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By: Chris Turco

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Table of Contents PREFACE - 4 Chapter 1: Laying Plans - 5 • Points 1-4 Chapter 2: Waging War - 9 • Points 5-7 Chapter 3: Attack By Stratagem - 10 • Points 8-14 Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions - 14 • Points 15-19 Chapter 5: Energy - 17 • Points 20 - 26 Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong - 21 • Points 27 - 33 Chapter 7: Maneuvering - 23 • Points 34 - 43 Chapter 8: Variation in Tactics - 26 • Points 44 - 47 Chapter 9: The Army on the March - 28 • Points 48 - 51 Chapter 10: Terrain - 30 • Points 52 - 60 Chapter 11: 9 Situations - 34 • Points 61 - 76 Chapter 12: The Attack by Fire - 40 • Points 77 - 79 Chapter 13: Use of Spies - 41 • Point 80

Art of Baseball / Softball War – Chris Turco – Championshiphitting.com Adapted from: Art of War – Sun Tzu Preface: Sports are NOT AN EQUIVALENT TO WAR! War is a serious life and death event and sports are for entertainment purposes. That is an understood point and not taken lightly but the same techniques needed to win a battle or war can be applied to sports to help run a successful program and win a championship or game. Sun Tzu created what essentially amounts to a leadership manual for how to conduct an organization when the leader of an organization does not view failure as an option. Sun Tzu’s ultimate goal was creating “rules” for quickly winning battles and conquering nations (preferably through the most peaceful means possible) while simultaneously directing a disciplined military that believes in the leadership and mission of the army and can be effectively led through coordinated commands. These lessons taught by Tzu in the Art of War can be utilized not just by baseball or softball teams, but by all sports teams and businesses. DISCLAIMER: Due to Tzu’s goal of ending a battle or war as quickly as possible, Tzu advocates for utilizing some practices that may run afoul of sportsmanship or some cases, afoul of the unwritten rules of the game. Tzu’s main focus is emerging victorious and saving as many lives of his forces and opposition citizens as possible. Tzu is not concerned with “fairness” as “fairness” does not assist victory. Some of the more controversial topics in the writing revolve around deception and can be found in points 21 and 25. These deceptive measures are documented and discussed because they can be applied to help win games, but they are not necessarily espoused by Championship hitting or Coach Turco due to the inherent “unfairness” these techniques can produce. This ultimate goal of this work is to show some of the ways the military treatise Art of War could be applied to baseball or softball and more importantly, to leadership of an organization. About this book: Line numbers and chapter names correlate with the corresponding lines in the “Art of War” Quotes have been taken directly out of Tzu’s writings. Due to time past since Tzu’s publication, no copyrights have been violated with this work. Free online editions of the Art of War can be accessed at the following site: • http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html This work utilizes cross references linking the different points in the Art of War that are related to one another. Tzu utilizes some redundant points that he felt strongly about and this work takes the time to link these points to one another discussing how they can be applied to sport, especially baseball and softball. - Cross references (highlighted in BLUE) are hyperlinked to proper place within the document. Simply click on # to bring you to reference point.

CHAPTER 1: Laying plans 1. line 5-10: Laying plans “5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger. 7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. 8. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. 9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness. 10. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.” Every team / program is governed by 5 laws that influence EVERYTHING that occurs within a program and determine programs success level. Prior to decisions being made and program operating procedures being established, the 5 laws should be taken into consideration. • The questions listed in point 2 should have well established answers and strongly considered before decisions are made regarding running a program. o Coaches should do everything in their power not to make decision that contradict the answers to the questions. o If contradictions occur, the “bulwark” will be weakened and thus the team will be weakened. Reference to point 11 ▪ A team can only be as strong as the head coach and thus all efforts should be taken to protect and strengthen the “bulwark” (head coach) ▪ Coaches should strive to cultivate belief in the team so that when the time comes, players will rise to the occasion as discussed in point 65 o 1. Moral law (TEAM CULTURE) ▪ “players” should be able to act in complete accord with directives from the coaching staff and head coach. • RELATIONSHIPS must be established but these relationships should have well respected boundaries. Point 59 ▪ Players believe in the coaching staff enough that they will follow directives from the staff even if a players’ ideas may differ from the coaching staff’s ideas. ▪ Players should not be intimidated by reputation of opponent • If prepared well enough, teams will be ready for all occurrences that can happen during the game and they will not taken by surprise during the game and they will not be afraid of the outcome of the game because they will understand what is needed to achieve victory. Points 9, 14, 15, 18 ▪ Discussions of Moral law (Culture) throughout the Art of War: • Making adjustments / being flexible – Point 4 • Effects of outside influences on culture – Point 5 • Effects of team’s mental state on culture – Point 13 • Violating culture to achieve wins – Point 21 and Point 25 • Executing in the heat of the moment – Point 42 • Culture and its relationship to discipline – Point 50

• Cultivating culture and assistant coaches – Point 54 • Culture and consistent standards – Point 67 • Culture and rewarding players - Point 72 • Culture and team motivation – Point 77 o 2. Heaven ▪ conditions of a practice (duration, intensity, practice plan) ▪ how conditions affect game (weather / time) o 3. Earth ▪ Chances for victory or success and tactics and techniques used to achieve victory ▪ physical safety of players ▪ Conditions of playing field ▪ Travel arrangements o 4. Commander / Coach ▪ Head coach much be virtuous and act with • Wisdom • Sincerity • Benevolence • Courage • Strictness ▪ A team can never be stronger than the abilities of the head coach • Point 11 and Point 42 o 5. Method / discipline of team organization ▪ Duty delegation to assistants ▪ Player leadership structure and duties ▪ Player communication ▪ Maintenance and acquisition of the gear / facilities ▪ Establishing of team budget ▪ parent / booster communication and conduct ▪ Elaborated upon in point 19 and Point 20 2. line 11: Laying plans “These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.” HAVE A PLAN for the 5 laws and be able to explain how the 5 laws of “War” are carried out within a program. If a coach has a plan for the 5 laws, a coach will be able to run a successful program. If a coach has no plan for executing the 5 laws, the coach will have an underperforming or failing program. Moral law: • How will coach attempt to gain accord with players and get players (and assistant coaches) to “buy” in to teachings and operating procedures of the program? • How will coach establish, teach, and maintain team “culture”? Traits / virtues a head coach should possess according to Sun Tzu

Heaven: • How will a coach organize practice? How will coach communicate this organization to the players? • What are the expectations during practice? o Properly expressed expectations significantly decrease time of practice and increase intensity to desired level. Earth: • Has a coach scouted appropriately and prepared team for opponent? Is coach realistic with challenges of opposition? • Has the head coach kept physical safety of player a top priority? (Water break, EAP, proper concern and attention to injury) • Has the head coach maintained the field properly and is the field legally constructed and safe? • What travel plans has coach made to adequately prepare team for successful contest? Commander: • Does coach attempt to teach virtues to team? (are players gaining skills other than on field skills) o What virtues? o How are the virtues taught? • Does the coach act with integrity in relation to virtues being taught? o Wisdom - how does a coach use his or her experience to their advantage? o Sincerity – does a coach mean what is said and follow through on promises? o Benevolence – does a coach act in a way that enhances the lives of people affiliated with program? o Courage – does the coach make the difficult decisions that befall all leaders? Does the head coach support the assistant coaches properly? o Strictness – What is the method of making sure program members adhere to the standards of the program? Method and discipline for team organization • How does a coach communicate and manage assistant coaches? o How does head coach delegate duties and responsibilities to assistants? o How does coach evaluate and follow up to be sure delegation is being followed through? o How does a coach decide who and not to hire on the coaching staff? • What leadership structure does a coach utilize within the player ranks? o How does coach communicate and educate team leaders? • How does a coach communicate standards and expectations to players? o How does the coach carry out adherence to these expectations and standards? • Does coach keep and inventory and properly maintain equipment? o What is process for executing equipment maintenance? • What is the coaches process for establishing a budget? o Can the coach maintain a balanced budget or create a budget surplus? o What are the parameters for deciding which purchases will be made? • How does coach work towards establishing communication with parent / booster organization? • How does coach maintain communication with superiors? 3. line 13: Laying plans (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are officers and

