Manager Orientation

1. Manager Orientation March 5, 2014

2. Agenda • Introduction • Manager Responsibilities • Manager Training • A Word About: • Umpire Relations • Practices • Parent Relations • Manager Evaluations • Season Schedule Overview • League Breakout Session

3. As A Manager, You Have A Chain-of-Command to Support You Craig Stine President Karnig Ohannessian VP Baseball Ops. Allen Judkiewicz A- AL LD Anthony Caracciolo A - NL LD Mickey Batson Tball- LD Mark Nelson 5T- LD

4. Your BOD Direct Support Officers • Phone numbers of all these officers are on the back of the Gray Book. • Player Agent – Steve Sopko • Releasing, Calling Up a Player • Safety – Allen Judkiewicz • Background Checks, Injury Reporting, Safety Observations/Issues • Training – Jim Casamento • Umpire In Chief – Scott Dias

5. Other Support • VP, Special Ops –Jon Anderson • Opening/Closing Day/Registration/Try Outs • VP, Property & Facilities – Scott Rippee • Others • Secretary – Gene Ager • Treasurer – Craig Copeland • VP, Communications – John Monaco (web, newsletter, printing) • VP, Parents Auxiliary – Amie Adams • VP, Player Support – Scott Mills • VP, Technology – Micah MacDonald

6. Manager Responsibilities • General Responsibilities • Pre-Season • Post-Season • End of Season

7. General Responsibilities • OBJECTIVE: The objective of WSLL is to provide children a fun, learning experience that will stress good sportsmanship, respect for others, and enjoyment of the game of baseball. The League’s goal is to develop lifelong fans and participants in the game, and to encourage its members to become active members of their communities. Article II, WSLL Constitution.

8. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES ✓ ACCIDENTS. Report to Safety Officer. ✓ BASEBALL INFORMATION. • Rules of play (Green Book + Gray Book)‏ • Educational requirements and playing standards (website) • Contains day-to-day information • Training and clinics • Umpire and rules information • Team management • Scorekeeping • Field permits • Etc. etc. • Admin. Policies (Admin. Policy Manual (website))

9. General Responsibilities • Behavior – Games. Green Book, Gray Book. • Key is respect and recognition of why we are there. Civility in everything we do. • ZERO TOLERANCE: applies to YOU, CORs, and PARENTS • “Consider yourself warned” • Chain of command. Keep LD informed. • Dress code. Dress the part (t-shirt/polo, no tank tops, no baseball uniforms). • Fan Behavior. Teach parents how to root positively. • Sexual Abuse. Protect your players and yourselves. • Sexual Harassment. Those in position of authority may not suggest, invite, or extend sexual favors, or subject anyone to verbal or physical sexual behaviour.

10. Pre-Season Responsibilities • Coaches. Two coaches of record + unlimited others. • Volunteer forms. • Only coaches of record in dugout (4 MAX in dugout &/or on field) • May not leave the dugout • Equipment. Stress proper wear, use face guards, cups, treat with ordinary care. • Sponsor. Introduce yourself. • Team Parent. Treat like part of your staff. Meeting 3/19. • Parents from the Stands Umpire Training 3/18. • Field prep days will be weekends (mostly Saturdays, some Sundays) in March.   • Youth volunteers who need community service hours are encouraged to come out as well, but we'll need adults mostly.

11. List Turn In • Volunteer Forms due to League Directors – 3/14/14 • Managers forward 1 per coach + others subject to rule w/ form if not previously supplied. • Need volunteer forms for everyone you expect to be on the field or in the dugout with kids. Includes practice coaches/parents and anyone you want to have “fill in” as a game coach when coach of record unavailable. • LD verifies all accounted and forwards to Safety Officer. • Safety Officer publishes list of cleared persons listing. Up to Manager to review for any missing participants from team. • LDs notify managers that stragglers and those with unsuccessful background checks may not be on field.

12. Umpires

13. Umpires – General • We are stretched thin for umpires from AA thru Majors • You will not receive league assigned umpires • Highly encourage identifying a Team Umpire to ensure all games are covered, either by umpiring or finding a “volunteer” • Help us (the league) with recruiting/retention - Need to convince more adults to get trained to umpire • Umpire training: • “Parents from the Stands” training on 3/18 @ WIMS • Team Umpires (AAA and AA only): Receive Registration and Volunteer Fee Refund (5+ games)

14. Umpires – Game Day • Plate Conference (Managers and selected ump/parent): • Players properly equipped (jocks & cups for males, no jewelry, proper equipment for catchers, proper uniforms, etc.) • Ground Rules • May only question rule interpretations, not judgments • Questions during the season call me (Scott Dias/UIC)

15. Practices

16. Practices • Schedule. • Provided by LD. • We do not have set practice days per week. • Practice Fields. • Permits – one per week, subject to high-school needs (see “Coaches Corner”). Bring to fields. • No team may practice on any field not approved by the BOD.

