Strategies and Philosophies

1. BASEBALL STRATEGIES & PHILOSOPHIES By: Stephen Tjaden

2. SCOUTING Know everyone’s arm strength 1st pitch after a mound visit General pitch sequences Spray Charts for individual hitters Aware of all bunt coverage/situations

3. SITUATIONS Play behind runners on all 3-2 counts Visit mound during trouble/chaos Bunt after a big play/chaos Fake bunt & hit based on infield charge Throw over to base if a sign may be hot Challenge outfielders with wet grass Put contrasting pitchers back-to-back

4. PITCHING Master the changeup before the curveball Clip corners and place fastball Throw off speed pitches at different speeds Use slide step when throwing changeup Keep toe down when winding up Finish pitch in good fielding position No extra steps off the mound

5. 5 STEPS TO PITCHER ACHIEVEMENT Rhythm & Balance Routing & Release Throwing to a target Pitching from the stretch Different situations and pitch variety

6. FOUR “C’s” of SUCCESSFUL PITCHING COMMAND of fastball CONTROL of at least one off speed pitch CONCENTRATION on the very next pitch CUNNING-never allow a hitter to feel comfortable in the batter’s box

7. CATCHING Slow things down with mound visits Know all pop-up priorities Know all bunt coverage’s/priorities Turn shoulders with pitch when runner is stealing a base Drop to knees on balls in dirt, don’t move forward or backwards

8. INFIELD On 3-2 with 2 outs play behind all runners Play back and pull when hitter is up in count When backhanding a ball keep your knees bent and shoulders turned Work constantly on double play footwork Throw through runners Be in sync with other infielders on pickoffs Awareness of pitch selection in determining where to shade the hitter

9. OUTFIELD Always moving on every play to back-up Charge pop-ups, must call off infielders Dec a runner on a hard hit ball to hold them up on the basepaths Play back and pull when hitter is up in count Know all back-up angles Centerfield has all gap balls unless called off

10. HITTING Separate and recognize pitch Nothing above your hands Always keep the bat in the strike zone Quick bat-not quick body Meet the ball in front of plate Great swing on 1st strike Follow the pitch into catchers glove, “see the pitch all the way”

11. BASERUNNING If fielder is in baseline without the ball take the base and run him over When being doubled up stop in the baseline and make them throw through Bump into middle infielders when backing up throw back from catcher Shorten lead on 3-0 counts Lead off 3rd base in foul territory

12. TRAINING Jog-Spring-Walk during postgame Pitchers run a lap per inning pitched Practice footwork on double plays 5-5-5’s (Sacrifices, Drags, Squeezes) BP towards opposite field Weighted Agility Gloves (WAGS) Arm weight workouts every other day (10 lbs)