Setting the tone for your team, your parents, and your players.

One of my players came to me before our first game and asked why he wasn't playing first base.

I told him I needed his versatility at third. That I was putting him there because I knew he could handle the harder plays and because I believed in him.

He smiled, nodded, and hustled out to his position ready to compete.

That's why what happens before the first pitch matters just as much as anything on the field. Setting expectations. Explaining the why. Building confidence before a single pitch is thrown.

Here's how I did it.

A few days before our first game I sent this to our team parents — word for word.

Parents — first game of the season is tomorrow and I've really enjoyed getting to know this group over the past few weeks. These are good kids, and I think we're going to have a lot of fun this season.

That said, I want to be upfront about a few things heading in.

Playing time is not equal. I do my best to move kids around the field when situations allow, but I'll always put players where they're ready to perform — both for their safety and the integrity of the game.

Not every kid will pitch or catch. These are demanding positions, especially at the Majors level, and I won't put a player there before they're ready.

Hustle is non-negotiable. If you don't hustle on and off the field, you'll sit. It requires zero talent. It's 100% effort and attitude.

The kids understand this, and I'm hoping you will too.

Looking forward to a great season.

Parents appreciated the heads up. The more informed they are, the better they can prepare — their kids and themselves. When expectations are set early, everyone is on the same page before a pitch is ever thrown.

Setting expectations with parents is one thing. The individual conversations with players — that's where the real work happens.

This is a new team. New players. New challenges. Not every kid walks in with the same skill level or knowledge of the game. Just because a player hits the ball hard or throws with velocity doesn't mean they understand the rules or what it means to play their position.

So I went over everything. Expectations. Roles. What it means to be a great teammate on this team.

Kids don't just want to be told what to do. They want to understand why. When you look a kid in the eye and tell him you believe in him — it changes everything. He plays with confidence. He plays free.

This year I put together two study guides for my players and parents. A baserunning guide and a hitting approach guide. Nothing fancy, just an easy read.

⬇️ Baserunning Guide

⬇️ Hitting Approach Guide

Why? Because understanding the game goes beyond physical ability. The dropped third strike. When to tag up. When to hold at second. These situations come up every single game — and too many kids freeze because nobody ever explained it to them.

You can't assume every kid knows the rules. Some have never been coached on the dropped third strike. Some have never been told where to stand in the batter's box. That's not on them. That's on us as coaches to teach it.

The more your players understand the game, the more confidently they play it.

Every coach wants to win. But the best thing you can do before the season starts has nothing to do with practice reps or lineup construction.

It's communication. With your parents. With your players. One on one, face to face, before the pressure kicks in.

Set the expectations early. Explain the why. Build their confidence. Give them permission to play free.

Coaching is more than just teaching the game. It's about helping kids understand that baseball gives you lifelong lessons. Lessons you carry long after the final out.

It's hard to learn those lessons when you're constantly winning. The tough losses, the low effort days, the bad hops and bad calls — overcoming that adversity is what builds a resilient kid and a resilient coach.

And as a coach, you have the privilege of being a big part of that growth.

That's why we do this.

Help me keep more kids in the game. If you found this helpful, please forward it to another parent or coach.

Thanks for being here. See you next week Inside the Dugout.

-Coach Steve-

Steve Holmes
Founder, Inside the Dugout
2006 MLB Draft | All-American | Youth Coach | Dad