17. PRACTICES • Practice Plans. • Written. • Safety. • Repetition. • Stations. • Movement. • Hydration. • Consistent with “WSLL Playing Standards.” • Emphasize proper throwing and catching.

18. Games

19. Game Schedule Overview • 5T: 9 games. • Keene Mill ES • Tball: 13 games • Keene Mill ES • Rolling Valley ES • Byron Ave • A: 14 games No wins/losses or standings kept at any level

20. Game Day • Pre-Game (see Gray Book) • The visiting team shall take infield practice for 5 minutes beginning 20 minutes before game time. • The home team shall take infield practice for 5 minutes beginning 15 minutes before game time. • The playing field shall be cleared 10 minutes prior to game time for field preparation.

21. Game Day • Field Care. See Gray Book. Consistent field quality depends on our teams. • Home Team is on field duty, pre-game and post-game. Includes raking infield, lining baselines and batter boxes • Leave the field in better shape than you found it.  That means raking base paths toward bag and plate, repairing the mound and emptying the trash from dugouts • Game Times. Game clock runs from scheduled time, not start time, unless delayed by prior game. • Game Cancellations. Tell parents if they hear nothing, go to the field. Too late to email at 3:00 pm. Rainedout.com • Lightning – review Gray Book but bottom line is get off field and get to cars. • 30 minute delays per strike/clap; max delay of 45 minutes

22. Game Day • Make Up Games. First available date. No considerations if manager out of pocket. That is what coaches of record and volunteer coaches are for. Don’t ask. • No game winners/losers or standings. • Trash. Empty half-filled cans and last game of day. Not gray hat responsibility. • Uniforms. Alterations not permitted to uniforms/helmets (e.g., decals). • Gray hats…

23. Parking • Byron – park straight into spots • Irving MS – not on basketball courts. • Keene Mill ES – marked spaces only. • Rolling Valley ES – marked spaces only. • Fenway @ Burke School – marked spaces only. If parking behind on residential street please do not block any portion of the neighbors’ driveways.

24. Ebbets Field Concession Stand BOD Reserved Parking Only If you are not parking - Player Dropoff AREAS at Yankee Ahead or when EXITING ONLY ! WSLL Byron Ave – Main Road No Player Dropoff on Entering OK Wrigley Field

25. This has been Implemented by Fairfax County Park Authority to support safety and Maximum capacity (3) Left Turns Only for Additional Row Parking No Parking along walkway (2) Now you’re here – park STRAIGHT-IN for all rows NOT angled WSLL Byron Ave – Main Parking Yankee Field (1) Left Turn Only to Enter at REAR of Parking Area

26. Wrigley Field 3-Rivers Field Continue to Byron Ave Park Road to Main Parking Lots Forbes Field 3-Rivers overflow parking area (dry conditions only) No Parking along house fronts 3 rows of parking spaces offered by Church of Christ WSLL Byron Ave – Church Lot Parking

27. Playing Rules – A • Inning: 3 outs or 4 runs, whichever comes first • Pitching machine: • VISITING TEAM sets up/tears down; remains at Byron • Set to 36 mph, adjust tilt once up to speed • Offensive team feeds baseballs; have towel for wet weather • Dead ball if machine hit; hitter gets base, others advance one base • No hit batters • At-bats: • No Batters outside of dugout, no ‘on-deck’ batters • One warning for a called 3rd strike • No steals of 2nd base/home; no advancement beyond 3rd on steal • Runners may not advance after base runners have stopped and pitcher/catcher/infielder have ball

28. Playing Rule – A (cont’d) • 10 players on defense (4 in outfield) • Min 2/max 4 of infield play per player • Every player gets to start 2 games in infield • Outfielder positioning; cannot make initial out in infield • 2 coaches in field permitted through May 6; one additional bench coach permitted • No new inning after 1hr30min; drop dead of 1hr45min (finish at bat)

29. Playing Rules – Tball & 5T • Teams may borrow players from opponent for field • Inning: 3 outs or 5 runs • Offensive team provides “T-puller” • No bunting/strikeouts • Hits must travel at least 15 ft • Players at pitching position shall stand on mound prior to batters swing • No advancement on overthrows or steals

30. Playing Rules – Tball & 5T • 10 players on defense (4 in outfield) • Catcher/umpire stands opposite of hitter (not behind batter) • Min 2 innings of infield (catcher not included) play per player; max 2 innings of pitcher/1st base • Every player gets to start 2 games in infield • Pitchers should be discouraged from running ball to 1st base • Outfielder positioning; cannot make out in infield • 2 coaches in field + one additional bench coach permitted

31. Time Limits • Tball • Weekend: No new inning after 1hr20min • Weekday: Game ends promptly 1hr15min after start • Innings begin as soon as last batter has completed at-bat • 5T: Limited to 90 minutes • Clock starts running on scheduled game time start

32. Game Day –Misc. • Jewelry (includes cloth and rubber bracelets and earrings) and nothing distracting on player’s hands or wrists. • Game Time Start. On time or 15 min from end of last game (conditions permitting. • All levels: The standard for in-between inning time should be 90 seconds. Keep the game moving, by focusing on the next defensive half inning – assignments should be known, catcher or temporary replacement should be ready. • Have line-ups ready to go each inning; no huddles between innings/player should know where to go.