men more highly trained? (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? 7 Questions of the team and game every coach needs to be able to affirmatively answer • Strive to have one’s team holding the advantage EVERY GAME in regards to the questions posed here. o 1. Which of the two teams has the better culture? ▪ Which team’s players believe and act more in accord with program culture? o 2. Which head coach has the most ability? ▪ Technical ability, decision making ability, communicative ability, inspirational ability • A head coach must be able to effectively identify his or her strengths and then seek to hire coaches on staff which supplement a head coaches weaknesses while simultaneously not detracting from strengths. o 3. Which program has the advantage of “heaven and earth”? ▪ Which coaching staff has better prepared their team for the contest at hand? ▪ Which team is healthier? ▪ Will the conditions of the playing field impact the game and has the team prepared properly for this occurrence? o 4. On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? ▪ Which program maintains their stated standards and expectations the best? o 5. Which team is stronger? ▪ Technically stronger ▪ Tactically stronger ▪ Physically stronger o 6. Which team has better trained coaches and better trained player leaders? ▪ Do the team leaders know what is supposed to be done on the field during the game? ▪ Do coaching staffs value learning? ▪ (see advantages of heaven and earth) o 7. In which “team” is there a greater constancy both in reward and punishment? ▪ What are the team rewards and punishments? • The team that can answer yes to the 7 questions of war, is more likely to win. 4. line 17: Laying Plans “According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one’s plans” Coaches should be flexible and open to modifying plans. Coaches should always be critiquing and looking for modifications and adjustments based on current conditions and needs of the team. • At the start and end of each season, (and in some cases as the season is on going) a coach should re-evaluate the: Moral law, Heaven, Earth, Commander, and team organization and discipline to see if adjustments need to be made. • No 2 teams are the same and different adjustments need to be made each season for a team to reach their potential. • The head coach should dedicate time to assess the effectiveness of him or herself in executing the 5 laws each year.

CHAPTER 2: Waging War 5. line 2 – 4: Waging war: “When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.” • Players may lose enthusiasm or spirit during losing streaks. Pay proper attention to this and continue to cultivate the (point 1) Moral Law (culture) of the program. • A losing season(s) can impact financial support / sponsorships of a program. • Beware of outside (or inside) influences eroding the Moral law, player buy in, or confidence in head coach or coaching staff during times of duress within the team. o Confront negative influences or face the consequences of disorder within the team that may come internally or externally. 6. line 16: Waging War “ Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards” After victory PLAYERS should be rewarded in some way. The only question is how to reward them. Rewards depend on the established virtues and culture of a team. • Do no forget to reward assistant coaches as well • Maximize the impact of victory in a way that is in congruence with program culture. • This is closely linked to Point 72 7. part of line 17: Waging war and line (19): Waging war “The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.” “In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns” SPORTSMANSHIP has value! • Always treat opposition with kindness after a victory. o There is no need to “run up” a score on an opposing team as that will breed resentment. • Once victory is assured, it is okay to show HONOR to the opposition by not embarrassing them. o Understand and utilize “mercy” rules properly o Do not prolong the game past where the game needs to go.

CHAPTER 3: Attack by Strategem 8. line 2 and line 6: Attack by Stratagem “Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” “Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting” WIN THE GAME BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS • Games can be won and have been won through a team’s reputation and strong team culture. o If a team’s reputation is positive and fear inspiring, a team can unnerve their opponent before the 1st pitch is ever thrown • A strong reputation is like starting a game with a lead. When the other team compares themselves to the opposition, the other team should feel inferior. o “Win” the pre-game stretch and throw o “Win” pre game Batting practice o “Win” Pre game infield / Outfield o “Win” home games with beautiful and well kept facilities o “Win” with uniformly dressed players WIN THE GAME WITH PROPER PREPARATION • With proper game planning, it may be possible to thwart opposition attacks before they ever happen thus essentially “winning” the game before ever stepping on the field. o Point 14 & Point 15 9. Line 3-4: Attack By Stratagem “Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided” This section is closely linked to point 14. Proper game planning requires knowing one’s own team and the enemy. • The greatest form of strategic coaching (balk enemy’s plans) is to understand the opponents game plan so well that not only does one’s team perfectly execute their own plan, but if renders the opposition’s game plan ineffective. • A good game plan (preventing junction of enemy’s forces) allows a team to execute their plan while limiting the damage caused by the opposition. • An average plan (attacking enemy in field) allows for closely fought victory through sound decision making in the heat of battle. • A poor game plan (besieging walled cities) has a team playing against the strengths of the opposition and making tactically poor decisions. 10. Line 8-9: Attack by Stratagem “It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.” “If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him”

The TEAM perspective of this quote • If one’s team is significantly better than the opposition, ATTACK! Score early and often and do not allow opposition to “hang around” and do not give up FREE OUTS! o Do not give the opposition any semblance of an “easy out” and do not take unnecessary chances. ▪ No SAC bunting, no need to steal, no risky base running chances. o Force the team to make plays and in turn they will likely make mistakes adhering to Tzu’s principle discussed in line 13 of the Tactical disposition chapter – “He wins his battles by making no mistakes” Reference to point 17 ▪ Force the action and play clean defense. • If a team is equal or slightly inferior, stress pitching, defense and timely execution to arrive at victory. (this point is stressed in lines 11 and 13 of the Tactical disposition chapter) – Reference to point 15 o Pitching and defense are reliable! Pitching and defense will keep a team in a game against a similarly matched opponent. o Offensive opportunities will be provided throughout the game ▪ Execution is paramount for being able to defeat a similarly matched team ▪ Some risk may have to be taken to create opportunity • In a ballgame a team cannot flee so that would take out Sun Tzu’s preferred methodology when a team is severely outmatched by another. o Point 29 – discusses utilizing a varied offensive attack and that perhaps provides the greatest chance for an outmatched team. Tzu discusses deploying multiple strategies of attack leaving the opposition unsure about how to properly defend. Because the opposition is unsure of how to properly defend, they are then susceptible to making more mistakes, thus creating opportunities that multiple as the game goes on. ▪ This is akin to asymmetrical warfare. o Point 31 also alludes to the use of proper scouting to win games. Through rigorous scouting, it may be possible to exploit opposition offensive weakness and proper pitch calling and defensive positioning can assist with achieving victory. OFFENSIVE perspective of this quote • If the opposing pitcher and or defense lacks in skill, have an aggressive offensive approach on balls within the strike zone that forces action in pre 2k counts. o If a team cannot catch and throw well, it may actually be advantageous to hit the ball HARD on the ground a bit more to force the mistakes Tzu discusses in later chapters. o POUND THE OPPOSITION into submission. ▪ If opposition pitching cannot shut down the offense, rely on swinging as main means of run production. • If the opposing pitcher and defense is skilled but not overwhelmingly elite a disciplined approach is preferred. o Look for a specific speed or specific portion of the strike zone on 0k and expanding on 1K o A good 2K approach offers “a battle” and timely execution ultimately wins the game. o Vary techniques a bit and take calculated risks with sending base runners and stealing bases • If the opposing pitcher is extremely elite battle should be avoided or prolonged as much as possible. o (baseball specific) – Raise pitchers pitch count as fast as possible through strategic takes and fouling pitches off.

