Cougar Baseball Team Philosophy Taking Care of the Process one pitch, one out, and one game at a time…

Character Who we are as individuals off the field matters more than how physical we are on the field Who we are as individuals off the field matters more than how physical we are on the field Respecting the people around us, teammates, support staff, campus community etc., affords us the opportunity to impact others in a positive way as leaders Respecting the people around us, teammates, support staff, campus community etc., affords us the opportunity to impact others in a positive way as leaders By treating ourselves and others the right way and playing baseball at its highest level consistently, we as Christians have the opportunity to be a living witness to our Faith; This in turn can lead to conversations about God with others who may be searching for something in their lives that will have an eternal impact on them By treating ourselves and others the right way and playing baseball at its highest level consistently, we as Christians have the opportunity to be a living witness to our Faith; This in turn can lead to conversations about God with others who may be searching for something in their lives that will have an eternal impact on them

Defensive Plan Manage the game Manage the game –baseball is a game of catching and throwing…  OF hitting cuts and keeping double plays in order when necessary  Infielders securing ball through fundamentals taking the lead out when possible, however, taking outs when available  Catchers allowing our Pitching staff to execute their pitches through solid targets, proper set up, and executing a game plan

Offensive Plan Hit behind the ball Hit behind the ball –To allow the ball to travel longer, create back –spin, and capitalize on driving each pitch Stay inside, on top, and through ball Stay inside, on top, and through ball –To allow our barrel maximum contact in zone, –To develop the ability to consistently square balls up –To force defenders to defend hard hit balls Allow the ball to travel Allow the ball to travel –To hit ball with more authority in hitters counts –To develop the ability to trust and recognize off speed –To build confidence and force hard contact with two strikes

Hit and Run Priority Stay on top of ball Stay on top of ball –To hit the ball on the ground or on the line hard Let the ball travel to plate…hit it deep Let the ball travel to plate…hit it deep –Creates the possibility of hitting the ball hard the other way away from defensive coverage –Also, allows us to hit the off speed well by staying back Take hands inside ball Take hands inside ball –To give us maximum opportunity to drive balls in the hitting zone

Two-Strike Plan Physical Adjustments: Physical Adjustments: –Move on plate to gain more plate coverage –Shorten swing by over emphasizing swing mechanics –Take hands tight inside ball and on top Mental Adjustments: Mental Adjustments: –Take away the outer half of plate (slider away) –Fight off the fastball inside –See the off speed pitch up out of pitchers hand

Bunting Fundamental bunting technique Fundamental bunting technique –Keeping barrel on top of strike zone –Staying on top of ball when bunting –Pre-angling our barrel to the bunting zone –Taking the hit when the 3B is giving us the opportunity –Sacrificing…getting the bunt down on the 1 st pitch

Baserunning We will be aggressive on the bases by using our minds: We will be aggressive on the bases by using our minds: –Taking sound leads –Understanding who is up –How many outs on the board –Where the outfield is positioned –Taking calculative chances on pitchers when running –Not fearing getting good jumps when running

Pre-game mentality Each player prepares differently: Each player prepares differently: –It is important to recognize how each player prepares and respect their individual prep time –Take the field with confidence and pride each opponent is sizing up infield outfield. –Take the opportunity to put doubt in your opponents mind by having energy, hitting the cuts with strong throws, and making the routine play well

Game Day Dugout Each player has a role on the team: Each player has a role on the team: –Charters need to follow up with positional coaches between innings –Positional players are looking to pick up tendencies on opposing pitcher –Bullpen pitchers are focused on opposing hitters throughout the game (no time for talk not concerning the opponents line up) –Pinch hitters mentally preparing by staying in the flow of the game. Catchers and coaches have a pattern of calling a game…understand their pattern and use it to your advantage coming off the bench

Pitching Philosophy The first pitch of each hitter is the most important…we will get ahead of each hitter 0-0 The first pitch of each hitter is the most important…we will get ahead of each hitter 0-0 Our priority is pitching down consistently in the strike zone, when we elevate, we elevate with a purpose Our priority is pitching down consistently in the strike zone, when we elevate, we elevate with a purpose We believe in our defense, therefore we will pitch to contact and look to put each hitter away in 3 pitches We believe in our defense, therefore we will pitch to contact and look to put each hitter away in 3 pitches We believe in having good tempo on the mound to keep our defense excited and ready to perform, as well as keep our opponents off balance, not allowing them time to get settled in the box We believe in having good tempo on the mound to keep our defense excited and ready to perform, as well as keep our opponents off balance, not allowing them time to get settled in the box

Pitching philosophy cont. We believe in taking ownership of the inside of the plate, this in turn will allow us to dominate the whole hitting zone throughout the course of a game We believe in taking ownership of the inside of the plate, this in turn will allow us to dominate the whole hitting zone throughout the course of a game We believe in executing our pitches consistently, we will throw our best execution pitches based on the count, hitter, and runners on base We believe in executing our pitches consistently, we will throw our best execution pitches based on the count, hitter, and runners on base We believe in controlling the running game for our defense by changing our set times, showing different pick tempos, changing our looks, and developing the ability to slide step when necessary We believe in controlling the running game for our defense by changing our set times, showing different pick tempos, changing our looks, and developing the ability to slide step when necessary We will visual show our teammates, opponents, and spectators that we are in control of the game. Our body language will be confident, controlled, and focused regardless of the score or performance level We will visual show our teammates, opponents, and spectators that we are in control of the game. Our body language will be confident, controlled, and focused regardless of the score or performance level