Midlakes Babe Ruth Coaching rules and regulations
Midlakes Babe Ruth Coaching rules and regulations MBR Coaching Mission Statement:
Midlakes Babe Ruth (MBR) would like to thank you for your interest in volunteering to coach in our league. It is the mission of MBR to provide the highest level of baseball instruction to our young men and women registered to our program. MBR does not place an emphasis on winning, but winning and losing is part of any sport and we at MBR want our players to understand that. With that being said, MBR wants to provide all players, regardless of latent athleticism, the necessary skills, discipline and understanding of the game of baseball to succeed at all levels. MBR also wants to instill a competitive nature in all players and a genuine enthusiasm for the game. Respect of the game, their teammates, coaches and opponents, and more importantly themselves will be a driving force for this program. MBR wants its coaches to be able to have the resources needed to succeed and compete at a high level. MBR strives to provide as much coaching education as possible, as well as a well networked team of professionals and individuals willing to provide peer to peer education and assistance to our coaches.
MBR Coaching Rules and Regulations: I.
II.
Coaching selection process a. All potential and prospective coaches will be required to submit a coaching application to the League President for review with the Board of Directors (“the Board”). The application process will determine which applicant best fits the vision that MBR has for instruction. b. Previous coaching experience in our league has absolutely no bearing on selection. c. All potential and prospective coaches will be required to pass a criminal background check performed by a third party. d. All potential and prospective coaches will be required to agree to and sign our Coaching Code of Conduct. Head Coach responsibilities a. Oversee and manage all aspects of the team b. Create lineup card for each game c. Determine defensive positioning for each game d. Determine pitching rotation for each game e. Know all rules and regulations pertaining to their respective division
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To show respect to players, coaches, umpires and spectators per the Coaches’ Code of Conduct g. Contact parents regarding game cancellations, makeup dates, concession duties, etc. h. Provide evaluations of players to be used to determine All-Star eligibility i. Maintain equipment for the team j. Delegate any of the above tasks to your assistant coaches if needed k. To work with their Assistant Coach as a team. To seek their input, ask them questions, and include them in the decision making process Assistant Coach responsibilities a. To help the head coach perform their duties, and in instances where asked, to perform those duties independently b. To keep the dugout in order during games c. To run drill stations when asked by the Head Coach d. To perform base coaching duties e. To assume the duties of the Head Coach when directed by the Head Coach, of the Board of Directors, when the Head Coach is unable or unwilling to perform those duties f. To perform any other duties, within reason, asked by the head coach g. To work with their Head Coach as a team. To communicate properly, raise concerns, discuss game strategy, etc. MBR Coaching Education Program a. MBR will provide varying levels of education to its coaches for all levels. These classes will help both new and experienced coaches deliver the correct instruction that the Board has developed. The point of the education program is provide coaches with the information, skills and drills needed to help their players become the best ballplayer they can be. b. All coaches will be required to attend any and all MBR sponsored coaching education clinics, regardless of their experience level. This is a requirement to coach in our league. c. If at any time a coach wishes to participate as an instructor, they may approach the Board with their desire to become an instructor. Practice Plans a. MBR expects coaches to abide by the practice plans that are provided to them by the Board. These plans leave some room for interpretation, however a coach is not to divert from the basic outline of the plan. Any additions or changes must be approved by the board. These plans provide the type of structure and commonality between coaches that have been severely lacking in previous years and have led to inconsistencies in instruction. These plans also provide the correct instruction per level that the Board feels that each player should receive, respective to their division. Discipline a. Coaches will instill varying levels of discipline on their teams, outlined in their respective division’s mission statement. In years past, some players have developed an unwelcome habit of disrespectful behavior and attitudes towards their teammates and coaches. Due to the lack of enforced discipline, these habits have been allowed to
VII.
VIII.
IX.
