| The following article is an excerpt from the | | | | binders have the sleeves for handouts, |
| free online course "Learning to Coach Youth | | | | schedules and other things. Either way you |
| Baseball". | | | | go, it is important to have one of the two. |
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| When you get the job as a new coach, it is | | | | You will need to write down phone numbers, |
| important that you meet the league director. | | | | dates, contact names and other miscellaneous |
| You might have already met the league | | | | notes about your team. Later on, as you gain |
| director as he or she may have been the | | | | more experience, you might even find yourself |
| person that hired you. If this is not the | | | | writing down different batting lineups to try |
| case, I recommend you set up a meeting as | | | | in the upcoming games. |
| soon as possible to review several things. | | | | |
| | | | On the front of your notebook, you will write |
| Get your notebook handy, as I will give you a | | | | down the year and your teams' name. |
| list of some questions to ask them. | | | | |
| | | | The director has probably given you a set of |
| First, you should ask: May I get the final | | | | local city rules. These rules more than |
| copy of the league rules and a game schedule | | | | likely will be modifications to particular |
| if available? It is obviously important to | | | | national, state or high school sets of rules. |
| get a finished copy as soon as possible, as | | | | Some of the more common local rules address |
| this will be a blueprint for your calendar. | | | | game length, safety of players, batting |
| | | | orders, player substitution and re-entry. |
| Second, you should ask: Will I have any | | | | When you get your league rules, make sure you |
| assistant coaches? Do you know where I can | | | | read them thoroughly. Give them to your |
| find a couple? | | | | assistant coaches and have them read the |
| | | | rules thoroughly. Try and get the rules in |
| Next I suggest you ask, What fields will we | | | | your hands as soon as possible so you can do |
| be playing at? | | | | your homework. |
| | | | |
| And, Do we have a block of time available for | | | | While reading them, I suggest you take notes |
| baseball practice and which diamonds? | | | | in a notebook on interpretations or any |
| | | | questions you may have. If you do not have |
| The next question should be, What type of | | | | any questions on the rules, you did not read |
| equipment do we have available? | | | | them well enough. Do not be afraid to get |
| | | | your questions answered at a coaches meeting |
| Finally, inquire about special days that the | | | | or at league wide tryouts. There probably |
| team needs to get together. These days will | | | | will be a league wide meeting where you can |
| probably include a picture day, uniform day | | | | network with some of the other coaches who |
| and end of year tournament. | | | | will have similar questions. |
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| With this information in hand, you have the | | | | Pay particular attention to substitution and |
| basis for some advanced planning and | | | | re-entry rules. Understanding these will be |
| organization. I have found that being | | | | very important when switching pitchers, pinch |
| organized will help with everything you do | | | | hitting, pinch running, and getting all your |
| for the coming season. I recommend you buy a | | | | players in the game. Finally, obtain your |
| spiral notebook or create a ring binder for | | | | game schedule as soon as possible, so |
| the coming season. Notebooks tend to be | | | | everyone can begin planning his or her |
| easier to carry around and write on, while | | | | summer. |