How to Efficiently Organize High School Baseball Practice Plans (7 Quick Things You Must Know)

In this post you will learn how to organize your high school baseball practice plans that will be efficient and productive.

I am not dishing out any FLUFF!

I am giving you actionable ideas you can take with you and implement at your next practice. 

This article will answer the following questions: 

  1. What is high school baseball practice like?

  2. How do you run a good baseball practice?

  3. How long is baseball practice in high school?

  4. How do you plan a high school baseball practice?

  5. What Do You Do BEFORE the First Day of Baseball Practice?

  6. What is your Install Plan?

  7. What do you do on the first day of baseball practice?


Let’s dive in.

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I have 3 decades of experience coaching in Texas and 19 as a head coach. Read more about my coaching background right here.

The purpose of my site and posts are to share my journey with all baseball coaches.  Each weekend I edit my career’s working files one by one to share with you in a way you can appreciate and take consistent, massive action towards becoming a better coach.

This will be your go-to resource on High School Baseball Practice Plans!

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Again, there is no bullshit here.  

I’m here to help you and help your program succeed.  I am giving you what I have used to turn programs around quickly and along the way win a lot of games while earning local, regional, and state recognition.

Let’s take a peek at what needs to happen in order to have highly effective and efficient high school baseball practice plans.

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What is High School Baseball Practice Like?


A high school baseball practice is a highly organized and structured time where a team is able to prepare their game-like skills at game-like speed under game-like conditions.  

Then repeat this process on a daily basis.

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There is a big difference between a quality high school baseball practice and one from little league.

A quality high school practice will have lots of practice opportunities taking place at one time because there is an abundance of space, equipment, and coaches.

While a little league practice is limited in all the above.

But, believe it or not, high school baseball practice and little league practice all have the same thing in common with Major League Baseball.

What is it?

The objectives of the game are the same.
The teams that can execute these 5 Objectives on a consistent basis will win more games.

A second thing that high school baseball practice plans have are routines.  Routines build confidence.

Routines in high school baseball practices include but not limited to:


In each of these routines there is a specific purpose!

The purpose for a warm-up & throwing routine is to get the blood flowing in the body with a dynamic stretch and arm care/throwing program which prepares the body for premier effort without possible injury.

The purpose for individual drills are to get the player’s mind focused and allow the player time and space where he can practice the necessary skills he needs to be successful.  He must practice ALL skills.

The purpose of group drills is to have more than one position work on a situational play that will happen and give them optimal time and space to work on ALL the possible movements, situations, and skills necessary to make the play.

The purpose for team drills are to bring all nine positions together and work on team situations that come up and execute with efficient and effortless ease.

At this time all players in all positions have been in game-like situations executed at game-speed.  If this is not happening at your practice, you are wasting your time.

Taking nothing for granted, I must state that each routine will include one or more of the following:

  • Throwing
  • Fielding
  • Hitting
  • Pitching
  • Baserunning

This was just a quick summary on how to organize a high school baseball practice plan.  

The meat and potatoes of planning are coming. . . keep reading . . . you won’t regret it.

How Do You Run a Good Baseball Practice?


Have a PLAN and WORK the PLAN!  

A baseball coach can not just show up to the field and not know what he wants to do.  I mean, you can - but it won’t be very productive and there will be lots of wasted time.

A coach needs to spend at least 15 minutes planning the next practice.  It always took me longer because I had all the players named in positions, rotations, and in order (You can see sample baseball practice plan templates by downloading this link).  

When we hit the field, we hit the field with a purpose and no wasted time.  It was a work of art.

OK - enough about me.  Let's back to helping you.

Build your practice plan the night before and build it with your routines.  You can read my routines here.  

Why are having routines so important?

Again, routines breed confidence.

The players and coaches know what is expected, in what order, and what needs to be done.

This keeps practice running smoothly with confidence.

