Start with this checklist, then progress to training details. All of your prep should be considered before the first tryout or your first instructional session with any players.

1 Check over the training equipment 
Are the tubing cords in good shape, do I need to replace anything? What about pitching targets, do any need mending after last-season's beating? Are the team bats in order - including coaching fungos for fielding drills? And is there any gadget I could have used last year, or anything new that I should consider for this season?

2 Check the first-aid supplies 
This is part of equipment, but even more important pre-season when arms may be under-prepared. What you don't want to do is arrive at the field without your first-aid kit or forgetting to freeze your compression wraps. Do you have what you need... click here.

3 Check the field in time to fix it 
Whether you live in a brutal northern climate that suffered from snow pack or flooding, or are returning to a supposedly clear field that's been unused (by baseball) for any amount of time, check it over. Look for damaged areas, sink holes, litter (including dog souvenirs and, sadly, needles), breaks in the fencing. It may not be your responsibility to fix these things, but you can either report them or understand what your team must contend with. This is also a good time to consider if you have the proper bases installed or the regular grooming tools you need.

4 Check over the catcher's gear 
You can't pitch without catchers, so are there repairs needed to team mitts, helmets, chest and leg protectors? Really important here is to check lacing on the mitts, in fact, maybe we need a new mitt or two. Don't forget to check any non-catcher player gear that the team is responsible for... anything from pine tar for wood bat play, to the first-base trapper, a spare glove, etc.

5 What about my training?
As a coach, do you know what you need to know, or remember the proper techniques? Every pre-season, review the DVDs and books that you rely on most for help with both mechanics and conditioning drills.

An example: For some reason some copaches always have trouble remembering which heights to clip J-Bands to the fence for different segments of the Jaeger pre-throw routine. So that might be the first DVD to review (it's not just for pitchers).

Follow with a review of the sets and reps charts in Steve Ellis's TuffCuff book. And to really get dialed in if you're a pitching coach, Ron Wolforth's Combat Pitcher DVD. You might also get a copy of Richard Todd's field manuals for hitting or fielding or pitching depending on your needs, or review the drills on WebBall to get an idea of which to introduce to your team first.

6 Am I ready to scout talent? 
The first part of any season, of course, is talent selection. Preference should always be given to returning players. First, because you know what to expect of them and vice-versa. But also because they should have improved in the off-season and will provide the best benchmark of what new talent must bring to the equation.

The danger is to be too anxious to judge too quickly - You can't assume anyone is ready to play on the first day of tryouts. So review the tryout tips and plan an evaluation program that will run as long as needed. But give yourself permission to get it wrong - maybe leave a slot or two open for a late registration or overlooked talent (once a team is picked, most coaches would rather add than cut).

Which reminds us - while you should not be over-anxious to start recording velocities (see below) I should make sure all the measuring devices (Radar Guns and Glove Radars) work and what needs new batteries. And it you don't at some point include objective performance assessment in your evaluations you aren't doing yourself or your players any favors.

7 Final step in the coach's pre-season prep...
Get yourself ready. Now we may be the brains not the brawn of your team, but we also need time to get legs and arms ready, if only for wandering the field or pacing the bullpen :-)

In truth, the best part of all the above is it gets you thinking about the season, and give yourself stuff to worry about so you retain some sanity when it's below freezing in Georgia and New Mexico and all points north.

That's important for the coach, but also for his players.