The likely exchange would be more like this: After an initial positive affirmation for reaching first base, the coach’s job then was to shift the player’s attention away from the batting phase (the past) to the new task at hand.

Surely he didn’t want a replay of the earlier baserunning gaff. A quick recap of the game situation, i.e. score, outs, other baserunners, then probably a checklist of possible scenarios on the next pitch, and what the baserunner should do should each of them happen. He probably reminded the runner to perform one of more of the following:

• Advance on a ground ball
• Go half way on a fly
• Freeze on a line drive
• On a base hit pick up the third base coach for a decision on how many bases to advance.

So what is my point here on TennisONE of giving you the intricacies of first base coaching? No, I have not lost my way from the BaseballONE coaching site.

The point being, the first base coach's role, in prompting and providing the runner with checklists, prompts and plans, is the same role we need to fill for ourselves to be good doubles players.

One of the things I have always liked most about tennis, (a bit ironic in light of the fact that I am a coach), is that in most tennis competitions, there is no on court coaching. I like that it leaves the player or players in this dual role of both coach and player.

The concept of the coach prompting the base runner with possible scenarios is exactly like a doubles match in tennis. This is particularly similar to the situation where my partner is receiving serve and I am preparing for possible scenarios based on his return.

Following the point where I have received serve, I make a quick evaluation of the past point. I affirm something we (or I) might have done well or make a quick resolve to fix something we did wrong. This mental analysis and commitment to action could improve our play in case a similar point emerges later in the match.

Now I am ready for the first base coach in me to take over. I begin to focus myself on the situation at hand and not on the past. As I step to the service line and my partner prepares to return serve, I run through a few quick scenarios, and what my response is going to be in each one.

• Scenario 1: Partner floats a weak return that the net person will surely intercept. My response, cover the middle, try to get a racquet on it and make something happen. Holding my ground in terms of depth on the court.
• Scenario 2: Great return at incoming server’s feet. My response, close the net quickly, and look for a floating ball to poach on.
• Scenario 3: Partner successfully lobs net person forcing server to go back and play the next ball. My response, close the net and look for possible lob or poachable ball.

While it is impossible to prepare or review all scenarios, and nor would we want to, certain scenarios based on patterns in the match and knowledge of our partner and opponents, make it very possible to visualize a few of the more likely ones.

For example, if my partner relies on a big forehand, then I can anticipate his return on a serve to that side. On the other hand, if my partner tends to throw up a lob on hard serves to his backhand, I can anticipate that also. It is this preparation in between points that helps eliminate the hesitancy or indecision and creates much more aggressive and ultimately more successful play.

The role I play as “first base coach” can be all-encompassing just like that of a baseball first base coach. Like a first base coach in baseball who analyzes an outfielder's arm, and knows the parameters of what he is capable of doing, in tennis, my job as “first base coach” also includes such analysis. Is my opponent capable of hitting a lob off his backhand, or can I pretty much expect him to drive the ball every time?

This role, just as the baseball coach's role, includes, being animated, positive, encouraging aggressive play and risk taking, etc. So while the role of “first base coach” takes on many facets, perhaps the most important one it takes on is the one that readies the player for each and every point both mentally and physically.

Since tennis does not allow coaching, this role as “first base coach” can not only apply to coaching yourself, but can also be applied in relation to your partner in doubles." Like a baseball coach communicating with his players, our communication with our partner becomes crucial in the following areas:

• Identifying, discussing and formulating a plan to attacking opponents' weaknesses
• Pointing out perceived tendencies of our opponents
• Communicating during points themselves thus improving court coverage
• Communicating during points if you perceive that a ball will be out
• Talking with your partner to maintain a positive attitude and stay focused on the next task at hand
• Communicating to your partner either verbally or with signals, as to plans on the following shot.

The parallels are endless in terms of the roles shared between a first base coach and the tennis player. In a sport that gives us the challenge of assuming the role both of coach and player, how well we're able to execute these dual roles will often determine whether we win or lose.

So what happened to Rich Aurillia on first base in the bottom of the 13th. Well, the Giants won that game.