for my softball team.

And here’s why, most importantly, scouting. Pitchers need their reports on who they are facing, hitters need their reports as well. We can change the job title to secretary if that makes you more comfortable. But there is something more.

I’ve watched Balsley crank out Cindarella, one after another, from a list of retreads, scrubs, and bums, only to have them turn into pumpkins when they leave. I don’t know what he’s doing out there, it’s probably witchcraft.

Mechanics, from both pitchers and hitters need to be watched from a 3rd party. Not everyone is Tony Gwynn, breaking down their own swings on video and isolating problems. A lot of these guys aren’t exactly scientists, some are, but most are not.

Signs, tendencies, game situations: Coaches are constantly keeping this in line, lest someone forget how many outs there are, where runners are, etc.

Also, without your manager paying attention, this happens.

I think the managers in baseball just tend to have a more subtle or less obvious impact on the outcome of the game than an offensive coordinator in football might have. But managers decide rotations, lineups, whether to call in the outfield or push them back. They are the ones who (should) know that a guy on their bench has a really good average against the opposing pitcher. They decide when to pull a pitcher or when to walk a guy who is on fire for the night.

I think managers tend to be overlooked when the performance of a club is in question. We make fun of “gas can” Thatcher for giving up runs then say he should be traded or send down. But many times people don’t ask, why did Bud Black put this guy in the game during a tie game. Why did he pitch to Bengie Molina who already had a HR earlier in the game in a 2 out situation when the guy behind him is 0-6?

Managers make a huge impact on the team. Sometimes it is positive. Other times, not so much.

Here’s my thinking though… If baseball were more like football, catchers would not call the game on their own unless the dude was the Peyton Manning of catchers.

... to tell players when to bat and avoiding going out of order. Look what happens when you fall asleep. You end up looking silly like the Reds.

I think baseball should have all the coaches it wants off the field. No base coaches. Teach the players to make decisions for themselves and take their own risks. The game would be much more exciting if a player can’t see the ball but has to make a decision or has to keep looking behind him. I want to see the athletes playing the game not being told what to do.

Baseball is a very strategy-oriented game, therefore managers are very important. The base coaches are the eyes of the players and the voice of the manager, and therefore are also necessary. I believe baseball players in general are smarter that football or basketball players (especially football), and therefore should need less coaching, but everyone can benefit from another set of eyes to critique your swing, work on your fielding approach, etc. I manage and catch for my Fast-Pitch team, and I know that some of the decisions that I have made as far as stealing and pinch-hitting have had big impacts on the outcome of some of our games. For example, let’s say that my pitcher has allowed 3 runs in the fifth, loaded the bases, and has not recorded an out. I would go to my back-up pitcher, even though my pitcher is a 16-year-old girl. She understands that, even in church league, sometimes you have to hand over the ball. Not sure why Buddy doesn’t think grown men can handle that.

they used coaches anymore… don’t they fly to all their away games now?