Here is an Example of a Batting Practice Routine

FIELD SET-UP

Portable batting cage (turtle or cage - whatever you want to call it), home plate carpet, portable pitching mound, pitching “L” screen, bucket of balls, outfield shagger screen with empty bucket in shallow centerfield, first base screen with empty bucket at first base and the ATEC Hummer in foul territory with a protective screen and balls.

DEFENSE

Outfielders will play normal positions and get balls off the “hummer” machine (located in foul territory behind first or third base with a protective screen and balls).  The outfielders will field balls off the machine and throw back into the shagger.  The outfielders will do this for all batting practice rounds.

Infielders will get fungo from the coach and throw back to the coach on round one. 

On round two all infielders will play ball off the bat with the infield working on getting “one.” If the ball is not hit to a defender, the coach would then hit a fungo to who was not involved in the play.  All outfielders will play the ball off the bat and simulate a throw to second base and then toss the ball to the outfield shagger.

On round three the infield will work on the “double play.”  All outfielders will play the ball off the bat and simulate throws to third and then toss the ball to the outfield shagger.

GROUPS
 
  • 7 to 10 minutes per group with four to six people per group
  • Each player will have their bat and helmet near the cage ready when they come in to hit
  • Each player will leave their glove near the cage while they are hitting so when they are done they can grab it and go

HITTING 

  • There are 3 Rounds of hitting for each group
  • Each group will have anywhere from 4-6 players
  • Groups are assigned by the coach and posted before practice

FIELDING

  • One infielder at each position getting fungo or ball off the bat
  • Outfielders will play ball off the bat or get balls off the ATEC Hummer. 
  • Managers are feeding the machine to the outfielders
  • Coaches are hitting fungo with a manager shagging
  • Coach throwing BP

BASERUNNING

  • Each base runner will be wearing a helmet at start at first base.
  • In round one the runners are at first base reading the bunts.
  • For every pitch, there is a new runner.  This happens quickly.  The BP pitcher needs to make sure the runners are ready to get optimal work in.  If not, base running is a waste of time.
  • In round two base runners
    • At first base, the runner reacts to a hit and run
    • At second base, the runner reacts to the ball hit
    • At third base, the runner reacts to the ball hit
  • In third round the base runners get water and watch


HITTING ROUND 1 – BUNTS   (ALL HITTERS STAY AROUND TURTLE)

  • Bunt to 1B side
  • Bunt to 3B side
  • Squeeze
  • Bunt for a hit (if able - if not sacrifice again)
  • Rotate

HITTING ROUND 2 – SITUATIONAL HITTING

  • ONE HITTER IN THE TURTLE WORKING ON SITUATIONAL HITTING
  • ONE HITTER NEAR THE TURTLE WORKING ON “AT BAT” ROUTINE
  • ONE HITTER ON DECK WORKING “ON DECK” ROUTINE
  • ONE HITTER IN THE HOLE WORKING ON “HITTING VISUALIZATION”

  • Baserunner at 1B - Hit and Run x how many base runners 
  • Baserunner at 2B - hit to the right side
  • Baserunner at 3B - get’em in
  • Rotate - all hitters pick up balls around turtle and L screen

HITTING ROUND 3 – BASE HITS

  • ONE HITTER IN THE TURTLE
  • ONE PLAYER WORKING “AT BAT ROUTINE”
  • ONE PLAYER HITTING OFF A TEE
  • ONE PLAYER PLACING BALL ON THE TEE

  • 7 swings – batter says “coming out” when taking last cut
    • all hitters pick up balls around turtle and l screen
    • OF shagger brings in bucket
    • IF shagger brings in bucket
    • New Group picks up balls as coming in to hit next
    • Group that just hit, pick up balls as going out

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How Long is Baseball Practice in High School?


A normal baseball practice plan will be 2 hours in length and at times, maybe at the most 2 ½ hours. If you are lucky enough you may have a baseball class during the school day.  If you do, this is an extra 50 minutes that need to be planned.  If you want to see my yearly class plan you can read it here.

