Play Better Baseball, 2nd Edition

This straightforward, easy-to-understand book helps prepare coaches and players to meet the challenges of tough competition. New revised, Play Better Baseball is the state-of-the-art source for baseball fundamentals and mechanics, illustrated with hundreds of photographs and accompanied by helpful new drills. Based on actual team situations drawn from author Bob Cluck's 20-plus years of coaching, this reader-friendly handbook emphasizes the fundamentals that produce winning baseball teams and offers a wealth of advice on: Coaching baseball at all levels Developing winning players Using videotape and high-speed film Using practice time efficiently The psychology of coaching Pitching: the foundation of every team Pitching mechanics The pitches: Tools to get hitters out Setting up hitters: The game within a game First-pitch strikes, from Little League to the Majors Playing the infield Using the right glove Throwing with strength and accuracy The game situation and positioning Fielding mechanics for infielders The catcher: team leader The tag at home Blocking pitches in the dirt Pop-ups, bunts, and cutoffs Helping the pitcher get hitters out Playing the outfield Backing up plays Throwing from the outfield Balls hit in the gaps Outfield positioning Playing the sun Baserunning The steal and the hit-and-run Effective and safe sliding techniques Running the bases Hitting Bats and grips Stances Stride and weight transfer Tracking the ball Bunting Situational hitting The playbook Defensive assignments Infield pop flies Bunt defenses The athletic machine Weight training for baseball players Conditioning for baseball Bob Cluck is a major league pitching coach and scout and the founder of the San Diego School of Baseball.