There is nothing more satisfying for a baseball coach than to have a boy of competitive nature on his squad, with little or no natural ability but with enthusiasm and eagerness to learn and play the game. This is the type of athlete, who, despite shortcomings in talent, will learn that with consistent hard work he can become reasonably proficient and derive as much satisfaction from playing the game as the most gifted and talented player.

Coaches do not expect their ball players to make all the "proper moves." Coaching, of course, would be less complicated if players were expert in all elements of the game — but it would certainly be less fun. A boy who tries out for the varsity team is usually deficient in some department of play. His batting stance, his swing, his follow-through all may have slight imperfections. It's work — and enjoyment —to teach the player how to correct these faults. It's a matter of personal satisfaction when the player proves he can absorb these instructions.

As coaches, we cannot do the impossible. We cannot make big-leaguers out of the average player of normal skills. However, we can help him improve by straightening out a flaw here and there — something which this volume is intended to do.

To cover everything there is to learn in baseball would require a five-foot bookshelf. Entire books have been written just on pitching, or batting, or stealing bases. Now all the many and varied methods of techniques have been incorporated in just one volume. With actual photographs of players of school age, posed specifically for this book, plus photographs of major-leaguers in action, it is hoped that there will be a better and sharper visual understanding of the proper way to play the game.

Not all coaches teach and think alike. The text within these pages points out where and why coaches differ in their instructional methods. This is as it should be because coaches must constantly improvise in order to get the most out of their squad. Some batters will never be able to rid themselves of a hitch in their swing; others will constantly over-stride at the plate. Many pitchers will never learn to throw a curve ball, and some second basemen, or shortstops, will never really acquire the proper knack of pivoting around second base.

The young player who learns his baseball lessons well will be much better prepared to deal with the multiple problems which await him in later life. The value of team play, the constant mental struggle between defense and offense, the various play situations which call for immediate decisions are all healthy teaching aids.

It is not the specific aim of the school coach to produce players for professional play. However, it would be derelict of any coach who did not recognize potential professional talent in any of his players. Once recognized, it should be the responsibility of the coach to develop it to the best of his ability. Every effort should be made to impress upon the gifted player the knowledge that he has the God-given skills which can carry him high up on the professional ladder.

FRANK F. DiCLEMENTE

Phillips Academy

Andover, Massachusetts

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