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Coach Expectations

Thank you for volunteering to coach in the Falmouth Little League! Your contribution is crucial to the success of our program, and we truly appreciate your dedication.
 

While coaching is a voluntary position, it carries significant responsibility. It is a privilege, not a right. The Board of Directors has outlined the following expectations, which we hope you will embrace and uphold throughout the season.

Coaches and Team Managers Responsibilities

As a coach or team manager, your primary role is to support the overall purpose of the league while managing your team and its players. The welfare of the league must always take precedence over the interests of your individual team.

You are responsible for communicating the practice and game schedules to your players. Practices must be scheduled through the league's VPs (Baseball, Softball, or T-Ball). Additionally, you must ensure that your team takes proper care of equipment, and playing fields. At the end of the season, equipment must be returned in good condition for use next year.

When questions or issues arise, address them promptly by discussing them with the appropriate people, such as other coaches, players, or your sport's VP.

VPs: 

Baseball: Craig Bowden,

Softball: Emily Bienek,

T Ball: Jacob Furey 

Training and Certification Requirements

Falmouth Little League, Little League International, and the Town of Falmouth mandate training and certifications for coaches who work with minors. We've streamlined this process for efficiency, but all coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, and other volunteers must complete training. This training covers youth coaching, sport-specific information, safety and first aid, and child abuse prevention and reporting. It takes a few hours to complete, but it is invaluable and essential for the privilege of coaching our youth. Falmouth Little League covers the cost of this online training, and you'll receive the necessary information via email once you are confirmed as a coach.

Additionally, background checks are required for all coaches and volunteers. Please submit the necessary documents at registration if you are volunteering to coach.

Beyond the online training and background checks, you may also be required to participate in assessments, attend sport-specific Coaches Workshops to discuss practice plans, team development, and skills, as well as participate in Skills and Drills sessions, all-sport practices, or other clinic-based training.

Commitment to Coaching

As a coach, you are expected to take an active interest in the game of baseball/softball. Enhance your knowledge by reading the Little League Rule Book, attending as many training sessions and workshops as possible, and watching online videos and tutorials.

Recognize that each of your players has unique abilities and potential. Encourage each player to give their best effort and take pride in their growth and development.

Ensure that the kids have fun! While winning games is important, it should not be the primary focus. Our goal is to provide opportunities for the kids, not to turn them into professional athletes.

Fostering Teamwork and Positivity

Your challenge is to get your players to work together as a cohesive unit. Recognize that the team is more than a collection of individuals; each player relies on the others. If your team gives up four runs in the first inning, it's the team's responsibility to come back and score five.

Never criticize a player publicly for poor play or making an error. Instead, have a positive, private discussion to provide constructive feedback, reduce any sense of personal failure, and promote improvement. Remember, kids respond better to encouragement than to negative remarks.

For example, if a player strikes out, praise their effort by saying they took some good swings or that they're improving. Encourage teammates to support one another, and do not tolerate any form of teasing or bullying among players.

Handling Personnel Issues and Maintaining Sportsmanship

When personnel issues arise, assess the situations quickly, calmly, and carefully. Clearly communicate to players what is expected of them and how they are performing. Offer guidance to help them improve.

Focusing solely on winning can humiliate players with less talent, while focusing only on feelings can deprive those who want to grow, learn, and excel. Strive to balance your desire to win with a genuine concern for the well-being of your players.

Maintain control over your emotions. Bursts of anger, aggression, and put-downs will not be tolerated. Any physical contact in these situations will result in immediate dismissal from your position. Displays of poor sportsmanship, disrespect for rules, officials, or opponents may lead to suspension or other disciplinary actions by the Board.

Teach your players to win and lose with class. It's likely that your feelings following a loss will linger longer than the kids' memories of the game. Keep things in perspective.

We hope this clarifies the expectations we have for you as a coach in the Falmouth Little League. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact any Board Member during the upcoming season. Thank you again for your dedication to our Falmouth Little Leaguers.

We are confident you’ll find this to be a rewarding experience!
 

Addressing Unruly Behavior

If you witness unruly behavior from anyone (another coach, an umpire, a parent, a spectator), your first responsibility is to calmly address the person and ask them to stop. If they do not comply, a coach, umpire, or authority figure (such as the league VP or league president if present) should request that they leave the premises. If the individual continues to resist, the police should be called, and the game should be paused until the person is removed.

