Lebanon Little League

Coaches Manual

2008

The Lebanon Little League would like to thank Little League Baseball for its guidance in helping make this manual possible.

 

LCLL Coach Handbook

1. Coach Selection

2. Training

3. Player Evaluations

4. Team Formation

5. Rosters

6. Schedules

7. Equipment

8. Team Volunteers

9. Umpires

10. Issues

11. Opening Day

12. Uniforms

13. Field Preparation

14. Rulebooks

15. Events

16. End of Season Business

17. Playoffs Tournament

18. Allstar Tournament Play

Lebanon CT Little League coaches must be leaders. They hold a position of trust and responsibility in a program that deals with a sensitive and formative period of a child’s development. Qualities of integrity, understanding, patience, and the capacity to work with children are essential to the character of a coach. Coaches should be able to inspire respect and above all, understand that they are helping to shape the physical, mental, and emotional development of young people…all while teaching the enjoyment of participating in America’s greatest pastime.

We thank those of you who are willing to use such strengths to take on this vital role in our program. Little League can only continue to flourish with your help.

Please check our website for valuable information for all participants in our league including parents, players, and coaches. Delays, cancellations, calendar of events, handbooks, etc. are available with a few clicks.

http://www.lebanonctlittleleague.com/

Other useful links:

http://eteamz.active.com/ct11/

http://www.littleleague.org/

Coach selection*:

1. Apply to be a coach or assistant coach by completing mandatory volunteer application and submitting it to Coach Coordinator or other board member as early as possible. Online registration submits automatically. Volunteer Applications can be downloaded from our website or from http://www.littleleague.org/common/forms/volunteerapp_08.pdf

2. Selected Head Coaches choose their assistants. Sometimes, a Head Coach does not have a person in mind before season begins and league can make recommendations to a coach based on information we have.

3. Head Coaches and Assistant Coach combinations are presented to LCLL president for approval process or appointment at his or her discretion.

4. Executive board of directors meeting is held to discuss applications and/or appointments and make recommendation to board of directors. This is not a public meeting.

5. Background checks must be completed and approved before final appointment.

6. The final step in the appointment process is for the board of directors to approve appointment. We aim to honor past service that has been beneficial to players and league and reflects our philosophy.

7. Coaches will be notified after the approval process. This usually takes place no later than the first week of March.

*Note: As indicated in the Little League International Operations Manual, the president and/or LCLL board of directors do not provide reasons to person if he or she is not re-appointed or re-approved as a manager, coach, or assistant coach for the coming season. No manager, coach, or assistant coach has tenure regardless of years of service.

Training:

1. At least one of the coaches from EVERY team needs to attend MANDATORY training each year. We could lose our charter if we are not in compliance with Little League Int. requirements.

2. LCLL incurs the cost of the training we provide.

3. Training occurs in Early to Mid March.

4. Time and dates TBD.

Player Evaluations:

1. All players from Instructional League to Major League are evaluated each year so that we may form balanced teams during the draft process. Tball players are not evaluated.

2. Coaches and Assistant Coaches should attend evaluations for their division to rate players in various areas.

3. Coaches are given forms with player names and/or numbers for ranking purposes.

4. Evaluations last for 1 ½-2 hours, are fairly fast paced and are run by our player agents and division coordinators.

5. Copies of your evaluations should be given to Player Agent.

6. Draft for team formation will be set up as soon as possible following evaluation.

Teams Formation:

1. All teams, except Tball, are formed by draft run by Player Agents using LCLL Bylaw.

Lebanon CT Little League Bylaw

Draft policy for Lebanon CT Little League Baseball and Softball

(Revised 11/07

Approved 12/10/07)

The intent of the Board is to provide an inclusive environment, and to equalize teams yearly to the extent possible and reasonable. Coaches and assistant coaches will be selected prior to the draft. Each draft shall proceed in the following manner.

1. Each roster shall begin with the child of the Coach and Assistant Coach.

2. Each team shall be able to retain one player from the previous year’s roster that is not a Coach or Assistant Coach’s child. It will not be mandatory that a player be retained. In the event of a league expansion of teams within a division, all players are released for draft.

