Ocee Park Athletic Association Coaches Guide
OPAA would like to thank all of our coaches for volunteering their time and energy in order to create a
positive environment for our players and families. See below for important information about coaching
at Ocee Park. If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation Coordinator for your age group.
Rules: Rules for each league are posted on oceepark.com – please familiarize yourself with the
rules of your league. No “coaches’ agreements” are allowed to alter the rules in any way. The
bat rules/requirements for each league are posted on the front page of the website.
Scheduling: All scheduling (practices and games) is done by the OPAA scheduler. Under NO
circumstances are coaches permitted to change the schedule in any way, including canceling a game.
Any games changed/canceled by coaches will result in a forfeit by both teams. If there are any questions
or concerns about the schedule they should be brought to the attention of your Recreation Coordinator.
Practice: In many cases there are two teams scheduled on one field for a practice time slot. In this case
the Home team will have use of the actual playing field for the first 45 minutes and the Visitor will have
use of the assigned batting cages for that field. The teams will switch for the last 45 minutes. The team
using the batting cages may also use space in the far outfield during their batting time if it does not
interfere with the team who has the field. Coaches are expected to work together to make sure
everyone gets appropriate practice time/space.
Batting Cage assignments: When two teams are sharing a field for practice or when warming up for a
game, there are assigned batting cages based on the field your team is on. Make sure you use the cages
as assigned.
Field #1 and field #2 cages are located between Field #2 and #3. Field #1 teams have the two cages on
the field #3 side of the block of cages and field #2 teams have the cages on the field #2 side.
Field #3 and field #4 cages are located between field #3 and field #4. Field #3 teams have the two cages
on the field #3 side of the block of cages and field #4 teams have the cages on the field #4 side.
LF2 teams has the cage in the right field of the LF2 field and RF2 has the cage in the left field of RF2. Lang
is assigned the 2 cages closest to Lang and Jacobs is assigned the 2 cages closest to Jacobs.
When warming up for a game each time has ONE cage to warm up
Fields: The City of Johns Creek maintains the playing fields and the overall park. If you see any problems
with fields or other structures at the park, please send an email to your Recreation Coordinator. OPAA
contracts with a vendor to have the fields lined for games. If for any reason your field is not lined for a
game, there is lining equipment and chalk in the coaches shed (room on the Field #2 side of the field
house). There are times when coaches and other volunteers may be asked to help prep fields. Keep in
mind that we are a recreation park whose program is run by volunteers with full-time jobs and the fields
are maintained by the city. We do not have a “field’s crew” at the ready to make adjustments or fix
small problems.
Field dimensions: Coaches are responsible for making sure that pitching mounds/rubbers and bases
are at the right distances for practices and games. Each coach has a dig-out tool in their equipment bag
and should check distances. Most fields are used by multiple age groups and require different base
paths and pitching mound distances. Make sure you replace the base plugs when moving bases.
Scoreboards/scorekeeping: The home team is expected to keep an official scorebook (available in
your equipment bag or through your Recreation Coordinator) and the visiting team is expected to have
an adult run the scoreboard console at each game. After the game, please help ensure that the score
console is returned to the umpire room (behind the concession stand).
Warm-Ups: Each team should use their assigned side of the field for pre-game warm-ups (home team
has first base dugout – visiting team has 3rd base dugout). Each team may use the outfield area as well as
their side of the infield to warm up prior to the start of a game. No team should be on the opposite side
of 2nd base from their side of the field during warm-ups (in other words you may not use the entire
infield for one team). Make sure your players stay off the chalk lines prior to the game.
Lightning/Weather: Make sure you have signed up for our sumo-text system for all weather
delays/cancellations. This is how we communicate to all park families and avoids multiple emails/texts
to board members. We also have a lightning detection service at the park. If lightning is detected in the
immediate area, the system will send one long blast that can easily be heard across the park. When you
hear this alarm, leave the field with your team and gather in a safe place. If no lightning is detected
within 20 minutes of the first blast the all clear will sound – this is 3 short blasts and you can resume
your practice or game. If the all-clear is not given within 20 minutes you may cancel your practice. The
umpire has the call for canceling a game in progress.
Uniforms: OPAA provides uniforms for all teams – jersey and hat for all and either a belt or socks
depending on age group. It is up to individual teams on whether or not you want to add names and
numbers to the jerseys (almost all teams do at least numbers). Either the coach or team mom, can
collect monies from each family ($7.00-$9.00) and have the names and number screen printed on the
jerseys. It is best to have each child select their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for number. OPAA will provide a list
of local resources who do screen printing. In the past, OPAA has pre numbered jerseys and we received
a lot of feedback that the kids like to choose their own number so at this time we are continuing to do
jerseys this way.
Coaches Shed: On the Field #2 side of the field house there is a door with a key pad and a garage door.
This is the “coaches shed”. We store field dry, lining chalk, lining boxes and rakes in this shed for coaches
to use when needed. We also use this shed to leave things for coaches (uniforms, coaches’ bags etc).
The code is 2533. Please help us keep this room neat and tidy.
If there are other items you have questions about please inform your Recreation Coordinator so that we
can continue to update this guide to ensure that we all partner together to create the best experience
possible for our families.