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Middletown Youth Baseball and Softball

Middletown Youth Baseball and Softball

Coaches Corner

Thank you for volunteering to be a coach! 

Middletown Little League wanted to first say thank you for volunteering your time and knowledge to help our young athletes grow as players and teammates.  Being a Head or Assistant Coach is an important role because coaches have the ability to make this experience a memorable one for all the players.  Successful coaches are organized and communicate well with the players and especially the parents at the youth level.  Above all others, coaches are the people who most often determine the player’s enjoyment and satisfaction with the baseball/softball experience.  The games and scores fade away, but everyone remembers their youth coaches.

We are here to help

Middletown Little League will hold a pre-season informational session to help coaches get ready for the season usually at the beginning of April.  We will go over important information such as practice planning, key drills and coaching tips from experienced coaches.  We will be adding instructional videos and tips to this page as well. 

Coach's Responsibilities

  • Overall team leadership and accountability
  • Set Parent, Player and Coach expectations clearly (verbally and in writing)
  • Teach and demonstrate good sportsmanship by respecting the rules, opponents, officials, teammates, and one's self.  
  • Refrain from the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul, or abusive language.
  • Be a good role model.
  • Have the understanding, patience, and the capacity to work with children in the age group of the division.
  • Accountability for actions of the team (parents, players, coaches)
  • Responsible for understanding, complying with, and enforcing all MYBBSB rules, regulations, and policies
  • Game preparations and related decisions.
  • Practice planning and game strategy.
  • Discipline and personnel moves.
  • Team communication (rules, schedules, league events, etc.).
  • Keeping the Field and Benches clean after game.
  • Return all issued equipment at the end of the season in good and clean condition.
I just was assigned my roster what should I do next?

Here is a few checklist items you should complete at the start of every season once you are assigned your team:

  • Lock in your practice night with [email protected]
  • Reach out to your team and send an introductory email (via the Team Portal roster link)- let them know when the first practice will be, ask for help coaching (if needed - provide link to the volunteer opportunities https://www.mybbsb.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1080822)
  • Set Expectations with Parents and Players and hold each other accountable (see Parent/Fan Code of Conduct Below)
  • Tell all parents about the Game Changer app and verify they all gained access - use that for communications moving forward. 
  • Get your equipment (if did not make pick up date - [email protected])
  • Any questions email [email protected].
I have some parents/fans that are (coaching from the sideline/contradicting what we are teaching/being disrespectful to officials/coaches), what can I do to curb this?

  • Prior to starting the season, make sure to be clear on your expectations on how you will communicate to players AND parents. A good rule of thumb is to explain to parents that you only have a limited amount of time with their children, and will be happy to talk to them before or after practice/games if they have a concern, but not during as that is taking time away from all the players.
  • When communicating, it is important to not escalate the situation, speak calmly and if the other party cannot engage in a discussion let them know that you will be happy to continue this when both parties can have a civil conversation.
  • Whenever possible, practice 2-deep leadership when approaching situations (yourself and another coach, or parent) 
  • For parents that are coaching / contradicting on the sidelines it is best to have a conversation with them individually about how they are distracting not only their player, but the rest of the team. Explain to them what you are doing and why, and if they have suggestions to please bring them up to the coaching staff directly ( before or after practice ) and not during the practice/game. It's OK to agree to disagree.
  • Parents / Fans that are being disrespectful during an event, if possible, approach the person(s) and calmly explain that this is not acceptable behavior, if not possible to fully address the situation at that time, set time with the person to discuss
  • Last, but not least, reach out to the board and we will help as needed ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected])

Equipment Policy

Need equipment? contact [email protected]
https://www.mybbsb.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1195448


Scheduling
 

If you have any issues with your schedule, both games and practices - please email [email protected]Coaches SHOULD NOT CANCEL a game without alerting the league!

Game Changer Tips

The mobile app for our website is Game Changer (https://gc.com/).  It automatically imports rosters, registered guardians and schedules from mybbsb.org.  Here are a few tips for using the app for our various divisions.

Add a Team
  1. Download the app (the green icon one - it says new in the corner)
  2. Register with the same email you used on mybbsb.org - this will allow you to add your team seamlessly
  3. Click the + in the upper right to add team
  4. Select Import Sports Connect option
  5. Follow the prompts to verify your email
  6. Your team will appear on the app home screen.
Game Changer Tutorial



Practice Questions


How often should I practice?

At least once a week but it's really up to you especially early in the season.  If fields are available feel free to schedule a practice.  Towards the second half of the season you might not practice at all if you have games during the week and the weekend.  

How long should practice be?

Practices should be at least an hour.  By the time you warm up and throw you will see how fast an hour can go bye.  Typically 1:15 is optimal if you have the field time.   Coaches coming on the field for a later time slot can start their warm ups in the outfield to allow you do finish up.   You'll probably know when your players have had enough - especially at the lower levels.

Can I practice with other teams?

YES - in fact it's encouraged.  Given the limited field availability, doubling up with another team helps with scheduling and also puts more coaches on the field to help.    If you coach multiple teams you should consider stacking the time slots to make it easier on yourself. 

Can non-coaches help with practice and games?

Any helper that steps on the field MUST be  registered as volunteer and had a background check completed (each year).   During games please limit the number of coaches helping to 4.

Parent / Fan Code of Conduct

As a MIDDLETOWN Little League parent/family member, I WILL:

  • Remember that children participate to have fun
  • Be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship
  • Teach my child to play by the rules and resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence
  • Demand that my child treats coaches, officials, and other players with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or ability
  • Teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning
  • Praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard
  • Promote the emotional and physical well being of athletes ahead of my personal desire to win
  • Respect the officials and their authority during games

As a MIDDLETOWN parent/family member, I WILL NOT:

  • Force my child to participate
  • Engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent
  • Boo, taunt, refuse to shake hands, or use profane language
  • Encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of athletes
  • Ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a game
  • Use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol at any league event
  • Coach my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am a coach.

Contact

Middletown Youth Baseball and Softball
PO Box 1491 
Middletown, Connecticut 06457

Email: [email protected]

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