Coaching Management 14.2

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Circle No. 100

CONTENTS Coaching ManagementBaseball EditionPreseason 2006

Vol. XIV, No. 2

COVER STORY

Unmasking Umpires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14They can be the most powerful people on the diamond, and knowing how to communicate with them makes you a more effective coach.

LEADERSHIP

The Coach in the Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Before you can help your athletes succeed, you need to know who you are and why you do what you do. In this article, three coaches explain how they have defined and redefined their coaching philosophies.

CONDITIONING

Year of Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31A veteran strength coach at Arizona State University shares his outline for a year-round baseball strength program.

Advertising Sales AssociatesDiedra Harkenrider, (607) 257-6970, ext. 24Rob Schoffel, (607) 257-6970, ext. 21

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The Coaching Management Baseball edition is pub lished in February, September, and December by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada. Copyright © 2006 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Coaching Management is printed by Banta Publications Group, Kansas City, MO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Coaching Management, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852.

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Editor-in-Chief Eleanor FrankelAssociate Editor Dennis ReadAssistant Editors R.J. AndersonKenny BerkowitzAbigail FunkDavid HillGreg ScholandLaura Smith

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Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter

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Circulation Manager John Callaghan

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Prepress Manager Adam Berenstain

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IT Manager Mark Nye

LOCKER ROOM Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2An overhaul of NCAA Division I scholarship limits? ... Warning fans of bad behavior ... Heading off tobacco use ... The NCAA steps up its fight against sports wagering ... The post-hurricane healing power of baseball

Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Dave Lafferty leads a new school’s first team to a 30-3 record and the state finals.

FIELD MIXES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

NETS & CAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

FACILITY EQUIPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

TEAM EQUIPMENT & APPAREL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

PRACTICE AIDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

COVER PHOTO BY US PRESSWIRE/JOEL AUERBACH

31

COACHING MANAGEMENT 1

MORE PRODUCTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

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ABCA Targets Scholarship LimitsA new system for administer-ing college baseball schol-arships may be on the hori-zon. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) is working on a scholarship overhaul proposal it intends to pitch to the NCAA in July.

“The current model is inad-equate and inappropriate,” says Mike Gaski, Head Coach at the University of North Car-olina-Greensboro and a mem-ber of the NCAA Division I Baseball Rules Committee. “It’s broken, and we need a whole new paradigm.”

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to consider two different plans. The one favored by the most coaches will ultimately be pro-posed to the NCAA.

The first option is simply to request an increase from 11.7 to 14 full scholarships. A sec-ond option would allow every program to award 27 tuition-and-fees-only scholarships. The ABCA settled on 27 schol-arships because that is the average number of players per team who get some type of scholarship under the current system.

“This would be a totally new model,” Keilitz says. “No oth-er sport limits the amount of

because room and board costs are similar everywhere,” he explains. “The best a player could do would be to make a lateral move financially, so players wouldn’t be moving to a new program for a better deal.”

Keilitz acknowledges that any plan to raise scholarship limits will face hurdles. Add-ing scholarships is costly, and because Title IX compliance means schools may have to commensurately increase spending on women’s sports, the cost is more than just the scholarships added for base-ball. In addition, only about half of the 285 baseball pro-grams in Division I currently offer the full 11.7 equivalency scholarships already allowed. For programs that offer fewer than 11.7, joining a push for more scholarships may only put them at a greater dis-advantage. Even so, Keilitz believes the majority of base-ball coaches are behind add-ing scholarships.

“Seventy percent of our mem-bers say they support adding scholarships,” he says. “As an association, we feel strong-ly about this. It’s time to address it.”

Keilitz plans to assemble a committee to draft a proposal. He’ll submit the proposal to the NCAA Legislative Issues Committee in July.

scholarships also helps fuel baseball’s high transfer rate, another trend troubling coach-es. “It’s easy for a player who’s getting nothing more than one semester of room and board to leave if everything isn’t completely to his liking,” says Dave Keilitz, Executive Direc-tor of the ABCA. “Baseball leads the country in transfers, and the lack of scholarship dollars is the major reason.”

The NCAA’s new classroom measure for teams, the Aca-demic Progress Rate (APR), has put the transfer issue foremost in coaches’ minds as well. When a player transfers out, his team loses a point toward its APR.

The American Baseball Coaches Association plans to propose major changes in NCAA Division I finan-cial aid limits this year—either raising the team limit to the equivalent of 14 scholarships or setting the bar at 27 tuition-and-fees-only packages. Above, two Division I teams square off as the University of Miami’s Paco Figueroa is safe at second under the tag of North Carolina’s Greg Magnum in 2005.

The current 11.7 equivalency scholarships per team are insufficient for a sport that regularly sees rosters of 27 or more, Gaski says, and divvying up the money creates a re -cruiting nightmare for coaches. “Nobody who goes out to recruit is happy with this sys-tem,” says Gaski. “It’s humiliat-ing to say to a family, ‘We think your son is worth 20 percent.’ You do that with used cars. Baseball coaches have become rug salesmen in terms of how we have to recruit now.”

The ubiquity of small partial

When enough points are lost, a team faces sanctions. And while a study group assigned last summer to review base-ball-specific issues with the APR made adjustments to less-en the impact of a player leav-ing for the pros, they decided against making the same APR allowance for transfers.

With the addition of APR con-cerns, longstanding dissatis-faction with the current schol-arship system is turning into a grassroots push for change. In November, Keilitz sent out a survey asking Division I coaches

aid an athlete can get to that university’s cost for tuition and fees. It would mean that no baseball player could get a full-ride scholarship, but it’s already unusual for a player to get one under the current system.”

There are advantages and dis-advantages to both models, Keilitz says, but he believes the tuition-and-fees model has greater potential to dramati-cally decrease student-athlete transfers. “The cost to a player of going to school at one insti-tution would be about the same as at another institution,

Warning Cards Come to BaseballThe yellow card is a traditional warning on a soccer field. But in some places, it’s also a cau-tion for fan misbehavior.

At Springfield High School in Akron, Ohio, Athletic Direc-tor Ray Fowler began giving out yellow warning cards for over-the-line spectator behav-ior during the 2004-05 bas-ketball season and plans to have them ready this year for baseball, where he believes they may be especially help-

2 COACHING MANAGEMENT

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ship, and Fowler’s buddy mentioned a carding program being used in neighboring Minnesota. Fowler called the Minnesota State High School League, which encouraged him to borrow the idea. He also credits similar procedures he’s heard of in Maine.

Springfield has expanded yel-low-carding to all sports. The system is explained to stu-dent-athletes and parents before each sport season and reviewed at parents’ pre-season meetings. Last year, word of the cards spread


ful in curbing rude comments toward umpires. The 3x5 cards are printed with a statement that student-athletes deserve positive support, and that con-tinued rude comments or poor sportsmanship may result in ejection from the game.

The cards seem to work, Fowl-er says, mainly because the message on them helps the fan to think about his or her behavior without forcing a confrontation. “It simply says, ‘We appreciate your atten-dance at our events. Our par-ticipants need your positive

Intervention Plan Nixes Tobacco UseAccording to an NCAA study, 40 percent of college baseball players use smokeless tobacco on a regular basis—despite a formal ban by the association. That’s a higher percentage of athletes than in any other col-legiate sport, making base-ballers particularly susceptible to oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, nicotine addiction, and cardiovascular disease.

“At every level of the game, baseball athletes are at high risk for using smokeless tobacco,” says Margaret Walsh, a profes-sor at the University of Califor-nia School of Dentistry and one of the authors of “Cluster-Ran-domized Controlled Trial of an Athletic Trainer-Directed Spit (Smokeless) Tobacco Interven-tion for Collegiate Baseball Ath-letes,” published in the Sum-mer 2005 issue of the Journal of Athletic Training. “This study shows that a brief intervention can help prevent smokeless tobacco use among college baseball athletes.”

Working with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Walsh conducted the study along with researchers from West Valley College, Ful-lerton College, Major League Baseball, and the Los Ange-les Angels of Anaheim. The researchers circulated ques-tionnaires on tobacco use to 1,585 volunteer varsity and junior varsity baseball players at 52 California colleges and universities. Approximately half of the baseball programs were then assigned to a con-trol group, which received no special intervention beyond

what’s normally done on their campuses and in their athletic departments.

Players at the other schools were enrolled in a specially designed intervention and prevention program. First, they were screened by vol-unteer dentists and hygien-ists who had been trained through a videoconference and printed training manual. Nonusers weren’t specifically counseled, but they did take part in an hour-long session led by team leaders they’d identified in their first ques-tionnaire. These sessions included graphic slides of facial disfigurement caused by oral cancer, and a pair of videos, Dangerous Game: The Truth About Spit Tobacco, and Tragic Choice: The Bob Leslie Story. The latter concerns a high school coach who started chewing at age 13 and quit 14 years later, only to develop oral cancer and die at age 31. The team leaders then led a group discussion in which they emphasized that using is a personal choice, but that everyone should be informed of the potential consequences before making it.

The program helped keep nonusers from starting smoke-less tobacco, with the number of new users in the interven-tion group (5.1 percent) signif-icantly smaller than the num-ber of new users in the control group (8.4 percent). However, while more than a third of the using athletes in the interven-tion program quit, that was no better than the rate among the control group.

The key to success was the support of coaches and ath-letic trainers, says Walsh, who believes that other col-

Springfield High School in Akron, Ohio, gives these yellow warning cards to disruptive fans at its home events. Athletic Director Ray Fowler says they may help curb abuse of umpires during baseball games by prompting spectators to examine their behavior.


support and encouragement. Abusive behavior toward players, coaches, or officials will not be tolerated. If your behavior continues, you will be asked to leave.’

“The nice thing about it is you avoid the verbal conflict,” Fowler continues. “The person you’re warning is pretty heat-ed up, and this gives them an opportunity to realize what they’re doing. If somebody doesn’t want to take the warn-ing, they’ve been warned, and you go from there.”

Fowler got the idea during a fishing trip with a fellow athletics administrator from Wisconsin. The conversation turned to poor sportsman-

through the community, Fowl-er found, and most specta-tors were eventually aware of them. This year, he didn’t have to use any during the fall sports season. “It’s kind of like that slap on your hand you don’t want to get,” he says.

Fowler advises reserving card duty to the administrator in charge of game management, not police or security, since the idea is to head off the need to involve those authorities. Fur-ther, be as unobtrusive as pos-sible, he recommends. “You’re not confronting the person as much as just handing them the card,” he says. “You simply walk up to them, give them a card, and walk away.”

For the complete study results, see: www.nata.org/jat/readers/archives/40.2/i1062-6050-40-2-76.pdf.

For information about ordering Tragic Choice: The Bob Leslie Story and other resources for quitting, see the National Spit Tobacco Education Program’s Web site: www.nstep.org.

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ran up debts, and ended up thrown out of college sports after being caught throwing games or shaving points. The key point is that even seem-ingly innocent bets can spi-ral out of control, leading to debts that grow until the only apparent way out is to agree to shave points or fix a game. In the brochure, Stevin “Heda-ke” Smith, a former basketball player at Arizona State Uni-versity prosecuted for shaving points in the 1990’s, describes how much it hurts when friends in the pick-up games he plays in now often make jokes when



they knew had been asked to affect the outcome of a game. One percent said they knew of a teammate who did so. The numbers are small but suggest the problem isn’t solved, even though the pen-alties for involvement with organized gambling are very serious. Gambling on one’s institution can be punished by permanent loss of all eligibili-ty, and for any organized gam-bling on pro or college sports, the punishment is a one-year suspension. The same penal-ties can apply to giving infor-mation to gamblers.

The NCAA says it’s more closely monitoring legal bet-

ting in Nevada—some recent point-shaving scandals were uncovered after legal book makers notified authorities of an unusual number of bets on college games. The NCAA is also having the contractor who checks the backgrounds of offi-cials working NCAA basketball tournaments also check on baseball-tournament umpires. That’s because the College World Series can be wagered on in legal sports books in Nevada, says Rachel Newman-Baker, NCAA Director of Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities. Newman-Baker

wouldn’t say whether any offi-cials have been disqualified.

Thus far, though, the anti-wagering campaign has focused on educating stu-dent-athletes on gambling’s dangers. A Web site on the subject is targeted for launch in time for this year’s basket-ball tournaments, Newman-Baker says.

A key educational piece is the “Don’t Bet On It” anti-wager-ing brochure distributed to most teams. It includes testi-monials from student-athletes describing how they started with small bets with a fellow student acting as a bookie,

he misses a shot. They say he must be fixing the game.

But coaches have a major role, too. When asked what keeps them from betting on sports, student-athletes in the survey first listed their own personal values and the threat of stiffer punishment. But after that, the major influence was coaches, Newman-Baker says.

“It is everyone’s responsibil-ity to provide education about sports wagering to our stu-dent-athletes,” Newman-Baker adds. “This education includes not just explaining the rule and telling the student-ath-letes not to do it—but also

Any Wagering Not a Safe BetThough he coaches in a state and city known for its casi-nos, University of Nevada at Reno Head Baseball Coach Gary Powers says his play-ers aren’t very different from counterparts across the coun-try when it comes to sports wagering: Opportunities to get involved, legal or illegal, are everywhere. And like stu-dent-athletes everywhere, Wolfpack baseball players get a stark reminder that, unlike other students, they can’t join in on pools on NCAA basket-ball tournaments or any other form of wagering on sports.

“When it gets to the bowl games, March Madness, or Super Bowl weekend, they can’t be like a lot of stu-dents around campus and get caught up in the excitement,” Powers says. “We constantly remind them about that. They know the rules they have to follow to be an intercollegiate athlete. They understand their opportunity to play is a heck of a lot more important.”

That message is one the NCAA is trying to get across more strongly. Prompted by an anonymous survey of 21,000 student-athletes in all three divisions that found that 34.6 percent of male student-athletes engaged in some type of sports wagering in the past year, the NCAA Sports Wagering Task Force has begun stepping up its anti-gambling efforts.

Most alarmingly, the survey found 1.4 percent of student-athletes said they or someone

As part of a stepped-up drive to curtail sports wagering, the NCAA will begin screening of umpires who work its Division I baseball tournament, largely because the College World Series can be wagered on through legal sports books in Nevada. Other efforts focus on educating student-athletes at all levels about the dangers of getting involved in gambling on sports of any kind.

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explaining why it is important that they don’t as well as what consequences can occur if they are involved in such activ-ity. Coaches definitely play a vital role in the process, but so do athletic directors, athletics administrators, other student-athletes, and national office staff.”

There are signs the NCAA’s anti-gambling education helps. Survey respondents in Division I reported less sports wagering than in Divisions II and III, and, NCAA officials suggested, that’s because

leges could easily recreate the study’s intervention program by working with local dental professionals. “This program works,” says Walsh. “Coaches are very potent role models for their players, and when coach-es are supportive of a program like this, their athletes are less likely to initiate tobacco use.”


anti-gambling efforts so far have focused on the highest-profile division, where contests are more likely to be the sub-ject of wagering.

About two-thirds of male stu-dent-athletes reported taking part in any form of gambling in Divisions I and II and more than three-quarters in Division III. These included playing cards, betting on games of skill, buy-ing lottery tickets, and betting on sports. Only about half of females reported the same.

As for betting on collegiate sports, about 17 percent of stu-dent-athletes in Division I, 21

percent in Division II, and just less than 25 percent in Division III said they had. About 22 per-cent of baseball players across all divisions said they’d wagered on college sports, behind golf, lacrosse, wrestling, and foot-ball. The survey’s good news was that comparatively few stu-dent-athletes seem to be prob-lem gamblers—only about 5 percent of males (and half of one-percent of females), based on activities they said they’d engaged in because of gam-bling or how it makes them feel.

In Reno, Powers says the casi-nos beckon but aren’t part of most people’s lives, student-

athletes included. If there is an advantage to living there, it’s that the downside of gambling is close at hand. “It doesn’t take people very long to figure out that you don’t make money in those places,” he says.

Recovery Begins On Opening DayA year ago, most Americans had never heard of Slidell, La. But when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in August, the town of 25,000 people just 30 miles from New Orleans was one of the hardest-hit areas, and news media from around the world reported its devastation. Five months later, as Slidell contin-ues to cope and rebuild, the return of high school base-ball is bringing welcome com-fort to student-athletes and residents of this grief-stricken community.

A collection of NCAA educational materials against sports wagering can be seen at: www1.ncaa.org/membership/enforcement/gambling/resources/index.html.

The National Council on Problem Gambling maintains a 24-hour confidential help line: (800) 522-4700.

“Almost every player on my team received some type of damage to their home. Most of them are now living either in a shell of a house or in a FEMA trailer, or they’ve moved in with relatives,” says Bill Morris, Head Coach at Salmen High School, which had a pre-Katrina enrollment of 1,100 students but now has only about 550. Salmen was submerged to the roof when the hurricane hit, and most of the school building was a total loss.

In the fall, Salmen students attended class from 1:15 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. at nearby North-shore High School, whose own students were in class from 6:55 a.m. to 12:37 p.m. In mid-January, Salmen took over a former junior high whose students had begun sharing an enrollment-deplet-ed elementary school. Like the return of school, the return of

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Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the baseball field at Salmen High School in Slidell, La., and the Spartans face an all-away-game season this year. They also lost their school-day home, as classes this year are held at other nearby school buildings.


baseball has given student-athletes some sense that life goes on despite everything they’ve endured.

“Of course, the athletes know things aren’t back to ‘nor-mal,’” Morris says. “But get-ting back to lifting weights

and starting batting practice and just being with their team-mates again, even if it’s not at our place, gives them some feeling that things are return-ing to the way they were.

“It was always good therapy, coming to practice,” he adds.

“When you’re lifting weights or practicing, you forget every-thing else except what you’re doing right then and there.”

