Champlain Valley Little League aspires to be an outstanding educational-athletic organization that provides a high-quality experience to every athlete.  A high-quality experience is one in which every athlete develops the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being by championing the virtues of character, courage, and loyalty.

We recognize that our VOLUNTEER coaches are the ones who most directly make this all possible.  It is our goal to provide every coach with the proper tools and support to be successful.  We are committed to creating a positive culture in which coaches, parents, fans, officials, and athletes work together to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes.  We offer clinics and training to assist our new coaches (and experienced coaches) with all aspects of the game, from how to run practice to proper skill development.

The Manager/Coach is responsible for:

·         Overall team leadership and accountability

·         Teaching and demonstration of good sportsmanship by respecting the rules, opponents, officials,                          teammates, and League personnel.

·         Team/parent communication (rules, schedules, rosters, league events, etc.)

·         Practice planning and game strategy/preparations

·         Attendance at mandatory manager/coaching clinics

·         Field preparation and clean-up

·         Maintaining all issued equipment in good and clean condition

The Manager/Coach will:

·        Encourage all players (regardless of team) and not damage the self-esteem of any player.

·        Encourage all team members to treat all teammates, coaches, officials, and parents with respect.

·        Emphasize and foster a team atmosphere rather than individual achievements.

·        Treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development              for the age group being managed/coached.

·        Lead by example in shaping acceptable behavior patterns, whether the team wins or loses.

·        Exercise their leadership role but leave the outcome of the game in the hands of the players.

·        Respect the judgment and position of authority of the umpire (including youth and parent volunteer                       umpires).

·        Have open, productive, and strong communication with players, parents, umpires, and League                                    personnel.

·        Understand and comply with all League rules, direction/philosophies, regulations, code of conduct, and                facility use policies.

The Manager/Coach will not:

·        Engage in the use of profanity or other offensive language.

·        Become “physical” (includes physical and/or verbal) with any player, parent, league official, opposing                       coaching staff, umpire, or spectator.  Such actions are grounds for immediate removal as                                     manager/coach.

The coach selection process is not to deter volunteering, but to ensure every player is getting the best the league can offer.  We always need new managers/coaches at all levels to volunteer to ensure the overall success of the league.

Our Coaches Committee will ensure the selection process is completed in a thorough, objective manner whereby every applicant is treated fairly and given an equal opportunity to coach for Champlain Valley Little League.   The Coaches Committee will do its best to select the most suitable candidate for each team with the interest of the players and the organization coming first.  Any Board member that is a part of the Coaches Committee but wants to be considered for a manager/coach position will recuse themselves from the selection process.

Any person interested in managing/coaching a team must register as a volunteer coach on the League website and complete a background screening.  They must also submit (by a deadline set by the Coaches Committee) an email to Champlain Valley Little League at [email protected] with the following information:

·        Name

·        Division interested in managing/coaching

·        Relevant coaching experience (baseball/softball and other)

·        A statement on whether you have participated or plan to participate in training programs offered or recommended by CVLL

·        A brief statement on why you are well qualified to manage/coach the team you are seeking to manage/coach.

Once the application process is completed, the Coaches Committee will review each candidate and consider their qualifications.  The Committee reserves the right to select managers/coaches based on submitted information or, if deemed necessary, an interview process.  If there are no manager/coach candidates for a team, the Committee will search for a qualified volunteer.  The Coaches Committee will communicate directly with the selected applicants to advise them of their manager/coach team assignment.  The Coaches Committee will also communicate the manager/coach selections for each division to the Board.

No candidate is guaranteed a manager/coaching position year-to-year.  It is possible that not all candidates will be selected to manage/coach.

The selection and number of the assistant coaches will be at the discretion of the Manager and must meet all criteria noted above and approved by the Coaches Committee.

The All Star Manager Selection Process will be conducted within the same guidelines laid out above.  In order to be considered for an All Star managing position, a person must have been either a Manager, or a rostered Assistant Coach, for a team at the AAA or Majors level.  They also must also commit to managing throughout the All Star season and not miss a game due to coaching any other sport.  Deadlines for applying to be an All Star Manager will be set and announced by the Coaches Committee.

The selection of the assistant coaches will be at the discretion of the All Star Manager and must meet all criteria noted above and approved by the Coaches Committee.