33. End of Season • Player Evaluations. You must submit electronically at end of season. WSLLstandards of play (see Admin. Procedures Manual). • Be frank, but careful, in your choice of words. • WSLL uses utmost care in guarding these evaluations and requires their destruction after useful period. See Player Agent with questions. • Sponsors. Ensure they get their Trophy & Team picture.

34. The Fun Doesn’t End with Your Last Game! • Team Parties • Team Pictures • Trophies (current plan) • 5T–A: Team Don’t forget your sponsor!

35. MANAGER TRAINING

36. Manager/Coach Training • VBCand the MVP Baseball School Coaches Clinic – March 2 and 9 • Safety Awareness Training (required once/ 3 years) – 3/19 at 7:30 pm at Keene Mill ES Cafeteria. • Need one representative from every team. • Misc. practice plans, ideas, resources in Coaches Corner (under “League Resources” on website). • Playing standards for each level of play in Admin Policy Handbook.

37. Manager Evaluations

38. Evaluations • Procedure. • Automated • Return rates are 65-70%. • Returned to VP, Baseball Operations and to President. • Stored for 5 years. • WSLL will prepare summary for you as soon as possible. • All but managers vote (coaches vote). • Your role. • Read the eval in advance. • “Take the temperature” of your team. • Give notice and remind parents of eval date. • Insist on receiving a copy of your summary.

39. 2012 2013 Game knowledge 4.46 4.41 Is an effective teacher 4.29 4.25 Relates well to children 4.44 4.36 Treats all players fairly 4.48 4.38 Relates well with coaches and umpires 4.60 4.40 Displays and encourages good sportsmanship 4.47 4.53 Motivates and seeks to develop all players 4.40 4.39 Makes the game fun 4.43 4.36 Administrative ability 4.50 4.35 Practice organization 4.40 4.29 Communication with parents 4.52 4.43 Overall made our season enjoyable 4.51 4.42 Overall Average 4.46 4.38 Evaluations (All Levels) – Spring

40. Parent Relations

41. Parent Relations • Set expectations first meeting. • Schedule early and make mandatory • Find a host • Have agenda • Lay down ground rules. • Attempt to get parents involved – vested in what you are trying to do. • Attempt to find a way to connect with every player. • Take the parents’ temperature constantly. • #1 Issue: Perceptions of unequal treatment. • Consult your LD when you sense problems.

42. Teams Require Many Volunteers • Team Parent • Practice Coaches • Umpires • Grounds Crew – assign for each game • Scorekeeper • Bench Monitor • Safety Officer Get your parents involved from the beginning to support you! See checklist in Coaches Corner

43. Parent Volunteers • Team Parent. Delegate and confer. Team parents are members of Parents Auxiliary and can be source of knowledge of pulse of the families. • MUST SEND ONE PARENT TO MTG. ON 3/19. • Volunteers. You must assure that all coaches/volunteers who have repetitive access to children submit vol. form AND clear Safety Officer check.

44. Schedule of Events

45. March/April – Pre-Season • FIELD PREP – Begins 3/1 and runs every weekend to Opening Day • 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/22 – Umpire Training • 2/22 – Equipment Handout • 3/1 – First Day of Practice – Majors, AAA, AA • 3/2, 3/9 – Coaches Clinic (VBC) • 3/5 – Managers Orientation Meeting – A, T-Ball, 5T • 3/8 – First Day of Practice – A, T-Ball, 5T • 3/18 – Parent from the Stands Umpire Training (Irving, Barker Hall)‏ • 3/19 – Team Parents Meeting (Keene Mill Cafeteria) • 3/19 – Safety Awareness Training (Keene Mill Cafeteria) • TBD – Food Handlers Training • TBD – Scorekeeping Training • 3/14 – Coaches List, and Volunteer Forms due to League Directors • 3/28 – Player Call up List Due • 3/28 – Opening Day Ceremonies • 3/29 – Games Begin • 4/26 – Team Pictures (Keene Mill) • 5/4 – Mid-Season Managers Meeting (Byron)

46. April/May – In-Season • 4/26 – Team Picture Day Time: Varies by team at Keene Mill ES • ~5/4 – Mid-season Mgrs. Mtg.—must have representative at meeting • 5/10, 5/17 and 5/24 – Approximate Dates of Fall Ball / Fun Tournament Registration, Byron

47. June/July • 6/14 – Announcement of All-Stars. • 6/14 – Championship Saturday. • ~6/20–6/28 – Fun Tournament (approximate) • TBD – Turn in equipment; End of season shutdown

48. Questions? Thanks for Managing & CoachingOur Kids! Have a Great Season!