| It is a good idea to have at least two assistants. | | | | As for parents, the park might even assign you a |
| This will give your team more flexibility in working | | | | coach whose son or daughter plays for the team |
| with individual players and different aspects of the | | | | and he or she wanted to volunteer. You should |
| game. Ideally, one coach will work with the | | | | have received this information in your league |
| pitchers, and their development. This will also | | | | director meeting earlier. If the parent's child plays |
| include trips to the mound to settle them down | | | | on the team, you want to know this. Parents are |
| during a game. The second coach will work on the | | | | very protective of their child and you want to be |
| hitting and base running side of the game. This | | | | aware of the situation up front. |
| coach should also be one of the base coaches | | | | If you still have no such luck in finding a coach, |
| during the game. You can coach the other base, | | | | you could try advertising in city or local |
| or have a player do it. | | | | community papers with a small ad with a phone |
| All coaches can work on the fielding aspects of | | | | number. If you are new to coaching, you probably |
| the game. Having coaches assigned to specific | | | | want to advertise for someone with a little |
| tasks helps; they concentrate on learning small | | | | experience. |
| areas of the game instead of everything at once. | | | | You may now find yourself asking what if the |
| This will be easier on them in their reading and | | | | coaches I get do not have any experience. Lack |
| viewing assignments. | | | | of experience is fine and quite common at |
| If you form a nice team together, you may want | | | | younger levels. Everyone has to start somewhere |
| to go up with the club from year to year. What | | | | and most people start with coaching their children. |
| that means is that as the players get older you | | | | Even if you did not play the game at higher levels, |
| move up to the next level with them. This can be | | | | with today's media outlets such as what you are |
| extremely effective in helping everybody's | | | | watching now, coaches can still be extremely |
| learning curve. As you move up, the new | | | | successful by reading and observing. |
| assistant coaches will gain more experience and | | | | For reading, there are websites, baseball books |
| eventually be able to move into other roles. Your | | | | and the following lessons will all be helpful in the |
| role to the coaches as the manager of the team | | | | new venture for you and your rookie assistant. |
| is to develop their baseball knowledge, place them | | | | The other extremely important way to learn is |
| in a position to succeed, and groom them to | | | | by observing. Ask yourself, Which baseball teams |
| become head coaches. That is assuming they are | | | | are extremely good in your area year after year? |
| still rookies. If they are experienced veterans, | | | | I am speaking about youth, high school, college |
| make sure to let them know that you are there | | | | and even the pros. Drive to the high school field |
| to learn from them and their wisdom. | | | | or the local baseball park and catch one or two of |
| The question you are probably asking yourself | | | | their practices. Watch the drills they run. |
| now is where can I find assistant coaches. Well, | | | | If you have any ambition of moving to the next |
| some league directors will allow you to select your | | | | level, it is not a bad idea to introduce yourself and |
| own coaches. If you have this opportunity, make | | | | ask a few questions. If you are going to ask a |
| sure at least one of the coaches you select has | | | | question, ask pointed questions so you are not |
| some baseball experience or some good | | | | wasting their time. For example, I want to |
| knowledge of the game. Some coaches may | | | | improve my second baseman's double play pivot. |
| decide to select their friends or former | | | | Do you have any suggestions or drills I can use to |
| teammates. | | | | accomplish this? |
| We live in a world of busy schedules. Nowadays | | | | Emulation of top players and coaches will help you |
| with two working parents and tight budgets, you | | | | and your teams perform better. Once you begin |
| might not have the luxury of finding someone | | | | your coaching career, you will be surprised at all |
| who is able to commit to help you out. If this is | | | | the little nuances in the professional game you will |
| the case, check with your park director. They will | | | | notice by watching it on TV. Coaches need to |
| have many contacts to other coaches and | | | | make sure their egos do not get in the way of a |
| parents. | | | | child's development. |