The goal of the Oz Park Baseball Association is to use baseball and softball to help young athletes develop positive character and values that will help them succeed throughout their lives.  The OPBA aspires to be an outstanding athletic organization that provides a high-quality  experience to every athlete.  A high-quality experience is one in which every athlete:

• Is coached using the principles of positive coaching
• Has fun at practices and games
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance
• Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the playing field
• Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player.
  

We recognize that coaches are the people who most directly make this all possible. It is our goal to provide every coach with the tools to succeed as a positive coach and role model for our athletes. We are committed to creating a positive culture,  in which coaches, parents, fans, officials and athletes work together to achieve our mission.

To help achieve this mission the OPBA places the priority on development.  Development begins with the physical and athletic development of our players. While baseball and softball are the catalyst, we are developing motor skills, coordination, and agility that can be used in other sports and other facets of life. Development doesn’t stop there as we are also developing behaviors like sportsmanship and how to handle adversity. Under the protection of sport we are enabling our children to face and overcome challenges in a safe environment. We are developing drive, determination, and competitiveness by teaching our players to give their best effort regardless of the situation and to strive to improve regardless of circumstance. We are developing interpersonal and social skills by assigning players on teams comprised of players they don’t already know. While they may not understand it, they are learning how to work with people from different walks of life and to respect them for their differences as well as their similarities. Essentially, we are developing a community and we are thrilled you are a part of it.

Coaching Guidelines

This document describes in detail the expectation for player development in each divisions.  All players on the team should meet the minimum requirements by the end of the season.  This document should be used by coaches and parents as the guide for player development.

Coaching Guidelines [download]