Baseball Coaching Info

The Coach / Player / Parent Charter

Giving handouts on occasion to the players and parents is a good idea to remind the group of important themes and re-invigorate the group to critical messages. Each group is tied together under one flag, behind one purpose - develop the players in a supportive, positive, disciplined, and challenging environment.

The following recommendations should be altered according to your coaching philosophy, style, and situation.

For the Coach:

• To always set a good example about winning and losing. It is a game ¬ treat it and respect it as such.
• To treat each player as an individual every person who should be listened to and motivated in a unique fashion.
• To push the players according to the age, skill level, and goals of the team. Use language, requirements, and discipline levels that are age-appropriate.
• To continually educate and further your knowledge of the game and coaching. Read, watch, and speak with and learn from others to elevate the complexity of practices.
• To set a good example for the players. The players will use you as a standard more than you expect - be on-time, organized, polite, positive, and motivated.

For the Players:

• To remember that it is a game. Never forget that the game is not life and that good things can come from losing, like learning from your mistakes and the ability to cope under pressure.
• To believe that every player is equally important to the team’s success the team is a puzzle and each person is critical to the overall performance. The team wins and loses as a unit, not individuals.

To recognize that it is a team game and that teamwork will lead to great things. No one person can make or break the team. The whole is better than the parts. Many average teams have combined for incredible results.

To strive every training session to improve. Practice makes perfect. It’s impossible to get an A on a test without first doing the homework. Nothing good ever comes easy.

To be thankful and appreciative to the coaches, parents, and referees. They support your love and passion for the game. They are on your side.

For the Parents:

• To remember that it is a game, first and foremost. Participation, development, and having fun are all more important than winning.
• To say only positive things during the games. Any negative comments will only distract and further frustrate the players.
• To be objective as possible about your child’s performance and role. The coach is not perfect, but the coach sees the team the most and makes all the decisions on playing time and positions.
• To never criticize the referees. Have you ever been a ref? The refs do not win or lose games; don’t use them as scapegoats.
• To always be positive to your children after the game. If they ask you to critique their performance, then do so.
• The game that teaches everyone involved many important messages. Do not let your team get torn down with the politics, pressures, and negativism that is rampant in much of youth sports.