Parent Participation…
Many responsibilities exist beyond the normal team level commitments that help Sprague Little League function smoothly. Parents are what make the program a quality experience for all our children. Our League can only be as good as we, the parents, make it. Volunteer and help us provide all our children with the best baseball experience.
Parent Support…
Parent support during both games and practices is critically important to the success of the league. Be supportive of the team by ensuring your child attends practices and games on-time. Be a positive role model during games, whether you are a Manager, Coach, Team Parent or simply a Spectator. Please keep the following in mind:
• Always be positive and enthusiastic.
• Show your child positive reinforcement.
• Observe practices and games to learn proper techniques to practice with your child.
• Encourage your child toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game.
• Teach your child to always play by the rules.
• Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.
• Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
• Let the managers and coaches do the coaching.
• Let an umpire be the umpire. Recognize the umpire is the closest to the play and that each umpire will "call them as they see them".
Tips For Parents…
Tips for parents coaching their own child. Before you begin to coach your own child, examine your motivations. Do not undertake the task of coaching him or her if your intent is to make your child a star. You must be willing to do whatever is best for your child’s overall development. If you are coaching a team sport, you must realize that you are affecting the youth sport experience of more children than just your child. You cannot give preferential treatment to your child and must have the best interests of all the children you are supervising in mind at all times. Giving your child preferential treatment can cause great problems for your child and the entire team.
Another common problem of coaching your own child is that you may be harder on your own child than the other children. This is counterproductive as it creates new problems. Be consistent in your treatment of all the children on your team or group. Do not compare your child to other players or to siblings. Let your child develop at their own rate. Ask your child, before you begin to coach, how he or she feels about your coaching role. Many children prefer that you don’t coach them, and you should take their wishes into account before making a decision.
SLL Shares In This Belief...
Little League® is not a win-at-all-cost organization. We pride ourselves in and are committed to providing fair playing time to all Little Leaguers®. The more time players are on the field, the better. Every Little Leaguer should have the opportunity to experience new challenges on the baseball and softball field, and parents are encouraged to work with their children and their children’s coaches about trying new positions, growing skill sets, and ensuring all players on the roster are having a fun, meaningful experience at their Little League games.
As For Your Player...
Players' responsibilities are simple; be respectful of others, be responsible, play fair, always do your best, and always exhibit good sportsmanship.