1. Bats are a safety issue...Keep all bats in one place on the field. Keep one parent there to supervise at all times.
2. Equipment will be lost: Tell parents to put players' last name and phone number on all personal equipment (i.e. under the bill of the cap).
3. Buying a glove: Find out which hand the player can throw most accurately with. Buy a glove for the opposite hand. Recommend a glove that closes easily.
4. Players do not know the field: For very young players, run them around the bases before each game.
5. Home plate is the most dangerous position: Always have a coach with the catcher to guard against the following:
   1. Batter throwing the bat
   2. Upcoming batters swinging the bat
   3. Catcher being hurt by runner from third
6. Rubber balls are a great training tool... Tell the parents and players to practice with a rubber ball at home. Rubber balls are more safe and rebound back to them.
7. Plastic sleeve for your team roster...Your copy will get a lot of wear and tear. You also need to keep your copy dry.
8. Alligator CHOMP...Have the players put their glove down close to the ground for grounders. Also, have them position the other hand on the heel of the glove. Otherwise, the ball may pop up and hit the player in the face.
9. Teach players to run through first base...Position a coach five to ten feet behind first base, and just outside the base line, to give each player a high five as they run through.
10. Call the ball...Teach players to call the ball while catching grounders; calling grounders makes it easier to teach them to call fly balls later in the season.
11. Use a longer base path if possible...Fifty to 60 feet between bases gives the defensive players time to get the ball and complete the play. A longer base path also gives you more room to place extra players in defensive positions.
12. Assume all batters are going to throw the bat... Place an object (i.e. a bat bag) down the first base line. Instruct all batters to carry the bat to that object and drop the bat at that point.
13. Batting tips...Repeatedly say, “Watch the ball until the ball hits the bat.”
14. If the player squares up to the plate, the ball will be hit to first base. Instruct the batter to move the lead foot back from the plate so the ball is not hit towards first base for an easy out.
15. Improving a hitters swing...Practice hitting from the tee into the back stop.
16. Pair left-handed coaches with right-handed batters (and right-handed coaches with left-handed batters). Have the coach stand on the other side of the tee from the player (mirror image) and show proper stance and swing. This gives the batters a good visual reference and the coaches can make corrections easily.Any coach may take a left-handed batters' stance, just be sure the hands and feet are placed in the correct position so the coach is a mirror image of the player(s).
17. Teaching players to watch the ball...Using a tee, draw a large black dot on the ball. Have the batter concentrate on hitting the dot and watching the dot until after their swing is complete. Using the tee helps to keep their swing level. They will get it - repetition is the key.
18. Improving throwing and catching... Put the gloves down and use a tennis or rubber ball. Roll grounders to them and instruct the players to use both hands. Get the players used to using both hands, then graduate to gloves. This drill may also be used to improve catching line drives or pop ups
19. Throwing Have the player(s) make an L shape with their throwing arm, and concentrate on hitting the coach's nose with the ball. Having a focal point helps players understand the ball will go where they aim. Your nose is about as good as focal point as any.

Helping kids to learn their positions

This probably sounds overly simple but during practices put out small orange cones where all the positions are located helping them find their way and keeps them from straying away. It also keeps them from swarming to the ball as I tell them to defend ‘their area’. During the first practice pair up the players giving them each a ‘treasure map’ showing the field and the position locations and would call out positions for them to run to. They get excited and working with a partner helps avoid any one player being embarrassed if they forget where to go.

Improving glove hand coordination

Cut off the bottom of a plastic gallon container. Turn the jug upside down with the handle in the glove hand of your player. Toss tennis balls to the player and have them catch the balls with the jug.

Batting techniques

Set the tee even with the players belly button and have them extend their arms fully. Say, "measure up," and explain to the batter how hitting the ball on the fat part of the bat makes the ball go further. This helps each batter stand the appropriate distance away from the ball, and swing level. Have the parent and players, who are waiting to bat, encourage the batter.