Hitting

"At the youth level, once you've helped the child overcome his or her fear of being hit by the pitch, then it's all about getting the kids to keep their head down and their eyes on the ball. I feel the best way to teach this is to have them focus on hitting the ball right back through the middle. When I'm coaching, that's all you'll hear me tell the kids. And at my camp, every drill I do is designed to have them hit it right back at the pitcher."

Fielding

The biggest problem at the younger ages is to get them to understand that the ball isn't going to come right to them all the time. They need to realize that they are going to have to move their gloves and bodies to catch balls that are not hit right to them. That, along with the fact that most kids find it a challenge to catch anything that's chest-level or above. When you can get a youngster to turn his glove "fingers-up", it's a whole new ballgame to them.

Base Running

There is no doubt that this was one of the main reasons why I was drafted. Sure, I was fast but I was smart, also. I see professionals making baserunning mistakes that I didn't make in little league, let alone in college or the minors,. It's a shame. I believe that, yes, even at this young age, the kids can be taught to be more aware of everything that's going on out there on the basepaths...before they happen! Simple things like running "through" first base, not looking at the ball after it's hit, making sharper turns when rounding the bases, hold up on a fly ball, etc. are all part of what I teach.

Teamwork

Playing on a team was all I knew when I was young. When you stop playing baseball, or any other sport for that matter, that is the aspect you miss the most. I hope to instill in all the campers that there is nothing better than accomplishing a goal while being part of a team. In addition, some of your closest friendships will be from that team that you were a part of. Friendships that you will cherish forever.

Sportmanship

Sure, everybody wants to win at any sport they might play. And it's good to be competitive. But, at this level, it's all about them learning the game the right way. I want the kids that I coach and the kids that come to my camp to try their hardest but understand that there are good days and bad days for every player. And to also realize that the other team is trying to win the game too. As the kids move up the baseball ladder, that's when the "must win" philosophy will probably be presented to them by someone. For me, however, it's all about the teaching rather than the winning.