Thoughts that may help make GOOD MANAGERS & COACHES: 
                 (some good basics that make good managers and coaches- Mark Hecht)

1) As a coach you are in a powerful position. Handle that power with care and don't abuse it. One of the BEST qualities of a powerful person is in NEVER having to use that power!

2) Give praise to each individual team member during a practice or game.

3)Pay attention to how your athletes act toward one another.  Encourage them to help each other and NOT to criticize a teammate's performance.  Positive communication between team members will build team unity.

4)Allow older kids the freedom to make some decisions in games, such as calling plays independently of the coaching staff.

5)Praise athletes when they exhibit proper social skills, such as when a player helps a teammate onto their feet after a play.  Applaud the other team when they make a good play. Praise your athletes for doing the same.

6) The best way to motivate players and reinforce good behavior is to reward them when they exhibit good behavior.  A pat on the back, a word of acknowledgement, or just a sign that you noticed will encourage them to repeat the good behavior.

7) If a parent tries to tell you how to coach, pull the parent aside and tell them that opinions should NEVER be voiced in front of the team.  The parent may call you at home or talk you after the game.   Coaching strategies are your call, NO ONE ELSE's!

8) Outfielders are the last lines of defense, so practice overthrows on the infield to help outfielders gauge how far back they should be to contain the ball.

9) Before your team plays its first game of the season, know which athletes are fastest.  During a practice, use a stopwatch to time your kids. 

10) Be careful about establishing goals that involve ONLY winning.  Focus on individual parts of the games (like hitting the right cutoff ).  This focuses the team on the fundamentals, which, when mastered on a consistent basis, WILL lead to winning.

11) Typical goals for your coaches might include making sure that each staff member provides some type of instruction to each athlete at EACH practice or that each coach says something positive to each player at every practice.

12) You may protest an umpire's call if you find a rule wasn't applied properly (e.g.- too many bases awarded on an overthrow).   You may NOT protest a call if it was a judgement call (e.g.- runner safe because of missed tag).  Read your rulebooks.