News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
McMinnville Parks and Recreation is searching for youth baseball and softball coaches to keep up with one of the highest spring registrations in league history.
McMinnville Athletic Coordinator Terry Beard said the pool of players is increasing every year. He said with over 500 kids signed up, five of the 40 teams are without a coach. Beard said coaching is a valuable opportunity to teach kids lessons about life and teamwork.
“We enjoy watching them as the year goes on,” Beard said. “Sometimes they don’t know how to hit the ball or how to catch the ball or that sort of thing, and as the year goes on, we watch those kids improve and get better and better and it’s very satisfying to see more and more kids get involved.”
Beard said three-year-old boys and five-year-old girls’ tee-ball teams have the greatest need. He said for that age, little experience is required from a coach. He said in today’s day and age, parents willing to coach can find plenty of helpful coaching tips online. He said if he can find the needed coaches, he hopes to start the league in mid-April.
“I love baseball,” Beard said. “I think baseball’s important. I think kids playing team sports is important. They learn lessons that they can carry on through the rest of their life. It teaches them how to be a team player, how to take direction, and how to do their part in the team advancing.”
He said if enough coaches do not sign up, teams may be pushed to 12-player rosters rather than 10, cutting down on playing time. Beard said in the past, he has coached teams temporarily until a parent agreed to step up and lead the team through the rest of the season. He said potential coaches can get applications from the parks and recreation office, present a valid driver’s license, and take a quick online CDC concussion prevention training course.
“With the addition of extra kids, that calls for extra coaches and extra sponsors,” Beard said.
Beard said with older age groups, he would prefer for coaches to have some prior coaching experience or have played baseball or softball in the past. He said many parents are already equipped with the knowledge needed to coach the younger teams with the most need.
