---
url: https://nklittleleague.nl/en/vrijwilligers/coaches
taal: en
titel: Coaches
onderdeel_van: Vrijwilligers › Coaches
---

![Coaches in blue coach shirts confer beside the field.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nkll-2026/coach-28.webp)

# 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.

[Go to Diamond Leader Training →](https://www.littleleague.org/diamondleader/)

![Three Kennemerland coaches in blue shirts stand laughing arm in arm beside the field.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nkll-2026/coaches-kennemerland.webp)

Kennemerland coaches on the sideline, 2026 championship. Guide your team, on and off the field.

## How to earn your certificate

1

### Register

Create an account on the Little League website.

2

### Complete the training

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

3

### Save your certificate

Print your certificate or save it on your phone.

4

### 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.

![A baseball player slides through the dust into home plate while the catcher takes the ball and the umpire watches.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nkll-2026/honkbal-slide-thuisplaat.webp)

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

Report requests that go against your feelings or values, or approaches to cheat. You can contact the board or the sports confidential reporting service.

### 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 verbal or physical violence, or dope. Do not take part in fixing games, competitions or records.

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](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/meedoen/inschrijven) 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](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/vrijwilligers/regiocoordinatoren).

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.](https://nklittleleague.nl/img/nkll-2026/honkbal-pitcher-lions.webp)

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 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](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/toernooi/2027/schema) 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](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/toernooi/2027/regels) too.

### A VOG for every coach

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

[How to apply](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/veilig-sporten/vog)

### Your regional coordinator

The regional coordinator organises training and selects the team. Work together on preparing and guiding your players.

[Find your regional coordinator](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/vrijwilligers/regiocoordinatoren)

Information from [nklittleleague.nl/coaches](https://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.

[Find your regional coordinator](https://nklittleleague.nl/en/vrijwilligers/regiocoordinatoren)