Rick Mauldin, Head Coach of Northshore’s team, says his athletes have enjoyed simi-lar benefits from getting back

into the baseball routine. “In the first couple weeks of school, you could see so much pain and anxiety on the kids’ faces,” he says. “We started working out right away, and once our conditioning pro-gram got going and the play-ers were together again, you

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could see them slowly getting their breath back and starting to feel better.”

Naturally, preparing for this season involved some unique challenges for both coaches, not the least of which was scheduling. With a restricted travel budget, Northshore scheduled games against some local teams outside its 5A class. Salmen, meanwhile, is playing all away games, filling holes in other teams’ schedules created by oppo-nents whose baseball pro-grams—or entire schools—are no longer operational.

Facilities posed another big challenge. Northshore’s field survived the hurricane, but its recently installed $25,000 scoreboard, new batting cage, and dugout roofs did not. While the team can do without those things for now, some immediate repairs, such

as fence straightening, were necessary before the start of the season. “We had been talking about a number of building projects, including a new locker room, a new equipment shed, and lights for the field, and all that’s on the back burner now,” Mauld-in says. Also, with shared weightroom facilities, lifting and conditioning sessions for both teams have been held while the other’s classes are in session or in the evening after the school day.

Hardships aside, for both coaches, the experience of sharing a home has come with its own rewards. Morris and Mauldin speak highly of each other’s willingness to share and to accommodate student-athletes’ needs, and they see the arrangement as a prime example of how people can work together to overcome adversity. They have benefit-

ed from outside generosity as well—one sporting goods company that heard about the two schools’ situation donated several thousand dollars worth of equipment to help the programs get back on their feet.

As the season gets into full swing, Mauldin suspects that a few surprises may still be in store for his team. Since so many high school stu-dents were displaced by Katrina, he says many top baseball players are now at new schools, which means tough roster decisions for some area coaches. “I know coaches who had kids who’d been loyal to them for a long time, and suddenly here were three new kids from another school who might take their spots,” Mauldin explains. “Some coaches told those kids they’ve already got their teams picked—I don’t know

if I could do that. How can you tell a kid who is going to your school now because his house was blown totally off its foundation that you won’t give him a chance to play?”

While Mauldin’s team wasn’t put in that situation, he feels that no matter what deci-sions he faces as a coach this year, the events of the past several months have given him a new perspec-tive on his job. “Every coach will tell you that winning is very important, but I’ll tell you what, it’s not the most important thing,” he says. “Getting these kids together, getting a uniform on them, and having the parents and the teachers here excited about baseball again, that’s what it’s about. When the umpire says ‘Play ball!’ at our first game, it’s going to be such a wonder-ful sound.”

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CM: What were the keys to last sea-son’s success?Lafferty: It’s simple: I had very, very good players. Nobody wins that many games without good players. The talent was there—I just tried not to screw things up. In all my years of coaching, this is clearly the most unusual group of kids I’ve ever encountered. It’s because of their boyish passion for the game, the respect they showed for the game, and the humility they showed when they had success. I’ve been around a lot of teams, and these guys just loved being around baseball and each other.

Is that something you instilled as a coach or did it come naturally?I felt it came naturally. But having coached a long time, I do realize that some folks in the profession can suck the life out of kids. I think I have learned to not do that. I also try to make practices very enjoyable: a place where you make your jokes but also do your work and accom-plish your goals.

How do you straddle the line between fun and focused?One of the first things I said to the team was, “It’s okay to make mistakes. I’m not going to yell at you if you make a physi-cal error in the field. I’m not going to yell at you if you throw to the wrong base, but we’re going to talk about it.”

With no seniors on the team, where did you look for leadership?With this group it kind of took care of itself. We had two kids who were gener-ally considered to be our best players, and they gravitated toward leading on the field. Then we had a couple of kids with spectacular personalities who provided vocal leadership. The other kids just fell

right in line. It was an interesting dynam-ic—it was understood that if you were on the team, you were expected to never fool around during practice. They policed themselves pretty darn well.

How did you develop the blueprint for your program? The first thing I wanted to do was make a big, big deal about being “the first team ever.” For example, there’s a huge 24 x 36 team photo that hangs in our trophy case along with a wooden plaque. I also posted the first lineup card under glass and displayed the balls from the first hit, homerun, pitch thrown, and last out of the first game—in which our pitcher threw a perfect game. I told people that even if we finished 4-30, I was going to do that.

How did you deal with ris-ing expectations as the team kept winning?I wrote a certain word on the chalkboard in the locker room every day: Humility. I wanted them to be humble and thankful for what they have. And this group of guys always were. I’m sure the expecta-tions are going to be high next season, but mine will be very simple and the same as they were last year and the year before: Act right, be on time, and be humble.

How do you keep all play-ers involved in the game?

I made a concerted effort to play 13 to 14 guys every single game. If you know that you’re probably going to get in the game, whether it’s an at-bat, playing an

Q AIn the spring of 2005, the Seneca High School Golden Eagles took the field as the two-year-old school’s first var-sity baseball team. Though they had played two seasons as a junior varsity squad, the team had no seniors or players with varsity experience, and Head Coach Dave Lafferty didn’t know what to expect. But on opening day, junior right hander Ryan Brecko threw

a perfect game, and Seneca went on to a 30-3 record in its first year and the South Jersey Group 2 state title game, where the team lost 3-1.

It was also the first year of coaching varsity baseball for Lafferty. Then 50 years old and a guidance counselor at the school, he had been a J.V. baseball coach and a head high school basketball coach, and remains Asso-ciate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Rowan Univer-sity, where he helped coach the Profs to a Division III national championship in 1996.

In this interview, Lafferty discusses his coaching style, his points of emphasis for building the Seneca program, and how his other jobs make him a better baseball coach.

& Dave Lafferty Seneca High School, Tabernacle, N.J.

Seneca starting pitcher Ryan Doolittle delivers a pitch in the first inning of a 2005 New Jersey playoff game. In its first year as a varsity program, Seneca won 30 games and made the state finals.


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Circle No. 106

inning in the field, or pinch running, your head is going to stay in the game.

What did you tell your team after los-ing in the state final?I said, “I know you’re disappointed today, but when you look back on this you’ll realize that you did something few others have done. You guys took a first-year baseball program to the state final. And you lost to the best pitcher in the state.” Vin Mazzaro, who was later selected in the third round (101st overall) by the Oakland Athletics in the Major League Baseball draft, threw 94 mph with pinpoint control. I said, “There is no shame in losing, let’s move on.”

After being away from this level for so long, what was the hardest thing to get used to?I had spent the last 13 years working with men between the ages of 19 and 29. Coming back and working with 14- and 15-year-olds, you are reminded of the physical differences and the lack of life experience and confidence in young players.

Is your coaching style the same for basketball and baseball?I think so. I have very high expecta-tions in three areas: acting right, being on time, and making the right choices. I have attempted to create a situation where they are comfortable with me. They are even comfortable making fun of me, because that’s part of our give-and-take relationship. As long as they’re on time and act right, there aren’t any prob-lems. They know what to expect from me, and where I draw the line.

On two occasions I had a kid mouth off to an umpire last season. I took him out of the game. I did not yell and scream at him or make a scene. I just pulled him over and said, “Come out of the game and apologize to that umpire right now.” He did, and all the guys saw that and took notice.

In our first year, our best player showed up five minutes late one day and I just said to him, “You’re late. Was there an accident? Is everybody okay? All right,

start running and don’t stop until I get tired.” The other players saw that and knew they have to be on time. I don’t think we had any players show up late for any practices last year. And when kids make errors, and they will, I don’t throw stuff, I don’t yell and scream, and I don’t publicly humiliate them. As a result, we have a level of trust.

How does what you’ve learned coach-ing basketball translate to baseball?I started coaching basketball as an assis-tant under John Giannini, who is now the head coach at LaSalle University. He was very much an attention-to-detail guy, and when I walk into practice I have the

entire two hours planned out. We prac-tice roughly 44 times a year, and I have a general framework for an indoor and an outdoor workout for each of those days. If it were to rain on May 1, I already have an idea of what I want to be doing indoors or outdoors that day.

What’s your advice to young coaches about reaching their players?You must be patient. You cannot impart all of your wisdom and knowledge in a week. What your players will learn from you, besides the game, is planning, prep-aration, and patience.

How does being a guidance counselor affect your coaching?I’m more aware of personal stuff that goes on in players’ lives than classroom teachers can be. Most of the guys feel comfortable coming in and talking to me, so I’m aware of the distractions they face. For instance, there are some kids who got very upset because they got B’s in advanced physics. The goal then is to get them out on the field and make practice a two-and-a-half-hour refuge from physics. I am also able to notice when a guy is having trouble concentrat-ing, maybe missing a cut off man or not aware of a situation.

Do you do anything out of the ordi-nary during practices?I usually close with what I call a “Moment of Zen,”which I got from “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. I think it’s


On two occasions I had a kid mouth off to an umpire last season. I took him out of the game. I did not yell and scream at him or make a scene. I just pulled him over and said, “Come out of the game and apologize to that umpire right now.”

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really important that as a coach you’re serious about what you do, but don’t take yourself too seriously. For instance, I once told this story: Late in the 2003 season, I was at the Vet, and the Phillies were play-ing the Florida Marlins, who would go on to win the World Series. The score is 3 to 1 in the top of the ninth. Juan Pierre is on first base and Ivan Rodriguez is at bat. Rodriguez bunts and moves the runner to second. Then Mike Lowell comes up next and singles home the run and they go ahead, 4-1. The Phillies scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and lost, 4-3. I’ll say to the team, “Who won the game for the Marlins?” A kid who’s thinking will say, “Ivan Rodriguez.” Exactly. A Hall of Fame catcher bunted and when asked why afterward, he said, “Because it was time to win the game.” Then I’ll tell the team, “Okay guys that’s it, let’s get out of here.”

What else do you do to make players look forward to practice?We have a game they love to play called Two Pitch. I give each player two pitches thrown with a high, slow-pitch softball-style arc. I give up some long home runs and they love it. There’s also plenty of trash talking. I have one kid, and he’s one of my better players, who hasn’t gotten a hit off me in two years. So I’ll be on the mound shouting, “I own you! You can’t touch me!”and those kinds of things. And probably every two weeks we’ll play home run derby. I always save those games for after we do all of our work.

Your assistant Brian Gibney had five future big-leaguers in 25 years as a head coach at another school. Is it intimidating having such an experi-enced assistant?Nah. If I were 25, it might get to me. But I’m 50 now, with 29 years in coaching, and I want to see things done right. I’m not worried about who gets the credit.

What is your advice to coaches just starting a program?First, you have to be secure with your-self as a coach. If you’re starting a pro-gram, you’re probably going to have a losing season. And if you have a losing season in the society that we live in, in this day and age, you are going to be criticized. You have to expect that and can’t allow your insecurities to be shown to the players or lash out at them. They’re not trying to lose and they’re not trying to make mistakes. I had it in my mind that as long as I got effort and attitude, I’d be happy. So I would say to a young coach, ‘Make sure you’re getting effort and attitude, and have a five-year plan.’

Q A&

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Circle No. 108

We’ve all seen the wrong way. But if an umpire really blows a call, what are you supposed to do? If his strike zone is too high, can you get him to lower it? If he doesn’t understand a rule, how do you explain it without getting tossed? What’s the best way for coaches and umpires to work together—for better umpiring, coaching, and competing?

Starting OutAccording to Dave Yeast, NCAA

National Coordinator of Baseball Um -pires, lack of respect is a major con-tributor to high turnover among sports officials. Showing respect, he says, begins by understanding the pressures umpires face both on and off the field. First, coaches should remember that umpir-ing at most levels is an avocation done for love of the game.

“By the time an umpire shows up for a 4 o’clock start, he’s probably put in a full day’s work,” says Yeast. “Chances are, he’s rushed to get from work to the game on time. Coaches need to respect that dedication. And regardless of the level they’re playing at, coaches can help by making the environment as professional as possible. Even little things can show an umpire that you appreciate what he’s doing.”

When umpires arrive at La Quinta High School in Westminster, Calif., Head Coach David Demarest takes care of three little things by providing places to park, dress, and rest. “We have cer-tain areas where it’s more convenient to park, which I tell the umpires about as soon as they arrive,” he says. “We have a clubhouse where they can change into their uniforms. We also have a snack bar that’s always open to them, carte blanche. If they need water or anything else, it’s there. If they want something to eat after the game, it’s there, too. And it has nothing to do with whether we win or lose.”


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What’s the best way to interact with an umpire? You could kick dirt on his shoes, call him something unprintable, or offer to pay for new glasses—but any of those might rub an umpire the wrong way—and maybe get you tossed.

Over 30 years of umpiring at the collegiate and high school levels, Ken Allan has seen all that and more. He’s argued countless calls, good and bad, thrown out his share of coaches, and somehow retained his love of the game. And when it comes to working with umpires, he can summarize his advice to coaches in one word: respect.

“I have tremendous respect for coaches,” says Allan, the California Interscholastic Federation’s Baseball Rules Interpreter. “I respect the incred-ible amount of time that coaches put into their jobs. I respect that they’re trying to win every ballgame. I try very hard to always treat them with respect.

“Coaches have to understand that umpires are not the enemy,” he con-tinues. “We don’t have a stake in who wins. We’re just there to officiate the ballgame. And we need to be treated with respect, too.”

Allan recognizes that there are lots of reasons coaches come onto the playing field. They might want to contest a call, clarify a rule, or ask about the strike zone. They might need to stand up for their players, even if that means getting tossed from the game. Good umpires do their best not to take it personally—in fact, that’s an important part of their training at all levels of the game.

Good umpires, like good coaches, can also take constructive criticism and realize that their craft can stand improvement—last year’s Major League postseason showed that. But no matter how justified a coach may be, there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach an on-field official.

BY KENNY BERKOWITZ mThey can be the most powerful people on the diamond, and knowing how to communicate with them makes you a more effective coach. U

COVER STORY


JOEL AUERBACH/US PRESSWIRE

As part of his welcome, Demarest takes a little extra time with rookie umpires to establish a cooperative rela-tionship. “I think about what I’d want if the roles were reversed,” he says. “If I was in my first year and I was work-ing with an umpire in his 33rd year, it would be nice if he came over and started a conversation, told a joke, or did something to make me feel relaxed. The umpires can be just as nervous as we are before a game. And all it takes is to treat them with respect and remind them, ‘Smile, laugh, breathe. This is just a high school baseball game, it isn’t the end of the world.’”

Initiating an informal conversa-tion with an umpire, agrees Allan, is a great start to creating a sense of mutual respect. Given the chance, lots of umpires are more than happy to talk about anything other than the game. But some umpires won’t be interested in conversation, especially if the discus-sion shifts uncomfortably toward balls and strikes. At that point, it’s best to back off and take your next cues from pre-game actions. For example, experi-enced umpires walk onto the field in a very confident manner.

“The pre-game meeting should be friendly but professional, just going over the lineups and the ground rules,” says Allan. “Most good umpires will stick to business. For them to tell you a lot you already know, either about the rules or about your role as a coach, shows a lack of confidence.”

Less-confident umpires may be more likely to take offense when none is intended, and may be less likely to change a wrong decision. When con-fronted with such a situation, Demarest asks the umpire in advance for the best way to contest a call.

mpires Kenny Berkowitz is an Assistant Editor at Coaching Management. He can be reached at: [email protected].


“I want to make sure he feels com-fortable with me coming out to talk during the game,” he says. And even though it’s already understood that a coach is allowed onto the field, by asking respectfully, Demarest sets a precedent that allows him to question the umpire’s decisions without causing offense. He notes this is especially help-ful for new and less-confident umpires.

The key is to begin the relationship respectfully, says Ron Davini, Executive Director of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association. “At the pre-game meeting, show that you have confidence in him. If you show him you’re human, he’ll show you he’s human, too,” says Davini, who served as Head Coach at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz., from 1977 to 2005. “That’s the basis for everything you do from there on out: treating each other in a professional manner. If you show respect for an umpire, you set the tone for the whole game. Coaches need to remember that umpires are not bad

guys and they’re not the enemy. They’re real people with real feelings, and they’re doing the best job they can.”

Allan encourages coaches to learn umpires’ names and ask how they’d like to be addressed. “Umpires hate to be called ‘Blue,’” he says. “If you want to call me by my name, that’s fine. Or you can say ‘Umpire.’ But don’t call me ‘Blue.’ I’ve got a name.”

Allan’s bottom line? “Just realize that an umpire has a job to do,” he says. “And help him do it.”

Questioning a CallSome calls can be questioned, and

others can’t: If a ball whacked down the third base line is called foul, it’s foul. An umpire can’t change the call, so there’s nothing to be gained by arguing. Just let it go, even if you know the call was wrong. As Davini puts it, “Take care of the things you can change, and don’t worry about the rest.”

The key, says Bob Brontsema, Head Coach at the University of California-

Santa Barbara, is to pick your battles. “Before risking an argument, get to know the umpire,” he says. “The first time you work together is like going on a first date. Some umpires will allow some discussion, and some won’t. More than anything else, you need to know who you’re working with.”

Brontsema starts quietly sizing up an umpire before the game, and continues throughout the early innings. He’ll wait until he sees a second or third mistake before going onto the field. “There are close calls in every game, so I don’t want to go out the first time an umpire misses a call,” he says. “But once I see a pattern, I’m ready to talk.”

As a general rule, Brontsema advises other coaches not to argue balls and strikes. “Every now and then, you can argue balls and strikes without get-ting thrown out,” says Brontsema, who’s been tossed eight times in the last 12 years. “But you have to recognize that we don’t have a great angle over in the dug-out, and eventually, you learn to accept

COVER STORY

Of all your players, the catcher has the most contact with an umpire. That gives him a unique opportunity to build an effec-tive working relationship with an umpire—or to destroy it. There are four ways for a catcher to make a home plate umpire’s life easier: blocking bad pitches, giving him a clear view of the strike zone, keeping the game moving, and helping him commu-nicate with the coaching staff.

