John Winkin, Jay Kemble, Michael Coutts Copyright 1995 ISBN: 0873224302 ISBN13: 9780873224307 144pp

About the Product John Winkin has brought consistent success to the University of Maine baseball program, racking up more than 900 wins and 6 College World Series invitations over 40 years. He has seen more than 50 of his players drafted into the professional ranks and been elected to the Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

In this book, Winkin and his assistant coaches show you how to make the most of your squad’s allotted practice time and space, even when you have to practice indoors. You’ll find dozens of illustrated drills designed to give your players the gamelike experiences and repetitions they need to compete successfully.

The book provides a menu of options and strategies that can be easily adapted to your particular coaching philosophy. No matter where you manage, or on what level, the time spent reading Maximizing Baseball Practice can help you streamline practices and better prepare your players for real game situations—and real success.

Maximizing Baseball Practice covers three steps for improving your team’s practices. In Part 1, "Practice Planning," Winkin reveals his method for setting priorities and planning a practice, making full use of facilities—whether indoors or out—and involving as many players as possible in each segment of the session.

Part 2, "Practice by Position," provides 33 illustrated drills that hone the skills needed to play each position successfully. You’ll also find strategies for how to keep practice sessions moving so that starters get the repetitions they need, while backup players are not left sitting around.

Part 3, "Practice by Skill," features 26 illustrated drills that integrate the basic skills of fielding, hitting, and baserunning into concerted teamwork. You’ll learn how to prepare your squad to defend all batted balls and attempted steals, how to teach your batters to become good "mission" hitters, and how to be successful on the basepaths regardless of team speed.

All of the book’s 60 drills describe:

• the goals of the drill, • the skills emphasized, • how to perform the drill, and • coaching tips.

Learn how to make success happen for your team through smarter practice organization and drills—from the coach who’s the best at Maximizing Baseball Practice.

In the companion video Maximizing Baseball Practice Indoors, Coach Winkin shares his expertise for conducting effective indoor practices that make the most of your team’s time, space, and personnel. Maximizing Baseball Practice Indoors, is loaded with drills and drill variations for improving defensive and offensive skills. You’ll see the drills performed and find tips for better pitching, hitting, baserunning, and fielding performance. Although the drills are excellent activities for effective indoor practice, they work just as well for outdoor practice. About the Author John Winkin has brought unparalleled success to the University of Maine baseball program, racking up more than 900 wins over 40 years. He has led his team to 6 College World Series and seen more than 50 of his players drafted into the professional ranks. John is a past president of the American Baseball Coaches Association and has been elected to the Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. He has also received the Lefty Gomez Award and ABCA Coach of the Year honors.

In addition to managing, John is a sought-after speaker who presents at clinics nationwide on organizing baseball practice and training indoors.

In his leisure time, John enjoys keeping fit, following sports, and listening to ’40s and ’50s swing music. He and his wife Madeline live in Orono, Maine.

Michael Coutts is the associate head baseball coach at the University of Maine. In addition to his duties as the team’s third base coach, Michael instructs players in infield, outfield, and hitting fundamentals. As a collegian, Michael played for John Winkin and captained the 1981 Maine team to the College World Series. He and his wife, Lynn, live in Bangor, Maine.

Jay Kemble is assistant baseball coach and lecturer in physical education at the University of Maine, where his responsibilities include working with the pitching staff and recruiting. He has also coached for American Legion and Cornell University. Jay pitched under John Winkin for the University of Maine’s 1986 College World Series team. He and his wife, Karen, live in Milford, Maine.