BENCHMARKS
NEED INFO FOR THIS TEXT BRADLEY
KNOWLEDGE
Foundational
◉ Understands the strikes, balls, and foul ball rules during an at bat. ◉ Understands what a force out is and when it applies to them ◉ Understands what a tag out is and when it applies to them ◉ Understands the tag up play rule and when it applies to them
Intermediate
◉ Understands the infield fly rule and when it applies to them ◉ Understands the drop third strike rule and when it applies to them ◉ Understands the balk rule ◉ Understands the boundary of the basepaths or the running lane at first base ◉ Understands the contact rules of a rundown play ◉ Understands the catcher’s interference rule ◉ Understands the batter’s interference rule
Advanced
◉ Understands the Home Plate tag play rules ◉ Understands the double play sliding rules ◉ Understands the equipment contact rules ◉ Understand the rules surrounding a base runner running through first base (Being either tag-able or not). ◉ Understands which baserunners have ownership of a base during a rundown
Advanced-High
◉ Understands player substitution rules ◉ Understands rules surrounding the batting order ◉ Understands rules surrounding hidden ball tricks ◉ Understands the procedure of appealing a call
COMMUNICATION
Foundational
◉ Knows catcher, SS, and CF are the primary communicators on the field** ◉ Can call for a fly ball** ◉ Can communicate how many outs there are and communicates with each new batter or every 3 pitches* ◉ Can communicate where the OF is going with the ball on a hit* ◉ Can communicate where the IF needs to go with the ball to get the lead runner*
Intermediate
◉ Can communicate where OF needs to go with the ball on a fly ball to the OF* ◉ Can communicate the speed of the runner* ◉ Can communicate in the following order: 1) Outs 2) GB priority 3) Basehit priority 4) Flyball priority 5) Speed of runners (at bat and on base) 6) Situation (steal, bunt, hit and run)* ◉ When to call for the ball in a rundown**
Advanced
◉ Can communicate who has the bag on a ball back to the pitcher* ◉ Can communicate go ahead run, tie run, small lead, big lead and how that effects the situation* ◉ Can direct teammates on where the ball needs to go while the ball is in play**
Advanced-High
◉ Can put on a pick off play* ◉ Can call for a tag up review* ◉ Ability to call for a pitch out* ◉ Catchers and pitchers can change signs based on game situations (runner on 2nd, stolen signs, etc…)* ◉ Hitters can communicate about the opposing pitcher (breaking balls, fastball speed, tempo, arm slot, etc…)* ◉ Double cutoff trailer can communicate with partner about the game situation**
BASERUNNING
Foundational
◉ Correctly runs through first base ◉ Correctly round the bases ◉ Can recognize when the base runner is a threat for a force play and must run on ground ball ◉ Can recognize when they are not a force and therefore are not forced to run on a ground ball ◉ Can recognize and freeze on a line drive ◉ Can recognize when to run through first base and when to round first base ◉ Can execute a tag up ◉ Knows to run with 2 outs as hitter makes contact ◉ Can slide feet first
Intermediate
◉ Can take a correct lead at first ◉ Can take a one way lead ◉ Know how to steal on a lefties first move ◉ Can take a primary and 2 out lead at 2b ◉ Can Get a lead at 3b and understands they must be in foul territory and return in fair ◉ Can take a secondary lead ◉ Attempts to score from second on a 2 out hit every time ◉ Properly dives back into the base (return to the front corner of the bag to block the fielder) ◉ Recognizes when they need to tag ◉ Gets a lead at the correct time ◉ Can perform a Pop up slide ◉ Checks coaches signs before they take a lead, everytime.
