Verbal base running cues, etc

[Coletrain]

I want to use verbal cues along with signs to let my players know when to steal, bunt, etc. Does anybody else do this? If so, what are some of the cues that you use. I want to make it as simple as possible. The team is 9U. Thanks!

[MD Diamond Sports]

I want to use verbal cues along with signs to let my players know when to steal, bunt, etc. Does anybody else do this? If so, what are some of the cues that you use. I want to make it as simple as possible. The team is 9U. Thanks!

I used first names (of the batter, because I always call them by their last name), and a phrase with younger kids. However, if you are going to do this make sure you give signs as well, or the other team will pick up on them fast.

Lets go First Name + Double Clap: Bunt
Lets go kid (Be careful with this one, I use it all the time and did it on accident many time) + Double Clap: Steal

[Coletrain]

I used first names (of the batter, because I always call them by their last name), and a phrase with younger kids. However, if you are going to do this make sure you give signs as well, or the other team will pick up on them fast.

Lets go First Name + Double Clap: Bunt
Lets go kid (Be careful with this one, I use it all the time and did it on accident many time) + Double Clap: Steal

Thanks for the help! Those sound good!

[tg643]

At 9U I would keep it is simple. Have simple visual signals and only change the indicator when needed. Our signals were S Sleeve for steal, B Belt for bunt, etc.. When teams figured out our signs we messed with them by changing the indicator.

[jbolt_2000]

I agree, use both simple verbal cues and visual cues.

We tried this in Little League and it worked pretty successfully. Never had any issues with kids or coaches picking up signs (at least they never showed they picked up on them). However, tried using verbal cues with a new team during Fall Ball which included mainly travel ball kids, and the opposing players figured it out within two innings. That was the last time we used verbal cues against experienced teams

[MD Diamond Sports]

I agree, use both simple verbal cues and visual cues.

We tried this in Little League and it worked pretty successfully. Never had any issues with kids or coaches picking up signs (at least they never showed they picked up on them). However, tried using verbal cues with a new team during Fall Ball which included mainly travel ball kids, and the opposing players figured it out within two innings. That was the last time we used verbal cues against experienced teams

Yes, verbal cues are picked up very, very quickly by good baseball minds. In HSV we have one verbal cue. It mean forget every sign that I just gave. This helps with disrupting the other team picking up the sign. If you give a steal sign, and the other team is starting to pick up on it, it will make them rethink if they have the right sign. They will see the steal sign, and you do not steal?

[omg]

When I was a kid I played for my first coach who gave signals. If he yelled "red" that meant take. First inning of the first game I had a 3-0 count. My coach yelled "RED". I proceeded to fly out to center. Running past the 3b coach's box back to the dugout my coach yelled, "What are you doing? Don't you know "red" means take". I said, " Yeh, I took it to center field."

[tg643]

The problem with verbal signals and young players are the distractions. Mommy and daddy are going to be yelling instructions or encouragement. When I was in high school and college everything outside the lines in every sport was mute. Expect for one noise ... My mother had a voice I could discern from a crowd of a few thousand. It wasn't a distraction. But I could hear it. It would probably be too much for a young player.

[raptor]

The problem with verbal signals and young players are the distractions. Mommy and daddy are going to be yelling instructions or encouragement. When I was in high school and college everything outside the lines in every sport was mute. Expect for one noise ... My mother had a voice I could discern from a crowd of a few thousand. It wasn't a distraction. But I could hear it. It would probably be too much for a young player.

I hear you but I don't hear you kind of thing...you gotta set the tone early on zero tolerance from coaching from the stands....I usually talk shop for a minute or two with coaches, umps, parents on changeovers..im not a guy who gathers the team before every inning...gives ample time to reinforce it.

[Jake Patterson]

I always taught coaches to teach signals the proper way... Now with the young guys I would suggest starting with a loud "Here we go!" so they remember to look to you. Parents screaming instructions??? NEVER!

[MD Diamond Sports]

I always taught coaches to teach signals the proper way... Now with the young guys I would suggest starting with a loud "Here we go!" so they remember to look to you. Parents screaming instructions??? NEVER!

What is the "proper" way? Are you referring to just a series of arm movements? If that its the case what is your thoughts on number chart signals for catchers? Is it to taboo from the old school way?

[skipper5]

I always taught coaches to teach signals the proper way... Now with the young guys I would suggest starting with a loud "Here we go!" so they remember to look to you. Parents screaming instructions??? NEVER!

I agree about using conventional signs (e.g., sleeve = steal, belt = bunt).
I share your intolerance about parents screaming instructions.

But, I've got to say, at varsity soccer games every year there are some parents--dads AND moms-- screaming instructions, and at a JV hoops game the other night three dads repeatedly instructed "hands up!" when our team was defending.

I hardly ever hear parents screaming instructions at JV and V baseball games, so there's credit due the baseball dads as the kids get older.

[tg643]

I always taught coaches to teach signals the proper way... Now with the young guys I would suggest starting with a loud "Here we go!" so they remember to look to you. Parents screaming instructions??? NEVER!

You can tell them never. I always did. A couple I had to tell several times. Sometimes you get the parent from hell who doesn't understand the harm he's causing. I had one parent who thought he was the third base coach in the stands. He stopped when I benched his kid.

[Roothog66]

What is the "proper" way? Are you referring to just a series of arm movements? If that its the case what is your thoughts on number chart signals for catchers? Is it to taboo from the old school way?

I just switched over to number charts on wristbands for calling pitches. It speeds the game up considerably and your signs can't be stolen. I'm working on a system now to use armbands for offensive and defensive calls as well.

[MD Diamond Sports]

I just switched over to number charts on wristbands for calling pitches. It speeds the game up considerably and your signs can't be stolen. I'm working on a system now to use armbands for offensive and defensive calls as well.

We do it for all defensive schemes, and for pitch calling.