6 New Baseball Coaching Books Defining 2025

Explore Baseball Coaching Books authored by leading experts including Mike Matheny and Keith Madison, offering fresh insights for 2025.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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The Baseball Coaching landscape shifted notably in 2024, with emerging approaches emphasizing character development alongside technical skills. Coaches today face pressures beyond the field—balancing youth development, program culture, and the evolving demands of the game. These new books capture the pulse of 2025, presenting coaching philosophies and methods that resonate with this dynamic environment.

Authored by seasoned professionals like Mike Matheny, former MLB manager, and Keith Madison, University of Kentucky's long-time coach, these titles offer grounded, forward-looking perspectives. From practical youth coaching techniques to evidence-based skill acquisition approaches, each book brings authoritative insights shaped by years of experience and research.

While these cutting-edge books provide the latest insights, readers seeking the newest content tailored to their specific Baseball Coaching goals might consider creating a personalized Baseball Coaching book that builds on these emerging trends. This tailored approach can help you focus on what matters most to your coaching journey.

Best for youth coaches focused on character
Mike Matheny, a former MLB manager and player, distills his extensive baseball experience into The Dad Coach, a guide tailored for youth baseball coaches and parents. This book focuses on teaching not just the fundamentals of the game but also fostering discipline, humility, and character in young athletes. Featuring age-specific drills, practice routines, and over seventy QR codes linking to instructional videos, it emphasizes a balanced approach to coaching that prepares kids for success both on and off the field. Coaches seeking to deepen their impact beyond wins will find this resource particularly valuable.
2025·240 pages·Baseball Coaching, Youth Development, Skill Building, Practice Planning, Character Development

When Mike Matheny first realized that winning games wasn't enough to shape young players, he set out to write a guide that balances baseball skills with character development. Drawing from his years managing major league teams and playing professionally, Matheny details age-appropriate drills, practice plans, and evaluation techniques designed to build discipline and humility alongside athletic ability. You’ll find practical advice on how to engage kids meaningfully in the sport, plus access to instructional videos that reinforce the lessons. This book suits coaches and parents committed to nurturing both the player and the person, offering a grounded approach rather than a focus on trophies or fame.

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Best for building resilient team culture
Coaching with Purpose offers a fresh perspective on baseball coaching by focusing on building strong programs and resilient players who lead both on and off the field. Keith Madison, with 28 years of coaching experience and a long tenure at the University of Kentucky, shares his approach to handling the modern pressures coaches face, from NIL to social media demands. This book addresses the realities of today’s baseball environment and equips coaches with a game plan to persevere and create lasting impact beyond wins and losses.
2024·210 pages·Baseball Coaching, Team Building, Player Development, Leadership, Program Management

Keith Madison challenges the conventional wisdom that coaching is solely about on-field tactics by drawing on nearly three decades of experience as a player, head coach at the University of Kentucky, and mentor. You’ll learn how to build a sustainable program culture that not only wins games but shapes players into leaders in life, covering topics from managing modern pressures like NIL deals and social media to fostering resilience. The book’s chapters offer practical insights into navigating burnout and creating impact beyond baseball, making it particularly useful if you’re a coach seeking strategies to thrive amid today’s complex challenges.

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Best for custom coaching plans
This AI-created book on baseball coaching is tailored to your specific goals and current knowledge. By focusing on the latest discoveries and developments in 2025, it matches your background and coaching interests to deliver targeted insights. This personalized approach helps you explore new strategies and advances in the sport without wading through irrelevant material. It’s a focused, custom resource made just for your coaching journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Baseball Coaching, Player Development, Skill Acquisition, Tactical Adaptations, Leadership Principles

This tailored baseball coaching book explores the latest developments and discoveries shaping the sport in 2025. It covers emerging coaching techniques, scientific insights, and innovative player development methods that align closely with your background and coaching aspirations. By focusing on your specific interests and goals, this personalized guide dives into advanced skill acquisition, tactical adaptations, and evolving leadership principles within baseball coaching. The book reveals the newest trends and research findings, helping you stay ahead of the curve and refine your approach in a way that matches your unique coaching style and challenges. This tailored exploration ensures you engage deeply with content that truly matters to your coaching journey.

