1)  You as parents can be ASSURED that we as coaches will keep your child’s best interest at heart and never berate or embarrass them.  We might at times get LOUD to get their attention and make a point, but all coaching will be done in a positive, constructive, and supportive manner with PLAYERS' SAFETY AND SECURITY and PLAYERS HAVING A POSITIVE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING BASEBALL EXPERIENCE being our first two priorities above winning or anything else.  And we encourage you to communicate with us freely if you have questions, concerns or suggestions about your player or our approach.  It is ALL about the kids!

 

2) We EXPECT players to be on-time and for both practice and games - we must warm up and confirm lineups before games so we expect you there 30 minutes before game-time.  So arrive at 4pm for our week-day games that start with "first pitch" at 4:30.   Pre-game is a very BUSY time for coaches and it is essential to know everyone is there and ready to play. 

 

3)  We EXPECT attendance at ALL practices and games to reinforce our strong team objectives and ask you to please let us know as soon as possible  (DAYS before the absence when possible, not minutes before a game or practice) when your child must miss or be late'   To be fair, players that are consistently on-time and at all practices and  games will get priority in the starting lineup.  Note if we do not have enought players ready, in uniform, and on the field at "first-pitch" game time, then we have to forfeit the game, take a 1-0 loss, and go home without the fun of getting to play. 

 

4)  We REQUIRE that you write last names and phone numbers on ALL your player’s equipment in permanent ink.  We will do our best to help them keep up with gloves, bats, batting gloves and caps, but ask you to stress the importance to them of taking responsibility for their “tools.”  Also, we ask that players do not bring their own baseballs to practices or games – they will almost surely get lost and mixed up with the team gear and if  we control the number of balls in play we can better ensure the safety of our players   Coaches will supply the baseballs at games AND practices.   All helmets and catcher gear will also be provided but if your player wants to bring their own, they can of course - just label them with their names and caution them to keep up with their equipment.

 

5)  We STRONGLY SUGGEST (and probably should REQUIRE) the use of mouthpieces.  These can protect those "pearly whites" as well as reduce lip and other mouth injuries.

 

6)  Your player CAN bring drinks in NON-BREAKABLE, RESEALABLE containers to practice and games. (Bubble gum and sunflower seeds are also OK with us if OK with you- ditto Eye Black).  We will have some hot days later so please send water, juice or Gatorade with your player, particularly for practices.

 

7)  We HOPE (and EXPECT!) to have a “Team Mom” volunteer to coordinate for families to take turns bringing post-game drinks (Gatorade or juice is preferred) and to work our team's turns in the concession stand and press box. 

 

We also REQUIRE all players assemble with us after each game (with parents looking on) so we can reinforce positive aspects and coach players through any negative aspects of each game while fresh on all our minds, and so we can communicate date/time of next game or practice.  We want you families to get involved with the team and "post-game" for about 10 minutes is a great time for us coaches to get to know you all and for you to get to know the players "up close and personal".

 

8)  We HOPE (and EXPECT!) to have some parents (or grandparents!) volunteer as base coaches, bench coach, and scorebook keeper (a very important job!) and to help with practice - we NEED your help!  (Please reply and let us know if you can help and if you have a preferred "job"!)  We welcome your suggestions and advice, however, please keep in mind that all decisions on lineup, positions, playing time, strategy and "conferences" with umpires are solely the responsibility of the Head Coach with input from the Assistant Coaches.  We do welcome your cheering and your vocal support of the team but always in an upbeat, sportsmanlike manner!

 

9)  Fall Ball was an instructional league with players learning many positions but in Spring the competive level is more intense with scores and standings being kept and teams competing for the best seeds in the post-season tournament.   Thus players will tend to specialize at the positions where they can best contribute to the overall team success.  In Spring Coaches Pitch, we still emphasize teaching the young players baseball fundamentals but our other important objectives are to WIN games and to develop talent that can help Greenville Little League be as competitive as possible in the post-season District All-Star Tournaments.

 

Be aware that some defensive positions are inherently a little more dangerous than others - particularly 1st base and Pitcher who must be attentive and adept at safely catching hard throws.  If there is a position that you prefer your player does NOT play in either practice or a game, please let us know as soon as possible.  Otherwise, we as coaches will assign positions at our discretion based on what is best for the team and what is best for each player's development.

 

Please stress to your players that ALL positions are important and each one must do their best for the team to be successful.   Please also stress that the OUTFIELD positions while outwardly not seeming as exciting or "glamorous" as infield are EXTREMELY important!   If an infielder misses a ball, it will be a single or double at most, but if an outfielder misses a ball it can easily be a home run and many runs can score.   We sometimes need our best fly-ball catchers, fastest runners, and strongest throwers to be outfielders so balls to the outfield can be caught and quickly thrown to the infield to stop baserunners from scoring.

 

10)  We REQUIRE players to show good sportsmanship and to be enthusiastic learners at all times.  We will not tolerate complaining, arguing, "trash talking" or disrespect to teammates, coaches, opponents, umpires, fans or anyone else.  On the field and in the dugout, the team takes priority over the individual and we REQUIRE our team reflect the most positive aspects of Little League Baseball.  We will be a classy and dignified TEAM and good sportsmen - first, last and always.

 

11)  We REQUIRE our players to LISTEN and PAY ATTENTION and to OBEY all coaches and umpires.  There is some risk of injury in Coach Pitch so much of our coaching, rules and instructions are meant to keep your players SAFE (eg, stay in dugout, put on helmet, watch the ball at all times, wear the full catcher's gear, stop, run. slide, etc).  Also, we want your players to learn good baseball fundamentals - Coaches are essentially TEACHERS and players can't LEARN if they do not LISTEN and PAY ATTENTION.  We may not be the best team or the most athletic team, but we can be the SMARTEST team and the BEST-PREPARED team if we LISTEN and LEARN.

 

12)  We REQUIRE players to learn and react to some simple SIGNALS.   However, our first and most important signal is when a coach raises his hand or fist straight up over his head - this means for all players to immediately stop what they are doing, be quiet and PAY ATTENTION.    This is for the players' safety and for team organization and unity.

 

13)  Uniforms (Jerseys, pants, socks and caps) will be handed out before our first game.  We REQUIRE players to wear their uniform to each game, with shirt-tails tucked in.  We want to look neat and like a team!   Rubber cleats are recommended (no metal spikes) but shoe choice is yours.  Some games will be played in cold, windy weather so turtlenecks, sweatshirts, under-armor, etc are permitted/encouraged UNDER the jersey when needed.

 

14)  We as coaches reserve the right to revise these rules and add new rules as needed as the season unfolds!

 

Have Fun!    Play Hard!   Play Smart !    Be Bold!      Play Fair!   

...... Be a good teammate and a good sport!   

 

Do your best always, win or lose !