Experience, knowledge, and passion — these three are probably the most important traits needed by an aspiring baseball coach. It’s not enough to only know the tips and tricks of the game. They need to know how to communicate and teach these to their team.
It’s not only in the realm of baseball. In general, coaching a team is hard work, but very fulfilling at the same time. Along with the skills and knowledge, it would also be helpful to have professional equipment up in your arsenal to help you carry on the job. Unlike most sports, baseball is very equipment reliable. In fact, you can’t play the game without it. If you’re an aspiring baseball coach, here are the professional sports equipment you need to get you started.
Baseballs
Although baseballs that are used in competitions are usually provided by the league, you still need to have a few to use for practice. And having just a handful won’t be enough. Training for the game is going to require up to 3 to 4 dozens of baseballs. Make sure you also have buckets to hold and store them!
Team Gear
The balls and bats are not the only equipment you need to train a baseball team. As we mentioned, the sport is very equipment-heavy. You’ll need protective gear for your team as well. Most players would usually have some personal gear they use, but it won’t hurt to be prepared.
Make sure you have a few of these items: equipment bag, catcher’s gear, fielder’s mask, batting helmet, and a fielding glove. You never know when you need to step in to give a demonstration, or when one of the members of your team forgets to bring their own equipment.
Coaching Accessories
The most important equipment you need to successfully coach a baseball team is your brain and mouth. The former to think of team strategies and the latter to communicate instructions to your members. But you’ll also need a few coaching tools to help, such as a clipboard, scorebook, pens and pencils, tape measure, plastic cones, sports speed gun, collapsible wagon, etc. All these will help you carry out your job much easier and more effectively.
First-Aid Kit
The game of baseball involves a lot of physical activity. And especially if you’re going to train hard for a big game, members of your team are bound to end up with a few scratches or bruises. The top priority of coaches should always be the safety, health, and well-being of their team.
To make sure you’re keeping your players (and yourself) in tip-top shape, always have first-aid equipment on hand. Emergency items such as band-aids, medicine, wound cleansers, medical tape, etc. must be in your first-aid kit. Also, make sure you have a lot of water in store during training and competitions to keep your team hydrated during strenuous physical activity.
It’s also recommended to have your team’s emergency records in case of severe injury or accidents. Have each and every member fill out a form asking for their contact information, allergies, person to contact in case of emergencies, and other medical notes. These are measures you have to undertake as a coach to prioritize the health and wellness of your team.
Coaching a baseball team requires hard work and compassion, coupled with the essential equipment to help you carry out your job. If you’re planning on coaching a baseball team, make sure you have this equipment on hand first.