Tips for Coaches for a Successful Season

If you’re coaching a youth baseball team, it’s important to get the season off to a good start, especially if you’re new to a particular team. You want to make a good impression on the players and their parents from the start to quell any problems before they even have a chance to develop.

The Welcome Letter

A week or so before the season starts, it’s a good idea to send out a welcome letter to the parents of players. Don’t send it any earlier than that, or the recipients will likely forget what you said! Begin by thanking the parents for allowing their child to be a part of your team. Briefly explain your coaching philosophy and what skills you hope to build and work on during the season.  

The letter is also a good place to lay down a few basic ground rules. Clearly spell out what you will and will not tolerate in terms of player and parent behavior, sportsmanship, attitude, and the like.

Team Roster

You should be able to provide a team roster at this point as well. If you have it, include it in the welcome letter. Even if it’s not quite complete due to “maybe” players or missing contact information, send it and ask people to update their information as needed. List all the players on the team and contact information. Also list the division and any affiliations the team has.

Schedules

It’s also a good idea to send out a practice schedule and a game schedule if possible. Whatever you do, make sure you include the word “tentative” at the top of the schedule. You’d be surprised how much that one little word can help. Many parents will plan their lives around the schedule and get very upset if anything changes- as it’s bound to do- if they think the schedule is completely set in stone. The “tentative” header gives you a little wiggle room to change dates and times as needed.

Collect Player Information

Your job as a coach will go a lot more smoothly if you have a little background info on your players, their experience, and where they’re coming from. By asking a few questions about these matters, which you can do in survey form, and reviewing it ahead of time, you’ll be better able to plan out your season.

Uniform Ordering

Another important coach duty to see to is uniforms. If you already have uniforms, simply request each child’s size and/or measurements. You may also wish to hold a fitting session if necessary to get everybody’s exact measurements at one time. If uniforms need to be ordered, collect money or inform parents when the money is due by.

Equipment Rundown

As a coach, it’s also your job to make clear to players and parents which sports equipment and protective gear you will provide and which items they will need to provide. For items they will need to provide, be specific! If you want an item to be a specific color, type, or brand, it’s best to specify that upfront before parents have a chance to go shopping!

Practice Dress

If you have preferences or requirements about what players should wear to practices, make these known upfront so no one is surprised or feels left out when the first practice rolls around. Again, be specific.

Contact Information and Protocol

Finally, be sure to let each parent know the best ways and times to reach you. Tell them what to do in the event that a child must miss a practice or a game and how much notice you require for absences. The key is really just to provide parents with everything they need to know. Doing so will make the season go more smoothly for everyone and will keep you from getting asked the same questions time and time again.