2025 Travel Coach Applications
2025 Travel Coach Applications
2025 Travel coach applications are now open. Apply here
For the 2025 season, we are requiring an application from anyone who is interested in coaching in any capacity - not just those who are interested in Head Coaching. The Travel Directors will interview select applicants. If you are not selected for an interview, it just means we got what we needed from your application.
Below are the most important qualities we’re looking for in a baseball coach. You may not have every single one of these qualities but if you have most of them, we’d like to talk to you! Please be sure to spread the word to all former coaches that are interested in coaching in 2025 and encourage them to complete this application.
We're looking for applications from ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A HEAD COACH OR ASSISTANT COACH. Even if you have not coached before, even if you think there's already a coach for your player's age/division, please apply! Things change, players move up and down, and we want to know who ALL possible coaches are. If you meet many (not all!) of the qualifications below, please consider submitting an application:
Knowledge and expertise
- You have solid knowledge of the game of baseball. You understand, or are willing to actively learn, the rules specific to the age level as well as where the player is coming from and what will be expected of the player in the next stage.
- You understand that baseball is about more than just physical ability. You know that it’s also about a player’s mindset and you know when a player is in a negative headspace and you can help get them into a positive space. You can also provide them tips or tricks to help get themselves out of those negative head spaces quicker in the future. You can help individual players as well as the team.
Skill Development
- You have an understanding of the steps needed to take a player’s skills from point A to point B, a plan to enact those steps, and the ability to deliver that information to the player in an age-appropriate way. When you don’t know, you seek out other resources to help.
- You understand the difference between teaching players to compete vs. focusing on wins
- You’re interactive and show players what to do, rather than just tell (this tip comes from players themselves!)
Strategy
- You understand that baseball is also a game of chess and you help your players see that, too.
- You seek to improve your players’ “baseball IQ.” You help them understand what they need to be aware of in the field and at the plate (other than just where the ball is!) and why.
Leader and Role Model
- You actively seek out and accept feedback and make adjustments based on that feedback
- You believe that youth baseball is about instilling a love for the game and also developing young people to be good humans. This is reflected in everything you do.
- You know that baseball is a team sport and all boats rise together. You resist the temptation to treat your own player differently than any other player on the team.
- You recognize that every player has something to offer and something to work on. You identify those for each player and you capitalize on them. You communicate these goals with each player’s family.
- You understand that being a team is about so much more than the right collection of skills. You know that it’s important to create and foster a sense of belonging and being seen and that’s the magic sauce.
Staff and Parent Manager
- You know your own strengths and weaknesses and you surround yourself with a coaching staff that compliments your strengths and weaknesses.
- You identify a Team Manager that can handle the administrative tasks for you.
- You communicate with parents early and often. You set expectations around playing time, positions, lineups, player strengths and opportunities, attendance, player behavior, parent behavior, etc.
- You take care to make sure that others are interpreting your words and actions in the way that you intend. You pay attention to their responses and adjust when there’s not alignment.
As an EPBA Travel Coach (Head or Assistant), we ask for the following commitments:
- Attend EPBA coach meetings
- Attend to observe, learn, and assist at at least 3 Winter Workout sessions, January - March (12U - 14U)
- Attend to observe, learn, and assist at at least 6 EPBA Winter Development sessions, December- February (9U - 11U only)
- Attend any other EPBA coach training opportunities
- Select 2025 tournaments for a division as assigned by Travel Directors, December - January
- Hold/attend 2-3 practices a week in April (indoor space will be provided by EPBA)
- Expect 4-5 weekday nights and some weekends May - July:
- Attend games and tournaments
- 1-3 games/week between May and June
- Potential league playoff games in June and July
- Potential state tournament games in July
- Hold/attend 1-2 practices a week in May through June/July
- Work as a team with other team coaches
- Develop players as individuals and as a team
- Establish and maintain positive channels of communication with parents
- Represent EPBA and Eden Prairie in a positive manner
In addition to the above commitments, Head Coaches also commit to:
- Select teams based on tryout results (results updated after Winter Workouts for 12U-14U)
- Identify an Assistant Coach staff
- Identify a Team Manager and maintain frequent communication with TM
- Schedule practices
- Schedule league games through Metro Baseball League (late March/early April)
- Communicate schedules and changes to EPBA Scheduler (or delegate to Team Manager)
- Delegate administrative and some communication tasks to Team Manager