Coach giving pitch signs to catcher. FAST and effective.

A quick pick proof way to call pitches into the catcher. At some point in youth baseball it becomes necessary for coaches to call pitches into the catcher who can then relay them to the pitcher. In this video I want to show an effective method for speeding up the game with quicker pitch relays and to ensure that your system is never broken by opposing teams.

[@Collin.Hughes]

They couldn’t figure it out because the pitcher rarely threw in the spot he was supposed to(1-9)

[@yojay4424]

Dude take off that Momo profile pic, that shits freaky af

[@philgiglio7922]

Actually I felt his location was pretty good for his age. A lot of the F5 pitches were framed and landed where desired. Good to hear you praise your team coach...Bravo Zulu

[@canadianbacon1279]

Dude shut up it’s a little league game

[@musicmayhem9091]

He’s not in the majors though there’s no way he’s gonna get his spots all the time and what if he wasn’t in the mood

[@vasily2022]

They are kids first of all. Even pros don't hit their marks all the time. Plus are you saying that you would have broken that code? I hope you are a kid yourself for making such a ridiculous comment, because if you were an adult it would be unexcusable, and worthy of one of those failures of parents who go to these games and start fighting with other umpires, coaches or other parents. Sad comment.

[@pitchingtutors3987]

I have never seen a pitch selection system like this one and I think that this is a great way to get the signs to the pitchers. Though at first I thought that the grid would be hard to remember but since it never changes all season it looks totally manageable for younger kids.

[@baseballislife129]

That is actually a really good idea. I assumed the cards slowed the game down, but your system here did the opposite. Great idea.

[@colinf3963]

Especially if you have the catcher use this system kn every practice, they'll learn quickly

[@jerrycervantes7731]

honestly, thank you so much for these videos. I am a little league umpire here in San Diego CA which I umpire in the same district as familiar little league teams who have made it to the LLWS such as Park View, East Lake and Sweetwater Valley. What I wanted to say was from umpiring since I was 13 years old (now 19) and watching your videos really helped me learn more about the game and how to officiate it. Also learning how to coach it. After watching a lot of your videos I now feel prepared to be a team manager for next season. so as I humbly and gratefully say thank you ! and to those who also volunteer for their little leagues !

[@mosesnelson9046]

Good job blue 👍👊

[@alexh8613]

So glad that all the way through college, I never had a coach calling my pitches. Nothing annoys me more, than waiting for a catcher to put down a sign. I don't know how I would have dealt with staring in on a catcher that was looking the other way towards a coach, waiting to get the sign.

[@wavytuck5748]

Alex H I’m a 13u player and nothing pisses me off more than waiting for a signal and having a catcher take about 8 hours to set up. I think I may have been raised old school by my dad (for baseball) and I honestly don’t mind it.

[@bogkiller1839]

I'm lucky that as a catcher most of my coaches had faith in me to call and control the game. It is also the responsibility of the catcher to know if the pitcher is on his game that day or if some pitchers aren't going to work. I've also dealt with times where the coach would call a game and not talk to the catcher between innings to get their take on how a pitcher is doing. I would never call certain pitches if the pitcher doesn't have control of them because during a game is rarely the right time to experiment, this can either cause injury to the pitcher or the catcher. Unfortunately, I was on the receiving end for an injury due to a coach thinking that the pitcher had a good curveball, but they couldn't control or locate where the pitch was going to go. The coach called for an inside curve and the pitcher ended up throwing it 2 feet outside.

[@joellajuett1060]

Nice job coach !

[@andrewsloan5866]

My coach has a similar pitch calling method but instead of a card we memorized it. Either way great video

[@dphotos007]

I started playing baseball in the 60’s. Both the pitcher and catcher always called our own pitches. It is a way for both pitcher and catcher to learn the game better and to know the Importance of knowing the batters history from prior games or prior at bats during the game. Baseball at this level can be over coached at times. Just my opinion.

[@tokhmi2006]

I agree. It's gotten ridiculous at this point how so much of baseball is about trying to figure out the other team's cheatsheet or that there is so much micromanagement to the level where a coach has to call every pitch. Like you said, let the pitcher and catcher use their own brains and coordinate.

[@steveniemyer9288]

Mark Roper would break the code in just a few batters. Check out his code breaking video on KZbin.

