Coaches Insider

Infield “Ball in the Glove” Drill with Ed Servais – (Retired) Creighton Univ.

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:59:09 +0000

Watch as Coach Ed Servais explains and shows video of this "ball in the glove" drill for infielders. Infielders will have a ball in the glove and will simulate fielding a ball then throwing the ball to the 1st baseman who throws it back to them. The players get many reps in without fielding groundballs while working on footwork and technique. The drill will progress with the coach rolling balls and will finish with fungos at the end.

Baserunning: 2nd Base Leads with Dan Fitzgerald – Univ. of Kansas

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:00:15 +0000

Watch as Coach Dan Fitzgerald explains and shows practice video of 2nd base leads. He reviews the length of the leads but emphasizes that the important factor is for the 3rd base coach to know where the runner is, distance-wise. The timing of the secondary is what matters and the baserunner being in a position to run. Coach recommends starting the secondary when the pitcher's foot plants, and this times up the second hop as the ball crosses the plate.

Baserunning: Nobody Out with Dan Fitzgerald – Univ. of Kansas

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Mon, 13 May 2024 14:19:39 +0000

Watch as Coach Dan Fitzgerald discusses his baserunning risk management rules for zero outs, 1 out and 2 outs. He tells his players not to take any chances with zero outs. In a 1 out situation he instructs his baserunners that getting to 3rd base with less than 2 outs is the sole purpose of their existence. They must know where the outfielders are and whether the ball will be caught. Baserunners are taught to gamble on scoring with 2 outs unless they see the 3rd base coach signals them to stop.

Pitcher’s Towel Drills with Tyler Oakes – North Dakota State Univ.

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 13:53:09 +0000

Watch as Coach Tyler Oakes discusses and shows clips of a pitcher's delivery work using towels. Coach is a big believer in towel drills and mentions that many Big Leaguers use them. The focus is on arm speed, hand speed, and the delivery. He breaks the video into multiple sections covering the direction, extension, and balance phases finishing with a full-speed delivery out of a stretch or windup putting the whole delivery together.

3rd Base Coach Positioning/Runners on Base with Toby Gardenhire – St. Paul Saints

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:33:33 +0000

Watch as Coach Toby Gardenhire discusses 3rd base coach positioning with runners on base. With a runner on 1st base, the coach should be up the line and be able to see past the pitcher. It is also easier for the runner to see the coach on a base hit as they come around 2nd base. With a runner on 2nd base or multiple runners, the coach wants to be down the line toward home plate allowing him to see the field.

Communicating with the Modern-Day High School Player – Championship Coaches Roundtable

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:58:36 +0000

Watch as Minnesota High School State Championship Coaches discuss the evolution of communicating with the modern-day high school player. Coach Stanton focuses on building strong relationships and earning his player's trust. Coach Judkins provides his players with his phone numbers and social media handles so they can always communicate with him. He decided to adapt to them instead of making them adapt to him. Coach Parker states that today's players hear so many voices that his emphasis is on the team aspect and establishing friendships with their teammates.

Chris Stanton - Randolph High School (MN)
Andy Judkins - Benilde-St. Margaret's High School (MN)
Mike Parker - Stillwater Area High School (MN)

High School Pitching Without 90-mph Arms with Butch Chaffin – USA Baseball

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:49:36 +0000

Butch Chaffin was previously coaching at Cookeville High School (TN).

Pitching with Tom House – National Pitching

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:38:12 +0000

Coaching the Bases with Toby Gardenhire – St. Paul Saints

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:37:31 +0000

Infield Play with Drills with Ed Servais – (Retired) Creighton Univ.

Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 23:32:02 +0000