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!

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Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Winning the Little Battles

14:19 - Key Strategies for Pitchers and Catchers

40:54 - Essential Elements of Winning Baseball Games

Transcript

WEBVTT

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Winning the little battles, the key to consistent success.

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Next, on Baseball Coaches.

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Unplugged.

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Welcome to Baseball Coaches Unplugged with Coach Ken Carpenter, presented by AthleteOne.

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Baseball Coaches Unplugged is a podcast for baseball coaches, with 27 years of high school baseball coaching under his belt, here to bring you the inside scoop on all things baseball, from game-winning strategies and pitching secrets to hitting drills and defensive drills.

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We're covering it all.

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Whether you're a high school coach, college coach or just a baseball enthusiast, we'll dive into the tactics and techniques that make the difference on and off the field.

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Discover how to build a winning mentality.

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Inspire your players and get them truly bought into your game philosophy Plus, get the latest insights on recruiting, coaching, leadership and crafting a team culture that champions productivity and success.

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Join Coach every week as he breaks down the game and shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories.

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Your competitive edge starts here, so check out the show weekly and hear from the best coaches in the game on Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

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And hear from the best coaches in the game on Baseball.

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Coaches Unplugged.

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Baseball Coaches Unplugged is proud to be partnered with the netting professionals, improving programs one facility at a time.

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The netting professionals specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting For baseball and softball.

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They also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses.

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Contact them today at 844-620-2707.

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That's 844-620-2707.

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You can visit them online at wwwnettingproscom or check out Netting Pros on X, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects.

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Welcome back to another episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

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I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter, and today we're going to dive into the essence of what truly makes a baseball team successful.

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It's not always home runs or pitchers selling 90-plus or even stud hitters throughout your lineup that define a winning team, rather consistently having the ability to win the little battles throughout the game.

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Let's dive into the fundamentals that can turn any team into a perennial contender.

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First and foremost, let's talk about pitchers.

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It all starts on the mound.

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A pitcher who can consistently throw strikes sets the tone for the entire game.

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According to the American Baseball Coaches Association, throwing strikes is the single most important aspect of pitching.

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That's kind of stating the obvious.

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When a pitcher can reliably throw strikes, it keeps the defense on their toes and puts pressure on the opposing hitters.

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It's about building trust within the team, knowing that the pitcher will give you a chance to make plays.

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It's the cornerstone of a sound defense.

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If a pitcher can throw hard but can't throw strikes, he's not going to help the team.

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Pitcher can throw hard but can't throw strikes, he's not going to help the team.

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And don't get hung up on velo.

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Focus on creating pitchers who can get out Next up the catcher.

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A catcher who can effectively receive and block pitches is invaluable.

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They're the unsung heroes behind the plate.

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They lead the team.

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They're responsible not only for catching the ball but also guiding the pitcher throughout the game and communicating with the coaches about how the pitcher's doing.

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The ability to block wild pitches can prevent runners from advancing and scoring and is crucial, especially when you get into close games.

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A good catcher instills confidence in the pitcher, knowing that even if they miss their spot, the ball isn't going to get past them.

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Besides being a leader, a strong arm helps, but you can't get by with an average arm as long as you have a catcher that has a quick and accurate release.

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Moving to defense, this is one that jumps out to me more than any.

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Making the routine plays consistently is often overlooked.

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It's a key factor in winning games.

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You must emphasize the importance of solid fundamental defense.

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The routine ground balls, pop, flies and simple throws should be automatic.

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It's about minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on the opponent's errors.

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How many times as a coach, can you look back at a game and say, wow, we beat ourselves tonight.

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Missing relays, missing cuts, inaccurate throws all of those can lead to a loss.

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Inaccurate throws all of those can lead to a loss.

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Aggressiveness on the base pass is another huge critical element.

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Teams that push the envelope and take extra bases force the opposing defense to make plays under pressure.

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It's about creating opportunities, putting yourself in a position to score.

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Aggressive base running can disrupt the rhythm of the defense, leading to mistakes.

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Ultimately, more runs for your team.

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It's got to be a mindset of always looking for that edge, turning singles into doubles, moving up on balls in the dirt and just taking advantage of every opportunity the opposing team gives to you.

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Finally, let's discuss on-base percentage Reaching base, whether it's a hit, a walk, getting on by an error, getting hit by a pitch.

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It's the lifeblood of a successful offense.

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The more players you have on base, the more opportunities you have to score.

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Once again, I'm stating the obvious here, but high OBP is often correlated with winning teams.

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It's not just about hitting home runs, it's about getting on base and giving the next guy in the lineup a chance to drive them in.

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Patience at the plate, putting the ball in play and timely hitting can turn a good team into a great one, kind of wrap things up.

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Winning the little battles pitchers throwing strikes, catchers receiving and blocking effectively.

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Consistent defense, aggressive base running, high on-base percentage is the formula for consistent success in baseball.

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It's about doing the small things right and letting those little victories add up to a winning season.

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That's all for today.

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Be sure to tune in every Wednesday for a brand new episode with some of the best baseball coaches across the country.

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I'm your host, coach Ken Carpenter, and thanks for listening to Baseball Coaches Unplugged.

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This episode of Baseball Coaches Unplugged was powered by the netting professionals improving programs one facility at a time.

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Contact them today at 844-620-2707 or visit them online at wwwnettingproscom.