flourish. MBR will no longer tolerate coaches who do not hold their players responsible for their actions. Conduct a. Coaches will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. They should be the first ones to practices and games, not the last. They should be the last ones to leave, not the first. They should interact with the players, parents, officials, etc. as a professional. Coaching is a privilege, not a right. At any time, if the Board feels that a coach is not representing the league’s or player’s, best interests, or has violated the Coaching Code of Conduct, that coach may be immediately removed from their coaching duties. b. Coaches will interact with game officials in a dignified, and non-aggressive manner. Any coach who is ejected from a game for any reason will automatically receive a minimum one game suspension, including playoffs. Additional discipline, if necessary, will be determined by the Board based on the severity of the incident. Team Communication and administrative guidelines a. Coaches will know the league schedule and the rules for their respective division. These will be provided to each coach both electronically, and in their coaching packet. Coaches should not be routinely asking when they play, what field they are on or what the rules are. Clarification of rules should be discussed with the division commissioner prior to the start of the season, or with the umpire during games. b. Coaches are required to communicate any and all issues with a player directly to the player’s parent. They are not to keep any issues to themselves, as keeping the parent in the dark does nothing to help solve the problem. c. Prior to the start of the season, the coach will have a parent meeting, outlining proper communication channels, schedules, expectations, etc. d. Coaches will be responsible for maintaining a phone list and email list of their parent’s contact info. The board will provide all contact info that it has on record for all parents, however this list may not be up-to-date, no matter how many times it is checked. It will be the responsibility of the coach to communicate with each parent using the parent’s preferred method of communication. e. MBR will provide each team with a social media group to aid in communication with the team parents. These accounts will be the sole property of MBR. No other social media accounts will be created on the behalf of the team unless agreed upon by the Board. These accounts are to be used to communicate with the parents on issues such as game cancellations, schedule changes, reminders etc. They are NOT to be used as the sole means of communication. Team selection and draft outline a. Parent requests for specific coaches will not be honored unless there are extenuating circumstances. This practice has led to a culture in this program where parents have dictated how our teams are selected and it has led to an unbalanced distribution of talent amongst our teams. b. Coaches will not collude with parents, coaches or players to artificially select their team or impact the draft. Any coach found to be participating in actions like this will be immediately relieved of all coaching responsibilities.
c. Player Draft i. The draft will take place under the guidance of the division commissioner. ii. All-Stars from the previous year will be identified and divided evenly amongst the teams based on talent, position and team needs. iii. The draft will then proceed with any identified skill position players (P, C, 1B), regardless of age. iv. The draft will then finish with all remaining players, starting with the group of youngest players and ending with the oldest. v. If a coach and their assistant’s child represent All-Stars and/or skilled position players, that team will not draft any player until the other teams are fairly compensated with draft picks. vi. If at any time the commissioner feels that the draft is not proceeding fairly they will call the draft dead and it will restart. Each coach’s first two draft picks, outside of their children will be voided and they will start with two new picks. vii. If the commissioner still feels that the draft is not proceeding fairly, the draft will be cancelled and the Board will assemble the teams. d. All-Star Team Selection and Coaching i. Team Selection 1. All-Star selection should be limited to players who excel in both talent and character. 2. Just because a player was an All-Star last year does not mean they are an All-Star the following year. 3. All-Star nominations will be kept confidential between the coaches, division commissioners and the Board. 4. The minimum player count shall be 12 when possible 5. The All-Star team will be selected by both coaches within the division and an outside, impartial, third party evaluator. 6. The third party will evaluate all players in a division. They will then select no less than 50% of the team and no more than 50% +1. These players are automatic nominations. 7. The remainder of the team will be selected by the coaches from all teams. These players will be discussed in a closed door meeting with the coaches and the division commissioner. 8. Coaches should at no time, nominate a player who does not meet the following criteria: a. The player shows, at a minimum, an intermediate knowledge of their respective division, and is able to apply that knowledge on the field. b. The player displays no negative attitude towards their teammates, coaches or officials. c. The player encourages their teammates on a regular basis. d. The player routinely helps out during practice by helping their teammates and discouraging poor/disruptive behavior.
9. Coaches should not nominate a player due to pressure from parents, family or friends. All-Stars is a highly competitive environment, and is a reward to those players who have excelled throughout the season. 10. All-Star rosters will be submitted to the Board for approval prior to making them public knowledge. 11. All-Star rosters must be agreed upon no later than 3 weeks prior to the end of the season. ii. Coaching Selection 1. The All-Star Head Coach will be selected by the division commissioner and the Board with input from the coaches of the respective division. 2. Once approved, the Head Coach will nominate 2 assistant coaches which will be approved by the division commissioner and the Board. iii. All-Star Coaching Responsibilities 1. All-Star Coaches will be expected to follow the same rules and guidelines outlined above with some additions: a. The All-Star Head coach will be responsible for: i. Maintaining their All-Star binder provided by the Board with up-to-date information. ii. Disseminating all tournament dates to the parents along with field locations, directions, lodging, etc. iii. FULLY understand and be fluent in the rules and regulations of the respective tournaments they are participating in. iv. Properly safeguard the arms of their pitchers. v. Create a line-up with the best chance at winning the game. vi. Collect all fees associated with uniforms and tournaments, logging said fees and reporting them to the league Treasurer. vii. Properly communicating to the parents, prior to any nominations, the format and expectations of All-Stars. This includes playing time, batting order, commitment level, etc.
