Westchester County Clippers

Positive Coach Mental Model
There are three major elements to the "job description" of a Positive Coach. A Positive Coach: Redefines "Winner" Fills Players’ Emotional Tanks Honors the Game

1. Redefines "Winner"
   A Positive Coach helps players redefine what it means to be a winner through mastery, rather than a scoreboard, orientation. He sees victory as a by-product of the pursuit of excellence. He focuses on effort rather than outcome and on learning rather than comparison to others. He recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part of learning and fosters an environment in which players don't fear making mistakes. While not ignoring the teaching opportunities that mistakes present, he teaches players that a key to success is how one responds to mistakes. He sets standards of continuous improvement for himself and his players. He encourages his players, whatever their level of ability, to strive to become the best players, and people, they can be. He teaches players that a winner is someone who makes maximum effort, continues to learn and improve, and doesn’t let mistakes (or fear of mistakes) stop them.
2. Fills Players’ Emotional Tanks
   A Positive Coach is a positive motivator who refuses to motivate through fear, intimidation, or shame. She recognizes that every player has an "Emotional Tank" like the gas tank of a car. Just as a car with an empty gas tank can’t go very far, a player with an empty emotional tank doesn't have the energy to do her best.
   
   A Positive Coach understands that compliments, praise, and positive recognition fill Emotional Tanks. She understands the importance of giving truthful and specific feedback and resists the temptation to give praise that is not warranted. When correction is necessary, a Positive Coach communicates criticism to players in ways that don't undermine their sense of self-worth. A Positive Coach strives to achieve a 5:1 "Plus/Minus Ratio" of praise to correction.
   
   A Positive Coach establishes order and maintains discipline in a positive manner. She listens to players and involves them in decisions that affect the team. She works to remain positive even when things aren't going well. She recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most lasting impact and can teach the most important lessons. Even when facing adversity, she refuses to demean herself, her players, or the environment. She always treats athletes with respect, regardless of how well they perform.
3. Honors the Game
   A Positive Coach feels an obligation to his sport. He understands that honoring the Game means getting to the ROOTS of the matter, where ROOTS stands for respect for:
   • Rules
   • Opponents
   • Officials
   • Teammates
   • Self

• A Positive Coach teaches his players to Honor the Game. He loves his sport and upholds the spirit, as well as the letter, of its rules. He respects opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push his athletes to do their best. He understands the important role that officials play and shows them respect, even when he disagrees with their calls. He encourages players to make a commitment to each other and to encourage one another on and off the field. He values the rich tradition of his sport and feels privileged to participate. A Positive Coach realizes that one of the most difficult times to Honor the Game is when the opponent is not, and he reminds his players to live up to their own highest standard (respect for self). Ultimately, a Positive Coach demonstrates integrity and would rather lose than win by dishonoring the game.

Manager and Coach Code of Conduct
As a manager or coach of a WCC team, you hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for each child participating in WCC by following this Code of Conduct: I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all children, managers and coaches (including those of an opposing team). This applies to every game, practice, or any other WCC event I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all umpires, league officials and parents at every game or event. I will place the emotional and physical well being of all children on all teams ahead of any personal desire to win. I will ask my players to treat all other players, coaches, umpires, league officials, and parents with respect. I promise to help my players enjoy WCC by being respectful to all players, coaches, umpires league officials, and parents. I will insist that my players are in a safe and healthy environment. I will demand a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free sports environment for my players and agree to assist by refraining from their use at all WCC games, practices and events. I will remember that WCC baseball is for children and not for adults. I will do all I can to make the game fun and safe for all the children involved in WCC. I understand that Westchester County Clippers is a volunteer organization that requires all parents to participate in activities, such as field preparation, umpiring and scorekeeping. I therefore agree to enlist the support of all the parents of my players in this effort. I agree to be trained in the responsibilities of being a WCC Manager or Coach, including attending all manager meetings and training clinics.

• John Chrislensen11U Team
• Victor Torres 12U Team
• Ray Spano / Bill Stopera 13U Blue Team
• Joe Curreri / Manny Monge 14U Team

• Victor Torres 
•  John Lynch
• John Meagle
• Joe Muccio
• Sal Recupero
• Ruben Sanchez