Principles and Skills

CCLL is a recreational league, meant to provide the best possible baseball experience for every player
Committed to:
- Teaching the core baseball skills and an understanding and appreciation for the game
- Respect - for coaches, teammates, umpires and opponents
- Hustle/Hard Work/Effort
- Fun
Coaches' Job
- Have a written practice plan for each practice or at least coordinated objectives amongst coaches (NOTE: The league has resources to suggest specific drills and approaches to practice - available upon request)
- Teach the game well to all their players (see skills matrix)
- Create a positive and fun environment - criticism necessary and ok, when balanced with encouragement/recognition
- Build sense of "team"
- Set a positive example of sportsmanship
- Make sure all Players play hard - rewarding effort as much or more than results
- Commit to developing every player - even the most difficult - while still challenging advanced players to improve
- Find good things that every player does and point them out - while also pointing out mistakes (within reason)
- Communicate with Players, parents, coaches, league
- Give Players a chance (e.g., if they want to pitch, find a way)
- Respect umpires (even when they are egregiously wrong 🙂 )
- Seek parental help and use it if offered (optional but encouraged) - develop a core set of assistants
- Talk to team briefly prior to and after every game - using the teaching opportunity
- Have a first aid kit at each game and practice
- Plan players' positions before games to ensure balanced playing time
- Teach all players an infield and outfield defensive position
- Advise the league of any significant issues - good or bad
- Balance trying to win with players' development
Coaches Should Strive To Not
- Favor their own child
- Relegate any player to the end of the bench (so long as they participate in practices and games and put forth honest effort)
- Risk players' health (throwing arms, concussions, especially)
- Walk any player intentionally
Parents' Job
- Respect the Coaches
- Help with practices, scorekeeping, whatever if they can
- Respect all players and umpires
- Communicate - if they have a problem, if their Player has a problem they need to go to the coach first to talk it out; to others if needed
- Get Players to practices and games on time
- Give coaches warning if practice or game will be missed
- Make sure the Players practice on their own
Players' Job
- Come to practice and games on time and ready to go
- Work hard
- Get better
- Show respect
- Have fun
- Communicate - if they are hurt, upset, whatever
- Sit with teammates during games (not w parents, friends, etc.)
Umpires' Job
- Know the Rules
- Respect the CCLL recreational teaching environment
Practices Should
- Include some (not too much) verbal instruction - including explaining which skills are being taught in each practice
- Start with warm-up throws
- Focus on a few specific skills
- Keep players busy - minimizing down time (multiple stations encouraged)
- Mix encouragement and constructive criticism appropriately
- Mix in some creative, fun drills (avoid over repetition)
About Capitol City Little League
Capitol City Little League (CCLL) is a volunteer run organization focused on introducing and teaching baseball and softball to our children - ages 4 to 14. Each season, more than 500 children participate in CCLL. To see our boundaries and eligibility information, click here. |
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Mailing Address
Capitol City Little League
P.O. Box 5764
Washington, D.C. 20016