PRE-GAME PREPARATION

• Arrive early (at least 30 minutes before game time) to set up equipment, warm up players, and review lineups.
  
  
• Check the field for hazards-remove debris, inspect bases, and ensure equipment is properly placed.
  
  
• Review rules and safety procedures with umpires and opposing coaches before the game begins.
  
  
• Confirm that all players are properly equipped (helmets, cleats, Cather"s gear, etc.).
  
  
• Have first aid supplies and emergency contact readily available.
  

DUGOUT & PLAYER MANAGEMENT

• Keep the dugout organized and supervised at all times - no climbing fences, throwing bats, or roughhousing.
  
  
• Assign a bench coach or team parent to help manage player rotation, gear, and hydration.
  
  
• Encourage positive sportsmanship - players should cheer for their team respectfully.
  
  
• Maintain a clear batting order and ensure players know when they are on deck.
  
  
• Rotate positions to ensure all players receive fair playing time as required by Little League rules.

GAME FLOW AND COMMUNICATION

• Communicate respectfully with umpires, opposing coaches, and scorekeepers at all times.
  
  
• Keep the game moving by being ready between innings - defensive players take the field quickly, and the first batter should be ready.
  
  
• Encourage players to hustle on and off the field to maintain pace of play.
  
  
• Limit mound visits and conferences unless absolutely necessary to avoid unnecessary delays.
  
  
• Keep track of pitch counts and follow all pitching regulations to protect youn arms.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND CONDUCT

• Model good sportsmanship - coaches set the tone for the team's behavior.
  
  
• Praise effort and improvement, not just results.
  
  
• Remind players and parents that umpire decisions are final; protests or arguments are not permitted.
  
  
• Address any unsportsmanlike behavior immediately and calmly.
  
  
• After the game, line up for handshakes and thank the umpires and opponents.

POST-GAME WRAP-UP

• Ensure all equipment is collected and stored properly.
  
  
• Gather the team for a brief, positive recap-highlight effort, teamwork, and improvement.
  
  
• Record and report scores, pitch counts, and incidents to the League as required.
  
  
• Remind players and parents of the next game or practice.
  
  
• Always leave the dugout and field clean and free of trash.

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY AWARENESS

• Always have a first aid kit and now the location of the nearest AED.
  
  
• Be aware of player health concerns (allergies, asthma, etc.) before the game.
  
  
• Follow heat, lightening, and weather safety protocols - when in doubt, postpone play.
  
  
• Keep hydration breaks frequent, especially on hot days.

• Rake the field after you use it. This should be done even in-between games (infield).
  
  
• Lock field up if you are the last to leave (if in doubt, lock it up anyway). The preferred method is to have the lock go through the eye hole to lock the gate.
  
  
• Lock the equipment container. When this one gets left open it invites vandalism. So if you are not sure if you are the last one, lock it anyway.
  
  
• Clean up the dugouts after every game and practice. No trash should be left behind.
  
  
• Empty the trash - There are bags in every container near the fields. If you see it is over 1/2 full (or smells) please empty it.
  
  
• Anytime, especially SATURDAYS, if we have had bad weather the night before or morning of, we need all hands-on-deck to get the fields ready. We can use your help at 8AM  on SATURDAY since we have 9AM Tee Ball games. If you have a 2PM game, and the 9AM game cannot get started on time, then the whole day will be behind. (NOTE: THESE GAME TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING).
  
  
• The whole "home team setup / visiting team break down" is out the window when we have a rain issue. Please all, come to help even if you have an AFTERNOON OR EVENING game.
  
  
• IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, we try to make the call as early as possible. IT USUALLY TAKES 2 HOURS FOR THE FIELD TO DRY OUT AFTER THE WATER HAS BEEN CLEARED OUT. Sometimes everything is cancelled. Sometimes, we can push back the whole day. If you have an outside opponent, it is your responsibility to inform them. If they cannot make the proposed new time,  we can cancel the game and YOU inform your team. You must, keep the schedule when possible, and any reschedule must be approved BY THE VP OF BASEBALL/SOFTBALL and based on field availability. Many times, your own practice spot may be a good make up slot. Schedule requests are handled by Ray Porreca.
  
  
• As we get later into the season schedules get tight, and we need to be flexible to try to give the families enough games for their registration money. You may have to resort to double headers and home and away games on the same day. Hopefully, Nature cooperates, and we do not have many rainouts.

