What Is A Buddy?
Safety First—Playing Baseball—Having Fun—Encouragement
Important Information for
Volunteers for Season 3:
Buddies, Umpires & Game Day Helpers
· If you are interested in being a Buddy or Game Day Helper or Umpire, please email: info@miracleleagueplymouth.org
· If you have already registered with the Volunteer Coordinators, then you can sign up today for the 2013 Spring Season @ Volunteer Spot - http://vols.pt/3fmiwg
Download
Buddy Guidelines
Every Child Deserves A Chance To Play Baseball
A Helper: A Buddy is a Player’s helper during the baseball game. They accompany their Player around the field, in the dugout and enable them to play the game. The Buddy might push a wheelchair or run along side of their Player from base to base. The Buddy also assists them in playing their field position.
A Buddy is a friend: A Buddy makes an effort to get to know their Player as an individual and who they are as a person.
Buddies connect with their Players through asking questions and through their interaction with their Player on the field throughout the game. Buddies give lots of encouragement and are their Players biggest cheerleaders!
A Buddy is a safety: A Buddy keeps their Player safe during the game whether it be fielding or guiding Player around the bases.
MLP GAME RULES
· Games usually last no more than 1 ½ hours.
· Teams will have pre-game huddles and cheers.
· There are two innings per team per game. Everyone bats every inning. Everyone plays defense.
· Everyone is safe at every base. The last batter hits a “home run”. Everyone runs home. The score is not recorded.Both teams “win”.
BUDDY GUIDELINES
· Arrive to the field 30 minutes before Game Time. Check in with the Buddy Coordinator
· Come properly dressed in your Buddy t-shirt (which you will receive when you check in at first game).
· Stay with your Player from the moment you greet the Player and take them onto the field until you return the Player to their Parents.
· Get to know the Players and their Families.
· Protect the Player at all times.
· Assist your Player according to their needs. If you have any questions or concerns ask the Player’s Parents, the Coach or Coordinator
· Always allow the Player as much freedom as possible to play their own game. Encourage independence and don’t do for your Player what they can do for themselves.
· Find out from the Parents or Coach if Player prefers to bat with or without a tee.
· Make sure Player puts on a hard helmet when going to bat. (Check with Parents to make sure it won’t upset him/her however.)
· When a hard hitter is up to bat, step in front of the Player for protection.
· Assist the Player to the bases by gentle directing. Do not overtake a previous base runner.
· If a Player can reach down and grab a ball, allow him / her to do so.
· If a Player can’t reach the ball, but can throw, hand him / her the ball.
· Talk with your Player to help them understand the flop of the game (which base to run to, what to do when the ball is coming towards them, which base to run to next etc.)
· Be Positive in comments and instructions.
Most of all, Have Fun! Our Players are Athletes, Friends and above all else, Extraordinary!
· Become your Player’s friend.
· Enjoy the game and encourage your Player to do so as well.
· Talk with your Player, smiling and using eye contact.
· Give lots of encouragement, clapping and cheering.
· Focus on your Player at all times.
· Make it a great day!
We'll see you on the field!
Questions? Please contact Katelin Thomas @ Katelin@miracleleagueplymouth.org
BUDDY TRAINING VIDEO from Miracle League of the Triangle, North Carolina. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6SFMjpLwBI ... (We want to thank MLT for creating and sharing this video: Mike Trainor for his help (and excellent interview segment), as well as to MLT parent, Scott Hanson. A former news anchor, Scott is a top-notch professional who obviously put a lot of creativity and compassion into this project. We are extremely lucky to have him in our Miracle League (of the Triangle) family)