Do's and Don'ts

Hello to all of you who have graciously volunteered your time as a manager or coach.   You have been given a tremendous responsibility to teach the children the great game of baseball.   Some of you may have never coached before, while others have done it for many years.   In either case, you all know that there will be emotional highs and lows during the season.  

 

As we coach, we must remember that not only are we affecting the children of our team, but on the other team as well.   We have so much influence on a child's life in the brief time we coach them that we tend to forget that in the heat of the moment.   The fact that you all have volunteered for this shows what caliber of people you are: you care, and you want to help others.

 

Sometimes, however, our temper or temperament gets the best of us.   Because of this, Coronado Little League has formed a zero tolerance rule for behavior.   The rule is very simple: if you get ejected from a game due to being out of control or not abiding by the list of things to do below, you will not be able to coach or practice with your team for a week.   If you do it twice, then you are out for the year.   Parents and fans will be held to the same standard, and the league expects you to monitor their behavior as well as that of your kids.

 

Do's and Don'ts

 

Do be a positive influence on the children.   Winning isn't everything, and really how you win is almost as important as how you lose with behavior.

 

Do not allow your temper to get the best of you.   Everyone gets angry.   If you get to the point that you are so mad you are about to say something you will regret, walk away for a few moments until you cool off.

 

Do not belittle or express disappointment with the children.   Praise in public, teach in private.   The chances are great that the child will already know that he/she blew a play; there is no reason to rub it in.   Teach them instead on how to do it better next time.

 

Do teach!   These kids, no matter how talented, need to be taught.   Teaching is done by explanation and practice, not by yelling at them.  

 

Do be patient with others.   Remember, these are volunteers too, and they deserve your respect as much as they should show you respect.

 

Do not swear around the children, especially in the dugout, and most especially at the children or umpires.   This will be cause for immediate suspension.

 

Do clean up the dugout after the game.   It is your responsibility to clean up after yourself and your team.   If your dugout is left in a mess on several occasions, the league will be forced to take action.   Coronado School charges us when they have to clean up after us.

 

Do take care of the fields you play on.   Home team is responsible for raking and watering the fields.   The visiting team should help with these duties so the games can start on time.   In the major's divisions, you also must water and rake the fields after the games.   One important note: make sure the water is turned off!

 

Do not leave the lights on after games and practices.   Turn them off when they are not needed.

 

Thank you all again for your attention and dedication to being a teacher; these children will benefit from your skills, patience and understanding.

 

Please feel free to contact me via email at any time with questions.

 

Sincerely,

Steve Conklin

Past President, Coronado Little League