Very generic high school baseball practice plans will look like this:

  • 10-20 minutes are warm-up and individual drills
  • 10-20 minutes on group drills
  • 10-20 minutes on team drills
  • 40-60 minutes hitting, baserunning, and pitching

Again, this is a very general template.  Want a week’s work of my practice plans that I actually used?  Click here to download for free.

Practice length will depend on many variables:  

  • What type of weather is expected?
    • Sunny
    • Rain
    • Snow
    • Windy 
  • How long is the field available?
    • Is there a game you need to work around
    • Is there a maintenance schedule to plan around
    • Are there lights
  • What type of games are being prepared for?
    • Scrimmages
    • Non-District or Non-Conference Games
    • District or Conference Games
    • Tournaments
  • What is the location of games?
    • Next game home or away
    • Practicing after a home or away game
  • What part of the season are you in?
    • Beginning of the season
    • Mid-season
    • Postseason
  • Are there any school activities players have to attend
    • Banquet
    • Church
    • Concert
    • Agriculture Show (FFA)
    • Community Event
    • Testing Week
      • Local
      • State
      • National

These are all variables to consider when planning out a week's worth of practice.  Always have a Plan B.  You never know when the weather will throw a wrench in your plans.

I always had an indoor routine ready to go.  This indoor routine rarely changed.  When I write a post on indoor practice, I will add a link here.  Want to be one of the first to know?  Then subscribe to my email list where I share exclusive tips on a regular basis.

Stay with me . . . I am getting to the details.


How Do You Plan a High School Baseball Practice?


I refer back to routines.  Maybe because I am an organizational freak, IDK - but here is what I learned from Coach Edward “Hodie” Garcia.

Hodie won a Texas State Championship while coaching at Victoria Stroman High School.  Hodie’s career record is roughly 3 wins for every 5 he played.

Here is how to organize a high school baseball practice:

Monday – Wednesday – Friday Workout

Stretching – the best way to avoid pulled muscles is to go through your stretching prior to any workout.

Concentration drill – shutting everything out – no distractions – keep everything in front of you and in perspective.

Running – ¾ sprints, poles, or squares

Throwing – pitchers with pitchers or with catchers. Catchers with catchers or with pitchers. Infielders with infielders. Outfielders with outfielders.

Warm up drills – warm up drills for infielders, outfielders, pitchers, and catchers.

Group simulation – infielders, outfielders, pitchers, and catchers.

Position simulation – covers any and everything that can happen in a game. Individual effort.

Multiple Defensive Workout – outfielders together with their coach. Infielders at their positions, pitchers on the mound and catchers behind the plate.

Outfield / Infield Workout – pregame workout. In practice outfielders throw to all bases and put in all situations.

Hitting and bunting practice.


Tuesday – Thursday – Workout

Stretching – the best way to avoid pulled muscles is to go through your stretching prior to any workout.

Concentration drill – shutting everything out – no distractions – keep everything in front of you and in perspective.

Running – ¾ sprints, poles, or squares

Throwing – pitchers with pitchers or with catchers. Catchers with catchers or with pitchers. Infielders with infielders. Outfielders with outfielders.

Signals.

Base running – all bases – all situations – steals witch catcher throwing

Pick off plays – all bases and situations

Hit and Run – set pitching screen to the side of first base

Squeeze, sacrifice, and slash drill.

Bunt Defense – all bases and situations

Defending Special Situations – man on first and third, infield fly rule, etc.

Hitting

Saturday – Workout

Stretching

Running

Throwing

Infield / Outfield Pregame

Intrasquad Scrimmage
Read the Ultimate Guide to Baseball PracticeInstant Access to Baseball Practice Template

What Do You Do BEFORE the First Day of Baseball Practice?


The first day of baseball practice is special and everyone is excited.  But it usually rains on day one - LOL.

