Baseball

You're just getting started with baseball. You can grip a ball correctly and play catch at short distances, and you can make contact with a stationary ball on a batting tee. You understand basic rules like three outs per half-inning, the strike zone, and foul balls, but live game situations often feel overwhelming. You rely on a coach or experienced teammate for guidance.

• Can grip a ball with a four-seam grip and throw it chest-high to a partner 5 meters away at least 6 out of 10 times
• Can hit a stationary ball off a batting tee with the barrel of the bat at least 5 out of 10 times
• Can catch a chest-high throw with a glove at least 5 out of 10 times
• Can explain the basic rules of three-out rotation, inning structure, the strike zone, and foul balls
• Can identify and describe the basic roles of pitcher, catcher, infielders, and outfielders
• Can participate in a practice game (tee ball or softball) for at least one inning while following the batting order

You field grounders and fly balls with proper form, time your swing against live pitching, and sprint to first base after contact. You understand tag-up situations and can execute a basic bunt. You perform your assigned position's basic role within a team, though your judgment slows down in complex situations.

• Can field a ground ball hit directly at you by placing your glove on the ground and throwing to first base at least 6 out of 10 times
• Can catch a fly ball in the outfield while moving into position at least 5 out of 10 times
• Can put the ball in fair territory at least 3 out of 10 at-bats against live pitching
• Can sprint to first base after contact and stop or continue running based on the safe/out call
• Can explain the tag-up rule on fly outs and execute it correctly in practice situations
• Can square up for a bunt and lay the ball into the infield at least 4 out of 10 times
• Can catch pitches from a pitcher while wearing full catcher's gear at least 5 out of 10 times

If you're an infielder, you turn double plays. As an outfielder, you execute relay throws. As a pitcher, you command at least two pitch types. You adjust your defensive positioning and hitting approach based on runner situations, out counts, and score differentials. You play consistently throughout a league season and fulfill your role within team tactics.

• Can execute your primary position's signature skill in games (infielder: double play relay, outfielder: relay throw, catcher: blocking)
• Can throw at least two pitch types (e.g., fastball and changeup) to intended zones as a pitcher
• Can assess runner-on-first situations and choose the right tactic among hit-and-run, bunt, and steal
• Can adjust defensive positioning (infield in, double play depth) based on out count and runner situations
• Can differentiate between aggressive swings and plate discipline based on the ball count at the plate
• Can register for and consistently play in a league season of 15 or more games, contributing to team records
• Can understand coach's signs during baserunning and independently execute steal, tag-up, and advance decisions

You understand pitch sequencing that targets a batter's weaknesses, and you identify pitch types to swing selectively at the plate. On defense, you understand and execute situational cutoff and relay systems. You maintain focus in late-inning pressure situations. You compete in regional tournaments or upper-tier leagues, contributing to team strategy beyond individual stats.

• Can sequence three or more pitch types to exploit a batter's weaknesses (inside/outside, high/low) and hold batters for at least one inning
• Can identify pitch types (fastball, breaking ball, changeup) at the plate and make solid contact on off-speed pitches at least 4 out of 10 at-bats
• Can throw accurately to the correct cutoff man from the outfield based on hit direction and runner situation
• Can point to at least three instances of recording a hit, RBI, or key defensive play in close games (within two runs) from the 7th inning onward
• Can play as a starter throughout a regional tournament or upper-tier league event lasting three or more games
• Can read the running score and opposing pitcher's patterns during a game and suggest strategic adjustments to the team
• Can track personal season stats (batting average, on-base percentage, fielding percentage) and set improvement targets

You can make game management calls on pitcher changes, lineup adjustments, and defensive shifts during games. You diagnose technical weaknesses in younger players and design corrective drills. You analyze opposing lineups and pitchers in advance. You begin coaching youth or recreational teams, and you maintain systematic conditioning and injury prevention programs.

• Can make game management decisions on pitcher changes, pinch hitters, and pinch runners based on inning, runner situation, and batting order
• Can analyze the batting form or pitching mechanics of three or more junior players and design corrective training plans
• Can analyze at least three recent games' records or footage of an opposing team and share key lineup and pitcher patterns in team meetings
• Can independently design and run a 90-minute or longer training session for youth or recreational teams
• Can participate in team strategy development over a season (10+ games) and produce data-driven post-game improvement proposals
• Can collect basic scouting data (defensive range, batted ball direction, baserunning speed) and write evaluation reports
• Can maintain systematic conditioning (endurance, explosiveness, shoulder strengthening) at least three times per week for eight consecutive weeks
• Can track the opposing pitcher's pitch-type ratios and count-specific sequencing patterns in real time from the bench and relay insights to batters

You hold a KBO coaching qualification, USA Baseball coaching certification, or equivalent credential. You design season-long training curricula covering hitting, pitching, fielding, and conditioning for 20 or more players. You systematically evaluate players' strengths and weaknesses and create individual development plans. You have established criteria for early talent identification and measure training program outcomes with data.

• Can hold a KBO coaching qualification, USA Baseball coaching certification, or equivalent credential
• Can design a season-long (6+ months) training curriculum for 20 or more players, structured by hitting, pitching, fielding, and conditioning
• Can coach five or more players with documented outcomes (league level advancement, increased selection frequency)
• Can establish systematic player evaluation criteria based on age group, build, pitch velocity, and exit velocity, and apply them to scouting
• Can produce baseball education content (training manuals, tactical analysis videos, instructional articles) reaching an audience of 500 or more
• Can present training methodologies at coaching workshops, instructor seminars, or baseball conferences
• Can design a periodization plan that adjusts in-season training load based on a player's injury history and fitness data, and demonstrate a reduction in re-injury rate

You redefine how baseball is taught, played, or understood at a fundamental level. Your contributions, whether through tactical innovation, training system design, or achievements as a player or manager, become reference points for the baseball community. You advise national or international baseball organizations, develop the next generation of coaches, and your work shapes the sport across decades.

• Can develop an original tactical system or training methodology that has been adopted by organizations or coaches outside your own program
• Can publish an authoritative baseball book, research paper, or systematized training system cited by 10 or more external sources
• Can advise or consult with national or international baseball bodies (MLB, KBO, WBSC) on coaching standards, player development, or tournament formats
• Can demonstrate that a training system or methodology you created has been maintained and evolved by others for five or more years
• Can mentor five or more coaches who independently develop competitive teams
• Can demonstrate the long-term impact of your coaching philosophy on player development through tracking data spanning 10 or more years