At the University of California-Santa Barbara, Head Coach Bob Brontsema teaches his catchers the funda-mentals of always keeping the pitch in front of them. “Blocking balls in the dirt is a great way to make sure the umpire doesn’t get hit with too many wayward pitches,” he says. “We want our catchers to work with the umpires, not against them. Blocking balls is one way to show them this, and they really appreciate it.”

For Ron Davini, Executive Director of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association, the key is training your catchers to show the umpire the entire strike zone. “Give the umpire a clean look at a pitch,” advises Davini, former Head Coach at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. “Stay low, stay solid, stay smooth. Don’t sway too much. If you’ve got a strike, hold the pitch so it stays in the strike zone and every-one can see.”

Another thing, says Davini, is to help keep up the pace of the game. “Some pitchers have a ritual they go through, and baseball is slow enough without going through the cycle every time you throw a pitch,” he says. “If they’ve got to go through the cycle, we ask our catchers to help make it a quicker cycle, and speed up the game a little bit. And we train everybody to hustle on and off the field to make the game go as quickly as it possibly can.”

The best catchers, says Dave Yeast, NCAA National Coordinator of Baseball Umpires, are trained to work in partnership with umpires to make the game go smoothly and communicate with the dugout. “Catchers need to have a feel for the strike zone, so if there’s a close pitch that I’m calling a ball, I’ll tell him, ‘I’ve got that pitch low’ or ‘I’ve got that pitch outside.’ And if he’s been taught right, he’ll motion to the dugout,” says Yeast.

“I’m building some trust with that catcher,” continues Yeast. “I know it’s working if the coach yells from the bench, ‘Dave, where was that pitch?’ and the catcher responds, ‘Outside.’ That way, I don’t have to answer to the dugout on every pitch, and that’s a good feel-ing. That’s when I know I’m doing a good job.”

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Circle No. 109

variations as part of the game. Sure, it would be nice if the strike zone was completely consistent, but that’s part of what makes baseball great. Once you’ve identified the umpire’s strike zone, let your players know, because they’re the ones who will have to adjust.”

As the director of California’s umpir-ing clinics, Allan agrees. Instead of trying to change an umpire’s strike zone, train your athletes to mentally move from one zone to another. “If you see the umpire is calling low strikes, your job is to prepare your hitters,” advises Allan. “You’ve got to tell them, ‘Hey guys, you’ve got to look out for that low strike and be ready to swing at it. Don’t let it surprise you.’ The key is to encourage your team to adjust to the umpiring.”

The one thing you should never do, says Allan, is ride an umpire about blown judgement calls, especially from the dugout. “Don’t piss off the people who are trying to help you,” says Allan. “The umpire is trying to get the play right, so don’t yell, ‘You guys have been blowing stuff all day.’ Coaches

need to remember that umpires are human.”

If you contest a call, make sure to control your emotions. Don’t scream on your way out of the dugout, and don’t run. Instead, as you walk onto the field, use those few seconds to gather your thoughts and construct the most effective argument you can. “Try to be as calm as possible,” advises Allan. “If you appear under control, an umpire is much more likely to listen to you. Going off the deep end is not going to help.”

The best approach, agrees Brontsema, is to appear reasonable—as if you’re trying to hold a conversation, not spark a fight. “Don’t go out without your wits about you,” he says. “If you go out there emotional and upset, it’s not going to work too well. But there are quite a few times when I’ve asked the umpire to talk to another member of his crew, and they’ll get together and change a call. It actually happens more often than you’d think. That’s really the best you can hope for: that they’re will-ing to talk to each other about the call

and come back with a decision, whether they agree with you or not.”

So how do you ask an umpire to get a crewmate’s point of view without making him feel you’re challenging his authority? “Personally attacking an umpire means going out there and say-ing, ‘You’re an idiot,’ or ‘You have no idea what’s going on,’” says Brontsema. “Asking for help means going out there and saying, ‘Hey, you had a tough angle on that one. Did you get a good look at it? Because if you didn’t, your partner might be able to help you out.’ That way, you’re not starting an argument as much as you are trying to get some information.”

Being asked a question gives an umpire the chance to review the play in his mind, honestly think about his call, and determine whether another umpire might have had a better angle. But providing the umpire with some new information is an even more per-suasive way to state your case. “I might not have seen everything that happened out there,” says Allan. “Give me the kind

COVER STORY

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Circle No. 110


COVER STORY

Conventional wisdom says that getting ejected from a game can fire up your ath-letes. They see how hard you’re willing to fight for them and they respond by playing even harder than before. But conventional wisdom isn’t always right. “I’ve seen it work and I’ve seen it backfire,” says Dave Yeast, NCAA National Coordinator of Baseball Umpires. “If the coach thinks he needs to be ejected to fire up his team, that’s fine with me. But I’ve seen it get into athletes’ heads, and that’s all they can think about. They see their coach upset, and instead of concentrat-ing on the ball, they’re getting mad at the umpire. I’ve seen really good middle infielders miss the next ground ball, or miss the next pop-up, because they’re still steaming about what their coach said.”

Even when getting ejected succeeds in motivating your team, it can fire up the other team, too. For David

Demarest, Head Coach at La Quinta High School in Westminster, Calif., watching the other team’s coach get thrown out of a game helps him teach his players how not to behave.

“Whenever I see poor sportsmanship on the field, I make sure my athletes see it, too,” says Demarest. “If there’s a batter on the other team throwing his helmet, or a pitcher kicking the dirt, or a coach losing his tem-per, that’s in our favor. We feed off that energy, and I tell our team, ‘See that guy on the mound? See that coach? See how bad that looks? That shows we’re get-ting to them.’

“As the coach, your athletes will feed off everything you do,” he continues. “If you rant and rave and yell and complain, that’s what they’re going to do. That doesn’t mean you can’t get upset. But you’ve got to remember that your kids are looking up to you. And as much as I hate to see bad sportsmanship by the other team, I’ve seen it work in our favor.”

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Circle No. 111


COVER STORY

of information that will prompt me to ask for help. For example, suppose I’m the first base umpire, and there’s a pick-off play. From where I’m standing, I saw that the ball was in the first baseman’s glove when he tagged the runner, so I called him out.

“Then the first base coach starts shouting, ‘That’s a terrible call! You’ve got to go for help on that!’” he contin-ues. “Well, with that kind of informa-tion, no umpire would go for help. But

I’d have a totally different response if the first base coach said, ‘Kenny, you probably couldn’t see it, but the first baseman dropped the ball.’ With that kind of additional information, I’d probably go for help.”

In NCAA officiating clinics, umpires are trained to distinguish between sin-cere questions and those that are purely argumentative. “We teach them to listen to what the coach is saying,” says Yeast. “If a coach is asking a reasonable ques-

tion, he deserves a reasonable answer. If a coach asks me where a pitch is, I’ll motion with my hand that it’s inside or outside, high or low. Then, if he says, ‘No, it’s not,’ I know he wasn’t really asking for my opinion. It wasn’t a ques-tion at all, it was a complaint.

“There are going to be times when we just simply disagree,” continues Yeast. “Is it sometimes reasonable to question a pitch? Sure. But if every time I call a pitch that coach is coming out to the plate, it’s not reasonable anymore. If I’ve answered the question, and the coach keeps repeating himself, then it becomes argumentative. So I say, ‘I’m not going to change that call. It’s my call, and I believe I got it right. Now we’ve got to get the game moving again.’”

How far is too far? Every umpire has his limit, but for Yeast, when a coach

keeps arguing, he’s crossed the line. “If a coach truly wants to get to the bottom of what happened on a play, he can ask spe-cific questions, like ‘Dave, what did you see on that play?’ or ‘Can you explain why you called that interference?’” says Yeast. “But when they get more and more agitated, I just say, ‘Coach, I’ve explained it. I’ve answered all your ques-tions. I’m going to turn around, walk away, and end this conversation. If you follow me, I’ll have no choice but to eject you. This is your warning.’

“That gives the coach a chance to walk away, because if he doesn’t, he’s gone,” continues Yeast. “My advice to every coach is that if an umpire lets you walk away, walk away. We tell the umpires the same thing: ‘If the coach is walking away, don’t follow him, and don’t try to have the last word. It’s over. Get the game going again.’ As an umpire, the faster you can get that next pitch thrown after an argument, the better off we all are. Once that next

“If a coach truly wants to get to the bottom of what happened on a play, he can ask specific questions, like ‘Dave, what did you see on that play?’ or ‘Can you explain why you called that interference?’”

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COVER STORY

pitch is thrown, everyone can return their focus to the game.”

Training Your AthletesAs a coach, it’s not enough to teach

yourself to work with umpires. It’s your job to keep players from being ejected and teach them to show respect as well.

During 28 years at Corona del Sol, Davini taught his athletes that contest-ing calls was his job, not theirs. “If it was the kind of call I couldn’t argue, I’d tell a player to shake it off,” he says. “If I could contest it, I would. I’d say, ‘Let me take care of this, because I can stand up for you. I can find out why he made the call, and if I can’t change it, then we’ll both have to live with it.”

For Allan, who’s ejected only one player in 30 years of umpiring, the responsibility for maintaining order always sits with the coach. “The coach needs to get the player away from the umpire before he says something stupid and gets himself kicked out of the game,” says Allan. “Once the coach shows up to argue a call, that athlete should know to immediately get out of the way. The bottom line is that the spokesman for the team is the head coach, not the players and not the assis-tant coaches.”

At La Quinta, Demarest trains his athletes to control their tempers by deliberately making bad calls in the pre-season. “We show players that umpires are going to make mistakes, just like the rest of us,” he says. “For example, we’ll make the wrong call to end the inning, just to teach them to hustle back to the dugout without complaining. That’s because this game is 90 percent mental, and they can’t let a bad call affect their performance. And whether we win or lose, we want our athletes to play the game with class.”

To teach by example, Demarest ends each game by thanking the officiating crew. “If an umpire does a good job, you’ve got to tell him,” he says. “It means a lot to them when you’ve lost and you still tell them they’ve done a good job.”

It’s all part of treating the umpire like a human being, whether you’ve won or lost, and no matter how tired or angry you may be. After decades behind the plate, Allan understands that coaches are sometimes unhappy with his performance—it comes with the territory—and nearly every call he

makes is bound to make someone mad. But when coaches start to blame a loss on the umpire, Allan thinks they’ve lost sight of the true spirit of athletics, which is to use the game to teach their athletes about life.

“I had a game several years ago where I couldn’t get a good look at a trap in the first inning,” says Allan. “Then, in the paper the next day, after looking at a videotape, the coach said it was the worst call he’d ever seen in a high school

game. They lost that game 9-1, and all that coach did was give his team an excuse for losing. Believe me, unless it’s the last play of the day, an umpire isn’t going to cost your team the game.

“Players are a mirror of their coach,” continues Allan. “When coaches com-plain about every little call, the players will do the same. When you get right down to it, a baseball game is a teaching situation for your athletes. And coaches need to remember that.” ■

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IN HIS 33 YEARS AS A BASEBALL COACH, one game sticks in Eric Kibler’s mind as the moment his coaching phi-losophy was born. The moment isn’t one of glory or triumph—in fact, it’s an experience he’d probably rather forget. But instead of forgetting it, he filed it away to help him recall what makes him a coach and shapes his approach to mentoring his team at Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“I was a very young coach, and I humiliated a kid in front of his team-mates,” Kibler says. “He made a mistake, and I shouted at him out on the field.

That might not sound like a big deal, but I knew as soon as the words were out of my mouth that it was wrong. I felt terrible. After the game, I apologized to him and to the entire team. I told them that wasn’t the way a coach should ever act, it wasn’t right, and it wouldn’t hap-pen again. And it hasn’t—I have never done that since.”

That experience helped Kibler define two things about his coaching philosophy. “First, I believe in using the game to build kids up,” he says. “I don’t allow any coach in my program to take away a kid’s dignity, because my biggest

goal is for players to leave my program feeling confident. The second is that I will always evaluate my own perfor-mance and be willing to say I’m sorry when I make a mistake. Those are two big elements of my coaching philoso-phy, and they were formed from that experience.”

What’s your coaching philosophy? Whether you think about it daily, ana-lyze it once a season, or rarely reflect


LEADERSHIP

Laura Smith is an Assistant Editor at Coaching Management. She can be reached at: [email protected]. R

OB

BA

RB

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BY LAURA SMITH

THE COACH IN THE MIRROR Before you can help your athletes succeed, you need to

know who you are and why you do what you do. In this article, three coaches explain how they have defined and redefined their coaching philosophies.

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on it at all, it’s the framework on which your performance is built. Coaches who take the time to clarify and refine their philosophies are rewarded with a road-map for better decision-making and a deeper, more meaningful experience for themselves and their athletes.

Here, we ask veteran coaches in three different sports at three different levels of competition to talk about their coaching philosophies. They discuss what their philosophies are, describe how they evolved, and recall the experi-ences that formed their beliefs.

The Mental GameNamed Coach of the Year in 2005 by

both the High School Baseball Coaches Association and the American Baseball Coaches Association, Kibler says the cornerstone of his philosophy is a focus on the process. “We don’t talk about winning a lot,” he says. “We even keep goal setting to a minimum, because if that’s overemphasized, it can lead to a focus on the outcome. Winning is important—don’t get me wrong—but

I believe in working hard and allowing the results to take care of themselves.”

Kibler believes in preparing his team well and then allowing them to make most of the decisions in games. “I tell them that practices belong to the coaches, and games belong to the play-ers,” he says. “I make a few decisions during games, but for the most part, this is their chance to show how well they’ve prepared.”

Focusing on the mental game is another key aspect of Kibler’s coaching philosophy, and the first requirement of the mental game is that it has to be fun. “My players are under a lot of stress in their lives already—there are grades, parents, girlfriends, getting into col-lege,” Kibler says. “The first thing I tell them is that baseball is not supposed to be another source of stress, and if it is, we’re doing something wrong. We’re going to play hard, but we’re going to play relaxed.”

That approach opens the door to another staple of Kibler’s approach: teaching players to take risks. “Baseball

is a game of failure, so you’re never going to play well when you’re afraid to fail,” he says. “I teach my players that if they aren’t making mistakes, they’re not taking risks. If you can get players to think, ‘Coach believes in me, so I’m going to take a risk,’ you will see perfor-mances you’d never see otherwise.

“The mental aspect of my coaching has grown over the years to the point that I give it just as much thought as I do the Xs and Os,” he says. “I’ve learned that confidence, desire, and a willingness to take risks can take a team places no one thought they could go.”

That approach proved itself for Kibler in 2005, when his team unseated defending Arizona 5A state champi-on Hamilton High School for Kibler’s third state title in four appearances in the final. By Kibler’s own evaluation, the team was not his most physically talented, but their desire and mental toughness filled the gaps.

Providing plenty of positive feedback is another way Kibler adds to his play-ers’ confidence. “I make sure to praise

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LEADERSHIP

the kids whose contributions might go unnoticed,” he says. “If a player lays down a good bunt or someone on the bench steals a sign, I point out in front of the

team that those are the things that turn the tide in a game. After every game, whether we won big or stunk the place up, I leave them on a positive note.”

Responsibility to team also permeates Kibler’s philosophy. “One of our mot-toes is, ‘We’re here to pick each other up, not to show each other up,’” he says. “I stress to my guys that not everybody is

going to play a good game every game. It’s their job to say to a teammate who just struck out, ‘It’s okay. You’ve done it for us in the past, so I’ll get it done

today.’ That extends to life off the field, too.”

Kibler presents team rules with the same team-focused approach. “My rule is, ‘If you do anything that takes away from the reputation of this team, it’s a violation of some sort,’” he says. “Having them first think of how their choices will affect the team is a simple way of doing things.

“Kids need to know that their coach will enforce his rules,” he adds. “Many of them

have people in their lives who have a lot of rules but don’t enforce any of them. My philosophy is to have few rules and enforce them all.”

Working with parents is a plank of Kibler’s platform that has evolved mark-edly over the years. Early in his career, he had an open-door policy at all times and attempted to solve parent problems

as they arose. “I had people calling my house at all hours, showing up on my doorstep, or cornering me after church on Sunday,” he says. “Now I take a much more proactive approach with parents. I have a contract listing 22 items that they and their sons need to sign. It tells them exactly what I will and will not negotiate and spells out the proper times and ways to communicate with me.

“We won’t talk about playing time,” Kibler continues, “and we don’t have discussions with parents before or after games—I ask them to make appoint-ments. But I am always available to discuss any issue affecting their kid’s well-being—depression, social difficul-ties, problems at home. If they want to talk about anything like that, I’ll sit down right away and say, ‘How can I help?’”

Kibler says the roots of his philoso-phy go back to his childhood in a small farming community, where he watched his father coach baseball and wanted to be like him someday. “He was a humble, disciplined man,” he says. “He didn’t say a lot, but he was always

“I grew up in a small community where everyone helped everyone else, and my goal has been to create that same kind of connected community on my team here in the middle of Phoenix. I think we’re succeeding ....”





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prepared and he always made sure his players had fun. I learned from him what hard work is and that it brings rewards like nothing else. I grew up in a small community where everyone helped everyone else, and my goal has been to create that same kind of con-nected community on my team here in the middle of Phoenix. I think we’re succeeding at that.”

Watching other coaches has also helped Kibler define his philosophy. “Gordie Gillespie, John Wooden—I’ve studied their philosophies and gone to hear them speak,” he says. “I analyze how they coach and I think, ‘If I can get anywhere close to that, that’s the right way to do it.’”

For Kibler, evaluating his coach-ing philosophy is an ongoing effort. “I assess it after every season, but really, I’m always tweaking it,” he says. “I take issues that arise as an opportunity to refine my philosophy. For example, with steroids being such a big topic in the professional ranks, I’ve done a lot of thinking about my philosophy on talking to my players about that. I’ve decided to focus on the message, ‘Integ-rity is everything.’