o When runners reach base, utilize the varied approach discussed in the team section above to distract pitchers attention from batter. ▪ Aggressive leads ▪ hit and run ▪ bunt and run ▪ Slash o Attack unpredictably and take risks ▪ 2K bunts ▪ Forced balks ▪ Skunk in the grass play 1st and 3rd o Utilize techniques that may frustrate pitcher or opposing coaching staff ▪ Break pitcher rhythm by utilizing time outs to frustrate him ▪ Crowd the plate / push the limits of the batters box o Challenge unwritten rules of the game in order to create frustration and confusion 11. Line 11: Attack by Stratagem “Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak” The team can only be as strong as the head coach of the team. • If the head coach is to lead the team, the team cannot properly execute program strategy that the coach cannot teach or carry out. • Head coaches must be lifelong learners and educated on new advances within the sport. These advantages must be understood so the coach can exploit any advantages that can be gained and to be sure their team is prepared to defend against those same advantages. • Head coaches who cede large portions of their program to assistant coaches (pitching coach / hitting coach / 3rd base coach) must be sure to understand the teachings and strategies employed so they can properly be evaluated for effectiveness. • Head Coaches should not be hypocritical with their teachings and handling of players and parents and should not undermine the 5 laws with decision. (Point 1) 12. Line 12-15: Attack by Stratagem “There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:-- (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds. (3) By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.” There are many ways to lose but 3 ways which are GUARANTEED to lead to certain failure. 1. Coaches must be aware of the abilities of a team and the abilities of each of their players. NEVER ask a player to do something that it is KNOWN the player cannot excel at. Point 14 a. DO NOT expect the team to execute something that little to no time has been spend executing in practice. 2. A head coach must make decisions. The BUCK STOPS WITH THE HEAD COACH! a. Seeking input is important, seeking TOO MUCH input on too many decisions can create more confusion than good. i. Questions of coaching competence

ii. Frustration of ignored input b. Coaches should have a well-versed decision-making process before executing big decisions. 3. Trust and allow assistant coaches to have the ability to make the immediate decisions that needs to be made and do not criticize or contradict assistant coach decisions on the field in front of the players. a. Show trust in the coaching staff. 13. Line 17: Attack by Stratagem “Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.” 1. Scheduling matters. The best a coach can do in terms of knowing when to fight and not to fight is to set one’s schedule up to the best of his or her ability. a. Point 78 2. As discussed above, have a plan for inferior and superior teams and be honest about which one’s team is. 3. It is the responsibility of the coaching staff to be aware of the mental status of all players. – Point 62 a. The best teams are those whose players are all properly motivated and committed. i. Having and excellent Moral Law (culture) assists in helping all players stay properly animated / motivated. ii. Having the proper player leadership infrastructure in place 4. PERPARE PROPERLY in practice. Practice is where games are won! (rule of Heaven Point 1) 5. It is helpful to have a supportive administration that does not hinder one’s ability to achieve victory. 14. Line 18: Attack by Stratagem “Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” • If a coach properly understands their team’s abilities and has properly scouted the opposition, they can have a pretty solid idea of how the game will play out. • If a coach properly understands their team’s abilities but does not know much about the opposition, opportunities will arise to gain victory through proper utilization of a teams skills, but loses will also occur that could have potentially been avoided through game planning and practice. • This coach is not doing their job appropriately. Points Cross referencing Point 14: • 9, 12, 18, 25, 33, 45, 57, 58, 60, 62, 70, 74, 77, 79

CHAPTER 4: TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS 15. Line 1-3: Tactical Dispositions “The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.” DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS - By playing PERFECT defense and not letting a team score, a team can guarantee at worst a tie and passage into extra innings. Point 17 • Sun Tzu is stressing the importance of defense and pitching. Teams should be built around these two constructs as they will guarantee invincibility. • Good defense makes over 95% of all their plays, good pitchers throw over 70% strikes, whereas good offenses execute reaching base only approx. 40% of the time. o DEFENSE IS REALIABLE - a team can go 3+ games without an error! o Pitching staffs should limit free bases • At some point during these error free games, the opposing team will provide an opportunity to be attacked. o Point 18 & Point 32 • It is essential that one’s team takes advantage of the opportunity because it cannot be known how many opportunities a team will have. • To successfully carry out this attack, each member of the team needs to be proficient in the means of attack and be able to employ multiple type of attack so that they will be prepared for any situation the moment may call for. o Each hitter on the team must be proficient in the 7 skills of offense (6 in softball) and be willing and able to employ each of these at a moments notice. Point 22 ▪ Reaching base . ▪ Sacrifice bunting ▪ slash ▪ hit and run ▪ steal ▪ Sacrifice flys ▪ Second Base Leads 16. Line 8-12: Tactical Dispositions “To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and conquer and the whole Empire says, "Well done!" To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.” • Great coaches see A PATH to victory before the path was evident to everyone else. This foresight is a gift that is little understood therefore little praised. • By the time everyone else sees the path, the path is obvious to all and the coach will never get the true credit due to him or her because no one will truly realize the skilled strategy to reach the obvious path. • Many times the path to victory is simply doing the common things better than the opposition. o The magic isn’t always in the strategy, rather in the proficient practice and daily grind of perfecting the common things.

o Sometimes the path is simply practicing the threats the opposition bring to the game that have been uncovered through proper scouting. ▪ Point 28 & Point 32 17. Line 13: Tactical Dispositions “He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated” • If action during a game is taken when it is likely to succeed, than the execution of the action must be PERFECT! If no mistakes are made and the execution of the action is perfect, victory is certain. • The Coach MUST know what situations to use what plays and what people can execute these plays perfectly to guarantee victory. o Point 26 – utilizing combined energy to win • So goes the old adage “if we play our game we will be fine”. The trick is learning what” your game” is and perfecting “your game” • Making no mistakes also relates to mental mistakes o Defense: Players must be aware of what to do when the ball comes to them o Offense: Players must not make foolish base running blunders or execute poor at bat plans o Coaching: Coaches must not act in a way which will negatively impact the optimal function of their team and coaches must make sound decision with offensive play calling and pitch calling. Point cross-referencing this point: 9, 15, 25, 29, 46, 61 18. Line 14: Tactical Dispositions “Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible ,and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.” Seize the moment for defeating your opponent and do not let it pass. PRACTICE EXECUTING IN THE MOMENT! • Through sound defense and pitching discussed in aforementioned points, a team will place themselves in a sound position to achieve victory. • Through forward thinking game planning a coach must have the foresight to know what situations he or she may be facing in an upcoming game or situation. o This is where coaching expertise mentioned in point 32 comes into play. o Coaches should consider the inning, score, spots in the batting order coming up and unfolding flow of the game to help drive decision making processes. ▪ The coach cannot question him or herself in the heat of battle since the game is ever changing and the coach can never be in the exact moment again. When opportunities present themselves, the coach MUST recognize them and execute in the moment. • Point 33 ▪ A coach must know his / her players and the players must have also been prepped for the moment and practiced executing in the situation that faces them. • A PLAYER CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO SUCCEED AT SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN PRACTICED! Point 14 19. Line 16: Tactical Dispositions “The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success”

• If the team believes in the coach and the culture (Point 1) of the program, success is easier to attain ▪ The coach must take the moral law (fostering belief in the coaching staff and team culture) into account in all decision making. • The coach cannot make decisions that violate team culture. Doing so risks losing the faith of the team and therefore control over possible success of the team. ▪ If a team does not have standards and expectations or if the adherence to standards and expectations vary, than the team cannot ultimately experience maximal success. Point 2 ▪ Players will RISE TO THE OCCASION to defend the culture of the team. Point 65

