Fixed defensive positions risk limiting children’s potential…What are the opinions of former pros and famous generals?
What often happens in after-school baseball is to fix the defensive position of the children. It may be easier for the coach to direct the child and achieve immediate victory if he or she is a “specialist,” but such “decision-making” by adults risks narrowing a child’s potential. The key to maximizing growth is to have players experience multiple defenses and assess their suitability. I would like to raise the issue of the future impact of on-site employment methods.
・How does fixed defense affect players’ opportunities to play and their aggressiveness?
・Why is “fluidity” necessary to improve team strength?
・How does experience playing multiple defenses help students advance to higher education and prevent injuries?
Coach Tomoki Hoshino, a former pitcher who directs the Saitama Seibu Lions Juniors, who participate in the “NPB Junior Tournament,” the “gateway to professional success,” expresses concern about the trend of more elementary school students being able to play only limited defensive positions. It’s important to be able to protect multiple players in a field like juniors, where players compete with a limited number of players, but “When you ask, ‘Can you do this?’, some kids end up thinking, ‘Huh…’.” Analyzing that being proactive and being able to immediately answer, “I can do it,” is essential for growth. At the academy, everyone is given experience in all roles, and their willingness to take on multiple positions will be an asset when aiming for a higher level.
Masato Tsuji, manager of the Shiga Taga Youth Baseball Club, a powerhouse in after-school baseball, says he has a policy of not fixing positions until just before the tournament. This is because if you decide on a specific defensive position, you will be nipping at the potential of a rising elementary school student. Coach Tsuji pursues combinations that will maximize the team’s overall evaluation points. The idea is that even if an individual’s evaluation is not the highest, by creating a lineup that increases the overall score, the overall strength will improve. For elementary school students who have a high level of absorption, continuing to explore possibilities without rushing to become a regular player will ultimately lead to raising the level of the reserve players and increasing the depth of the player base, thereby establishing a position as a powerhouse.
The Minami-Osaka Baseball Club (Minami-Osaka BBC Pony), a junior high school baseball club that produces players to regular Koshien schools every year, has them practice in multiple positions in order to develop players who will be able to sell at the high school stage and beyond. In particular, players who can only defend first base or left field will have limited opportunities in the future. Assessing a player’s personality and growth and having them experience multiple roles, such as pitcher, outfield, catcher, and infield, helps distribute the burden on specific parts of the body and helps prevent injuries. He says it is important to develop the individuality beyond the immediate victory and to develop the versatility that will be useful on the next stage.
Rather than making them specialists from an early stage, allowing elementary and junior high school students to gain a variety of experiences will lay the foundation for their success. Coaches should try to hire players with an eye on the future, not just immediate wins for their own convenience.
・Experience in multiple positions gives players confidence and leads to more opportunities to play.
・Experience in multiple positions stimulates competition within the team and increases the depth of the player base.
・Experience in multiple positions helps prevent injuries and increases your “market value” when you advance to a higher level.
(First-Pitch Editorial Department)
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