Bemidji Youth League Baseball Handbook Working today to develop for the future Written and compiled for the members of Bemidji Youth League Baseball 3/8/2006 Revised: 2012
Over the years Bemidji Youth League has developed and revised this handbook in order to make the coaching experience in our organization a positive experience for coaches, parents and players. It has become what you are reading now through years of trials and tribulations. Please consider this as a guide to make your coaching experience easier by helping you avoid some of the mistakes we made as we continued to evolve. Many of us think we have the only way to coach, and the first step we have to take is that we don t always know more then everyone else. It may not be an all-inclusive, but a good overview to help you improve your ability to coach baseball. What do I do now? I want to coach and have played some high school ball, but that was years ago. Can I still do this or am I in over my head? This is an all too familiar statement we hear every year from coaches who want to help their kids become better baseball players but don t know how to start or continue in team development. Bemidji Youth League is committed to the excellence of our program. In the following pages we will explain what we, as an organization, expect from you to teach young players better baseball. Our mission statement says exactly what we want to accomplish with every child on every team. To instruct youth ages 4 to 15, in fundamentals of the sport of baseball and to convey to them the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. This statement was written as a simple way to tell people that we want to create good ballplayers who play together, will win with humility and lose with grace. It is not always about winning, but rather developing character in our youth, which as one of its primary by-products creates winning programs. It is said many times in sports that we control our own destiny and in this case it is very true. What we teach these players today they learn for the future. This is by no means a total book of all you need know about baseball. It is however a good fundamental base to get you started in the Bemidji Youth League baseball experience. Any questions can be asked of the board members found below. President Bruce Dahlin 586-2548 333-4115 766-4328 Vice President Joe Kapaun 586-3592 407-3592 Treasurer Moe Webb 444-WEBB Secretary Dave Clark 751-0993 BYLB fields 444-BYLB
What can coaches expect from BYLB? We need to look at many things that our coaches need to get before the start of the season, the end of the season and looking forward to next year. As soon as the summer season is over, we as a board, look forward to the next year with great anticipation. Our organization takes more then 5 guys meeting in a smoke filled room to hash out who s going to do what. It takes all the members time to make sure that all the things to run a league are done. We have a small, but wonderful group of people to work with and it can always get bigger and better. We think that BYLB must provide you with many things, when you decide you are ready to coach and the coaches committee gives you the nod, you are ready to take a team to the next level. You must attend meetings to make sure you are getting all the information you need. Below is a list of the physical things you will need and are provided by BYLB for your team. 1. You will first receive information on rules and regulations of the league and the head and assistant coaches are responsible for making sure that not only the players, but also the parents understand the rules and, with our help, you must enforce those rules. 2. You will receive a Scorebook, rulebook and bag of equipment for your team. If there is something wrong with the equipment please contact Dean Schneider or Bruce Dahlin to exchange it. Please do not just take something as it is inventoried. If you ask you will get better equipment. 3. You will get uniform jerseys, pants and caps for your team. You will be responsible for keeping track of them and the return of all uniforms. You must write down on the roster forms so we know who has what. After you make an attempt or two at retrieval, we will then send out a uniform bill on or after September 1 st. It is your responsibility, when the time comes, to try on pants and make sure all the players have the proper pants. They are to be worn to games only and are now theirs. If you have any special requests we will do the best we can to accommodate your needs. 4. You will receive practice baseballs and game baseballs. You should mark your practice baseballs with the name of your team and it will be easy for you to keep track of them. Leave with the same amount or more then you came with. Home team has the responsibility of a game baseball. If you run out ask the concession stand or league official present and one will be provided. 5. You will be given a set of keys to all the places you need to be, this includes the gates and sheds. League officials will have keys to the Bullpen for you to fax your team s results to the Pioneer. 6. We at BYLB will provide you with a pre-tryout roster to the best of our ability. We will get late registrations and other complications will arise, be patient and help us to work through the problems. We will, after the draft, provide you with a list of players, phone numbers, and parent s names. You will meet with the
