Frankfort Force 13U Black
2027 SEASON • WIN THE BATTLE“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Schedule synced from GameChanger Nov 1 • check the live link for changes
wodark@gmail.com
Playbook
Team GoalsSet together as a team
To be Determined by Team in December
SignsSteal, bunt, take, pitch calls
Offensive Signs
Indicator: touch brim of hat
- Steal: tap wrist
- Quick steal: double tap wrist
- Delay steal: tap forearm
- Bunt: tap belly
- Take: shake fists
- Everything is off: swipe body
- Hit & run: wrist and middle of chest, 2 times
- Bunt & run: wrist and belly, 2 times
Pitching Signs
Pitch type
- Fastball: nose
- Changeup: brim of hat
Location
- Outside: top of hat
- Inside: ear
Last sign is LIVE. Example: nose to ear = inside fastball.
Position NumbersKnow your number
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | Catcher | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF |
Outfield AlignmentWhere to stand
- Every half move equals 10-15 ft, or 5 big steps. Plus (wave behind head) or minus (wave in front of face) is called for depth; each depth move is 3 big steps.
- Standard: LF 7, CF 8, RF 9
- Pinch middle: LF 8, CF 8, RF 8
- No doubles: LF 6+, CF 8++, RF 10+
Outfield CutsWho cuts, who relays
1st & 3rd Situational DefenseRunners on the corners
Calls: Top of Hat, Face, Chest, Shoulder.
Bunt CoveragesWho covers what
Calls: 135, 13, 15, Wheel.
Pickoff PlaysDaylight, back, and more
Calls: Green 16, Green 24.
Team StandardsHow we show up every day
- I respect everyone on the field.
- I look my coaches in the eye and take a knee when huddled.
- I make only positive comments about players and teammates.
- I never argue with umpires.
- I am well behaved wherever we travel.
- I wear Frankfort Force clothes to practices and team events.
- I have a "We before Me" attitude. I cheer for my team on the field and in the dugout.
- I arrive early with my hat on forward, shirt tucked in and equipment ready.
- I pick up after myself after every practice/game and help take care of the fields.
- I believe I can always get better and do my "dailies."
- I "battle back" after a tough play. I have a "get the next play" mentality and hold my head high when I fail.
- I always run on the baseball field. I sprint on and off, together with my team, each inning.
- I play hard and get dirty.
- I will not have my phone visible before or during any practice or game.
- If I miss a team event, I will not start on defense and will bat last in the following game.
- I will win the battle.
- I understand that a violation of any of these rules may affect my playing time.
Development ObjectivesObjectives by position
Offense
- Mental approach / situational hitting
- Pitch count strategies: Green, Yellow, Red
- Stay back on off-speed; "ride the knee"
- Steal on ALL balls in the dirt; read the pitch
- Watch the lead runner; listen for contact
- Sprint on base on balls/walks
- FEARLESS baserunning!
- Bunt for a hit and sac consistently
Defense
- Double plays; get the lead runner
- Pickoff plays; proper tagging, let it travel
- Execute Cut 4 routinely
Pitching
- First pitch strike
- Keep runners honest: slide step, pickoffs
- Back up bases; follow the cut
- Master the changeup
- Introduce curve ball with proper form
Infield / 1B
- Tag runners; let it travel
- Check 3, go to 1 with runner on 3rd
- Plays at home; Cut 4 responsibilities
Outfield
- Crow hops
- Playing/finding the fence
- Catching the ball on the run
- “Do or die” plays
Catchers
- Back up infield throws to 1B
- Pickoff / snap throws
- Call pickoffs; rapport with umpire; manage the game and pace
Train
Your DailiesThe daily work
Any one of these exercises, once a day. Goal: hit at least 2 times a week and do J-Bands at least 3 times a week.
Hitting
- 25-30 swings off a tee or soft toss
- Move the tee up/down, inside/outside
- Eyes start at pitcher, transfer to ball, hit the inside seam (railroad tracks)
Arm Care
- Arm circles
- J-Band exercises
Glove / Hand Work
- Tennis ball bare-hand drills
- Paddle / flat glove drills
Strength / Power
- 100 jump squats
- 3 sets of pull-ups to failure
- 3 sets of 25 pushups, or until failure
Arm Care & J-BandsProtect your arm
Arm Circle Routine
- Palms down rotating forward; palms up rotating backward
- 10 small, 10 quarter, 10 half, 10 ¾, 10 full, 10 ¾, 10 half, 10 small
- J-Bands: 5 exercises, 10 reps each. Dual arm: Forward Flies and Reverse Flies. Throwing arm: Internal Rotation, External Rotation and Forward Throwing Motion.
- Do them before throwing. Quality over quantity; work to the point of fatigue, not failure.
J-Band Exercises
The circled exercises are the 5 we do, 10 reps each: Forward Flies, Reverse Flies, Internal Rotation, External Rotation and Forward Throwing Motion. Tap an image to zoom.
Exercise graphics: Armed by Jaeger.
Video Library
Off-season homework. Tap a video to watch.
Our Mentality
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
What does it take to Win the Battle?
Toughness
- Expect hard
- Out-compete your opponent, want it more
- No pretty boys; win ugly (will your accessories help your team win?!)
Confidence
- NOW: The only play that matters!
- There is always a way, find it
- Fail and learn = growth
Togetherness
- Communicate!
- Pick each other up: be a friend!
- Have fun and be yourself
Schedule
Times shown in Central Time. Games and tournaments will be added as they are scheduled in GameChanger.
Team Stats
Season batting and pitching stats will appear here once games begin. For live stats, scores and box scores, use GameChanger.
Open team on GameChanger →