Different Hats. Baseball coaches wear many different hats, particularly when they’re training young players, many of whom are using a baseball glove for the first time. You might find yourself leading a fun activity one minute and reining in a distracted player the next.
Flexible. You must be flexible, because a drill that was meant to last ten minutes might need to be switched up after half that time to keep the players engaged.
Have fun. Above all, make sure everyone is enjoying themselves—including you!
Demanding and rewarding. Being a coach is demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like witnessing the thrill a young player gets when they make a nice hit or catch. And the lessons a child learns from a good coach can last a lifetime.
Develop good people. The objective isn’t just to develop better baseball players—it’s to develop well-rounded people who are disciplined, hard-working and able to work well with others.
Tremendous responsibility. Shaping the lives of young people is a tremendous responsibility. As a coach, you must do everything you can to foster a player’s love for the game, and to help them achieve their potential.
Be enthusiastic and let your personality come out. Good coaches seek out new ways to develop their knowledge of the game and how players learn. But it’s not just about what you teach. It’s about how you teach. Ultimately, it’s your personality and enthusiasm that will have the biggest impact on your players.
