“We’re delighted to grow our coverage of the Little League regional semis,” said Len DeLuca, ESPN senior vice president, programming and acquisitions.  “The Little League World Series merits more national attention as one of the leading sports events in the dog days of summer.  We can capture more stories from expanding our coverage of the eight regionals in the United States.”

ESPN and its family of networks have expanded its coverage of Little League Baseball’s Regional Tournaments by 14 games.  Last year, ESPN televised eight Little League Baseball regional tournament games, all championship contests.  This year ESPN will again cover all eight regional championship games in addition to selected semifinal games in regional play.  ESPN platforms will provide coverage of 22 Little League Baseball International Tournament games leading up to their coverage of the Little League Baseball World Series.

Beginning Aug. 10, ESPN has added the Southwest Region semifinals from Waco, Texas; the two semifinal games from the Mid-Atlantic Region in Bristol, Conn.; semifinal games in the Great Lakes and Midwest Regions held in Indianapolis, Ind., and semifinals games in the Northwest and West Regions played in San Bernardino, Calif.; and, the Southeast Region semifinals in Warner Robins, Ga.

Twelve of the games will be televised on ESPN2, with the games also available on ESPN3.com.  Two of the games will be exclusive to ESPN3.com.

“We are pleased ESPN has decided to expand its coverage of the Little League Baseball International Tournament,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said.  “I think this shows ESPN believes the core values of Little League Baseball and Softball are meaningful to its viewers.  There also is an increasing fan interest in tournament play in all eight divisions of Little League tournament play.  We are thankful to have ESPN as a media partner to help us promote the benefits of the Little League experience.”

With the additional games, ESPN and its family of networks will air up to 56 games of the Little League Baseball International Tournament and a total of 65 games across the eight divisions of play in the Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournaments.  All games will be televised live.

The entire schedule of Little League Baseball and Softball International Tournament games expected to be televised will be released in June.

The only regional semifinals not on ESPN will be the games in the New England Region, which will be televised on NESN (New England Sports Network).

Stealing Home

It is required that the manager and coach have understanding, patience and the capacity to work with children. The manager and coach should be able to inspire respect. Above all else, managers and coaches must realize that they are helping to shape the physical, mental and emotional development of young people.

The Little League manager must be something more than just a teacher. Knowledge of the game is essential but it is not the only badge of a Little League coach or manager.

While an adult with training and background in the game is a desirable candidate for manager or coach, league screening committees should look for other important qualities. Screening of managers, coaches and others at the local league level who have contact with children is also important in attempting to discover those with a history of child abuse.

The heart of Little League is what happens between the adult manager/coach and player. It is the manager more than any other individual who controls the situation in which the players may be benefited. Improving the level of leadership in this vital area must be a continuing effort.

Children of Little League age are strongly influenced by adults whose ideals and aspirations are similar to their own. The manager/coach and player share a common interest in the game, a desire to excel, and determination to win. Children often idolize their managers and coaches, not because the adult is the most successful coach or mentor, but because the manager and coach are sources of inspiration.

Managers and coaches must be adults who are sensitive to the mental and physical limitations of children of Little League age and who recognize that the game is a vehicle of training and enjoyment, not an end in itself. It has been stated many times that the program of Little League can only be as good as the quality of leadership in the managing and coaching personnel. New leagues particularly, should make a determined effort to enlist the best adults in the community to serve as managers and coaches.

Anyone interested in being a Little League manager or coach should contact their local league president in person, and be willing to undergo a screening process that may include a background check, as well as interviews of those with personal knowledge of your qualifications.

The best way to train and qualify Little League managers and coaches is through the Little League Education Program for Managers and Coaches. A wide variety of materials are available for players and adults, as well as clinics and seminars led by experienced experts. You can learn more about this program by hitting the “back” button on your browser and clicking on “Education Programs.”

Who is responsible for the conduct of the manager and coach? First and foremost, it is the manager or coach themselves. Each of us in Little League must take responsibility for our own actions.

However, as the chief administrator, the president selects and appoints the managers and coaches. As such, no person becomes a manager or coach without the approval of the president. All appointments are subject to final approval by the local league’s board of directors.

Only the local Little League board of directors has the authority to remove or suspend a manager or coach. If a parent or anyone else is dissatisfied with a manager or coach, they must present the issue to the local league president and board of directors. Because the local league president and board of directors are closest to the situation, it would be a disservice if Little League Headquarters became involved in disputes or personality conflicts between managers/coaches and parents.