3. The Coaches of the appropriate division, along with the Player Agent, shall then rate the talent level of each team.

4. The teams will be drafted in reverse order, with the strongest roster selecting last.

5. If the Player Agent feels that this would still result in an unequal talent distribution, he/she may grant extra first round selections to any team, in order to better balance the teams. Should such a selection(s) be granted, the Player Agent shall ensure that the draft order will be altered at some point in order to provide as equal a numerical distribution of the talent pool as possible. (Such additional selections should only be awarded in the case of a clear and obvious talent discrepancy)

6. During the draft only the head Coach and Player Agent will be involved. All others, including Assistant Coaches/children are not allowed to attend.

7. If a player is entering a draft with a sibling already on a team, that sibling will be placed upon the same team (unless otherwise requested); the Player Agent will determine what round draft pick that player shall be equivalent to.

In the interest of fairness, the player agent has the final determination in all issues, including but not limited to voiding a draft pick

Rosters:

1. Following draft, rosters should be compiled for teams.

2. Each coach will be given player name and important contact and medical information.

3. Coaches contact players within 3 days of final draft to inform player and family of team.

4. Coaches may choose to develop introductory letter explaining philosophy and expectations of players to send to parents.

5. Official rosters need to be sent on to Little League International. Inform Division coordinator and player agent of any changes that occur.

Schedules:

1. League scheduler develops Practice and Game schedules.

2. Tball coordinator schedules tball practices/scrimmages from 9-11 every Saturday.

3. 7/8 Instructional league has practice one day per week (usually Wednesday except for middle of May during Nature’s classroom where day will be switched with other division) and one game per week on Saturday, usually 11-1 at home, other times if away.

4. 9/10 holds two games per week with one practice once season gets underway.

5. 11/12 holds two games per week with one practice once season get underway.

6. Minor and Major divisions must hold 12 regular season games to be eligible for tournament play.

7. Scheduling for more than 12 games is not possible at this time due to field constraints.

8. Scheduling 20 teams for practices and games with other towns are difficult tasks. Great consideration is taken into account regarding equity, home vs. away, Field 1 vs. Field 2 scheduling, school events, lack of field space, etc. Rescheduling rainouts is also necessary as season progresses.

9. Winter clinics open to players in divisions will begin in late March. Saturday practices may take place if school is already open, otherwise clinics may occur during weeknights.

10. If coaches can practice right after school, this benefits our league as field time from 5 o’clock on is premium and has to be shared. Let scheduler know if this is a possibility.

11. Adjustments to schedule for personal reasons have limitations. If you cannot make your game, please put your assistant in charge of running the game. Remember, any adult having continuous contact with players needs to have a background check. Inform the volunteer to submit application to league if you have additions.

12. If in advance, you know that you may not have enough players to field a team, please contact player agent for player pool so that you can field a team as opposed to forfeiting a scheduled game.

Equipment:

1. LCLL Equipment Manager is the person that releases equipment to you. You will need to sign off on equipment assigned to your team.

2. All special requests and additional needs should be given to LCLL Equipment Manager.

3. In late March, all equipment will be given to Instructional, Minor, and Major Coaches. You will be notified on time and place of distribution.

4. In mid April, equipment will be given to Tball coaches.

5. If equipment becomes faulty, lost, or if you need additional equipment, contact equipment manager so that we can get what you need. We evaluate our equipment, but sometimes we may miss something. Please inform us as soon as possible if you have concerns. This includes parental concerns regarding equipment that are brought to your attention.

6. Please demand that your players NOT throw helmets on ground, across dugout, or any other action that may cause unnecessary wear and tear on our equipment.

7. Handling of bats by players in dugout or outside the fence is prohibited. Enforce this necessary safety rule. NO ON DECK BATTERS.

Team Volunteers:

1. Team Parents, Pitch Counters, and Scorekeepers are essential volunteers that make your job easier. Recruit parents early on. Division coordinators may be able to provide you with recommendations based on registration data.

2. Team Parents assist with communication of the details of league happenings, fundraisers, recruiting parents to volunteer, etc.

3. Pitchcounters are necessary for every game. They should be aware of the limitations of age groups and be prepared to notify you in advance of a pitcher reaching those limitations. Pitchcounters are not to take the field as a “coach.” Home Team is official pitchcounter.

4. Scorekeepers are necessary for every game. Their role is vital in keeping accurate records of games and statistics on players. Scorekeepers are not to take the field as a “coach.” They will need to be able to communicate with officials and scorekeeper on opposing team. Home team holds official scorebook.

