Table Of ContentA HANDBOOK ON OFFENSIVE
BASEBALL
A Project
Presented to
the Faculty of the School of Education
The University of Southern California
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Science in Education
by
G-erald Lyman Davison
February 1950
UMI Number: EP46269
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UMI EP46269
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This project report, written under the direction
of the candidate’s adviser and approved by him,
has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty
of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science in Education.
Date............................
Adviser
Dean
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE TO STUDENTS............. ............. Hi
CHAPTER
PART I. AT THE PLATE
HOW TO DEVELOP ABILITY AS A BATTER
1. BATTING: How to turn outs into hits • • • • • . 2
2. BUNTING; How to catch the opponent off guard • • 19
PART II. ON THE BASES
HOW TO ACQUIRE SKILL AND COOPERATION ON THE BASES
3. BASE RUNNING: How to become a MTy Cobb11 on the
bases ............ • . . • • • • • • • • • • • • 30
4. BASE COACHING: How to make winning decisions • • 45
PART III. INTEGRATING THE OFFENSE
HOW TO COORDINATE INDIVIDUAL ACTION WITH TEAM PLAY
5. STRATEGY: How to move while the opposition is
dreaming 53
6. SIGNALS: How to give and take signs • • • • • • 61
7. CONDITIONING: How to train for baseball . . . . 68
BIBLIOGRAPHY...................................... 75
ili
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
ILLUSTRATION PAGE
1. Holding the Bat ..............• • • • • • • • 5
2. The Stance ................ • • • • • • • • • • 7
3. The Swing • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ......... 9
4. The Follow Through . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5*. The Sacrifice Bunt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
6. The Drag Bunt (Left Handed Batter) • • • • • • • 24
7. The Drag Bunt (Right Handed Batter) • • • • • • • 25
8. The Hook Slide • • • • • • • • • • • • ........ 37
9. The Head First S l i d e ................ 39
iv
LIST OP BLUEPRINTS
FIGURE PAGE
I* Three Ways to Place Hit • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13
2* Position of Bunts • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20
3* Route When Rounding First Base • • • • • • • • • 32
v
PREFACE
Baseball saves lives* This statement is not only
astounding but true* Many a boy critically ill has speeded
to recovery after a visit from a major league star or a gift
of an autographed ball* Many healthy youths on the verge of
delinguency have risen to become famous only because they
liked baseball and knew how to play it. Millions who pack
our double decked ball parks each year enjoy the spirit of
competition which is so close to our American way of life*
These are only a few of the reasons why baseball is our
national game.
This syllabus is an outgrowth of a study of the problems
and difficulties confronting boys in baseball classes and
varsity clubs in our secondary schools* A real need for in
struction in baseball for young boys has come to the atten
tion of coaches, as well as recreational leaders, and to the
young people themselves. In order to provide a program to
meet these demands, this syllabus was outlined not only to
help the boy today while he is playing but also to give him
a better knowledge of the game tomorrow as a spectator.
To be most useful as a means of recreation, baseball
must provide for every child an opportunity for satisfactory
participation. Pleasure and satisfaction are the most impor
tant goals of baseball in the first years of school. Early
vi
baseball experiences are of great value both for the child’s
growth and for later appreciation of the sport. But, to gain
satisfaction, the game must be played correctly.
In the development of this syllabus bear in mind that it
was written for students at the junior high school level. It
is extremely important that youngsters of this age develop
correct habits and skills, and the easiest way to accomplish
this is to learn them correctly at the beginning. As many
young boys are not fortunate enough to have a skilled coach
from whom to obtain this information, they must uncover the
desired knowledge from other sources. This illustrated syl
labus should not only assist them with the necessary facts
but also provide them with a healthy and well balanced back
ground. It is also the purpose in writing this syllabus to
give to the reader the fundamental points in offensive play
as they relate to both individual and team play.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to Enid Miller, cover
designer for San Diego Magazine, for the illustrations she
so ably provided
X
PART I. AT THE PLATE
HOW TO DEVELOP ABILITY AS A BATTER
There is never room on a team for the player who can not
lay the willow on a fast one. The entire game revolves
around the individual at the plate, as nine opposing players
try not only to out maneuver him physically but mentally as
well. If he lacks skill their job is easy, if sharpness is
present he will meet the challenge in stride. By determina
tion and work you may, in the not too distant future, hear
the roar of the crowd at Yankee Stadium as your tremendous
blow lands in the seats of the upper tier.
2
CHAPTER 1. BATTING
HOW TO TURN OUTS INTO HITS
Every year young boys become discouraged in baseball
because of their inability to progress satisfactorily. Base
ball, like so many games, emphasizes the offensive portion of
the contest and a young athlete, in order to succeed, must be
competent in the problems which are discussed here*
A. MOTIVATION
Rewards gained by hitting well
1* Fuller school life*
a* You will make the team*
b* You will enjoy trips with the squad*
c. You will meet more people and, as a result, make more
friends*
d. You will gain more respect*
2* Success on the team*
a* You will lead the team to victories.
b. You will have an attractive batting average.
c. You will be a steady player, not an Hinner and
outer”.
d. You will help weaker hitter to improve*
e* You will reduce injuries by knowing how to play
correctly*
