Are You Winning the Right Battles in Baseball?

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Step up to the plate and discover how to elevate your baseball coaching strategy by focusing on the small yet significant victories that define success on and off the field. In this captivating episode, Coach Ken Carpenter discusses the essential elements that contribute to winning games—emphasizing the crucial roles that every player, particularly pitchers and catchers, play in creating a winning atmosphere. Many coaches tirelessly work on flashy plays and big swings, forgetting that true success stems from consistently mastering the fundamental aspects of baseball.

We delve into the vital importance of pitchers being able to throw strikes and set the tone for a game. You'll learn how a reliable pitcher can nurture trust among teammates and create a supportive defense that rallies together. Catching goes beyond simply catching the ball—learn how effective communication and blocking wild pitches can save runs and enhance a team’s chances of victory.

The episode continues with an in-depth discussion on solid defense and the routine plays that everyone must consistently make to avoid costly errors. You'll find insights on aggressive base running as a strategy to pressure opposing defenses, helping to disrupt their momentum and create scoring opportunities.

Overall, this episode is a must-listen for any coach looking to instill a winning mindset in their team. Join us as we break down the tactics behind baseball’s most crucial battles, ensuring that you not only teach your players how to win but cultivate a culture of excellence that extends to every aspect of the game. Don’t miss out—subscribe now and learn how small victories translate into a successful season!

Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Winning the little battles, the key to consistent
success.
Next, on Baseball Coaches.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
Unplugged.
Welcome to Baseball CoachesUnplugged with Coach Ken
Carpenter, presented byAthleteOne.
Baseball Coaches Unplugged is apodcast for baseball coaches,
with 27 years of high schoolbaseball coaching under his belt
, here to bring you the insidescoop on all things baseball,
from game-winning strategies andpitching secrets to hitting
drills and defensive drills.

(00:28):
We're covering it all.
Whether you're a high schoolcoach, college coach or just a
baseball enthusiast, we'll diveinto the tactics and techniques
that make the difference on andoff the field.
Discover how to build a winningmentality.
Inspire your players and getthem truly bought into your game
philosophy Plus, get the latestinsights on recruiting,
coaching, leadership andcrafting a team culture that

(00:50):
champions productivity andsuccess.
Join Coach every week as hebreaks down the game and shares
incredible behind-the-scenesstories.
Your competitive edge startshere, so check out the show
weekly and hear from the bestcoaches in the game on Baseball
Coaches Unplugged.
And hear from the best coachesin the game on Baseball.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
Coaches Unplugged.
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their latest products andprojects.
Welcome back to another episodeof Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

(02:07):
I'm your host, coach KenCarpenter, and today we're going
to dive into the essence ofwhat truly makes a baseball team
successful.
It's not always home runs orpitchers selling 90-plus or even
stud hitters throughout yourlineup that define a winning
team, rather consistently havingthe ability to win the little

(02:30):
battles throughout the game.
Let's dive into thefundamentals that can turn any
team into a perennial contender.
First and foremost, let's talkabout pitchers.
It all starts on the mound.
A pitcher who can consistentlythrow strikes sets the tone for

(02:51):
the entire game.
According to the AmericanBaseball Coaches Association,
throwing strikes is the singlemost important aspect of
pitching.
That's kind of stating theobvious.
When a pitcher can reliablythrow strikes, it keeps the
defense on their toes and putspressure on the opposing hitters
.
It's about building trustwithin the team, knowing that

(03:13):
the pitcher will give you achance to make plays.
It's the cornerstone of a sounddefense.
If a pitcher can throw hard butcan't throw strikes, he's not
going to help the team.
Pitcher can throw hard butcan't throw strikes, he's not
going to help the team.
And don't get hung up on velo.
Focus on creating pitchers whocan get out Next up the catcher.

(03:36):
A catcher who can effectivelyreceive and block pitches is
invaluable.
They're the unsung heroesbehind the plate.
They lead the team.
They're responsible not onlyfor catching the ball but also
guiding the pitcher throughoutthe game and communicating with
the coaches about how thepitcher's doing.

(03:56):
The ability to block wildpitches can prevent runners from
advancing and scoring and iscrucial, especially when you get
into close games.
A good catcher instillsconfidence in the pitcher,
knowing that even if they misstheir spot, the ball isn't going
to get past them.
Besides being a leader, astrong arm helps, but you can't

(04:21):
get by with an average arm aslong as you have a catcher that
has a quick and accurate release.
Moving to defense, this is onethat jumps out to me more than
any.
Making the routine playsconsistently is often overlooked
.
It's a key factor in winninggames.

(04:43):
You must emphasize theimportance of solid fundamental
defense.
The routine ground balls, pop,flies and simple throws should
be automatic.
It's about minimizing mistakesand capitalizing on the
opponent's errors.
How many times as a coach, canyou look back at a game and say,

(05:03):
wow, we beat ourselves tonight.
Missing relays, missing cuts,inaccurate throws all of those
can lead to a loss.
Inaccurate throws all of thosecan lead to a loss.
Aggressiveness on the base passis another huge critical element
.
Teams that push the envelopeand take extra bases force the

(05:25):
opposing defense to make playsunder pressure.
It's about creatingopportunities, putting yourself
in a position to score.
Aggressive base running candisrupt the rhythm of the
defense, leading to mistakes.
Ultimately, more runs for yourteam.
It's got to be a mindset ofalways looking for that edge,

(05:48):
turning singles into doubles,moving up on balls in the dirt
and just taking advantage ofevery opportunity the opposing
team gives to you.
Finally, let's discuss on-basepercentage Reaching base,
whether it's a hit, a walk,getting on by an error, getting

(06:11):
hit by a pitch.
It's the lifeblood of asuccessful offense.
The more players you have onbase, the more opportunities you
have to score.
Once again, I'm stating theobvious here, but high OBP is
often correlated with winningteams.
It's not just about hittinghome runs, it's about getting on

(06:32):
base and giving the next guy inthe lineup a chance to drive
them in.
Patience at the plate, puttingthe ball in play and timely
hitting can turn a good teaminto a great one, kind of wrap
things up.
Winning the little battlespitchers throwing strikes,

(06:53):
catchers receiving and blockingeffectively.
Consistent defense, aggressivebase running, high on-base
percentage is the formula forconsistent success in baseball.
It's about doing the smallthings right and letting those
little victories add up to awinning season.
That's all for today.

(07:14):
Be sure to tune in everyWednesday for a brand new
episode with some of the bestbaseball coaches across the
country.
I'm your host, coach KenCarpenter, and thanks for
listening to Baseball CoachesUnplugged.
This episode of BaseballCoaches Unplugged was powered by
the netting professionalsimproving programs one facility
at a time.

(07:34):
Contact them today at844-620-2707 or visit them
online at wwwnettingproscom.