Young players must learn to grip the ball properly. No more than 20 percent of eight- and nine-year-olds know what a cross-seam or four-seam grip is. Coaches should teach this in the first year of play in Little League.

Not everyone can get personal tips from the likes of Tony Gwynn, but everyone can learn hitting fundamentals and improve with some basic knowledge and hard work.

Personal attention is the key to communication between players and coaches at all levels. Coaches should take at least two or three minutes each week to discuss each player's performance.

Two pitching coaches and role models who make a great impact at the San Diego School of Baseball are two-time All-Star Dave Smith (216 career saves) and the inspirational former major leaguer Dave Dravecky, who lost his throwing arm to cancer.