Registration for the 2025 Coach-in-Training in Brooklyn, NY
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 CITs 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 (when a week fills up, there will be no waiting list, that week will be closed). There is no cost. A parent or guardian just needs to register them. Baseball experience and being a Home Run Baseball alumnus helps, but it is 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 will not work well if the parents want this when their son or daughter does not. 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 is not for everyone.
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 is 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!