Chapter 5: Energy 20. Line 1-2: Energy “Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers. Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.” Communication is key! • Whether addressing players, coaches or boosters, be sure that messages reach EVERYONE. o Important messages need to come form the Head Coach ▪ Clarity of messages is of the utmost importance ▪ Point 1 (Method / discipline of team organization) 21. Line 5-6: Energy “In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.” Utilize all tactics at your disposal to win the game. • Anything that can influence the outcome of the game besides the on field play of the game itself is considered an indirect tactic. o In employing indirect tactics, be sure to not breach the Moral Law (Point 1) ▪ Have a well establish moral law so as to know the limits of where one is willing to go with indirect tactics. o Have a defined limit as to what one is willing and not willing to do in terms of indirect tactics. ▪ Examples: • Crowd support • Dugout chatter / player conduct • Coaching staff conduct • Signals / fake signals / Sign Stealing • Press releases / Media / social media • Statistics • Scouting reports / Fake scouting reports • Coach / Umpire Conduct • Support services offered to opposition o When deciding upon these items keep in mind Point 7 22. Line 7-10: Energy “There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid, salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.” No 2 games are ever the same

• A Limited number of moves can create an unlimited amount of outcomes o During the game, there are a limited number of things a team can choose to do in each situation, however how the opposition reacts to the moves can create an unpredictable outcome. o The goal is to make the correct moves to turn the momentum of the game in favor of one’s team. Control the momentum, control the game. o Be Varied in the way attacks are utilized – Point 29 23. Line 13: Energy “The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim” • Destroying “victims” (in BB/SB terms) means destroying the oppositions will to compete. o This process begins before the game ever starts as discussed in Point 8 • By securing enough momentum through well timed and well calculated moves, a team can effectively crush the opposition spirit. o Point 35 discusses keeping plans cloaked long enough for an attack to be successful due to opposition defenses not being fully prepared to rebuff attack. • Sometimes these decisions must be made in the moment at the player level. o Point 55 discusses allowing the players to have the freedom to make the decisions necessary to win games! 24. Line 14-16: Energy “Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.” Offense: • 1st time through the batting order, an offense may just be feeling out the opposing pitcher while achieving little success. o Subsequent times through the batting order, adjustments should be made and more successes gained o While going through this “feeling out” process, offenses should be gaining valuable information. ▪ Umpire strike zone ▪ Pitch tendencies ▪ Pitch sequences ▪ Pitch movement Pitching • LEARN THE STRIKEZONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE o The umpire’s strike zone for the day is of particular importance for success. o Each pitch that is thrown early in the game is a learning process for the pitcher, catcher and coaching staff. The battery and coaching staff should “feel out” the limits of the zone in the early innings. ▪ As the game progresses, the battery and coaches should adjust accordingly and become more and more effective as innings progress. ▪ Strong communication needs to take place with the umpire and a strategy of how to do this needs to be developed keeping in mind lessons discussed in Point 21 25. Line 17: Energy

“Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength” UTILYZING DECEPTION Sun Tzu is discussing the importance of deception in a clash of two opposing parties as being one of the greatest routes to victory. When reacting to a deception, an opposing team / opponent is often forced to operate outside of their rehearsed game plan. When the opposition improvises to react to deception mistakes occur. This is one of the most skillful ways a coach can “balk an enemy’s” plan, by either affecting the oppositions preparation, or forcing the opponent to abandon practiced game plan during the game. (Reference to point 9 and Point 17) How this relates to BB / SB • Prior to game day o Coaches talk before games. A coach can feign fear to an opposing coach so as to influence the level of preparation of the opposing team prior to a game. ▪ This is more organic when it occurs at the player level. If a coach really wants to make this type of deception impactful, he or she could coordinate a misinformation campaign amongst one’s players to opposing players to breed over confidence in the opposing team. o A Coach could deceive his or her own team in regards to the scouting report of the opposing team. ▪ If a team feels the opposition is weak, coaches can tell their own team that they have received scouting reports to the contrary. • Doing this too often can backfire and violate the moral law (Point 1) • Lineups: o Although seemingly minor, placing hitters in a different spot in the batting order than expected can affect a pitcher’s game plan o Announced starting pitchers – In High School this happens semi frequently where a coach will not state his or her starting pitcher until 5 minutes before game time at the home plate meeting. ▪ Coaches choosing to utilize indirect methods may purposely deceive the opposition by telling them someone other than the actual pitcher is pitching. ▪ In Softball, the pitcher can be listed on the lineup as the flex and at the Homeplate meeting prior to the game, a coach can enter the “DP” for the flex and have an entirely different person pitch without making a substitution. • Defense o Hidden ball trick is deception at its most basic level o Fake pickoff plays or regular pickoff plays ▪ Left handed pickoff moves in baseball • Offense o From a basic attack standpoint, hitters can focus on analytical data to prepare to attack their cold zones instead of hot zones. (This is counter intuitive) ▪ Hitters can also allow a pitcher to establish count / pitch tendencies early in the game thus feigning inability to combat the pitcher’s success. Once the pitcher thinks he or she is in a “groove”, hitters can then choose the appropriate time to spring an attack. This references point 23 (it is also a highly dubious method and high risk but utilized appropriately COULD be high reward)

o A coach places a hitter on deck forcing opposition to make a pitching change, only to rescind the on deck hitter for the original hitter. o In softball, slap hitters can choose to bunt, slap, power slap or hit away. o Fake bunts o Fake steals • Coaching o Fake Signals o Fake verbal commands Practice Each concept to develop proper responses to them • Simulate emotion in practice so that during a game the team can control emotions appropriately. ▪ If a team practices mastering their disorder, fear and weaknesses, they will not show during times of battle (games). A team MUST practice situations which will cause disorder, fear, and exploit their weaknesses. • This is closely linked to Point 14 ▪ If these emotions can be conquered in practice, then they will pose a less prominent threat in a game situation. • This passage by SUN TZU speaks to the necessity of a strong mental conditioning program for any team. Just as pitches, ground balls, and swings must be practiced, so do mental game situations. 26. Line 21-23: Energy “The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy.” Defense / Pitching: • Each player does not have to be expected to master every skill or be proficient at each of the defensive positions. o Players on defense MUST play in harmony and understand one another’s abilities and limitations in order to maximize combined energy • A bullpen exists for the sole reason of winning through combined energy o Coaches must know when to properly utilize the bullpen and which bullpen member to use in which situation. Offense: • Coaching hitters to be “tough outs” allows the combined energy / effect of each of the outs gained to exhaust the pitcher. o This is especially helpful when faced with a situation like the elite pitcher scenario in point 10 • No one person or 1 big hit has to knock the pitcher out of the game as the “death by 1000 cuts” method gets the job done.

