Learning How to Learn

Andy Ferguson: Another Day, Another Double Play

I have overheard many times statements such as: “Any little league coach knows that,” or, “That’s nothing new,” or, “I could teach him that myself.“ I somewhat agree...but what I have watched and witnessed over my time around baseball says that what people say is simple, apparently is not. Why do players in general have such bad throwing mechanics? Why is base running so abysmal at the high school level? These are just two examples, but if anyone can teach it, or it’s nothing new, or you could do it yourself, why isn’t it better?

The answer, in my opinion, is that many players (and parents too) think that simply showing up at a camp or clinic or practice is going to be enough. While they all certainly help, I doubt anyone that runs any of these events would claim that they could completely cure any shortcoming while at that particular event. The goal should be to gather information and learn drills that will help you learn how to develop your skills. As such, “player development” is an ongoing process, and one that must continue as long as a player plays the game.

With that in mind, the player development responsibility falls on the shoulders of the player – either he is willing to regularly work and get better or he is not. All the coaching in the world is worthless without an honest and ongoing effort from the player. This is all too often overlooked. Mom and dad often care more than the player does, which is very disappointing for us as coaches – and I am sure even more disappointing for parents, who work hard to provide the opportunity for the player. One of the first things I learned, and it still rings true, is that you cannot teach someone who doesn’t want to learn.

The key concept here is aptitude. It is very important in determining the potential for a player to get better. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, aptitude is, “a tendency, capacity, or inclination to learn or understand.”

It should make perfect sense why this is important. In order to improve a skill, first the correct technique and/or fundamentals must be taught. Then they must be drilled and worked on, with repetition being the most important thing. The player with “a tendency, capacity, or inclination to learn or understand,” is certainly more likely to pick up the correct techniques and/or fundamentals – therefore making it far more likely that he will be able to take the drills and repetitions and use them to actually develop and improve. In other words, a player with aptitude has the potential to learn how to learn – which sets him on the ideal player development path.

Andy Ferguson is currently the Senior Director of Baseball Operations with the Baseball Factory. Ferguson joined the North Carolina State baseball team as a walk-on, and went on to solidify his role on a team that participated in four consecutive NCAA Regionals. He later coached with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and then served as an Associate Scout with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres.

Learn the Game

Steve Bernhardt: Building the Better Ballplayer

Do you want to stand out from the other high school players across the country? Here’s one of the ways to do it – Learn the Game!

I’m not talking about learning the rulebook (though that is a good idea as well) and I don’t mean that you need to read books about Abner Doubleday and study the history of baseball (also good knowledge to have). What you need to do is learn about every situation that may arise during a game and know your responsibilities in each situation as well as the responsibilities of your teammates. A young player who is always in the right position and can anticipate the next play in each situation really stands out to college recruiters and professional scouts.

The best way to learn these things is to watch Major League Baseball games whenever possible. It is ideal if you can watch games in person at the stadium, because you are not limited to only seeing what is on the TV screen. Study the players playing your position. If you are a catcher, study everything that the catchers do. Even watch one of them in the dugout between innings. He is likely talking to the pitcher, pitching coach or both. If you play the outfield, bear down on those players. Watch how they communicate with each other when they change their positioning for certain hitters. Watch them react on a batted ball to the other side of the field. They are not involved in that part of the play, but are most likely moving into a position to back-up a throw.

Let’s look at one “learning the game” situation that consistently presents a problem to high school players at a certain position. Here’s the situation: 1 out, runner on second base and the hitter singles to right field. Everyone on the field has a job during this play – let’s briefly look at each player’s responsibility:

RF: Field the ball cleanly and make an accurate throw through the cut-off man.
1B: Cut-off man.
C: Line-up the first baseman, catch the ball and make the tag or communicate on a cut-off.
SS: Cover second base in case of a play.
3B: Cover third base in case of a play.
LF: Get into position to back-up a potential throw from the cut-off man or catcher to third base.
CF: Initially move to back-up the right fielder. When he fields the ball cleanly, move to back-up a potential throw from the cut-off man or catcher to second base.
P: Back-up home plate.

Now for the problem position on this play: 2B

The second baseman must cover first base. If the base runner from 2nd scores, the first baseman cuts the ball off and the hitter takes a wide turn at first base, the second baseman must be there to take a throw behind the runner from the first baseman. This can be an extremely valuable out! It just takes the second baseman immediately knowing where he needs to be and hustling to get into proper position. In nearly ten years of running Player Development events for Baseball Factory, I can count the number of second baseman who have done this properly (before being told) on one hand. That includes game situations and basic pre-game infield/outfield at all events.

This situation and others like it may seem simple when written out, but the amateur players who react properly to all game situations, make scouts and recruiters take notice. They are the ones that are labeled with tags like “good instincts,” or “always in the right place at the right time,” or “high baseball IQ,” or “student of the game.” Scouts and college coaches trust those players. My advice to you is to watch more high-level baseball games and become one of the few amateur players who have learned the game. You’ll separate yourself from the pack by doing it.

Bernhardt played for five years in the Colorado Rockies organization. As Executive VP of Baseball Operations at Baseball Factory, he oversees all events and instruction. Bernhardt currently serves as an Associate Scout with the Colorado Rockies. He received his B.S. from the University of Richmond where he was an All-Conference player.