Spring League Coach
First, thank you for volunteering to be a coach. The role can be highly rewarding and make a great difference in the lives of the children. Below is a list of common duties of the spring league coach. If you have questions that have not been answered here, please seek support from the Division Director or the Vice President.
Role
The spring league coach is the teacher and mentor of the team he/she is coaching. They contribute to the skill development of players and foster a positive attitude towards baseball as a life-long sport. They teach the game of baseball with players learning all positions, especially at the younger age divisions. They have the ability to handle the stresses and challenges of coaching. Most importantly remember to smile and have fun!
Duties
- Once registration is completed the Division Director will contact you with a team list or will notify you of your division’s assessment day.
- Assessment Day: All of the coaches and assistants will be divided into groups and manage basic skill stations to observe and rate players. The Division Director will then divide the teams as equally as possible keeping in mind that house play is for fun and skill development for all players.
- Coaching credentials: At the most basic level, coaches are encouraged to do the NCCP Initiation Coach certification. If there is enough demand the VDBA will host the required courses to certify coaches to the Regional level. It is recommended coaches attend these free coaching clinics.
- Rules: Know the rules for your division, including pitch counts. Consult the Baseball Canada’s rule book as well as BC Minor Baseball’s Rule Book. See VDBA website.
- Parent Involvement: At the beginning of the season have a parent meeting and recruit parents to help manage the team, score keep, do pitch counts, line the fields before games, raking/dragging after games.
- Assistant coaches: The Division Director will choose your assistant coaches before the teams are chosen. Let the director know who you would like to assist you.
- Scheduling: Obtain your schedule from the Division Director. Work and family commitments should be discussed with the Director before the schedule is made.
- Records: Keep accurate records of players names, phone numbers, and medical forms. From Mosquito and up pitch counts are also required. Score sheets and line up books will be provided.
- Umpires: Notify the Division Director as soon as possible if you need to cancel a game or when arranged, contact umpires directly. Please model kindness and respect for our young umpires. They are learning as well.
- Practices: Consult with the Division Director about practice times and fields. Plan pregame warm-ups with clear, consistent guidelines for conduct. A well planned practice is important. Spend the time to plan ahead. There are numerous drills and information on the Internet. Be creative making sure to keep the skill level of the drills appropriate to the age. Try to practice as much as you play. Development at all ages is most important.
- Equipment & Uniforms: Talk to the Division Director about uniforms and equipment. At the last game collect the equipment to return it to the Equipment Manager.
- Tournaments: Coordinate home tournaments with the Division Director. League policy is that all tournaments are self-supported (tournament fees must cover all costs). Try to plan when umpires are available (i.e., many umpires also play so ensure there are umpires in town).
- Out-of-town house tournaments: Plan early which tournaments you might want to enter. Check nearby associations websites for tournament dates. The VDBA will pay for 50 % of the entry fee of your first tournament. All other tournaments fees will be the responsibility of the team. If you are not able to field a complete house team (usually 12 players we encourage coaches to combine teams to travel with.
- Results: Report results of league play and tournaments to the Division Director. Keep score sheets for future reference.
- Sharing: Circulate pertinent information to parents such as contact lists, information about out-of-town tournaments, rules, baseball clinics, coaching and umpire clinics, Summer Ball tryouts, etc.
- Privacy: Please be respectful of the privacy of others. Many situations such as medical history and family structure are very personal. All children who register for baseball are asked for consent when it comes to pictures. You will be notified if there is a player that has any concerns. It is a good practice to go over any privacy issues with the parents at the beginning of the season.
- First Aid: There will be access to First Aid kits at all parks. They are stored in the equipment boxes / lock ups and travel teams will have a kit in their bag. Familiarize yourself with the kits and your surroundings. The ambulance is not dispatched locally. It is important for them to have the address of the ballpark as well as the name. Report and document all injuries. Inform the Division Director and the Equipment Manager.
- Memories: Most children grow up remembering the events of the game. Most kids can not remember who coached them or the seasons stats. Make the memories enjoyable for the players and parents. That is why we are all here.