CHAPTER 6: Weak points and Strong 27. Line 1: Weak Points and Strong “Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.” Don’t be LATE! • In baseball / softball, game times are set unlike battle so being 1st to the game isn’t as important as it may be in battle, but the premise is the same. If a team is late for pregame and cannot properly execute their warmup, the team can feel rushed and become agitated. 28. Line 2: Weak Points and Strong “Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him” 1st – familiarize yourself with the opponents will. • Proper scouting allows for familiarity with opposition game plan 2nd – figure out the weak points of opposition • Utilizing the scouting report, identify weakness of opponent 3rd – Design a game plan • Understand game plan prior to the game’s start and understand how to impose that game plan with the evolving events in the game. References to Points 31and 57 29. Line 8: Weak Points and Strong “Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack” Be unpredictable offensively and sound defensively • By using all means of offensive attack, a team can be unpredictable. Point 22 o To succeed at being this unpredictable, a team must be proficient in all means of offensive tactics. o Unpredictability makes preparing to play a team difficult as it forces opposition to spend precious time preparing to defend the multiple tactics that can be used. o Unpredictability creates apprehension and confusion in the opposition thus making defense slower to respond then they might otherwise be as well as prone to mistakes. • By playing sound defense, a team can rob opposition of hope as the opposition cannot create momentum. Point 17 30. Line 16-18: Weak Points and Strong “The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few. For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us”

• In a ball game the “fight” occurs in the field and the numbers will always be 9 v 9, however, by using many offensive tactics in baseball/softball, the opponents must prepare to defend each of these. (Point 29) • By diverting their attention from defending one tactic, the opponent will be average at defending each tactic instead of great against defending one strategy. ▪ Example: if a team merely relies on station to station baseball/softball, then the opponents need only practice routine plays. If a team steals, bunts, hits and runs, the opponent must focus on holding runners (baseball), playing under pressure, and making plays out of positions. Each of these skills must be practiced, thus distributing their focus (forces) in many directions. 31. Line 24: Weak points and strong “Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient” Consistently observe your opponents to try to pick out their weak points. Related to point 80 ▪ Properly scout and try to get the best read of the opposing team’s capabilities as possible ▪ Throughout the game, constantly watch your opponent to evaluate the accuracy of the scouting report and attempt to continually identify their weaknesses 32. Line 26-28: Weak points and strong “How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude cannot comprehend. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances” • Understand what offensive tactics are at a team’s disposal and when these tactics can be employed during a game. o Try to understand how your opposition’s game plan makes them susceptible to the tactics possessed by your team. • Do not make yourself dependent upon one type of attack. (Point 29) Be proficient in all strategy and tactics and let circumstance dictate which you use. o This strategy makes “balking” an enemies plan more likely! Point 9 33. Line: 32-33: Weak Points and Strong “Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.” The game is always evolving, evolve with it • ADJUST tactics as the game evolves. During a game, (especially on offense) identify the tactics of the pitching staff and modify hitting plan that will allow a hitter to succeed. o Practicing the modification of a hitting approach makes it much easier to modify the approach when the time comes in the game. • Do not think the same tactic in the same situation will work against a different opponent. Know their deficiencies. Consider their deficiency to be that they know how you previously succeeded and thus succeed differently. o Know your opponent (Point 14) o Tactics must fit situation (Point 32)

Chapter 7: Maneuvering 34. Line 2: Maneuvering “Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp” Cohesion is key! • The start of each season is like a brand new army on the march. o Each team will have a different personality and strengths. Creating cohesion and harmony within the team is a key element to a successful campaign or season. (Point 22) ▪ Creating a system of brotherhood / sisterhood is essential (Point 65) 35. Line 3: Maneuvering “After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain” Timing is EVERYTHING • Point 23– Discusses the value of a well timed decision being like the swoop of a Falcon that destroys its victim. o A team is actively attempting to keep the opponent from deciphering their game plan so as to confuse the opponent (devious) but must still be in a position to directly attack while engaging in their “deviousness” o In being (devious) and deceptive, there will come a time when the opponent will show a weaknesses that can be exploited for victory as mentioned in Point 15 and that is the time the attack must occur Loses must produce fruit • Every coach MUST figure out a way to make a loss productive for his or her program. o Coaches must make a habit of finding the silver lining in a loss and quickly turning the tables on the opposition by strengthening the team through lessons learned in the loss rather than by demoralizing the team by dwelling on the negatives of the loss. 36. Line 7-11: Maneuvering “Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff-coats, and make forced marches without halting day or night, covering double the usual distance at a stretch, doing a hundred LI in order to wrest an advantage, the leaders of all your three divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will fall behind, and on this plan only one-tenth of your army will reach its destination. If you march fifty LI in order to outmaneuver the enemy, you will lose the leader of your first division, and only half your force will reach the goal. If you march thirty LI with the same object, two-thirds of your army will arrive. We may take it then that an army without its baggage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases of supply it is lost.” A team can be overworked, and it can spell DOOM • Teams, just like army must be properly supplied to perform. In terms of team, rest and nutrition are the requisite supplies needed. o A team subjected to training that is too difficult may have players demoralized and quit or become fatigued and injured. o It is ESSENTIAL that coaches COMMUNICATE with the team to understand their condition and morale so as to know the limits of how hard the team can be pushed and still perform at their top level. ▪ Cross reference to Point 62

37. Line 12: Maneuver “We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.” • Prior to entering into agreements to trade scouting reports with opponents, be sure that you can trust the opponent who is giving the information. • Sun Tzu references scouting a multitude of times throughout his writing. Scouting reports are of no value if a team cannot trust the source that created the report. o Point 28 and Point 31 38. Line 13: Maneuver “We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.” • Every season and every team has it’s share of challenges o Foresight is needed to be able to look ahead to predict as many of the challenges as possible. It should be the intent to navigate around as many of the challenges as possible and chart the most successful course to reach the team’s goal. 39. Line 15, 19, & 21: Maneuver “In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move” • Do not allow your enemy to know your actual plans. – Point 68 • Think about and deliberate plans. Be intentional with what it is one seeks to do. o When the time is right to execute a decision, do not hesitate. Act swiftly before the opportunity no longer exists. (Point 23) ▪ This manifests itself many times in 3rd base coaches. An opportunity to force some action in a game will present itself and the coach will agonize over the decision up until the point where the opportunity to execute the strategy has passed. • The coach will look back and say “I should have done _______” 40. Line 20: Maneuver “When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery” • Make sure that the spoils and “glory” of victory goes to THE PLAYERS & Assistant coaches. o It is important that the coach does not glorify him or herself and that credit is given to the team and to the assistant coaches for any successes that occur. o Cross reference point 6 41. Line 23: Maneuver “The Book of Army Management says: On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags” • Make use of signals during the game o Signals should be used to be able to give information to multiple athletes at a time. ▪ Make sure the athletes understand what the signals mean. ▪ The best signals are those that can deceive the opponent (Point 25)

o If a coach relies on verbal signals it is also IMPERATIVE that visual signals are also in the team arsenal for use in the event that verbal signals are not able to be heard. ▪ Have a backup system of signs so that you can still communicate if a teams signs are decoded. 42. Line 25: Maneuver “The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men”. • A team becomes 1 unit to contend with made up of all the personality characteristics of the people within the team o The MORAL LAW must be strengthened and reinforced so that a team can behave excellently in the heat of the moment. – Point 1 ▪ A standard of courage should be created that the team has to achieve – Point 67 o The team needs to be animated with the same desire throughout the entire team – Point 13 43. Line 27: Maneuver “A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.” • It is the job of the head coach to maintain the spirt of the team. o During a game it is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that a coach stay level headed so as to recognize opportunities when they arise and to make the proper decisions in the moment to lead ones’ team to victory • This quote also hearkens back to point 3 – the army with the stronger general will win and point 11 – the head coach is the bulwark of the state

