Everything you teach kids to do on the baseball field, from mechanical to playing the game, should be done for a reason which is simple and something we think we all know to a certain degree.

My question is only to provoke thought. There is no right answer, as there are many ways to do things and there aren't many things etched in stone in this game. There are many different ways to skin a cat, and many different ways things are taught around the country and world.

My question(s), if you want to call it that is.........

Who gives bunt coverage signs to your team? (which player or does it come from the coach to team) Why?

Who gives first and third signs to your team? (which player or does it come from the coach to team) Why?

Do you give ALL (bunt and 1st & 3rd) signs to team (meaning they do not come from a player)? Why?

Do you give respective signs to an individual on the team and then he, in turn, gives them to the rest of the team? Why?

Should there be a logical reason why? or Is it just the way you do things?

I feel it is important to have a logical explanation for EVERYTHING we teach. Can we give a logical answer if the question is asked....Why?

Do you agree? What are your thoughts?

Nobody wanted to touch this one huh?

How about this, it is about as simple as it gets.

What I was getting at in the post above was the following. (And it certainly is not the only way you can do it, I just think it is logical and simple).

In my eyes:
**It is important for the 3rdbaseman to give bunt coverages and the Catcher to give 1st and 3rds.

If your catcher gave BOTH bunts and 1st and 3rds the following situation could mean major confusion.

**What if the situation is 1st and 2nd w/ 1 out and you want to throw the ball to 2nd base if they run? Because of the slower runner at 1st and the fact that he has to wait to make sure the runner in front of him runs.

Your catcher steps out and gives signs and there is a very good possibility that your infielders could be confused. They may think it is a bunt coverage. Sure the catcher could step out in front of the plate and yell "1st and 3rd" but hold on ,,,,,there are runners on 1st and 2nd.....major major confusion esp w/ younger players.

W/ Men on 1st and 2nd: What if you wanted to put on a bunt coverage AND throw the ball to third if they run. If the catcher gives both then that could be confusing as well.

So, my point is that it is much easier and way less confusing if your 3rd baseman gives the bunt coverages and your catcher gives 1st and 3rds (or signs telling infieders where the throw or no throw is going).

And if are lucky enough to go to National League game you would see them do just that.

Or a minor league game....or some college programs

I really like talking, teaching and learning about how to PLAY the game, not just all of the mechanical stuff that gets way over thought.

Most colleges I know (inclusing the coaches I played for) signal everything through the C.

My 12U team does the same. We have different signal systems for each and there is no confusion.

Age levels require different approaches

True, True....