Coaching youth sports provides unique challenges that will test your patience, creativity, and adaptability as you navigate the diverse personalities, skill levels, and learning paces of young athletes. Despite these challenges, the rewards of coaching youth sports are immeasurable, as you witness firsthand the joy, growth, and sense of achievement in your players, fostering not only their athletic skills but also their teamwork, discipline, and love for the game.

An important aspect of coaching is communication. There are several ways that coaches are involved in communication when running practice and running a game. These communiucation channels can include:

• with other coaches
• with umpires
• with parents
• and of course with players

 

This post includes a few important points to relay to families prior to the start of the season. Remember that some families may be new to amateur sports, to baseball, to Little League and/or to OLLB organization. So while your initial communication with parents may not benefit everyone, it may very well go a long way to help a family prepare for their first baseball season.

Here is a summary of the key points that should be included in the pre-season email:

1. OLLB Website Link: https://orleanslittleleague.goalline.ca
2. Schedule page and instructions on how to access the Team Schedule (Include website link to Team Schedule)
3. OLLB Fields: https://orleanslittleleague.goalline.ca/venue.php
4. Team Manager/Head Coach Information: {Name}, {preferred method of contact} and {preferred communication information}
5. (Optional) - Baseball experience

 

Most coaches will also require help from parents with the following role and responsibilities:

1. Assistant Coaches (and backups in case of sudden changes of plans)
2. Game Controller (Best to get 2)
3. Scorekeeper and pitch counter (Best to get 2 or can be an assistant coach)
4. Snack Coordinator
5. (Mostly for summer teams) - Team Financial Liaison

The introduction letter is a great time to start looking for volunteers.

 

The linked document serves as template for a Welcome and Season Introduction letter for the parents. Coaches are encouraged to primarily communicate through the Goalline app and are also encouraged to modify the template and customize it for their needs. Some additional information such as: post-game snack assignments, team specific rainout policies and team events can also be included.

Check out the longer Coach’s Clipboard pitching mechanics breakdown for more advanced coaching and pitching tips.

Links:

To help explore how to create a safe, fun engaging and movement based practice, keep looking for updates on the Coach's Clipboard or use one of the links below.

Links:

 

1. Importance of a Baseball Warm-up
2. How to Grip a Baseball
3. The Triangle Drill
4. Checkpoints for the Beginner Pitcher