Coaching at the championship
From the first regional practice to the final game, coaches guide their team and make sport enjoyable. Find everything you need to know about preparing for the championship, the tournament itself and moving on to Europe.
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 cannot 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.
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, and 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 division, players may not take on-deck practice swings.
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
Show respect
Honour agreements
Look after your surroundings
Respect personal boundaries
Follow the rules
Value everyone
Do not discriminate
Be honest and sporting
From regional selection to the championship
Registration and team composition
Little League sets requirements for every participating team: all players must fit the same age category, 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 team manager and two coaches.
| Division | Players | Team manager | Coaches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littles | 12–14 | 1 | 2 |
| Intermediates | 12–14 | 1 | 2 |
| Juniors | 12–14 | 1 | 2 |
| Seniors | 12–16 | 1 | 2 |
| Division | Players | Team 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 regional contribution. This entitles them to three training sessions organised by the regional coordinator. The coordinator uses these sessions to select the team that will attend the Dutch championship. Registering does not guarantee a place in the tournament.
Visit the registration page for current registration details and deadlines. Once team registration closes, the participating regions are announced.
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 the coordinator of your region.
Players on a team that wins the Dutch championship get the chance to play at the European championship.
Games and agreements
From the pool draw to the first game
Pool draw and schedule
The pool draw takes place at the KNBSB offices and is shared through social media. Michel Aussems, general tournament director of the Dutch Little League championship, prepares the schedule in consultation with the host club where needed. See the game schedule for the fixtures.
Dutch tournament rules
Games follow the Dutch tournament rules. To make the championship workable, some rules differ from international Little League rules. Changes and clarifications are shared with the organisers 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 head coach signs their agreement to the regulations with tournament management. This confirms that you know and will respect the tournament’s different rules. Read the rules and regulations too.
A VOG for every coach
Your regional coordinator
Information from nklittleleague.nl/coaches. Photographs: Dutch Little League Championship 2026.
Guide a team?
Coaches do not sign up through the site: that goes through the regional coordinator of your region. Get in touch and you work out together which team suits you.