WESAC Baseball is a program for our children. WESAC does not have a snappy

mission statement but there are many important messages that WESAC expects its

coaches to bring to their teams. The following list of topics is not in any particular order.

Some of the items are inherently contradictory, but the when in doubt about how to handle

a particular situation remember that WESAC Baseball is a program for our children.

Participation

WESAC strongly supports the principle of participation at all levels of play. For the

developmental programs (T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Machine Pitch), all players should

be given equal playing time and each child should be given the opportunity to play each

position he/she desires (except where the safety of the child may be an issue such as it

is. not a good idea to play someone at pitcher or first base who can't defend themselves

with the glove or who doesn't pay sufficient attention to the game). For the competitive

programs, better players could play the more demanding skill positions more often, but

it's a good idea to look for opportunities for everyone during the course of the season to

play the desirable positions. Players should be expected to show the ability to throw

strikes in practice before being allowed to pitch.

Skill Development

Each child should have the opportunity to have quality instruction from his/her coach. You

as a coach should be able to coach the basic skills and run an effective practice. Formal

practices at least once per week during the season should be used at all levels from

pitching machine on up. If you need to brush up on the basic skills, please attend a

coaches' clinic sponsored by WESAC, the U of M or the Minneapolis Park Board. If these

clinics do not fit into your schedule and you need some help, please contact any member

of the board of directors. Remember that neither you nor your team members perform at

major league skill levels, and simple games of catch and pepper can be used to greatly

improve skills with little intervention from the coach.

Playing Philosophy

Each coach and team will develop its own philosophy but in general successful WESAC

teams have been defensively sound, aggressive on the base paths and put the ball in

play. Playing the best baseball or softball possible is a better goal than playing to win

every game. Playing the best baseball possible does not mean running the score up on

weaker opponents. Once a comfortable lead is established, the coach should allow

players who have not had the opportunity to play the skilled positions as much as they

would like to play.

Team Behavior and Discipline

WESAC teams should never belittle opponents. Taunting the other team, or even

teammates, should never be permitted and is grounds for suspension. Swearing is not

permitted at any time by player or coaches. In competitive games an out can be called for

each infraction of the no swearing rule.

Safety

It is very important for the safety of our children to be a primary concern. Strict rules for

where to swing bats during warm ups and when and where to throw baseballs (i. e. make

sure the person you are throwing to is ready and clear of any nearby bystanders) should

be followed from T-Ball to the highest levels. The concept of safety also extends to the

children being safe from the verbal intimidation or belittling from a coach or team mates.

Self Esteem

You, as a coach, are looked up to by the members of your team. Your positive attitudes

towards instruction and competition will be remembered for many years. So will your

negative ones. Children build self esteem when they are placed in positions where they

can succeed, both individually and as a team. Children build self esteem when they are

helping the team reach its goals and when they are enjoying personal success.

Fun

WESAC wants its baseball and softball programs to be fun for the participants and

volunteers. This does not mean that winning or skill development should be ignored.

Playing fundamentally sound ball can be a lot of fun and will often lead to winning. Fun

should extend to practices, games, post game activities, participation by family members

in extra curricular activities and anything else that carries the WESAC banner.