coaching first base

[fastpitch7]

ok, I know this may be stupid and basic but...
14U Team
I am probably coaching first base this weekend in a tournament. I have only coached third base (as a rec coach) and have never coached a base in travelball.
I know the basics, comunicating with the runner, outs, pick-off plays etc..
My big question is any general guidelines on knowing when to send a runner to second for an extra base hit? (obviously, ball past an outfielder, but other situations) Guess I am just nervous on sending a runner and having them get thrown-out. maybe it will just come with experience?
just looking for any tips that may help me. I want to be the best first base coach I can be to help the girls win.

thanks

Why are you nervous will the third base coach yell at you if you make a mistake?
Make sure you know the third base coaches signs and make sure the girls see the signs. The only thing you have to remember is don't watch the play watch your runner and be aggressive, a few shots of Jägermeister will help that...jk

Jägermeister.jpg (2.14 KiB) Viewed 4985 times

[anonlooker]

True story from the 1b coaching box:

We're in Colorado for the Fireworks, I'm in the 1b box for our first tournament game.

Leadoff hits a shot to the corner in left. I'm sending her from the get go.
LF races over, cuts off the ball, turns and makes a perfect throw on the bag at 2. One out.

Second hitter, line drive to the gap in right center. I send the runner to 2nd. RF grabs the ball at the fence, makes a perfect throw on the bag at 2. Two outs.

Third hitter, base hit to center. I'm prepared to tackle her to keep her at first. So on the first pitch, she decides on her own that she should steal second. Three outs.

Nothing like a little excitement to start the game, right?

Coach was livid.

I'm pretty sure we won the game.

And if you're still interested in any advice I might have...

Know how well your players run the bases.
Scout the outfielders, ditto the catcher. All the defensive players, really.
Don't underestimate your opponent.
Don't overestimate your opponent.
Talk to the coach about how aggressive he wants you to be.
Be aggressive. The girls love it!
Be fearless.
Don't second guess.
Learn fast.
Don't run on my right fielder. Ever. She'll make you look bad.

Here's a little maxim: If you send a girl and she's safe, the glory is hers. If she's out, it's on you.
Grin and bear it.

Have fun!

[WildRoseCoach]

I totally agree with the above post. I also was a new 1st base coach this Fall. I have spent 3 years at 3rd, but never 1st. Know what type of base runners each of your girls are. Know the signs, and don't get caught up with the play, always look to advance the runner (for 1 if she goes, she is now 3rd base coach responsibility, and 2 lets the other team know that you are aggressive at base running.) LOL I sent a runner on a steal without the 3rd base coach giving the signal, she was safe, but she got an earfull from the coach until I told him that was me sending her, then I got an earfull

[Sam]

Its not that hard......unless you are A-non-looker....who apparently doesn't watch the positioning of the OF prior to each pitch....if I had a 1B coach that was that bad, they would never touch the dirt on the field ever again.

You must know the signs...so you can tell the BR when she misses them and looks at you.

You must know the speed of your players.

You must know the score....to know when and where to take chances.

You must watch F4 to see is she is picking off your BR.

You should maintain line of conversation with the BU...only if you are knowledgeable and can gain some respect. 1B coaches NEVER....NEVER get to argue calls. Keep your mouth shut if you don't agree with a call.

Try to think along with the 3B coach...it will help you with the signs....and improve your game management. You can ask the 3B coach why he/she did something or didn't do something if you are mini-managing the game in your own head.

Never blame a runner for your mistake.

[fastpitch7]

I tend to be overly aggressive on the bases. This is a team with 6 new girls to the team, my DD being one of them. She played travel last year, but i didn't coach so I have some experience watching the level of play.
We have only had three practices due to rain, so I don't really know the names of all the players yet, let alone there base running abilities. Guess it will be an experience.

May I ask why a first base coach never gets to argue calls??

thanks for all your help

[winginit]

One thing I learned right away was if I had to tell the girl to go (on mishandled ball/pass ball/ball off catcher mitt, ball going home from outfield, etc); it was typically too late. We teach the girls to be aggressive and it is up to them to see opportunities and use their instincts.

[Judd]

Just like you tell the girls to know where the play is at, same with base coaches.

Championship middle school feeder game

We are home, winning by 2-3 runs maybe. Time is almost out. 2 outs

Batter drops one behind the 2nd basemans head and bobbles it. For some stupid reason, I tell the girl to turn and look instead of running through the bag . And she was not a fast runner. I then tell her to come back. Luckily she was safe. 2-3 more pitches, game is over we win.


I didnt get in trouble but the head coach said something about wanting to throw a rock at me????

OK another blooper. I am on 3rd, rec game. After the pitch, the runner is walking back to third, I am telling her she needs to get bigger lead, she could have gone on the passed ball, blah blah, blah. POP. <------ thats the sound that was made when the pitcher threw the ball back to the 3rd baseman as the girl was walking back and tagged her out.



Just keep your head in it. You'll be fine.

3rd is where the real decisions start happening IMO

[wadeintothem]

Some of the biggest errors I see base coaches make... (and yes sometimes I will 1 to 1 give the new base coach some crap if they blow this stuff )...

1. Becoming a spectator. You are not a spectator, you are a coach. Watch out fielders, watch the back doors. Your job is protecting that runner.

2. Not standing far enough back. Forget that coaches box as much as you much as you can get away with and stand where your runners are in front of you. This helps you watch the back door stuff. The VAST majority of umpires with ignore your positioning 99% of the time unless you are obnoxious or they are obnoxious or there is some big time evaluation going on where that is being stressed.

3. Foul pop ups.. dont let your runner lead. For what? If its foul, they have to go back, but if they are standing on the base and the ball is caught, at least you have the possibility to advance.

4. Any other ball in the air and you must decide if they go half way or stand on the bag.

5. I dont mind some chit chat with the 1BU coach. That might even earn you the right to whimper about a call a little, done in the right way.

You will likely not be making any decisions, your entire function in life is protecting your runner on 1B.

Focus on that.

[play4fun2]

Its not that hard......unless you are A-non-looker....who apparently doesn't watch the positioning of the OF prior to each pitch....if I had a 1B coach that was that bad, they would never touch the dirt on the field ever again.

You must know the signs...so you can tell the BR when she misses them and looks at you.

You must know the speed of your players.

You must know the score....to know when and where to take chances.

You must watch F4 to see is she is picking off your BR.

You should maintain line of conversation with the BU...only if you are knowledgeable and can gain some respect. 1B coaches NEVER....NEVER get to argue calls. Keep your mouth shut if you don't agree with a call.
Thanks Sam good advise...remember a lot of TB outfielders are equal in ability to the SS , but some are slow and weak. Know the difference.
Try to think along with the 3B coach...it will help you with the signs....and improve your game management. You can ask the 3B coach why he/she did something or didn't do something if you are mini-managing the game in your own head.

Never blame a runner for your mistake.

[DonnieS]

Never blame a runner for your mistake.

Most pathetic thing I ever saw was a head coach, on 3rd, chewing out an asst coach, on 1st, after the runner at 1st got thrown out because she missed the signal. She turned to him to get it clear from the 1b coach, he just stood there with his arms crossed. As the head coach came across the field glaring at him, he squealed "It wasnt me - it was her fault!" pointing at the base runner trotting to the dugout.