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parent management

Managing Playing Time Without Losing Parents

I had a dad corner me in the parking lot after a 10U game last spring, red-faced, keys in hand, and he said, "My son played two innings and your kid played five. You want to explain that?" And I di...

parent management

Managing Playing Time Without Losing Parents

I had a mom corner me in the parking lot after a Tuesday practice, kids still on the field, and she went straight for the throat. "My son played two innings last game and you had him sitting while ...

pitching

Teaching Pitch Sequencing to Young Pitchers

I had an 11-year-old on the mound two summers ago — kid had a legitimate fastball for his age, maybe sitting 62-63, and he just kept throwing it. Same spot, same speed, over and over. First inning,...

hitting

Teaching the Swing to 7-8U Without Overcomplicating It

I had a kid last spring — seven years old, maybe 50 pounds soaking wet — who came to his first practice with a swing that looked like he was trying to swat a hornet. His dad had been watching YouTu...

mental game

The Pre-Game Routine That Settles a Nervous Team

I had a 10U team a few years back that was playing in their first tournament game ever. We showed up to the field and I could just see it — kids standing around with their hands in their pockets, n...

fielding

First-and-Third Situations for 10U Coaches

Last week I watched a first-and-third situation absolutely fall apart for a 10U team, and it had nothing to do with the kids. The coach had no play called, the catcher looked into the dugout, the s...

player development

When Your Star Player Has a Slump

I had a kid two seasons ago — Marcus — who could flat-out rake. Nine years old, best contact hitter on my 10U team, the kind of kid who made your lineup easy. Then one Tuesday night he went 0-for-3...

practice planning

Teaching 8U Kids to Back Up Bases

I watched my shortstop just stand there last Tuesday while a throw sailed past first base and rolled all the way to the fence. Runner scored from first. Game over. And my shortstop — sweet kid, gre...

practice planning

How to Run a High-Energy Infield Practice

Last week I watched a coach run infield for 45 minutes and the kids looked dead by minute 30. They were going through the motions—shuffle step, field the ball, throw it back. Shuffle step, field, t...

player development

Proven Youth Baseball Drills to Build Confidence and Skills Fast

Six high-rep, high-success drills that build real skills and real confidence — because in youth ball, the two grow together.

practice planning

Youth Baseball Practice Plan Template That Saves Coaches 5 Hours a Week

Steal this proven 75-minute practice template. Plan in five minutes, run high-rep stations, and never stand around again.

parent management

Talking to Parents: Scripts Every Youth Baseball Coach Needs

Word-for-word scripts for the conversations every coach dreads — playing time, position changes, and the angry sideline parent.

practice planning

The Perfect 10-Minute Warmup Routine for Youth Baseball Teams

A repeatable, ten-minute warmup that prevents sore arms, sharpens focus, and gets your team ready to compete from the first pitch.

player development

How to Develop Every Player: Smart Lineup Strategies for Youth Baseball

Winning at 8U is a trap. Here is how to build lineups and field assignments that develop your whole roster — and still compete.


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