Certification

[WTYA_FP_DAD]

I have volunteered as an assistant coach for both of my DD's rec league softball teams for the past 4-5 years. I heard this past weekend that for our next spring season, our rec league is going to require the head coach and 1st assistant for every team in the league to become ASA certified and that they are going to require the coaches to pay for the certification class on their own. I won't get into the absurdity of this rumored rule change right now. My questions are this:

1. Is this common for rec league softball?
2. What all is involved in the certification process? Is there a class that must be attended? How long of a class, etc?
3. What sort of costs would be involved in getting this certification, and what would this certification offer? (certification to umpire? just coach? something else?)

I'm curious because for my 10YOA DD, they have a hard time finding enough coaches on a regular basis, and since she is pitching now, I have a suspicion that I may be asked to coach one of our rec league 10U teams in the spring and I'd like to know what I'm getting into up front.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

 

[cshilt]

I don't know how common it is for rec league ball, but I applaud their efforts. Anything to increase the knowledge level of coaches is, in my opinion, a good thing.

It is very common and required for travel ball teams to have at least one coach who is certified to attend a national or regional end-of-season tournament.

ACE certification is inexpensive and can be completed online. There are different levels of certification that may be completed.

Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA)

 

[Lozza]

In my home state in Australia (New South Wales) it's been required for every coach to have a Level 1 (or level 0 when I first did it) since the mid 90s. It's so they can teach the coaches the basic skills so they can pass it onto their players.

The state I currently live (Western Australia) it's not compulsory, but highly encouraged. My association pays for all junior coaches Level 1 courses. My senior club (I have just started up a junior club with a friend) paid my two coaches (both baseballers) to go through the course as well. They'll be paying for them (and me too!) to go for Level 2 and hopefully Level 3 this year as well. (I'm doing mine because I want to get my Level 4, which is where I can then specialise and become a pitching accredited coach)

I don't know about costs in America, but I would highly recommend it.

 

[quincy]

1) Is this common for rec league softball?
No, but I think it will be in the near future.

2) What all is involved in the certification process? Is there a class that must be attended? How long of a class, etc?
You need to provide information for a background check, which is probably why your League is forcing Managers to do it. There are a couple videos and test. If you, or your DD, cannot pass the test without watching the video 1st you should not be in softball. Nothing to it. All can be completed on-line in an hour or so.

3) What sort of costs would be involved in getting this certification, and what would this certification offer? (certification to umpire? just coach? something else?) $25, basically shows you passed a background check.

Little League requires background checks for all their manager, fill-in managers, etc. I agree with that and think all sports organizations should do it. One difference is the background checks are on their dime, obviously part of the player’s signup fee.

 

[starsnuffer]

Our rec league requires all coaches and managers to be ASA certified level 1. I think this is actually an ASA rule and pertains to the insurance that ASA registered teams are entitled to (I'm wondering how you guys handle insurance if you're not part of the ASA or other organization?).

However, the cost of this certification is paid by the league and rolled into the registration fees the players pay. We also have our regional ASA director come out and do two saturday sessions. Attendance at one session is mandatory for all coaches and managers, and by the end of it everyone present will be ASA level 1 certified.

ASA level 1 certification is not that expensive, I think it's $25 or so. It includes a background check (which is where the lions share of the cost goes) and a course that includes the ACE coaching method (positive reinforcement, how to coach kids/girls, ect), safety, first aid, some legal stuff, and some basic softball skills from Coach Candrea and co.

If you ever attend a sanctioned ASA tournament, your coaches will need to display their ASA certification badges. Hell even the people working the concession stands need to be ASA certified, again, it's a legal/insurance issue.

-W

 

[PA SB Dad]

I run the softball division for our local Little League. I considered requiring head coaches of our softball teams last year to have some sort of softball or other coaching certification (ASA, Babe Ruth, National Alliance for Youth Sports, etc). In theory, it's a great idea. Not only would our dads stop teaching our girls how to "play baseball with an 11 or 12 inch yellow ball", but also gain an appreciation for how demanding and exciting the sport can be. In practice, we struggle to get enough coaches each year, and I am afraid having this requirement would leave me without any coaches. Our Little League Board has gone the way of working with Positive Coaching Alliance to try and get some of the same messages out to our coaches, and I am hoping in the future we can get enough interest that parents will be interested in more softball-specific certifications.

 

[mad hornet]

Good luck with this and I certainly hope A$A gets their act together this year. Last year the process was a JOKE. Already had level 1 and was going for level 2. Then they lost all my records and the on line system charged me to re-certify level 1. Several phone calls and emails later they (you would have thought it was the government I was dealing with!) fixed it so I could take the level 2 course. Completed the course and two weeks later my package came in the mail with my new LEVEL 1 CARDS! Called A$A again and got this big apology assuring me that yes I was level 2 in their system but unfortunately they are unable to get me Level 2 cards. We're in an odd year now so I'm not even screwing with it. Think we'll play U-trips instead!

 

[softballphreak]

Requiring coaches to be certified is a great idea. However, I would be careful that the certification is meaningful. Paying $25 for a plastic card is useless if it has no substance. The criminal background check is really the only value I see at the moment with the ASA certification--if that part is even done right.

I would be very shocked if local rec programs don't do their own criminal background check. If they don't they are asking for major trouble down the way.

The local rec program would be wise to institute their own certification. In our area there are travel ball organizations that voluntarily help with rec training when asked

Start up is the biggest obstacle, keeping it going is the next pain, but with a little effort it can be a great thing for the kids. But it needs to done locally as much as possible until one of the official organizations--such as ASA--get their act together.

 

[WinThemAll]

When our rec league wanted the coaches to become certified, they would give a credit to the Parent/coach for their player's registration fee.

I think it is a good idea for coaches to obtain certification. When I did the Level 1 Certification for ASA some years ago, the book that I received did contain some good information. There are definitely some problems with the system and I hope it gets worked out.

I have done the Babe Ruth, ASA and National Alliance for Youth Sports, all were pretty similar. They do make you think a little about your individual coaching style and can make you revisit things that will help you help the kids in the long run.

 

[softballphreak]

One of the books that is required by some certification programs:

Successful Coaching-3rd Edition

This is a great book and should be required reading for all coaches. You can easily pass any entry-level certifications after studying this book. Well worth the money!!