The Little League® International Tournament always begins with a special thrill and excitement for Little Leaguers® around the globe looking to travel the road to a World Series. The players diligently prepare and dream big, but for the coaching staffs, they typically begin all-star season by simply wishing for more time to get organized.

For all of the coaches out there, rookie or veteran, here is a checklist to help ease the stress leading up to your first tournament game.

Game Equipment:

  • A bucket or smaller bag of practice balls
  • Fungo or other bat to be used for infield-outfield practice
  • One dozen (12) new game balls (for the appropriate division)
  • Legal bats that have been pre-checked by your league’s Umpire-In-Chief and Safety Officer prior to arriving at game site
  • Catcher’s equipment that has been pre-checked by your league’s Umpire-In-Chief and Safety Officer prior to arriving at game site
  • Batting helmets that have been pre-checked by your league’s Umpire-In-Chief and Safety Officer prior to arriving at game site
  • Inspection of each player’s fielding gloves and game shoes to see if each are in good shape
  • First Aid kit and icepacks
  • Cooler with ice, cool drinks, and damp towels

Eligibility Documentation:

  • Properly-completed team affidavit
  • Tournament Verification Form for every player
  • Medical Release forms
  • Appropriate residency materials or school enrollment documentation
  • Approved player waivers (if applicable)
  • Approved and current league boundary map that has each player plotted.

Game Management:

  • New scorebook
  • Baseball or Softball Rulebook
  • Lineup Cards
  • Pitch Counter
  • Clipboard displaying batting order and defensive positions

Staff/Player Organization:

  • Knowledge and understanding of pitch count, mandatory play, and substitution rules
  • Plan for player rotation and substitution for current and next game(s)
  • Player rotation for warming up the pitcher between innings
  • Offensive and defensive signs and signals
  • Designated volunteers to serve as scorekeeper and pitch counter
  • Well-established lines of communication with players and parents for any last-minute changes or updates
  • Defined and explained roles for each player
  • Delegate tasks to coaches and Team Moms and/or Dads

Using these lists can help you organize your team while making the tournament experience easier to manage by relieving some of the stresses that come with the territory.