Boost Your Season: Sharpen Skills, Build Adaptability, and Get Quick Wins!

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Welcome to the Monday Morning Staff Meeting, a weekly newsletter where I share actionable ideas and help you build a quality baseball program through proven actions for player, program, and staff development.

Today's Staff Meeting at a Glance:

Player Development: Sharpen Baseball IQ
Staff Development: Building In-Season Adaptability
Program Development: Organizing a Preseason Team Event
Take Action for a Quick Win: Countdown Calendar

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Player Development: Sharpening Baseball IQ

Skill execution is important, but a team’s success often hinges on how well players understand the game’s nuances. Decision-making in real-time situations - knowing when to take an extra base, how to back up a throw, or reading a pitcher’s tendencies - can separate good teams from great ones.

Key Idea: Use situational drills and classroom-style sessions to challenge your players' baseball IQ. Break down game film, quiz them on situational decisions, or run live scrimmages where they must explain their choices after the play.

Action Step: Before your next practice, prepare three situational scenarios (e.g., “Runner on second, one out, a grounder to the left side”). Have players explain their roles for each scenario to test their understanding and encourage discussion.

Coach Development: Building In-Season Adaptability

Even the best game plans will need adjustments. Preparing now for in-game flexibility will allow you to make smarter decisions when the pressure is on.

Key Idea: Practice in-game management by creating mock game situations with your coaching staff. For example, practice deciding when to pull a pitcher, how to adjust your defense, or when to call for a bunt or steal. Having a system for making decisions will build confidence when the season begins.

Action Step: Host a pre-season meeting with your coaching staff to discuss key decision-making strategies. Identify areas where your staff needs to be more proactive and clarify roles to ensure everyone is on the same page during games.

Program Development: Organizing a Preseason Team Event

The first game of the season should feel like the culmination of weeks of preparation—not just physically but emotionally. Building team chemistry before opening day can create a sense of unity and excitement.

Key Idea: Plan a team event—like a team dinner, parent-player scrimmage, or community service activity—to foster relationships and build momentum. A shared experience outside of practice helps players connect on a deeper level and sets a positive tone for the season.

Action Step: Organize a preseason team meeting or event. Choose an activity that brings together players, parents, and staff. Use the opportunity to outline team goals, distribute schedules, and build excitement for the season ahead.

Take Action Today

Quick Win: Create a countdown calendar to display in the locker room, dugout, or team chat. Mark key milestones—like the first scrimmage, opening day, or rivalry games—and use it to keep players focused and excited as the season approaches.

As January approaches, our next edition will cover opening week strategies, game-day preparation, and tips for keeping your team energized through the grind of the season.

Have preseason successes or ideas to share? Send them our way for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter!