Coaches need to chill

[ech92]

When ball hits the dirt infront of the plate or goes over the catchers head , I yell good eye as a way keeping my batter loose with sarcasim ! They usually smile or laugh which means they are relaxed .

 

[CarMad]

Now is the perfect time to coach the kids. We definitely will instruct during the games this time of year. We tell our kids this is the perfect time to work on the things that we practice and we will help during the at bats with keys and reminders. It should subside as it starts to matter but why would this be a question in the fall? Especially at the younger ages.

 

[Fairman]

As an opposing coach, I love it when the 3B coach lets me know what weakness that this particular hitter' might have.

Sometimes they will yell 'watch the change' and we'll throw a change but off the plate and see if we can get a chase.....or perhaps we'll throw a heater in on their hands as they are leaning out over the plate looking for that change. The coach will usually tip that this particular batter will chase high when he reminds her to lay-off the high stuff......so in come the rises followed by high screws........you get the point.

When you coach, don't help the opposing team with your comments. Sometimes the person that is listening to the coach the most is NOT the batter.

 

[Chad Strahler]

As an opposing coach, I love it when the 3B coach lets me know what weakness that this particular hitter' might have.

Sometimes they will yell 'watch the change' and we'll throw a change but off the plate and see if we can get a chase.....or perhaps we'll throw a heater in on their hands as they are leaning out over the plate looking for that change. The coach will usually tip that this particular batter will chase high when he reminds her to lay-off the high stuff......so in come the rises followed by high screws........you get the point.

When you coach, don't help the opposing team with your comments. Sometimes the person that is listening to the coach the most is NOT the batter.

Exactly...when I hear watch the change I throw a velocity pitch. Their own coach just set them up to make my speed pitch 2-3 mph faster. Or don't drop your hands...I instantly think here comes rise ball or high fastball.

I hate it when fans and other coaches from my own team tell my batters "watch the change" because you just put it in their mind...and they need to be reacting...HUGE pet peeve of mine.

 

[weekendsoftball]

Totally agree with "watch the change" comment. First and foremost, I think it is bush league for a coach to say this and warn the batter of a change coming. If I hear this, I guarantee you the next pitch is going to be a shoulder high heater.

 

[Lester]

I on the other hand love it when they coach from third.. it puts me on the Autobahn to calling the next pitch to the batter's weaknesses... keep it up y'all...

 

[cobb_of_fury]

As far as "Watch the Change Up" nothing makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck as much as that - I'll take "Good Eye" all day - If I never have to hear "Watch the Change"

Coaches, Instead of standing on third yelling "Watch the change" please do these two things;
In the cage ... Show them how to stay back on the change and drive it. and tell them when they are in the box they need to stay back and look for the heat!

If they get the change in the strike zone it will look like a beach ball, They won't need to watch for it.
If the pitcher gets her out with a great change - God bless her.
I'd rather that then swinging behind that Dead Red Heater that if hit could change the outcome of the game.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

I think a 3rd base coach should focus more on the mental part of the game with batters and more so runners. Be kind of RAH RAH such as "you got this", "all you kid".. confidence building or "be smart here" meaning its 3-1 don't chase were down a few & need runners, or the other side "green light" meaning its 3-1 be aggressive. Also remind the runners "we got 1 out, on the ground gotta go, tag in the air, freeze on a line". The mechanics teaching should be done in practice or re-visited in the dugout prior or after an at bat. They have to think only see ball/ hit ball in the box.

"watch the change" is terrible and I cringe when mom or dad does it from the bleachers. Our pitchers hope you are trying to "watch the change"

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I think a 3rd base coach should focus more on the mental part of the game with batters and more so runners. Be kind of RAH RAH such as "you got this", "all you kid".. confidence building or "be smart here" meaning its 3-1 don't chase were down a few & need runners, or the other side "green light" meaning its 3-1 be aggressive. Also remind the runners "we got 1 out, on the ground gotta go, tag in the air, freeze on a line". The mechanics teaching should be done in practice or re-visited in the dugout prior or after an at bat. They have to think only see ball/ hit ball in the box.

"watch the change" is terrible and I cringe when mom or dad does it from the bleachers. Our pitchers hope you are trying to "watch the change"

I totally agree. Some coaches simply over do it. The batter is so worried about mechanics that she can't hit.

 

[SMc4SMc]

Sounds like Rec level coaching maybe 10U at best.

 

[Uber_jones]

The old watch the change comment, some coaches say this to bait you to not to call the CU. It's best to just call your game.

 

[Coach_Dave]

The old watch the change comment, some coaches say this to bait you to not to call the CU. It's best to just call your game.

If that is what the Coach is trying to do....and the hitter knows to ignore it, kudos to the Coach. I used to enjoy a good chess match when calling pitches. But, in most cases, I think they want their hitter to look for the change. You hear it mostly from players and parents.

 

[tjsmize3]

I'm not sure I would really do anything differently if I hear "watch the change" when calling pitches. Usually we have a plan and I would tend to stick to it much the same way I would when I hear "watch the steal," or "watch the bunt." Agree 100% with Impact18 though that it does make me cringe a little to hear "watch the change." Most hitters are taught to look for the fastball and REACT to an off-speed pitch... NOT the other way around. I guess that is the other coach's prerogative if he wants to have his hitters looking off-speed???

 

[Coach_Dave]

We were playing a team that evidently thought they had our change sign figured out. Third Base Coach must have signaled the Hitter that a change was coming, because she looked like a deer in headlights as the fastball blew right by her for the 3rd strike. The funny thing is she turned to the 3B Coach with her palms up as if to say 'what the.....'

 

[Uber_jones]

If that is what the Coach is trying to do....and the hitter knows to ignore it, kudos to the Coach. I used to enjoy a good chess match when calling pitches. But, in most cases, I think they want their hitter to look for the change. You hear it mostly from players and parents.

So do you call your game or listen to what the other coach is saying?

 

[Rebel]

I would focus on what you do and not that of others. Everyone has a different way of doing things. The goal is team success. If that is happening then the goals are being met.

 

[Coach_Dave]

So do you call your game or listen to what the other coach is saying?

Part of calling the game is to keep the hitter of balance and to pitch to his / her weakness. If I know a particular hitter, I would tend to stick with the plan. But, if I do not know a hitter and the third base coach wants to volunteer information....I will certainly take it into consideration.

 

[Uber_jones]

Part of calling the game is to keep the hitter of balance and to pitch to his / her weakness. If I know a particular hitter, I would tend to stick with the plan. But, if I do not know a hitter and the third base coach wants to volunteer information....I will certainly take it into consideration.

How long have you been calling pitches?

 

[Coach_Dave]

How long have you been calling pitches?

Apparently not as long as you....oh ye great and powerful fast pitch whisperer...

 

[Uber_jones]

Apparently not as long as you....oh ye great and powerful fast pitch whisperer...

Woah, I must've touched a nerve. Just thought we were talking calling pitches. Sorry.