Congratulations on managing or coaching a WCLL team! This guide covers everything you need to do from draft night through the end of the season. If this is your first time, don’t worry — the league and your fellow managers are here to help.
Before the Season
Complete Your Requirements
- Background check — must be completed before any on-field activity. See Background Check & Safety Training.
- Abuse Awareness training — required annually through Little League
- All assistant coaches must also complete both of the above
After the Draft
- Contact your families — introduce yourself within 24–48 hours. Share your name, phone number, and a brief plan for the season.
- Set up your team in GameChanger — import from SportsConnect so rosters and schedules sync. See GameChanger Setup Guide.
- Create a team Slack channel — this is where day-to-day communication will happen (practice changes, game reminders, etc.)
- Identify a team parent — recruit a parent to handle snack schedules, communication logistics, and other non-baseball coordination
- Schedule your first practice — check field availability with your Division Commissioner
Running Practices
General Tips
- Have a plan — players (and parents) notice when you show up without one. A simple structure works: warm-up, throwing, fielding, hitting, scrimmage/game situations.
- Keep it moving — minimize standing-around time. Use stations so every player is active.
- Keep it positive — encourage effort and improvement, not just results. These are kids.
- 60–90 minutes is plenty — especially for younger divisions. End on a high note.
- Rotate positions — expose players to multiple positions during practice, especially early in the season.
Safety at Practice
- Always have a first aid kit on hand
- Check the field for hazards before starting (rocks, holes, sprinkler heads)
- Players must wear helmets during live batting practice
- Never leave players unsupervised — at least two approved adults should be present
- Check field status before heading out — don’t practice on closed fields
Game Day
Before the Game
- Check field status — fields.wclittleleague.org or
/weatherin Slack - Arrive 30 minutes early — the home team is responsible for field prep (dragging, chalking, bases)
- Submit your lineup — have your batting order and defensive positions planned. Remember: WCLL uses a continuous batting order (everyone bats).
- Check pitch count status — know which of your pitchers are available and how many pitches they can throw. See Local Playing Rules for limits and rest requirements.
During the Game
- Track pitch counts — this is your responsibility. Use GameChanger or a manual counter.
- Enforce minimum playtime — every player must play at least 6 consecutive defensive outs and bat at least once
- Model good behavior — how you handle a bad call or a tough inning sets the tone for your players and parents. See Code of Conduct.
- Manage the dugout — only rostered players and approved coaches in the dugout during games
After the Game
- Shake hands with the opposing team
- Report the final score to your Division Commissioner if required
- Ensure pitch counts are recorded in GameChanger
- Last game of the day: put away bases and equipment, clean up the dugout
Communication Tips
- Set expectations early — at your first team meeting, explain your coaching philosophy, practice schedule, playing time approach, and how you’ll communicate
- Use Slack for logistics — practice changes, game reminders, rainouts
- Keep it brief — parents appreciate concise updates, not essays
- Address concerns privately — if a parent has an issue, handle it one-on-one after the game, not in the dugout or team channel
- Never discuss other players — if a parent asks why their kid isn’t pitching or playing shortstop, talk about their child’s development, not other players’ abilities
Key Resources
- Local Playing Rules — pitch counts, time limits, mercy rules
- GameChanger Setup Guide — team setup and scorekeeping
- Code of Conduct — expectations for coaches and parents
- Background Check & Safety Training — requirements for you and your assistants
- Rain & Field Closure Policy — what to do when weather hits
Questions?
Your Division Commissioner is your first point of contact for scheduling, rules questions, and game-day issues. For league-wide questions, reach out to any board member or post in the managers’ Slack channel. You’re not in this alone — lean on the other managers in your division too.