Menlo Atherton Little League

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Coaching

Menlo-Atherton Little League
Coaches

Each team is comprised of a manager, and a coach with the agreement of the Board of Directors. Managers are responsible for all aspects of the team, including players, coaches, parents, equipment, uniforms, and teaching the game of baseball. Coaches have a narrower range of responsibilities since they tend to focus more on the players and teaching the game of baseball. Assistant Coaches provide assistance as requested under the direction of the Manager and Coach. Each team is assigned a manager and a coach. Assistant coaches are not assigned to a team, but rather go with the team that their child was drafted to play on. The assistant coaches are approved by the Board in coordination with each division Commissioner.

Manager/Coach Selection Criteria

Managers and coaches are critical to the success of a Little League organization. They are the face of the League and in many ways responsible for the quality of the experience of the League’s players. As such, identifying and selecting the most qualified managers/coaches is a vitally important task. The process should be clearly articulated and transparent, with predefined criteria to increase objectivity and better manage expectations and perceptions.

Based on the above, the M-A Little League Board has established basic criteria for the selection of Managers and Coaches and have detailed them in this document. The criteria are applicable to all divisions, but are most relevant for Majors/AAA divisions where the coaching environment is more complex.

The criteria do not represent minimum standards for managers, but rather establish a framework for assessing and comparing candidates. Manager prospects, for example, are not required to have played high school baseball in order to manage in the League. However, prior baseball experience will be a factor in the overall assessment and those with more experience will be viewed as more desirable, all other things equal.

Note: it is recommended that in the future we require prospective managers/coaches to complete a short application form in which they can detail their baseball and coaching experience. Such a form could be added to the registration process. Formally capturing this information will ensure that the Board has the relevant background data on all prospective coaches, enabling a more informed selection decision.

Managers (aka Head Coaches) Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed in the following categories:

1. Baseball Experience – The ability to teach and develop skills and educate the kids about the game and rules:
• Experience playing on a competitive level – high school, college, professional
• Experience coaching on a competitive level – high school, college…
  
2. Coaching Youth Sports – The ability to lead and manage a team of kids and their families:
• Experience coaching within the M-A Little League
• Experience coaching baseball in any youth baseball league
• Experience coaching any youth sport – soccer, basketball, football etc.
• Metrics: team performance, feedback from parents and fellow peers
  
3. Sportsmanship – A mindset and orientation that balances winning with learning life lessons/life skills:
• Ability to instill in players a positive attitude and behavior about themselves, their teammates, their competitors and respect for the game of baseball itself.
  
4. Behavior – The proclivity to consistently role model the desired behavior:
• Ability to comport themselves well, exhibiting self control, a love of the game and good sportsmanship.
  
5. Service – The demonstration of commitment and contributions to MA Little League
• Service to League via a Board role or other volunteer role
  
6. Interest – The display of enthusiasm for and interest in coaching
• Signing up to coach within the proper timeframe (player registration process).
• Expressing interest in coaching to League officials, board members and fellow coaches

Coaches (aka Assistant Coaches)

Coaches are assessed via the same criteria above. The MA Little League Board will consider a Manager’s request for a certain individual to coach, but will have final say as to whether that’s the best or most fair pairing. In general, if the requested individual is on par with the other eligible candidates per the above criteria, then the request will be granted. If the individual is another “level” below the other eligible candidates, then the request will not likely be granted.

3rd coaches are coaches that are not pre-assigned to a team. They are parents (typically) who agree to assist the manager/coach in areas such as practice drills and dugout management. Managers are given a lot of leeway in who they can select as a 3rd coach. The coaches are not subject to the baseball criteria above, but must meet the sportsmanship and behavior criteria as well as clear the screening tests. The Board approves 3rd coaches as well.



In addition to approving team coaches, the Board may elect to identify specialty coaches, such as pitching coaches, who will be available to provide instruction to all teams within specific levels. Preference is given to people who have actual experience in the skill they are teaching, or demonstrate adequate knowledge of the skill.

It is expected that managers, coaches, and assistant coaches will be in agreement with the general philosophy and goals of the Menlo-Atherton Little League and will make every effort to work within the guidelines set forth in this handbook. Any manager, coach, or assistant coach who has strong reservations about the Menlo-Atherton Little League philosophy, goals, and procedures should make their feelings known to the Board prior to the formation of the teams so that differences can be discussed and, if necessary decisions made regarding their participation.

Coaches are some of the League's most dedicated volunteers. It is important that they be recognized and given credit for their good intentions, the time they devote, and the responsibilities they assume. Generally speaking, they should be given the benefit of the doubt in terms of coaching techniques and decisions. Invariably, disputes arise and concerns are expressed about behaviors, proper role models, ability to teach children the game of baseball/softball, etc. The Menlo-Atherton Little League has adopted Standards of Conduct and a Conflict Resolution Process that apply to all League participants. Adults who elect to serve in a coaching capacity are encouraged to read those standards and procedures very carefully.

A list of penalties and consequences associated with infractions have not been developed since most problems are unique and vary in terms of severity. However, it is important for all concerned to understand that the Board of Directors will act quickly and decisively when conflicts arise, and that the action taken by the Board will be considered final.