“I’m constantly learning and evalu-ating myself,” he adds. “And the final part of my philosophy is that the day I can’t say I’m doing that—and walking through the gates ready to put in 100 percent—I’ll turn in my keys. That is

what I expect from my players, so that is what I expect from myself.”

Focusing on the JourneyMark Guthrie, Head Coach of Men’s

Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, has used a coaching philosophy with three basic principles to guide 19 teams to NCAA Division III titles. The first principle is that the experience belongs to his student-athletes. “I had my time, and this is their time,” Guthrie says. “So I let them tell me what they want to accomplish. I allow the student-athletes to set their own individual and team goals, and my role is to help them reach those goals.”

LEADERSHIP

MAKING A STATEMENTAlong with figuring out your coaching philosophy, consider writing a personal philosophy statement. Developing a concise, written description of your philosophy will allow you to think about what is important to you and communicate that to oth-ers. When there’s a decision to be made, your philosophy statement will serve as a personal guide to steer you in the right direction. Here is a way to break the task down into a six-step process.

Write a list. The first step is to create a list of everything important to you in life—everything. If family is important to you, list it. If having time to exercise is a priority, list it. How about your professionalism? Winning? Salary? Try to include everything that may impact your daily behavior.

Prioritize your list. Next, prioritize each item on the list: 1 = very important, 2 = somewhat important, and 3 = moder-ately important. Here’s an example:

Family: 1 Winning games: 1Influencing students: 1 Championship titles: 2Success of athletes: 2 Lifelong learning: 1Friends: 3

There is no right or wrong in this process. The items listed and the numbers next to them should reflect your true feelings.

Create the statement. Look at all the #1 items and write a paragraph or more that links them together. If some of the #1 items do not seem to fit what you want to say, it’s okay to leave them out. And you may decide to “upgrade” a few #2 items because they help to define what you are truly about. Elab o r ate and add text to bring out what really inspires you on a daily basis.

The following is an example of the opening of a philosophy statement: “I love to learn, and learning inspires me to teach others. Through coaching, I hope to positively influence

today’s youth, so they might be good citizens tomorrow. Patience, kindness, and love direct my interactions with ath-letes. Although I like to win, it is imperative that I do so in a fair and just manner. I believe in doing what’s right.”

Publish it. When people think of publishing, they typically think of books or magazines. But coaches have many ave-nues to publish their philosophy statement. The simplest way is to place it in a frame and hang it on the office wall or post it in the locker room where athletes can read it. Other ideas include: placing it on a Web site; printing it on 3x5 cards you hand out to athletes; and including it in a preseason packet for athletes and parents.

Put it into practice. The most important part of the process is putting the philosophy into action. Try setting one or two monthly goals that are directly related to your philosophy and check your work at the end of each month. Another idea is to create a term “report card,” either on your own or with a mentor to gauge progress toward your larger goals. Or keep a journal, where you write about your daily activities, then reflect on how well your behavior matches your philosophy.

Review it. As people grow and mature, things that were once important in their lives may change and thus their phi-losophy may change, too. Even if the philosophy statement remains the same from year to year, reviewing the document will refresh your perspective.

Certainly, trying to live out a public philosophy puts pressure on a coach. It takes courage to tell people, “This is what I’m about. Please hold me accountable.” However, writing and reviewing your philosophy will help you coach in a manner that truly represents who you are. And the longer you use it, the more likely you will be to reach your goals.

By Dr. Dennis Docheff

Dennis Docheff, EdD, is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Central Missouri State University and a former football, basketball, and track and field coach.

Guthrie starts each season by ask-ing his team to set a goal for the sea-son. “Not surprisingly, they always come back with, ‘To win the national champi-onship,’” he says. “Everything is geared toward winning the title, from how I plan practices to how I approach meets. If they told me one year their goal was to win a conference title, I’d base every-thing on that instead.”

Second, Guthrie believes in regularly putting his student-athletes into chal-lenging competitive situations—even if they feel they’re in over their heads. “We’re a D-III school, but we run at Wis-consin, Minnesota, Purdue, the Drake Relays, and the Kansas Relays,” he says. “I believe in taking my athletes where they are going to see fantastic talent. It gives them confidence when they get to the most critical situation we face—our national meet.”

A team focus is the third hallmark of Guthrie’s philosophy. “I talk to my ath-letes a lot about how every member of the team, whether they score points or not, contributes to the final result,” he says.

Guthrie says that watching other coaches—both those he respects and those he doesn’t—has helped him refine his philosophy. “I remember early in my career watching a coach chew out a kid who had screwed up in a meet,” he says. “I knew right then that wasn’t going to be part of my philosophy. Some coaches say, ‘You have to tear kids down to build them back up,’ but I don’t believe that. When an athlete screws up, they know it, and the last thing they need is to be torn down. I tell them, ‘Tomorrow is another day. Let’s start over from here and do what we need to do.’”

Guthrie also believes in testing his beliefs by watching how they stand up in tough situations. “Going into the D-III indoor championships two years ago, one of my athletes was the top thrower in D-III history in the 35-pound weight, and we were counting on him for 10 points toward the title,” he says. “Instead, he fouled three times. It was a big blow, but I followed my philosophy. I told him, ‘The sun is still coming up tomorrow and even though this is pretty

important to us, it’s not the end of the world.’ Then at the outdoor nationals, he threw a lifetime personal record and won the hammer. If I had jumped down his throat at the indoor nationals and told him he had let us down, I’m not sure he would have had the confidence to put it behind him. So I believe my philosophy served me well, and it goes back to when I saw that one coach early in my career do just the opposite.

“The longer you coach, the more your philosophy evolves,” he continues. “You see what works and build on it, and you see what doesn’t work and change it. It’s a slow process. I think it takes at least a decade before you have a fairly solid philosophy. And even after that, good coaches never stop looking for ways to adapt.”

Guthrie sets aside a special time after each season ends to evaluate his philosophy. “I go out on my boat alone and just cruise and think about what happened during the season. Are my core beliefs and my approach working? If the answer is no, I start breaking

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down what isn’t working and figure out how to change it.

“The toughest time to evaluate your philosophy is when you’re succeeding,” he continues. “After a losing season, it’s easy to look back and try to figure out what went wrong. But it’s just as impor-tant to go back after a great season and ask, ‘Did we do everything we could or is there a better way to do it?’”

Over the years, Guthrie says his phi-losophy has evolved to be much less about wins and losses and much more about the process. “I’ve come to realize that it’s all about the journey, and I’ve developed a little tradition to commu-nicate that to my athletes,” he says. “I make sure we are always the last ones to leave a competition. We wait, and after all the other teams have left, we just stand there for a minute and look around so they don’t forget the experi-ence. The medals will tarnish and the ribbons will fade, but the memories are what will carry them for the rest of their lives. I tell my athletes, ‘Just stand here a minute and soak it in so you’ll always

remember what you’ve been through and what you’re a part of.’”

Three Little WordsUniversity of Idaho Head Women’s

Basketball Coach Mike Divilbiss has a philosophy that’s distilled down into three words: hard, smart, together. Divilbiss freely admits the words are bor-rowed from legendary coach Dean Smith, but he has put his own stamp on the phrase that has come to stand for a very specific way of doing things.

On the basketball court, “play hard” translates to putting in maximum effort every day. Playing smart reminds his players to take care of the little things: boxing out for rebounds, making the sure pass, reading defenses properly. And playing together means an athlete understands teamwork—she knows when to pass the ball and when to take it to the basket.

However, “hard, smart, together” extends beyond the basketball court. “It applies to every facet of their lives, and of my life too, because I also ask it of myself,” Divilbiss says. “I expect them to play ‘hard, smart, and together’ in the classroom and socially as well. I expect

them to extend maximum effort in their schoolwork and to ‘play together’ by helping each other make good deci-sions in social situations.

“I don’t believe you can be one per-son in one part of your life and a differ-ent person in another part of your life,”


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“I asked myself, ‘What are you doing here? Who are you? What’s important to you?’ I ended up completely re-exam-ining my coaching philosophy and really asking myself, ‘Why coach ... in the first place?’”

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he continues. “So my players can’t tell me they’re going to be a mess academi-cally and then become disciplined and accountable on the court. My philosophy is that we have to build quality people who are ready to make good decisions and give maximum effort on and off the basketball court. ‘Hard, smart, together’ has become shorthand for that.”

Divilbiss says he still puts time into thinking and reading about coaching philosophies. “I spend a lot of time listen-ing to other coaches, too,” he continues. “I go to clinics now not so much to learn about basketball, but to hear coaches talk about why they do what they do.”

Divilbiss also looks at pivotal experi-ences in his coaching career as oppor-tunities to define his philosophy. One came when his Lewis-Clark State Col-lege team, 26 and 0 and ranked num-ber one in the country, lost in the conference finals on a half-court shot at the buzzer. “I didn’t get down on the kids, but I didn’t lead,” he says. “I lost my perspective and I was making it all about the scoreboard. Ever since, I’ve

wished I could have that moment in the locker room back. But evaluating that experience helped me return to who I am and what I believe in.”

Moving from Lewis-Clark to the NCAA Division I University of Idaho provided Divilbiss another opportunity to analyze his core beliefs. He had built the LC State program into an NAIA contender, winning 33 games in his last season and taking his team to the Final Four. In his first two years at Idaho, his team won 11 and 10 games. “Coming off a season with 33 wins, that was a soul-searching time for me,” says Divil-biss, now in his fifth season at Idaho, with a contract extension through 2010. “I asked myself, ‘What are you doing here? Who are you? What’s impor-tant to you?’ I ended up completely re-examining my coaching philosophy and really asking myself, ‘Why coach basketball in the first place? What’s so important to me about it?’”

Divilbiss’s soul searching resulted in a personal philosophy statement that’s published on Idaho’s athletics Web site.

In place of the usual collection of stats and accolades, the coach’s bio describes how he molds a basketball team into a family and teaches players to handle successes and failures in life.

“In the end, I came back to the fact that winning wasn’t the most important thing to me and that success was about much more than the scoreboard,” he says. “Changing jobs ended up provid-ing me with the chance to truly define my coaching philosophy.”

Along with pivotal moments, Divilbiss uses his daily experiences and interac-tions to refine his coaching philosophy. “I continually ask myself, ‘What does this team need from me?’ I also ask my captains that question and listen care-fully to their answers. If I’m constantly adjusting my approach to give them more of what they need, I know I am working from a sound philosophy.

“There’s really no time when I’m not evaluating my philosophy,” he adds. “It’s synonymous with who I am as a per-son, and that’s something I think about every day.” ■


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CONDITIONING

Thanks to the Arizona State University baseball team’s history of success, we receive numerous requests for our strength training program. While it would be easy to simply respond with some sample workouts of sets and reps, that wouldn’t provide the true picture of how we prepare our baseball players for competition. Just as students are often asked to “show their work” when solving math problems, we think the process we use to develop our strength schemes is at least as important as the final result.

We start by dividing the year into stages. Within each stage we employ

multiple programs, each emphasizing a different aspect of training. The stages and programs are coordinated to bring the athletes to a peak at the end of the regular season and last through the playoffs.

Using this structure, which is com-mon to most of our sports teams, we have developed a strength program that accomplishes our goals for this squad. Our primary goal is to keep players healthy by strengthening any weak areas and keeping their bodies in balance so they can last an entire 60-plus game season without breaking down. The secondary goal is to increase

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A veteran strength coach at Arizona State University shares his outline for a year-round strength program.

BY RICH WENNER

Rich Wenner is Head Strength Coach for Olympic Sports at Arizona State University. He is one of only 32 strength coaches to be inducted into the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Coach Practitioner Distinction Program.

YEAR OF STRENGTH

Outfielder Colin Curtis connects for Arizona State during the semi-finals of the 2005 College World Series.

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performance. Some may question this approach, but we firmly believe that if a player is hurt or beaten up, it won’t matter how strong he is because that strength can’t be used.

Annual PlanThe first step in developing our

sports performance program is estab-lishing the annual plan. Starting with the Sunday following the final game of the season, we list each of the next 52 weeks and pencil in the important mile-stone dates that the strength program is scheduled around.

These dates include the obvious ones such as the beginning of practice and our competition schedule, but the calendar also includes “uncontrollable factor” dates. These are events outside of athletics that will affect the training schedule, such as holidays, exams, and semester starts. We also include our strength and conditioning testing dates, which occur at the beginning and end of the fall season.

All these dates are taken into account when we determine the length of the training cycles and the workload for specific weeks. For example, we typical-ly use two- or four-week cycles because

we find that gives athletes enough time to get used to exercises without physical and mental adaptation setting in. But we occasionally have to use three- or five-week cycles if we lose workout time to final exams or holidays. On the plus side, certain weeks such as Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July serve as natural downtime in a periodized plan.

During the season, competition dates will determine the content for each training week. A week with one or two home games, for example, will have much more lifting than a week with four or more road games.

Stage CoachingOnce we’ve established our mile-

stone dates, we start filling in our pro-gram calendar. We first divide the year into three stages: rejuvenation, develop-mental, and competitive. Each stage is then divided into lifting cycles.

The rejuvenation stage is the short-est stage, lasting from three to six weeks, depending on how far we go into the NCAA playoffs. The rejuvenation stage serves as a buffer between the end of the playing season and the beginning of our strength-development phase.

We start with a short (one- or two-

week) postseason program, which var-ies by player. Starters who are run down by the demands of a full season may be given some time off, while backup players may do simple active recovery work. Players needing extra or specialized work will lift three times a week. This group includes players in injury rehab or those needing to add extra strength and bulk for the follow-ing season.

This is followed by two to four weeks of off-season work. Except for players already following a specialized plan, we use our General Conditioning cycle designed to prepare the players for the strenuous workouts they will encounter in the development stage.

Since we gear the Gen-C cycle toward the individual athlete, it has several dif-ferent looks. For most of our returning athletes, we use a high-volume circuit workout. Typically, this would consist of three or four sets of eight reps of seven to 10 exercises, alternating upper- and lower-body exercises along with condi-tioning work.

However, if the player is in serious need of strength or size gain, then we emphasize hypertrophy. In this case we would use more weight and do sets of


CONDITIONING

Monday Wednesday Friday

Volume Db complex Walking lunge Stability ball Db bench

Strength Leg press Db bench Vertimax

Power Med ball chest pass Db squat jumps Step-up


Strength Power Pull Back Squat Bench Press

Power Speed Squat Chain Bench Shrug Pull

Volume Db bench Db complex Step-up


Power Vertimax Speed squat Med ball chest pass

Strength Back squat Bench press Power pull

Volume Db bench Db squat jumps Step-up

This shows a typical week’s worth of strength exercises for the General Conditioning cycle.

TABLE ONE: G E N E R A L C O N D I T I O N I N G

TABLE TWO: S T R E N G T HThis shows a typical week’s worth of strength exercises for the Strength cycle.

TABLE THREE: E X P L O S I V E P O W E R

This shows a typical week’s worth of strength exercises for the Explo-sive Power cycle.

12 reps. (See “General Conditioning” on page 32 for a sample workout.)

The developmental stage is where most of the strength and power gains will be produced. It typically lasts 20 to 25 weeks, beginning four weeks after the start of the rejuvenation stage and continuing until the official start of practice.

During the developmental stage, most players will do strength work three times a week. Players in need of extra strength work or those rehabbing a injury may do one or two extra 20- to 30-minute workouts each week.

We start the developmental stage in the final weeks of the Strength cycle. Several different training methods may be used depending on the strength-training background of the athlete and the sequencing of the program in the developmental stage. For players expe-rienced in weight training, we’ll use max-effort lifting. For others, we’ll stick with traditional strength-training sets. (See “Strength” on page 32 for a sample workout.)

As our players start fall classes, we return to Gen-C cycle workouts. If a player has been training hard all sum-mer, this serves as a new stimulus of training. For players new to the pro-gram or who have been training spo-radically, such as those who were unable to lift consistently while playing in a summer league, it serves as a way to get into training shape.

Three weeks of the General Conditioning cycle is followed by four weeks of the Strength cycle. We then switch to our Explosive Power cycle for four weeks. Once again, several different training methods will be used. Athletes with several years of strength training in their background will employ dynamic-type training using bands and chains. Complex-type training will be used for the athletes who have had less strength-train-ing experience. (See “Explosive Power” on page 32 for a sample workout.)

All players also do a standard plyomet-ric set, which usually consists of Vertimax work, tuck jumps, split jumps, and skater jumps. We alternate the Strength and

Explosive Power cycles through the fall before going into a maintenance mode with lesser loads in December to avoid overworking the players.

The competitive stage begins the day of our first official practice and runs through the end of the playoffs. We split this stage into three programs: preseason, in-season, and champion-ship season. In all three programs, we use both Strength and Explosive Power cycles, but with work loads and exer-cises designed to maintain strength and power rather than increase it.

During the preseason, players will generally lift three times per week if they are not too broken down from practice. Since the strength workouts are conducted following practice, we often alter the planned workouts to compensate for fatigue.

In-season, we generally lift twice per week, but depending on the game and travel schedule we may get to perform three workouts in some weeks and only one in others. During the champion-ship season, we try to complete two

CONDITIONING


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TABLE FOUR: E X E R C I S E R O T A T I O NMonday Wednesday Friday

Foundational(5-8 sets)

Total Body Lower Body Upper Body

Supplemental(3-6 sets)

Lower Body Upper Body Total Body

Major Assistant(2-4 sets)

Upper Body Total Body Lower Body

Here’s an example of how exercises are rotated through foundational, supplemental, and major assistant emphasis in a typical training week.

workouts per week, but that depends on whether we host any playoff rounds or travel. We are less concerned about vol-ume during the championship season because we often end up playing more games in a shorter amount of time than the regular season, and we don’t want to overwork the players.