Advanced
◉ Can time the pitcher to steal 3b ◉ Can read a ball in the dirt ◉ Can execute a Delay steal ◉ Can advance on a missed cut off ◉ Knows how to read a bunt ◉ Checks to see defensive positioning while on base
Advanced-High
◉ Gets an elite jump/read off contact ◉ Anticipates when a pitcher is going to throw off speed ◉ Advances from 2nd to 3rd on a ground ball to the right side of the field ◉ Goes 1st to 3rd on a hit to RF ◉ Automatic score from 2b on a 2 out hit
HITTING
Foundational
◉ Knows where to stand in the box ◉ Knows the difference between on time and late ◉ Knows the difference between a pitch they can drive and a pitch they can not ◉ Attacks the baseball ◉ Grips the bat with their knuckles lined up in the correct position ◉ Holds the bat with a loose grip
Intermediate
◉ Understand the importance of getting to a good count ◉ Understands hitters counts 1-0, 2-0, 3-1, 2-1, 3-0 ◉ Understands protecting the plate with 2 strikes ◉ Path of the swing is directed towards the ball ◉ Finishes there swing above their shoulder ◉ Can take off speed until they get to two strikes ◉ Understands where they should be when they are in the hole ◉ Is always on deck on time
Advanced
◉ Demonstrates ability to be on time or early in a hitters count ◉ Demonstrates ability to have a 2 strike approach ◉ Has correct approach to score a run from 3b in a hitters count ◉ Has the ability to get themselves to 2b ◉ Can follow a predetermined approach ◉ Can execute called plays ◉ Has a repeatable on deck routine ◉ During an at bat can step out and take a swing Ability to stay balanced in the box ◉ Can recognize off speed pitches and foul them off when needed
Advanced-High
◉ Score a runner from 1b with 2 outs in a plus count ◉ Ability to score a runner from 2b in 2 strike count ◉ To hit a home run ◉ To expand the zone on two strikes for hits ◉ Understands when to allow a baserunner to steal a bag ◉ Can hit an offspeed pitch
OUTFIELD
Foundational
◉ Can catch a fly ball ◉ Can keep the ball in front ◉ Can Throw to the proper base ◉ Can Throw to the cut off man *Understand when a runner is trying to advance on a play and when he isn’t ◉ Can Run with their glove tucked
Intermediate
◉ Can catch a flyball in the correct spot on their body ◉ Cut off a ground ball in the gap ◉ Catch a flyball in the gap ◉ Can back up other outfielders in the OF ◉ Can backup Infield in the OF ◉ Understands pop fly priority ◉ Throws the ball through the cutoff man ◉ Can turn and run for a fly ball without changing their direction more than once
Advanced
◉ Can position themselves behind the ball and come through the ball when fielding a flyball ◉ Properly throw the ball from the fence to the cutoff man in a double cut scenario ◉ Can communicate with fellow outfielders on positioning and when they are nearing the fence ◉ Knows which bag they should throw to in all situations
Advanced-High
◉ Consistently takes good angles ◉ Understands when they have another OF backing up and can layout ◉ Ability to adjust to game situations when they must “sell-out” and when they should play the ball safe. ◉ Ability to adjust positioning based on the hitter and pitcher ◉ Ability to adjust positioning based on game situation (no doubles, playing shallow… )
INFIELD
Foundational
◉ Can execute proper posture in practice and games ◉ Can field a ground ball hit directly at them ◉ Can field a ground ball to their right and to their left ◉ Can execute a throw from their position in the infield to 1st base
Intermediate
◉ Understands the infield fly rule and when it applies to them ◉ Understands the drop third strike rule and when it applies to them ◉ Understands the balk rule ◉ Understands the boundary of the basepaths or the running lane at first base ◉ Understands the contact rules of a rundown play ◉ Understands the catcher’s interference rule ◉ Understands the batter’s interference rule
Advanced
◉ Can adjust their footwork based on the speed of the ball ◉ Can make a throw while on the run ◉ Can execute a planned bunt play ◉ Can adjust their positioning based on the hitter and their prior knowledge of them ◉ Can execute proper double cutoff positioning and communication ◉ Can keep a hit in the infield to prevent a run
Advanced-High
◉ Can field a ball in the 5-6 hole and complete a throw to first base ◉ Can adjust throwing decisions based on their situation (bounce throw, redirect, etc…) ◉ Can adjust their role during a play based on new situations (Base Coverage, Rundowns, etc…) ◉ Can make plays on fly balls in front of outfielders ◉ Can read a baserunner and call pickoffs based on that knowledge ◉ Can adjust throwing decisions based on knowledge of the baserunner (fast or slow) ◉ Can consistently make diving plays on ground balls to their left and to their right
PITCHING
Foundational
◉ Can throw a baseball with a four seam fastball grip ◉ Can throw a baseball with backspin ◉ Can maintain proper throwing posture throughout the throwing motion ◉ Can throw a pitch from the mound out of the stretch
Intermediate
◉ Can throw a four seam fastball for a strike ◉ Can come set when a base runner is present ◉ Can throw a baseball with a four seam Changeup grip ◉ Knows how to use a step off move to check the runner at 1B ◉ Can execute a pick off move to first base ◉ Can execute an inside move to 2B ◉ Can defend a bunt ◉ Knows which base to go to for backing up throws from the outfield
Advanced
◉ Can throw a four seam fastball for a strike on either side of the plate ◉ Can throw a four seam Changeup for a strike ◉ Can execute a fast pick off move to first base ◉ Can execute a spin pickoff move to second base ◉ Can throw a baseball with a two seam fastball grip ◉ Can throw a baseball with a two seam Changeup grip ◉ Can throw from the mound with a slide step pitching motion
Advanced-High
◉ Can throw a 2 seam fastball for a strike ◉ Can throw their changeup for both a strike and a swing a miss ◉ Can effectively mix their timing to home with a baserunner present ◉ Can begin their motion and deliver the ball to home within 1.4-1.5 seconds ◉ Can properly grip and throw a breaking ball ◉ Can use a slow and fast move to first base to disrupt baserunner’s timing ◉ Can execute a daylight pick to second base