Long-Term Development

It is our hope that by implementing Long-Term Development (LTD) processes & programs in British Columbia youth baseball, we are providing a centre for discussion and planning, a vision to change our baseball culture and ultimately offer the vehicle to launch effective change in the manner in which we develop players from the Active Start phase right through BC & Canada all the way to the elitist levels or the Active for Life phase.

 

Click here for a Message from Baseball BC & Jeff Francis

 

What is LTD?

Sport For Life - Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity

General LTD information

Please go to Sport for Life | Developing physical literacy and delivering quality sport for access to the resource paper used as background in starting work on the LTD process…

LTD info for Parent's - Click Here

 

(Baseball Canada to update to LTD soon...)

Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is a systemic approach being developed and adopted by Baseball Canada & Baseball BC to maximize a participant's potential and involvement in our sport. The LTAD framework aims to define optimal training, competition and recovery throughout an athlete's career to enable him / her to reach his / her full potential in baseball and as an athlete. Tailoring a child's sports development program to suit basic principles of growth and maturation, especially during the 'critical' early years of their development, enables him / her to reach their full potential & increase lifelong participation in baseball and other physical activities.

The LTAD model is split into stages in which a player will move from simple to more complex skills and from general to baseball related skills. For example, a beginner may start by learning basic throwing and hitting actions and then once this has been mastered, he / she will progress onto more advanced skills.

This framework will set out recommended training sequences and skills developments for the participant from the Active Start stage (5 and under) to the Active for Live Stage (adult recreational). It will address the physical, mental, emotional and technical needs of the athlete as they pass through each stage of development.

Where has it come from?

A combination of recent research and the knowledge of coaches from around the world are being used to write the LTAD model. The program will be sport-science supported and based on the best data and research available. Our work will be based on the work of Canadian sport scientists, such as Istvan Bayyi, and focuses on key, common principles of individual development, which many sports organizations consider good practice in long-term planning for athletes.

Many leading sports stars have also attributed part of their success to participating in different sports and activities at a young age by giving them a wider base of sports skills. Our goal will be to develop our players to their maximum potential by training and enhancing all the athletic skills that contribute to their success.

What will this mean for your child?

During your child's first few years of baseball, the emphasis will be on physical literacy. Time should be spent learning the ABC'S of athleticism (Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed) to teach them how to control his / her own bodies. For this reason, your child may take part in exercises that do not look relevant to baseball but are supporting their development. Games and other sports will teach your child to throw the ball (basic hitting actions), catch it (hand-eye coordination), change direction and run properly. At each stage the child will be trained in the optimal systems and programs to maximize his / her potential as a ballplayer and as a long-term participant in sport.

What has this got to do with baseball?

Baseball BC is looking to provide children with all the skills needed to take part in physical activity throughout their lifetimes. We are looking further into the future than just teaching the skills to win games or tournaments today because it may have a detrimental effect on them taking part tomorrow.

It is thought that taking part in baseball-specific training too early can lead to an early dropout rate, create muscle imbalances and neglect teaching the fundamental skills needed for most sports. In fact, research shows that early specialization in most team sports results in these outcomes.

Research has also shown that it is during childhood that people are best at learning physical skills. For this reason, we are advising coaches and parents to teach transferable skills first that will allow your child to become proficient in a number of different sports and therefore increase their chances of being physically active throughout their lifetime. For example, if your child learns to catch and throw a ball successfully, an avenue to take part in other ball sports is opened.

Who else is using LTAD?

The Council of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport have endorsed and established the goal of the implementation of a Long-Term Athlete Development program throughout the sport community in Canada. Sport Canada has been working with National Sport Organizations to development sport-specific programs according to an overall framework established by an expert group of sport scientists.

Nearly all sports in Canada have started the process of designing and putting into place LTAD programs. There has been a sharing of best practices among resource personnel and National bodies and the overall program is gaining momentum.

Baseball Canada was in the second wave of sports to start the LTAD process and closely followed the work of such groups as Volleyball Canada, Athletics Canada, Canada Basketball and Soccer to create the best opportunities for all children. Baseball BC is now working on baseball’s 2.0 LTAD document with Baseball Canada.

