As we celebrate Girls with Game month, take a look back at the Diamond Leaders that Little League spotlighted throughout the year, and what they had to say about the impact of the Diamond Leader training:
From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for other coaches and volunteers to take it, as well?
Jessica Lewis, North Accomack LL (Chincoteague, Va.): The Diamond Leader training program focuses on mental well-being and everything outside of the actual skill set on the baseball field. You can be the best pitcher, you can run those bases quicker than anyone, but if you don’t have the mental capacity to handle everything you face as a player, you’re not going to excel. As a coach, if you don’t have the training opportunities to implement that for your players, they are going to fail. They have to navigate the game and be able to have setbacks and errors; that mental load alone is so stressful. If you, as a coach, don’t understand that, then you’re not going to connect with them.
In coordination with Women’s History Month, Little League is celebrating its Girls with Game Month throughout March. What does it mean to you to be a female coach in the Little League program?
Tina Madison, West Point LL (Greensburg, Pa.): It is extremely important, and I think there needs to be more women involved. I am extremely proud to coach young women and show them the skillset they are gaining from being on a team, working with different personalities, stepping up as a leader, and working together towards a common goal. That skillset for girls in sports are great lessons for them to learn at that age and carry with them for the rest of their lives. More and more women who have the skillset, whether it be in softball or coaching in general, should grasp at the opportunity to coach these young ladies and be their role models.
What lessons from the training do you plan to carry into future seasons?
Angela Elizondo, Victoria (Texas) Southeast LL: The one overall lesson that I keep going back to is just knowing how to carry yourself as a coach. The development and growth of each kid on the diamond is so important. Every kid is going through something different, so you need to find that compassion for them. That is what helps build who they grow up to be on and off the field. Being able to help a child reach their baseball goals and help them develop individually is an accomplishment within yourself as a coach.
What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader, and why should others strive to be one on the field?
Katie Farrier, Clinton Valley (Mich.) LL: Being a Diamond Leader in our league means committing to the bigger picture. It’s about using baseball as a vehicle to build confidence, character, and community in young players. It means leading with empathy, showing patience, and creating a space where every child — from the quiet first-timer to the seasoned all-star — feels they belong. To me, it’s not about being the most successful coach in the standings, but about having the kind of impact that stays with kids long after the season ends. Others should strive to be a Diamond Leader because it’s about supporting other coaches and setting a tone across the league that values effort, growth, and good character above all. If we want kids to love the game and grow from it, we have to start by making sure they feel seen, heard, and supported. I take that responsibility seriously, and I’m proud to be part of a league that prioritizes that kind of leadership.
Hillary Schmidt, Renton (Wash.) LL: To me, as a leader, I am a trusted adult. Beyond the kids’ parents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, grandparents, or whoever their guardian or caretaker may be, I am another trusted adult in this child’s life that they can come to if they are having a hard time. So, beyond a coach, if you have an opportunity to impact a child’s life in a way that they can trust you and come to you if they need help, then that’s huge. That means everything to me, and I think if someone has the opportunity to do that, to show them trust, respect, and mentorship, then they’ve done it. They are doing it. They are a Diamond Leader.
The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.