Coaching at the championship

From the first regional training to the last game, a coach gives the team direction and makes sure the players enjoy their sport. Here is what you need to know about the preparation, the tournament and the step up to the European championship.

Before the tournament

Ready to take the field

Little League® Diamond Leader Training

Every coach must complete the online Diamond Leader Training and earn the certificate before the Dutch Little League Championship. Without a certificate you may not coach.

The certificate is valid for 3 years. According to the information for 2026, a certificate earned for the 2025 championship remains valid for 2026. Show your certificate to tournament management at the start of every championship, even if you have submitted it before.

Required for Europe too

Little League International also requires coaches taking part in the European championships to hold the Diamond Leader certificate.

Go to Diamond Leader Training →

Three Kennemerland coaches in blue shirts stand laughing arm in arm beside the field. — Kennemerland coaches on the sideline, 2026 championship. Guide your team, on and off the field.

How to earn your certificate

Register

Create an account on the Little League website.

Complete the training

Work through the online Diamond Leader Training and earn your certificate.

Save your certificate

Print your certificate or save it on your phone.

Show it on arrival

Present your certificate to tournament management when you arrive.

During the championship

Safety on the field and in the dugout

Check your equipment

Do not bring broken helmets or bats; discuss this with parents beforehand. Equipment that fails inspection is taken by the umpire or Umpire in Chief (UIC) and stored safely. You can collect it after the tournament. This helps prevent confusion and arguments on the field.

Keep dugout openings clear

Coaches and players must not stand in dugout openings during games. In the Littles, players may not take practice swings on deck.

A baseball player slides through the dust into home plate while the catcher takes the ball and the umpire watches. — A play at home plate, 2026 championship. Safe equipment and clear agreements are part of every game.

Enjoying the game

Respect the Game Award

Little League is about enjoying sport. Each venue therefore selects a team that stands out for its positive attitude. The local organisers and UICs choose the Respect the Game Award winner on Saturday evening. The winning team is celebrated on Sunday.

Playball Europe invites the team to spend a few hours training at the Indoor BP Sports Centre in Amsterdam, with lunch included: a great team outing!

The selection is based on the NOC*NSF codes of conduct:

Be open

Speak up if someone asks you to do something that goes against your feelings, standards or values, or approaches you to cheat. You can turn to the board or to Vertrouwenspunt Sport (the national confidential helpline for sport).

Show respect

Respect opponents, teammates, umpires, trainers, coaches and spectators. Mind your language and give everyone room to be themselves.

Honour agreements

Arrive on time, give timely notice if you cannot attend, listen to instructions and keep your commitments.

Look after your surroundings

Respect other people’s property. Leave changing rooms tidy, put equipment away and dispose of rubbish in bins.

Respect personal boundaries

Outside normal sporting activity, do not touch anyone against their wishes.

Follow the rules

Read and follow the regulations, house rules, code of conduct and other agreements.

Value everyone

Do not bully or make discriminatory, belittling or intimidating remarks. Do not exclude anyone and be tolerant.

Do not discriminate

Do not treat people differently because of religion, beliefs, political views, background, gender, sexual orientation, culture, age or other characteristics.

Be honest and sporting

Do not cheat; use no verbal or physical violence and no doping. Do not take part in manipulating games, competitions or records.

From regional selection to the championship

Registration and team composition

Little League sets requirements for every participating team: all players fall within the same age group, live in the same region and stay within the permitted team size.

The coaching information lists the following team composition for baseball and softball. Each team has one manager and two coaches.

Baseball
League	Players	Manager	Coaches
Littles	12–14	1	2
Intermediates	12–14	1	2
Juniors	12–14	1	2
Seniors	12–16	1	2

Softball
League	Players	Manager	Coaches
Littles	12–14	1	2
Intermediates	12–14	1	2
Juniors	12–14	1	2
Seniors	12–16	1	2

Registration and selection

Players register for their region and pay a fee to the region. This entitles them to three training sessions organised by the regional coordinator. The coordinator uses these sessions to select the team that goes to the championship. So registering does not yet mean that a player will actually take part in the tournament.

Visit the registration page for current registration details and deadlines. Once registration closes, it becomes clear which regions will send a team.

Coaches do not sign up through the site. The regional coordinator appoints the coaches and registers them with the tournament office; if you would like to guide a team, get in touch with your regional coordinator.

Players on a team that wins the Dutch championship get the chance to play at the European championship.

A pitcher in the yellow and black Lions shirt winds up to throw. — A Lions pitcher, 2026 championship. From the region to the Dutch championship, together.

Games and agreements

From the pool draw to the first game

Pool draw and schedule

The pools are drawn at the office of the KNBSB (the Dutch baseball and softball federation). The organisation shows the draw on social media. Michel Aussems, general tournament director of the Dutch Little League Championship, draws up the game schedule, in consultation with the host club where needed. See the game schedule for the pools and fixtures.

Dutch tournament rules

Games follow the Dutch tournament rules. To keep the championship playable, they differ in places from the international Little League rules. Changes and clarifications are shared with the organisations in a separate document. By participating, you agree to the regulations.

Technical Meeting

The tournament director prepares the regulations and explains them at the Technical Meeting before the championship. Raise questions about rule interpretations at that meeting. Unless an alternative interpretation is raised and agreed there, you cannot introduce it as grounds for a protest during the tournament.

Sign before the first game

Before the first game, the manager signs the regulations for agreement with the tournament officials. This confirms that you know and respect the tournament rules where they differ. Read the rules and regulations too.

A VOG for every coach

Every coach needs a valid VOG (certificate of conduct), no older than 3 years. We apply and pay for it; you approve the application by e-mail.

How to apply

Your regional coordinator

The regional coordinator organises the training sessions, selects the team and signs the coaches up with the tournament office. If you want to coach, that is where you start.

Find your regional coordinator

Information from nklittleleague.nl/coaches. Photographs: Dutch Little League Championship 2026.

Want to guide a team?

Coaches do not sign up through the site: that goes through the regional coordinator of your region. Get in touch and talk through which team suits you.

Find your regional coordinator