[@malcolmdepooter3406]

Steve Niemyer mark rober

[@charlottelemerond2148]

Not cool

[@williammcalpine2718]

Yeah Houston style

[@tacostand1671]

When I played legion baseball (18u) our HC would sometimes let the catcher call signs but that was to gather info on batters. When we won state we had already played the teams enough to discover batters weaknesses, so throughout the tournament our HC called all the pitches and we managed to win state on a walkoff. Now as a HC, I found I like to follow the same guideline. I enjoy strategizing and letting the kids have fun during not so serious games

[@BradColemanisHere]

Cool system. Whereas I don't agree with calling every pitch, I think the system would work out well for communicating certain pitches at certain times.

[@danacoleman4007]

Good information but it sure seems crazy that this is necessary. Thanks for posting.

[@kellyferreter]

It's not necessary, it's classic over coaching & over thinking.

[@deputyduffy]

@@kellyferreter I could't agree more. let them play and have fun

[@reallifeengineer7214]

I definitely see, by the time kids have control of their pitch location, how this system works WONDERS. Very smart idea. Currently though, I've not seen pitchers in our league's 12u group who can locate their pitch in a 3x3 grid. (That's not to say every team. But it's all the teams my son's team has played so far.) I've seen in this age group: the best pitcher, on their best day, can consistently throw into the strike zone ~80% of the time. Even a 2x2 grid in the strike zone would be hard for them to target a particular grid. The fact even the pitcher doesn't know where the pitch is going, and because his fast balls are roughly 45~47mph when most kids are pitching and hitting 35~40, is how he's able to strike out many batters and "look like an ace". (Diamondo no asu)

[@alarenzo420]

Crazy I player youth baseball from tball to u18 aaa as a catcher. Almost 11 years in baseball and never once got a sign from the coach to relay to the pitcher. Kind of figured it was my job to call the right pitches for the batter. 🤷🏻‍♂️ it's a different time now.

[@plebobliterator]

Big bear welding LLC we don’t get signs from our coach either. i find it interesting. maybe it’s because of baseball IQ. this is what, 12u? i think after all.

[@henrycrawford5034]

It’s easy to figure it out once you learn the system and how to do it

[@MrJking065]

Building a better mouse trap! Excellent!

[@FleasOfCamels]

This veteran umpire isn't going to allow that coach to sit on a bucket inside the playing field.

[@MJHBaseball]

Yup. Technically true. But at the youth level I really hate it when umpires push coaches back into the dugout. Being outside of it helps coach inexperienced players a lot better than being stuck behind a fence in the dug out.

[@wyattmack9071]

Every team needs to use this against the Astros

[@sbfarmer8]

fantastic. consider 14 2 5, 2 63 5, 2 5 19 since any number greater than 10 can be mentally discarded easily, you could move the 2 digit number to any position, retain the order and still communicate. your opposing coach is going to think you have 10,000 pitches (feather in your cap), if they care. since you are raising the bar for all, they might be keen to your system next time and a well coached or astute batter may listen for those, 'same thing' 'same again' and at least be able to key on that pitch. this does break down completely at the stadium for LLWS since you will not likely be able to speak the sign.

[@MJHBaseball]

This was the only game where the coach spoke the numbers audibly. Normally he uses his right hand to display 1 through 5 fingers. I probably should have made that more clear. That is why we have only 5 x 5 because the coach will use one hand to give the three numbers. Thanks for commenting.

[@mattmulvany5434]

Very interesting system! But the catcher is still signaling the pitcher correct for fast or change correct? Because he s not looking at a card.

[@MJHBaseball]

Yes, the catcher is giving the pitcher the normal signals. There isn't anything different there. The card system is only to help a coach relay pitches to the catcher.

[@bpeck28]

So just gives the pitcher the sign for what pitch and then just sets up in the zone for where they want the pitch located?

[@thomasclark1466]

Question… how do you call pick offs with this system?

[@MJHBaseball]

Just add it as an option on the card. We typically didn't tell our pitchers when to pick over. The catcher/pitcher made that decision and we talked after an inning if they did it at a bad time. "Slow runner, two outs and two strikes on the batter. Why are you risking picking to 1st." That sort of thing.

[@thebriarbee1610]

May I suggest instead of the Coach saying “the same/same thing” you either run the original number or add any number combination with the first number being above 5. This gives you a full myriad of variants (682, 724, 819, 989 for example) and completely confuse the other team and not tip the batter

[@MJHBaseball]

The only time he said "same" was when the pitch thrown wasn't what was called for. If he calls for a fastball low, but the pitcher throws a fastball high, the batter hearing "same" will assume, if anything, that the pitcher will throw high again. But, you're right. Lots of options.