However, any person who believes that a manager or coach (or any other Little League personnel) is, or has been, violently or sexually abusive to children should report the situation immediately to Little League Baseball International Headquarters as well as to the local police. It is Little League policy that no person who has a history of sexual abuse toward children be given any volunteer responsibilities in Little League. Read more about the Little League Child Protection Program.

Injury Prevention

• Make sure that all team equipment has been inspected by a Little League official to ensure that it is functioning properly.
• Make sure that children do not climb on fences surrounding the playing fields.
• Check playing fields before games and practices for holes, large rocks or sticks, and anything else that may cause interference for players.
• Make sure that players warm up and stretch before practices and games.
• Make sure that your child drinks plenty of fluids not only while playing, but also throughout the day before practices and games.
• Treat minor injuries with RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
• Post warning signs in foul ball areas.
• Enforce bike helmet laws if children are riding to/from playing facilities.
• Be sure that you have enough seatbelts for everyone in the vehicle when you are transporting players.
• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion when playing in extreme heat.
• Schedule practices before noon or in the evening to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
• Schedule multiple drink breaks during practices and games.

Inclement Weather
Be aware of threatening weather. Practices and games should be stopped immediately at the first sign of lightning and shelter should be sought immediately.

Your child’s coach should contact you via phone regarding the postponement or cancellation of games. Occasionally, the umpire is required to call a game prior to its completion. When this occurs, your child’s coach will inform you about make-up dates.

Should you encounter a tornado, seek shelter in a nearby permanent building. If not available, head for a low spot such as a ditch or ravine and cover your head. Do not seek shelter in automobiles or attempt to outrun tornadoes in your vehicle.

Stranger Danger
Teach children the dangers of talking to and accepting anything from strangers. This includes someone who may offer to play “catch” with them or to give them a ride home.

Tell children to report any stranger who approaches them. Make sure that at least one adult remains until all children have been picked up from practices and games.

Give your child a code word to use when you have someone else pick him/her up. This way your child will know not to go with a stranger who does not know your code word.

Do not put the names of players on uniforms or openly on equipment. This will prevent strangers from being able to convince children that they know them.

Cleaning Your Uniform
Most Little League uniforms are made of cotton and polyester. To remove stains caused by grass or dirt, it is important to wash your uniform as soon as possible. Gently rubbing a mix of cool water and a small amount of liquid or powdered detergent directly onto the stained area before washing will help prevent the stain from setting in.

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  • I will teach all children to play fair and do their best.
  • I will positively support all managers, coaches and players.
  • I will respect the decisions of the umpires.
  • I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game.

Your willingness to exchange time and effort for your child’s benefit and enjoyment is very important to the functioning of your local Little League. Cheering your daughter or son on from the stands is one important way to be involved, but we invite you to do even more by volunteering to help run your local Little League program.

Without a doubt, Little League is a family affair that gives parents and children a common ground for spending time together. Whether you are coaching the players, selling popcorn to the fans, or bringing soda for the team after the game, your family will enjoy being a part of Little League in your community. Most of all, your will appreciate the benefits of your enthusiasm and involvement in his or her activities.

When winning is kept in perspective, there is room for fun in the pursuit of victory or more accurately, the pursuit of victory is fun. With your leadership Little League can help your child learn to accept responsibilities, accept others and most of all, accept her – or himself.

Keeping Winning in Perspective

Are you able to keep winning in perspective? You might answer with a confident yes, but will you be able to do so when it is your child who is winning or losing, when your child is treated a bit roughly by someone on the other team, or when the umpire makes a judgment against your child? Parents are sometimes unprepared for the powerful emotions they experience when watching their sons and daughters compete.

One reason that parents’ emotions run to high is that they want their children to do well; it reflects on them. They also may believe that their children’s failures are their own. Parents need to realize that dreams of glory they have for their youngsters are not completely unselfish, but they are completely human. Parents who are aware of their own pride, who are even capable of being amused by their imperfections, can keep themselves well under control.
Being a Model of Good Sportsmanship

Flying off the handle at games or straining relations with the coach or other parents creates a difficult situation for your child. Just as you don’t want your daughter or son to embarrass you, don’t embarrass your Little Leaguer.