Cycling ThroughAs strength and explosive power

cycles are repeated, the exercises, sets, and reps schemes are changed to avoid adaptation. We try to avoid making these changes during any week that contains a lengthy road trip, transition from preseason to in-season or from in-season to championship season play, or any big games. During the season, there may be no good time to change workouts, so we often just choose the least bad time to change.

Although we schedule in advance what cycles will be used for the entire season, we do not choose the exact

exercises for that cycle until we write the workouts about a week before start-ing a new one. This way, we can base our selection on what kind of group we have and what has and has not worked before. For example, if the players have been doing great on their single-leg lifts in one cycle, we’ll move on to some-thing else in the next. But if they’ve struggled with the single-leg lifts in one cycle, we’ll carry some over into the next cycle with some variations in sets and reps.

Ideally, our cycles are four weeks in length with three medium-heavy to heavy weeks and one light week. That way we can accommodate a week with a lot of road games with a light week, or we can use the light week as recovery time.

Day PlannerGenerally, the weekly plan consists

of three full-body workouts per week performed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each session will have three

main exercises. We do five to eight sets of the primary exercise for each, which we also call our foundational exercise. We do three to six sets of our supple-mental exercise, and two to four sets of our major assistant exercise. Assuming an ideal week of three lifting days, we rotate total body, lower body, and upper body training through the foundational, supplemental, and major assistant posi-tions. (See “Exercise Rotation” above on this page.)

Each exercise is also assigned to one of three rotating categories: vol-ume, strength, or power. When done for volume, we use more reps per set and lower weight loads. For strength, we use fewer reps and greater weight loads. Weights and reps for the power exercises fall between those used for strength and volume with an emphasis on performing the exercise as explo-sively as possible.

To determine each day’s workout, we follow a common template, no mat-ter what cycle we’re in. The format is pre-work, foundational exercise, supplemental exercise, major assistant exercise, auxiliary circuit, and post-work. (See “Daily Workout” at left for a full sample workout.)

The pre-work consists of mobility drills for the ankle, hip, and shoulder, along with exercises to get the abdomi-nals, lower back, and glutes warmed up. These include partner ankle-mobil-ity exercises, staggered-stance shoulder presses to open up the hip flexors and shoulder joint, supine leg-lowering exer-cises, hip bridges, single-leg Romanian dead lifts, and various crunches, with holds being our mainstays. Other exercises we occasionally rotate in are overhead squats, hurdle mobility drills, Supermans, back extensions, band good-mornings, and a lunge matrix.


CONDITIONING

TABLE FIVE: D A I L Y W O R K O U TThis an example of a daily workout in the Strength cycle.

Prework >Partner ankle stretches >Shoulder press >Crunch and hold >Strength-led heel touch >Single-leg Romanian dead lift

Foundational >Power pull

Supplemental >Speed squat

Major Assistant >Db bench

Auxiliary Circuit >Walking lunge >Db row >Glute ham raise >Arnold press

Post Work >V-ups >Reverse hypers >Internal/external rotations >Arm care program >Ham, pec, rotator stretches

Our foundational total body exer-cises are based on a pull movement (shrug pull, power pull, etc.) during the developmental stage, and the Hammer Jammer during the competitive stage. We avoid power cleans due to the stress they place on the wrist. Our supplemen-tal and major assistance exercises for the total body usually involve a resisted jump-type movement.

The foundational lifts for the lower body are the squat in the developmental stage and step-ups or lunges in the com-petitive stage. We have found step-ups and lunges to be a little safer during the season, although some advanced players, especially catchers, will squat all season long. Supplemental lifts for the lower body are speed squats and front squats in the developmental stage and walking lunges or single-leg squats in the com-petitive stage. Major assistant lifts for the lower body are unilateral leg exercises such as single-leg squats, walking lunges, lunges, or step-ups in the developmen-tal stage and unilateral multidirectional exercises in the competitive stage.

Upper body foundational exercises will be some type of lat/upper back exer-cise, such as pull-ups during the compet-itive stage and pressing movements, such as bench presses, in the developmental stage. The supplemental exercises will be a pressing movement in the competi-tive stage and an upper back/lat move-ment during the developmental stage. The major assistance exercise will be a unilateral pressing movement during the developmental stage and a unilateral upper back/lat movement during the competitive stage.

The auxiliary circuit generally con-sists of a unilateral leg exercise, an upper back exercise, a glute/ham exer-cise, and a shoulder exercise, but will vary greatly from player to player based on specific weaknesses that need to be addressed. The post work gener-ally consists of abdominal and posterior chain exercises, rotator cuff work, part-ner stretching, and arm care.

During most workouts, we split our players into two groups: those who have substantial strength-training expe-

rience and those who don’t. We can then challenge the experienced lifters a little more without putting those less experienced at risk. We can also add some teaching of lifts into the less-expe-rienced group.

We do adjust the workouts slightly by position, with pitchers generally doing a little less upper body work and more explosive leg work and unilateral work. But we have found that differences between experienced and inexperi-enced lifters are far greater than the differing needs of position players and pitchers.

This program probably won’t work everywhere, but it works for us. What can work anywhere, though, is the sys-tem we use to create our program. By splitting the year into stages and fitting the proper group of exercises into each stage, you can create a program that will work for your team. ■

This article also appeared in the October 2005 issue of Coaching Management’s sister publication, Training & Conditioning.


CONDITIONING

Circle No. 124


Game-On888-593-0395WWW.HAYDITEGAME-ON.COM

Game-On Soil ConditionerUse Game-On to reduce compaction of your

infield sur-face. Game-On increases drainage and helps prevent rainouts.

Game-DryGame-Dry is a unique prod-

uct that soaks up wet spots and puddles. It can also be worked into the surface to help condition the soil.

Game-On RedGame-On Red is the perfect product to use as a topdressing. Your field will have the brick-red color of professional fields.

Game-On Warning TrackThis warning track product is durable and will not break down quickly. It is available in brown and red.

Customers:Ashland University, Ashland, OhioColumbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus,

OhioRoss Twp. High School, Merrillville, Ind.Morgan Park Academy, Beverly, Ill.Osceola Softball, Kissimmee, Fla.

Circle No. 500

Red Diamond by Moltan Co.800-264-5826WWW.MOLTAN.COM

Red Diamond™ CC ConditionerRed Diamond CC Conditioner is used throughout the sports-turf industry for the daily maintenance, pre-season renovation and new construction of any infield-skinned surface.

Red Diamond CC Drying AgentRed Diamond CC Drying Agent can be used to absorb excess moisture from any turf area and infield-skinned surfaces, reducing rain delays and eliminating rainouts.

Red Diamond RBI ConditionerRed Diamond RBI Conditioner provides unique surface coloration, promotes safety, and improves the moisture management of infield-skinned surfaces, mounds, and home plate areas.

Red Diamond Professional Packing ClayRed Diamond PPC provides resilient pitching and home plate surfaces. It is easy to install and maintain, and can be used in new con-struction, renovations, and daily repair.

Customers:Baylor University Baseball, Waco, TexasCalifornia State University, Fullerton, Calif.Oklahoma Redhawks, Oklahoma City, Okla.Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia, Pa.Trenton Thunder, Trenton, N.J.

Circle No. 502

Eagle Picher Minerals800-366-7607WWW.EPCORP.COM

PlayBall!® Infield ConditionerPlayBall! is made from 100-percent calcined diatomaceous earth. It requires much less material (only 5.2 tons) to effectively condi-tion a field tilled four inches deep.

Axis Premium Soil AmendmentAxis is applied to natural turf root zones at a 10-percent-by-volume application. This soil amendment adds porosity to increase air- and water-holding capacity. Expect 30-percent savings on irrigation and a healthier turfgrass system.

Customers:Baltimore Ravens, Ravens Stadium,

Baltimore, Md.Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.National Baseball Stadium, Panama City,

PanamaFelix Bolleart Stadium, Lens, FranceOregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.

Circle No. 501

Pro’s Choice800-648-1166WWW.PROSCHOICE1.COM

Red Infield ConditionerRed Infield Conditioner is designed to meet

the challeng-es of wet, dry, or com-pacted fields. This unique,

durable granule helps create passageways for drainage, eliminating compaction.

Select Premium Infield ConditionerThis infield conditioner keeps infields smooth, safe, and resilient. Its specially-sized gran-ules and deep red color make this conditioner among the best infield topdressings.

Rapid Dry® Drying AgentThese tiny granules are designed to quickly wick away excess water from your infield, keep-ing your games played safely and without delay.

Pro Mound® Packing ClayThis unique, durable blue gumbo packing clay bonds to form a solid sub-surface in pitcher’s mounds and batter’s boxes, allow-ing players to “dig in” and establish without leaving large holes.

Customers:ASA Fast-Pitch Softball, Oklahoma City, Okla.Chicago White Sox, Cellular Field, Chicago, Ill.Memphis Redbirds, AutoZone Park, Memphis,

Ill.Colorado Rockies, Coors Field, Denver, Colo.Florida Marlins, Dolphins Stadium, Miami, Fla.

Circle No. 503

Check out www.AthleticBid.com to contact these companies.

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Circle No. 125

Guide to Infi eld Mixes & Soil Additives



PARTAC PEAT CORP./BEAM CLAY®800-247-BEAMWWW.BEAMCLAY.COM

BEAM CLAY® Baseball Diamond Mix This premium infield mix provides a firm yet

soft, safe, and consis-tent surface with great drainage and color with no separation of ingredients.

BEAM CLAY® Regional Infield MixesThese mixes are blended at bulk plants nationwide to meet the unique needs of every state and climate.

BEAM CLAY® Pitcher’s Mound MixThis mound mix is an extra firm mound clay, available in red, orange, brown, and gray. Mound/batter’s box bricks and our patented, red polyurethane pads are also available.

BEAM CLAY® 3/16” Red Warning TrackThis premium long-lasting product is crunchy, yet firm, with great drainage and color. It is made with BEAM CLAY binder.

Customers:New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, New

York, N.Y.New York Mets, Shea Stadium, New York, N.Y.Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Ballpark,

Philadelphia, Pa.San Diego Padres, PETCO Park, San Diego,

Calif. Toronto Blue Jays, SkyDome, Toronto, Ont.

Circle No. 504

Profile Products, LLC800-207-6457WWW.TURFACE.COM

Turface® Quick Dry Eliminating puddles and standing water,

Tur face Quick Dry rids infields of muddy, slippery conditions. Apply and rake in for it to work continuously.

Turface ProLeague® RedThe first and only patented red clay condi-tioner, Pro League Red combines rich color with proven infield conditioning benefits, cre-ating superior sliding and fielding surfaces.

Turface MVPTurface MVP absorbs more water per pound than many competing products, improving drainage and reducing bad ball hops and injuries.

Field & Fairway™ Both Emerald and Natural Field & Fairway have excellent water absorption qualities that help eliminate puddles. The emerald color disguises worn turf and reduces com-paction in native soils.

Customers:Seattle Mariners, Safeco Field, Seattle, Wash.Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Field, Phoenix,

Ariz.Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards, Baltimore,

Md.Circle No. 505

Mar-Co Clay Products, Inc.800-950-2555WWW.MARCOCLAY.COM

Mound ClayThis processed clay is available dry or mois-turized. Its bonding ability makes it useful

for building and maintain-ing pitcher’s mounds and batter’s boxes, and for binding sandy materials.

Clay Track SurfacerThis baked clay product is used for warning tracks, running tracks, and pathways. It pro-vides proper texture and color to alert play-ers when they approach a fence or structure.

Diamond Clay ConditionerThis baked, crushed, and uniformly-screened clay is designed to amend heavy clay fields. It provides the correct drainage, texture, and color for any size ballpark.

Infield ClayThis controlled blend of clay, sand, and aggregate is available in three standard mixes and two particle sizes. It’s designed to maximize safety, playability, and drainage.

Circle No. 506

Quality Stadium Chair Manufacturer

seatingservices129.indd 1 9/24/04 12:12:14 PMUntitled-6 1 1/19/06 12:06:01 PM

Circle No. 127Circle No. 126



Southern Athletic Fields800-837-8062WWW.MULEMIX.COM

Mulemix Field Conditioners Conditoners are used to reduce compaction and absorb moisture. Mulemix Field Conditioners are good, stand-alone prod-ucts that reduce the tackiness of a field’s

clay, keeping your games on schedule.

SAF Coat Infield TopdressingThis crushed red rock product is primarily used as a percolation product that allows water to percolate and helps dry athletic fields quicker. It is available in a deep-red color.

Mar Mix Infield Mix The Screened Red Infield Mix is com-pactable, yet allows water to percolate. It’s great when used with Mulemix Conditioners or SAF Coat. This infield mix is composed of approximately 70-percent sand, 30-percent clay naturally-blended materials.

Mar Mound ClayScreened Red Mound & Plate Clay is used on pitcher’s mounds, batter’s boxes, and high-wear areas. It’s compactable, easy to use, and is available in bulk and bag.

Customers:Atlanta Braves, Atlanta, Ga.Houston Astros, Houston, TexasLouisville Riverbats, Louisville, Ky.Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Circle No. 507

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc.800-336-2468WWW.STABILIZERSOLUTIONS.COM

Stabilizer™Stabilizer is a natural soil binder that produces a firm, resilient playing surface by reducing dust and retaining moisture.

Hilltopper® Mound and Home Plate ClayHilltopper combines lasting polymers and natural clays to make your mound and home plate areas flexible and stable. No water is needed—just tamp and play.

Stabilizer Ballyard Mix™Stabilizer Ballyard Mixes adds life and resiliency while reducing dust and mud. It creates a long-lasting surface that requires little maintenance.

Hilltopper® Infield MixThis revolutionary infield surface is dustless, waterless, and mudless. It substantially reduces maintenance and down time.

Customers:Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia, Pa.Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh, Pa.California State University, Fullerton, Calif.University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kans.

Circle No. 508

Diamond Pro800-228-2987WWW.DIAMONDPRO.COM

Infield ConditionerThis vitrified clay product can be applied to skinned areas to enrich color, prevent rain

delays, reduce com-paction, and improve safety.

Calcined Clay Top-Dressing, Professional, and Drying AgentThese calcined clay products are used as conditioners on the

infield. The professional grade has a more uniform particle size, and the standard top-dressing has a larger particle size.

Mound/Home Plate ClayThis richly-colored screened clay is easy to use. It binds into holes and low areas for greater durability and consistency.

Warning Track MixSeveral mixes are available for creating a safe, well-drained warning track surface.

Customers:Texas Rangers, The Ballpark at Arlington,

Arlington, TexasKansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium,

Kansas City, Mo.Atlanta Braves, Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga.Little League World Series, Williamsport, Pa.Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, Neb.

Circle No. 509

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Untitled-1 1 1/3/06 9:52:36 AM

Circle No. 128

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Circle No. 129


NEW Product Launch

NEW NEWLinear AeratorUnique features:

• Uses an innovative one-pass design to aerate natural turf• Conditions a 58-inch swath of turf by cutting grooves in the turf 3”D x 1/2”W x 3-1/2” apart • Aggressive, reverse-spiral-mounted teeth bring both soil and topdressing material up over the rotor, brushing it back into the grooves using reciprocating fi ngers that move side to side

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• It can help reduce sports injuries by softening turf on athletic fi elds and arenas•Soil and thatch restrictions are permanently modifi ed by the process of cutting vertical grooves• Improves water infi ltration and retention, turf and root growth, nutrient absorption, and organic decomposition

Earth & Turf Products, LLC888-693-2638www.earthandturf.com

Circle No. 511

NEWXco TrainerUnique features:

• Sleek aluminum tube fi lled with shifting granulate delivers delayed impact foroverload training effect• Compact design allows 3-D freedom of movement in any position or angle


• Effectively builds and tones muscles• Strengthens connective tissue• Stabilizes joints• Increases fl exibility, coordination, and stamina• Provides a total-body workout you can take anywhere

Fitterfi rst800-FITTER-1www.fi tter1.com

Circle No. 512

NEWBatting Tutor,The Portable Pitching MachineUnique features:

• Battery-powered for the ultimate in portability• AC/DC models available• Electronic controls• No struggling with mechanical adjustmentsBenefi ts for the user:

• Throws fastballs up to 65 mph• Available in both baseball and softball models • Ideal for machine-pitch leagues

Sports Tutor800-448-8867www.sportsmachines.com

Circle No. 513

Beacon Quick Set Dugout Unique features:

• Steel frame is covered with a 16-ounce vinyl roof, wrapped with a vinyl-coated windscreen• Can be staked down or permanently anchored• Windscreen can be printed with school name, team logo, or fi eld identifi cation• Shipped via UPS


• Easy to assemble• A great way to color coordinate multiple fi elds• Customized printing fl exibility

Beacon Athletics800-747-5985www.beaconathletics.com

Circle No. 510


Guide to Nets & Cages

Beacon Athletics800-747-5985www.beaconathletics.comSee ad on page 41Circle No. 514

Primary Advantages:Beacon’s batting cages and netting systems are custom-made to fit teams’ specific needs. Since the company has experts with real experience, it can provide free consulta-tion and guidance in product selection, ensuring that you get the right products to meet your needs.

Recent Installations:Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa.Jefferson High School, Jefferson, Wis.Elgin Community College, Elgin, Ill.Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, Ill.

PRODUCTS:Indoor Tension Batting CageThis indoor batting cage goes up in 10 minutes. With its unique three-pulley system, the cage can be raised and its tension can be adjusted.

Custom NettingBeacon Athletics designs and manufactures custom netting systems to meet the individual needs of its customers.

Beacon Outdoor Batting CageThis cost-effective, heavy-duty batting cage comes in single- and multiple-sided versions.

Tuff Pitchers “L” ScreenThis L screen is the toughest in the business. It measures 8’W x 8’H and is made with heavy-duty #72-knotted nylon net.