CHAPTER 8: Variation in tactics 44. Line 4-6: Variation in tactics • “The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.” • Always vary the tactics that are used in order to be as effective as possible. (Point 29) • Make sure that the capabilities of the team and the capability of each athlete are known. Know how to use each capability in each possible situation a team may face in the game. ▪ Knowing WHEN to utilize a tactic is as large a determinant in winning the game as any other. ▪ Recently in baseball, advanced metrics and analytics have been utilized more and more to drive decision making. These analytics are predictors of WHEN a manager SHOULD make certain decisions. o The institution of leverage index has made it easier to determine game which situations MOST DICTATE the outcome of the game and can help to reach a decision more quickly as to when a tactic SHOULD be used. ➢ The manager still must make the decision about whether the personnel is in place to execute the TACTIC and if the TACTIC will prove to be successful. 45. Line 7-8: Variation of Tactics “Hence in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes” • In each situation that arises during a game it is likely that a coach’s team will hold advantages in an area while simultaneously holding disadvantages in another area. These advantages and disadvantages should be taken into consideration before employing a tactic. o Example: A fast runner is up to bat who is an amazing bunter who can place the ball wherever he / she wants (advantage) but the corners are playing in to defend against the bunt (disadvantage). The opposing pitcher is prone to make throwing errors when fielding bunts (advantage) but bunting back to the pitcher rarely results in success and it is likely one of the corner defenders will field the bunt before the pitcher (disadvantage). • Point 14 - discusses knowing one’s opponent. To be able to consider advantages and disadvantages, it is necessary to know as much about the opponent as possible. 46. Line 11: Variation of Tactics “The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.” • Be sure to prepare your team to defend every possible offensive strategy the other team may employ. o A good strategy is not assuming a team will not perform an unlikely play, rather having practiced defending every play and knowing what to do when that play happens in the game.

o Point 16 discusses winning with ease because the team has been prepared properly before the game ever began. True skill lies in neutralizing an attack before the attack can do damage because the team has been properly prepared for the attack o Point 17 discusses the importance of making no mistakes. ▪ Make it a habit to practice ALL THREATS so that your team is not surprised when it has to defend against the threat live in a game situation and will not make a mistake that allows the opposition opportunities it would have not otherwise had. 47. Line 12-14: Variation in Tactics “There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war. . When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.” • There are weaknesses we must control to insure victory o Do not be reckless. Think through situations before they occur. ▪ Recklessness comes from lack of forethought or abandoning forethought. o Do not be afraid to fail. Fear of failure leads to failure. ▪ Fear robs the mind of freedom. o Do not allow yourself to become angered. ▪ Anger clouds judgment and forces poor decision making. o Do not have pride and be ashamed of your actions. ▪ Believe in what you are doing. Have core principles that are not abandoned. o Care about your team, but do not obsess over their well being as you will begin to worry about the individual over the team. ▪ No one is bigger than the program!

CHAPTER 9: The army on the march 48. Line 35: Army on the March “The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.” • Beware of whispering among your own players and look for it within the opposing team. o If players on the team are whispering there is likely a problem. Try to find out what the root of the problem is ASAP! ▪ Beware of outside influences mentioned in Point 5 o If the opposing team is whispering do whatever can be done to create chaos within the opposition as they will crumble. 49. Line 37 & Line 41: Army on the March “To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.” “He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.” • Know the opponent you face and respect the opponent. Exercise discipline. Point 19 references this discipline o It is better to say NOTHING publicly about your opponent before the game happens ▪ Coaches should exercise good judgement with media interviews ▪ Players / Coaches with social media o DO NOT take the opposition bait and engage in a social media battle ▪ Find out as much as possible about your opponents and treat them as an entity which, if not careful and intelligent about the game, can defeat you. (Point 31) 50. Line42-43: Army on the March “If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.” • Properly discipline your team – Point 59 reference o TRUST IS A MUST BEFORE DISCIPLINE CAN BE ENFORCED PROPERLY o When starting a program or when acquiring a new player, coaches must 1st develop a rapport with the player before leveling discipline ▪ Once trust is earned, be sure that team discipline in CONSISTENT ▪ Few things frustrate players more than inconsistent discipline ▪ Have the courage to dole out consistent equal punishment to all players regardless of role on team. o Properly disciplining cultivates the moral law from Point 1 and by cultivating the moral law, teams are able to achieve SUSTAINED SUCCESS 51. Line 44-45: Army on the March “If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad. If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual”

• Make sure that your coaching staff shows confidence in the athletes and continually reinforces good practices. o Believe in your athletes and treat them cordially with respect. – Point 59 o Make sure to uphold all team rules and enforce them equally among players. – Point 50

Chapter 10: Terrain 52. Line 14: Terrain “Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout.” • Sun Tzu lays out 6 definite ways an army can lose a battle. 5 of these ways pertain to a baseball or softball game and each of these is preventable. Points 54,55,56, & 56 will address each of these 5 preventable ways to lose a game. 53. Line 16: Terrain “When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.” INSUBORDINATION LEADS TO COLLAPSE o Show proper support to your assistant coaches, but continually monitor their approach towards the team to make sure it remains cordial. ▪ Assistant coaches’ relationship with the players is of the utmost importance to a team. As stated by Sun Tzu, the coaches cannot be too oppressive towards the team or they will “cash it in” and quit ▪ Assistant coaches also must remain an authority figure and respect their own boundaries that separate them from the players. o Assistant coaches must remain coaches, not friends or insubordination will result thus causing collapse. ▪ Assistant coaches must be supported by the head coach and be allowed to discipline the team or insubordination and lack of discipline amongst the players will result. o Point 67 discusses setting up standards for the entire team to reach 54. Line 17: Terrain When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin” • RUIN o Keep the needs of the assistant coaches in mind and resolve issues within the coaching staff. ▪ The assistant coaches should follow the lead of the head coach and should not be implementing strategy not previously discussed amongst the staff. o Doing so violates the very 1st point of the book – Moral Law 1 ▪ The head coach must always be cognizant of the mind-set of his assistants and be willing to help the assistants where help is needed. o Assistant coaches not in adherence with the teachings of the head coach will lead to team ruin and thus the ruin of a season and potentially a program / head coach’s career. o Players are unable to realize the fullness of the experience they deserve if assistant coaches are not in accord with the teachings of the head coach. ▪ Treat assistant coaches with proper respect. Assistants are not player nor should they be treated the same.

• Check in with assistant coaches to see what their needs are and make attempts within reason to meet the needs of the coach and his / her family. ▪ There is no quicker way to ruin a team than a rogue assistant coach 55. Line 18: Terrain “When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization” AVOID DISORGANIZATION AT ALL COSTS ▪ GIVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS o Clarity = GOLD ▪ Spell out the GOAL for what is to be accomplished and describe it in as much detail as possible. • When appropriate, explain how the goal should be achieved. o In the course of the game, it is necessary to allow players the freedom to make decisions that may run contrary to the preferable methods a coach would like to see. ▪ Players need to be allowed the FREEDOM TO WIN GAMES! Point 23 discusses that well timed decisions can “destroy “opponents, many times the player has to be the one to initiate the decisive action and make the proper decision in the moment. • So long as the actions of the players move the team towards the ultimate goal that has been previously discussed, freedom to act and freedom from fear to act make achieving the goal more likely. Strict adherence to certain action patterns may actually make it less likely that the goal is achieved. o Make sure the assistant coaches and players have assigned roles and understand their roles. ▪ Take time to sit with coaching staff and discuss roles. o Oversee roles to be sure that the ruin stated in point 54 does not befall the team o Spell out in as much detail what the coach should be doing: ▪ Off the field (school expectations) ▪ At practice (pre, during, post) ▪ Gameday (pre, during, post) ▪ In the community ▪ Take time to discuss individual roles with players. o CLEARLY define roles with as much honesty as possible. ▪ Honesty about playing time ▪ Honesty about projected usage ▪ Honesty about what can be done to improve role ▪ Honesty about why their role is valuable to the team 56. Line 19: Terrain