[@BrandonRideout135]

I believe the catcher should call the pitches hes the one working with the pitcher and can see what hes throwing best

[@twistedtoysnec]

Lol it is obvious you havent coached a youth team before by that comment.

[@BrandonRideout135]

@@twistedtoysnec i actually have before and i am a catcher i could tell you what a pitcher was throwing better than the coach your comment just proves ignorance because i have a different opionion

[@twistedtoysnec]

@@BrandonRideout135 no sir.....any coach from either side can tell which pitches are working best. Think about it. And most youth will not understand how to call pitches properly.

[@BrandonRideout135]

@@twistedtoysnec then youre not coaching them properly how you tell if a pitcher is hitting his targets left or right from the side you can but the catcher has the best view he can tell if the pitcher just needs to calm down a bit or hes just throwing to hard cause hes catching youre not. If you catcher doesnt know how to call pitches that on you as a coach you need to teach them that

[@twistedtoysnec]

@@BrandonRideout135 we are talking about youth, right? Not high school. You are there to manage the game. That is how they learn. Don't let the kids run your show. Teach them properly and be the staple that propels them to the next level.

[@ryandthemike798]

My coach just lets me call signs on my own. I have my own combinations for different pitches and location.

[@mattmulvany5434]

Gotcha... so catcher giving signs to pitcher after numbers called out or signaled with fingers. How are you stopping runners on 2nd from stealing fast ball or off speed sign?

[@MJHBaseball]

The catcher and pitcher communicate how they want to do this. As a coach I leave it to them so long as they are on the same page. Some pitcher prefer one method over another. I think our catcher shows three signs and they know which sign is correct. As they get older, the middle infielders will need to know as well, but that's typically for older ages.

[@jackiechan7320]

Most advanced little I’ve ever seen

[@bradenlee3339]

About how long do you think it took for him to learn how to memorize those calls

[@hi.1492]

Braden Lee week

[@phs779]

my coach does this for my 12u travel team

[@joenewell7981]

Our team uses that as well

[@shawnpower283]

how do the catchers keep the pitch card on their arm? what is it called? where can you buy?

[@MJHBaseball]

This is the wristband we used. It was cheap and not the best quality, but I figured we might lose them, so I preferred to buy several cheap bands rather than one good one and lose it. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V1XJTZW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@shawnpower283]

@@MJHBaseball thanks

[@partyroker360]

It's called wrist playbook

[@alexh8613]

Pitch locations of curveballs and changeups? Most college pitchers can't locate a curveball or changeup with much consistency. Yeah they can bury a curveball in the dirt on an 0-2 pitch, throw a slider way off the plate, or get their change to go down and away against a lefty. But very few collegiate pitchers can spot their off speed stuff for strikes, to the point that a chart is needed. And like another poster said in regards to kids, "they couldn’t figure it out because the pitcher rarely threw in the spot he was supposed to."

[@MJHBaseball]

Yes and no. For the change up, pitchers should work on some location accuracy . Outside adds to the perceived change in speed and a change-up up in the zone can be a set up pitch for a low or inside fastball. And the curve ball can be thrown for a strike or to drop off the plate. At least in youth ball, your 3 hitter you're more likely to throw a curve that drops off the plate (he may time it up and make you suffer). The 8 hitter will more likely give up on it too soon and strike out looking. But yes, usually those pitches are just called straight up.

[@iamtheCircus]

6:15 "1-5-1“ throws pitch " 1-5-1" Batter knows that this pitch will be the same as the last one. Shouldn't repeat the same combo back to back ever

[@MJHBaseball]

If the pitcher attempted to throw a 1-5-1 and missed completely, then having it again isn't so bad...After all, the pitcher missed his spot and isn't attempting to throw the same pitch he actually just threw. BUT you are correct! And I thought of that when putting this together and was waiting for some bright minded viewer to catch it. Great Job!

[@6kruger6]

Oh yes sir you are very smart, none of us thought of that at all. We got a detective here.

[@kellyferreter]

The kids aren't actually good enough to emulate the previous play exactly anyway so it's not that important.

[@119Agent]

@@kellyferreter Pretty much this. No 10/11 year old batter is clever enough to know what a pitch was supposed to be let alone adjust their swing to hit the pitch they just saw. A batter should focus on the ball and swing based on what they see, not what was called. A pitcher rarely can throw the same ball twice unless it is a fastball right over the plate.

