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These links are all great baseball sites.
But remember your way back to learningbaseball.com
PopUp Quiz with Quips 'n' Quotes from this site.
Below is a link for my convenience, but you're
welcome to visit, of course:
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Defensive Bench
Know how to play the bench, whether
you're injured, out, waiting to bat, or benched. Your attitude affects the whole team
because you are a part of the team. Everyone on the team should do his best to
help each other enjoy the game for what it is, and simultaneously block out
every other influence. That's called concentration. Our definition of "team" also
includes the parents and friends in the stands, but certainly not our
opponents. Nevertheless, good sportsmanship is "homage" to the
game, and no one should ever make fun of anyone.
When you hear the other team booing
you, you could feel proud to stir such a reaction from them because your
superior ability is making their team look bad, but it's best to ignore any negativity
from any source when you want your team to do it's best. Besides, if you
start reacting to the boos, what will you play like when one day some of your own
fans are not happy with your performance and start booing you? It's fun to successfully do
things in a game that we spend so much time practicing, even when it seems like
we might be losing the game, so when you get back on the field, relax with
enthusiasm.
When you are on the bench there is a
reason. It may not always seem reasonable to you, but there is a
reason. It may not always be a negative one. If you
need to know the reason you are on the bench in order to stay in the game while
there, ask the coach. Never let your emotions rule your actions when you are told
something you didn't like to hear. You may miss a golden opportunity to
learn something very important.
When you're on the
bench you can assist your coaches by checking the position of your
fielders. Many defensive situations, like runners on first and third,
pickoff signals, pitchout and pitch signs, require signals from the the
bench. They don't have to be given by the manager. Sometimes it's
better for the manager to use decoy signals while a player gives the actual
signs.
A very important function of everyone
on the team is watching opposing runners touch each base. How to make an
appeal play is not something you should have to practice, it's something you have
to know. When you're on the bench you often have a very good view of
runners rounding the bags. Watch them, and let your team know to make an
appeal. There's probably no stat for it, but that's how a player on the
bench can make an out on the field.
Remember, although you're not currently in the lineup,
you are still be in the game.
The Offensive
Bench page is also suggested reading since much of what is said there
applies here.
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