Bret Harte Little League (BHLL) managers and coaches must be leaders. All must recognize that they represent the League and hold a position of leadership, trust, and responsibility and are role models for youth on and off the playing field.
Managers and coaches must understand that their actions and behaviors influence, shape, and often dictate how the young people they are leading behave on and off the field. The manager and coach should be able to inspire respect and must have understanding, patience, and the capacity to work with children, parents, and league officials.
Managers and coaches must be more than just teachers. Although knowledge and understanding of the game are important, good managers and coaches must also be able to utilize a range of admirable traits and abilities to effectively help shape the physical, mental, and emotional development of young people.
Roles and Responsibilities For Managers and Coaches
Having qualified team managers and coaches is key to the smooth operation of teams in the Bret Harte Little League. This section summarizes several of the roles and responsibilities for managers and coaches in our League.
| MANAGER | COACH |
| Overall team leadership and accountability | Assist the Team Manager where/when needed with team activities |
| Accountability for actions of the team (parents, players, coaches) | Refrain from the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul, or abusive language. Be a good role model |
| Teach and demonstrate good sportsmanship by respecting the rules, opponents, officials, teammates, and one's self | Teach and demonstrate good sportsmanship by respecting the rules, opponents, officials, teammates, and one's self |
| Refrain from the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul, or abusive language. Be a good role model | Refrain from the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul, or abusive language. Be a good role model |
| Have the understanding, patience, and the capacity to work with children in the age group of the division | Have the understanding, patience, and the capacity to work with children in the age group of the division |
| Attendance at mandatory manager/coaching clinics | Attendance at mandatory coaching clinics |
| Responsible for understanding, complying with, and enforcing all BHLL rules, regulations and policies | Responsible for understanding, complying with, and enforcing all BHLL rules, regulations and policies |
| Game preparations and related decisions | Pre-game dugout set up |
| Practice planning and game strategy | Pitcher warm-up |
| Discipline and personnel moves | Field preparation and cleanup |
| Team communication (rules, schedules, league events, etc.) | Manage the team in the absence of the Team Manager |
| Field preparation and cleanup | Base coaching |
| Return all issued equipment at the end of the season in good and clean condition | Player Skills development training (ground balls, fly balls, batting practice) |
Expectations For Managers and Coaches
Bret Harte Little League expects nothing but the best from our managers and coaches. Given the important role that these individuals play in the development and leadership of youth in the Bret Harte Little League program, much care is used in the review, vetting, and selection of managers and coaches for BHLL teams. While not all inclusive, the League has these base expectations for all managers and coaches:
- Encourage players at all times and will not damage the self-esteem of any player or parent at any time.
- Understand that becoming "physical" (grabbing, pushing, hitting, physical or verbal intimidation, etc.) with any player, parent, league official, opposing coaching staff, spectator, or umpire is not acceptable at any time -- such actions are grounds for serious consequences up to immediate removal as a manager or coach.
- Will have undergone the standard Little League required background check.
- Have open, productive and strong relationships with the League, BHLL Board of Directors, parents, and umpires at all times.
- Demonstrate that they have an appreciation of the philosophy of Little League Baseball, Bret Harte Little League and cooperates with others in making the program of mutual benefit to all children in the program.
- Recognize that they are agents of the Board and will follow the Board’s direction, philosophy, and advance the agenda for the League as set forth by the Board.
- Recognize and accept that Bret Harte Little League has a zero tolerance policy for rules and regulations infractions and non-compliance with League code of conduct and facility use policies.
- Attend all mandatory coaching and safety clinics -- no exceptions.
- Lead by example in shaping acceptable behavior patterns whether the team wins or loses.
- Have a solid understanding and agree to comply with all BHLL and Little League rules, regulations, and code of conduct policies.
- Reflect an understanding and appreciation of the age group they supervise.
- Respect the judgment and the position of authority of the umpires.
- Exercise their leadership role, but leave the outcome of the ball game in the hands of the players.
For more information about becoming a manager or coach, contact our [email protected]