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Best for strategic game planning tools
The Baseball Coaching Playbook by Francis A Badthoh offers a straightforward approach to baseball coaching with its blank field diagrams and logbook pages designed for planning and implementing strategies. This resource meets the needs of coaches looking to organize their sessions and tailor tactics for various team levels, including high school and college. Its practical format helps coaches focus on the essentials of game preparation and player development, providing a useful structure for managing practices and tracking progress in a simple, accessible way.
2023·101 pages·Baseball Coaching, Strategy Planning, Player Development, Game Tactics, Practice Drills

Francis A Badthoh’s experience in coaching inspired this practical playbook designed to simplify baseball strategy planning. Inside, you’ll find blank field diagrams and logbook pages that help you visualize plays and organize drills effectively, making it easier to tailor your coaching to any level from high school to college. The book focuses on providing a straightforward, hands-on tool rather than theory, helping you map out tactics and track progress without fuss. If you’re seeking a no-frills resource to enhance your game preparation and player development, this playbook offers a clear framework to get started and stay organized.

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Best for new youth baseball coaches
Youth Baseball Coaching 101 stands out in youth baseball coaching literature by offering a straightforward, practical approach tailored for new coaches. Ronny Wheeling’s guide covers the full season journey—from shaping your coaching philosophy to designing engaging practices and managing game-day situations. With templates, charts, and a focus on making conditioning fun, this book addresses the real needs of coaches working with young players. It’s especially useful for those who want a clear, hands-on roadmap to confidently lead youth teams while fostering skill development and enjoyment throughout the season.
2023·57 pages·Baseball Coaching, Youth Sports, Skill Development, Practice Planning, Team Management

Ronny Wheeling’s "Youth Baseball Coaching 101" offers a clear and approachable entry point for anyone stepping into youth baseball coaching. Drawing from practical experience, Wheeling guides you through building a coaching philosophy, preparing a season, and teaching essential skills and tactics. The book gives you concrete tools like practice plans and conditioning ideas that keep young players engaged and progressing. Whether you're new to coaching or looking for a structured framework, this concise guide lays out what you need from the first day to the season’s end, including how to handle challenges and wrap things up effectively.

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Best for coaches teaching fundamentals
How to Teach Little League Baseball offers a fresh and detailed approach to coaching young athletes, focusing on practical skills and the overall player experience. This guide covers everything from organizing teams and selecting equipment to drills for hitting, pitching, and fielding. It emphasizes safety and mental toughness, providing coaches and parents with tools to nurture confidence and resilience. Whether you’re stepping into coaching for the first time or refining your approach, this book addresses the challenges of youth baseball coaching with clarity and actionable insights.
2023·33 pages·Baseball Coaching, Youth Sports, Skill Development, Team Building, Injury Prevention

What if everything you knew about coaching young baseball players was wrong? Collin Morrison draws from his hands-on experience to present a guide that reshapes how you approach coaching Little League baseball. You’ll dive into practical skills like hitting, pitching, and baserunning, but also get a clear look at team building, motivation, and mental preparation tailored for kids. For example, the book’s chapter on injury prevention lays out warm-up routines and equipment safety rules that often get overlooked. If you’re a coach or parent looking to foster not just skill, but confidence and resilience in young players, this book gives you a grounded, realistic roadmap.

