| Youth baseball leagues cannot survive without | | | | 4. Cheer For All Players. Baseball is a team sport. |
| volunteerism. It takes the time and effort of | | | | Parents should cheer for all players on the team. |
| many dedicated people to deliver a great | | | | It's even OK to cheer for kids on the opposing |
| experience for its players. This includes managers | | | | team. Give the kids a smile and cheer for all of |
| and coaches who tend to offer many hours on | | | | them. |
| and off the field. | | | | 5. Have One-On-Ones With Coaches After |
| As parents we have an obligation to the team as | | | | Games. From time to time you may need to |
| well. Here are a few ways you can help the coach | | | | speak with your kids coach privately about issues. |
| and your kid during the baseball season. | | | | The best time to do this is after games or |
| 1. Communicate With Coach And Arrive On Time. | | | | practices. The best way to go about this is to ask |
| Whether through email or via phone make sure | | | | the coach a few days in advance if they will have |
| the coach knows your kids availability for games | | | | some time to speak with you. Give them an |
| and practices. If your child is going to be late give | | | | understanding of what it is you want to talk |
| an accurate time as to when he/she will arrive. | | | | about. Most importantly have this discussion |
| Games require prep work and coaches generally | | | | without the kids around to listen. |
| figure out where kids are going to play prior to | | | | 6. Be Constructive. Not destructive! Nothing is |
| game time (a rotation). This can take a long time | | | | worse that negative energy on a baseball team. It |
| to put together and if a player is late getting to | | | | can drive teams with great talent to the brink of |
| the game, it creates a lot of extra work for the | | | | destruction. It's important for parents to keep |
| coach. Also, make sure your player is well | | | | things positive. Don't give into discussions with |
| prepared for the game with the proper | | | | others about what the coaches are doing wrong... |
| equipment. | | | | focus on what they are doing right. If you have |
| 2. Get Involved. Coaches generally welcome | | | | an idea, observation or suggestion... result to item |
| parent who volunteer to help. Tell the coach at | | | | #5. Keep things positive. In most cases all involved |
| the beginning of the year that you are willing to | | | | are there to make the experience a great one... |
| help. Let him know what you can offer the kids. | | | | help that cause, don't fight it. |
| 3. Pick Up A Rake. Most leagues have | | | | Always remember that we are all doing this for |
| requirements to prep fields before or after | | | | the kids. At the end of the day what's important |
| games. Parent can help out by taking over this | | | | is that the kids are playing baseball, participating in |
| responsibility for the team leaving time for | | | | a positive activity, getting exercise, making |
| coaches to warm up before a game or have post | | | | friends, learning to be a teammate. I hope these |
| game discussions with the team. These are both | | | | few ideas will help you develop great relationships |
| important parts of the baseball experience and | | | | with your child coach and make your child's |
| parents should pave the way for this to take | | | | baseball experience a better one. |
| place. | | | | |