It’s no secret that kids imitate their parents. In addition, they absorb the attitudes they think lie behind their parents’ actions. As you go through the Little League season with your child, be a positive role model. How can you expect your child to develop a healthy perspective about competing and winning if you display an unhealthy one? Remember Little league is supposed to be a fun experience for your child, and one in which he or she will learn some sport skills. Winning will take care of itself.

Some parents seem to abandon good principles of child rearing when their child is participating in sports. However, just as your child’s home, school, and religious environment affect the type of person he or she will be, so does the sport environment especially when your child is young. Remember this:

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with praise, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they have to have a goal.
If children live with honesty, they learn what trust is.

Note: From “Great Projects Report,” Baltimore Bulletin of Education, 1965-1966, 42 (3).
Parents’ Checklist for Success

Here is a list of questions you should consider when your child begins playing Little league. If you can honestly answer yes to each one, you will find little trouble ahead.

• Can you share your son or daughter?This means trusting the coach to guide your child’s Little League experiences. It means accepting the coach’s authority and the fact that he or she may gain some of your child’s admiration that once was directed toward you.
• Can you admit your shortcomings?Sometimes we slip up as parents, our emotions causing us to speak before we think. We judge our child too hastily, perhaps only to learn later the child’s actions were justified. It takes character for parents to admit they made a mistake and to discuss it with their child.
• Can you accept your child’s disappointments?Sometimes being a parent means being a target for a child’s anger and frustration. Accepting your child’s disappointment also means watching your child play poorly during a game when all of his or her friends succeed, or not being embarrassed into anger when your 10-year-old breaks into tears after a failure. Keeping your frustration in check will help you guide your son or daughter through disappointments.
• Can you accept your child’s triumphs?This sound much easier than it often is. Some parents, not realizing it, may become competitive with their daughter or son, especially if the youngster receives considerable recognition. When a child plays well in a game, parents may dwell on minor mistakes, describe how an older brother or sister did even better, or boast about how they played better many years ago.
• Can you give your child some time?Some parents are very busy, even though they are interested in their child’s participation and want to encourage it. Probably the best solution is never to promise more than you can deliver. Ask about your child’s Little league experiences, and make every effort to watch at least some games during the season.
• Can you let your child make his or her own decisions?Decisions making is an essential part of young person’s development, and it is a real challenge to parents. It means offering suggestions and guidance but finally, within reasonable limits, letting the child go his or her own way. All parents have ambitions for their children, but parents must accept the fact that they cannot mold their children’s lives. Little League offers parents a minor initiation into the major process of letting go.

Throughout the guide Dr. Martens discusses your responsibilities as a Little League parent. Here we summarize the major responsibilities for you to review.

Parents Responsibilities

1. Let your child choose to play Little League and to quit if he or she does not enjoy baseball or softball. Encourage participation, but don’t pressure.
2. Understand what your child wants from participating in Little League and provide a supportive atmosphere for achieving these goals.
3. Set limits on your child’s participation in baseball or softball. You need to determine when she or he is physically and emotionally ready to play and to insure that the conditions for playing are safe.
4. Make certain your child’s coach is qualified to guide your child through the Little League experience.
5. Keep winning in perspective by remembering Athletes First, Winning Second. Instill this perspective in your child.
6. Help your child set realistic goals about his or her own performance so success is guaranteed.
7. Help your child understand the experiences associated with competitive sports so she or he can learn the valuable lessons sports can teach.
8. Discipline your when he or she misbehaves, breaks the rules, or is uncooperative or uncontrollable.
9. Turn your child over to the coach at practices and games, and avoid meddling or becoming a nuisance.

Little League should not demand all of your child’s leisure time. She or he should have the opportunity to learn other sports and recreational skills as well as to attend to schoolwork and the natural pursuits of youth. We urge you once again to let your children determine the degree of his or her commitment to Little League without pressure from you or the coach.

For most 8-year-olds, two or three 1 hour practices a week and one or two games is about right The season should not be too long, either 8 to 12 weeks is enough. As a child’s age, skill, fitness, and interest increase, so too can the length and frequency of practices and games.
What is the risk of injury to my child in Little League?

We know that injuries constitute one of parents’ foremost concerns, and rightly so. Injuries seem to be inevitable in any rigorous activity, especially if players are new to the sport and unfamiliar with its demands. But because of the safety precautions taken in Little League, severe injuries such as bone fractures are infrequent. Most injuries are sprains and strains, abrasions and cuts and bruises. The risk of serious injury in Little League Baseball is far less than the risk of riding a skateboard, a bicycle, or even the school bus.
Can I help my child’s performance through her or his diet?

