We designed our Coach in Training program for ages 13 and 14 over 30 years ago with one thing in mind: developing our communities next generation of doers, motivators and technical instructors. Our CIT’s are treated as part of our staff, same outfits, same morning staff circle before we start. They coach on field during drills, hit fungo’s, throw batting practice, pick up trash, manage a team during game time, learn to water and rake the infield and find ways to meaningfully encourage our players. Almost all our current top coaches and camp advisors are alumni of our CIT program.
What Coaches in Training Can Expect:
- Safety. No Compromise
- Respect
- Understanding
- Support and patience from experienced coaches
- Clear commands
- Encouragement
- Tools they need
- Breaks if they need one
- Older coaches who want to work to see them succeed and gain promotion
- Direct communication with camp leadership if they have questions
What We Expect From Coaches in Training:
- Safety. No Compromise
- Be 15 minutes early, not on time
- Look sharp!
- Positive Mental Attitude
- Others centered outlook
- Curiosity about our work and craft of coaching
- Carry a small notebook and pen
- Learn to MTFI folks (Make Them Feel Important)
- Develop a willingness to learn from mistakes and grow higher
- Consider leaving the cell phone at home
We welcome a small number of CIT’s each week. Space is limited. There is no cost. A parent or guardian just needs to register them. Baseball experience and being a Home Run Baseball alumni helps, but its not a roadblock to success as a coach. Qualities like hustle, outgoing social skills, genuineness, sense of humor, reliability, optimism, splash of blue collar work ethic, enthusiasm and industriousness are the bedrock of successful coaches. And an applicant who wants to be there. This won’t work well if the parents want this when their son or daughter doesn’t. I say that with respect.
We almost always consider our CIT’s first if paying jobs at age 15 come open. Everyone is welcome, but our Coach in Training program isn’t for everyone.
We only want coaches in training who can spend the entire camp day with us. We receive many more applications than we can accommodate. We make exceptions for doctors appointments and summer school. Coaches in training who cannot do the whole day all week and be part of the team should look elsewhere for opportunities.
Coaches in Training will receive staff mesh shorts, several shirts and a bucket hat. They need to pack lunch. I suggest leaving their phone at home and bring a book. Bench Tik Tok and get Hemingway in the lineup. Our camp day is 7:45am to 3:45pm for the whole staff.
Through the years I have accepted invitations to be a guest coach and trainee for a few days or weeks at a time with other organizations to hone my own skill set. They include the Seattle Mariners minor league spring training, Los Angeles Dodgers Academy in the Dominican Republic, the Chiba Lotte Marines in Tokyo, the New York Mets grounds crew under Pete Flynn, the New York Yankees grounds crew and the Cuban National Team in Havana. Every single person I encountered on those journeys extended their hands in friendship and respect. That’s how I want our coaches in training to be treated.
And, yes, families, parents and guardians are always welcome to come to the park and watch your son or daughter coach ’em up! Tell ’em I invited you!
All the best,
John McCarthy Director
Resgister to be a
Coach in Training
To be considered as a Coach in Training, please contact Coach McCarthy and provide:
- Name
- Age
- Parent/Guardian Phone Number
- Camp Location you’d like to work
- Weeks you’d like to work
(Limit to 2 total for 13 yrs olds / 3 weeks for 14 yr olds and weeks do not need to be consecutive)