Various national sporting groups in the UK and Ireland are approximately 18 months ahead of their Canadian counterparts in the development of LTAD programs and we are using their experiences and best practices in process development to ensure we have the most comprehensive and effective system possible. Baseball in Canada began considering the development its programming because of the Quebec City Summit held by Baseball Canada and the provincial organizations in the fall of 2003. This LTAD project is a natural extension of the work started in Quebec City.

Where will Baseball's LTAD model come from?

Baseball Canada commenced work on a LTAD model and framework for baseball in November 2005 when a Project Workgroup was appointed, and work has progressed rapidly. There is an ongoing review of the work being completed by Baseball BC & others since the appointment of the Project team.

We consult with a wide range of coaches, sports scientists and experienced volunteers from across Canada to represent the views of the whole baseball community. Their knowledge and expertise is used as input to form the LTAD framework for baseball in BC & Canada. We assisted in this process by the LTAD Resource paper and research of the expert group, in particular Richard Way and Istvan Balyi (see www.ltad.ca for resource paper).

We conduct data collection and review available research to test the existing programs and make recommendations on optimal systems and programs. We seek the collaboration of the national baseball organization and local baseball communities to make sure we have as comprehensive a system as possible.

In developing this model and framework, we are currently in the process of reviewing our programs in line with LTAD principles. Our competition program, coach education system, elite play structure and development initiatives will all evolve to be consistent with the principles established within this underpinning model.

Our LTAD principles are on a continuous improvement regime where the system will be benchmarked against the most current developmental principles and upgraded regularly. It is a living document that provides a planning framework to enable us to always deliver the most appropriate training.

Baseball BC LTAD resources

Baseball BC will continually update this section to provide access to the most current materials and programs as they are developed.

We will add a range of LTAD resources designed to help all Coaches, Teachers, Players and Parents understand the stages that each player goes through and also the training principles and activities at each stage.

DQ Rally Cap Program

This has been designed by Baseball Canada & Provincial Baseball Organizations (Baseball BC) to ensure that a child's entry into the game of baseball is appropriate and enjoyable. Stressing the proper FUNdamentals, it describes a program of activities for children 8 and under. Click here for more info.

Grand Slam Program

This has been designed by Baseball Canada & Provincial Baseball Organizations (Baseball BC) in the continual pursuit of physical literacy & is designed to promote continued physical development by being a logical follow-up for players who have been initiated through the Rally Cap program.  Click here for more info.

My 1^st Pitch Program

This is the official introduction to Baseball Canada’s & Provincial Baseball Organizations (Baseball BC) pitching program.  This program has been designed specifically for all young baseball players aged 10-11 and aims to increase interest in baseball at the Learn to Train stage of development.  Click here for more info.

Winterball Program

The goal of this program is to introduce baseball to students & schools in a recreational non-competitive environment where youngsters have fun and attain success by performing skills. Once a student realizes that they are able to perform the fundamentals of baseball, we believe that there will be interest in playing the game within a local organized baseball association. Click here for more info.

Female Program

This program is designed by Baseball BC to attract all females 8 years & older. It provides female athletes a combination of development and competition in a fun all-female environment.  Before provincial select teams begin at 14U, young females are offered an Active Start & FUNdamentals through many events such as festival, camps, etc. throughout the province. Click here for more info.

Challenger Baseball Program

This is a division of Baseball BC that provides an opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities.  Click here for more info.

NCCP - Initiation Coach Program

This program for entry level coaches has been designed under the National Coach Certification Program to address the needs of coaches handling children entering the game of baseball and playing in the Community Sport context. Entry is started through an on-line module at nccp.baseball.ca.

 

General LTD information

Please go to Sport for Life | Developing physical literacy and delivering quality sport for access to the resource paper used as background in starting work on the LTD process…

 

LTD info for Parent's - Click Here

 

More helpful videos

High Performance & LTAD

LTAD Overall

Multi-Sport value for Parents

Sleep Recovery

Participaction 150

Our kids tell us the truth about sports parents

Baseball Canada Blogs

 

 

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