DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball announced today it will host two online Community Clinics in an effort to support coaches and parents currently enrolled in its Coaches Certification pathway. The free clinics will take place on Saturday, April 4, and Wednesday, April 8, from 12-3 p.m. ET. Registration for each clinic is now open with limited spots available on CoachClinics.org.
The Coaches Certification pathway is a free three-tiered program consisting of ascending levels: "A" Certification, "B" Certification and "C" Certification. All of the levels contain a series of courses that cover topics such as health and safety, creating a positive team environment, recognizing and responding to misconduct, practice planning, game management and skill-specific development.
This program requires the participation in a Community or Regional Clinic in order to obtain a "C" Certification. The clinics are typically held year-round at facilities nationwide in partnership with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and GameChanger, but will be hosted online for the first time ever in 2020. The clinics are run by veteran coaches from all levels of baseball in order to proliferate a culture of continuing education, development and mentorship.
Committed to co-host the online clinics are six coaches affiliated with MLB Clubs. Additionally, coaches from Campbell University, Duke University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Paris Junior College, Swarthmore College and the University of Central Florida will also participate in the clinic.
"USA Baseball is excited to virtually host two Community Clinics as we continue to support the amateur baseball community by delivering free quality educational resources directly to coaches," said USA Baseball Director of Coaching Development Andrew Bartman. "As we continue to embrace the unprecedented situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to provide alternative solutions to the coaches who are enrolled in our Coaches Certification program so that they will be able to continue enhancing our game for the millions of children who play baseball in the United States."
Upon completion of the certification, coaches simultaneously satisfy the training requirements set forth by Senate Bill 534 (SB 534) and also begin the process of becoming Pure Baseball compliant. In November 2018, USA Baseball announced Pure Baseball, a zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse constructed in cooperation with SB 534 and the policies created by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. To concurrently become Pure Baseball compliant, coaches need only submit to and pass an annual background check, which can be done at USABDevelops.com through USA Baseball's service provider, JD Palatine.
For more information on the Coaches Certification program and to begin the courses required to complete certification, visit CoachClinics.org. In addition to this new program, all courses and resources for players, coaches, parents and umpires on USABDevelops.com are available at no cost to users and aim to provide a positive baseball experience for all.