Coach › Game day
Game day
Game day goes smoothly when the jobs are assigned ahead of time. Here's what to do from arrival to the final cheer.
Before the game
- Arrive early, usually 30 to 45 minutes, or whatever your league asks.
- Walk the field for holes, glass, rocks, and loose fencing.
- Set up the field if it's your job. See field setup and chalking.
- Warm up with throwing, ground balls, and a few swings off a tee in a safe spot.
- Meet at home plate with the umpire and the other coach to go over ground rules and the time limit, and exchange lineups if your league uses them.
Lineups and playing time
Most rec leagues use a continuous batting order, where every player bats in order. Check your league's playing time rules, which often say no player sits out two innings in a row.
- Rotate the batting order each game, so the same players don't always bat last.
- Rotate positions so everyone plays the infield and the outfield. Write the plan for every inning before the game.
- Put safety first at pitcher, first base, third base, and catcher. Those spots get hard-hit and hard-thrown balls, so use players who can catch well enough to protect themselves.
- Track innings on your lineup card. Your assistant can help.
Base coaching
| Coach | What to do |
|---|---|
| First base coach | Yell "Run through!" on ground balls. Help the runner find the ball, and remind her of the outs. |
| Third base coach | Decides when runners go home. Watches the ball so runners don't have to. |
Keep signals simple
- Windmill arm: keep running.
- Both hands up: stop on the base.
- Hands pushing down: slide.
Practice the signals at practice. The flash cards cover them too.
Running the dugout
- Post the batting order where players can see it, and have a dugout parent call "up, on deck, in the hole."
- Helmets on before leaving the dugout, and they stay on until the runner is back in the dugout.
- Bats stay in the bag or rack until it's your turn. No swinging in the dugout.
- Gloves and water ready so the team takes the field fast.
Working with umpires
- Only the head coach talks to the umpire, and only after asking for time.
- Ask about rules, not judgment calls. "Can you explain the infield fly call?" is fine. Arguing balls and strikes isn't.
- Many rec umpires are teenagers or new, too. Your players and parents copy how you treat them.
After the game
- Line up and say "good game" to the other team.
- Keep the team talk short: one thing that went well and one thing to practice.
- Clean the dugout, and rake the field if yours is the last game.