RAKING AND DRAGGING OF FIELDS:

 The raking and dragging of our fields are very important to the upkeep of our fields. Raking and dragging the fields will accomplish two things, (1) removal of divots from cleats and (2) fill in the low spots, which are usually in the sliding area in front of the bases and at the batter's box (BE SURE TO RAKE THE DIRT IN THOSE AREAS).

HOW TO RAKE:

1. Ranking should be done down the baselines. Raking should NEVER BE DONE SIDE TO SIDE.

• (Raking side to side will create lips on the base paths and create issues that will result in water retention on the field. We do not want this).

2. Fill in the mound. YES, the kids will dig it out again, but if it rains the low spot will fill up with water.

GETTING THE FIELD READY AFTER RAIN:

1. After the water has cleared out, it takes about 2 HOURS for the field to dry.

2. All of the standing water must be REMOVED. The easiest way to remove the water, but is a big mistake, is that most people will PUSH the water into the grass (DO NO ATTEMPT TO DO THIS). When you push with a broom or roller, you are pushing the dirt into the grass. By doing this you will add a BUMP that is created by other of buildup on the grass area. This will create bad hops and unplayable infields.

3. Once the standing water has been removed, you need to rake the dirt to mix saturated and not saturated dirt. This will also turn the dirt exposing the wet to air and sun. Be sure to rake in the direction ALONG the grass line, NOT INTO THE GRASS.

4. You can also add the SURFACE product, which is a dry mix. This product is better than the old "DIAMOND DRY", where it's not going to leave a hard, compact film on the infield if you use too much. The surface product should be applied by hand tossing it onto the wet infield areas and then rake it into the dirt. You will need to let the product work for 15-20 minutes, before you can add more. There will be multiple areas, so you can move to another spot and come back to the previous spot to follow up (YOU CAN REPEAT THIS AS NEEDED). 

• The Surface product is costly, please don't dump piles of it on the fields just to get a single game in on a Thursday night.

5. There are Shop Vac's, buckets, and shovels in the garage area. Also in the garage area is a pad that you can lay right on the puddle and SUCK off the water leaving the dirt (This will need a cordless drill).

HYDRATION SAFETY

Proper hydration is essential for all players to perform safely and avoid heat-related illnesses.

• Players should bring a filled water bottle to every practice and game.
  
  
• Water breaks should be scheduled at least every 20-30 minutes, more frequently in hot weather.
  
  
• Coaches should encourage players to drink before they feel thirsty.
  
  
• Sports drinks may be allowed for long or intense activities, but water is the preferred choice.
  
  
• Signs of dehydration (fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, confusion) should be treated immediately - stop the activity and rehydrate.
  
  
• On extremely hot days, shorten practices or add additional rest and hydration breaks.

WEATHER SAFETY

• Lighting & Thunder: Play must be suspended immediately if lightning is seen or thunder is heard. Players and spectators must move to a fully enclosed building or vehicle.
  
  
• Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before resuming play.
  
  
• Extreme Heat: Follow local heat index guidelines. Consider shorter games, increased hydration breaks, or rescheduling if temperatures or humidity are high.
  
  
• Cold Weather: Ensure players are dressed appropriately in layers. Avoid play in extreme cold or icy conditions.
  
  
• Rain: If the field becomes slippery, muddy, or unsafe, stop play. Avoid using metal bats during thunderstorms.
  
  
• Coaches and umpires should monitor weather apps or alerts throughout practices and games.

EQUIPMENT SAFETY CHECKS

• Before Each Game/Practice: Inspect helmets, bats, gloves, and catcher's gear for cracks, damage, or loose fittings.
  
  
• Check that batting helmets fit snugly and have face guards (face guards for softball only).
  
  
• Verify catcher's gear includes a full set: helmet with throat guard (throat guard optional), chest protector, leg guards, and athletic cup.
  
  
• Ensure bats are Little League approved and meet current regulations.
  
  
• No jewelry should be worn during play (except medical ID tags).
  
  
• Field Check: Coaches should walk the field before use to remove rocks, debris, or hazards.
  
  
• Damaged or non-compliant equipment must be removed from play immediately and reported to the Safety Officer.

NOTE:Before a coach can import their team into GameChanger, all coaches and players must first be assigned to a team in Sports Connect by the league administrator. Once that assignment is completed, coaches will then be able to import their team into GameChanger. After the schedule is entered into Sports Connect for that team, it should automatically sync and populate into GameChanger for that same team.