That first outdoor practice can feel like a shock to the system—for players, coaches, and parents. After weeks (or months) of indoor reps, the game suddenly gets big: longer throws, more space, wind/sun, real-distance reads, and a different tempo. Because of that, you should expect things to look rough at first: - Errant throws (especially on longer plays) - Timing mistakes (cuts/relays, double plays, rundowns) - Communication breakdowns (outfield priorities, infield/outfield calls, who’s taking what) This is normal. It’s part of the process—not a sign that the team “can’t play” or that a player “is behind.” Coaches + Parents: Don’t Overreact The biggest mistake we can make is treating the first outdoor day like a final exam. It’s more like a diagnostic and an adjustment period. Stay steady, keep the feedback simple, and remember: it usually improves quickly once the players re-calibrate to real distances and game-speed movement. Also: Expect Arm Soreness Outdoor = longer throws + more excitement + kids wanting to “show it.” Many will overthrow and overdo it. Plan for it: - Build throwing volume gradually - Emphasize quality over max effort - Encourage recovery: hydration, good sleep, light movement - Teach players to speak up early if something doesn’t feel right Bottom line: The first outdoor practice is often messy. That’s not failure—that’s transition. Stay patient, keep perspective, and give it a week. You’ll be surprised how fast it cleans up.

Any big wins this week??

Hey gang, last night I ran a baseball IQ session and was really surprised at how little these boys knew not only about their roles and responsibilities but those of their teammates. Knowing where we are going with the ball before we field it is critical. I will be creating more lessons for this soon. There are dozens already added to our Confidence and Consistency Course under the classroom tab.

I’d love to learn what everyone is doing outside of scheduled team practices. Drop a comment with: 1) Your athlete’s age/level 2) How many extra days per week they practice outside of team practice

I was doing some work in chat gpt and it described me in a quote. This hit me and will be adopted by me for the rest of my days. “I helped kids believe in themselves longer than the world told them to quit.”