<P> The first bench coach in baseball was George Huff, who took that helm for the Illinois Fighting Illini baseball in 1905; at the time, it meant a coach present throughout the season . </P> <P> More recently, the bench coach is a team's second - in - command . The bench coach serves as an in - game advisor to the manager, offering situational advice, and bouncing ideas back and forth in order to assist the manager in making game decisions . If the manager is ejected, suspended, or unable to attend a game for any reason, the bench coach assumes the position of acting manager . If the manager is fired or resigns during the season, it is usually the bench coach who gets promoted to interim manager . The bench coach's responsibilities also include helping to set up the day's practice and stretching routines before a game, as well as coordinating spring training routines and practices . </P> <P> A pitching coach mentors and trains teams' pitchers . He advises the manager on the condition of pitchers and their arms, and serves as an in - game coach for the pitcher currently on the mound . When a manager makes a visit to the mound, he typically is doing so to make a pitching change or to discuss situational defense . However, to talk about mechanics or how to pitch to a particular batter, the pitching coach is the one who will typically visit the mound . The pitching coach is generally a former pitcher . One exception is Dave Duncan, the former pitching coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, who was a catcher . Prior to the early 1950s, pitching coaches were usually former catchers . </P> <P> The bullpen coach is similar to a pitching coach, but works primarily with relief pitchers in the bullpen . He does not make mound visits, however, as he stays in the bullpen the entire game, working with relievers who are warming up to enter the game . Generally, the bullpen coach is either a former pitcher or catcher . </P>

How many coaches are on a mlb team