Baseball Coaching Info

Meeting with the Parents

Going into the season, set aside a one to two hour block to meet with the players’ parents. The parents don’t need to be coddled, but they are adults who have vested interests in their son’s or daughter’s abilities, environment, and future.

A parent meeting will not only allow the coach to flesh out coaching ideas and plans for the season, it will give the parents a forum to voice their questions and, of course, suggestions. A meeting will give the parents the opportunity to share what is on their minds, thus limiting more regular “talks” with the coach during the season. Give them their chance at the meeting, then you can concentrate on what you want to do: teach the players and develop the team.

One idea is to have a cook-out at one of the parents’ houses which is less formal and generally more comfortable than a class room or meeting room. Have some drinks and food, then join everyone together for a discussion that is coordinated by the coach. Plus a parent’s house makes it more social and the coach wants the parents to interact and get along.

Following is an outline for just such a parent meeting given to a 16 year-old boy’s team. Allow the parents to stop you when a question or comment comes to them.

1. Quick introduction by the coach of who I am, why we are here, and the format of the meeting.

2. Go around the room for all parents to introduce themselves and identify who their children are.

3. Review my sports biography

• When, where I played (if any).
• When, why I got into coaching.
• Highlights of coaching career.

4. Explain my philosophy of coaching the game.

• The role of the coach - teacher, motivator, strategist, role model.

5. Detail my behavior and role in practices and games.

• A practice is like homework - it’s where the players learn and the team improves.
• Games are both tests to see what we have learned and rewards to display what we can do and where we stand.
• I will push each player to contribute and improve, but the player must share in the learning curve.

6. Discuss the age of the players and the appropriate off-the-field concerns and distractions (teenagers in particular).

• Point out non-sport specific activities (i.e. scouts, band, other sports) and how they affect the players’ commitments to the team.
• List the acceptable (sickness, injury, family emergency, extraordinary amount of school work) and unacceptable excuses for not attending practice.
• Amplify the results of missing practice (i.e. not starting next game).

7. Review the Previous Season.

• Include highlights and low points.
• Touch on developments of players this summer.
• Emphasize themes for the Fall in reflection of the Spring/Summer.

8. Address the Upcoming Season’s Schedule.

• Discuss the tournaments (travel, hotels, costs).

9. Go over the fees to play and dates when payments are due.

• i.e. referees, uniforms, club dues.
• List fund-raising ideas if necessary.

10.Request Volunteers to fill positions.

• Manager (who oversees all roles).
• Treasurer/Fund Raiser.
• Tournaments/Travel/Hotels.
• Phone Tree.
• Water/First Aid/Uniforms.

11. Conclusion

• Emphasize the purpose of the team.
• Develop each player’s abilities.
• Mesh and coalesce as a team.
• Combine to continually raise the level of team performance.
• Winning games/tournaments as a reward or bonus.

The role of the coach is to cater to the players, not the parents. Teach the game in a positive environment in which the players freely and enthusiastically work hard together.