M.A.S.A., Inc.800-264-4519www.masa.comSee ad on page 8Circle No. 515

Primary Advantages:M.A.S.A. has improved and expanded its selection, offering you five grades of netting to meet the demands of every level of play, with prices to meet any budget. Regardless of which grade you choose, rest assured that you will be get-ting the highest quality.

Recent Installations:Scott County School District #1, Austin, Ind.Madisonville North High School, Madisonville, Ky.Highland High School, Palmdale, Calif.Reynoldsburg City School, Reynoldsburg, OhioSpringfield North High School, Springfield, Ohio

PRODUCTS:Pitching L-Shaped ScreenThe framing is constructed of 1/2-inch heavy gauge steel tubing, with easy assembly.

Pro Model Backstop Batting CageFlo-coated steel construction makes this giant backstop extremely durable. Use the quick-lift crank for easy trans-portation.

Pro Series Batting TunnelThis pro industry work horse is constructed from #36 nylon with a 320-pound breaking test.

Batco Batting CageThe unique design of this prod-uct surpasses all other cages in portability and storage. It weighs just 45 pounds.

SPI Nets866-243-6387www.spinets.netSee ad on page 51Circle No. 516

Primary Advantages:SPI Nets offers a full range of nets for your training needs. The quality and excellent pricing is matched only by SPI’s incomparable service. The company’s products and custom-er service are carefully monitored to assure that you receive maximum value for your dollar.

Recent Installations:SPI Nets are used all over the United States at youth, high school, college, and professional facilities.

PRODUCTS:

Premium Batting Cage NetsSPI Nets premium cages offer top quality, lots of fea-tures, and the best prices available.

Deluxe Practice ScreensSPI Nets practice screens are among the highest-quality

screens in the business, at very competitive prices.

Custom NettingSPI Nets can fully customize your nets to meet your exact specifications at an afford-able price.

Vantage Products Intn’l800-244-4457www.vpisports.comSee ad inside front coverCircle No. 517

Primary Advantages: VPI’s nets are hung on the square like a tennis net, which virtually eliminates sagging. The company also offers the Big Bubba Professional Portable Batting Cage, an optimal choice for all levels, at considerable cost savings. The heavy-duty aluminum construction, easy portability, and col-lapsible design make it the perfect backstop for any field. A unique dolly assembly with 16-inch pneumatic wheels at the rear makes one-person maneuvering easy. The unit mea-sures 10’W x 22’D x 12’H and collapses to just five feet high for easy storage.

PRODUCTS:

Big Bubba Pro Batting CageThis cage (pictured) is the choice of high school, colle-giate, and professional base-ball programs. It is 18’W x 22’D x 12’H.

Protective ScreenHeavy-duty one-and-one-half-inch square-galvanized steel is covered with slip-on #36

poly netting for quality and durability. The screen mea-sures 7’W x 7’H.

Batting Tunnel NetThis “no sag” net system features heavy-duty poly-ethylene. It is 100-percent waterproof and is available in 12 stock sizes for immediate shipment.


Baseball Facility Equipment

Aer-Flo, Inc.800-823-7356WWW.AERFLO.COM

Wind Weighted™ baseball-softball tarps are virtually windproof. These pat-ent-pending covers for the mound, home

plate, and bullpens have a steel chain in their hemmed

edges so that they stay down in windy conditions. No stakes or sandbags are necessary. The installer device allows installation in 25 seconds by only two people. The tough, waterproof 14-ounce vinyl-polyester fabric is treated to fight UV rays and mildew exposure. Wind Weighted tarps and installers take the drudgery out of the game.

Circle No. 518

Bannerman Ltd.800-665-2696WWW.SPORTSTURFMAGIC.COM

When player safety comes first, look to Bannerman, manufacturers of groomers

that shape, level, and provide main-tenance care for baseball diamonds.

The B-BP-4 Ballpark-4® (shown) and the B-BP-6 Ballpark-6® models have five tools: a

ripper blade, a rake, a leveler, a roller, and a brush. Available accessories include a wing brush kit, a top link kit, a 50-gallon water tank kit with spray nozzle, and the new highway transport kit.

Circle No. 519

Restore your diamond’s luster in 20 minutes or less. Bannerman manu-factures groomers that can level and provide mainte-nance care for baseball diamonds, warning tracks, and walking trails. The B-DM-6 Diamond Master®

has five grooming tools: a ripper blade, a rake, a leveler, a roller, and a finish-ing brush. Available options include an extension wing brush kit, a hydraulic tractor top link, a 50-gallon water tank with spray nozzle, a long-tine “fluffing” rake, and a new highway transport kit.

Circle No. 520

BetterBaseball800-997-4233WWW.BETTERBASEBALL.COM

BetterBaseball is a total baseball sup-ply house, specializing in nets and bat-ting cages that are custom-cut to any size you want. The company provides quick, friendly customer service. BetterBaseball supplies every-thing, including bases, plates, mounds, gear, and hard-ware. All team equipment needs can be found easily online, or teams can call the company toll-free for more product information.

Circle No. 521

ATHLETIC FIELD COVERS

•ROT & MILDEW RESISTANT

•2” WEBBING HAND LOOPS

•SILVER OR WHITE TO KEEP TURF COOL

•MAXIMUM UV RESISTANT

•CHAIN WEIGHTED TARPS AVAILABLE TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR SANDBAGS OR STAKES

CALL NOW!1-800-346-7744www.inlandtarp.com

FABRIC OPTIONSHi UV PE:6oz-12mil8oz-16mil12oz-24mil

Vinyl:10oz, 14oz, 18oz

inland tarp142.indd 1 1/16/06 4:36:44 PM

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Circle No. 131



• Mar Mound Clay• Infield Mixes• Field Conditioners• Drying Agents• Warning Trac• Infield Topdressing• Various Field

Accessories

800.837.8062www.mulemix.com

SouthernAthletic Fields...

...your complete sourcefor all athletic field

needs!

Circle No. 132

covering the entire field, foul ball areas, or just the infield. The company also

offers a complete line of synthetic mats for baseball

and softball, including a “permanent” home plate mat with inlaid batter’s box lines and home plate. With this product, you’ll no longer need to repaint season after season. All mats are made with the same high-quality athletic turf as before, complete with a five-millimeter urethane cushion.

Circle No. 523

Earth & Turf, LLC888-693-2638WWW.EARTHANDTURF.COM

Earth & Turf introduces the MultiSpread™ Model 320, a one-cubic-yard topdresser with an exclusive wide-spread beater for lawn-main-tenance profes-sionals, schools, universities, golf courses, and athletic fields. Model 320 spreads topdressing materials, infield mixes, and grass clip-pings. Its two-wheel ground drive with 26 x 12.00-12 turf tires ensures easy pull-ing by 20-HP tractors. The MultiSpread Model 320 is another of Earth & Turf’s “simple, well-built designs.”

Circle No. 524

Fair-Play Scoreboards800-247-0265WWW.FAIR-PLAY.COM

When your baseball games begin in the morning and play on into the night, count on the bright, wide-angle digits of Fair-Play Scoreboards to remain sharp and readable, such as Fair-Play

model BA-7109-2. Your scoreboard controller adjusts the bright-ness of

the display with a simple press of a button to reflect current playing condi-tions. Catch the spirit of Fair-Play—call

toll-free or visit its Web site for a free catalog.

Circle No. 525

Fair-Play model BA-7100-2 with MP-30 controller. Fair-Play makes it almost as easy to score a game as it is to watch

one with the new MP-30 score-board controller.

The sleek hand-held controller includes a simple touchpad to control scores, innings, balls, strikes, and outs. Pair the hand-held controller with a solid performer like the BA-7100-2 softball scoreboard and play ball. Catch the spirit of Fair-Play—call toll-free or visit its Web site for a free catalog.

Circle No. 526

Heying Co.712-756-8847WWW.INFIELD-DRAG.COM

Restore and maintain infields eas-ily with the PR-72 Pro Groomer™ by Heying Co. This groomer keeps granular infields level, well groomed, and in safe playing condition. It saves labor by mixing in new material, break-ing up hard-compacted surfaces, and removing weeds. The Pro Groomer works with a variety of towing machines, with no need for hydraulics, three-point hitches, or tools to adjust. The Pro Groomer is six-feet-wide and available in a manual or electric lift. More information is available online.

Circle No. 527

Imerys800-552-9671WWW.PLUS5LINEMARKER.COM

The PLUS 5® field marker is now avail-able from Imerys. This marker is pre-ferred by coaches and groundskeepers for its brighter white lines and ease of use. It’s good for

Challenger Industries, Inc.800-334-8873WWW.CHALLENGERIND.COM

DURAPlay Home Plate Baseball and Softball Mats can be used anywhere a home plate area is needed. Whether covering the batter’s box for protec-tion or establishing a home plate area

indoors or out, these durable mats create batter’s boxes that are ideal for either

sport. Pre-cut mats are available for fungo/on-deck circles, pitching mounds, and single batter’s boxes. Synthetic turf products are also available for bat-ting cages, dugouts, or the whole field, and installation is available as well. Contact Challenger for more informa-tion.

Circle No. 522

Challenger also offers the new TT33 baseball field turf. The latest in syn-thetic turf technology, it’s great for



tur f and harmless to skin and cloth-ing. PLUS 5 is licensed as the offi-cial marking material of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Call Imerys today or go online to learn more.

Circle No. 528

Jaypro Sports, LLC800-243-0533WWW.JAYPRO.COM

Jaypro’s Little Slam Batting Cage offers heavy-duty construction with a full line of features. Designed for col-

legiate and high school use, this batting cage measures 17’6”W x 12’D x 12’H.

Constructed of two-inch heavy wall alu-minum, it is easy to fold, collapsing to just five feet high. It includes a climate-treated nylon net and ricochet cushion to rebound balls and prevent frame

damage. The Little Slam transports easily on three pneumatic turf wheels. Vinyl skirt is optional.

Circle No. 529

Jaypro’s Professional Pitcher’s Safety Protector is a versatile 7’W x 7’H L-shaped net that accommodates both

left- and right-hand-ed pitchers and works well with pitching machine and live-arm deliv-

ery. It is constructed of heavy-gauge 1-5/8” (outside diameter) galvanized-steel tubing with a durable, attractive green powder-coated finish. Heavy-duty two-foot-square galvanized legs provide extra stability. The Professional Pitcher’s Safety Protector is available in black and comes with a weather-proofed #42 knotless nylon double-sided slip-on net. Picture is shown with optional wheel kit.

Circle No. 530

Seating Services800-552-9470 WWW.SEATINGSERVICES.COM

Seating Services is proud to introduce its Tread Mount Stadium Chair. Now there is finally a way to put stadium chairs on your existing 24-inch row-

spacing bleachers. This unit requires minimal re-work and is extremely cost-effec-tive. The tread mounts

can be used on rises up to 10-1/2 inches. These chairs can be custom-designed for fundraisers, such as plac-ing season ticket holders’ names on the number plates.

Circle No. 531

WaterWickInstallation

Finished VeinsDrain Tile Installation1 2 3

GOT DRAINAGE PROBLEMS?GOT DRAINAGE PROBLEMS?

WE HAVE THE SOLUTION Professional sports turf drainage, featuring the WaterWick™system. The fastest drainage system available.

Call Emch Bros. Today! 616-293-8655

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Circle No. 133


• Mounds• Softballs• Bases & Plates• Batting Cages• Pitching Machines• Training Aids/Books/Videos

Quick service and quality products are our trademark. We have been in business since 1993. We have 10,000 customers, and we would be honored to add you to our list! We ship by UPS and get most orders out in 24 hours, so come join our team, and help us play BetterBaseball!

• Netting• Baseballs• Bags• Bats• Gloves• Field Equip.

1-800-997-4233www.betterbaseball.com

Better BaseballBetter BaseballTM

Your Complete BaseballSupply Headquarters

We specialize in secure online salesof sporting goods and sportsequipment for individuals,

teams, and schools.

• Mounds• Softballs• Bases & Plates• Batting Cages• Pitching Machines• Training Aids/Books/Videos

• Netting• Baseballs• Bags• Bats• Gloves• Field Equip.

better baseball CM 127.indd 1 8/20/04 3:12:00 PM

Circle No. 134

Team Equipment & Apparel

Atwater Slicks770-806-0864WWW.ATWATERSLICKS.COM

“The Slicks” fabric is known worldwide (800,000 garments sold) for perfor-

mance, durabil-ity, and as a breakthrough in textile engineer-ing. The Atwater Slicks compres-sion shirts, which provide a

superior balance of comfort, compres-sion, and anti-microbial properties, allow the body to stay dry and breathe while deterring the growth of mildew and bacteria that cause odors. Athletes wear these in many sports, and other casual-wear Atwater clientele love them as undergarments to wick sweat from the body and keep it off outer-layer shirts. Atwater Slicks are available in crew neck and mock neck in black, white, and beige.

Circle No. 532

Perform better with an entirely new tex-tile technology for compression, mois-ture-wicking, and odor control in athletic apparel. The Atwater Slicks are used

as sliding shorts or com-pression shorts, with or without a cup pocket. This revolutionary fabric is a world leader (over 800,000 garments sold), and its innovative cup pocket puts the cup where it belongs—and keeps it there. Most claim that these cup pockets are among the best in the industry. The

Atwater Slicks provide comfortable com-pression, abrasion control, odor con-trol, and moisture-wicking to keep you dry. Order by phone or online. Available in black, white, and beige.

Circle No. 533

Fergo Athletics888-OK-FERGOWWW.OKFERGO.COM

Fergo Athletics is an apparel manufac-turer that passes huge savings directly to teams. It custom-designs athletic apparel for high schools, colleges, clubs, and recreational leagues in every sport. As part of its dedication to schools, Fergo will meet any quote or bid in price, quality, and style and then write your team, school, or club a 10-percent royalty check on the total order. Call the company for more details about this offer and to find out more about all Fergo products.

Circle No. 534

Fergo Athletics offers high schools, col-leges, and park/recreation teams some of the industry’s lowest prices on cus-tom-made baseball apparel guaranteed.

Services include imprinting, sublima-tion, and embroidery work on 11 custom-designed uniforms, T-shirts, practice wear, warm-ups, caps, bags, team jackets and fleeces, and even banners. Call Fergo Athletics for


Team Equipment & Apparel

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Circle No. 135

more details about these services and to find out how the company can help your team meet its needs.

Circle No. 535

Hoosier Bat Company800-228-3787WWW.HOOSIERBAT.COM

Hoosier Bat makes all-ash bats used by many Major League and minor league players. Its patented three-piece wood

bat, the WoodForce 2000, is now NCAA-approved. With ash in the handle,

hickory in the “sweet spot,” and maple on the barrel end, the WoodForce 2000 provides a solid sweet spot that will not flake, retaining the same look and feel as a traditional all-ash bat. All of Hoosier’s bats are made from quality wood and crafted to exacting stan-dards.

Circle No. 536

Markwort Sporting Goods800-937-4824WWW.MARKWORT.COM

Markwort Sporting Goods offers the Catcher’s Protective Inner Forearm Sleeves, which protects the vulnerable areas of a catcher’s inner forearms. Designed by college baseball coaches to protect catch-ers’ inner forearms and wrists when blocking the ball, these comfortable, lightweight Lycra® Spandex sleeves have pad-ded pillows that create a buffer zone from stray balls. They may be worn for practice or during games to provide an effective layer of protection from bruises and other possible arm injuries. These sleeves slide on quickly and eas-ily, allowing catchers plenty of freedom of movement, and they can be spun around when catchers bat to protect the lead elbow.

Circle No. 537

WSI Sports651-994-9945WWW.WSISPORTS.COM

WSI Sports’ new WikMax Heatr gen-erates heat while wicking away mois-

ture. This revolutionary shirt keeps muscles warm and encourages recovery time for injured areas. The WikMax Heatr

is ideal for pitchers. It’s patent-pending and made in the U.S.A.

Circle No. 538

PRO WikMax Slider™ from WSI Sports is made with the most advanced fab-

ric available on the planet today. PRO WikMax™ wicks moisture away as well as any other product, period. The com-fortable four-way stretch fabric provides custom fit to everyone. The super dura-bility of PRO WikMax will actually help protect the skin from abrasions, and it will last a lifetime. A built-in second layer on the hip offers extra protection.

Circle No. 539

Schutt Sports GroupWWW.SCHUTTSPORTS.COM

Schutt®’s Burst™ Series Chest Protectors are brand new for 2006. These protectors are engineered to be lightweight and comfortable for optimal performance. This new series of chest

protectors uses memory foam to ensure excellent rebound char-acteristics. The ultra-lightweight mesh-foam covering and Coolmax® layer

on the backside keeps athletes cool during their games. Players can’t expect to win without the right equipment, so check out Schutt Sports online today.

Circle No. 540


Case Study

Diamond Pro professional groundskeeping prod-ucts can be found on baseball and softball fields nationwide, at all levels of play. Municipal fields used by youth leagues, high school and college facilities, and Major League ballparks alike rely on the superior quality of Diamond Pro infield conditioner, mound and home plate clay, calcined

clay topdressing, and drying agents.

Since 1989, TXI’s unique expanded shale and clay product has been used on baseball and softball fields as an infield conditioner. In 1993, TXI launched the Diamond Pro

brand, which is now well known to baseball coaches and grounds-keepers across the United States. Professionalism, superior perfor-mance, and outstanding customer service are just a few of the reasons Diamond Pro has reached this level.

Professional teams demand that their fields look great and be game-ready under any conditions. Municipalities want ease of application and the value of season-long perfor-

mance. High schools and colleges look for a consistent, safe field with a professional look. Diamond Pro professional grounds-

keeping products meet all these needs, deliver-ing long-lasting performance and quality while enhancing the

look and feel of a well-main-tained athletic field.

Diamond Pro is recommended by many profes-sional groundskeepers, parks and recreation directors, and high school and college coaches. Check out what these customers and suppliers had to say:

“Incorporating Diamond Pro into our infield has helped in the everyday maintenance and in building a reputation as one of the best infields in baseball.”