“When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.” • ROUT o Prepare properly and embarrassing defeats can be avoided. POINT 31 o Properly scout the opposition Point 57 & Point 80 o Always have a team prepared for the unexpected both on the field and off ▪ Issues that occur off the field can be as detrimental to a program as a loss on the field • Be sure to have the infrastructure in place to meet off the field challenges head on before these challenges subvert the program. o Point 13 references this infrastructure especially with player leaders and utilizing these leaders to lead the team from the front. 57. Line 21 -22: Terrain “The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.” • Properly scout your opponent and know as much about the opponent as possible and properly scout your own team so that the teams weaknesses can be properly addressed. POINT 14 & 31 • Create an attack to use against opponent and perfect the defense that is needed to win. o Scout your opponent, learn about your opponent and COMPARE your opponent to yourself o Pick how you will defeat your opponent and how the opponent is likely to defeat your team. ▪ Is it possible to balk the enemies plans? Point 9 ▪ What are their situational tendencies? Can you defend them? ▪ Which ways will deception be used for and against one’s team? Point 25 58. Line 24: Terrain “The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.” • Coach to help your players, your program, and your school. Do not coach simply to win games as a means to bolster your resume. o Do not be afraid to fail. ▪ To achieve at the highest level, impactful coaching decision must be made during defining moments. These moments can lead to victory or disgrace and they always occur in high stakes games. ▪ Do not fear this moment. Make decisions to put your team in a position to succeed and do not fear the negative consequences of a failed decision. ▪ Prepare for these moments DAILY so that when the moment comes you will have the courage to do what is needed. o REMEMER THIS RULE: It’s not about YOU! o Point 14 59. Line 25-26: Terrain “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of

quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.” • Make your players know that you care for them, but make sure that you are firm with instilling discipline in the team. o Players who are not disciplined essentially become spoiled children, used to having their way and not understanding the rules of the team or the authority of the coach. o If standards and expectations are properly enforced, player WILL adhere to the them. o If the Moral law (Point 1) is cultivated and the program has a strong culture, players will carry out the vision of the program if proper discipline is maintained. 60. Line 30-31: Terrain “Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.” • Prepare your athletes in practice so that during games, instinct will take over. Point 25 interpretation 2 o Clearly stated goals will be followed so long as freedom to achieve the goals is given. (Point55) o Point 14 – essentially contains the same line about knowing oneself o Self scouting is an important concept that is a necessity according to Tzu o Point 18 & Point 46 discusses the strategy needed to win games and make teams unassailable. Once this feeling is obtained, it makes a team / player far less likely to get “rattled”

Chapter 11: 9 SITUATIONS 61. Line 19: 9 Situations “Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.” • OFFENSIVE UNPREDICTABILITY ▪ Sun Tzu stresses attacking when and where the opponent is not expecting. Point 29 and Point 44 ▪ A coach should gauge the opponent and attempt to put them in uncomfortable situations on defense. By calling for different offensive tactics a team can test the weaknesses in the opposition defense and see how the defense responds to different types of pressure. • Once a weakness is discovered an attempt should be made to exploit the weakness. o Exploiting a weakness is about attacking defensive confidence as confidence plays a key role in execution of crisp, error free defense ▪ As discussed in point 17, mistakes lead to losses because they create more opportunities for opposition offense. If a team can force an opponent to make mistakes, the likelihood of victory increases. • Weaknesses, and therefore mistakes, can appear anywhere on the field on any given day. o The most distracted and emotionally unstable are the most likely places to begin probing for weakness. ▪ Read opposition body language and demeanor 62. Line 22: 9 Situations “Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans” • Always know the mental and physical state of your team and do not overburden your players. o Point 36 discusses this phenomenon and the perils of overtaxing a team o This also harkens back to Point 14 in which Tzu challenges a coach to know his or her team. ▪ Part of making the proper decision in the heat of the moment is having an idea of the confidence level, mindset, and capability of one’s team. • Do not let a team become too predictable on offense as that not only makes it less complex to defend against, but it also dulls the mental acuity of one’s own team. o There is nothing worse than a team mentally sluggish on offense because of predictable “station to station” strategy. o If coaching decisions become too predictable, players fall into a lull and mental mistakes such as lack of hustle or even missed signs begin to occur. ▪ Keep players on their toes. If it is necessary to play station to station, mix in action plays like fake steals, fake bunts, bunt and run, etc…. ▪ In baseball, challenge players to extend leads and force pick off attempts by the pitching staff ▪ In both baseball and softball, stress the importance of dirt ball reads. • Advances on dirt ball reads completely change the complexion of an inning and can energize an offense and mentally breathe life into a team by allowing for new and exciting methods to be employed to score runs. 63. Line 23-24: 9 Situations

“Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.” • It is often said that the last 3 outs of a baseball / softball game are the toughest three outs to get! Do not fear going into the last inning behind on the scoreboard. o Good teams find ways to rally because “uttermost” strength comes out in desperate situations. ▪ Although there is no way to properly simulate the adrenaline that comes over a player or coaching staff in this situation, the adrenaline allows for unlikely come from behind victory scenarios. • To achieve the unlikely come from behind victory however, players must remain mentally in control of their emotions and their adrenaline must work to their advantage, not disadvantage. • These scenarios should be discussed and practiced so that players will understand the necessary steps that need to be taken to harness their adrenaline and help them channel their uttermost strength. • Conversely, if ahead in the last inning, understand the mental focus and fortitude it takes to earn the final outs. o In a close game against similarly matched opponents, the oppositions best shot is yet to come. o A team can tell if point 8 has occurred or if there is still fight left in the opposition. 64. Line 26: 9 Situations “Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.” • Do not be superstitious with your team. Superstitions will cause more harm then they will cause good. o If a team goes through their superstitious ritual it will not help them win no matter how much they may feel it does, however, if a team forgets to go through their superstitious rituals, the mental doubt it can cause can actually distract a team from winning. ▪ Omens and superstitions can be a distraction. • This is different than a tradition, so long as the team tradition does not become superstitious in nature. 65. Line 28: 9 Situations “On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei” • It is acceptable for players to be scared prior to a game. o Tzu is essentially discussing pre-game jitters in this quote o It is imperative that a team have a strong culture and moral law as discussed in Point 1 ▪ If a program has a strong culture and strong accountability to that culture than players understand that they must rise to the occasion to live up to the expectations of the culture set before them or risk disgrace in the annals of team history. Tzu partially discusses this concept in Point 19 with being able to control victory through the moral law. • Players will forget their jitters the minute the 1st pitch is thrown as their competitive spirit to defend the team culture as well as their team and personal identity.

66. Line 29-30: 9 Situations “ The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes.” • A team should be multi-faceted and able to counter all attacks with an attack of their own. ▪ Regardless of how a team defends against your team, an offensive attack should be possible so long as a team is proficient in all possible methods of attack. ▪ Point 22 and 29 discuss the many options available for attack during a game and the difficulty preparing to defend against all these differing attacks. • Practice executing offensive attacks against a range of defenses. 67. Line 32: 9 Situations “The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.” • A team’s moral law from Point 1 is of the utmost importance because it sets a standard of excellence for the team that is expected of them achieve and establishes a culture for the program. • As discussed in point 65, players must have “something” bigger than themselves to be a part of so they can rise to the occasion to defend that “thing” ▪ With any team the coaching staff can focus on standards that are most paramount to success, but as Sun Tzu says, ALL athletes must strive to reach that standard. • Continually reinforce your standard a mentioned in Point 19 and remember that 1 day of slacking off as a coach can do UNREPARABLE HARM to the program that can never be reversed if the moral law has been violated! 68. Line 35-37: 9 Situations “It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.” Point 39 – Keep plans dark! • Coaches and players need to know what is needed to be known for success, but they do not all need to know all parts of what is to be done. o Everyone needs to know the overall strategy of what is going to occur in a game, but players only need to know how to perfectly execute their role within that strategy. ▪ Example: outfielders do not need to understand the pitch calling system from coach to catcher. ▪ Example: Pitchers do not need to know the offensive signals. o The more people that know a plan, the more likely it is that the plan will reach the opposition ▪ Coaches should assist in game planning for their responsibilities, but every coach does not need to involve him or herself in every facet of game planning. Only the head coach needs to be involved in all facets of the game. Less people knowing plans leads to less risk of exposure of plan. • Example: The hitting coach can discuss overall strategy on best ways to beat the opposition, but the pitching coach and head coach will decide exactly how each opposition hitter will be pitched. (Each coach needs to utilize the talent on their staff to the best of their abilities while considering this point)

