Manager Tips

•  ONCE YOU GET YOUR TEAM ⦁
  
  • Call each family to introduce yourself ⦁
  • After calls send team email through website to introduce yourself ⦁
  • SIGNING INTO TEAMSIDELINE ⦁
    
    • GO TO FDALEBASEBALL.COM
    • Sign into your account on top right
    • Under Team sites select your team
    • THIS SITE IS YOURS TO UPDATE
    • Games will be automatically entered by league
    • YOU CAN  ⦁ Create Events/practices ⦁ Add pictures ⦁ Send communications ⦁ PLEASE NOTE ONLY EMAILS ASSOCIATED WITH TEAM HAVE ACCESS TO SITE.   ⦁ If parents want to add someone to site they have to update their account to update email.
  •  What email should include
    • Manage and Coach contacts
    • Encourage them to visit team site
    • Set your expectations
    • SAMPLE EMAIL ⦁ Welcome to the 2021 Reds we are looking forward to a great season.  Our goal is for every player to have fun, learn fundamentals and to develop a love of the game.  We have included some basic information to help get our season started.
      • Practices - What is scheduled and describe what you have planned
      • Games – Our games are usually scheduled for one game during week and one on Saturdays.  Games start around the 3rd week of April.  We will get schedule to you as soon as they are produced. 
      • Communication – Most communication will be done by email and our team website.  Please go to Fdalebaseball.com.  After you sign in (on the top right) you can select our team.  Only emails associated with our team can view this site.  Please take a minute and make sure you can get into site.  Our schedule, roster and other important information will be posted there
      • Playing Time and position – We will do our best to move all the kids around and get everyone in and keeping everyone safe.  If you have any questions regarding this please contact the coaching staff in private by either email or phone.  Please refrain from having these discussions around the players. Thank you.
      • Team rules ⦁ Good sportsmanship at all times ⦁ NO Throwing helmets, bats or any other equipment ⦁ The only coaching during game should be done by the coaching staff ⦁ Absolutely NO arguing or direct comments at the umpires ⦁ Respect must be shown to all players, coaches and umpires at all times.  We expect this to be a great season.                           
  •  CANCELLING PRACTICE/GAMES
    • PRACTICES – It is your discretion as to cancelling any practice.  If fields are closed due to weather you will be notified.  IF THERE IS LIGHTENING NO ONE SHOULD BE ON THE FIELD.  If there is lightening stop practice and move players to safe place.
    • Games 
      • Weather -  Prior to game your director will notify you if game canceled.  Once game has started it is umpires decision if continuing game is unsafe.  If there is no umpire it is the managers discretion.  If it is unsafe please do not continue to play.  IF THERE IS LIGNTENING THE GAME MUST BE IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDED.
      • GAMES YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS – CONTACT YOUR DIRECTOR ASAP AND CC OTHER COACH.  Your director will handle advise you from there.
• HOW TO MAKE PRACTICE FUN
  
  • COME TO PRACTICE WITH PLAN
  • Try making stations
  • Ensure lots of repetitions for each player
  • Keep kids active
  • Try not to have kids standing around
  • Introduce new drills at each practice
  • Make sure to stop to point out good things not just mistakes
  • Ask players for feedback.  What drills they like.
  • Applaud improvements
  • Conclude practice with game/most popular drill
• Sample One Hour Practice
  
  • 10 MINUTES – Warm up period.   ⦁ Quick run stretch and Throw ⦁ Basic throwing drills (see throwing drills page) 
  • 20 MINUTES – Hitting drills (Stations if possible)
  • 5 MINUTES -  Base running and situational drills
  • 20 MINUTES – Defense and fielding drills
  • 5 MINUTES – Quick game and team meeting
• GAMES –  
  
  • Come with line up and player position plan
  • Involve all players
  • Try not to let players sit out more than one inning at a time
  • Move positions to give everyone a chance to play
  • Don’t allow the scoreboard to dictate everything you do
  • If kids don’t play they won’t keep coming
• PRE-GAME TALK
  
  • Be short
  • Be upbeat and positive
  • Focus on one or two main points 
  • Stress importance of sportsmanship
  • Conclude with encouraging players to have fun
• DURING GAME
  • Keep it simple
  • LET KIDS PLAY
  • Remember not to give too much instruction before player getting up to bat.  Give a few simple key phrases, examples: ⦁ Drive it ⦁ See the ball hit the bat
  • Point out good not just errors
• POST GAME TALK
  
  • Be upbeat and encouraging
  • Point out good not just what they need to work on
  • Point out good sportsmanship
  • DON’T LET SCOREBOARD dictate how you talk to your team
  • Wrap up on high note or team cheer
• INJURIES
  
  • If there is an injury on the field
  • Contact 911 if necessary
  • Contact parents if they are not on field
  • Complete an accident report input link
  • Immediately call or text your director
• PARENT COMPLAINT
  
  • If you receive a complaint from a parent please listen to their concerns and try to resolve.  Remember they are doing what they think is best for their child.  Please try to empathize and resolve.
  • If you can not resolve please contact one of your Assistant Directors or Director and they will get involved. If that fails, each Division has a liaison from the Executive Board. 
• REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN !! TEACH WITH PATIENCE !! TEACH THEM TO LOVE THE GAME THROUGH LEARNING !!