Never escalate the situation in front of the children. Doing so may result in disciplinary action against you, including possible suspension or expulsion from future league activities.

Volunteer Coaches Agreement

All volunteer coaches and team managers are required to sign a Volunteer Coaches Agreement. This document outlines the specific expectations we have for every coach and provides guidelines for reporting and communication.

Thank you to our '25 Sponsors! 

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Varney Agency

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Falmouth Education Foundation

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James & Whitney Co.

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Super Scoops

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  • When does the season start and finish?
    Opening Day is the last weekend in April, and that will kick off the season with Picture Day, uniforms, a celebration, and the first games of the season (for some teams). Practices will be held throughout April, and Assessments often occur in late March. The regular season ends in early June after approximately six weeks, although All Stars, and Summer and Fall Ball will usually follow.
  • Does my child need baseball or softball experience to play?
    No! Falmouth Little League is a developmental league that welcomes children of any experience level. In any given year, there is a wide range of experience and abilities among the players.
  • How often are games/practices?
    For Minors (9-10) and Majors (11-12) Divisions, 12 games are scheduled per season (cancellations and reschedules happen). These divisions will have practices during and before the season starts as gym and field availability/weather permits. Softball often has Skills and Drills Sessions, Clinics, All-Teams practice Sessions throughout the season, and more, so check that page for more info. The AA (7-8) Divisions will also have 12 games scheduled running from Opening Day through early June, but generally have much fewer practices and pre-season activities. T-Ball starts in May, and ends in early June.
  • What does my child need for equipment to play in the Little League?
    All players at all age Divisions should purchase a baseball/softball glove. Please ensure that the glove size is appropriate for the division of play that your child is enrolled in. The League will provide each player a hat/visor, jersey, and access to team-issued helmets and bats. These are some additional notes about gear: Softball Requirements: Face/Fielders Mask - required for all in-field positions. The team bag will have some, but there are shared. Softball pants for all age Divisions. These can be re-worn, you only really need one pair. Cleats for all divisions. Do NOT purchase metal cleats, they are not permitted in this age of Little League. Soccer and LAX cleats are suitable. Please visit the Softball page to learn about other gear that is not required, but that you might be interested in. Baseball Recommendations: Cleats and Baseball Pants are highly recommended for Divisions AA, AAA, and Majors. These are not necessary for T Ball. If your child needs financial assistance, please contact the Little League Board regarding the availability of equipment grants. Additionally, stores like Play it Again Sports, looking on Facebook Marketplace, posting in the local Buy Nothing group, the Falmouth Community Page (anonymous available), and other FB pages like Moms of Maine, and attending a Little League Equipment Swap (often at Opening Day) are excellent places to find used gear that's likely still in great shape.
  • What are a player’s uniform requirements?
    The league will provide hats/visors and jerseys. Players provide their own cleats, belt, socks and pants. After rosters are announced, please consult with your coach regarding the team colors.
  • Where are the games played?
    Most home games are played at 65 Depot Rd Falmouth, ME 04105. T Ball exclusively plays on the outfield of Big Legion Field. AA Baseball and Softball Share Smith Field, and AA Softball uses the Little Legion Softball Field and will engage in Inter-league play to travel. Some games may be moved to the Huston Field, or the Middle School Fields as necessary. AAA and Majors Baseball play on Grub Field, and for the first time in a long time, will engage in Inter-league play in 2024! This results in some travel, but it's super fun for the players. Minors and Majors Softball play home games on Little Legion Softball Field, sometimes the High School Field, and travel within District 6 for approximately half of their games.
  • What is my child’s “LEAGUE AGE” this year?
    Check out these links for age information: Baseball Age Chart Softball Age Chart
  • Can my child play other sports leagues and also play Little League?
    Yes, many players play other sports and engage in other competitive activities like dance, theater, etc. during the Little League season. Many players also engage in travel baseball/softball leagues at the same time. The Board makes every effort to avoid conflicts (i.e., Softball implemented "conflict days" where teams won't play on a day of their choice to avoid conflicts), Majors teams generally don't play on weekends to avoid Travel tournaments, and Baseball is able to have a more predictable schedule because of their field availability). We are aware that conflicts are still going to happen and players cannot reasonably make every practice for every activity, and we're ok with that outside of All Stars teams. Even still, please make every effort to get your child to as many practices and games as possible. We intentionally have more than nine players on each team to accommodate for inevitable absences, but it is our hope that players will make their best efforts to keep absences to a minimum and to balance conflicts with other sports as evenly as is allowed.