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Best for custom coaching roadmaps
This AI-created book on baseball coaching is tailored to your specific goals and interests in the sport’s future landscape. By sharing your background and focus areas, you receive a custom guide that explores the newest coaching trends and discoveries shaping 2025. It’s designed to help you navigate upcoming challenges with targeted insights that suit your experience level and coaching ambitions. This personalized approach ensures you get a roadmap that matches your unique needs and keeps you ahead in the evolving game.
2025·50-300 pages·Baseball Coaching, Player Development, Training Innovations, Team Management, Game Analytics

This tailored book explores the emerging landscape of baseball coaching as it evolves toward 2025 and beyond. It examines the latest discoveries and developments that are shaping how coaches prepare players, manage teams, and integrate new techniques. Crafted to match your background and specific interests, it reveals how to navigate upcoming challenges in coaching with insights focused on future trends and personalized priorities. The book covers evolving training approaches, cutting-edge skill development, program culture shifts, and data-driven decision making, all aligned with your coaching goals. By concentrating on your unique context, this personalized resource helps you stay ahead in a rapidly changing game environment.

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Best for innovative skill development
Rob Gray is an associate professor and program head of the human systems engineering program at Arizona State University with over 25 research articles on baseball. His deep dive into the constraints-led approach reflects his commitment to evolving coaching methods by blending research with practical insights. This book draws on his expertise and podcast experience to offer baseball coaches a new lens on player development that balances theory and hands-on application.
A Constraints-Led Approach to Baseball Coaching (Routledge Studies in Constraints-Based Methodologies in Sport) book cover

by Rob Gray, Randy Sullivan··You?

2023·158 pages·Baseball Coaching, Skill Acquisition, Player Development, Adaptability, Ecological Dynamics

Rob Gray, an associate professor specializing in human systems engineering, leverages his extensive research on baseball to challenge traditional coaching methods in this book. By introducing the constraints-led approach, he shifts the focus from rote repetition to fostering adaptability and self-organization in players. You’ll explore how manipulating constraints across hitting, pitching, and fielding can develop players from Little League beginners to professionals, reducing injury risks while enhancing performance. For example, the book’s case studies demonstrate how varied practice conditions improve decision-making on the field. Coaches and players seeking fresh perspectives on skill acquisition will find this a thoughtful, research-informed guide.

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Conclusion

Across these six books, a few clear themes stand out: the growing importance of character and resilience in youth coaching, the strategic emphasis on building sustainable programs, and innovative methods to develop adaptable players through constraints-led skill training. Together, they reflect baseball coaching’s evolution into a holistic, research-informed discipline.

If you want to stay ahead of trends or the latest research, start with "Coaching with Purpose" and "A Constraints-Led Approach to Baseball Coaching." For cutting-edge implementation, combine "The Dad Coach" with "Baseball Coaching Playbook" to balance development and strategy.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Baseball Coaching book to apply the newest strategies and latest research to your specific situation. These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Youth Baseball Coaching 101" if you're new, as it lays a solid foundation. For a broader program focus, "Coaching with Purpose" is excellent. Both offer practical, actionable advice to get you moving confidently.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Baseball Coaching?

Not at all. "Youth Baseball Coaching 101" and "How to Teach Little League Baseball" are designed for beginners, providing straightforward guidance. More advanced coaches will find depth in "A Constraints-Led Approach to Baseball Coaching."

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with youth-focused guides like "The Dad Coach" and "Youth Baseball Coaching 101." Then explore strategic planning in "Baseball Coaching Playbook." Finish with research-driven titles like "A Constraints-Led Approach to Baseball Coaching" for advanced techniques.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your goals. For character and youth coaching, "The Dad Coach" is valuable. If you want strategy tools, try the "Baseball Coaching Playbook." Each book targets different coaching facets.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"A Constraints-Led Approach to Baseball Coaching" leans toward theory with research-backed methods, while "Baseball Coaching Playbook" and "Youth Baseball Coaching 101" emphasize practical tools and drills you can apply immediately.

How can I get coaching advice tailored to my specific needs?

Great question! While these expert books provide solid foundations, you might consider creating a personalized Baseball Coaching book that customizes insights to your experience level, coaching goals, and preferred topics for even more targeted guidance.

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