Umpires

The LCLL Recreation Liaison, Sandy Tremblay, coordinates with Russ Scott to schedule umpires for all of our minor league and major league games. All other divisions do not require an umpire. If games are postponed, cancelled, rescheduled by us rather than them, the umpire in chief needs to know about it.

1. Please be respectful of the umpire’s authority over our games. We have received many compliments over the past couple of years regarding our ability to remain cool even when we completely, but respectfully disagree with a call. Our players watch our every move and learn from example.

2. Please complete form (maybe a job for team parent) for umpire after each home game and submit to league so they can get paid.

Issues:

1. If issue arises with player or parent, and you cannot remedy the issue, consult with division coordinator.

2. If parent is not satisfied with your remedy, direct them to division coordinator.

3. From there, parent is directed to player agent, then to president.

4. If still not satisfied, letter in writing needs to be submitted in writing to league president. Parent handbook spells it out so encourage parents to read contents.

Opening Day:

1. Plan on being at Aspinall Field with your team at 10:00 to participate in opening ceremonies. You should take the field in designated areas TBD in an organized fashion.

2. Typical components of our opening day include reciting of Little League Pledge and singing of National Anthem by selected player guests of honor. Requests are accepted…just let us know in advance.

3. Lebanon Recreation honors the recipient of the John Okonuk Award. Mr. Okonuk was a lifelong resident of Lebanon who saw MLB Minor League time and LOVED his community and LOVED the game. He gave so much including the opportunity to play on Aspinall Field, as he was integral in moving that recreational project forward in the seventies. LCLL hopes to continue his legacy with helping to expand our facilities at Tyler Field.

4. You will be introduced to the LCLL Board of Directors and Chairpersons…the people who make it happen both behind the scenes and at the forefront.

5. Typical ceremony lasts 20-30 short minutes…but important minutes. Thank you in advance for coming and for encouraging your players and parents attend.

Uniforms:

1. Hopefully, you will get them on time. That is what we strive for each year.

2. Uniform coordinator will determine best way for you to get the uniforms for your team; we aim to make it convenient for you.

3. Sponsored teams have business name on back. Respectfully, use that name before team name. Ex: SMITH BROTHERS RED SOX. Businesses that sponsor us deserve recognition even though their purpose in supporting us is simple generosity.

4. Tball teams get hat and jersey. Coaches get hat and coach shirt.

5. Instructional, Minor, and Major teams get numbered jersey, hat, and pants. Coaches get hat and coaches shirt..

6. Regular season uniforms are to keep.

Field Preparation:

Unfortunately, the Town of Lebanon does not use town maintenance employees upkeep our fields at Aspinall and remove rubbish as most other towns do. Maybe someday this will change, but for now, it falls on us. Each spring, a few board members and hopefully some other volunteers get our fields ready for play. This is often at least one or two full days of hard work. We appreciate all the help we can get because the alternative is that it doesn’t get done and our fields are either not ready or unsafe…which means we don’t play.

During the regular season, we appreciate the following by all teams.

1. Rake each field before/after each game or practice. If we all commit (and remember…), think about what a pleasure it would be to approach the field. Rakes, drags, and other equipment should be stored in shed.

2. What your team brings in, your team should bring out. This includes garbage into the dugout. The Town of Lebanon has left a dumpster on premises to make it a little easier for teams to clean up after themselves.

Rules

You should be provided with a rulebook at beginning of season. If you did not get one, LET US KNOW!

1. Know the Little League rules within annual baseball or softball handbook especially if you are a minor league or major league coach.

2. Be aware of any rule changes that are sent from Little League.

3. Tball and Instructional league lay ground rules in beginning of season/game.

a. Instructional League examples:

i. 5 strikes (consider this limit; 7-10 is probably too many)

ii. both teams bat around

iii. no advancing bases on passed balls

iv. no stealing

v. use soft core ball

vi. coach pitch (start developing pitchers AND catchers at this age, however)

Events

1. Memorial Day Parade

a. Teams meet at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 9:30.

b. Line up at designated area.

c. Coaches and parent volunteers march with team keeping them orderly and safe.

d. No throwing of candy is allowed.

e. If Ambulance is needed to pass, move players off to the right.

f. Plan for a meeting place for parents to pick up kids. Keep in mind, if you plan to meet back at church…it is another long walk. Many choose to meet at town hall yard.

g. Tball and Instructional league is not scheduled for that day.

h. Some players are involved with other organizations that require/need attendance. We don’t require it; it is just an exciting time for the kids and parents to see their kids march. We have won awards nearly every year.