  • I do not want to coach or umpire, but are their other ways that I can help out?
    Yes! Little League utilizes volunteers in a number of settings including its Snack Shack, Opening Day Ceremonies, field prep, and tournament staffing. Please contact the Board for additional information.
  • Will siblings be placed on the same team if they are in the same league?
    Yes. Siblings in the same league will be placed on the same team for convenience unless specified otherwise.
  • Can I request friends on my child's team?
    Some divisions accept friend requests. Generally, T Ball and AA divisions (7 and under) allow friend requests, but note that these are never guaranteed. There are a lot of logistics that go into making teams and we Cann't always guarantee a request. Requests are limited to 2 per player. Remember, making new friends is definitely one of the most valuable parts of Little League, so embrace the new faces and have a great time on the fields!
  • Rain outs? Weather Delays? Lightning?
    The town will close fields for rain or wet conditions. They make this call usually by 2:00 and we will email coaches accordingly. Field Closure Info City of Falmouth If rain comes during the game, the coaches will make the decision to delay or cancel. If there’s lightning things end immediately and everyone needs to leave or seek shelter.
  • What is my child’s “LEAGUE AGE” for softball this year?
    Softball Age Chart
  • What is my child’s “LEAGUE AGE” for baseball this year?
    Baseball Age Chart
  • What type of Baseball Bat should I get?
    The bat must be a baseball bat which meets the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat) as adopted by Little League. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick, and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat). Look for the USA Baseball logo.
  • Where are the T-Ball games played?
    T-Ball games are played on the Big Legion Field. 65 Depot Rd Falmouth, ME 04105.
  • What time are T-Ball practices and games?
    T-ball games start at 5:30 and are usually done by 6:45. There are not typically any additional practices for T-ball, but coaches usually use the time before the game starts for working on skill development.
  • How are All Star coaches and players selected?
    To find out how All Star coaches and players are selected you can review our policy here. https://www.falmouthlittleleague.net/information
  • Is there a mailing list for notifications?
    Registration for the season will open in early to mid January. Keep an eye on the website for information on this once we hit the new year. We will also have Facebook posts and signs put up around town as reminders once registration is opened. Once your child is registered, you will be added to the distribution list for any future communications. Whoever the registering parent/adult is will have the opportunity to add additional emails to the coach distribution list. Please discuss with the registering parent/adult to include all relevant emails so that information gets to the right people. Softball relies heavily on the Gamechanger App. If your player is enrolled in Softball, please download the app, find your team, and link with your player for all important updates and communications.
  • Will siblings be placed on the same team if they are in the same league?
    Yes. Siblings in the same league will be placed on the same team for convenience unless specified otherwise.
  • What is my child’s “LEAGUE AGE” this year?
    Check out these links for age information: Baseball Age Chart Softball Age Chart
  • My kid is too advanced for their age group can they play up?
    We stick to the age requirements for Little League and do not allow kids to play up.
  • Are there opportunities to volunteer?
    Volunteer opportunities are available in areas of the snack shack, coaching, umpiring, serving as a team parent, field day maintenance work, board membership, and others.
  • How do I complete my required NAYS coaches training?
    1 - Login to NAYS from their website: NAYS | National Alliance for Youth Sports You will need to login if you already have an account or register for an account if you are a new user 2- Set Falmouth Little League Affiliation (if not done already) Click on My Account, then Organizations, then Manage My Affiliations Add Falmouth Little League as one of your affiliations 3-Order Required Training Programs Click on My Account, then My Trainings, then My Training Requirements Click Checkout to order the required training then Proceed to Checkout then Process Order 4- Complete Training Click on My Account, then My Trainings, then My Training Portal to access your training classes
  • Are there sponsorship opportunities?
    We are always looking for partners to advertise and help fund our improvement and maintenance projects. Check out our sponsorship page here.
  • How can I contact Falmouth Little League?
    Email us: info@falmouthlittleleague.net

© 2023 Falmouth Maine Little League

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