Maximizing Baseball Practice [Paperback]

John Winkin (Author), Jay Kemble (Author), Michael Coutts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1995

This text shows coaches how to make the most of their squad's allotted practice time and space, even when they have to practice indoors. It includes 54 illustrated drills designed to give players the gamelike experiences and repetitions they need to compete successfully.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Three college coaches provide a regimen to master individual and team skills. Using photos and charts, they advise on defensive and offensive play. Recommended for libraries serving communities with Little League and advanced baseball programs.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

John Winkin has racked up more than 900 (update number?) wins over 40+ years as a coach. During his 22-year tenure as head baseball coach for the University of Maine, he led his team to 6 College World Series and saw 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 also has received the Lefty Gomez Award and ABCA Coach of the Year honors.

John is a Fellow in Sports and Leadership at Husson College. He’s also 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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873224302
• ISBN-13: 978-0873224307
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is excellent in helping set up indoor practices!, February 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maximizing Baseball Practice (Paperback)

This book is excellent in helping the coach plan pracitces indoors and also has some great drills for all aspects of the game. The 6-step warm-up routine is excellent for helping pitchers with their control and fundamentals. Coach Winkin has done a masterful job with this book. I use this book as one of main instruments in setting up my practices.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book but..., December 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maximizing Baseball Practice (Paperback)

Thr drills are very good. A lot of them are useful for athletes to do alone. But he tends to believe that we all have field houses to workout in during the winter. Here in NY we have a very small gym and have and even smaller budget. Some of his drills just can't work in our situation. Overall, I would recommend it to all high school and college coaches, just be prepared to adapt.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Specifics, July 9, 2003

By 

Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maximizing Baseball Practice (Paperback)

This is good for many baseball practice situations, but mostly geared for high school and college. Some of the early material caters primarily to indoor practice (for colder climates and/or for high school or college that starts early). The author notes that early on and proceeds with the rest of the material shortly after. Some good general ideas.