parents to set grounds rules, both the leagues and your own team rules. We have included some samples of letters given in past years to help you. 7. We will provide you with a schedule, including tournaments, to all coaches and they will be posted at the fields as soon as possible. This is also the way the tournaments will go as well. 8. All coaches will be given a practice time they will be using. If you feel your team needs more practice you can use any facilities we have available, do not take already posted practice times but open times are first come first serve. 9. Anything you need to put a team on the field will be provided to you. What does BYLB expect from the Coaches? We expect that you take care of the team and the league as it relates to the Mission statement. As I said take care of your team and the rest is easy. You need to give a few things back to us, and though you give so much of your time and efforts, remember all the others who also give time and talents to make the league run every year. 1. First, you have to respect that we have a board that sets up the league rules and schedules for a reason and to the best of our ability. All the board members are or have been coaches for many years and know where you are coming from. We will listen to all the wishes of the coaches and parents at to make a complete season filled with success for all the players. Remember when it comes to the bottom line the kids come first, we are coaching them for the future. 2. All coaches must take responsibility for raking the fields. Every year in August we look at the lips that form around the mounds and the infields and find a direct correlation with the way they are raked. We need to push the Agri-lime towards the middle of the field and take a broom to the infield lips to remove the excess Agri-lime off the grass. When raking mounds push the dirt from the bottom towards the top of the mound and fill in the holes. Do not rake downhill!this will prolong our great facilities and allow us to concentrate on other projects we need to complete. You are also responsible for sweeping the dugouts to make sure they are better then before you entered. We have one of the finest facilities in the nation, as we work together, it makes a considerable task very manageable. Players need to help in these tasks. It helps them acquire ownership attitudes for their home fields. 3. All home teams will fill out the game report that is faxed or pick up for the Pioneer. The home teams are on the first base side and will run the scoreboards. Fans and parents all want to see the score so keep it up. 4. If you have discipline problems with any players or parents contact the league president or league official present. Even if it is the first offence, the board needs to know so we can answer any questions about our policy or your teams. The board will back coaches at all times unless you give a reason not to. Remember, parents want the best for their kids and sometimes that judgment is not always the best for the team as you see it. 5. Give the most to the kids and make sure you are ready at all times to give them more then they need to improve and have fun. Be honest when a player asks you
a question if they need to work on something tell them. This league is about teaching fundamentals, but also the need to win with humility and loose with grace. Some tips you may need before you coach! It has always been two or three people every year that ruin the season for the rest, as they are too competitive, and want to live within the sports life they never had. We suggest that you take a long look at what you are doing. If you cannot come up with good answers, you may need to work with someone who can. Temperament is the key to what happens and how successful our year can be at BYLB. We must remember to work within the rules and that we are here for the benefit of all the players and no one else. When any of us become bigger then the game, we need to get back to reality. The whole process is to teach the kids fundamentals and to maybe teach the kids something about life. The following are some tips and steps to setting up procedures to rate kids in the preseason spring training or regular tryouts. Many scouts and coaches have used this process, so it is proven to work. It has been toned down to our level to work for us. 1. Be open and positive towards all players and don t just focus on the best players. Ten positives for every negative spoken to players at these age levels would be a good ratio. The more you can put a positive spin on correcting players, the more success you will have. 2. Look at the little things, before you draft check out the small things a player may do for you. Example: knowledge of the game, good speed, or good glove. 3. You are going to have three levels of players to pick from. Look at the cutoff points and select the best at that level, seldom do you find a diamond in the ruff but it may happen. Draft from your gut, if you think it is a good pick make it, if you have a bad feeling don t make the pick. 4. Select pitchers and catchers first. All thru the year we hear coaches complain that they don t have enough pitching or too many passed balls. Your better athletes will not only play these skilled positions but also are your better hitters. You can take a chance on a player with a strong arm, it may just be that he/ she has not had the proper direction. That sleeper could be the best pick in the draft. 5. Use your gut as a guide to a player on the positive or the negative. Talk to players, as you are out on the field see what kind of reaction you get from them. You can learn much from a small conversation. Both coaches need to be involved in the draft and make sure you are in agreement. 6. You will and should pick or not pick players according to other sports they play and you have been associated with. Examples: if you are involved in hockey you will have more hockey players on your team. This can be good as you know the kids and parents, but remember that they may have camps at the same time and leave you short rostered. 7. Have a system that both you and the other coach can live with. When you look at players start with the basics (throwing, fielding, hitting, and running), then
