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THE COACHES HANDBOOK
This information was put together in the hope of giving our COACHES some helpful guidelines. If there is something you need or would like to know that is not included here, please do not hesitate to contact our Coaching Coordinator for assistance.
CONTENTS:
Communication & Reference Guide
Website
“Off The Bat” – Our News Letter
Responsibilities of the Coach
Before The Season Starts
Kids play baseball so they can;
Therefore your responsibilities are to
Coaches Coordinator
Other Information
The Rules Summary
 Defensive Outs
The Result Sheet
 

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COACHES
COMMUNICATION AND REFERENCE GUIDE
WEBSITE
This is our main communication tool, please get into the habit of logging on and looking around and please encourage your team also. Every document and form used by the club can be found here. All information will be made available here as it comes to hand. We ask that the managers remind players and parents to log on and have a look as there is some great information to be found which can really be a help to parents, players, coaches & managers. There are also links to other baseball related sites that are well worth exploring. The web could always do with a few photos to keep it lively so if you have any of the teams or players please send them in to: brianjoyce@optusnet.com.au
www.seasiders.baseball.com.au
www.manlywarringah.baseball.com.au
“OFF THE BAT “– OUR NEWS BULLETIN
From time to time we produce a news bulletin of what‟s happening within Seasiders and Manly Warringah Baseball. When a publication is due Managers will be informed and hard copies displayed at the canteen. The most popular way to read the latest news is on the website. The bulletin along with all current dates, Coaching/Umpiring clinics, canteen rosters, future events, team news, gala days, representative player information, photos etc.
RESPONSIBILITIES of the COACH
BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS
The unpleasantness associated with children‟s sport can be prevented. It is the responsibility of all adults to ensure that the experience is positive. When planning your training sessions remember – Children are not little adults and they cannot do the same type of training sessions that adults can – nor do they want to.
The importance of young players receiving a positive experience from their participation in baseball cannot be underestimated. All involved in the sport want young players to have fun, develop skills, be safe and keep playing baseball.
 

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The role of the junior coach in this process is critical. You have a responsibility to do everything in your power to ensure that all players have this safe fun environment. Although there are many different styles of coaching, they all have their advantages and disadvantages. It is well recognised that coaches will have preferred style. It is important for coaches to remember that their preferred style may not be the preferred style of their players. A good junior coach will adapt his/her style of coaching depending on the situation they are in and the children they are coaching at the time.
Kids play baseball so they can; Have fun Make friends Learn new skills Increase their confidence Be challenged Be actively involved and successful
Therefore your responsibilities are to; Provide a safe environment Ensure training activities as adequately planned Make sure the learning of new skills is fun Foster positive relationships and respect between your players and the umpires, Between your players and your opponents. In other words “GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP” Between the parents/guardians and the players & officials Make sure children are evaluated for injury, if necessary Make sure they ALL get EQUAL playing time.
As well as Remind children to bring water to the game and training. Remind children to apply sun screen. Ensure children were the safety equipment as stated within the rules.
COACH’S COORDINATOR
If there is anything you do not understand or need clarification about please feel free to give our coach‟s coordinator Daniel Glynn, a call. Daniel has a long standing within the game and will endeavour to help however he can.
Email: danielglynn@hotmil.com
Tel: 99052457
 

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QUICK REFERENCE – WHERE DO I FIND IT?
SUBJECT
Seasiders web page
REFERENCE/MENU LINK
Baseball Result Sheets
Resources
Child Protection Forms
Resources
Coach Code of Conduct Forms
Resources
Ground Locations
Grounds
Managers Manual
Resources
Pitch Count Sheets (baseball only)
Resources
Player Code of Conduct Forms
Resources
Results and Standings
Competition Information
Rules and Regulations
Governance
Result Sheets
Resources
Wet Weather Procedure
Main Page
Who to contact – Committee list
Governance
 

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OTHER INFORMATION
The Rules Summary
Every player has access to the Seasiders Website this site gives information such as; The rules for both Junior League and Rookie Ball competitions. A summary of the rules. Contact information for the club and it‟s committee. Maps of the grounds and diamonds. Result sheets. Pitch count sheets (for baseball teams). The Draws. The competition ladder. Etc.
Take the time to familiarise yourself with this summary it can be very useful.
The „new‟ Rookie ball coach may find it useful to download a copy of the terms and definitions of T-ball from the web site.
Over the years, we have found that a lot of parents yell things at the kids from the sideline that are not right and the kids get very confused. Things like “tag up, tag up”, which the little kids don‟t understand and is often used inappropriately. So please read these terms and definitions and feel free to hand them out to parents in your team. The kids may find them helpful as well.
Defensive Outs
It is a requirement of the Australian Baseball Federation junior competitions that all players field a minimum number of defensive outs. The reason for this is to ensure every player has an equal amount of time on the diamond.
Simply, one defensive out (DO) is given to a player when an out has been made while he/she has been fielding. So when a batter or runner is out, all players in the field at that time are credited with one DO. In T-ball and games of baseball where runs are restricted, a player would be credited with 3 DO‟s on the field for the whole innings.
 

