Below are the most important qualities we’re looking for in a baseball coach. You may not have every single one of these qualities but if you have most of them, we’d like to talk to you! Please be sure to spread the word to all former coaches that are interested in coaching in 2023 and encourage them to complete this application.
Knowledge and expertise
You have solid knowledge of the game of baseball. You understand, or are willing to actively learn, the rules specific to the age level as well as where the player is coming from and what will be expected of the player in the next stage.
You understand that baseball is about more than just physical ability. You know that it’s also about a player’s mindset and you know when a player is in a negative headspace and you can help get them into a positive space. You can also provide them tips or tricks to help get themselves out of those negative head spaces quicker in the future. You can help individual players as well as the team.
Skill Development
You have an understanding of the steps needed to take a player’s skills from point A to point B, a plan to enact those steps, and the ability to deliver that information to the player in an age-appropriate way. When you don’t know, you seek out other resources to help.
You understand the difference between teaching players to compete vs. focusing on wins
You’re interactive and show players what to do, rather than just tell (this tip comes from players themselves!)
Strategy
You understand that baseball is also a game of chess and you help your players see that, too.
You seek to improve your players’ “baseball IQ.” You help them understand what they need to be aware of in the field and at the plate (other than just where the ball is!) and why.
Leader and Role Model
You actively seek out and accept feedback and make adjustments based on that feedback
You believe that youth baseball is about instilling a love for the game and also developing young people to be good humans. This is reflected in everything you do.
You know that baseball is a team sport and all boats rise together. You resist the temptation to treat your own player differently than any other player on the team.
You recognize that every player has something to offer and something to work on. You identify those for each player and you capitalize on them. You communicate these goals with each player’s family.
You understand that being a team is about so much more than the right collection of skills. You know that it’s important to create and foster a sense of belonging and being seen and that’s the magic sauce.
Staff and Parent Manager
You know your own strengths and weaknesses and you surround yourself with a coaching staff that compliments your strengths and weaknesses.
You identify a Team Manager that can handle the administrative tasks for you.
You communicate with parents early and often. You set expectations around playing time, positions, lineups, player strengths and opportunities, attendance, player behavior, parent behavior, etc.
You take care to make sure that others are interpreting your words and actions in the way that you intend. You pay attention to their responses and adjust when there’s not alignment.
As an EPBA Travel Coach, we ask for the following commitments:
Attend EPBA coach meetings
Attend EPBA coach training opportunities January - March
Attend EPBA Winter Development sessions (9U - 11U only)
Select tournaments December - January
Hold/attend 2-3 practices a week in April
Expect 4-5 weekday nights and some weekends May - June:
Work as a team with other team coaches
Develop players as individuals and as a team
Establish and maintain positive channels of communication with parents
Represent EPBA and Eden Prairie in a positive manner
In addition to the above commitments, Head Coaches also commit to:
Attend travel tryouts in March (March 5 and 12)
Select teams based on tryout results
Identify an Assistant Coach staff
Identify a Team Manager and maintaining frequent communication with TM
Schedule practices
Schedule league games through Metro Baseball League (late March/early April)
Communicate schedules and changes to EPBA Scheduler (or delegate to Team Manager)
Delegate administrative and some communication tasks to Team Manager