All joking aside, there are a couple of house keeping items to take care of before the first practice ever takes place.

  1. Check to see if all players are medically cleared to play according to your leagues rules and regulations.
  2. Check to see if all players are academically eligible.
  3. Check to see if all necessary paperwork is completed for the team to be eligible.
  4. Have a coaches meeting.
  5. Have a player meeting.
  6. Have a parent meeting.
  7. Confirm the following schedules:
    1. Games
    2. Umpires
    3. Buses
    4. Meals
    5. Substitutes for my classes

Like the saying goes “the work ain't done until the paperwork is done.”

Now the paperwork is done we can move on to “teaching” the game of baseball.  I preached to my staff and players that we “teach” the game at practice and “coach” the games.

Like the classroom, you have objectives for each lesson as well as instructional strategies on how to teach these objectives for mastery.

Baseball is the same way.  

Reminder: 5 Objectives of Baseball

Throw Quality Strikes
Play High Level Catch
Put The Ball In Play
Run the Bases Aggressively and Intelligently
Control All Situations

What Do You Do on the First Day of Baseball Practice?

OK - now the paperwork is done, the objectives are set, strategies are known, and the install is ready for implementation.

Let's get to the first day of practice.

If you have a baseball class, then the first day of practice you are rolling and in a comfort zone.

If you do not have a baseball class, then this is the first day and everything must be introduced, taught, shown, and repeated.  And by the way, you have to select your team.

If you need concrete, objective data to support your team selection, I have the form you need.  Download here.

You are thinking, damn, I don’t have this much time.

If you are short on time and don’t know who your players are - watch them play catch!

Example.  Have the players play catch on the left field side.  As a player proves himself as a possible “upper level” player because he can play catch, move him to the right field line to continue playing catch.  Keep watching until the players are split as needed.  

In this example, the higher level players will be in right field and the developmental group will be in left field.  This is usually the first “indirect” selection of the teams.

If you want something more active you can read about my other drills used to select players:  
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  • All inclusive list of what needs to be coached

  • Details of preparation

  • Defensive Situations

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  • Pitching Techniques

  • Team Defense

  • Team Offense

  • Special Situaitons

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After warm-up, knock these 3 drills out and you can select your players.  Read more about the drills by clicking their links above.

If you want to take batting practice, you can refer to the “hitting routine” mentioned earlier.

The first weekend of the season I like to put the team in game-like situations at game-like speed.  So I would do what I named the 4 Man Game.  

This is an excellent way to see each and every player hit, play defense, and baserun.  The only position not covered in this drill is pitching.  But you can arrange this before or after practice.  Heck, it's Saturday, you have all day

BONUS READ! ENJOY!

College Baseball Practice Plans

Preparedness is a quality attribute to successful teams. As the coach of a baseball team, it is your responsibility to create a baseball practice plan to meet the needs of your team and prepare them for success. I am writing an entire series on the manner in which a baseball practice plan is written and what goes behind this process.

This article will focus on what was used for over three decades at the college level. This practice plan is so effective that the coach who created this plan is now in the Hall of Fame and only one of two college baseball coaches to take more than two teams to the National Championships (the other is Augie Garrido).

I really like this baseball practice plan below because it has a blueprint for what has to be done and then there are options for you to choose from.

Disclosure: If you purchase products through links on my site (ie Amazon) I may earn a commission. This is at no extra cost to you but it helps me create more free content.

Let's learn who wrote this baseball practice plan.

Coach Andy Lopez Coaching Career

The University of Arizona baseball practice plan that is being shared with you is a product created by the College Baseball Hall of Fame Coach Andy Lopez. Coach Lopez started his coaching career at Cal State Dominguez Hills and built this small Division II college program into a national championship contender in 1983.

After six years at Cal State, Lopez moved to Pepperdine University where he led the Waves baseball program for six seasons and a National Championship in 1992. 

