Spiders Baseball

Elite youth tournament baseball serving Parker, CO.

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

It's important to understand WHY a hitter's count IS a hitter's count. Why is it an advantage? The best hitter's counts based on success rates on balls in play:

1. 3-0
2. 3-1
3. 2-0
4. 0-0, 1-0, 2-1

Worst:

1. 0-2
2. 1-2
3. 2-2
4. 0-1

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

A selectively aggressive hitter is a consistent hitter.

1. Be on time
2. Hunt fastballs
3. Hunt YOUR pitch
4. Hunt in favorable, predictable counts
5. Let pitches (even strikes) that get you off balance and off time go by early in the count
6. Expand the zone with two strikes

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Baserunning is MATH. Safe or out is based on the difference between two things:

1. The time it takes you to get to the next base
2. The time it takes the ball to get there

Once you spot things that add to and subtract from these times, you increase your confidence as a runner.

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

The Rules of Baserunning, are based on risk and reward:

1. Don't make the first out at home
2. Don't make the first out at third
3. Don't make the final out at third
4. It's okay to make the final out at home
5. It's okay to make the final out at second

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Understand and appreciate the relationship between process and results. Emphasize good process, regardless of the result.

1. A good hitting approach will lead to outs.
2. A well-played game will lead to losses.
3. Bad process will mislead by providing occasional good results.

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Winning at all costs does your players a disservice. Winning is the goal. But don't be scared of the opportunities found in lessons learned from loss.

1. Don't put arms at risk
2. Don't knowingly break rules
3. Don't bury kids on your bench
4. Don't fail to challenge your kids

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Keys to defending the first and third situation:

1. Have a base set-up that always looks the same
2. Keep the opposition guessing about what you're doing
3. Don't be predictable
4. Expect trickery from the baserunners
5. Focus on a single runner and GET THAT OUT
6. PRACTICE!

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Give the kids more control of the game. Stop making yourself the center of it. Do this:

1. Allow the catcher to call pitches and pickoffs
2. Coach the catcher on how to do it
3. Give your infielders plays that they can call
4. Practice them
5. Discuss when they should be used

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

If you're a coach, consider using fewer and simpler signs.

1. Less opportunity for confusion
2. Fewer chances for a player to get yelled at
3. Less control in your hands
4. Players play on instinct
5. Players are freer and less robotic
6. Fewer take signs = more aggressive

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

If multiple players call for the same ball, do they know what to do? Do the players with the highest priority know to take charge?

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Get your kid the right-sized bat. Don't exaggerate how strong he is and get him a bat that he can't control. Start with this chart as a guide.

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

If the ball is hit into the air and everyone calls for it, who has priority?

1. Center Field
2. Left Field/Right Field
3. Shortstop
4. Second Base
5. Third Base/First Base
6. Catcher
7. Pitcher

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

How does the count impact hitting results? Focus on BA - SO, which eliminates strikeouts and walks. This helps isolate the likelihood you'll get a hit when put in play. The Winners: 3-0, 3-1, and 2-0. The Losers: 0-2, 1-2, and 2-2.

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Things that matter more than you think at tryouts:

1. How you warm up
2. Whether you have the right equipment
3. Showing up on time
4. How you treat other players
5. Responsiveness to direction
6. Respectfulness
7. Your focus
8. Your ability to handle failure
9. Your parents

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

The most underrated skill is the ability to save your teammate's butt. You...

1. Make a great play on a bad throw
2. Prevent an error in the box score
3. Help your teammate get credit and cheers
4. Help your teammate retain confidence
5. Keep positive momentum for your team

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

These youth baseball plays are most often scored incorrectly:

1. Stolen base on a wild pitch or passed ball
2. Wild pitch vs. passed ball
3. Defensive indifference (almost never actually happens)
4. Fielder's choice
5. Sacrifice fly
6. Errors

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Before you decide to coach your own kid, answer these questions:

1. Do you want to coach the entire TEAM?
2. Does your kid WANT you to coach?
3. Will you be able to treat your child FAIRLY?
4. Can you handle the SCRUTINY?
5. Do you have the KNOWLEDGE?
6. Do you have the TIME?

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Just posted a photo https://t.co/rweV1gC9pK

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Because there are so many great pics from their final tourney, here is the next batch (more are coming). 📸 cred: @lisa.mb.loomer https://t.co/Kl3KWvqHjz

[Spiders Baseball @SpidersElite]

Another great batch of pics from our final tourney. So many to share… #Spiders4Life (📸 cred: @lisa.mb.loomer) https://t.co/aQa3U59hSc