SENOIA AREA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

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PRESEASON COACHING INFORMATION

EVALUATIONS, DRAFT, PRACTICES, AND UNIFORM ORDER

Rules

BE SURE TO REVIEW ALL PARK RULES AND AGE SPECIFIC RULES PRIOR TO STARTING ANY TEAM ACTIVITIES.

THESE RULES CHANGE SOME FROM SEASON TO SEASON.

NOT KNOWING THE RULE OR NOT KNOWING THE RULE CHANGED IS NOT AN EXCUSE NOR DOES IT STOP ANY DISCIPLINE ACTIONS FROM BEING ENFORCED.

Requirements to Coach

• Background Check – NEEDED FOR ALL HEAD AND OFFICIAL / UNOFFICIAL ASSISTANT COACHES
• Sterling Volunteers | Volunteer Background Checks Good deed code if needed: wp2ztkz
• Head Coach Over 21 years old for head coach; assistant coaches may be younger.
• Head coach must email the senoiaareaathleticassociation@gmail.com a list of ALL of your official and unofficial assistant coaches within 7 days of the start of practices.
• The subject line of the email should be in the following format: “8U Braves Coach List”.
• An unofficial assistant coach is any parent that assists with practices on a regular basis but may not be “in the dugout” or “in between the fences” during games.
• If the assistant is going to have a jersey, he or she must be disclosed.
• Available to be at the fields between the hours of:
• 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM Monday through Friday
• 8:30 AM through 7:00 PM on Saturday
• 11:00 AM through 7:00 PM on Sunday

Board Members

• Current Board Members are listed on the website.
• While you can reach out to any board member, it is highly recommended that you reach out to the board member that has been designated to oversee the issue of concern.
• When emailing the board member, it is recommended to include senoiaareaathleticassociation@gmail.com as a “cc”. The league email is checked by all board members, and it will help ensure that a board member will respond to your email quickly.
• If you have not received a response to your email within 72 hours, please follow up.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

A couple of requirements to keep in mind during the season:

• Each team will be required to serve an assigned concessions shift. More information will be provided, and your time will be provided with the game schedule.
• Game Schedules will be out by March 1^st.
• If playing music during practices of games, it must be edited in terms of language, content, and volume.
• Keep in mind the age of the players and the actual content of the music. Limit music which overly promotes drug use, violent acts, or sexual conduct even though the music itself may not contain profanity lyrics. Please use your best judgment.
• Volume should not disturb other fields.
• Volume should be taken into consideration of players, coaches, and umpires on the fields and should not impede communication on field (volume is much louder on the field in the direction of speaker than it sounds from person operating the speaker from behind).

Spring 2026 ALL-STARS

In each age group that will have all-star team(s), the determination of the head coach(es) will be based on standings as of April 18, 2026, regardless of how many games are left or possible scenarios that “could be”. Refer to Article XIV Section 2 of the SAAA Bylaws. The date of April 18, 2026 will constitute the “end of the season” in regards to all star coach selection.

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All-star evaluations are tentatively set for April 19, 2026

EVALUATIONS

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PRESEASON COACHING INFORMATION

EVALUATIONS, DRAFT, PRACTICES, AND UNIFORM ORDER

Evaluations

• Head coaches and assistant coaches will conduct the evaluations.
• General Areas to evaluation
• 6U and 8U- Fielding (grounders), throwing, batting, base running.
• 10U – 14U – Fielding (grounders and pop flies), throwing, batting, base running, pitching, catching.
• Pitching and catching are only for those that desire to tryout for the position of pitcher and catcher.
• Each player should receive the same number of fair attempts. If a ball or pitch was objectively unfair, only one additional opportunity should be provided.

Evaluations (Cont.)

• What SAAA will provide:
• Balls, a tee will be provided for the 6U, an evaluation form, a list of all players.
• The evaluation form will be given to the head coach (team designee) only. There is only one form per team. An extra form may be given if and only if all teams have their form and only if the more are available.
• Coaches should bring with them:
• glove, bat, pen, pencil, note pad/clipboard, or another item to write on.
• Setup for evaluations.
• Players should place Bats/bags/helmet in Home Dugout.
• Players should bring their gloves with them to the 3^rd base side of the field and be lined up on third base fence starting at gate and going towards the outfield.
• Players should be lined up in number order.
• A sufficient number of coaches should be near the players to keep the line in order.

Evaluations (Cont.)

• Evaluation Procedure:
• Starting Drills
• Prior to the drill, the leading coach and another volunteer should instruct the players and demonstrate the drill at least once before the players will complete the drill.
• A coach will call out player by number loudly at least twice to complete the drill.

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Evaluations (Cont.)

• Evaluation Procedure (fielding/throwing):
• Prior to the drill, the leading coach and another volunteer should instruct the players and demonstrate the drill at least once before the players will complete the drill.
• A coach will call out player by number loudly at least twice to complete the drill.
• Throwing/fielding drills: A coach should hit a ball to infield position for fielding purposes
• Set up: Coach at home plate with bucket of balls, coach or player at first base (with glove and empty bucket), additional coaches to catch errant throws, players should return to the First base dug out to prepare to bat.
• Ex.: a player may take one or two grounders at 3^rd, SS, and 2^nd and throwing to first base.
• Players should rotate spots (moving 3^rd to SS, SS to 2^nd) and throw the ball to first base. Younger age groups should not throw from 3^rd to 1^st. But may do more at SS and 2^nd for a smoother eval.
• Depending on the age group, a player may be stationed at first as part of the exercise to catch the throw from the player. If not a player, a coach should be at first with a bucket to field for the players. Another coach should be to the side of the coach to assist with gathering any overthrows or errant throws.
• It is not recommended to have a player catch throws at 1st at younger age groups due to not knowing player’s ability.

