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ROOKIE MANAGER TIPS: Nothing can be more challenging to a Rookie Manager then trying to field ten 7 and 8-year-old players that all want to be the pitcher or first base every inning. I came up with a little chart that takes the challenge out this process. The chart for a 12-man roster moves your players through every position on the field and every spot in the batting order. In addition, no player sits out two innings in a row. No player sits out twice before everyone has sat out at least once. No player is in the outfield for two innings in a row. Each game the player is introduced to new position and by game 12 the player has played in every position on the field at least once and has hit in every spot in the batting order. The nice part about the chart is that it can be given to every parent at the beginning of the season, so there are never any questions when their child will get to play a certain position. The 13-man roster doesn't work out quite as neat in a 12-game schedule, but it serves the purpose. It takes a little longer for players to make it through ever position, so by game 12 they haven't quit had as much exposure to all the positions. You are in no way required to use these charts. These are put here for your convenience. Feel free to make any modifications you like. Quick tip: You can use the "Find & Replace" function in MS Word to replace "Player 1" with an actual name from your roster. Clicking "Replace All" will quickly fill in all 12 games. I usually just start in alphabetical order. If someone doesn't show up for a game, simply scratch their position for that inning next to their name and put the first player sitting out into that position. Since no score is kept in the Rookie League there is no incentive to "set" a line-up or put better players in key positions. Remember it is more important that they learn to throw the ball to right base and they learn to cover the base when there is a play there, whether or not they actually make the out is of no consequence. One more tip: The only position I don't force a child to play is catcher. It can be traumatic for 7-year-old who may be afraid of the ball. In those situations (or if the player forgot his cup) I just sit him on the bench and grab a kid off the bench. It may be his second inning out, but you won't hear him complain about it. Hopefully this will allow you spend more time coaching before each game and less time filling out line-up cards. |
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