His next stop was Florida where he led the gators for seven seasons and had a successful run at the national championship using his baseball practice plan that he created at Pepperdine. Unfortunately, he was released for not recruiting local talent.

No worries, Coach Lopez took his baseball practice plan design to Arizona. While at the UofA the Wildcats qualified for the NCAA tournament eight times, including two College World Series appearances and one national championship.

Coach Lopez completed his career with a 1,177-742-7 record in thirty-three seasons as a head coach. During all his stops at Cal State Dominguez Hills, Pepperdine, Florida, and Arizona he used the baseball practice plan shown below.

Wikipedia states Coach Andy Lopez "is one of only three coaches to lead three different programs to the College World Series and one of only two coaches, along with Augie Garrido, to win the College World Series with two different programs. His Division I teams (Pepperdine, Florida, and Arizona) have appeared in the postseason seventeen out of twenty-six seasons. He has earned National Coach of the Year honors two times, and Conference Coach of the Year honors eight times."

Although Coach Lopez retired in 2015, his baseball practice plan design lays the foundation or blueprint from which all other baseball practice plans are made.

How to Write College Baseball Practice Plans?

What Has to be Practiced?

I have created an extensive list or checklist of the key concepts of baseball. This FREE download is yours and it gives you over 177 different drills, concepts, and situations you must cover to be successful. This list is yours for FREE when you subscribe to receive weekly articles about coaching baseball. 

This Baseball Curriculum is a detailed list of all skills needed to be totally prepared for every situation that can come up during the course of a game. There is much to cover and you may have to pick and choose based on the age and talent of your team. The baseball practice plan checklist has:

  • Pitching
  • Catching
  • Infield
  • Outfield
  • Baserunning
  • Team Offense
  • Team Defense
  • Hitting
I will write an article each week detailing these drills and how they benefit the player and team.

Now what you have been waiting for: Coach Andy Lopez Baseball Practice Plan 

College Baseball Practice Plans Include:

  • 20 min Warm up and ABCs
  • 10 min Live Game Situations
  • 2 strike bunts Hit and Run Slash and Run
  • Squeeze Hit Behind the Runner Small Ball
  •  5 min Baserunning vs Pitcher / Catcher
  • Straight steal / Picks / Pitch Outs
  •  5 min Rundowns
  •  5 min Bunt Defense
  •  5 min 1st and 3rd Defense
  •  5 min Picks
  • 10 min Defensive Team Drill
  • Outfield Situations / Infield Situations 
  • Cuts and Relays / Double Relays
  • 90 min Batting Practice / Competitive Batting Practice / Situational Hitting Circuit

Want to know more?  Read Coaching Baseball Successfully by Andy Lopez

Let Me Wrap This Up

I have provided you with a very general look at how to organize high school baseball practice plans and given you multiple baseball practice plan templates, baseball warm-up routine pdf, a look at my first baseball practice plan, and a link to my future baseball indoor practice plans.

All of these are actionable activities you can use today.  There is much more to write about and share.  To get my next post in your inbox please subscribe to Diamond Notes.

If you would like to read my post on “college baseball practice plans you can read more here.

Lastly, please make sure you use the correct high school baseball pitching distance at all times.  This drives me nuts to see someone work on their skill at the wrong distance.

I used to have a plastic soda bottle tied to a thin piece of rope.  The rope was exactly 60’6” from the knot on the soda bottle.  The catcher would then throw down a rubber home plate and presto!  A portable and correct way to always practice pitching at the correct distance.  Obviously, the only thing missing is the mound.  But at least the distance is on point.

If you need more practice ideas for high school pitchers you can read more here.

Lead and Grow Your Baseball Program

Join other coaches who subscribe to Kretz Files.  Every Sunday Morning, you'll get consistant, actionable, and repeatable tips and ideas to help you develop players, engage your community, and win more games.

Try it out. You can always unsubscribe later.

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