Baseball Strategies

One of baseball's most appealing features is that it is a thinking game. Athletes of all sizes can excel with sufficient smarts and skills. And managers from Little League to the major leagues can lead teams to titles with proper preparation and effective decision making.

Now students of the game who are looking for a mental edge need only turn to one complete tactical resource. BaseballStrategies explains what to do, when to do it, and why in all facets of the game.

Part I focuses on the offensive attack, from determining the batting order to sending runners on certain pitches in key situations. Part II gets inside a pitcher's head with insights on selecting and locating pitches, holding base runners in check, and fielding the position. Part III presents a wealth of defensive tactics, from position-specific responsibilities to situation-specific alignments and plays. Part IV explains how to fine-tune your strategic approach, whether it be adjusting to the level of competition or altering your plan in the middle innings.

Developed by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball Strategies contains the collective wisdom of 18 carefully selected coaches, including several whose teams have won more than 1,000 games and claimed national championships. Draw on the lessons of these experts to make sure you have all the tactical bases covered this season.

The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) has undertaken the mission of helping to improve the level of baseball coaching worldwide. The ABCA assists in the promotion of baseball and acts as a sounding board and advocate on issues concerning the various levels of baseball. Furthermore, the ABCA promotes camaraderie and rapport among all baseball coaches from the amateur to professional levels. The ABCA also gives recognition to deserving players and coaches through special sponsorship programs.

The ABCA has more than 5,700 members, including coaches from every state in the country and over 200 international members. Quarterly mailings sent to members each year include newsletters, coaching digests, an ABCA coaches directory, and Web site information. Members serve on a variety of committees essential to the functions of the ABCA. An elected executive committee and board of directors govern the ABCA.

The ABCA remains true to the intentions of its founders in its strides to further members' knowledge and awareness of the game of baseball. The association assists with the development and promotion of the game at all levels. The ABCA's headquarters is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

For more information about the ABCA and the membership opportunities available, visit www.abca.org.

Jack Stallings finished his coaching career as the winningest active college coach with 1,258 victories. Stallings headed up baseball programs at Wake Forest University (1958-1968), Florida State University (1969-1975), and Georgia Southern University (1976-1999). He also coached the USA national baseball team in the 1979 Pan American Games, the 1970 and 1973 IBA World Tournament, the 1979 IBA International Cup, and the 1984 Olympic Games. Stallings is an associate professor in the department of health and kinesiology at Georgia Southern University. He and his wife, Norma, live near Statesboro, Georgia.

Bob Bennett retired from coaching in 2002 with a career record of 1,302-759-4, ranking him seventh all-time on the Division I win list. In his 34 years as head coach at Fresno State University his teams had 32 winning seasons, won 17 conference championships, made 21 NCAA Regional Championship appearances, and played in two College World Series. Bennett was awarded 14 conference Coach of the Year Awards and an NCAA Coach of the Year Award in 1988. He coached 32 All-Americans, eight of which were first-round draft picks. Bennett also served as head coach of the United States national team in 1983 and 1986. He lives in Fresno, California, with his wife, Jane. They have three children and eight grandchildren.