1. Play with confidence at all times.

2. Know situations – count, outs, score during at bat and while in the field.

3. Anticipate – know “what to do when the ball is hit to me or to anybody else.

4. Look for continuation of play on defense.

5. Have a thorough understanding of the game.

Physical Aspects

Base running

• Confident, aggressive, and alert at all times.
• Consistently looking to take the extra base.
• Advance on all passed balls.
• Ability to adjust slide away from the tag.
• Ability to dive back to base.

Hitting

• Ability to see the ball out of the pitcher’s hand.
• Good understanding of the strike zone.
• Ability to make pitcher throw strikes.
• Understand contact zone and hit to all fields.
• Ability to adjust with two strikes.
• Consistently hit average pitchers hard.
• Ability to execute sacrifice bunt.

Fielding

• Range and ability to go back on fly ball.
• Ability to play catch from 100’.
• Consistently in position to back up play.
• Aware that all nine players are involved each time the ball is put into play
• Communicate at all times.
• React to hard hit balls and make an attempt to catch.
• Ability to charge ground balls and throw on the run.
• Understand and execute standard defensive plays.

Throwing

• Ability to make accurate throws from 100’ with sound mechanics.
• Position players should be throwing with a four seam grip at all times.

Note:  Coaches should strive to have all players be able to make long, accurate throws.  Players who cannot throw effectively will find it very difficult to adjust to the 90’ diamond.

Pitching

• Ability to throw better than 60% strikes.
• Consistently use both sides of the plate.
• Change speeds effectively.
• Ability to field position and react to line drives.
• Ability to handle pressure of close game situations.
• Back up bases.

Catching

• Ability to frame strike zone.
• Make strong, accurate throw to all bases.
• Ability to move aggressively to right and left to block ball in the dirt.
• Aggressively pursue passed ball and wild pitch – accurate toss to pitcher covering home.