by Brandon Merrill

Created on: November 01, 2009   Last Updated: November 08, 2009

Teenagers have the mind capacity to retain large quantities of information, which makes coaching an incredible joy. As a coach, you want to challenge the kids to improve and play to their full potential. It is also important to stress the importance of academics, as poor grades could bring a baseball season or career to an early halt.

At age thirteen, a player makes the transition to a Major League size diamond. This is a huge transition that requires many adjustments. As a coach it is important to carefully monitor pitchers and pitch counts. The distance between the pitching rubber and home plate increases from 46 feet to 60 feet 6 inches. At this age pitchers are usually experimenting with a curveball or another off speed pitch. Young pitchers are less likely to experience arm trouble by mastering a change-up prior to developing a breaking ball.

Proper leads, reading a pitcher's move, timed pick off plays, cut-offs, hit and run, along with many other plays should be taught at this level. A coach should try to instill as much knowledge as possible into the minds of their players. A good ballplayer will pay attention and apply what they have learned.

One of the main objectives for coaching at this level is to prepare kids for their high school program. At ages fourteen and fifteen, a player is most likely trying to earn a spot on their high school's varsity roster for the following year. Fine-tuning and improving upon the five major tools should be the players goal. At this age, players are "growing into their bodies," and will become more athletic as they continue to fill out.

College scouts look at hitting, power, arm strength, fielding ability, and speed as the five major tools. Coaches should evaluate their players ability level and concentrate on the tools that could carry that player to the next level and/ or allow them to play to their full potential. Coaches should be motivators that push athletes to work hard. Teenagers, may often require extra motivation and encouragement. There is a fine line between being too tough, and bringing out the best in athletes.

Coaching teenage baseball players can be an incredible experience. Coaches have the ability to make a huge impact on the lives of their players. The instruction recieved by teenagers will often stay with them throughout their entire career, and may, at some point, be passed onto another player.The relationships that are established as a coach are priceless, and is part of what makes coaching teenagers so rewarding.

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