quote:

1. Best fielder at pitcher
2. Best catcher at first
3. Space out the better hitters through the lineup so that someone is on base when they hit
4. Set tee up so they hit down third base line
5. Let other team load the bases and teach the pitcher to run home with the ball

1&2 Spot on.

3. Depends on the players. I’ve had teams where I staggered my lineup & teams where I front loaded the shite out of it and played to where I knew that I was going to score a bunch every other inning (anything in between was a bonus). It’s something you will have to figure out year to year.

4.Do this until you load the bases then hit down the first base line.

5. Any time I played a team that pulled this we hit it down the first base line and made them pay dearly. This isn’t teaching them the game. How are the other kids going to learn anything from the pitcher holding the ball every play. There needs to be a balance between learning and winning at that age.

To the OP:

Hold a meeting with the parents and let them know that you are the coach, what you hope to accomplish, what you expect out of them and their children. Most of all they need to know that you are running the show and while you will listen to any concerns that they have (AFTER practice/games) that everything is your call. If they doesn’t like where little Bobby is playing/ hitting in the batting order, then they should have signed up to coach. On that note, let them know that you do not tolerate coaching through the fence. They need to hear one voice (yours) not fourteen people screaming from the stands where to go with the ball.

Teach fundamentals.

It’s supposed to be fun for them, winning is also fun find a balance.

Do not put a kid who doesn’t have the skill set in a position that could get them hurt just to be fair to everyone.

Remember that they have short attention spans at that age.

Take as much time (maybe more) with the bottom four or five on the roster. As they get older this can be the difference between winning and losing.

Be prepared to have your patience tested.

Maybe most importantly, FIND A GOOD TEAM MOM. I can’t stress this enough. She will keep things organized, schedules in order, ect, ect. The only thing that you need to worry with is the kids on the field.