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Therefore there is a maximum of 3 DO‟s per player on the field per innings. At the end of each innings there should be 27 DO‟s recorded, 3 for each of the 9 players on the field. These are recorded on the result sheet and handed in at the completion of every game.
Although, DO‟s are recorded by the scorer, it helps enormously if you can give the scorer a batting line up and a list of who will be off each innings.
The Result Sheet
These must be filled in by the HOME TEAM in ALL divisions except the Rookie Ball Div 4 & 3 at the end of each game. The coach of the HOME team must make sure that this is handed in at the canteen at the ground of play. I have found that this is best done by the scorers as they can record who sat out in each inning (the DO‟s), fill in the score and get the coaches and umpire to sign the form while you and the coach are wrapping up the game and packing up the kit etc. Please ensure the scorer has completed the result sheet correctly. This will prevent your team not being awarded your “win points”.
Coaches must ensure that the result sheet is correct in all areas prior to signing the sheet. In must be noted that this sheet is the true record of the game, if not completed correctly argument can be created and take a coaches valuable time
If you are playing a team from North Sydney or Killara and you are at their home ground can you also fill in a result sheet and bring it back to John Fisher canteen. The reason is that at those grounds there is no canteen and because they are out of our area it can take a long time for the results to get to MWJB.
The information is then forwarded to the Manly Warringah Baseball League‟s recorder no later then 6pm on the “game day” and it is then downloaded into the competition tables on the MWJB website. The recorder is also responsible for recording the defensive outs and will contact clubs where teams are not complying with the rule.
 

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Coaching Code of Conduct
 Be reasonable in your demands on young players‟ time, energy and enthusiasm.
 Treat all players with respect at all times.
 Be fair, considerate, honest and consistent with them.
 Teach your players that rules of the game are mutual agreements which no one should evade or break. Accept and respect the role of Officials and teach the players to do the same.
 Whenever possible, group players according to age, height, skills and physical maturity.
 Avoid over-playing the talented player. The “just-average” players need and deserve equal time.
 Remember that children play for fun and enjoyment and that winning is only part of their motivation. Never ridicule or yell at the children for making mistakes or losing a competition. Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as harassment towards your players and other coaches, officials or parents.
 Do not be aggressive. Teach your players not to be aggressive. If you see aggression by any of your players, Official, parent, spectator or other player, report it. Do not take the law into your own hands.
 Provide feedback to players and other participants in a manner sensitive to their needs.
 Avoid overly negative feedback.
 Treat all players fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socio-economic status and other conditions.
 Encourage players to respect one another and expect respect for their worth as individuals regardless of their level of play. Involve the players in decisions that affect them.
 Ensure any physical contact with players is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player‟s skill development.
 Be acutely aware of the power that you as a coach develop with your players in the coaching relationship and avoid any sexual intimacy with players that could develop as a result.
 Avoid situations with your players that could be construed as compromising.
 Actively discourage the use of performance enhancing drugs, the use of alcohol and tobacco and illegal substances.
 Do not exploit any coaching relationship, to further the personal, political or business interests at the expense of the best interests of your players.
 Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of the players.
 The scheduling and length of practice times and competition should take into consideration the maturity level of the children.
 Develop team respect for the ability of opponents as well as for the judgment of officials and opposing coaches.
 Make a personal commitment to keep yourself informed of sound coaching principals and the principals of growth and development of children. Recognise player‟s rights to consult with other coaches, advisors or specialists.
 

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Player & Parents Code of Conduct
 Play for the “fun of it” and not just to please parents and coaches.
 Abide by the Rules and respect the decision of the Official, making all appeals through the formal process and respecting the final decision.
 Be a good sport. Cheer all players whether they are on your team or the other team.
 Respect the rights, dignity and worth of fellow players, coaches, officials and spectators.
 Refrain from conduct which could be regarded as harassment towards fellow players and coaches.
 Do not be aggressive. If you see acts of aggression, do not retaliate. Report such acts and do not take the Rules into your own hands.
 Respect the talent, potential and development of fellow players and competitors.
 Care for and respect the equipment provided to you as part of your program.
 Be frank and honest with your coach concerning illness and injury and your ability to train fully within the program requirements.
 At all times avoid intimate relationships with your coach.
 Conduct yourself in a professional manner relating to language, temper and punctuality.
 Maintain high personal behavioural standards at all times.
 Be honest in your attitude and preparation to training. Work equally hard for yourself and your team.
 Co-operate with coaches and staff in the development of programs to adequately prepare you for competition at the highest level.