Managers and Coaches

NCLL relies heavily on its managers and coaches. This section provides an overview of the information and resources available to them. Despite the perception that coaching baseball or softball requires prior experience, many coaches in our older divisions (AAA & Major) began their coaching journey at the Tee-Ball level with no prior experience.

There is a discrepancy between the LLI nomenclature and what resonates with our families, particularly between 'Team Manager' and 'Head Coach'. Using 'Team Manager' for a head coach confuses families and diminishes the role our parents understand as 'Team Manager' (team parent role). Therefore, for 2025, we've updated the terms to:

• Head Coach
• Assistant Coach
• Team Manager

I wanted to clarify these terms to avoid confusion for those accustomed to the previous terminology. For 2025, these are the terms NCLL will be using.

Head Coach Responsibilities

• Player Evaluation & Selection: Attends tryouts and evaluates player performance to draft the team roster.
• Practice Coordination: Designs and implements practice plans with input and assistance from Assistant Coaches.
• Game Strategy & Lineups: Establishes game positions, lineups, and strategies while ensuring compliance with the Little League Greenbook Rules and STLL By-laws, particularly regarding equitable playing time.
• Clear Communication: Maintains open and effective communication with players, parents, and league officials.
• Building Team Spirit: Promotes a positive, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
• Volunteer Organization: Works with the Team Parent to ensure volunteer roles, including umpire assignments, are covered for every game.
• League Commitment: Attends all required meetings and trainings, such as Safety and Division Meetings, Coaches Clinics, and Umpire Training sessions.

Assistant Coach Responsibilities

• Practice Assistance: Carries out the practice plans set by the Head Coach and actively participates in drills to enhance player development.
• Game Day Duties: Serves in game-day roles such as base coach or dugout coach, as directed by the Head Coach.
• Support & Leadership: Provides constructive feedback to the Head Coach and takes charge of the team when the Head Coach is unavailable.

Team Manager Responsibilities

• Game Support: Assists with pitch counts, scoring, or other in-game administrative tasks as needed.
• Dugout Coordination: Helps manage the dugout to keep things running smoothly.
• Uniform Distribution: Ensures all players receive their jerseys and gear.
• Paperwork Management: Collects and organizes all necessary team paperwork.
• End-of-Season Celebration: Plans and coordinates a fun team party to wrap up the season.