Trevor VanceHead Groundskeeper

Kansas City Royals

“Selling Diamond Pro makes my job easier because it’s well received by customers, backed by top-notch service, delivered promptly, and offers excellent profit margins. Our cus-tomers trust Diamond Pro and this has helped double sales in the past year.”

Jane UrishDirector of Sales & Marketing

Allegheny Lawn & Golf Products, Inc.Coraopolis, Pa.

“With first-class athletic facilities, you need first-class products. Diamond Pro gives me that quality and look for both our baseball and softball fields.”

Jeff KershawManager of Athletic Facilities

Louisiana State University

“At the Little League World Series, we play 31 games over nine days, rain or shine. We are committed to using materials that are safe, playable, and dependable. Diamond Pro fulfills that commitment.”

Jim ScottHead Groundskeeper

Little League Baseball, Inc.Williamsport, Pa.

Diamond Pro’s Web site is a great resource for learning more about the complete line of groundskeeping products. It’s also full of infor-mation on how to take care of your baseball or softball field. The site contains an Online How-To Workshop, which offers everything from precise field dimensions to step-by-step instruc-tions for renovating pitcher’s mounds and batter’s/catcher’s box areas. Also included is a coverage chart that explains exactly how much infield conditioner should be used for optimal coverage of any size field.

When Every Game Counts, Count On Diamond Pro®

Diamond Pro1341 W. MOCKINGBIRD LN.DALLAS, TX [email protected]


Practice Aids

Aer-Flo, Inc.800-823-7356WWW.WINDWEIGHTED.COM

The Bunt Zone™ Infield Protector dou-bles as the perfect target-training sys-tem for bunting practice. It uses three

color-coded zones: Yellow is the bunt-for-hit target area; green

is the sacrifice bunt zone; and red is the bad bunt zone—never go into the red zone for hit-and-run or pull-hitting situations. Players get instant feedback at every practice. Tough nine-ounce vinyl-polyester mesh survives spike traf-fic. The Bunt Zone (patents pending) provides maximum turf protection while improving team bunting skills. Ground staples are included. Call Aer-Flo toll-free, or visit online.

Circle No. 541

Zingbat866-ZINGBATWWW.ZINGBAT.COM

Zingbat™ introduces the Trainer Series

product line. This economically-priced version of the regular Pro Series Zingbat

is ideal for youth play-ers. The Trainer Series teaches batters basic swing mechanics. The Composite Zingbat Trainer is available in one length and weight (30”, 17 oz.), while the aluminum Pro Series can be custom-

ized to meet teams’ specific length and weight requirements. Call today for a free instructional CD or video.

Circle No. 542

Fitterfirst800-FITTER-1WWW.FITTER1.COM

Fitterfirst’s Xco Trainer is an innovative new product that builds and tones mus-cles while strengthening the surround-ing connective tissue and stabilizing joints. The Xco Trainer’s 3-D design allows freedom of movement, letting users train anywhere in an unlimited variety

of positions, and its delayed impact at the end of each motion produces overload for maximum results. The Xco Trainer is available in 1-, 1.3-, 2-, and 2.6-pound sizes. Discounts available on team sets. Call today or visit the com-pany online for more information and its 2006 catalog.

Circle No. 543

Glove Radar800-589-3805WWW.GLOVERADAR.COM

Turn any ball glove into a radar gun with Glove Radar® from Sports Sensors, fea-turing improved sensitivity. Glove Radar aids in developing play-ers’ throwing skills. Glove Radar “sees” through the glove and measures the speed of the ball as it approaches the glove. It easily attaches to a base-ball glove and is worn by the receiver of the ball or by multiple partners in non-game situations. It utiliz-es Doppler radar—like conventional hand-held radar speed guns—but performs accurately at any throwing distance.

Circle No. 544

Recommended WORLDWIDE by thousands of physicians and surgeons, our fabric is recognizedby the textile engineering community as a breakthrough in the compression garment field. Over800,000 post-surgical and therapeutic garments have been sold around the world. Now, ourpatent protected weave with anti-microbial protection is available in athletic garments includingshorts, sliding shorts, pants, shirts, sleeves and pads. Designed for wear directly against theskin, our fabric breathes, and it deters the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria (preventing bodyodor in the garments). Compression enhances performance. Stay on top of your game withATWATER SLICKS! Made in the USA.

ONLY AVAILABLE AT: AtwaterSlicks.com 770.806.0864

• Comfortable Compression & Extreme Durability• Odor Elimination for Extended Wear • Anti-Microbial Protection• Stay Dry in All Climates• Wicks Moisture AWAY from the Body• Wearable for Days Without Irritation or Discomfort

Shorts - Pants - SS Shirts - LS Shirts - Sliding Shorts - Sleeves - Knee PadsAVAILABLE COLORS: BLACK - WHITE - BEIGE

The Anti-Microbial Compression Apparel

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Circle No. 136


Practice Aids

Swing Speed Radar800-589-3805WWW.SWINGSPEEDRADAR.COM

The Swing Speed Radar™ from Sports Sensors is a small, inexpensive, Doppler radar velocity sensor that

measures the swing speed of baseball and softball players. The Swing Speed Radar helps players develop optimum bat speed for dis-tance, quickness, and bat control for consistent ball con-

tact. The Swing Speed Radar provides real-time velocity feedback to assist players, coaches, and instructors in measuring performance improvement and trouble-shooting swing mechanics.

Circle No. 545

Master Pitching Machine, Inc.800-878-8228WWW.MASTERPITCH.COM

The Iron Mike Pitching Machine fea-tures a throwing arm that lets batters see a full wind-up before the ball is

pitched, allowing them to better devel-op the fundamental skills used when fac-ing a live pitcher. This capability makes the Iron Mike a preferred pitching machine of professional and amateur players and

coaches. This machine is self-feeding, includes a remote control, and carries a manufacturer’s warranty.

Circle No. 546

Grand Slam Pitching Machine800-GRANDSLAMWWW.AGRANDSLAM.COM

Grand Slam is one of the most effective pitching machines for working batters’ hand-eye coordina-tion. Its self-feeding reservoir holds over 60 golf ball-sized Wiffle® balls and allows batters to take 50 swings in five min-utes. Each pitch is guaranteed to hit the

strike zone. It’s ideal for indoor training or outdoor use—all you need is 16-20 feet of free space. Forty-eight balls and a lifetime warranty are included.

Circle No. 547

Swift Stik877-845-7845WWW.SWIFTSTIK.COM

Swift Stik is one of the most versatile training bats on the market. Batters can improve hand-eye coordination, increase their bat speed, build muscle

memory, and isolate the bat’s “sweet spot.” Swift Stick may be used with Wiffle®, tennis, or soft-foam balls. Use Swift Stik during prac-tice with any drill

so batters can increase their swings before muscle fatigue sets in, or use it before a game to lock in hand-eye coor-dination. Visit Swift Stik’s Web site to see how it gets results fast.

Circle No. 548


Home Run, LLC d/b/a

HOOSIER BAT COMPANYFast becoming THE name for bats.

We have what the players want!

WOOD FUNGOGuaranteed

Never Flakes • No Taping Required

GAME BATSMajor League Stock • Minor League Stock

WOODFORCE 2000Hickory Hitting Area- No Taping RequiredGame Use Approval for Short Season A and

Rookie LeagueNCAA BESR Certifi ed

28 B.P. 3-Piece Batfor One Hand, Soft Toss and T drills

ORDER YOURS TODAYFax 219-465-0877 • e-mail:[email protected]

1-800-BAT-ERUP (228-3787)

www.hoosierbat.comMention this ad for FREE Laser Engraving or Key Chain

hoosierbat137.indd 1 8/17/05 3:08:48 PM


Practice Aids

Power Systems, Inc.800-321-6975WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM

Power Systems’ Baseball Power Program is a 12-week training program designed to bolster the performance of baseball athletes. The package includes

the necessary equipment to develop the speed, agility, and explosive-ness needed

to excel in this competitive sport. The program includes: the Pro Agility Ladder™; a six-pound Power Med. Ball™; the Lateral Stepper™; the VersaDisc™; a large Power Chute™; one Power Throw-Ball™ set; a nylon carry bag, the Power Program Manual; and your choice of VHS or DVD. The video shows proper equip-ment use, and the training manual takes you through the program step by step.

Circle No. 549

Develop cat-like quickness to make game-saving plays with the erratic bounces of Power Systems’ Reflex Ball. The Reflex Ball develops quickness and improves hand-eye and total-body coor-dination as it forces athletes to make

split-second decisions to catch the ball. Use in team or individual practices by

throwing it on any hard surface. The Jumbo Reflex Ball (four-inch diam-eter) has a softer bounce, and its larger size makes it easier to catch. The more com-

pact Reflex Ball (three-inch diameter) produces faster, more unpredictable bounces. A Reflex Ball training manual and VHS/DVD are also available.

Circle No. 550

Quickswing, Inc.877-467-9464WWW.QUICKSWING.COM

Get the edge. Quickswing’s innova-tive design promotes a short, quick, compact swing that is essential for effectively hit-ting baseballs. Quickswing can improve hand-eye coordination, reflexes, muscle memory, and tim-ing skills. It can

be used indoors or outside and can be adjusted to varying degrees of difficulty and heights. Quickswing is used by Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins, and is endorsed by Hall-of-Famer Paul Molitor.

Circle No. 551

Sports Attack800-717-4251WWW.SPORTSATTACK.COM

The Hack Attack baseball pitching machine’s exclusive visual arm-action design signals batters to stride, show-ing them the angle of release. This in effect provides a lifelike sense of timing and loca-tion. By simply changing the speed with three dials, the Hack Attack throws unmatched Major League pitches, including right- and left-handed fastballs, breaking balls, curveballs, sliders, and more. The Hack Attack pivots in any direction, instantly setting up for fungo work or catching drills with grounders, long fly balls, deep line drives, towering pop-ups, and more.

Circle No. 552

FOR SPORTS

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Untitled-1 1 9/14/04 4:35:20 PM

Homerun DerbyKevin Koziol

Look who susing the

12 Year Old Division2004 Cooperstown, New York

Untitled-2 1 10/27/05 11:05:55 AM



Practice Aids

Sports Attack800-717-4251WWW.SPORTSATTACK.COM

The Junior Hack Attack Baseball Pitching Machine is the Major League-quality training tool designed to develop

serious young players. Its unique features include a patented three-wheel design that allows hitters to experience a live-arm sense of timing and location. Pitches—such as curveballs,

sliders, right-and left-handed breakers, and more—can be quickly dialed with the three-speed knobs. Lightweight and extremely portable, the new Junior Hack Attack can help develop your dedicated players into the pros they want to be.

Circle No. 553

Sports Products Consultants800-474-8243WWW.TIMIT.COM

The patented Timit RadarWatch™ measures the speed of a pitch from any location on the field or in the stands—even for someone warming up in the

bullpen. With a default distance up to 60 feet, it eliminates the need to position oneself behind the catcher as a person would with a radar gun. The Timit RadarWatch keeps pitch counts, dis-

plays the runner’s time to first and the catcher’s release time to second, and captures the speed of a pitch in mph—all at the same time.

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Sports Products Consultants800-474-8243WWW.PERSONALPITCHER.COM

The Personal Pitcher™ from Sports Products Consultants helps play-ers at any level develop muscle memory, bat speed, and hand-eye coordination. Because it mounts on any standard camera tripod and is safe to use indoors or outside, it is the perfect tool for pre-game warm-ups, hitting sta-tions, and extended batting practices.

The machine holds up to 40 golf ball-sized Wiffle™ balls that are automatically pitched at six-second intervals.

Circle No. 555Sports Tutor

800-448-8867WWW.SPORTSMACHINES.COM

The HomePlate machine is the first programmable pitching machine designed for both batting cage and on-

field use. The HomePlate machine simulates almost any pitch bat-ters are likely to face with only seven seconds between pitches. Up to eight different pitch-es—including fastballs, curveballs, change-ups, sliders, and more—can

be stored in eight different programs. The programmed pitches can be thrown sequentially for specific hitting drills or randomly to simulate game conditions. HomePlate models start at $2,995.

Circle No. 556

Batting Tutor by Sports Tutor is the pitching machine built for true portabil-ity. Batting Tutor comes in battery-pow-

Featuring Our Exclusive “Pitch Isolation Training”™

What You Get....A Complete Training Package Without Comparison!• Personal Pitcher Pro® w/Fast Balls, Curve Balls, Sliders, Autofeed, & a 2 Year Warranty!• Hitmaster Grobat® Training Bat w/Variable Length & Weight

(feels like your game bat, but with a Sweetspot Simulator™)• Tripod, 4 Dozen Balls, 4-Hour Battery, AC Adapter/Charger• Pro-Style Batting Gloves & FREE Webglovs (catching practice)

Chris Richard, MLBPA, the first user of the Personal Pitcher, hit his first MLpitch for a HR in 2000. He’s been instrumental in approving these products

GUARANTEED to improve your game!

AND Finally, Something NO ONE ELSE HAS!Pitch Isolation Training™

Only the PRO Personal Pitcher allows you to accuratelycontrol the type and location of the pitch, so you can

ISOLATE your problem pitch and ELIMINATE it!

Visit Our Website to Order: www.personalpitcher.comSPORTS PRODUCTS CONSULTANTS, INC. or Call 800-4PITCHER (800-474-8243) SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

SAVE $130 ON THE PRO TRAINING SPECIAL!NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN PITCHING MACHINE!

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Circle No. 141


Practice Aids

ered and AC/DC mod-els and is available for both baseball and softball. Batting Tutor transports easily and throws real and dim-pled balls up to 65 mph. Batting Tutor is a valuable training aid for schools with-out on-field accessi-

ble electricity. It’s also ideal for youth team practices. Batting Tutor models start at $1,295.

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Stalker Radar888-STALKERWWW.STALKERRADAR.COM/SPORTS_SPORT.SHTML

The ultra-high performance Stalker Sport Radar Gun precisely measures the speed of a baseball as it leaves the pitch-er’s hand and as the ball crosses the plate. Baseball radar speeds can dif-

fer by up to 12 mph. The Stalker Sport is three times more powerful than most sports radar guns, accurately clocking pitches from over 300 feet away. A new double-capacity battery handle is available, providing up to 40 hours of use between charges. All Major League Baseball teams use the Stalker Sport.

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Xvest800-697-5658WWW.THEXVEST.COM

Xvest has a new weight configuration, and it’s heavy: 84 pounds of heavy. The new Xvest, known as the Fire Fighter model, was developed especially for

fire fighters and their rigorous training. It has the same basic design as the original Xvest, but internally it has a new weight configura-tion that allows for 84 pounds of weight. Because of its ability to adjust weight like the original Xvest,

everyone from body builders to military personnel is buying them. For more

information on all the Xvest models, call the company or visit its Web site.

Circle No. 559

“I have found the Xvest to be an excel-lent tool for providing overloads in plyometrics, strength training, condition-

ing, and rehabilitation programs. The fit and adaptability are excel-lent. The Xvest allows freedom of movement and doesn’t interfere with any of the agility, bounding, or running programs that I write for a wide variety of athletes, both collegiate and professional. The Xvest has proven itself in my programs. Thank

you for all your efforts and help in improving my capability as a strength and conditioning specialist.”—Donald A. Chu, Ph.D., PT, ATC, CSCS, author of Jumping Into Plyometrics

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Untitled-1 1 8/25/04 9:51:28 AM

IT’S A DOPPLER RADAR DOUBLE PLAY!

Developing Hitting and Throwing Skills HasNever Been So Convenient or Affordable!

GLOVE RADAR ® is the ideal aid for developing thethrowing skills of infielders, outfielders, pitchers,and catchers. Use it for training, tossing, warm-ing-up, or just having fun!

Easily attached to virtually any baseball or softballglove, GLOVE RADAR’s accurate to within 1 mph ofradar guns costing considerably more. Its low cost,compact design, and remarkable versatility makeGLOVE RADAR ® the smartchoice for teams andindividual players.

The NEW Swing Speed Radar ® determines youroptimum swing speed for your best distance, quick-ness and bat control/ball contact. You can deter-mine swing and bat characteristics that achieve thebest results. The Swing Speed Radar ® featuressimple one-button operation and a large LCD dis-play. Rugged, compact design makes it convenientto carry and use.

It’s not how hard you swing,but how well you swing!Works great for golf, too!

For more information, and special pricing for coaches, call toll-free 888-542-9246.Visit our websites at: www.swingspeedradar.com or www.gloveradar.com

S P O R T S S E N S O R S , I N C . , P. O . B OX 4 6 1 9 8 , C I N C I N N AT I , O H 4 5 2 4 6 - 0 1 9 8

MSRP $99.95Coaches Special $75.00

MSRP $69.95Coaches Special $55.00

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P R O D U C T S D I R E C T O R Y CIRCLE COMPANY PAGE CIRCLE COMPANY PAGENO. NO. NO. NO

541 . . . Aer-Flo (Bunt Zone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47518 . . . Aer-Flo (Wind Weighted tarps) . . . . . . . 41533 . . Atwater Slicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44532 . . Atwater Slicks (fabric) . . . . . . . . . . . . 44519 . . . Bannerman (Ballpark-4) . . . . . . . . . . . . 41520 . . Bannerman (Diamond Master) . . . . . . . 41510 . . . Beacon Athletics (dugout) . . . . . . . . . 39514 . . . Beacon Athletics (nets and cages) . . . . 40521 . . . BetterBaseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41522 . . Challenger Industries (DURAPlay) . . . 42523 . . Challenger Industries (TT33 Turf) . . . 42561 . . . Cramer (Co-Stretch Tape) . . . . . . . . . . . 54562 . . Cramer (Cold Shoulder Wrap) . . . . . . . . 54509 . . Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38501 . . Eagle Picher Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . 36511 . . . Earth & Turf (Linear Aerator) . . . . . . . . 39524 . . . Earth & Turf (MultiSpread 320) . . . . . . 42563 . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54526 . . Fair-Play Scoreboards (BA-7100-2) . . . 42525 . . Fair-Play Scoreboards (BA-7109-2) . . . 42534 . . Fergo Sports (custom-designs apparel) . 44535 . . Fergo Sports (custom-made apparel) . . 44543 . . Fitterfirst (Xco Trainer) . . . . . . . . . . . . 47500 . . Game-On Field Conditioner . . . . . . 36565 . . Gatorade (Endurance Formula) . . . . . . . 55564 . . Gatorade (Nutrition Shake) . . . . . . . . . 54544 . . Glove Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47566 . . Goldner Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55547 . . Grand Slam Pitching Machine . . . . . 48527 . . Heying Company (Infield-Drag) . . . . . 42536 . . Hoosier Bat Company . . . . . . . . . . . 45529 . . Jaypro (Little Slam Batting Cage) . . . . . . 43530 . . Jaypro (Pitcher’s Safety Protector) . . . . . 43567 . . . K&K Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

515 . . . M.A.S.A. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40506 . . Mar-Co Clay Products . . . . . . . . . . 37537 . . Markwort Sporting Goods . . . . . . . 45546 . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . 48504 . . Partac Peat Corp./BEAM CLAY . . . 37528 . . Plus5 Field Marker (Imerys) . . . . . . . . 42549 . . Power Systems (Power Program) . . . . . 49550 . . Power Systems (Reflex Ball) . . . . . . . . 49503 . . Pro’s Choice Field Products . . . . . . 36505 . . Profile Products (Turface) . . . . . . . . . 37551 . . . Quickswing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49502 . . Red Diamond Conditioners . . . . . . . 36540 . . Schutt Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45531 . . . Seating Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43507 . . Southern Athletic Fields . . . . . . . . . 38516 . . . SPI Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40552 . . Sports Attack (Hack Attack) . . . . . . . . 49553 . . Sports Attack (Junior Hack Attack) . . . . 50555 . . Sports Products (Personal Pitcher) . . . 50554 . . Sports Products (RadarWatch) . . . . . . 50513 . . . Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39557 . . Sports Tutor (Batting Tutor) . . . . . . . . 50556 . . Sports Tutor (HomePlate) . . . . . . . . . . 50508 . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38558 . . Stalker Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51548 . . Swift Stik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48545 . . Swing Speed Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48517 . . . Vantage Products Int’l. . . . . . . . . . . 40538 . . WSI Sports (WikMax Heatr) . . . . . . . . . 45539 . . WSI Sports (WikMax Slider) . . . . . . . . . 45512 . . . Xco Trainer (Fitterfirst) . . . . . . . . . . . . 39560 . . Xvest (Don Chu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51559 . . . Xvest (Fire Fighter model) . . . . . . . . . . . 51542 . . Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

A D V E R T I S E R S D I R E C T O R Y CIRCLE COMPANY PAGE CIRCLE COMPANY PAGENO. NO. NO. NO

114 . . . Aer-Flo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22136 . . . Atwater Slicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47127 . . . Axis/Play Ball! (Eagle Picher Minerals) . 37148 . . . Bannerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC131 . . . Beacon Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41134 . . . BetterBaseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44112 . . . Challenger Industries . . . . . . . . . . . 20109 . . Cramer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17108 . . Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13118 . . . Earth & Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28145 . . . eFundraising.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54133 . . . Emch Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43103 . . . Fair-Play Scoreboards . . . . . . . . . . . . 7121 . . . Fergo Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30111 . . . Game-On Field Conditioner . . . . . . 19101 . . . Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3143 . . . Glove Radar/Swing Speed Radar . . 51146 . . . Goldner Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54122 . . . Heying Company (Infield-Drag) . . . . . 33137 . . . Hoosier Bat Company . . . . . . . . . . . 48130 . . . Inland Tarp & Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41106 . . Jaypro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11107 . . . K&K Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12104 . . M.A.S.A. Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8125 . . . Mar-Co Clay Products . . . . . . . . . . 36

119 . . . Markwort Sporting Goods . . . . . . . 28138 . . . Master Pitching Machine . . . . . . . . . 48147 . . . More Than ERA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55144 . . . Partac/BEAM CLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52117 . . . PIK Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27129 . . . Plus5 Field Marker (Imerys) . . . . . . . . 38113 . . . Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21105 . . Pro’s Choice Field Products . . . . . . . 9110 . . . Quickswing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18116 . . . Red Diamond Conditioners . . . . . . . 25126 . . . Seating Services Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37132 . . . Southern Athletic Fields . . . . . . . . . 42142 . . . SPI Nets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51102 . . . Sports Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4141 . . . Sports Products Consultants . . . . . 50115 . . . Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24128 . . . Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38139 . . . Stalker Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49149 . . . Turface Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC100 . . VPI Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC120 . . . White Line Equipment Co. . . . . . . . 29135 . . . WSI Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45123 . . . Xco Trainer (Fitterfirst) . . . . . . . . . . . . 33124 . . . Xvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35140 . . . Zingbat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

YOUR “ONE-STOP SOURCE”FOR AMERICA’S LEADING

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PERMANENT FOUL LINES & MUCH MORE!FOR INSTRUCTIONS & BROCHURESwww.BEAMCLAY.com800-247-BEAM

908-637-4191 / FAX 908-637-8421PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION

KELSEY PARK, GREAT MEADOWS, NJ 07838

“The best infield mix I’ve ever used.” — GEORGE TOMA

Circle No. 144

• Receive TIPS & ADVICE from

fundraising experts who have

experience raising funds for sports

teams

• Read about SUCCESSFULFUNDRAISING projects

implemented by teams at schools

around the country

• Research & CONTACTPOTENTIAL VENDORS for your project through our

online Products & Services Guide

• SHARE IDEAS with other fundraisers at schools through

the Fundraising For Sports Message Board

www.FundraisingForSports.comwww.FundraisingForSports.comTIPS & ADVICE SUCCESS STORIES PRODUCT DIRECTORY FAQ

THE

• Receive TIPS & ADVICE from

fundraising experts who have

experience raising funds for sports

teams

• Read about SUCCESSFULFUNDRAISING projects

implemented by teams at schools

around the country

• Research & CONTACTPOTENTIAL VENDORS for your project through our

online Products & Services Guide

• SHARE IDEAS with other fundraisers at schools through

the Fundraising For Sports Message Board

Presenting the first Web site...specifically for sports booster

clubs, a valuable resource to help you raise money for

your athletic teams.

$www.Fund

raisingForSports.com

of your FundraisingProject


More Products

Cramer Products, Inc.800-345-2231WWW.CRAMERSPORTSMED.COM

Cramer Co-Stretch Non-Adhesive Stretch Tape is the innovative choice that beats traditional stretching and

self-adher-ing tapes. It has excellent tensile strength, tears

cleanly, and features a “no-slip” grip, making it among the top sports-medi-cal tapes. It’s excellent for use as an anchor for tape applications or com-pression bandages, and it contours easily to the body, allowing you to effortlessly wrap any appendage.

Circle No. 561

Cold therapy is one of the best ways to combat pain and swelling due to over exertion and heavy stress on muscles and joints. The Cramer Cold Shoulder Wrap provides complete cold therapy coverage to the shoulder, rotator cuff,

upper arm, and elbow for athletes who place a heavy workload on those areas.

The Cold Shoulder Wrap is designed to be portable, as it comes in a size that fits most athletes. Its easy-to-use package serves as an effective

right- and left-sided solution for icing athletes. The sealed ice cells prevent leaking, and the anti-microbial finish helps to prevent odor.

Circle No. 562

eFundraising866-235-9660WWW.EFUNDRAISING.COM

eFundraising’s Scratchcards are one of the most profitable fundraising products in America, with up to a 100-percent profit opportunity—rarely seen

with other fundraisers. Check out the company’s special offers and fundrais-ing tips online, and find out how this fundraiser can be personalized for your

group. Here is just one of the many success stories: “You have helped

our organization reach our goals. After attempting various forms of fundrais-ing in the past, we decided to try the Scratchcard fundraiser. This by far has been our most successful fundrais-ing event we have participated in. Thanks.” —Dwan Lee, Capitol Athletic Basketball.

Circle No. 563

The Gatorade Co.800-88-GATORWWW.GATORADE.COM

Gatorade Nutrition Shake is a balanced nutritional supplement that’s ideal for

Medals, Pins & Patches

• Custom designs created by you• Any size – any shape• Up to 5 colors on medals, price includes drape ribbon, event card and poly bag• Stock medals for speedy delivery

800-251-2656In TN: 615-244-3007Fax: 615-244-5937

[email protected]

231 Venture CircleNashville, TN 37228

Something for everyone!

• Up to 7 colors on custom patches, patches 50%-100% embroidered• No setups or die charges• Minimum order 100 pieces• Delivery in 3-5 weeks

Custom & Stock Items

goldner 129.indd 1 9/24/04 11:37:47 AM



Company NewsMore Products

Wind-Proof Rain Covers Banish Stakes and Sandbags

Wind Weighted® Baseball Tarps have a steel chain hemmed inside their edges all the way around the tarps. The result: Wind cannot get under these tarps. No stakes or sandbags are ever needed. This tough industrial-grade vinyl-polyester fabric is treated against both UV and mildew exposure. Multiple patents are pending.

Hundreds of high school teams use Wind Weighted Tarps, and so do the fol-lowing colleges and universities.

Anderson University, Anderson, Ind.Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IowaCal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Calif.Charleston Southern, Charleston, S.C.Cypress College, Cypress, TexasDePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Mass.Farmingdale State University, Farmingdale, N.Y.Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla.Manatee Community College, Bradenton, Fla.Mesa College, Grand Junction, Colo.Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.Navarro College, Corsicana, TexasNorthwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo.Penn State University, College Station, Pa.Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Ind.Santa Fe Community College, Gainesville, Fla. The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.Troy University, Troy, Ala.U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Colorado, BoulderUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis University of Nevada, RenoUniversity of New Mexico, AlbuquerqueUniversity of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaUniversity of Tennessee, KnoxvilleUniversity of Washington, SeattleUniversity of Louisville, Louisville, Ky.University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.Virginia Military Academy, Lexington, Va.Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y.Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.

Aer-Flo, Inc.4455 18TH ST. EASTBRADENTON, FL [email protected]

SPORTS DIVISION

use as a high-energy meal replacement, or a pre-event or between-meal snack.

Gatorade Nutrition Shake contains vitamin C, calcium, and iron, so it’s great for athletes who want to perform at their best and need to supplement their diet with a convenient, balanced, and nutri-tious product. Gatorade Nutrition Shake is

available in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla.

Circle No. 564

After years of extensive research, sci-entists at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute have developed Gatorade Endurance Formula for athletes’ longer, more intense workouts and competitions. Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink with a five-elec-trolyte blend containing nearly twice the sodium (200mg) and three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to more fully replace what athletes lose in sweat when fluid and electrolyte losses become substantial.

Circle No. 565

Goldner Associates, Inc.800-251-2656WWW.GOLDNERASSOCIATES.COM

Goldner Associates has been a leading supplier of medals, pins, and patches for 40 years. The company can create custom designs in any size or shape,

and stock items are also available. Looking for an item with your team logo?

As a top-50 distributor, Goldner also offers a full line of promo-tional prod-ucts, including team caps and

T-shirts, trophies and awards, fundrais-ing items, giveaways, and much more.

Circle No. 566

K&K Insurance800-426-2889WWW.KANDKINSURANCE.COM

K&K Insurance is dedicated to provid-ing customized insurance programs for youth and adult sports activities, rang-ing from weekend recreational leagues to world-class competition in a wide vari-ety of sports. K&K’s innova-tive coverage, risk evaluation, and claims handling results in programs designed to meet the needs of athletes, officials, spectators, and administrators involved in amateur and professional sports.

Circle No. 567

maypub142.indd 1 1/31/06 3:01:05 PM

Circle No. 147

Check out

www.AthleticBid.comto contact

these companies.


Testimonial Company News Testimonial

Stay Active with Cho-Pat’s Dual Action Knee Strap“Just thought I would drop you a note. Several years ago, I had knee replace-ment surgery as a result of too many

hours on the tennis court. As a part-time tennis teaching pro-fessional, the pain was almost over-whelming, even after the surgery. I bought one of your Dual Action braces a few months ago (I have tried every brace on the market), and I

can’t tell you what it has done for my comfort as well as my game. I am play-ing competitively again and can chase down balls with confidence and without pain. This is the greatest thing since graphite tennis rackets. I just ordered another one. Thanks.”

M. John VelierLas Vegas, Nev.

“I’ve been using the Dual Action Knee Strap for nearly a month now, and I’ve gone from only being able to take brisk walks to comfortably following a walk-run routine. I’ve been diagnosed with condromalacia patella, and the knee strap offers excellent comfort during exercise and added stability and sup-port, so I can enjoy my workout pain-free. Thank you.”

Dorothy Tagan

“Several months ago, I purchased a pair of your Dual Action Knee Straps. I’m happy to report that they are the finest of several different kinds of straps I’ve tried. They provide just the kind of support I need. I’ll be looking forward to using them when hiking in the Canadian Rockies in a few weeks!”

Arthur JensenNew Wilmington, Pa.

Cho-Pat, Inc.P. O. BOX 293HAINESPORT, NJ [email protected]@CHO-PAT.COMWWW.CHO-PAT.COM

Everything You Need for a Great Baseball Field

Partac Peat/Beam Clay® supplies field main-tenance products

to Major League, minor league, college, high school, and recreational fields worldwide. Some of the 200 infield products the company now offers:

BEAM CLAY® Baseball Diamond Mix is a premium infield mix that provides a firm, safe, consistent playing surface with great drainage and color.

BEAM CLAY® Regional Infield Mixes are blended at bulk plants nationwide to meet the unique needs of every state and climate.

BEAM CLAY® Pitcher’s Mound Mix is an extra firm mound clay, available in red, orange, brown, and gray. Mound and Batter’s Box Bricks and our patented, red polyurethane pads are also available.

BEAM CLAY® Red Warning Tracks warn players of their distance to fences and walls. These mixes are firm yet “crunchy”, with excellent drainage and color, and aesthetically provide the fin-ishing touches to a great ballfield.

Pro’s Choice® Soilmaster™Pro’s Choice® Rapid Dry™Pro’s Choice® Pro Mound®Diamond Pro® Infield ConditionerHilltopper® Infield MixHilltopper® Mound & Home Plate ClayRed Lava Dust and Red Brick DustPerma-Mound® and Safe “T” Matts® Mound and Batter’s Box Pads Stabilizer® • Diamond Dry® Windscreens • Wallpadding Fence Guards™ • Permanent Foul LinesDURA-Pad® On-Deck Circles with Team Logos

PARTAC PEAT CORP./BEAM CLAY®KELSEY PARKGREAT MEADOWS, NJ 07838800-247-BEAMFAX: [email protected]

Training Performances Enhanced with Power Lift Equipment“This first-rate gear has led to first-rate workouts. It gives us intangibles, like motivation and improved work ethic. We call it the ‘Wow Effect’.”

Joe KennDirector of Athletic Performance

Arizona State University

“Florida State has chosen Power Lift equipment because it is the most functional, most durable, and best-looking equipment made. We perform over 80 percent of our workouts on the self-contained Half Racks and Olympic Platforms.”

Jon JostDirector of Strength and Conditioning

Florida State University

“Power Lift Equipment has been a great benefit to our program. The high quality of Power Lift aligns with the tradition of Ohio State Football.”

Allan JohnsonHead Football Strength and

Conditioning Coach Ohio State University

Power LiftP.O. BOX 348JEFFERSON, IA [email protected]

41 Kelfield Street, Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 5A3CANADA 1-800-325-4871 USA 1-800-665-2696www.sportsturfmagic.com

New to the Bannermanfamily of groomers is the B-MG-6 Master Groomer. Thisbrush unit is the “Quick andSlick” answer to working in lightto heavy topdressing and otherturf building materials down tothe base of the grasses, thatyou’ve only dreamed of, untilnow. For use on greens, tees,fairways, and all types ofsportsturf surfaces both syntheticand natural.

When the safety of your players comes first, look toBannerman, the leading Groomer manufacturer for over 24 years,to shape, level, and care for your baseball diamonds, warningtracks, and walking/bike trails. The B-BP-4 Ballpark-4® (shown) andthe B-BP-6 Ballpark-6®, B-DM-6 Diamond Master® (shown) modelshave five standard tools, including: Ripper Blade, Rake, Leveler,Roller, and Brush. Accessories available include: Wing Brush Kit, TopLink Kit, 50-gallon Water Tank Kitwith spray nozzle, and NEWHighway Transport Kit. Restoreyour diamond’s luster in 20 minutesor less with one of the industry’sleading groomers.

THE HOME OF SPORTSTURF

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HOME TEAM ADVANTAGE

B-BP-4 BALLPARK-4 GROOMER

B-DM-6 DIAMOND MASTER®

B-MG-6 MASTER GROOMER

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Circle No. 148

AN INFIELD CONDITIONER THAT GIVES YOU BRICK RED COLOR WITHOUT THE BRICK.

Unlike infield products such as brick dust

or vitrified clay, Turface Pro League Red

delivers the rich red color you

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rainout protection and the

ultimate playing surface—with half the

tonnage of an aggregate product. For over

40 years, nobody’s done it better.

Become part of Turface Athletics

today. Call 1-800-207-6457 for

tips on improving your field

conditions—guaranteed.

www.turface.com*% gram of water absorbed per gram of material

PREVENTS RAINOUTS

Wat

erA

bsor

bed*

Brick Dust

TURFACE®

Pro League®90%

80%

70%

60%

50% VitrifiedClay

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Circle No. 149

Coaching Management 14.2

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Transcript of Coaching Management 14.2