Coach's Corner

The International Board of Directors of Babe Ruth League, Inc., approved a new bat regulation for the 13-15 Division beginning with the 2010 season for local league and tournament play.  This regulation limits the diameter of the bat barrel to 2 ⁵/₈”.  There is no length to weight ratio requirement (i.e. no drop). 

 This is the direction most amateur baseball programs are taking.  High School Baseball organizations have already implemented the 2 ⁵/₈” -3 rule.  As such, bat manufacturers will be concentrating on producing bats that fall within this dimension for the 13-15 age groups.

 We at home plate do realize the costs involved in participating in youth sports and how much of a challenge it is to outfit your children with the best equipment possible, especially during this difficult economic climate.  Therefore, for 2010, we will allow the use of bats with a 2 ¾” barrel size for 13-15 local league play only.  Bats with a 2 ⁵/₈” dimension will be the only approved bat for use during 13-15 District, State and Regional Tournaments, as well as during the World Series.

 Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this issue, as well as for the time you invest for the benefit of our young athletes.

• Once a pitcher has reached muscle failure, every pitch equals 3 – 15 pitches past failure is equal to 45
• A pitchers maximum should be determined by mechanical efficiency, functional strength, fitness and flexibility.
• The only statistically significant predictor of pitching injuries is number of pitches thrown.
• The rule of thumb is no more than 70 an outing. 
• 30-35 pitches in an inning – pitcher should be done.
• Have a goal of 12 pitches per inning
• Never more than 120 a week and never 120 three weeks in a row. Max 1000 per season.
• Never pitch more than 20 on back to back days; 50 to 60 pitches requires 2 days rest minimum
• Pitch totals are like speed limits; experienced driver on a sunny dry day with no traffic you might drive the maximum. Anything other than that slow down!

• Ice - elbow 10 minutes, shoulder 20 minutes
• lerobic exercise – 2 minutes for every minute of ice
• Immediately after game no more than 3 hours after
• Hydrate – drink water during game (min 3oz per inning – a full Gatorade directly after
• Stretch after game if no pain

• 60% fastballs
• 20-25% curveballs, sliders, slurves, cutters
• 15-20% change-ups, splitters

• Pitches are increasingly down or up in the strike zone
• Stride becomes obviously shorter
• Posture changes – unable to maintain consistent posture through pitching motion
• The back leg does not mirror the throwing arm at follow through
• Becoming emotional-frustrated
• Arm angle drops
• Head begins to snap with ball release
• If hot make sure pitcher is sweating
• If he says he is tired believe him; if he says he is fine don’t

• Thumb and middle finger split baseball on every pitch but split finger where middle finger and split dissect ball
• Arm angel belongs to the kid. Wherever he throws with good posture is his arm angel.
• Forearm should be firm at release – no twist

• Head tilt from side to side (posture) – missing left right check posture
• Where is the glove at release – missing up down check glove
• Drag line – finish in middle of plate
• Front foot angle at release - toe to target
• Where are head and belly button at finish
• Never coach the arm slot only posture, glove and sequence
• One instruction per inning
• The back leg will come through at the same angel as the throwing arm slot if follow through is good
• Have a pitch count and stick to it
• Below 60 degrees wear long sleeves
• Don’t throw off of mound everyday, level ground work is a good thing