Midlakes Babe Ruth (MBR) would like to thank you for your interest in volunteering to coach in our league. It is the mission of MBR to provide the highest level of baseball instruction to our young men and women registered to our program. MBR does not place an emphasis on winning, but winning and losing is part of any sport and we at MBR want our players to understand that. With that being said, MBR wants to provide all players, regardless of latent athleticism, the necessary skills, discipline and understanding of the game of baseball to succeed at all levels. MBR also wants to instill a competitive nature in all players and a genuine enthusiasm for the game. Respect of the game, their teammates, coaches and opponents, and more importantly themselves will be a driving force for this program. MBR wants its coaches to be able to have the resources needed to succeed and compete at a high level. MBR strives to provide as much coaching education as possible, as well as a well networked team of professionals and individuals willing to provide peer to peer education and assistance to our coaches.
MBR Coaching Rules and Regulations: I.
II.
Coaching selection process a. All potential and prospective coaches will be required to submit a coaching application to the League President for review with the Board of Directors (“the Board”). The application process will determine which applicant best fits the vision that MBR has for instruction. b. Previous coaching experience in our league has absolutely no bearing on selection. c. All potential and prospective coaches will be required to pass a criminal background check performed by a third party. d. All potential and prospective coaches will be required to agree to and sign our Coaching Code of Conduct. Head Coach responsibilities a. Oversee and manage all aspects of the team b. Create lineup card for each game c. Determine defensive positioning for each game d. Determine pitching rotation for each game e. Know all rules and regulations pertaining to their respective division
f.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
To show respect to players, coaches, umpires and spectators per the Coaches’ Code of Conduct g. Contact parents regarding game cancellations, makeup dates, concession duties, etc. h. Provide evaluations of players to be used to determine All-Star eligibility i. Maintain equipment for the team j. Delegate any of the above tasks to your assistant coaches if needed k. To work with their Assistant Coach as a team. To seek their input, ask them questions, and include them in the decision making process Assistant Coach responsibilities a. To help the head coach perform their duties, and in instances where asked, to perform those duties independently b. To keep the dugout in order during games c. To run drill stations when asked by the Head Coach d. To perform base coaching duties e. To assume the duties of the Head Coach when directed by the Head Coach, of the Board of Directors, when the Head Coach is unable or unwilling to perform those duties f. To perform any other duties, within reason, asked by the head coach g. To work with their Head Coach as a team. To communicate properly, raise concerns, discuss game strategy, etc. MBR Coaching Education Program a. MBR will provide varying levels of education to its coaches for all levels. These classes will help both new and experienced coaches deliver the correct instruction that the Board has developed. The point of the education program is provide coaches with the information, skills and drills needed to help their players become the best ballplayer they can be. b. All coaches will be required to attend any and all MBR sponsored coaching education clinics, regardless of their experience level. This is a requirement to coach in our league. c. If at any time a coach wishes to participate as an instructor, they may approach the Board with their desire to become an instructor. Practice Plans a. MBR expects coaches to abide by the practice plans that are provided to them by the Board. These plans leave some room for interpretation, however a coach is not to divert from the basic outline of the plan. Any additions or changes must be approved by the board. These plans provide the type of structure and commonality between coaches that have been severely lacking in previous years and have led to inconsistencies in instruction. These plans also provide the correct instruction per level that the Board feels that each player should receive, respective to their division. Discipline a. Coaches will instill varying levels of discipline on their teams, outlined in their respective division’s mission statement. In years past, some players have developed an unwelcome habit of disrespectful behavior and attitudes towards their teammates and coaches. Due to the lack of enforced discipline, these habits have been allowed to
VII.
VIII.
IX.
