Week Ten Practice Plan

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I'm sure you noticed that we skipped from week eight to week ten. My computer crashed last week, so the first thing that I have to do is apologize for not getting last week’s newsletter out. I will, however, give you three practice plans in this issue. We have a mid-season break in our game schedule that will allow us the time to work on some details that will make us a better team.

Our team had four wins and four losses in league play during the past two weeks. We play double headers on league game nights, however, only the first game counts for league standings. Our season "official" record is five and four with one rain out. We also went one and two in a one day tournament in Hutchinson, MN last weekend. We finished the tournament with a competitive loss to Sleepy Eye. Sometimes the most valuable lessons come at the hands of a close game that you don't win.

Here are the practice plans.

Practice #13

6:05 Warm up playing catch

6:10 Team discussion about last week’s games and the weekend tournament. What I saw as our strong points and what I feel we need to work on.

6:15 V-Drill (working on quick infield type throws)

6:25 Practice defending runners on 1st and 3rd

6:45 Mini-Batting Circuit (Rotate players through these stations)

Tee Work for 3 minutes

Fence Drill for 6 minutes (two players, new player every 3 minutes)

One on deck batter for 3 minutes

Hitting off the pitching machine for 3 minutes

Other team members not at one of these stations were shagging balls

7:25 Team Meeting

7:30 Team Practice is over on time except for pitchers and catchers

Pitchers start working on Wrist Snaps while catchers get their equipment on.

7:35 Pitchers work on K's

Catchers work on Blocking Drill

7:40 Pitchers Walk Through Drill

Catchers work on the Bunt Drill

If we do not have as many catchers as pitchers, the parent will have to continue catching and we will rotate the catchers so they become familiar with the pitchers.

7:45 Distance Pitch Drill

Catchers Developing a Strong Throw To Second Base

7:50 Regular pitching and catching.

7:55 Pass ball drill

8:00 Practice is over

Practice #14

6:05 Warm up playing catch

6:10 Team discussion about goals for this practice. We will focus on sharpening the individual skills.

6:15 Toss Circle

6:25 V-Drill (ground balls)

6:35 Down the Hill Drill

6:45 Water Break

6:50 Throwing Relay Race

7:00 Star Drill

7:10 Over the Head Ball Pass

7:20 Base Running Relay Race

7:25 Team Meeting

7:30 Team Practice is over on time except for pitchers and catchers

Pitchers start working on Wrist Snaps while catchers get their equipment on.

7:35 Pitchers work on K's

Catchers work on Blocking Drill

7:40 Pitchers Walk Through Drill

Catchers work on the Bunt Drill

If we do not have as many catchers as pitchers, the parent will have to continue catching and we will rotate the catchers so they become familiar with the pitchers.

7:45 Distance Pitch Drill

Catchers Developing a Strong Throw To Second Base

7:50 Regular pitching and catching.

7:55 Pass ball drill

8:00 Practice is over

Practice #15

This practice will require five (5) coaches/parent volunteers and someone keeping time. Make sure you plan the personnel out ahead of time.

6:00 Warm up jog to fence and back, Dynamic stretching

6:05 Warm up playing catch (always working on good form)

6:10 Run hitting circuit.

One player on deck at each station and one player working that station. After six minutes are up, on deck player steps into that station while the player who just finished that station moves on to the next station and becomes that stations on deck player. If you have twelve players, each player will get thirty minutes of quality work.

Station 1

2 minutes of plastic bat & balls right hand only swing of knee

2 minutes left hand only

2 minutes both hands

Station 2

2 minutes off tee behind back, squish the bug

2 minutes off tee slow easy perfect compact swings

2 minutes off tee full speed compact swings

Station 3

2 or 4 minutes soft toss into net or fence (if no problem, only 2 minutes)

2 to 4 minutes soft toss broom stick and wiffle golf balls

Station 4

2 minutes bunt straight

2 minutes bunt 1st base line

2 minutes bunt 3rd base line

Station 5

2 minutes bunting, pitching machine or live pitching

4 minutes hitting, pitching machine or live pitching

7:30 Team Practice is over on time

Pitchers start working on Wrist Snaps while catchers get their equipment on.

7:35 Pitchers work on K's

Catchers work on Blocking Drill

7:40 Pitchers Walk Through Drill

Catchers work on the Bunt Drill

If we do not have as many catchers as pitchers, the parent will have to continue catching and we will rotate the catchers so they become familiar with the pitchers.

7:45 Distance Pitch Drill

Catchers Developing a Strong Throw To Second Base

7:50 Regular pitching and catching.

7:55 Pass ball drill

8:00 Practice is over

We do not have any games until after the July 4th holiday, so we are going to get a little extra practice time. Please, use the Coaches Input Form to let me know how your team is doing. Are you seeing improvement? How are your practices going? How about your games? I really am interested in hearing about your progress.

Until next week, I'll see you on the field.

Dan Knutson