Coaches Handbook, Policies and Expectations

CMBA would like to thank you for volunteering your time and coaching in the CMBA Development/Allstar Team Program. We want to ensure CMBA’s Coaching Philosophy, Rules, and Expectations are communicated to our coaches so everyone is on the same page and the season goes well.

CMBA COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Successful programs have a philosophy that is followed throughout the season.

• To develop fundamentals, baseball knowledge and make practice/games fun and engaging for all players.
• The Coaching staff will be positive leaders that will instill confidence in all our players so they can be successful on and off the field.
• Create a positive, hardworking atmosphere that will allow our players to develop as both baseball/ softball players and people.
• Demonstrate effective
• Be accountable for your
• Stress “TEAM FIRST” over anything else this As a staff our decisions will always be what is best for the TEAM and not individual success.

COACHING DUTIES

Team Coaching Staff will separate duties. We want our coaches all to be on the same page, but it is also important to assign coaching duties and the leads for all areas. It is best to have one coach be the Pitching Coach or Hitting coach rather than have 3 coaches telling the players how to pitch or hit. Even though intentions are good, it can cause confusion to the player. Coaching staffs by Team need to split up the following:

• Pitchers
• Catchers
• Infield
  • 1^st Base could have an individual coach
• Outfield
• Baserunning
• Hitting
• 1^st Base Coach
• 3^rd Base Coach
• Bench Coach

PLAYING TIME

This is a competitive program and playing time is not equal. However, we cannot develop our players if they do not play enough innings. The following is the CMBA’s Development/Allstar Program Playing Time Requirement:

Development Program

• Innings are fairly even per player

Allstar Team

• 11U Baseball/ U11 Softball - 4 Innings/Game
• 13U Baseball/ U13 Softball and older - 3 Innings/Game

REDUCTION OF PLAYING TIME

• Coaches need to find out why something is happening before reducing playing time,

i.e. a player is consistently late for practice or games.

PARENT/COACH INTERACTION

Open communication between our parents and coaches is important. If you have a concern regarding a parent, bring it to the CMBA Board of Directors.

Coaches should follow the 24hr Rule if necessary:

• If a coach is upset or heated and there is a need to discuss something with a parent, another coach or player, wait 24 hours until addressing this Often “heat of the moment” discussions don’t turn out how they are intended. If the issue is something that cannot wait please contact the CMBA Board by email.

TEAM ETIQUETTE

• Our team represents our community, our association and us as
• There will be no physical, verbal or mental abuse by a coach to a player, parent, or another coach.
• If a player is unfocused or becomes an irritant in the dugout the coaching staff may ask him to sit with his/her parent in the stands. This will be to remove the distraction from the TEAM and one of the coaches will come discuss the problem when ready.
• Any misuse of team or personal property may result in removal from the game/ practice.

GOALS

Without Goals, we have no focus. Goals give us something to strive for, keep us motivated and help us continue to work through the grind of a season.

Coaches and players will Set Team Goals and help players with Personal Goals.

Each team should have 2-3 Team Goals and each player should have 2-3 personal goals.

When we set our goals, we need to keep them realistic. Make them tough but attainable. You should know your goals by heart and should always have them in the back of your head.

CMBA SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

1.  Social media can be fun, helpful and dangerous.

Comments, notes and photos posted on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and on-line forums are usually constructive and positive. Negative comments and images, bullying, criticism and sexist remarks can be dangerous and harmful to people’s wellbeing and reputation and the image of the sport.

2.  Do not use social media to be critical of teammates, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers or spectators.

Any comment you make on social media sites has the potential to be seen by millions of people. That is great if comments are positive. But it can be extremely negative and harmful if critical of people. Before you post a comment on social media ask yourself this: Would I want millions of people to read something negative about me?

3.  Always assume the person you are talking/writing about will see what has been said/written.

Just because an online chat is between two people does not mean it remains private and nobody else can see it. Social media is accessible to everyone. Even if the person you are discussing does not see it, somebody else may. The result is, you rather than the person you are ridiculing will be seen in a negative light.

4.  Use social media as a positive outlet to promote players, teammates, teams, clubs and others involved in baseball.

Posting results and acknowledging individual and team performances on social media makes many people aware of team and individual achievements. That can have a positive effect for many people and should be used, encouraged and embraced wherever and

whenever possible.

5.  When using social media, show the same respect and regard for people that you would show and are expected to show when playing, officiating or attending a baseball game.

6. When in doubt leave it

If you are unsure if what you are posting on social media is inappropriate, then it is best not to post it.

7.  Do not tolerate or condone poor social media behavior or actions.

If you are aware of or observe poor social media behavior or actions, do not accept it. There is no place for it in baseball/ softball and it will not be condoned. You should remind people of their responsibilities when using social media and warn that action can be taken against them. In the instance of minors breaching the code of conduct, alert their parents to the situation. If you believe the breach is serious, report it to team, club or association officials.

8. Be aware that your actions on social media may have serious consequences. Negative comments and images, bullying, criticism and sexist remarks do not only impact negatively on the people they are about. If you are found to have acted improperly on social media regarding a baseball related matter, you are liable to disciplinary proceedings and will be required to explain your A suspension or expulsion from baseball could be imposed.