Coaching Little League Baseball Pitchers

Coaching little league baseball is more than just baseball instruction. Coaches have a responsibility far more involved than teaching fundamentals like how to throw a baseball and how to hit a baseball.

Teaching basic baseball rules and fundamentals is part of the job description, yes. However, anyone thinking about coaching little league baseball pitchers needs to know what to expect and to understand the responsibility that accompanies the role.

Coaching baseball, pitchers in specific, is a job that requires what I call the 5 C’s: Commitment, Communication, Creativity, Consistency and Character. They are all intertwined and all are vital to the success of a coach and a team.

1. Commitment

When a person volunteers to be a coach, he/she should be aware of the depth of that commitment. Time is what is being volunteered the most. It takes time to be at every practice and every game. Practices need to be thought out and planned in order to maximize efficacy and effectiveness and to make sure those practices provide a variety of pitching drills and instruction to keep it interesting.

A coach should also understand exactly who he/she is making this commitment to: the kids, the parents and the league or park the team is playing in. A team will generally take on the attributes of their coaches and showing great commitment to everything will set a good example not only for the kids but the parents as well.

2. Communication

Because the coach has committed him/herself to so many people, then the coach must be outstanding at being able to communicate with everyone.

For the players, the coach must be able to communicate the baseball instruction in a way that is fun, creative and easy to understand. Kids will be kids and the attention span of kids at different ages varies. A coach should recognize this and adapt the baseball practices accordingly.

Dealing with parents can make for an interesting situation. The coach must communicate with the parents, too. Keeping the parents informed of what’s going on will increase the likelihood that more parents will be willing to volunteer with the team and ensures a good baseball experience for all involved.

3. Creativity

Coaches must be creative. Practices should be a little different every time. They should make sure that every player is involved doing something at all times, as best they can. Practices must be run efficiently if the team is going to improve and be successful.

As mentioned before, younger kids have shorter attention spans. Being creative makes the practices fun and keeps the kids interested in what’s going on. A coach that can be creative in developing his practices will have a team that enjoys the game of baseball and wants to show up to the park and play.

4. Consistency

It’s great for a coach to be committed, a great communicator and creative but that alone is not enough. A coach must be consistent with all of these things so that the team will truly succeed and trust the coach.

Being consistent with the team in all that you do will build trust with the players and parents. A team that trusts its coach is a team that respects its coach and will want to do what he/she wants them to do. A coach must be consistent in all things to win that trust and have a successful team.

5. Character

Coaches must have great character. Young players look up to their coach and listen and learn from the things they see the coach do and don't do. Coaching little league baseball pitchers is more than teaching them pitching mechanics, technique and how to throw baseball pitches.

A coach will be remembered for how he/she influenced that team.

A coach has a lasting influence on his/her players. A coach with great character has a positive attitude, is honest, exemplifies good sportsmanship at all times, is gracious in defeat and humble in victory. Coaches with character don’t have filthy mouths and are not negative. Great coaches don't coach with sarcasm but are encouraging.

Great coaches care about their players. They understand they represent themselves and their team. Coaches who fully commit, can communicate, are creative, consistent and possess great character are the kind of coaches the baseball community wants and needs. Be that kind of coach.