A group of kids reach the age of baseball, and thus the big question becomes inevitable: “who’s gonna be the coach?”
The conversation is relatively short:
“Hey Joe, didn’t you play ball? Okay then, you’re our coach.”
And there ya have it. A little league coach is born.
And if there’s no one with playing experience, well too bad. Flip a coin. How hard can it be?
Ugh, well, it can actually be pretty difficult. Even those with pro playing experience, when it comes to teaching the game to kids, it’s an entirely different ball game.
We turn to Google and YouTube to find some drills and practice plans, only to be overwhelmed with all of the noise and opinions.
I know because I’ve lived it myself.
I played competitive ball all the way through college. Fast forward many years later, I find myself coaching my son’s 13U baseball team and assisting my youngest kid’s 8U old team.
Despite my history with baseball, I’m asking the same questions you are:
- “Why in the world is he throwing it like that and how do I fix it?”
- “Okay, I’ve got an hour with twelve 7-year-olds. What’s the absolute best use of the time?”
- “That kiddo is struggling big time at the plate. What else can I do to help him?”
- And the list goes on for about 212 thoughts…
Like you, I’m NOT asking these questions so that my kids can go pro or get a (half) scholarship D1 program. I just want my kids (my own as well as all of the kids on my team) to love the game. I want them to experience the joy of the game.
And yes, honestly speaking, I do want to see them have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their Junior High and High School teams…primarily because of how that experience will help them grow as people.
And so, this is for everyone.
Not just the elite. Not just the chosen. If you are an elite player, you’ll find contributors here who’ve still been paid to coach players way better than you, trust me. 😉
But if you’re just getting started, or anywhere in between, there’s something here for every youth baseball coach, player, and parent.
Just one tip can change everything.
Everybody In,
Kyle Shultz
Youth Baseball School Founder