JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas
-- Joint Base San Antonio’s Youth Programs are seeking volunteer coaches for the approaching baseball season.
The coaches, who are needed for children participating in T-ball, coach-pitch baseball, softball and baseball, fill a vital need, said Adriana Holmes, JBSA-Randolph Youth Programs sports director.
“Every season, with all the turnover from permanent changes of station, we need volunteer coaches for all our sports,” she said. “They’re the ones who make our program run. They’re helping grow America’s future by having a positive influence on our children.”
Prospective coaches are required to submit an application, which includes a criminal background check. Applications are available at all three JBSA Youth Programs facilities: JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, building 1630; JBSA-Lackland, building 8420; and JBSA-Randolph, building 585.
Coaching experience is helpful, but not necessary, as long as the coach knows the basics of the sport, Holmes said. Coaches also receive training, especially first-time coaches, who go through a certification process, she added.
“It’s not about the competition” she said. “It’s more about having fun and teaching kids the fundamentals of the sport, teamwork and sportsmanship.”
Coaches should have the ability to relate to children, said Ruben Rodriguez, JBSA-Lackland Youth Programs sports director.
“Volunteers need to have a genuine quality that puts the child first in terms of safety, making it fun and staying positive in every situation,” he said. “Children come in all shapes and sizes with different levels of athletic ability and attention span. Coaches have to encourage all of the children on their team – with lots of high-fives and compliments – and emulate all of the qualities as stated in the National Alliance for Youth Sports Coaches Code of Ethics.”
Registration began Feb. 1 for children participating in Youth Programs’ baseball season. The youth centers offer T-Ball for ages 5-6, coach-pitch baseball for ages 7-8, and baseball and softball for ages starting at 9, although softball is not offered at JBSA-Lackland at this time. Practices begin in March and the games, typically played on Saturdays, start in April.
Youth Programs’ coaches include active-duty members, Department of Defense civilians and retired military members, Holmes said.
Domingo Ramos, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Youth Programs sports director, called coaches the “backbone” of the sports program.
“We look for reliable, patient individuals who enjoy coaching and helping kids learn the sport,” he said. “It all starts with them and how well they coach the kids for their future in sports.”
For more information, call the Youth Programs office at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, 221-3502 or 221-4882; JBSA-Lackland, 671-2388; or JBSA-Randolph, 652-3298.