T-Ball Leader/Manager (Early Childhood Sports)
Organization: The St. James
Program: T-Ball (intro baseball + general sport skills for young athletes)
Reports to: Baseball/Softball Programs Leadership - Associate Director of Diamond Sports - Alec Reilly
Status: Part-time / seasonal (session-based)
Role summary
We’re hiring a kid-first T-Ball Coach who can teach foundational movement and sport skills in a fun, structured, and confidence-building environment. Our ideal candidate has early developmental education experience (e.g., elementary PE teacher, early childhood educator, youth enrichment coach) and is comfortable coaching while parents observe close-by.
This role requires strong communication: clear expectations, organized practice flow, and proactive schedule updates well before changes occur.
Key responsibilities
Coaching & player experience
- Lead age-appropriate T-Ball sessions that prioritize fun, safety, inclusion, and fundamentals.
- Teach and reinforce basic sport skills:
- Running mechanics, balance, coordination, jumping/landing
- Throwing/catching basics (soft hands, ready position, tracking)
- Hitting basics (stance, grip, swing path) using tees and safe progressions
- Field awareness (where to go, how to listen/respond, simple game concepts)
- Use short stations, high reps, and simple cues to keep players engaged.
- Manage transitions and attention spans with positive routines (warm-up, station rotations, water breaks, closing circle).
Parent communication & professionalism (non-negotiable)
- Communicate schedule details and expectations clearly at the start of the session.
- Provide timely updates on:
- Weather-related changes
- Facility or field updates
- Practice plan adjustments
- Any time/location changes (communicated well in advance whenever possible)
- Maintain calm, professional presence and coaching quality under constant parent observation.
- Address parent questions respectfully and consistently; escalate issues appropriately when needed.
Safety, supervision, and risk management
- Create a safe environment: spacing, bat control, clear boundaries, and age-appropriate equipment.
- Enforce safety rules (batting area control, helmets, throwing lanes).
- Take attendance and maintain headcount.
- Report any injuries or incidents promptly to program leadership.
Administrative basics
- Arrive early for setup and stay after for cleanup.
- Coordinate with staff/assistants (if provided) and delegate clearly.
- Follow program curriculum, daily run-of-show, and facility policies.
Required qualifications
- Experience working with children ages ~3–6 in a structured setting (sports, PE, camp, classroom, childcare, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to manage a group with positive behavior support (clear expectations, quick redirection, encouragement).
- Strong verbal communication skills with both kids and adults.
- Reliable, punctual, and prepared.
Preferred qualifications
- Elementary PE teacher, early childhood educator, child development background, or equivalent youth coaching experience.
- CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain before session start).
- Prior baseball/softball playing or coaching background (helpful, not required if kid-management is strong).
Core competencies we’re selecting for
- Kid-first energy: patient, upbeat, encouraging, emotionally steady.
- Structure + fun: can keep practice moving with simple stations and games.
- Parent-facing professionalism: confident communicator; no surprises.
- Adaptability: adjusts quickly to weather, space constraints, mixed skill levels.
- Safety mindset: organized spacing, clear rules, constant awareness.
Working conditions & physical requirements
- Ability to be active for the full session: standing, walking, demonstrating movements, light throwing/hitting demos.
- Ability to lift/carry typical youth sports gear (cones, tees, balls, nets).
- Indoor/outdoor environment depending on facility and weather.
Screening / compliance
- Background check required (and any facility-required clearances).
- Must follow all youth safety policies and coaching standards.
Nice-to-have: what “great” looks like in this role
- Kids leave smiling, engaged, and proud of small wins.
- Parents feel informed and confident because communication is consistent and proactive.
- Sessions run on time with smooth transitions and minimal downtime.
- Fundamentals improve through repetition—without the vibe turning rigid or stressful.