Advice: Coaching Little League Sports

We haven't been on the coaching side but our son played Tee Ball for the last 2 years. The coaches had a sign up sheet for games and each parent picked a game (or 2) to bring a snack and drink for everyone after the game - the kids really looked forward to that. At the end of the year the coaches had a pizza party back at their house one year and the other they had a pizza party at the field - all depends on weather and schedules. I'm sure anything you do will be well appreciated and it doesn't have to be anything too big or crazy. Have fun!

I have coached my daughter the last 2yrs for softball (6-8yrs)and have had an end of the season BBQ that includes parents/siblings. We provided the hot dogs/hamburgers, tomato pie and cupcakes and asked parents to bring their beverage of choice. Depending on when your soccer season ends and the weather; might dictate what you can do. Other ideas that have been done is a trip to the local ice cream shop, pizzeria or good ole McDonald's after the last game (McD's has the $1 ice cream which can't be beat too!). Best of luck and have fun!

First off congrats to your hubby for coaching your son's soccer.

The end of season party my son's team had did involve the parents. The had a game with the parents against the kids at the field and then went to Rita's for water ice.

my husband coaches my children's soccer team. sometimes after the last game they will all meet at a local ice cream place. that seems to be fun and easy. when our boys were younger (in the 4-6 group) it was easier to do a pizza party but as the kids get older schedules get tighter, other siblings have acitivies to get to, so its hard to schedule a party. you could just bring in cupcakes for the last game. one of our boys coaches gave the kids treat bags. typically though not much is done at the end of the season.

Hi A.,
I have been "Team Mom" for so many team and sports I've lost count. My boys are now 20 and 22 and I was involved with their baseball, soccer, football, basketball and boyscouts since they were 4 and 5 years old.. The easiest end of season party is at a pizza place. Make the date that is close to if not after the last game. Do not try to please everyone or try to get the date/place that certian parents want. Just make to date, and they can be there or not. Trust me on this one.

I usually gave out goodie bags to each child and a small gift to each coach or parent that helped for the whole season. This could be a plaque, personalized t-shirt or something that fits the coach's likes or personality. One year we had this coach that kept the boys practicing until it was dark. So as a gag, we got him those headband flashlights. We got him something else as well.

Also as a Team Mom it is helpful if you make a schedule for parents to rotate snacks, orange slices at half time healthy snacks for after. Send a sigh up sheet around, then follow up. You will have to keep on top of parents, remind them of their turn for snack ect. or you will have a lot of hot, cranky kids. It is also helpful to send out a game schedule or who you are playing and when, where.

I'm from the west coast and we also made our own banners. I'm not sure how it is done here, but if you need any other advice here's my number. I kind of miss those crazy busy days of when my boys were in sports. Have fun.
C. ###-###-####.

I have coached volleyball and been involved with a youth league (volleyball, basketball, softball) for quite a few years. When I played on the VB team, and then when I was the coach we always had a pool party at the beginning of the season at the coach's house. At the end of the season we had a mother-daughter game / party at the gym. We always asked the parents to bring food, drinks, and paper products. I know some coaches that had a pizza party at the end of the season... also a good disquise for getting kids to turn in their uniforms. Cupcakes or something simple like that at the last game is also a great idea. You don't need to do anything elaborate or expensive. Remember, your husband will be volunteering alot of his time so I don't think the coach should be responsible to pick up the entire bill.