I am coaching little league for the first time. HELP!?
Question:Okay I'm really excited about doing this but 2 main issues come to mind: 1) How do I pick positons for the kids? Do I leave it up to them or should I make the call and take their input into consideration? and 2) How do I make it clear to the parents that while their advice is greatly appreciate it, that I am the coach without coming off as an a$$hole?
Any other pointers and tips would be GREATLY appreciated because while I'm almost as excited as i was on my wedding day, I am EXTREMELY nervous!
Answers:
How is my team? ( please rate from 1-100 )?
To answer the first question, talk to the kids on what positions they would like to play. Then try them out in that position. If they do good, put them there. If not, then try to tell them that you think they would do better in another position.For the second question, just say to the parents, its good to give they're kids advice. But not on the field during games or practices, because you are to coach them. I'm sure the parents won't have a problem with that.
For an extra pointer, even if the kid strikes out, give them motivation and tell them they will do better next time.
Opening Day happened. What's your World Series prediction?
Just to add on, let the kids try the position they feel most comfortable, then make switches as necessary. Be flexible. Teach your catcher to always bring the ball back to home plate before throwing it back to the pitcher after a wild pitch or passed ball, especially with a runner on third. Depends on your league rules regarding stealing. Unless it's a tryout team, make sure EVERYONE plays. If you find you have good pitching, don't put your worst player in right field. Most hitters won't get around on a good fastball and hit it to right! Try third base. With a good hitter up, you would want to switch positions anyway. Sorry, I started rambling.Has a baseball team ever scored at least 1 run in all 9 innings of a game?
my old little league coached used a ranking system, something very similar to what adam sandler used in the movie " the longest yard". he'd score a player (1-10) using categories such as arm strenghth, speed, catching, mobility, groundballs, flyballs, etc... pretty much identified who the jocks were and who the duds were. best gifted athlete usually got to play shortstop, rest of the good players in the outfields and put all the duds on the right side of the infield or catcher and hope they don't cost you the game in the 2 innings they played hahaDo you think Barry Bonds will get to 780 homeruns total after this season? I know the record is 755?
Picking positions - ask the kids where they'd PREFER to play, and try to play them there once in a while. You need 3 or 4 good pitchers, 2 catchers who can block wild pitches and hopefully throw to second well. At first look for a tall lefty. The shortstop and centerfielders will probably be your best athletes with strong throws. Third baseman should be quick with a good arm. A good fielder with a weak arm can play second. Put weakest kids in LF, RF.Parents -- this is from my "Dear Parents Letter"
Please cheer for your child and our team during games, but do not yell instructions to them. First, your instructions may run counter to what a coach has told them. Second, remember this is their opportunity to enjoy playing in the game. Much of the fun is lost if Mom or Dad is yelling instructions.
Please let me know if you or your child has a problem with how I run things. I want to know if there is a problem right away.
How do u throw different types of pitches for baseball?
i coach little league have tryouts tell the parents when there on the field there yours just wait till you have a kid sittin and the parents start bitchin happens all the time my sugestion is put there names in a hat and draw names and that is who sits first next game dont have the same kids name in the hatMore Questions & Answers...