Not only can you help your child perform, you can help him or her establish healthy eating habits for life. Explain to your Little Leaguer that the body is like an engine; it runs as well as the fuel it has to burn. “Junk food” is junk fuel, which causes the engine to sputter. “High performance” fuel comes from a diet that’s good for all of us one high in complex carbohydrates (60%) and low in fat (20%) and protein (20%).

It can be, if your child is made to feel that self-worth depends on how she or he plays baseball. When the things most important to your child such as love and approval are made contingent on how well he or she hits and fields, your child is likely to experience high levels of stress. But fortunately, research has shown, this doesn’t happen very often. For the great majority of children, baseball is no more stressful than many other activities in which they participate. When coaches and parents keep winning in proper perspective, Little League rarely causes too much stress.
But what if my child appears to be overly stressed?

Begin by talking with your child, and perhaps to the coach, to uncover the cause of the problem. Almost always the stress is caused by anxiety about how the coach, teammates, or you will feel about your child if she or he performs poorly. Help your Little Leaguer understand that striving to win is important, but that his or her worthiness as a person is not determined by how well he or she plays or whether the team wins or loses the game. When young people know that their self-worth is not determined by their batting averages or fielding percentages, they are likely to fin Little League to be overly stressful.
Can my child care too much about Little League?

It is good for children to be committed to activities like baseball, to care about how they perform, and to push themselves to achieve excellence. Developing commitment is a useful lifetime skill. Let your child care, and care with your child. But sometimes children care too much: They equate their self-worth with winning and losing, they mope around the house endlessly after a loss, they ignore their other responsibilities. When this occurs, it is your job to help your child put things in perspective.
What do I say after a game when my child did not play well?

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to your child after a disappointing outcome. When children know they did not play well, they don’t want to be told “You played great!” And when they have just lost a game they do not want to hear “It’s really not important.” At the moment , it is important to them, and they expect to be permitted the dignity of their unhappiness.

Although parents mean well, comments like these sound superficial and reflect a lack of sincerity. Children seem to have a built-in apparatus for detecting “phony” comments, and they resent them deeply. When parents are insincere or provide false praise, the child learns to place less value on their words and later may be unable to get full satisfaction from deserved praise. In short, be generous with praise and sparing with criticism, but don’t be a phony.
Should parents attend practices and games?

Attending a few practices during the season so you can see what your child is learning is a good idea, but always being there may not be. We encourage you to attend all your Little Leaguer’s games, but if your presence appears to make your child nervous, it may be better not to go to the games until your child gains more confidence in her or his playing abilities. The best way to find out if you should attend practices and games is to ask your child if he or she would like you to come!
What if my child misbehaves?

Throughout this guide we have placed most of the burden for a successful sport program on adults you as the parent and your child’s coach. But sometimes children misbehave they break the rules or are uncooperative, uncontrollable, or irresponsible. Children should be helped to understand that they have obligations to their parents and to the coach when they become part of the Little League team. They are responsible for cooperating with coaches and teammates, for being prompt to practice and games, and for managing their own conduct. When children misbehave, the coach has some right and responsibility to discipline them. Ultimately, however, the responsibility to discipline belongs to you, you must fulfill it wisely.

Little league encourages awards of honor certificates, team pictures, and inexpensive medals or pins at the end of the season. Are these awards desirable?

Children wish to be recognized for their accomplishments just as adults do. Giving children recognition for their achievements is fine as long as the rewards are not extravagant and they are awarded fairly. The danger in these practices occurs when children lose perspective about the significance of such recognition, wanting to play only when tangible rewards are at stake. You need to help your child see these rewards merely as recognition for past accomplishments, not guarantees of future success. Your child needs to realize that these extrinsic rewards are only one benefit of sport participation and that the more important outcomes are the intrinsic rewards of fun and satisfaction.

Of course, we cannot tell you about your child’s particular coach; you will need to find that out. But we can tell you some things about Little League coaches in general. They come from all walks of life, motivated by their love of baseball and their desire to teach young people. All Little League coaches are volunteers; two of every three have children participating in the program. They donate many hours a week throughout the season to coach your child and other young athletes.

