Try, if you will, to remember a coach, teacher, counselor, or other mentor from your early years. Recall the ones that had the most positive impact and motivational influence in your life. As you embark upon the fun and rewarding adventure of coaching Little League, draw upon the lessons and positive principles you gained from that person.

While being a coach and mentor to a young group of ballplayers can be a challenging and sometimes trying experience, it can also be a very beneficial and memorable adventure, as well.

Whether you're a seasoned player and coach, or a virtual novice, here are seven helpful tips for being an effective and successful mentor and coach in Little League Baseball.

1) Know the rules!- Rules sometimes vary among different leagues and age groups. An extensive knowledge and familiarity with your league's rules can be crucial. Besides being very helpful in game and practice situations, this knowledge will also afford you an image of competence and credibility among parents, fellow coaches, officials and, most importantly, your players. Get a rule book and study it well. Bring it along to practices and games, and if some rules are unclear, discuss them with officials before or after games.

2) Teach proper techniques.- Many coaches, even the good ones, predicate practice on the four basic fundamentals, catching, throwing, hitting and running. Indeed, these are the key components, but if certain nuances, and proper techniques aren't taught and applied, you're just going through the motions. Chances are, if you've volunteered or have been recruited to coach a team, you're familiar with these basics. Don't make the mistake of thinking you know everything however, be willing to learn while you teach. If there's a coach or parent that has impressive knowledge of the game, don't be afraid to solicit tips, advice, or even hands-on help. You may even be surprised what you can pick up from some of your players, as well. Also, coaching clinics and online instruction and tips can also be a valuable resource, no matter how much baseball experience you have. Rotate players to different positions on the field and keep them all involved during practice, as bored players won't learn much and may lose enthusiasm for the game. Be patient! Create a friendly , but competitive environment and watch as even the most inexperienced players improve, and have fun doing it.

3) Get lots of baseballs.- This one may sound like a no-brainer, but cannot be stressed enough. Rarely will a league issue an amount of balls necessary to hold productive, uninterrupted practices. If, for example, you have one or two dozen baseballs at your disposal during batting practice, chances are you'll have to interrupt practice several times to gather the balls up. If players are spending nearly half their practice time chasing and gathering balls, they won't learn much other than how to fetch baseballs. Buying buckets of practice balls at your local discount store or sporting goods store can be relatively inexpensive. Sponsors and parents alike are likely to chip in and help acquire more as well, if you explain this concept to them, and you'll find that your players will appreciate it more as they'll have a more fun and productive practice with more involvement.

4) Get organized.- Whether it's in a practice or game situation, preparation and organization is key. Know your lineup and substitutions. If you're coaching a team in a pitching league, there are undoubtedly an established set of rules in place concerning the amount of pitching time and rest time required for pitchers. Know your pitching lineup and when to change them, sticking to a predetermined game plan usually yields more wins, in my experience and observations.For example, if you mandate that four walks in a row by the first pitcher must result in a substitution (more for younger pitchers in the 9-10 year old range), stick to that mandate. Having a lot of pitchers can really help your team. Give everyone a chance, you might be surprised and find a diamond in the rough, which translates to better defense and a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Designate a scorekeeper, usually a sibling or parent can learn how to keep a scorebook rather quickly, this will not only help you in keeping statistics such as batting averages, innings pitched, etc., it also gets family members involved in the action!

5) Build a team spirit.- At many ballparks, you'll often see coaches that yell at players who horse around together in between innings and in the dugout. I, myself, do not. Allowing teammates to interact as young boys do, making friends in the process, forges a better bond among teammates, which usually leads to better communication on the field, which usually leads to better play and comraderie. I sometimes have a cookout for the team and family members, at a public picnic table next to a small ballfield and batting cage. I usually invite my two nephews, who are accomplished high-school players and they bring a good friend and teammate along. Like a "field day", we set up a few stations, and let the older boys come up with fun ways to get everyone involved and have a good time in a baseball environment, whether it was a batting cage competition, baserunning races, or throwing for accuracy and distance, all players got a chance to have fun without coaches barking instruction or the pressures of performing in a normal game or practice situation, and they actually learn a few skills along the way.

6) Motivate your players.- Remind your players that each and every one of them was chosen by you for a reason, whether it was speed, intelligence, hustle, arm strength, etc. Just knowing that you saw some potential in them as ballplayers will build players' self esteem and confidence. Stress the fact that all positions on the field are equally important. If a player is unhappy in his position, find out why and give him a try at another position during practice. Again you may see some surprises! One of your first priorities is to inspire your players to love the game. Keeping them involved and motivated can work wonders, not only on the field, but in the long run as well.

7) Set a good example.- Sportsmanship, enthusiasm, optimism, and fair-play are just a few of the traits that your players will look to you as an example to emulate. If you are a coach who likes to yell "unfriendly objections" to umpires, chances are many of your players will be inclined to do the same. Stress the importance of a positive attitude , as this will come in handy during tight game situations. Always try to exhibit your enthusiasm for the game, and your players will follow suit. Obviously, using alcohol or tobacco in front of players is extremely inadvisable.

When it's done with enthusiasm and patience, coaching youth baseball can be an enjoyable experience that you will remember for many years to come. The goal is to be someone that your players can remember in the years to come as an effective mentor and positive role model in their lives.

Author's Bio: 

Mark is the owner of www.baseballbeforeweknewit.com , a blog talks about nothing but baseball. Mark and his friends really love the game and think it good to share the data and insight they've collected on baseball