But in the Phillies' camp, Dubee coordinates everything. He produces schedules not only for the 30 pitchers in camp, but for the 34 position players, and the coaches and instructors, as well.
He decides which pitchers will throw on what field. He decides which fielding drills pitchers do on a certain day. The Phillies have a list of defensive fundamentals that position players must do every day. Dubee does the schedule for those, making sure the right players are on the right fields with the right instructors. It's all there on neatly produced spreadsheets.
No wonder he arrives at 5:45 a.m. every day.
"I can't remember another pitching coach who ran camp," Manuel said. "Dubee is damn good at what he does. He's special."
The Phillies have gone through a couple of camp adjutants since the late John Vukovich moved from the field to the front office after the 2004 season. Former third-base coach Bill Dancy did it for a while. Former bench coach Jimy Williams had a role in 2007 but never embraced the task.
Dubee, 51, who joined the Phils as pitching coach when Manuel was named manager before the 2005 season, had handled some spring-training coordinating duties during his time as Florida's pitching coach from 1998 to 2001.
Over the last few years with the Phillies, he has picked up more and more duties to the point where camp is now his production.
Dubee will be happy when exhibition games start tomorrow, and his work becomes more focused on the pitchers, their mechanics, and their schedules. The first couple of weeks are loaded with activity spread out over four fields.
Yesterday morning, Dubee laid down the plans for the day. Players then stretched and went to work. He stopped by the bullpen to watch pitchers throw. He spent time working with Mike Zagurski on mechanics. He hustled between each field, so he could see the pitchers throw batting practice. Then he threw some himself.
Dubee acknowledged that it was unusual for a pitching coach to coordinate camp.
"I feel comfortable doing it," he said. "I've had experience doing it. I think our players like it a lot because we don't have downtime. We keep them moving. We have four guys throwing at one time; that's why I do a lot of walking."
In addition to Dubee, there are three minor-league pitching coaches in camp.
"I see all the pitchers," Dubee said. "And I get input from the other pitching coaches every day so I can get a good vision of each guy."
When Manuel, a former outfielder, was hired as manager, he told the general manager at the time, Ed Wade, that "I need a good pitching coach."'
Manuel and Dubee both worked in the Phillies' minor-league system before Manuel got the job. The two knew each other well and have formed a tight bond during four seasons in the same dugout.
While Manuel had great respect for Williams' baseball acumen, he never had a close relationship or chemistry with the former bench coach, who chose not to return to the organization after last season.
Dubee has evolved into Manuel's righthand man and one of his most trusted advisers.
"I have a lot of trust and faith in him," Manuel said. "I lean on him in his area. I basically turn the pitching over to him.
"There will be times in the dugout when I'll say, 'Dube, you think it's time for me to take this guy out?' Or I'll say, 'Let's get this guy up in the bullpen,' and he'll say, 'Already up.' He knows me."
Said Dubee: "We have a good rapport. There are times when I'll suggest a pitching change, but Charlie has the ultimate call. He's the manager, and I respect that. Sometimes I might disagree, but somebody's got to run the ship, and you need that."
This spring, Dubee has begun sitting in on Manuel's post-workout sessions with reporters.
"I wanted him there," Manuel said. "I leave the pitching up to him. This way, he can give his insight if anyone has a question."
Despite his ever-expanding list of responsibilities, Dubee said he had no managerial aspirations. He presided over a staff that had the fourth-best ERA (3.88) in the National League last season. From the start of the season to the night the Phils won the World Series, pitching was the team's most consistent strength.
The staff is virtually intact from last season, and Dubee is looking for another strong year.
"I'm happy as a pitching coach," he said. "That's tough enough."
Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@phillynews.com.