Unfortunately, as in many human endeavor, there are a few “bad apples” in the coaching world. Little League does all it can to eliminate ( or reeducate) them, but once in while a poor coach slips through. Thus, it is important that you make sure your child’s coach acts in your son’s or daughter’s best interest.
Evaluating Your Child’s Coach

Use the Coach Evaluation Checklist to help you find out about the person with whom you are going to entrust the welfare of you child.

• Coaching Philosophy
  Does the coach keep winning and losing in perspective, or is this person a win-at-all -costs coach?
  Does the coach make sure that learning baseball is fun?
• Motives
  What are the coach’s motives for coaching?
  Does the coach seek personal recognition at the expense of the players?
• Knowledge
  Does the coach know the rules and skills of the sport?
  Does the coach know how to teach those skills to young people?
• Leadership
  Does the coach permit players to share in leadership and decision making, or does he or she call all the shots?
  Is the coach’s leadership built on intimidation or mutual respect?
• Self-Control
  Does the coach display the self-control expected of the players, or does she or he fly off the handle frequently?
  When kids make mistakes, does the coach build them up or put them down?
• Understanding
  Is the coach sensitive to the emotions of the players or so wrapped up in his or her own emotions that the kids’ feelings are forgotten?
  Does the coach understand the unique make-up of each child, treating children as individuals?
• Communication
  Do the coach’s words and actions communicate positive or negative feelings?
  Does the coach know when to talk and when to listen?
• Consistency
  Does the coach punish one youngster but not another for the same behavior?
  Is the coach hypocritical, saying one thing and then doing another?
• Respect
  Do the players respect and listen to what the coach says?
  Do the players look up to the coach as a person to emulate?
• Enthusiasm
  Does the coach demonstrate enthusiasm, for coaching baseball?
  Does the coach know how to build enthusiasm among the players?

There are several ways to learn more about your child’s coach. Don’t feel you are snooping; you are fulfilling your obligation as a responsible parent!

1. Talk with the coach to find out answers to the questions in the checklist.
2. Observe the coach in practice and games.
3. Talk with other parents who have had children play under this coach.

Remember, no coach will be perfect (just as you are not a perfect parent), but you need to be satisfied that your child’s coach meets some minimum standards.
Dealing With Unsatisfactory Coaching

Parents often have a difficult time dealing with their child’s coach when they decide that he or she is coaching in a unsatisfactory way. Thoughtful parents are reluctant to interfere and hesitant to remove their child from the team. Children may resent being forced to quit; they fear losing face and may enjoy the sport so much that they want to continue participating in spite of a poor coach. Parents must use good judgment in such situations, communicating with both the child and the coach to resolve the problem.

We recommend that you begin by discussing the problem with the coach. Explain your concern and then listen to the coach’s perspective.

If the problem with the coach is not severe, consider taking special steps with your child explain the coach’s unsatisfactory behavior when it occurs. When children have help to recognize negative behavior, they often can learn positive lessons. For example, if the coach throws a temper tantrum whenever a player makes an error, help your child understand that this reaction is the coach’s problem of self-control. Explain that mistakes are part of learning. Make it clear that you value the improvement your child continues to show, despite the coach’s negative reactions. This intervention requires wise counsel and time on your part to avoid pitting your child against the coach’s methods or philosophy.

If discussing the issue with the coach does not resolve the problem, then you need to consider going to your local Little League officials. If they cannot remedy the problem to your satisfaction, then determine the feasibility of transferring your daughter or son to another team.

If all these fail, and you consider the problem to be bad enough, you may need to remove your child from Little League. If the coach’s actions are illegal, then of course you need to contact the appropriate legal authorities.
Helping Your Child’s Coach

Remember that most coaches are striving to do the best they can. You can help make the coach’s job a bit easier, as well as help your child enjoy Little League more, by doing the following things:

1. Let your child know you support his or her participation in Little League. Get involved volunteer your time in the league, practice with your athlete, attend games, and show that you care.
2. Provide your child with proper equipment and encourage its correct use.
3. Monitor your child’s participation so that you know how your child is developing.
4. Do not interfere with the coach unless the coach has clearly erred.
5. Keep the coach informed if your child is injured or ill.
6. Make certain your child is sleeping and eating property.
7. Help the coach when asked to do so. You might be needed to raise funds, drive kids to games, keep score, or even be an assistant coach.
8. Keep control of yourself show by your example how you want your child to behave on and off the field.