If you are an adult who enjoys mentoring kids, would like to give back to the community and loves the game of baseball, please consider becoming a manager for a SCLL team. This season we will be organizing teams for Tee Ball, Farm, A, AA, AAA, Majors and Intermediate (50/70). You do not have to be a parent of a Little League player to manage a team.

Managing youth baseball can be an awesome, rewarding experience. SCLL provides a lot of support for managers and coaches through clinics, seminars, mentoring and other resources. Experience is not necessary.  Learn more about what is expected of Little League managers below. 

Manager interest forms are required for new and returning managers for AA, AAA, Majors and 50-70 ONLY. Managers for Tee Ball, Farm and A do not need to complete the Manager Interest Form. Just be sure to note your interest during the registration process. Please make a copy or print out the Manager Interest Form below and return the completed application no later than November 30th, 2022. Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected] (preferred) or mailed to SCLL at PO Box 1723, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. 

Interviews by the Manager Selection Committee will take place December 12th-14th in the evening (exact times TBA). You will be notified of the date and time for your interview. Managers and coaches, like all volunteers in Little League, are required to complete a background check. Following the interviews, the Manager Selection Committee will present its recommendations to the SCLL Board of Directors and candidates will be notified.

Important dates for 2022/23:

Manager applications due: November 30th
Manager interviews: December 12th - December 14th
Manager selection: January 5th, 2023
Player draft: January 14th/15th (for AA, AAA and Majors Divisions)
Practices Begin: Late January
Manager safety meeting: Mid February

Please note: We don’t know how many managers we will need each year until player registration is near completion. Please remember that even if you are registered and approved as a manager, that does not mean that you are guaranteed to get a team.

The Little League manager and coach must be leaders. All must recognize that they hold a position of trust and responsibility in a program that deals with a sensitive and formative period of a child’s development.

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.

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE MANAGER

1. Are aware that they are ALWAYS an example to those around them.

2. Demonstrate that they have an appreciation of the philosophy of Little League Baseball and cooperate with others in making the program beneficial to kids.

3. Show by example that they respect the judgment and the authority of the Umpire, and instill in their players a respect for authority of adult leaders.

4. Exercise their leadership role adequately but leave the ball game in the hands of the players.

5. Reflect an understanding of the age group being supervised.

6. Provide an equal opportunity for each child to participate.

7. Encourage their players at every opportunity. Familiarize themselves with the home background of the children and their families.

8. Instill a desire to improve the players’ skills and baseball knowledge.

9. Encourage good health habits, good grooming, and respect and care of the uniform.

10. Are instrumental in shaping acceptable behavior in winning and in losing.

11. Assure that parents and spectators understand and adhere to the Code of Conduct.

12. Know the playing rules and regulations of Little League.

13. Are willing to accept the training and advice of the League leaders.

14. Attend coach clinics, first aid and safety training courses of the League.

15. Have an adequate knowledge of the League’s safety program.

16. Are aware that they have been selected by the League after background check.

If you have been a coach in the past and you are considering making the move to manager, this is a great article about things to consider.