Baseball game strategy: by the inning! (Baseball).

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, almost every high school baseball coach will hit the wall philosophically when he discovers that the team he has put together isn't quite equipped to play his preferred kind of game.

He may like the bunt-and-run style to pressure the defense, but doesn't have the speed and bunting finesse to do it. Or he may like to play for the big inning, but doesn't have the power hitters to do it.

This happens frequently on the high school level, where few coaches can do any recruiting and are forced to do with the players they inherit.

Like most coaches, we teach essentially the same way year after year. Regardless of our speed or power, we teach hitting the same way, baserunning the same way, and try to improve in everything we do.

Once in awhile, we will produce a sudden burst of power or a second basemen who can turn a double play. But such things occur only sporadically, and rarely at a time when we have the greatest need for help.

What can be done about this? Since we are unable to remake our players or order a supply of new ones, we have to do the next best thing: redesign our thinking.

More specifically, we break down our game strategy into segments by inning and design a different strategy for each - innings 1 and 2 or 3; innings 3 or 4 and 5; and innings 6 and 7.

The strategy is organized as follows:

SEGMENT ONE: INNINGS 1 & 2 OR 3.

First at-bat of the game. Try to score one run in each inning and hope for a big inning.

We will:

1. Take pitches until we have a strike.

2. With no outs, move the runner up with a bunt. This applies to the #3 hitter with men on first & second and none out.

3. Allow only true base stealers to make steal attempts.

4. Run the bases cautiously from second to home.

5. With none or one out, squeeze home the runner on third - ensure the run.

SEGMENT TWO: INNINGS 3 OR 4 & 5.

Second at-bat of the game. Be willing to take risks to try for the big inning.

We will:

1. Aggressively go after the first pitch.

2. Bunt & run to force the defense to move and throw the ball around.

3. Force the defense to throw us out by taking the extra base, and steal even with "non" base stealers.

4. Hit & run with two strikes.

5. Be wary of the suicide squeeze here. It's better to look for the big hit.

6. Substitute a faster player for a slower one to keep the pressure on the defense.

SEGMENT THREE: INNINGS 6 & 7.

Third or fourth at-bat. We will adjust according to the score. If we have a lead that matches the opponents remaining outs (ex. six-run lead with two innings left), we will:

1. Usually not steal, but we will go first to third and second to home.

2. Look to pad a lead by getting one more run.

3. Suicide squeeze to ensure that extra run.

With a comfortable lead, we will:

1. Allow players to swing at first pitches.

2. Not steal, hit & run, or suicide-squeeze. (We don't want to humiliate the opponent.)

When trailing we will:

1. Play conservatively, looking for our pitch.

2. Run according to the situation, but rarely try to steal

3. Unless it is going to tie the score or win the game, we won't think of the suicide-squeeze.

We are not rigid about our philosophy. Any time we have a true power hitter or player who is not quick enough on the bases, we want him to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses.

Approaching the offensive game m this fashion works for the following reasons:

1. All players will develop their bunting, base running, and hitting skills.

2. All players will know what they will have to do in their next at-bat.

3. No one will panic when we fall behind, or rest when we have an early lead.

4. It will allow us to develop the right game plan for the second try against the same opponent, which is likely to come in the state tournament.

5. The entire program (Freshmen, JV, Varsity) will be able to implement this philosophy, creating unity with players and staff that is essential for player development and growth during the players time in the program.

6. Players will begin to expect more from themselves, striving to become a whole player, rather than a role player.

7. Players will perform more consistently, resulting in more victories.