Kids play baseball for all kinds of reasons. They enjoy learning new skills, and testing these skills against others. They like the challenge and the excitement. Winning and pleasing others are part of it too, but they are not nearly as important as the simple pleasure kids get from being active, being with friends - being part of a team!
The approach that you take to coaching should reflect these desires. You're on the right track if you concentrate on fun, fitness and fundamentals.
Fun - make it a great experience for the whole family - for players, coaches, officials and fans.
Fitness - Aim for active participation for every player. In this way, baseball will contribute to the mental and physical development of all participants.
Fundamentals - Focus on the basics. As players develop their new skills, their enjoyment of the game will grow.
"Getting Started in Baseball" is a booklet produced by the Coaching Association of Canada and Baseball Canada, and is sponsored by 3M Canada. Its goal is to familiarize and assist the beginner coach in running a successful season.
Getting Started in Baseball covers these topics and more!
Basics of coaching
Hints on recruiting volunteers and keeping everyone involved
Fair play, rules and regulations, and safety and emergency concerns.
Tips for teaching skills
Sample practice plans and guidelines for game day
A checklist to help you assess and improve your skills as a coach
The package assists coaches with understanding the needs and feeling of their players. In many cases, coaches are providing children with their first exposure to the sport of baseball. It is important that this first baseball experience be positive so they will continue to play the game and enjoy its benefits.
To obtain a copy of the booklet, contact your Provincial Baseball Association or Baseball Canada.
While Getting Started in Baseball is an excellent resource, it does not replace coaching certification. Baseball Canada offers a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) to provide all coaches with quality education and instruction from Level 1 - 5. To find out more about these training programs and when they will be offered next, please contact your Provincial Baseball Association.
