T-Ball Manager (2036)

Job Details: Job Location: Springfield Flagship

• Springfield, VA, Salary Range: Undisclosed, T-Ball Leader/Manager (Early Childhood Sports) Organization: The St. James Program: T-Ball (intro baseball + general sport skills for young athletes) Reports to: Baseball/Softball Programs Leadership
• Associate Director of Diamond Sports
• Alec Reilly Status: Part-time / seasonal (session-based) Role summary We’re hiring a kid-first T-Ball Coach who can teach foundational movement and sport skills in a fun, structured, and confidence-building environment. Our ideal candidate has early developmental education experience (e.g., elementary PE teacher, early childhood educator, youth enrichment coach) and is comfortable coaching while parents observe close-by. This role requires strong communication: clear expectations, organized practice flow, and proactive schedule updates well before changes occur.

Key responsibilities

Coaching & player experience Lead age-appropriate T-Ball sessions that prioritize fun, safety, inclusion, and fundamentals. Teach and reinforce basic sport skills: Running mechanics, balance, coordination, jumping/landing Throwing/catching basics (soft hands, ready position, tracking) Hitting basics (stance, grip, swing path) using tees and safe progressions Field awareness (where to go, how to listen/respond, simple game concepts) Use short stations, high reps, and simple cues to keep players engaged.

Manage transitions and attention spans with positive routines (warm-up, station rotations, water breaks, closing circle). Parent communication & professionalism (non-negotiable) Communicate schedule details and expectations clearly at the start of the session. Provide timely updates on: Weather-related changes Facility or field updates Practice plan adjustments Any time/location changes (communicated well in advance whenever possible) Maintain calm, professional presence and coaching quality under constant parent observation.

Address parent questions respectfully and consistently; escalate issues appropriately when needed. Safety, supervision, and risk management Create a safe environment: spacing, bat control, clear boundaries, and age-appropriate equipment. Enforce safety rules (batting area control, helmets, throwing lanes). Take attendance and maintain headcount.

Report any injuries or incidents promptly to program leadership. Administrative basics Arrive early for setup and stay after for cleanup. Coordinate with staff/assistants (if provided) and delegate clearly. Follow program curriculum, daily run-of-show, and facility policies. Required qualifications Experience working with children ages ~3-6 in a structured setting (sports, PE, camp, classroom, childcare, etc.)

Demonstrated ability to manage a group with positive behavior support (clear expectations, quick redirection, encouragement). Strong verbal communication skills with both kids and adults. Reliable, punctual, and prepared.

Preferred qualifications

Elementary PE teacher, early childhood educator, child development background, or equivalent youth coaching experience. CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain before session start). Prior baseball/softball playing or coaching background (helpful, not required if kid-management is strong). Core competencies we’re selecting for Kid-first energy: patient, upbeat, encouraging, emotionally steady.

Structure + fun: can keep practice moving with simple stations and games. Parent-facing professionalism: confident communicator; no surprises. Adaptability: adjusts quickly to weather, space constraints, mixed skill levels. Safety mindset: organized spacing, clear rules, constant awareness. Working conditions & physical requirements Ability to be active for the full session: standing, walking, demonstrating movements, light throwing/hitting demos.

Ability to lift/carry typical youth sports gear (cones, tees, balls, nets). Indoor/outdoor environment depending on facility and weather. Screening / compliance Background check required (and any facility-required clearances). Must follow all youth safety policies and coaching standards. Nice-to-have: what “great” looks like in this role Kids leave smiling, engaged, and proud of small wins.

Parents feel informed and confident because communication is consistent and proactive. Sessions run on time with smooth transitions and minimal downtime. Fundamentals improve through repetition-without the vibe turning rigid or stressful. Qualifications: