WK's Coach's Box The Home Page of Wendell Kim

"You Be the Coach" WK's Bionotes "Coach's Tip" WK's FAQ Page "Ask the Pros" WK's Coach's Paperwork Page WK Recommends John Scolinos: The Dugout Diary HOME PAGE

John Scolinos : The Dugout Diary

John Scolinos

My former college coach, John Scolinos, helped me be successful in baseball by teaching me to be baseball aware and considerate from the time I arrived at the ball park until I left for home. Check out the things you can learn all day at the ball park:

Pre-Game Ritual
Dugout Responsibilities
The On-Deck Circle
At the Plate
Running to First Base
At First Base, Going to Second Base
At Second Base
At Third Base
After the Game

I. Pre-Game Ritual

Dress properly.

• Make sure you have a clean uniform
• Make sure your shoes are cleaned and shined
• Wear the same uniform as your teammates

Beware of equipment.

• Make sure the proper equipment is in the batting cages
• Make sure the proper equipment is on the fields
• Last hitter in the cage picks up all equipment

Know the rules of the field.

• Sprint to and from all areas on the field
• Follow batting cage etiquette
• Only hit in assigned areas
• Enter batting cages through the proper entry
• Keep the batting cage free of stray equipment

II. Dugout Responsibilities

Watch the opposing pitcher warm-up.

• Try to pick up the pitches
• Look for what is he/she throwing and how hard
• Look for anything he/she might be having trouble with
• Look for any differences when he/she throws from the stretch

Watch all your infield and outfield opponents.

• Look for strengths and weaknesses (weak arms, inaccuracy of throws)
• Pick up any verbal keys and phrases they use ("cut second base" as opposed to "four-four-four")

Be ready to help your club on defense.

• Help infielders with pop-ups
• Help the catcher with pop-ups, wild pitches, and passed balls
• Know the hitter's strengths and relay them to the fielders ("good bunter" or "power to gaps", etc.)

Know the game situation.

• How many outs are there?
• What is the score?
• What inning is it (top or bottom)?
• Who is the pitcher and how are they throwing?
• Who is the hitter and what have they done so far?
• What is the count on the hitter?
• Who are the possible pinch-hitters, pinch-runners, relief pitchers, etc.?

Perform routine duties that help the whole ball club.

• Keep all equipment in the proper place.
• Make sure someone is always ready to warm-up the pitcher.
• Make sure base coaches are in place.
• Have the pitcher's jacket or glove ready.
• Always have your own equipment ready.

Try to determine what the pitcher is doing.

• What is his/her best pitch?
• What is he/she having trouble getting over the plate?
• What does he/she throw in different situations?
• What is he/she throwing to certain hitters?

Know who the hitters are at the plate, on deck, and in the hole.

• What kind of hitters are they?
• What do they have trouble with?
• What do they handle best?
• How well do they run?

Try to pick up pitches and signs from the other team.

• Check out the coaches, pitchers, and catchers.
• Observe the infielders.

Observe the pitcher in the stretch to see if you can run on him/her.

• Look at body and leg movement.
• Look at head movement and shoulder turns.
• How fast is his/her move to first base?

Check to see if you can steal off the catcher.

• Does he/she have a weak arm and are the throws accurate?
• Does he/she have trouble handling the pitches?
• Is a delayed steal possible; is the catcher paying attention?

Develop a hitting plan in the dugout.

• What velocity is the pitcher throwing?
• What does the hitting situation call for you to do (bunt, swing away, hit to right, take, etc.)?
• Get yourself into a hitting rhythm with the pitcher's motion.

Do not "get on" the other team.

• There is enough to do without "popping off" to the other team.
• Show class at all times.

Always hustle in and out of the dugout.

III. The On-Deck Circle

Reassure your game plan for hitting.

• Check the pitcher again and see if your hitting plan is correct.
• If not, develop a new hitting plan quickly.
• Get a real good look at the pitcher's stuff.

Get into a rhythm with the pitcher.

• Swing as if you were at the plate.
• Swing at the speed you plan to hit.
• Take a pitch at the speed you are planning to hit.

Be alert for passed balls and wild pitches in order to help any baserunners.

Check the defense.

• Where are they playing (too deep, too shallow, etc.)?
• Can you bunt on the pitcher, the first baseman, or the third baseman?

Does the pitcher quick pitch - be aware before you step in!

IV. At the Plate

Get all the signs outside of the batter's box

• Look for the signs right after each pitch.
• Give a return if called for.
• If not sure of a sign, pick at your shirt to alert the coach.

Once you have stepped into the batter's box, think only about what you are going to do - hit the ball.

On a pick-off attempt, step out of the batter's box.

On wild pitches and passed balls, help any baserunners.

On a steal or hit and run, protect the runners.

• On a steal, hit it if it is a good pitch.
• On a steal, swing at a pitch out of the strike zone if you think it will give the catcher trouble.
• On a hit and run, you MUST swing.

With two strikes, shorten your swing in order to make contact.

If your mind starts to wander, step out of the box and re-establish your hitting plan.

V. Running to First Base

Sprint to first base on all walks.

On ground balls to the infield, glance at the ball so you can see if a throw will be bad or if you may need to slide.

Every hit is a double to you - make the outfielders stop you.

• Round first under a controlled speed.
• Sprint to second if the outfielder is slow getting to the ball or if he/she bobbles it.

Always touch first base - touch the front half of the bag to the middle.

On overthrows, do not go to second base unless you know where the ball is.

The fielder has the right-of-way on all pop ups.

Be aware on base hits through the infield.

• Angle out right from home plate.
• Take a good sharp turn around first base.
• Round the bag under a controlled speed.
• Look for a high or bad relay throw and if so, head to second.
• If you hesitate, go back to first.

Once you round the bag, you are on your own.

• Find the ball.
• You are the best judge of how you can run.
• You know best if you can make it to second base.

VI. At First Base, Going to Second Base

Check the position of infielders and outfielders.

Get the signs from the third base coach with your foot on the base..

Take the same type of lead every time so as not to tip off a steal or a hit and run.

On all bases, take a safe lead that is not too short too help avoid the double play.

With two outs, you can take a bigger lead after each pitch.

Observe the pitcher in the stretch to help with a steal or hit and run play.

Look for the delayed steal situation.

Always anticipate a wild pitch or a passed ball.

On a base hit, watch the ball and make the decision yourself whether you can go to third. Only look for the coach if you cannot see the ball.

On a batted ball down either line, you should be able to make third base without a problem.

If you hesitate, do not go to third base.

In a double play situation, do not let the second baseman tag you.

Try to break up all double plays.

If the first baseman does not hold you on, steal (unless you are very slow afoot).

In a stealing situation, do not go if you do not have a good jump.

In a hit and run situation, you must always run as soon as you see the pitcher make a move toward home plate.

On a passed ball or wild pitch, you can only go if the runner in front of you goes.

On a bunt, run when you see the ball head toward the ground.

With one out or less, take a step back to the bag on any line drive or ball hit in the air.

VII. At Second Base

Take a lead off the base about two to three feet back toward the shortstop.

Your secondary lead is very important after the pitcher's release.

When the ball is caught, take a step back toward the base and know where the ball is.

With one out or less, any ball hit by the pitcher and to your left means you should go to third.

With one out or less, any ball hit by the pitcher and to your right means wait for the throw to first before attempting to go to third.

• Exception #1 - Go ahead to third if it is a high hopper or a slow roller.
• Exception #2 - Go ahead to third if the third baseman makes the play out of position.

Look for the hit and run situation.

Make sure the pitcher pays attention to you. You may be able to steal third.

On a base hit, always assume you will be trying to score. Stop only if the coach stops you.

• Cut third base sharply.
• Look for the coach before and after hitting third base.
• If held up, get back to the bag as quickly as possible.

VIII. At Third Base

Anticipate a wild pitch or passed ball.

Take a short walking lead in foul ground.

With one out or less, take a step back on a line drive or fly ball. Always tag up on a fly ball.

With one out, you try to score on a ground ball.

• Look for the ball to hit the ground between home and the pitcher's mound.
• If it appears you are out at home by a lot, get yourself into a rundown so the other runner(s) can move up.

Try to score in a double play situation.

On a bush or delayed steal, move into fair ground as the catcher receives the ball..

• Depth perception is poor for the catcher.
• It will be a harder catch for the third baseman to make on a throw from the catcher.

Slide anytime there is a throw made when you are trying to score.

Know when to go home on a squeeze play.

• Take a short walking lead.
• Break hard as the pitcher's front foot hits the ground.

Know when to go home on a bush play.

• With a left-handed pitcher, you leave for home first.
• With a right-handed pitcher, the runner a first base leaves first.

Know when to go home on the delayed steal.

• The coach will tell you to stay or go.
• If you are going, leave as the catcher releases the ball.
• If you are staying, be sure to give a good bluff.

Make sure you touch home plate.

Never slide headfirst into home plate.

IX. After the Game

Meet to find out about practice or the next game.

Help gather and carry equipment to storage.

Hang your uniform up on a hangar.

• This helps the uniform to last longer.
• Keep your hat in a safe place so it will maintain its shape.

Play the games one at a time. Don't dwell on the past or look into the future too much.

Keep your head in the game!

WK

March 25, 1999