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Ok my question is do you guys take everyone out or just the starting 9 (actually 8 but you get my drift)?

For us, that just depends. If we're at home then most likely everyone is going to take infield. If we're on the road, then we'll normally just have the 9 take infield. (Yes, 9.. often the starting pitcher will take a few ground balls off the mound) Sometimes instead of the starting pitcher taking a little bit of infield, we'll have the next starting pitcher take some the day before or so.

We have our catchers work on throwing to first on bunts, drop 3rd strike, etc while the outfield throws to 2nd and 3rd. Then, the catchers will throw to second and third at the end of infield right before the long/short and off for the infielders. This highlights the catchers' arms since that is the only action going on at the time.

On more than one occassion, having seen the catchers throw to bases, teams do not run on us.

Pre game is either intimidating or self assuring to the other team. If you watch a GOOD in and out whether or not its complicated and all of the players make the plays, play catch and talk it up I would think you would be fooling yourself not to think it is not intimidating. Think about the times you see bad in and outs as a coach. The first thing you think of is your getting a couple of extra runs. Granted we have taken stellar in and outs and have lost but I know when I see a team take a bad in and out I know I feel like we are getting more runs out of it. In regards to the numbers I let all players take in and out if they can take it. There has been situations, due to time constraints, in which I go starters only.

I think the flip side is more true than being intimidated by a good IF / OF. I have seen (coached) teams that see a team take a terrible IF / OF and then we think it's going to be a cakewalk and end up losing.

I just can't see being intimidated at all if you are a competitor. In fact what purpose does it serve to watch the other team take IF / OF other than to see the OF arms to find out who you can run on or not.

I have never seen a run scored in pregame. It is simply a way to get in some reps before the game starts. The only plays that will matter are the ones made or not made once the game starts. Legit players do not get intimidated. The ones that do are not very good to start with.

You can make it as complicated as you want. Thats up to every coach. Our players like to keep it simple and so do I. We save our energy for the game. We take it light and loose before the game.

I send 'em all out there that are suited up that day. There are usually 2-4 in the bullpen also.

Mine is pretty basic:
OF all throw 2 to 2, 2 to 3 and one to home. Then they get fly balls from another fungo.
IF get a bunch of "ones", turn a couple of dps, one or two slow rollers, one or two in the hole and we are out of there.

Sometimes I don't even have a catcher out there if they are in the bullpen or another position. So i'll just use pitchers.. sometimes I'll have a catcher or two and incorporate some one and cover...

The really good in and outs you see are usually due to the fact that the kids out there can field and throw the ball well.... (gee, I wonder why it looks so good ?)

some years we dont take pregame infield at all. some years we do. ive seen no difference in results.we've had really good defensive teams that never took a round of pregame infield. we take some one hoppers in the outfield and play.
when we do take it we use 2 coaches to get more reps. we'll go 2 or 3 rounds to the outfileders throwing to 2nd, while the 2nd coach hits to 3rd baseman throwing to first. we then go 2 or 3 rounds of outfieders throwing to 3rd with 2nd coach hitting to 2nd baseman throwing to first. we then go 2 rounds throwing home while 2nd coach hits to ss throwing to first. outfielders then all go to center and get flyballs. infield goes one round home. one to first, one doubleplays, one slow rollers to first and in. this is quick and practical with alot of reps.
but like i said performance hasnt varied from when we take pregame infield and when we dont.

I like to go starting 8 only, unless I've got one sub really pushing for a position where I know he'll be playing alot of the game. Starters only, builds a better rythm.

I've often thought about the sub who doesn't take any Pre and then is expected to come in cold and play. I've just had too many subs and sub-subs chasing the ball around taking up time and rythm.

I remember once during my playing days we were so bad during the pre game the coach pulled us off the field.

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Originally posted by Will:
I remember once during my playing days we were so bad during the pre game the coach pulled us off the field.

I did this once before. I was so mad I couldn't see straight. Played our best game ever and won.

We've all been to those football games where one team goes out all calm and orderly while the other team is jumping all over each other.... I've seen the winner go to the calm or the excited...

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I did this once before. I was so mad I couldn't see straight. Played our best game ever and won.

I do not know when you did it but better be careful these days as you might be cited for cruelty to athletes as you embarrassed them and hurt their self esteem

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I do not know when you did it but better be careful these days as you might be cited for cruelty to athletes as you embarrassed them and hurt their self esteem

I do not agree with this at all. Pre game is not a right and there is no rule about it. The theory about pulling your players off during pre game all surrounds how you do it. When we take pre game we take the field with 4 balls. If I am out then they get pulled off the field, and the players know it. This way nobody gets singled out and embarrassed.

I think Will was being a little tongue in cheek with his comment. I would never pull the team off for one guy having a bad day but if it's a majority of the team then we are coming off the field because we are just wasting time. Get them into the dugout and let them sit and think about it some. If you have competitors they will use the time to refocus and come out better during the game.

I won't rip them if it's a lack of focus but when they are in the dugout I will tell them to refocus and leave them alone. If it's about a lack of maturity and goofing off (which is very rare) I will lay into them.

If people are worried about pulling a team off the field hurting their feelings then you should be too late. Their performance on the field should be more than enough embarassment for them.

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I think Will was being a little tongue in cheek with his comment.

Yes and a little no

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Originally posted by trojan-skipper:
We've all been to those football games where one team goes out all calm and orderly while the other team is jumping all over each other.... I've seen the winner go to the calm or the excited...

We have a quote down here about that......they were fired up at the Alamo too.