April 16, 2021, Boston, MA.  Thanks to the support of the Red Sox Foundation, every youth baseball and softball coach in the six New England states, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, is invited to join Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) for dynamic, interactive, virtual workshops focused on how to lead baseball and softball practices, and games, to build a positive, winning culture.

PCA workshops are designed to tackle the game’s biggest challenges, including developing a positive team culture, running effective practices, managing common in-game situations, and teaching the all-important mental side of the game.  PCA’s trainers will share research-based, field-tested tips, tools, and best practices.

PCA’s Senior Partnership Manager in New England, Chris Fay, a former college player and a current Little League coach himself, says, "every coach, whether in their first or fortieth year of coaching will take away something helpful from this workshop.  We ask our players to work on getting better every day, and as coaches, we should do the same."

The Red Sox Foundation’s Mick Blume says, "support for youth coaches is critical to the Red Sox Foundation’s mission to ensure that all young athletes have the opportunity to have a positive sports experience. The Foundation is proud to partner with PCA to offer free coach training for Little League and other youth baseball and softball programs in Maine, and throughout New England this season, especially after the challenges presented by the pandemic and more, over the last year."

PCA’s workshops make a difference, 92% of coaches believe PCA tools help them become better coaches (from a 2019 Report here).  At a recent workshop, one Little League coach thanked PCA for changing the way he coached, describing how he went from being a negative, pushy, intimidating coach to a positive coach who has received his player’s thanks after he completed a PCA workshop (see video here).

Beth O’Neill Maloney, PCA’s New England Regional Director, says "we know that the many baseball and softball coaches across New England graciously volunteer their time because they love the game and appreciate the power of sports to shape kids’ lives. This workshop will include practical approaches to helping coaches not only be effective and competitive but also positive and inclusive as they share their love of the game and make a difference in young lives.  Positivity makes baseball and softball fun. And, positivity drives performance.”

Chris Fay said, "this workshop is a great opportunity for coaches from across each of the New England states to talk baseball and softball, share their experiences, and talk about what has and hasn’t worked for them.  And, if any coach needs an added incentive, one coach will go home a winner because at the end of each workshop, PCA will draw a name from among those in attendance for an autographed Red Sox baseball."

Whether you root for the Portland Sea Dogs, the WooSox, Lowell Spinners, Team USA Softball, the Red Sox, or all of the above, these workshops are free, and can accommodate as many as one hundred coaches each.  Pre-registration is required, and can be completed here:

Questions about the workshops can be addressed to Chris Fay at chris_fay@positivecoach.org  or 857-225-1889.

About Positive Coaching Alliance

As a catalyst for a positive youth sports culture, Positive Coaching Alliance provides research-based training and resources for coaches, parents, athletes, and leaders to ensure a positive youth development experience for ALL kids, in all communities across the U.S., through sports. PCA ensures sports are ‘done right’ with programming that is research-based and designed to have impact at three levels in a youth sports organization or school:

• YOUTH experience improved life skills and character development.
• COACHES become more positive and increase their focus on using sports to teach life lessons.
• YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOLS see their cultures become more positive and everyone involved has more fun.

PCA believes that all youth can benefit from a positive, inclusive sports culture that develops social and emotional skills, molds character, and prepares them for competition and life. In more than two decades of work, PCA expanded from a small local nonprofit to a strong, nationwide organization that provides programming in all 50 states, reaching thousands of organizations around the country and positively impacting millions of youth athletes every year. PCA has now partnered with roughly 3,500 schools and youth sports organizations nationwide to deliver more than 20,000 live group workshops, reaching over 20 million youth.

About The Red Sox Foundation

The Red Sox Foundation is the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox.  The Foundation is focused on making a difference in the lives of children, families, veterans, and communities in need by improving their health, education, and recreational opportunities. The Foundation’s vision is for every young person in New England to have access and opportunity to play baseball and softball. The Foundation aims to support youth baseball and softball in all of Red Sox Nation with the goals of closing the opportunity gap for underserved youth to participate and thrive and ensuring all youth baseball and softball players have a positive experience.