The Perry Little League is striving each summer to bring as many kids through the baseball program as they possibly can.  Yesterday we addressed the national and local decline in baseball numbers with Perry Head Coach Mike Long.  The 38 year veteran has noticed another change which might be hurting the numbers.

“I think the lack of coaches can hurt the numbers game as well.  With busy schedules, it seems like we don’t have a lot of adults who have the time to spend coaching the little kids.  One thing I emphasize when I do clinics with the coaches and little league players is to stress the importance of keeping everyone occupied during practice.  Don’t have everybody standing around watching as one guy does batting practice.  Organize your practice and know what you want to do before you get there.  You can run a little league practice just like a high school practice.  I know it can be done because I used to do it with my son’s team.”

Long said he is always willing to give Little League coaches practice ideas and drills if asked but says the important part is keeping it fun and active.

“Keep everybody involved in practice.  It really is that simple.  Let’s face it, at a younger age baseball can be boring when you’re not engaged and just standing around.  Those are the situations that coaches have to avoid.  I think we need to make sure that we educate and help the volunteer coaches that work with the younger players on how to coach.   That will make a positive difference.”

The Perry Little League just wrapped up the spring season with Perry teams represented in TBall, Rookies, Minors, Majors and Juniors.