2. Photo Day

a. Schedule for teams will come at season beginning. Time and date to be announced.

b. We aim to schedule the most convenient time for team.

c. We need each team to be photographed, especially for sponsored teams. In the past, we have had teams not show up, and sponsor plaques were left empty.

d. Photo distribution will be handled by Photography Company.

3. Annual Picnic

a. Details for time and place will be announced.

b. Participation certificates are given out to all players by their coaches (tball coaches give out medallions.)

c. Each coach should select player deserving of team sportsmanship award and sent name to division coordinator.

GOOD SPORT CRITERIA

Helps other players

Always tries hard

Displays enthusiasm and team spirit

Sets a good example

Plays fair at all times

Is a graceful loser

Doesn’t argue with umpires

Is polite and courteous

Always does what team manager asks

Is a good team player

d. Picnic is free and all of our little league community in invited.

e. We ask parents to bring a dish or dessert to share.

f. Sponsors are given their appreciation plaques.

g. Volunteer awards are also given. We gladly accept any recommendations that you have.

End of Season

Returning equipment date and time will be announced.

Play off Tournament

Play off games between Lebanon teams occurs after regular season for minor league and major league divisions.

 

Pairings are as follows

1^st vs. 4^th

2^nd vs. 3^rd

Winners play each other for division championship.

Allstars Tournament Play

Lebanon CT Little League Bylaw Lebanon Little League All-Star Selection Procedures Last revision : 12/10/2007 LCLL board approved: 12/10/2007

I. Nomination

II. Evaluation

III. All-star Selection

IV. Manager Selection

The all-star selection is a four step process as outlined below. Any deviation from this process must be approved by the Lebanon Little League’s Board of Directors. The process may be administered by the following.

Player agent

Division coordinator

Executive board designee

All-Star selection committee

I. Nomination

Definition: An all-star nominee is an individual player candidate who is nominated by his/her regular season coach to participate in the all-star evaluation and selection process. Nomination to the evaluation process is no guarantee that the individual will be selected as a member of the all-star team.

Eligibility: Little League tournament eligibility rules for the current year will apply as written in the annual Little League rule book. Players participating in the Lebanon 11-12 division that are eligible for the 9-10 all-stars by date of birth can be nominated by their manager for 9-10 All-stars.

Requirements: The manager and coaches should participate in making the nomination list for their team. Performance, attitude, and the desire to be a team player should provide the necessary qualifications. Each manager (or designee) may submit as many players from their team as they deem potentially capable of making the all-star team.

The following qualifications must be considered:

• The player’s baseball/softball skills and abilities.
• The player’s attitude as All-star players represent the Lebanon Little League. These players are placed in a variety of high-pressure situations, and must be capable of demonstrating good sportsmanship at all times. All nominees are expected to have excellent attitudes. A player with a poor attitude can be omitted.
• The availability of the player to participate in all games and complete the schedule of All-Star games. All-Star games and practices starting in mid-June and could go through the month of August.

II. Evaluation

Optional player development practices:

It has been suggested that the coaches agree to have one or more voluntary inter-team practice sessions at a date past the midpoint in the season as player development practices so that coaches can become familiar with potential all-star nominees from other teams. Any player the coach thinks has the potential to be selected as an All-star should be invited. Attendance by players is voluntary and should not have a bearing on all-star selection. This should be a challenging and fun experience for the kids, as well as informative for the coaches.

Prior to the start of the playoffs the Player Agent will be responsible for collecting a list all-star nominees from each team. A sample nomination form can be seen in Appendix A, but use of the form is not required. Once collected, the list of all the nominees for each all-star division must be distributed to each division head coach. The objective is for each coach to have a complete list of all nominated players in the division, with some time to rank players prior to the all-star selection meeting. It is very important that all player evaluations and rankings be kept confidential by the coaches.

III. All-Star Selection

Objective: Select the division all-star teams with the best baseball players available.

Team structure: All-Star teams will consist of at least12 game players. plus 2 alternates. Alternates must understand and accept in advance that they will not dress in uniform for games unless invited in advance by the manager. Alternates are expected to attend all practices just as game players and receive equal recognition as an All-Star. They will be listed and validated on the tournament affidavit.

 

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