move to how the players take directions on the field (watch for down time and what they do, as in kicking dirt and attention span). 8. Parents are a key part of all players development, work the crowd and see if you can pick up anything about players you don t know. Your only hope is that the parents will bring the kids and help you if needed. Parents can make or break a kid or coaches. Constant, consistent communication with players and parents can eliminate a myriad of misunderstandings and hard feelings. It may be a good idea to meet with each player and their parents on an individual basis to discuss how their child did during tryouts. Inform them about what are they good at, what they need to work on, and what they need to learn. 9. Develop a sheet to tell you things you need to know, BYLB has a sheet we hand out, but it may not have the things you need on it. We will have a separate tryout with pitchers and catchers. Be prepared and worry about your team and the league. If the league is balanced it is better for all and creates its own fun as we play. Our goal is to see fun and development for all players, not just one team or player. In the perfect world, we would have all teams of equal strength. 10. Some coaches are better then others, if you have baseball knowledge, please help those that need help. We at BYLB will help or find people to help as much as possible. Many of you know if asked we will be glad to jump in. If you need assistance ask and don t let your ego get in your way. 11. Above all, let things go and have fun with the process. This is a league of 9-15 year olds. You need to remember two things: 1) in the scope of life this is a very small part you can make a difference in so don t blow it. 2) We are working today to develop for future. Once we have finished the draft, we are all in the same boat as we have an undefeated team and boatload of hopes for the future. Now you must take this bunch of kids and make them into a team of players. You will be frustrated, happy, angry, overjoyed, and many other emotions and that is just the first practice. The best way to start is from the beginning. That may sound stupid, but it is true. If you have coached before, you have an idea of where to start, but make sure the other coach is on the same page. Sit down and discuss what you want to do in your upcoming practices and beyond. Script and schedule practices before hand so you are prepared and know what you are doing with the time you have. A simple practice plan has been attached to help you with this. Remember to keep the kids occupied at all times, as they get bored easy. There is nothing worse than a practice which has one player batting and the rest of the team standing around or one long line of kids waiting for their chance for one repetition at a drill. We need to keep as many kids moving as possible all the time. Try and teach the kids more then just taking infield, outfield and hitting at a practice. There are many different drills and games you can use to improve the skills of the players. Take care of your pitchers and catchers on a separate basis, as they are the most important players on your team. Ask some of the parents to help without them taking over, this can be hard to do, but it is your team. If you have an unruly parent, speak with them, and then contact a board
member. We are outside the circle so we can do things you may not be able to. We will back you as long as you are doing what is right by the rules. We have examples of practice schedules for you and also have a CD-ROM for your computer from Cal Ripken Baseball. Coaches are strongly encouraged to take and pass the Cal Ripken coaching class and exam. Every coach no matter level of experience they attain, is making a grave error if they do not use this resource. It is truly amazing! You will be reimbursed for this course when you pass it and present your certificate. This course can be found at: www.ripkencoaching.org If you still are having trouble with things to use, invite a board member to help work with certain kids. We have many people who want to help if you just ask. Make sure all your parents and players are aware of what you want from them. Your most challenging task will be playing time. Cal Ripken baseball requires us to have no less then 12 players on the entire rosters, after that we don t want any more, but this is determined by the numbers we have at registration and we go from there. Play kids that don t play much when you have a big lead, let them start at third if you have a stud pitching, put them in to pitch in a scrimmage and explain what they did right and wrong. They are happy to play no matter when it is and the parents are as well. This is the toughest thing you have to deal with and we on the board have all been through it. In conclusion, we at BYLB have given you a lot of information and you have to remember two things as you move through the season. 1. Teach the fundamentals to all players no matter how good you or they think they are. 2. You are a very important part of Bemidji Youth League Baseball, but the most important will always be the kids. Addendum: Special Playing Time Rule for Junior League At the Junior League level coaches are required to insure that all players bat as near to an equal number of times throughout the season as possible. We do not want the same players batting in the same position in the batting order all season. All players need to have the opportunity to bat within the first 4 positions in the batting order and the last 4 positions in the order. The league will provide a batting order for the entire regular season for all teams based on an initial batting order proved by the coaching staff of each team. This rule does not apply for any tournaments the in-house league may hold during the year. A special meeting will be held to discuss this process with the coaches of the Junior League each year. This further emphasizes the importance of coaches to attend all coaches meetings.