEBALL
Burg Baseball is a youth development baseball program
located in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a focus on
physical training, discipline and positive reinforcement.
Burg Baseball aims to promote the sport of baseball as
well as player development and growth both on and
off the field.
For more information, please visit
burgbaseballstpete.com.
TAMPA RBI
The RBI program is a youth outreach initiative designed
by Major League Baseball to provide underprivileged
boys and girls the opportunity to learn and enjoy
the games of baseball and softball throughout the
Tampa Bay region. The program is designed to grow
interest and participation in the sport, encourage
kids to stay in school, foster academic achievement
and community responsibility, encourage inclusion of
minorities in the sport, develop confidence and selfesteem, teach the value of teamwork and help build
better futures.
12
Sign your child up for Rays Baseball Camp where campers have
the opportunity to play where the Rays play! Kids ages six to
thirteen can enjoy a major league training experience, a visit from
a current or former Rays player or coach and take home a t-shirt,
hat and tickets to select Rays games.
Select weeks available between June – August.
To learn more information, please visit RaysBaseball.com/Camps.
Rays Rookies, presented by Outback Steakhouse,
is a FREE kids club for Rays fans 14 and under!
6 Free Ticket Vouchers (1 per month)
1 Free Food Voucher
Foldable Water Bottle
Membership Card
Raymond & DJ Kitty Autographed Cards
Coupons and Other Special Offers
from Outback Steakhouse
Access to Special Events
In-Season Monthly Drawings
Sign up online at RaysBaseball.com/RaysRookies.
To learn more about Rays Rookies or for questions,
contact us at [email protected]
F
F
O
%
0
5
E
V
I
E
C
E
R
Sunday, June 11
vs.
Visit RaysBaseball.com/PlayBallOffer
and enter the offer code: P L A Y B A L L