From an established youth-league coach, this is your complete guide to playing the field - and playing to win. Baseball players, coaches, and fans alike get excited about pitching and hitting. On the mound and at the plate - that's where stars are born and legends are celebrated. But it's not where games are won. The real secret to success? Good defense. You can't win without solid players in the field - and every player must play the field. Coaching the Little League[registered] Fielder teaches Little Leaguers and their coaches everything they need to know to play solid, fundamentally sound defense. Written by a seasoned youth-league instructor, this book covers all the essentials of basic defensive skills, from catching and throwing to cut-off plays and covering the bases.Whether they're in the outfield or the infield, players will learn how to field ground balls, shag flies, pitch defensively, and even strategize team defense. Based on his years of coaching experience, Mark Gola proceeds position by position to show you how to: overcome fear of the ball; throw accurately - without aiming; field a grounder in four easy steps; develop good judgment of fly balls; turn a pitcher into a glove man on the mound; nab pop-ups behind home plate; and, back-up bases and execute a proper cut-off play. Filled with helpful tips, skill-building drills, and more than 120 instructional photographs, this easy-to-use handbook is the only complete guide you'll find to mastering the art of fielding.