Thoughts/Ideas on Being a Coach for Little League

[CCamels73]

Please share stories or helpful things to do during games and or practice for a guy (me) that will be a rookie "Coach Pitch" Baseball Coach this season.

[CCamels73]

So, no ideas or thoughts to share.... No stories about coaches that you can remember?

C'mon guys, help me out.

[Alloutwar]

Sorry CC - I think it's great and wish you the best of luck...but I don't know where or how to start helping. Orange slices! Always have orange slices.

What does Coach Pitch mean? Its tough to give advice without knowing how much control you have over things...are you the coach for the entire squad, just pitching, or what?

I played little league and about two days of Babe Ruth, that was it. I know that it was great experience to get a shot at every position and find out where my ceiling of ability was. The useless kids start out in OF, but I made my way to the infield pretty soon. I never wanted to catch but did a few times. I really wanted to pitch, and while I pitched at practice a few times I only threw to one batter in one game. My lifetime little league record is a 0.00 ERA, 1 strikeout. But I had this weird hitch in my arm, a weird delivery thing, that scared the coaches enough to never let me pitch again. I kind of wish they had corrected it or worked with me a bit, cuz I could throw sidearm too with really good control. but instead i just became good at tennis and fencing, hah.

Teach kids how to get their glove worn, oiling it up, putting it under their mattress with a ball in it to get its form in good shape...take some individual time with everyone where possible while other kids are doing drills. Always have a positive attitude - i remember another team where my classmate's dad was coach, and he would yell and scream at everyone. My dad was already abusive and drunk at home, so that scared the crap out of me - being away from home was the only time I was safe, haha. Kids were annoying as hell in my day tho, I cant imagine them now with ADD drugs and little smartphones and all kinds of ****. Good luck man.

[LQ1Z34]

I think he means he coaches a team PLUS pitches for HIS team only. This is a step-up from tee-ball, but under player-pitched baseball.

[Kobie]

Don't shower with the kids.

+1

Just be patient. IIRC, coach-pitched baseball is probably around 7-9 year olds, yeah? Concentrate on fundamentals. Work on things like keeping the ball in front of you -- the earlier these kids learn not to be afraid of the ball, the better off they'll be in the long run. Don't worry about stuff like teaching them how to bunt or whatever; they'll learn that further down the road.

And yes, before you asked, I helped coach my younger brother's team for a few years. SO I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I'm like Joe Maddon all up in this *****.

[CCamels73]

Yeah, Coach Pitch level baseball is for kids 7-9 (6 in some cases) where the Coach pitches to their own team.

I think we have a good group of 12 kids, and of those, half are returning from last season so it isn't a group of total newbies to the game. But, there is this one that acts (and throws) as if he hasn't ever seen or done anything like it! I mean, like he has never picked up a rock to throw it or anything? Have you seen the Volkswagen commercial where the boy and his dad are throwing... that boy in the commercial throws better. I shouldn't laugh, but yall should see it..... Anyway I have tried to give him instructions as to what he should be thinking/doing during each "step" of an accepted throwing motion but I don't feel as though I am making any progress with him.
I probably should talk to the boys 'rents so they can work with him some at home, but how do you broach THAT?

Thanks for the replys, and the showering advice

[RobToxin]

Purchase selective hearing devices that have the ability to mute parents.

[CCamels73]

So at the first game of the season, I got delegated to score keeping duties (no, I am not the head coach) so I had to do my best to remember what I know of keeping an official score. It was interesting..... After the game, I went back and googled how to keep an official scorebook and was pleased to find out that I was mostly correct. The biggest issue was how to keep track of how to score errors and then subsequent runs and such.

Tonight is our 2nd game, and I feel better prepared. Now if we can recruit another mom or dad to keep the dugout in some semblance of order that would help tremendously!

[birdsin89]

And your last sentence would be my best advice. Get as many parents involved to help as possible. And if they're not helping with their "help", be ready to politely turn them elsewhere, or re-assign them to, say, keeping the kids on the bench in the right batting order.

There is usually going to be that one guy who thinks 7 year old Johnny's baseball scholarship is on the line on every single play. Sometimes it's the opposing coach. Don't be afraid to take that to the league commissioner if needed.

Have fun!

[dickay]

oh boy this is up my alley. I've coached the past three years tball and now "rookie" level with is 6-8yr olds with some 5's sprinkled in. I'm now league secretary in a Cal Ripken league competing, and losing, with a Little League of America in the same town. I also had a year with 9-11 year olds about a decade ago which is a completely different experience. What I can tell you is this:

- Get parents to help you on the field BUT BE SURE TO SET BOUNDARIES! Remember some of them are still "that dad". At this level most in the league i'm in agree that it's time to play kids at the same position and get them to learn the game. Sure it's nice to constantly move them around so that every gets to field the weak ground to second base but then it takes longer to teach the kids the game. They have fun getting outs and you as coach have to put them in the best position to get them. Forget the dad that whines about Johnny being stuck in LF (which is actually SS as the infield is usually crowded. Johnny can learn to back up the IF and cover second when the ball is hit to the right side. Believe me there are plenty of balls that get through the IF. If you let your assistant coaches take too much authority they will cause problems.

- Be prepared for the ancillary BS. There's tons of politics. Photo day, fund raisers, if you have a minor league affiliate you'll likely have to go to a game with the team, memorial day parades, getting concession stand volunteers, frequent coaches meetings, etc. etc. etc. A team mom can help with some of this but in the end it's on your shoulders. Just be prepared, it sucks when you go into it thinking you're just going to "coach".

- COMMUNICATE with the parents. I have email addresses and cell phones for text messages. They appreciate the communication.

- Keep structured practices with small stations so kids are standing around too often doing nothing.

- Highlight incremental improvements and expect regression.

- Give a game ball (or two) at the end of every game and ensure everyone gets one by seasons end. Not just for performance. My last game ball went to a kid who was most supportive cheering his team on from the dugout.

- DON'T teach elbow up! Many still do, I was taught it, however every clinic i've ever been to has experienced trainers saying it's one of the worst things a coach could teach a kid. Watch some videos, get some tips on drills and technique. You don't have to know it all at this age you just don't want to teach something that's damaging at a later age.

- Teach the importance of failing. At this age they have to learn that strikeouts are going to happen. I wouldn't keep score or say that they won or lost but striking out is part of the game. It's time for them to learn that. Same with playing the OF for those who can't defend themselves or pay attention.

- End practice on time. I make a deal with parents that I will pick up the gear myself if need be but practice will end sharply at the scheduled time. I don't make them wait, please don't make me wait. Tell them you're not permitted to transport kids home and you're instructed to call the police if a parent doesn't show to pick the kid up. Once you bend for one parent, others will take advantage of you.

I'm sure there's many others. You'll likely be approached for a position in the little league doing more than just coaching. Remember it's all volunteer work and don't be afraid to say NO! What you're doing now is appreciated and enough, don't be guilted into it. Once you get involved with the league decision makers it's a whole new world of BS. It's good in that you're making the league better for the kids but it's alot of work. Never forget all involved are volunteers. That seems to get lost sometimes.

[CCamels73]

Whoa, slow down tiger!

I am A coach. Not THE coach. I do appreciate the ideas though. And now that we are about 2 weeks into the rec league season I understand what you are saying with most of your bullet points. The Game ball thing is a nice idea (one that we should have started at the beginning of the season, so I don't want to start it up at this point). You may have lost me on the "importance of failing" thing.... And the you definitely lost me on no elbow up.

Maybe some more enlightening?