John Tuozzo, Michael Funaro, and Michael Cardi
Have you noticed that youth sports just doesn’t seem to be much fun anymore? In fact, if you’ve watched the news lately, they can be downright depressing—coaches going ballistic, parents fighting with each other, fans chanting obscenities, and our kids caught in the middle of the madness.
We wanted to put the fun back into youth sports, and that’s why we created a company called Funbe Sports (http://www.FUNBESports.com). FUNBE T-Ball is the first of several instructional manuals in the works, each geared toward a different level of youth baseball. The goal of the books and the companion products we plan to offer is very simple—teach kids the fundamentals of baseball in a positive environment that allows the kids to have fun while learning the game of baseball.
We remembered how it was when we were a kid and we’ve noticed that today, the innocence and exuberance of the game seems to be lost. We think those things are worth finding again, and we have a feeling many of you do, too.
So we offer this book as an antidote to the craziness—to the “win-at-any-cost” mentality. We hope you find it useful, and we hope the children you teach acquire valuable baseball skills along with a love of our national pastime.
We also hope that when it comes time to ask that all-important question, “Are we having fun yet?,” the answer from those future generations of aspiring young athletes in your charge will be a resounding “yes!”
John Tuozzo
John Tuozzo is a former professional baseball player in the New York Mets organization and a veteran of Torrington Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion leagues. He was captain and MVP of the University of Hartford baseball team in his junior and senior years. He is a member of both the Torrington High School Hall of Fame and University of Hartford Hall of Fame. John is Director for Player Development for the Rocky Hill Little League and has conducted hundreds of individual, team, and organizational baseball clinics.
Michael Funaro
Mike Funaro’s passion for baseball began in Little League and continues today. Mike has played all levels of baseball, from Little League through college. He has coached Little League, from T-Ball through Majors. He is the Training Director on his local Little League Board of Directors. Mike is Northeast Manager of a major fiber optics firm, responsible for sales and marketing and product development. He received his B.S. in Business and Political Science from Southern Connecticut State University.
Michael Cardi
After Little League, Michael Cardi went on to Rhode Island baseball powerhouse Bishop Hendricken High School where he was captain of his baseball team. Mike has coached at all levels of Little League, from T-Ball through Majors. He is the Information Officer on his local Little League Board of Directors. He is also IT Director for a small financial company. He holds a B.A. in Management Information Systems from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Foreword
I didn’t hesitate at all when John asked me to write the foreword for this book. John Tuozzo and I have been friends for several years. His passion for the game of baseball and teaching our youth how to play the game the right way is evident every time he steps on the field as a coach or instructor.
I have had the opportunity to participate in several youth clinics with John. The way the kids respond to him is amazing. He has an uncanny ability to be able to break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand instructions.
I applaud the authors for getting together to create a company that is trying to bring the fun back to youth sports. As a Major League Baseball player, I have seen numerous young players who get discouraged at the game because it was no longer fun. It’s one thing when a player stops playing baseball as an adult, but another when they stop as a child. Too often overzealous parents push their children at an early age in hope that someday they will play in the major leagues. A number of youth coaches add to the pressure by making the game too competitive, where winning is everything.
In this book, John and the authors have taken everything they have learned while playing, coaching and watching the game of baseball to create an easy-to-use template that will provide parents and coaches with everything they need to teach kids the proper fundamentals of the game. Throughout the book, an emphasis of making the game fun is the central theme.
For any parent or coach looking to teach kids the proper fundamentals and the right way to play the game of baseball, this book is for you.
I hope you enjoy the book. I know I did.
- Ricky Bottalico
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Laying the Foundation
The Game
Expectations
Key Points
Chapter 2 - Warming Up
Before all Games and Practices
Warming Up Routine
Youth Injuries
Activities & Drills
Key Points
Chapter 3 – Running
Equipment
Fundamentals
Advanced Topics
Activities & Drills
Key Points
Chapter 4 – Throwing
Fundamentals
Building Arm Strength
Activities & Drills
Key Points
Chapter 5 – Hitting
Equipment
Fundamentals
Activities & Drills
Key Points
Chapter 6 – Fielding
Equipment
Fundamentals
Activities & Drills
Key Points
Chapter 7 - Coaches Corner
Plan
Delegate
Communicate
Key Points
Chapter 8 – Parents Corner
Volunteering
Communicating
Helpful Hints for Parents
Playing Multiple Sports
Activities & Drills
Key Points
About the Authors