[@robertvanderbaan3722]

All 10 numbers are done on one hand in China. Check it out. It adds more variation to the signal.

[@michaelbriney166]

I saw them do this at a college game

[@davidabbitt1744]

What is with the on deck batters NOT using their on deck as required by the "book"? Why did you let them come over to your side?

[@MJHBaseball]

Small fields don't have a large foul ball area which puts the batter in a dangerous spot to get hit. Therefore, many coaches want their on deck batter behind the batter that is up. It's simply a safety issue.

[@davidabbitt1744]

@@MJHBaseball Ummmmmm.....OK then! I've been umpiring for a few years, just closed out my 40th year. I have never let a batter "cross over". No matter how much the coach screams about the small area. I tell them, just move your on deck circle further away from the plate. Also, I am assuming that you are working travel ball. Little league has done away the on deck circle, and Travel Ball administrations tend to "overlook" rules they don't like. Regardless I never let the on deck cross over. Just sayin'. Otherwise, I enjoy your videos. Just wish ALL coaches were as well versed as you!

[@jaxsonrichter7772]

My team does that and it is really effective because I can throw more than one pitch and hit my spots

[@devonmaihi2745]

Weird flex but ok

[@kylewinkle4624]

I still don’t really get the card system

[@tyreefoster5291]

I get the pitch type call, but how is the catcher telling the pitcher the location?

[@MJHBaseball]

Location is where he puts his glove.

[@tylerburkhalter4522]

How would the pitcher get the signs?

[@notmyname5820]

Scout 2352 he knows if it’s a fastball or change up because of the catchers signals, and only the catcher needs to know the locations because he can just put his glove there

[@tylerburkhalter4522]

Wont the team figure out the catchers signals? So if he puts down 1 then the other team know it's a fastball.

[@MJHBaseball]

Yes, if the catcher doesn't know what he's doing. Catcher's give signs so that only the pitcher and middle infielders can see. If a runner is on 2nd base he will give multiple signs (only one is real) so that the runner can;t steal the sign from the catcher.

[@tylerburkhalter4522]

Ok. That makes sense.

[@randomness9229]

You call a pitch that I’m about to throw the next batter is getting drilled

[@grantstevens74]

Or just let the catcher call his own signs

[@hunterbruyere5052]

Grant Stevens they’re too young to make quick possible game changing decisions like that

[@PUROROCK327]

@@hunterbruyere5052 I would disagree. Even at 10 and 11 you can train competent catchers; calling fastballs vs change ups isn't rocket science. Your catcher should be a field general and you should put someone back there who has a high baseball IQ anyway paired with good athleticism. The premise especially at these youth ages is to throw strikes first and foremost. I want kids who throw strikes, period. Pitchers with great command of their fastballs or even change ups or breaking balls is not very common, as evidenced in the video. Knuckles and breaking balls are often dangerous at younger ages to their arm health. So, calling the 2 and 4 seam, understanding how these pitches cut and run, using a change up occasionally is not difficult for these kids. To that, I don't see ANY coaches calling pitches. If they want to, this seems like a great system if everyone can grasp it, it's quick and efficient. But to my previous point, if the catcher understands the sequence and reasoning for the coaches calls, perhaps you should trust him to call his own pitches and let him learn. Cheers.

[@johnnyreamage]

12 year olds throwing a knuckle ball? It looked to me that the default, and pitch most used was a fast ball. I saw 1 curve ball. Wouldn't it just be easier to indicate a cb some how, so that you aren't blurting out 3 digit number all day, that inevitably just mean throw a fast ball?

[@MJHBaseball]

Yup. But this was the only game where the coach spoke the numbers audibly so you can hear them in the video. Usually it's just his hand. And this team of hitters, unfortunately, wasn't a team that required fancy pitch calling. I was actually wondering when someone would notice that...good catch.

[@casualopinions433]

How do you know 1-5-1 is 1-5 and not 5-1?

[@senubirt251]

They do first 2 numbers

[@plebobliterator]

or like just catchers call the game

[@landonholzhauer7095]

fr

[@landonholzhauer7095]

i call the pitches during my games

[@stifflers69mom1]

1:30 you gotta be nutz to sit there , I seen a coach get his front teeth smashed out sitting on a bucket same spot

[@MJHBaseball]

Personally I agree. I don't like that spot and pretty much every rule set doesn't allow it (although it's almost never enforced), but at this level most of you hitters are not exactly knocking the cover off the ball.

