Volunteers who sign up to coach know it requires a significant time commitment and comes with a range of responsibilities that extend beyond the actual practice and games. The following is a list of those responsibilities that head coaches and assistant coaches must follow at all times.
- Attend meetings scheduled by the league.
- Learn and follow the Little League and OALL playing rules.
- Learn and follow the pitching rules.
- Learn and follow the OALL Safety Plan (ASAP).
- Learn and follow the Gameday Safety Rules.
- Check equipment each event to ensure it is legal and not damaged.
- Only allow approved volunteers who have completed and submitted all clearances to work with the players.
- Do not allow any spectators in the dugout or on the field. Keep gates closed.
- Report all injuries to the Safety Officer.
- Do not share the lock combination with anyone other than coaches on the team. The combinations will be reset annually and as needed.
- The tractor shed will have a different combination and only a handful of individuals will have the combination. Do not share without prior approval by the field manager (if available) or a board member.
- When locking up, completely change the numbers on the combination so it is not easy to break into.
Practice days
- Leave the field in better shape than you found it.
- Do not allow the players to dig in the dirt. This creates divots and could potentially be a safety hazard.
- Rake the field after. Do not rake towards the grass, rake parallel with the edges to avoid lip build up.
- Repair the batter's box and pitcher's mound. Don't be afraid to use water (unless there is another practice that day). Holes that develop are a safety hazard to the batters, baserunners, and pitchers. The longer the areas go without being leveled and watered, the worse and more dangerous they become.
- The porta potties will be locked to reduce vandalism and keep them in good shape for our players and families. Unlock as necessary and relock them at the end of practice. The lower field will have two in place during the spring and fall seasons, and the middle/upper fields will have one during the spring season only. If a team is practicing on both the middle and upper fields at the same time, the middle field will be responsible for locking up. On weekends the last team practicing will be responsible.
- After practice have the team pick up trash in the dugout and surrounding area.
- Before or after practice, empty any trash cans that are half full in the dumpster. Best practice here is to not allow trash cans to fill and begin to overflow and be too heavy to move or lift.
- Check that the shed closest to the field you're using is locked. If practices are ending at the same time at the middle and upper fields, communicate with the other team. Numerous times over the course of the season the shed is found unlocked the next day.
- If the hose has been used, wind it up and lock the water faucet.
- Remove the bases, insert base plugs, and store the bases in the shed if there is no practice right after.
Game days
- Common sense should prevail. Just help out. The more volunteers that help from BOTH teams, the quicker the work gets done, the more time you have to be with your teams prior to the game, and the sooner you can be home after the game.
- Responsibilities are going to be assigned based on the team being home or away.
- There is no warming up on the dirt, no taking infield practice, or pitchers throwing from the mound. All pregame warmups must be completed in the outfield. Keep everyone off the infield until the teams take the field for the game.
- Before or after games, empty any trash cans that are half full in the dumpster. Best practice here is to not allow trash cans to fill and begin to overflow and be too heavy to move or lift.
- Check that the shed closest to the field you're using is locked. If games are ending at the same time at the middle and upper fields, communicate with the other team.
- If the hose has been used, wrap it up and lock the water faucet up.
Pregame Home Team
- Arrive and be on the field preparing it 30 minutes before game time. We recognize some head coaches may have difficulty meeting that obligation from time to time. There are two options. Ask your assistant coach(es) to fill in or call the other team and ask if they are able to switch home and away team responsibilities for that particular day.
- Preparation includes raking the field (if it hasn't been dragged), lining the batters box and foul lines, and placing the bases out. Water the dirt surface as needed.
- Players should typically arrive and be in the outfield warming up 30 minutes prior to the game starting. It's suggested you arrive even earlier to complete field preparation in order to have more time to spend with your team. Another option is asking another parent if they would regularly help. It could be a way to satisfy their volunteer requirement.
Pregame Away Team
- Unlock the porta potty. The porta potties are locked to reduce vandalism and keep them in good shape for our players and families. The lower field will have two of them during the spring and fall seasons, and middle/upper fields will have one during the spring season only. If teams are playing on both the middle and upper fields at the same time, middle field will be responsible for unlocking.
- Retrieve the scorebook controller and set it up. Power will have to be turned on in the concession stand.
- Before or after practice, empty any trash cans that are half full in the dumpster. Best practice here is to not allow trash cans to fill fully and begin to overflow and be too heavy to move or lift.
- Offer assistance to the home team.
Postgame Home Team
- Have the players and coaches pick up all trash in your dugout and surrounding area dispose of it.
- Remove the bases, insert base plugs, and store the bases in the shed.
- Disconnect the scoreboard controller and store in shed.
- Offer assistance to the away team.
Postgame Away Team
- Have the players and coaches pick up all trash in your dugout and surrounding area dispose of it.
- Rake the field afterward and repair the batter's box and pitcher's mound. Don't be afraid to use water (if there is another game that day, do not oversoak). Holes that develop are a safety hazard to the batters, baserunners, and pitchers. The longer the areas go without being leveled and watered, the worse and more dangerous they become.
- Lock the shed. If games are ending on both the middle and upper field, communicate with the other team.
- if the hose has been used, wind it up and lock the water faucet.