Knowledge of the GameFastpitch knowledge will come to you from several resources. I would encourage everyone to get out to coaching clinics. Your local association will pay for them in most cases. Coaches clinics are also a great place to meet other coaches and get to know them on a different level. There are a lot of great people all with the goal of helping the athletes become better. Perhaps you could find a mentor or arrange a few scrimmages at these events.
Take the time to read the rule book. I discover something new in the rule book every year. There is either something that I did not realize, rule change or a new rule. Consider going to umpire clinics or becoming an umpire. I umpired for a few years and it gave me a different prospective about the game and umpires also. The fact that you are reading this tells me that you seek knowledge, Grass Hopper. If you don’t get this joke, you are young and I’m not going to explain it now, but if my team plays your team someday, ask me and I’ll tell you. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. This web site is a huge resource of free information. Please take advantage of it, participate in the blog or even submit an article for it.
There is nothing more frustrating than arriving at a game and finding out you forgot something. Develop a checklist of things you need for a game and use it. Here is a sample checklist. A coach that comes prepared for games or practice adds credibility to the job you are doing. The players may have their own equipment like bats, helmets and their own catching gear. They should be responsible for their own stuff including bringing their own water. Ball bag Bat bag Batting helmet bag Catchers’ equipment bag Tarp and bungee cords for dugout (for sunny or rainy days) Coaches’ bag (including the following items) Game balls (if required) Line up Board (if you use it) Scorebook and pencil(s) Rooster info including ID documentation First aid kit Contact list of players/parents with cell phone numbers Contact list for the league or tournamentCell phone
From Knowledge Return to A Coaches Check List
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There are getting to be more televised college fastpitch games and a lot can be learned by just watching. You will not learn fastpitch by watching baseball. They are different games with different rules.
