Manager Training Session – AA

1. Manager Training Session – AA March 9, 2004

2. Agenda • Introduction • WSLL League Overview • League Structure • Board of Directors • Volunteers • Practice Guidelines • Game Logistics • Post-Season Items • Rules Discussion • Transition to Live-Pitching Baseball

3. WSLL is part of national Little League Baseball • We are part of District 9, along with: • Dale City • Fort Hunt • Lorton • Woodbridge • Woodlawn • DTQ • Alexandria Potomac • Central Springfield

4. There are six levels of play in WSLL • Majors • AAA • AA • A • T-ball • 5-T

5. WSLL is run by a Board of Directors • More than 50 BOD members, known as “Gray Hats” • Responsible for day-to-day operation of the league • Hold monthly meetings • 17-member BOD Executive Committee includes • President • Executive VP • VP Baseball Oper. • Secretary • Treasurer • Chief Umpire • VP Communications • VP Prop/Facilities • Player Agent • Safety Director • Training Director • VP Technology • American League VP • National League VP • VP Player Support • Player Agent • VP Administration • VP Special Operations • VP Challenger We always welcome new members!

6. Other BOD Committees • Equipment • Tryout / Draft • Challenger • Uniforms • Awards / Pictures • Database • Tournaments • Sponsors • Operations • Parents Aux. • Yearbook • Opening Day • Season End • Scheduling • Sponsors • Statistician • Volunteer Coord. • Chief Scorekeeper • County Liaison • Field & Facilities • Registration • Rules • Opening Day • Newsletter • Picnic • Manager Selection • Umpires • Fall Ball • Public Relations

7. As a Manager, you have a Chain-of-Command to support you Steve Gillingham President Keith Klindworth Exec VP Ivan Shnider VP Baseball Oper. Rich McMahon NL Vice President Marc Chazan AL Vice President Joe Skaff AA League Director Bryan Blackwell AA League Director

8. Local Rules – AA • First Live-Pitch Level • Still Noncompetitive! Learning Level • 3 Outs / 4 Runs • NEW! No-Walk Rule—Until 5th Monday • Umpire Soft Toss • Use Remaining Strikes • Pitchers: 3 Innings per game/6 per week • 11-Year-Olds Pitch Only 3 Innings per Week • Stealing Home—Not on Throw to 2B Rule • Participation • 2-4 Innings of Infield Required (inclusive of catcher) • NEW! Players Sitting out must be Reported to Scorekeeper • NEW! Two Coaches on Field until 5th Monday • Additional Bench Coach Permitted • Outfielder must Play on the Grass & Throw to Infielder • Tournament

9. It takes many volunteers to make it all happen • Team Parent • Practice Coaches • Umpires • Grounds Crew • Scorekeeper • Bench Monitor • Safety Officer Get your parents involved from the beginning to support you!

10. Dealing with Parents • Initial meeting • Parents' concerns: • Player is enjoying baseball • Player is learning in a positive, constructive environment • Talk to the parents on a regular basis - parents appreciate hearing how their player is doing • Make sure the parents understand your program and schedule and what is expected of them • Don't "over-schedule"; 4 events (games plus practices) per week should be the max

11. A few guidelines will help make your practices successful • Keep it FUN! • Theme for the day • Tell them – Do it – Tell them again! • Keep it FUN! • Use breakout sessions • Separate pitching practices • Keep them moving! • COMPETITION! • Keep it FUN!

12. Coaching 8-9 Year Olds—First Real Level of Coaching • Positive Coaching • Praise Publicly, Criticize Privately • Read, Learn, Ask • Work Throwing Mechanics • Most Common Problem • You are Teaching the League’s Future Pitchers • Special Attention to Hitters Afraid of the Ball • Teach a Love for the Game • Tell Stories • Attend WSLL Majors Game or H.S. game together

13. WSLL Coaches’ Training Sessions Throwing/Pitching Fielding/Catching HittingThursday, March 12 Wednesday, March 17 Friday, March 26 7:30-9:30 pm 7:00-8:30 pm 7:30-9:30 pm Virginia Baseball Club Tobin Transport Warehouse Virginia Baseball Club 2934-A Prosperity Av. 6062 Farrington Av. 2934-A Prosperity Av. Fairfax, VA Alexandria, VA Fairfax, VA

14. Virginia Baseball Club Coaches’ Certification VBC Coaches’ Certification Program March 14, 2004WT Woodson High School1:00 – 5:30 pm Bonus Session: Q&A with High School Coaches—5:30 – 6:30 pm For Session Information, Check Out VBC’s Website: www.eteamz.com/baseballcamp

15. Safety • Field Conditions • Player Control • Equipment Control • Bats • Helmets Must have Chinstraps • Catchers’ Helmets • Athletic Cups • Preventing injuries • Treating injuries - first aid kit • EMT training—March 18 • 7:30-9:30 pm, WSHS Cafeteria

16. You have a few responsibilities before each game… • Field Prep • Home Plate Conference • Line-up Exchange • Little League Pledge • Set Time to Arrive

17. …as well as after each game • Field Maintenance • Trash Pick-up • Post-game Conference • Next Practice / Game

18. A few important tips for game day • Rain Line: 703-912-9755 • Make-up Games – Sundays • 3 Adults in Dugout • Dugout Organization • Player Conduct • Parent Conduct

19. Making the transition to live-pitch baseball can be a challenge – for players, parents and coaches • Pitching • Stealing • Competitiveness • Umpires • Playing Time / Positions • League Goals

20. With more “competitive” play, proper field conduct becomes even more important • Self-control at All Times • Correcting / Disciplining Players • Dugout Organization • 3 Adults Inside Fence (Manager and 2 Coaches) • Dugout Behavior • Parent Behavior • Teach Good Sportsmanship You are a role model at all times!

21. Post-Season Play • Inter-League Play • Special Pitcher Rules—No Consecutive Days or Games • Need at Least 4 Pitchers • Trophies for 1st and 2nd Place • Championship in June

22. The fun doesn’t end with your last game! • Team Party • WSLL Yearbooks • Team Pictures • Trophies • Team (Parents buy) • League (1st and 2nd Place) Don’t forget your sponsor!

23. …and if you still want more • 9/10 & 11/12 All Stars • Fun Tournament • Fall Baseball

24. Have a Great Season!!! Questions??? Thanks for Coaching!