Each coaching team (head and assistant coaches) works together to take on the various coaching duties.  The head coach is primarily responsible for most duties but may choose to lean on assistant coaches for support with some of the duties.  The primary duties of the coaching team include (but are not limited to):

• Creating a positive and fun playing environment for players and families
• Communicating with parents
• Reporting scores, pitch counts (for tournaments) and any injuries to division convenor
• Preparing batting order and field placements for each game, as per fair-play rules outlined in handbook
• Running team practices (optional) and pre-game warm-ups
• Providing effective and positive coaching to players
• Treating umpires, coaches and players with respect, as per code of conduct rules 
• Completing player evaluations at the end of the season
• Caring for team equipment
• Reporting any infractions to the KWHLB Codes of Conduct to the league, including aggressive or bullying behaviour towards umpires, coaches, players, etc.

Although it is preferred that coaches have some experience with coaching or playing baseball, it is not required.  Efforts are made to pair less experienced coaches with more experienced coaches when forming coaching teams.  In addition, various resources have been developed to support all coaches.  If requested, less experienced coaches can request to be paired with more experienced coaches for practice sessions.

All coaches are volunteers.  With over 100 KWHLB teams in our program, we are always needing members of the community to step up and head or assistant coach a team.

A coach volunteering as a head coach is able to choose up to two (2) assistant coaches for for their coaching team when they register to coach.  We can only guarantee coaching teams when a head coach is identified.  

If a head coach does not identify two assistant coaches to support them, we will aim to recruit at least one (1) assistant coach on behalf of the head coach.

If there are not enough coaches that volunteer as head coaches, every effort will be made to place 2-3 volunteer assistant coaches together to give leadership to a team.  Although rare, if there are not enough coaches volunteering, parents of children on a team may be leaned on to give leadership to the team.

Yes, all volunteer head and assistant coaches need to secure a police vulnerable sector check within the city/region they reside (every 3 years). This can be completed online for Waterloo region residents here.  A copy (picture) of the clearance must be emailed to info@kwhlb.ca and original kept with the applicant.

If you submitted a vulnerable sector police clearance to our organization last season, you do not need to complete another check this season.  Clearances are only required every three years.

During the application process, coaches are also asked to complete an attestation of no criminal wrongdoing.

At the end of each season, coaches provide evaluation ratings for each of their players on a variety of baseball skills, including coachability, overall rating, and pitching (where applicable).  New players to the KWHLB program are assigned ratings based on their past experience with baseball. A custom-built algorithm uses these ratings to form equal and fair teams across each division.  

We have a number of resources to support all volunteer coaches, regardless of experience level.  All resources are available in our Coaches Corner.  Some of the support available to coaches include:

• KWHLB Handbook that details expectations and rules for the season.
• Our Coaches Corner provides videos and other online resources  to support coaches in designing pre-game warm-ups, practices and other drills.
• Less experienced coaches can request to be paired with more experienced coaches for practice times.

All coaching teams are also provided with a full set of baseball equipment (including balls).

Yes, every coach will have free access to the TeamSnap app, widely regarded as the best team management app in the market. Coaches can view player availability, schedules, field locations, and easily communicate with the team all through the Team Snap mobile app.  All information is linked to the website.  Coaches will receive their team's TeamSnap account by Opening Day.

Any reported incidents of coaches, parents, players or spectators bullying or showing aggressive behaviour toward coaches, players or umpires  are reviewed by the convenor and may be reviewed by the KWHLB Disciplinary Committee where any disciplinary action is determined.  Disciplinary action may include a warning, or game(s), season or league suspensions. Details are outlined in the KWHLB Codes of Conduct.

All volunteer coaches are provided with a team jersey, hat and white pants. Coaches also have the option to wear white or black shorts during the hotter months of the season.  This is the required coaching uniform for all house league games.

Open-toed shoes are not permitted and umpires will refuse access on field if open-toed shoes are worn.

There is no dress code for team practices.

Yes, batting cages are available to all house league teams in Kitchener and in Waterloo.  Teams can book batting cages in the Coaches Corner Resource section of the website.

Details regarding the schedule for each team will be provided through the TeamSnap app and on each individual division's page. Some important dates for the season can be found here.

Coaches are required to complete the Injury Form (found here) and email to convenor within 24 hours of incident, for insurance purposes.

KWHLB is entirely run by volunteers with skills in various areas. We are currently seeking volunteer support for the following:

• Division Convenors who can support coaches within a division.
• Communications Support- someone who can help maintain the website content.

If you have other skills or interests and would like to volunteer with KWHLB, please contact us.