Description Table of Contents Author Successful seasons don’t begin on opening day. They begin long before, in the cages, gym, locker room, and practice field. There, consistency, execution, and teamwork form the foundations of powerhouse programs and championship titles. While most coaches understand the importance of practice, far fewer have perfected it year after year, team after team. In Practice Perfect Baseball, the game’s premier collegiate coaches share their approaches, experiences, and philosophies on every facet of practice. This authoritative guide goes beyond the stretches and drills straight to the heart of winning—effort and attitude. From structuring sessions to evaluating practice performance, the vast information allows you to choose what you wish to implement in your program. You’ll find unique insights and invaluable advice from the all-star roster of contributors: Ed Cheff Pete Dunn Dan Hartleb Steve Jaksa Tim Jamieson Mark Johnson Keith Madison Sean McNally Dave Perno Gary Pullins Terry Rooney Dave Serrano Gary Ward Bob Warn In Practice Perfect Baseball, you‘ll identify and establish a practice ethic, learn to assess team strengths, and develop players’ skills in the field, on the mound, or at the plate. You’ll also learn to make the most of indoor practices, incorporate technology to perfect skills and evaluate performance, and prepare your team for upcoming opponents. Developed by the American Baseball Coaches Association and edited by Bob Bennett, Practice Perfect Baseball is essential reading for every coach at every level of the sport. Chapter 1. Establishing a Practice Work Ethic Ed Cheff Chapter 2. Planning Productive Practices Keith Madison Chapter 3. Assessing Team Strengths Terry Rooney Chapter 4. Developing and Motivating the Total Player Mark Johnson Chapter 5. Building a Pitching Staff Dave Serrano Chapter 6. Maximizing Batting Practice Gary Ward Chapter 7. Perfecting Positional Play Tim Jamieson Chapter 8. Fine-Tuning Team Fielding Steve Jaksa Chapter 9. Preparing for Every Game Situation Dave Perno Chapter 10. Focusing on the Forthcoming Opponent Dan Hartleb Chapter 11. Taking Practice Indoors Bob Warn Chapter 12. Using Equipment and Technology Gary Pullins Chapter 13. Incorporating Competitive Drills and Games Sean McNally Chapter 14. Evaluating Practice Sessions Pete Dunn and Bob Bennett The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) is the largest baseball coaching organization in the world. The association’s mission is to improve the level of baseball coaching worldwide while promoting the game of baseball and acting as a sounding board and advocate on issues concerning the game. In addition, the ABCA promotes camaraderie and communication among all baseball coaches from the amateur to the professional levels. The ABCA also gives recognition to deserving players and coaches through several special sponsorship programs. It is an organization that has grown steadily in membership, prestige, and impact in recent years. The ABCA’s headquarters is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