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Evaluations (Cont.)

• Evaluation Procedure (Batting):
• Prior to the drill, the leading coach and another volunteer should instruct the players and demonstrate the drill at least once before the players will complete the drill.
• Coaches do not actually bat but explain the number of pitches and when and where you would like the players to run on the last ball (hit or miss).
• A coach will call out player by number loudly at least twice to complete the drill.
• Batting:
• Set up: Coach at comfortable pitching distance with bucket of balls. Can use a bucket or object for purposes of a target. Coach should use L-screen for protection at older age groups. Another coach should be at 2^nd base with an empty bucket. Several coaches should be in the outfield to gather balls hit to the outfield. Throw batted balls to coach at second base to replenish balls after the pitcher runs out.
• Players should be given at least 5 strikes to be able to hit. On the last ball, player should run the bases. Once at third base, the player should pick up bat and is free to gather belongings and can leave unless they are wanting be evaluated for pitching and catching.

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DRAFT

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PRESEASON COACHING INFORMATION

EVALUATIONS, DRAFT, PRACTICES, AND UNIFORM ORDER

Draft

• Drafts should begin 5 to 10 minutes after evaluations.
• Drafts will be held either upstairs or in the concession stand depending on space and weather.
• Draft Order:
• Draft Order—Determined by random draw.
• Draft Sequence—NFL Style Draft (Order remains the same each round)
• Freezes—each first serves as a pick for each round in order.
• Example: Draft Order: TEAM A, Team B and Team C. TEAM A 6 frozen players, Team B has 3, and Team C has 1. Even though Team C is the third pick, Team C will get the first 2 selections of the draft. Then starting at Round 4, Team B (#2 in the draft order) will pick followed by Team C. Team A will not pick until Round 7 when the draft will run in order.

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Draft (Cont.)

• Player Selection:
• Only players that attended evaluations can be selected by name.
• Players that are not frozen and that have not attended evaluations will be blindly drawn from the bucket.
• Coaches can blindly select a player from the bucket at any time.
• Coaches Conduct during draft:
• Limit negative comments about players.
• Be respectful of other coaches and board members.
• All communications during the draft process are to remain confidential.

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Draft (Cont.)

• Conclusion of Draft:
• Head coach will sign draft form showing players selected from draft.
• SAAA will email roster within 24 hours of the competition of the draft.
• Head Coach should email team within 24 hours of receiving the roster.

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• Practice schedules will be sent to coaches within 24 hours of the draft.

PRACTICES

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PRESEASON COACHING INFORMATION

EVALUATIONS, DRAFT, PRACTICES, AND UNIFORM ORDER

Practices

Practice schedules will be sent to coaches within 24 hours of the draft.

• 4U Teams will practice with two teams on a single field at a time.
• Head coach should develop a practice plan for each practice.
• Each practice should attempt to address fundamentals and further develop the team.
• Teams should quickly leave the field at the conclusion of practice.
• Please be considerate to the coaches and teams and work together. Remember the “Golden Rule.”

Practices

• Music at Practices:
• If playing music during practices of games, it must be edited in terms of language and content.
• Keep in mind the age of the players and the actual content of the music. Limit music which overly promotes drug use, violent acts, or sexual conduct even though the music itself may not contain profanity lyrics. Please use your best judgment.
• Tips for a meaningful practices:
• Have a plan.
• Develop a routine: warmup, catch, individual drills, team drives, team building activity.
• Keep drills age and ability appropriate.
• Use stations; limit time players are waiting for “their turn.”
• Empower your assistant coaches—assign them aspects of the game to work on (ex. Batting coach, base running, pitching, etc.).
• Remain positive and encouraging throughout.

Practices

Practices on Multipurpose Field is first come, first serve and can be used at anytime.

• Teams will be assigned batting cage slots.
• Coaches are responsible for knowing SAAA’s weather policy.
• Coaches should check for any last-minute messages through the Remind. Coaches should check there Remind messages 5 minutes prior to the start of practices. If there is any doubt, ask (send a Remind message) or cancel practice.
• Practicing at a prohibited time will result in sanctions against the Coach and team.

Practices

• Scrimmages:
• Please contact the league if you are wanting to schedule with an umpire. Scrimmages would occur at a team’s schedule practice time. Coaches are responsible for paying any umpire charges at the time of the scrimmage. Umpires are not guaranteed and require at least 3 days advance notice and are based on their availability.
• To schedule a scrimmage with a team, please communicate directly with a coach at your age division to coordinate a time for the scrimmage.
• Scrimmages are entirely optional and are at the discretion of the head coach.
• A scrimmage does not supersede another team’s scheduled practice on the field or at the cage.
• Fields WILL NOT be lined and may or may not be dragged for scrimmages.

UNIFORM ORDER

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PRESEASON COACHING INFORMATION

EVALUATIONS, DRAFT, PRACTICES, AND UNIFORM ORDER

Uniform Order

• Instructions for ordering team uniforms are on SAAA website under the Coaches Corner.
• The link for designing uniforms will be sent to coaches when orders will be accepted each season.
• Once you receive the order link, please complete the procedures as soon as possible prior to registration close and evaluations.
• Fan gear is not to be ordered using the team uniform link. SAAA is working to maintain team fan gear website for each season and team.

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