• For the most part however, this point made by Tzu is not particularly vital to baseball as it would be for warfare or other sports because the unique thing about a baseball game is that many decisions must be made in the moment in regards to a specific pitch call or offensive strategy as the flow of the game can dictate some of the decisions made. o It is however important if a coach wishes to “balk” an enemies plan as mentioned in point 9 and that does require some secrecy. ▪ The art would be maintaining secrecy without offending fellow coaches 69. Line 38-40: 9 Situations “At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going. To muster his host and bring it into danger:--this may be termed the business of the general.” • A coach must show his or her team the face the team needs to see. o Sometimes in the heat of battle courageousness and motivation are what the team needs to get full fledged commitment of all a players’ mental resources. ▪ A team must be shown that a coach is unafraid to meet the challenge that lies ahead. Often times when this is done the players will follow suit. ▪ A coach must also be ready and willing to take a calculated gamble when a gamble is necessary. 70. Line 41: 9 Situations “The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied.” • HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY influences every decision a leader must make o Understanding how people think is helpful in dictating a proper strategy for offense and defense. ▪ Being able to make predictive calculations as to how an opponent will react is supremely helpful o Point 14 and Point 57 discuss the importance of having the most up to date data on one’s own team. ▪ One of the 1st things a coach needs to figure out before game planning is what is the team able to do and from there, a coach can pair the teams abilities vs the opposition’s weakness as discussed in point 45 71. Line 52: 9 Situations “We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.” • Why does an opposing coach or team wish to help your team? o This is a question that a coach must ask oneself before trading scouting information with another team or asking another team for assistance with scouting 72. Line 56: 9 Situations “Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.” • Rewards are important motivators and the head coach does not need a reason to give a reward!

o Be sure to reward those things which cultivate a team’s moral law – Point 1 and Point 2 • The head coach of the team has the ability to change his or her mind in regards to decisions. 73. Line 57: 9 Situations “Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.” • Focus on the positive of situations and do not allow the team to panic about situations which may spell their doom. o Doom is not the players job to think about or ponder. It is the coaches job to figure out how to avoid this doom. ▪ When things are going well bring it to the teams attention, but when the situation gets gloomy, put the teams nose to the grindstone and keep working! ▪ Do not call attention to desperation, call attention to hope! 74. Line 60: 9 Situations “Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.” This point is closely linked to Point 14 and point 31 • If we can understand our oppositions why we can often understand their how. o We know a team wants to win a game, but this is more important if you have to play a series against a team. ▪ Are they trying to win game 2 and 3? Do they think they can sweep? Are they trying to win games 1 and 2? • If we can figure out the answer to some of these questions, we can figure out how the opposition will attempt to carry out this plan. 75. Line 63 and 64: 9 Situations “On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.” • When taking over a program, be sure to do the following o Contact opposition coaches to introduce oneself ▪ Make sure the proper conference or region authorities know that you are the new coach o Have a meeting immediately with your coaching staff to let them know about the teams new standard operating procedures o Have a meeting immediately with boosters to introduce yourself and let them know and understand your new expectations. 76. Line 65 and 68: 9 Situations “If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.” This is related to point 18 and point 23 • Point 23 discussed the swoop of a falcon destroying its prey. This destruction can come when an opponent gives us an opportunity! o Point 61 discusses the opposition not being prepared to thwart an attack and this is the open door that a team needs for victory. ▪ Coaches must be cognizant when this door appears

o Point 18 discusses that the enemy will provide the opportunity for defeat throughout the course of the game. ▪ A coach will not know what tactic is needed and that is the reason a team should be fully prepared with all hitters in the lineup to execute any possible offensive strategy at any given time.

CHAPTER 12: THE ATTACK BY FIRE 77. line 15-16: The attack by fire “Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.” Use good judgment and proper preparation when dealing with your team and they will remain intact to the moral law and act in accordance to team rules and discipline (point 1 and Point 67) o Point 26 and Point 34 discusses the harmonizing and blending of the talents of the team as a way of cultivating the spirit of enterprise to succeed in an undertaking with the most efficiency possible. • This is another reiteration of Point 14 of knowing ones opposition and attempting to put ones team into a strong position before the game ever beings. • By properly laying plans, a coach can utilize his or her resources to place a team out of direct harm as stated in point 18 o By utilizing the proper pitching plan, batting order and defensive alignment, teams can properly train and utilize personnel (cultivate resources) well beforehand. ▪ Also, but identifying what weaknesses a team has in Point 26 or seeing areas a team is lacking as referenced in option in point 22, a coach can develop players (resources) accordingly to the teams needs. 78. Line 18: Attack by Fire “No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique” • Do not play a game simply because you want revenge as a coach or you want to beat a team for your personal gain. Scheduling a game should have a purpose and the benefit of scheduling a game should be thought through ahead of time. o What purpose does the game have in helping to fulfil the team goals? 79. Line 22: Attack by Fire “Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact” • A good coach is pro-active! ▪ Sun Tzu is emphasizing the pro action of a coach. A good coach is cautious and pro-active when issues arise. A good coach will take a daily survey of his team and end all issues before they take over, thus keeping the peace. ▪ This is emphasized by point 14

Chapter 13: THE USE OF SPIES 80. Line 4-6: The Use of Spies “Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men” • Scouting the opponents is of the upmost importance. o Foreknowledge of opposing teams allows a coach to maximize his plan of attack for the game. Point 31 stresses this point. o If a coach knows the strengths of his team and the weaknesses of the opponents, an optimal attack can be designed.

About the Author: Chris Turco is head baseball coach and former head softball coach at Pope High School in Marietta Georgia. Coach Turco played his high school baseball at Pope and College baseball at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. Chris began his coaching career at Presbyterian where he was part of the 2003 South Atlantic Conference tournament champions and coached in the Division 2 NCAA national baseball tournament as PC earned a berth to regionals that season. Chris spent a short time at the University of North Carolina Pembroke as a graduate assistant baseball coach before taking the assistant baseball job at Pope High School for the 2004 season. Chris has spent 20+ years at Pope and during this time, the Greyhounds have captured 5 baseball state championships (2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2022) and 4 runner up finishes (2016, 2019,2023,2024). The 2009, 2017, and 2018 teams all finished ranked in the top 10 in the country as ranked by Baseball America and the Baseball Coaches Association and the 2022 team finished ranked #17. Chris led the fastpitch softball team at Pope High School for 14 years where he has helped capture 2 state championships (2014, 2019) and 3 state runner ups (2012, 2018, 2020). During a 6 year head coaching span leading the fastpitch team and baseball team, Coach Turco led his teams to 6 consecutive state championship games! Chris has had the great fortune to work with over 75 athletes that have gone on to play college baseball or softball and has been blessed to coach over 10 players that have gone on to play professionally either in baseball or softball including 4 major league players and 3 1st round draft picks (2 MLB, 1 NPF).