Coaching

Coaching youth baseball can be a fun and rewarding experience. But it can be a bit intimidating at the same time and especially for new coaches. We want to help!  We have listened and will continue to seek feedback on the challenges and provide our coaches with the support needed to make this a rewarding experience for all.

New and existing coaches need click on the "Register Here" Icon to begin the process.

General Timeline

Travel - Rep

A designated application window is opened during the summer, ensuring that new coaches can be in place before try-outs begin in the Fall.
This is communicated to all families via Email, Social Media and on our Website.

Select

A designated application window is opened during the Fall/Winter, ensuring that new coaches can be in place before try-outs begin in the Spring.
This is communicated to all families via Email, Social Media and on our Website

House League

  • Register as a House League Coach with CMBA:
  • This can be done when registering your child or by filling in the CMBA Coaches Application.

Once selected as a House League coach

  • Complete Police Check when instructed to do so.
  • Complete further learning as desired.
  • CMBA will advise you of the kids on your team and provide contact info.
    • This will happen in April/May by your convenor.
  • Uniform pickup.
    • Done in April/May and you will be notified of date and time options.
  • Coaches meeting with CMBA and equipment bag pickup.
    • Date confirmed by convenor & equipment manager
  • Coaches Training night
    • Date & Location confirmed by convenor and Coach and Player development director
  • Practice nights. CMBA will assist with booking and assigning diamonds.
  • Closing tournaments- Dates TBD
  • Complete player evaluations and submit to your convenor.
  • Equipment return to GMBA.
  • Note: HOUSE LEAGUE COACHES - DO NOT BOOK PRACTICE DIAMONDS.
    • CMBA  is responsible for all diamond bookings.
    • Contact the convenor of your division to secure your night and diamond.

Coaching Philosophy

"A good coach can change a game - A GREAT coach can change a life"

You Are A Role Model

It doesn't matter if you're coaching T-ball or coaching at the Rep level, you're probably the most important role model that your players have during the season. Players are going to look to you not only for guidance and instruction, but they will be watching and listening to how you react to every situation. Believe it or not but a coach can be one of the most influential people in a young players life. Many players and former players attribute a large portion of their success in life to the things they learned on the baseball field and from a few great coaches. We're not talking about fielding ground balls, or how to hit; we're talking about teamwork, perseverance, work ethic, having a positive attitude, to just name a few. Skills that not only helped them on the baseball field but helped them in life.

Often coaches think only of the present year; how am I going to develop the players to have a successful season. We'll get into a definition of successful in a bit, but the point here is often coaches don't realize the influence they have on their players. Coaches can help instill a love for the game that can last a lifetime. Good coaches can keep players interested in continuing to participate from year to year.

As a coach you have to decide how you want to be seen by your players and the parents of your players. What type of example do you want to provide? I hope everyone takes the responsibility of coaching very seriously. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to be a successful coach.

“Coaches: We create the atmosphere, we create the culture. Our attitudes are contagious and determine the energy level of those around us. Our morals are seen in our approach, in what we allow and the choices we make. When drama surrounds our team, we must look at US before we look at them.”

Have Fun

Fun is essential for kids of all ages. Develop practices that let them do the things they enjoy. It's also important for you to have fun. Create an environment that is structured and varied enough for you to enjoy what your doing. If you're having fun, chances are your players will be having fun also.

Be Positive

Players need a patient, supportive coach that can teach and motivate in a positive way. Knowing how to be positive and having the ability to communicate with your players is more important to a successful season than knowing many aspects of the game.

Attitude And Effort

Coaches that believe winning is everything have only one direction to take the team... and that is towards disappointment. Everyone wants to win, but when the main goal is winning a really good season can be lost. If on the other hand, you put emphasis on attitude and effort a successful season can be had without a league championship. Winning games will take care of themselves if you prepare the team to play hard and always give their best effort.

Youth Coaching Advice

Don’t make the mistake of emphasizing results instead of effort. We’ve seen and heard coaches who try to motivate players by offering rewards. This could be money or candy for getting a hit or getting on base. This focus on results puts additional pressure on the player to perform. This can be especially difficult for the less skilled player. A father once told me that his son’s coach offered a candy bar for each hit during the season. His son started to get nervous the night before each game and it got worse as the season went on. The father talked to his son and found out that he felt like he was letting his team down because he hadn’t got a hit and was the only kid on the team to not get a candy bar. He talked to the coach and they eliminated the reward. Without the pressure of trying to achieve a results-based reward, his son was able to relax and got a number of hits over the last few games.

Player: “Do you know what my favorite part of the game is?"
Answer: "The opportunity to play.”

 

Coaching Development

NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program)

Becoming a registered coach and attending instructional courses is encouraged. To get started go to Baseball Canada Coaches and look for the “Register” link on the left. Once you are a registered member several coaching resources are available.
Once you have registered and logged in, look for the “Clinics” tab to open up a list of clinics taking place in Ontario . These often fill up fast. The “Tools” tab is also a great resource with a drill library, Team Season Planner, Practice Planner and other links.

Tips and suggestions for running a practice

The Baseball Ontario On Deck App is an new and improved mobile app that features a Drills Library, Practice Plans, Umpires Zone, Safe Sport, Resources and more!  Find out more from the Baseball Ontario Site

Game day coaches responsibilities

  • Create a batting lineup.
  • Ensure umpires have been assigned to the game
  • Prepare the diamond for play
  • Planning player positions through the game.
  • Our suggestion is that coaches have an email distribution list for your team and provide timely communications to your parents. The game schedule is on the CMBA website and parents can easily reference this. Ensure everyone knows the practice day and time and ask parents for feedback on attendance for both practices and games. This helps greatly with pre-planning.

Instructional Videos and Drills

Baseball Canada

The Baseball Canada YouTube Channel is a great resource for instructional videos and drills.
The Links below will bring you to key video playlists by Position and Age Group.

Instructional Videos

Coaching
Base Running
Outfield
Infield
Catching
Pitching
Hitting

Age Group Related Drills

Baseball Canada - 9U Drills
Baseball Canada - 11U Drills
Baseball Canada - 13U Drills
Baseball Canada - 15U Drills
Baseball Canada – 16U+ Drills

Baseball Ontario On Deck App

The Baseball Ontario On Deck app  is an new and improved mobile app  that features a Drills Library, Practice Plans, Umpires Zone, Safe Sport, Resources and more! Download yours now from the Google Play and Apple App Store!
Find out more from the Baseball Ontario Site

Police Checks

All Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches will need a current Police Check submitted prior to your first coaching event with your team.

  • If you reside within Cambridge City limits this must be done with the Waterloo Regional Police
    • It’s an online process and coaches doing this will need our authorization number to be able to complete is for free.
    • Application Can be Submitted here: VSC Record Check WRPS

Summary

As stated above, coaching youth baseball can be a fun and rewarding experience! It can be a significant time commitment but for anyone considering this please know that many resources are available to provide assistance with getting started. Everyone has different backgrounds in life and sports, and maybe baseball in particular; some coaches have played at competitive levels and some haven’t, it’s not a requirement. The important part is providing a safe and fun environment for our youth to experience fair-play, sportsmanship and learn some baseball skills playing this great game. If they have fun and enjoy playing baseball it can be an activity they enjoy for a lifetime!

If you are interested but want more information or to discuss further please fill out the CMBA Coaching Application, and someone will get back to you.