Managers and coaches are among the most important and influential volunteers within the Little League program. They have to know the game and love working with kids. Leagues that provide players and families involved with a positive and fun learning experience are able to encourage players to return and want to continue playing the game of baseball.
A team manager takes on multiple responsibilities. The first is to be responsible for our own actions. Managers also take on the responsibility of teaching, leadership, effective communication with parents, practice planning, delegating, developing game day warm up routines and knowing the local and Little League Baseball Regulations, Playing Rules and Policies.
How effective a volunteer coaches or manages a Little League game should never be grounds for negative judgement, but when talking about understanding the program’s rules and regulations, the statement that “ignorance is no excuse” seems applicable. Researching, asking questions, and being able to use and know rulebook terminology is expected, regardless of your years in the program.
Little League offers a variety of resources to help train managers and coaches and stay on top of any rules changes. These resources include but not limited to:
Little League University (LittleLeagueU.org) - For ongoing education and training.
Little League Umpires (https://www.littleleague.org/umpires/) - Rule changes and updates.
Coaches Box (LittleLeague.org/Newsletters) – register to receive monthly electronic newsletters.
Middlesex Little League also provides every manager/coach with Little Leagues Official Regulations, Playing Rules and Policies. Coaching clinics are held annually as well.
Safe Sport Act
Beginning immediately, Little League International and all local Little League programs must adhere to the following requirements from the SafeSport Act: 1- Reporting of Child Abuse, including sexual abuse involving a minor, to the proper authorities. • All volunteers of a local league are now mandated reporters and could face criminal charges if the league chooses to ignore, or not report to the proper authorities, any reason to suspect an act of child abuse, including sexual abuse, within 24 hours.
• Local leagues must be aware of the proper procedures to report sexual abuse in their state. Please referenceLittleLeague.org/ChildAbuse 2- Leagues must adopt a policy that prohibits retaliation on "good faith" reports of child abuse. 3- Leagues must adopt a policy that limits one-one-one contact with minors. 4- Leagues are highly encouraged to complete theAbuse Awareness trainingprovided by USA baseball and SafeSport. |
PRACTICE REQUIREMENT RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH TEAM