[@stifflers69mom1]

MJH-Baseball let me tell ya, I thought the same thing too ....but that ball, that day was screaming Dixie .....came off the end of that bat like rocket ...I’ll never forget that sound , it turned that coach into a jack-o’-lantern

[@JStarStar00]

Some umpires won't let a coach sit outside the dugout unless they have a helmet on.

[@superkods]

The catcher looks like he's using a first baseman's glove

[@alexlanasty6454]

I'm in 14 u and I just call the pitches since I know the game and my pitchers

[@garygemmell3488]

At 1:06 my question would be why is the umpire letting defensive coaches station themselves outside the dugout and one of them sitting on a bucket? Does he carry a $10 million liability policy?

[@darrienmartinez9868]

I’m in 12u and I use a card I don’t think it’s that difficult

[@brodyparker8985]

I’ve played his team before and picked up on the system hit 2 doubles and a single after I caught the system

[@anthonyreaves3824]

My team is 11u and we use cards

[@seanrodesiler8777]

Anthony Reaves I’m 9u and we use cards

[@leeqrazzaq1864]

I called my own signs for my pitchers and had a few no hitters

[@milkyboy4531]

My coach tells the our Catcher the pitch to throw

[@kellyferreter]

Coaches calling pitches is mostly ridiculous. This is classic over coaching and over thinking. It makes the coach feel like they have a say in the outcome. Calling for plays through the course of the game is fine, coaches calling pitches should be against the rules.

[@brianw378]

Calling pitches is part of the game if pitchers threw what they wanted the games would be ridiculous and how do you think they prepare them for the next level

[@PeterOkeefe54]

cmon?? location?? for youth ball.LOL

[@MJHBaseball]

Started with location at 10U, so yes. And as an umpire, coaches that don't teach location get crushed by hitters all day.

[@deplorable_bitter_clinger7482]

Not that it has anything to so with this vid but the umpire is too far back of the catcher IMO.

[@charlescannaday9810]

Coaches calling pitches is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. Catchers and pitchers (catchers more so) need to learn and know batters habits the first time around. Knowing a batters history is useless (today, this at bat) are different but mannerisms are usually routine and predictable. The catcher has the best POV, the pitcher has the 2nd best POV. Coaches call from the dugout to keep records, those records mean nothing unless the pitcher actually throws and locates what they call for, which is highly unlikely.

[@kellyferreter]

College games have become mostly unwatchable due to the slow play from arrogant coaches calling every pitch unnecessarily. Also, can't both the pitcher & catcher look at the coach for the pitch? Why the need for coach to relay to the catcher to relay to the pitcher?

[@Michael-tk3vc]

Kelly Spencer - I don’t think the pitcher can have a card or else they probably would.

[@litchfieldjrlitchfield1056]

Teaches kids absolutely nothing. So sad

[@MrJking065]

MLB Managers calls most of the pitches.

[@litchfieldjrlitchfield1056]

@@MrJking065 because kids are not taught how to call a game and sorry played only some managers call the pitches. The old school guys may only look to a coach when in doubt. Can you imagine Bench letting someone else call his game. Lol teach kids or the game suffers.

[@MrJking065]

@@litchfieldjrlitchfield1056 But Bench earned that right after many years playing ball.You can bet he did not call them in the minors.

[@litchfieldjrlitchfield1056]

@@MrJking065 because he was taught. Which is the point. Coached don't teach kids they do all the thinking for them anymore.

[@kellyferreter]

@@MrJking065, they absolutely do not

[@bshort342]

I really like the system, but at the same time, young catchers should be taught to call games for themselves.

[@MH-Tesla]

Right...not. it's better to call pitches and debrief after each inning. Help train catchers but don't put that pressure on them so early! There is a lot to learn. They don't even let most D1 college catchers to call games!

[@MrJking065]

How many MLB Managers calls the pitches. Most.

[@kadenlongman8785]

My baseball team would whoop your team

[@MJHBaseball]

My soccer team could beat your baseball team....

[@billyfraiser6298]

you know what's not fast and effective? This video. Gotta make shorter concise videos.

[@zachansen8293]

coaches shouldn't be calling pitches. You're not letting your players learn.

[@BB-ki7he]

I hate coaches calling pitches, do some real coaching and teach the catchers and pitchers how to do it by themselves, thats half the fun to catching and pitching.