flourish. MBR will no longer tolerate coaches who do not hold their players responsible for their actions. Conduct a. Coaches will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. They should be the first ones to practices and games, not the last. They should be the last ones to leave, not the first. They should interact with the players, parents, officials, etc. as a professional. Coaching is a privilege, not a right. At any time, if the Board feels that a coach is not representing the league’s or player’s, best interests, or has violated the Coaching Code of Conduct, that coach may be immediately removed from their coaching duties. b. Coaches will interact with game officials in a dignified, and non-aggressive manner. Any coach who is ejected from a game for any reason will automatically receive a minimum one game suspension, including playoffs. Additional discipline, if necessary, will be determined by the Board based on the severity of the incident. Team Communication and administrative guidelines a. Coaches will know the league schedule and the rules for their respective division. These will be provided to each coach both electronically, and in their coaching packet. Coaches should not be routinely asking when they play, what field they are on or what the rules are. Clarification of rules should be discussed with the division commissioner prior to the start of the season, or with the umpire during games. b. Coaches are required to communicate any and all issues with a player directly to the player’s parent. They are not to keep any issues to themselves, as keeping the parent in the dark does nothing to help solve the problem. c. Prior to the start of the season, the coach will have a parent meeting, outlining proper communication channels, schedules, expectations, etc. d. Coaches will be responsible for maintaining a phone list and email list of their parent’s contact info. The board will provide all contact info that it has on record for all parents, however this list may not be up-to-date, no matter how many times it is checked. It will be the responsibility of the coach to communicate with each parent using the parent’s preferred method of communication. e. MBR will provide each team with a social media group to aid in communication with the team parents. These accounts will be the sole property of MBR. No other social media accounts will be created on the behalf of the team unless agreed upon by the Board. These accounts are to be used to communicate with the parents on issues such as game cancellations, schedule changes, reminders etc. They are NOT to be used as the sole means of communication. Team selection and draft outline a. Parent requests for specific coaches will not be honored unless there are extenuating circumstances. This practice has led to a culture in this program where parents have dictated how our teams are selected and it has led to an unbalanced distribution of talent amongst our teams. b. Coaches will not collude with parents, coaches or players to artificially select their team or impact the draft. Any coach found to be participating in actions like this will be immediately relieved of all coaching responsibilities.
c. Player Draft i. The draft will take place under the guidance of the division commissioner. ii. All-Stars from the previous year will be identified and divided evenly amongst the teams based on talent, position and team needs. iii. The draft will then proceed with any identified skill position players (P, C, 1B), regardless of age. iv. The draft will then finish with all remaining players, starting with the group of youngest players and ending with the oldest. v. If a coach and their assistant’s child represent All-Stars and/or skilled position players, that team will not draft any player until the other teams are fairly compensated with draft picks. vi. If at any time the commissioner feels that the draft is not proceeding fairly they will call the draft dead and it will restart. Each coach’s first two draft picks, outside of their children will be voided and they will start with two new picks. vii. If the commissioner still feels that the draft is not proceeding fairly, the draft will be cancelled and the Board will assemble the teams. d. All-Star Team Selection and Coaching i. Team Selection 1. All-Star selection should be limited to players who excel in both talent and character. 2. Just because a player was an All-Star last year does not mean they are an All-Star the following year. 3. All-Star nominations will be kept confidential between the coaches, division commissioners and the Board. 4. The minimum player count shall be 12 when possible 5. The All-Star team will be selected by both coaches within the division and an outside, impartial, third party evaluator. 6. The third party will evaluate all players in a division. They will then select no less than 50% of the team and no more than 50% +1. These players are automatic nominations. 7. The remainder of the team will be selected by the coaches from all teams. These players will be discussed in a closed door meeting with the coaches and the division commissioner. 8. Coaches should at no time, nominate a player who does not meet the following criteria: a. The player shows, at a minimum, an intermediate knowledge of their respective division, and is able to apply that knowledge on the field. b. The player displays no negative attitude towards their teammates, coaches or officials. c. The player encourages their teammates on a regular basis. d. The player routinely helps out during practice by helping their teammates and discouraging poor/disruptive behavior.
9. Coaches should not nominate a player due to pressure from parents, family or friends. All-Stars is a highly competitive environment, and is a reward to those players who have excelled throughout the season. 10. All-Star rosters will be submitted to the Board for approval prior to making them public knowledge. 11. All-Star rosters must be agreed upon no later than 3 weeks prior to the end of the season. ii. Coaching Selection 1. The All-Star Head Coach will be selected by the division commissioner and the Board with input from the coaches of the respective division. 2. Once approved, the Head Coach will nominate 2 assistant coaches which will be approved by the division commissioner and the Board. iii. All-Star Coaching Responsibilities 1. All-Star Coaches will be expected to follow the same rules and guidelines outlined above with some additions: a. The All-Star Head coach will be responsible for: i. Maintaining their All-Star binder provided by the Board with up-to-date information. ii. Disseminating all tournament dates to the parents along with field locations, directions, lodging, etc. iii. FULLY understand and be fluent in the rules and regulations of the respective tournaments they are participating in. iv. Properly safeguard the arms of their pitchers. v. Create a line-up with the best chance at winning the game. vi. Collect all fees associated with uniforms and tournaments, logging said fees and reporting them to the league Treasurer. vii. Properly communicating to the parents, prior to any nominations, the format and expectations of All-Stars. This includes playing time, batting order, commitment level, etc.
