Minor League Bench Coach

ABOUT US:

The Colorado Rockies are a professional Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. The mission of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club is to embody the principles and practices of a championship organization in both the sport and business of baseball. In the rich tradition that has made baseball America's national pastime, we are committed to conducting our business with integrity, service, quality, and trust. We are committed to achieving excellence both on and off the field.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Minor League Bench Coach is critical in supporting the manager and coaching staff by assisting in-game strategy, player development, and team preparation. This position requires a deep understanding of baseball fundamentals, coaching techniques, leadership skills, and a passion for player development. The Bench Coach assists in overseeing and implementing the Colorado Rockies development philosophies and practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Help manage affiliate staff to provide necessary resources for players on and off the field.
Assist the manager with pre-game planning, in-game decision-making, and strategic adjustments during games.
Assist in managing on-field operations of games.
Work closely with the front office and coordinators to align and communicate a shared vision.
Coordinate player plan meetings and work.
Work with individual players on skill development, including hitting, fielding, and base running.
Provide consistent feedback to players to improve their performance.
Oversee and implement staff development practices and processes to develop players at the respective affiliate.
Establish a foundation of winning with a focus on the development of players.
Hold players and staff accountable to the Club’s standards.
Exhibit leadership in thought process, decision-making, creativity, and actions.
Communicate clearly and concisely with players, staff, coordinators, and front office.
Creatively seek out solutions to issues and challenges faced throughout the season.
Maintain continuity throughout the organization in setting standards, expectations, and terminology in what is being taught.
Monitor and evaluate player performance during games, making in-game suggestions to improve individual and team play.
Relay strategic signals and assist with positioning adjustments.
Ensure that players are mentally prepared for games and understand the strategies.
Review videos of upcoming opponents and assist the coaching staff in scouting reports. Help players understand opposing teams' strengths and weaknesses.
Help players manage the mental and physical challenges of the season by supporting them in maintaining peak performance levels.
Assist in reviewing and analyzing game performance, identifying areas for improvement, and communicating those findings to players.
Serve as the manager’s right hand in administrative duties and on-field decision-making.

CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

5+ years of experience coaching professional baseball is required.
Experience playing professional baseball is preferred.
Extremely motivated, with a strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and a desire to learn and grow.
Must be detail-oriented, have strong organization skills, and have multi-tasking abilities.
Must deeply understand baseball fundamentals, team strategy, player development, and a passion for baseball.
Knowledge of baseball analytics and the use of technology to support coaching and player development is preferred.
Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, and work well with players, staff members, coordinators, and supervisors in a team environment to accomplish common goals.
Must have strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and teach players.
Must be consistent and punctual and maintain regular attendance while presenting a professional image and demeanor.
Must have the ability to maintain a positive attitude and approach, even in challenging game situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Much of the job duties occur outside and inside an affiliate location.
The job requires long, irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
The job requires extensive travel, with overnight stays and long road trips.

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

As a Minor League Bench Coach, you must perform several physical tasks throughout the day and during a game. The job requires physical endurance, agility, and coordination to ensure efficient support for the team. Specific physical requirements include:

Ability to remain on your feet for extended periods, particularly during games that may last several hours. Bench coaches often stand for the duration of a game while providing guidance and making strategic decisions.
Ability to move quickly during on-field situations such as making substitutions, fielding drills, or responding to player needs during the game. This includes rapid movements between the dugout and the field when necessary.
Required to demonstrate agility when assisting in drills, reacting to player needs on the field, and providing on-the-spot feedback during high-pressure game moments.
Minor league seasons are demanding, with long travel schedules, extended hours at the ballpark, and back-to-back games. The Bench Coach must be physically capable of enduring these demands and staying engaged throughout.
Ability to lift and carry baseball equipment, such as bats, balls, pitching machines, and training tools. Coaches may also be responsible for managing practice gear and player needs.
Ability to maintain proper posture and coordination during team meetings, batting practice, and while making strategic decisions in the dugout or on the field.
Required to observe player actions, especially during drills or games accurately. Effective hand-eye coordination is crucial for coaching activities like hitting or fielding practice.
Ability to perform in extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, rain, and cold weather. The position requires the coach to work outdoors for extended periods, and the coach must be capable of handling varying climates.
The role requires sharp visual skills to assess players' physical performance, such as their swing mechanics, fielding abilities, and overall game awareness.
Fine motor skills and dexterity are essential for writing reports, making strategic notes, or using tablets and other electronic devices during scouting or analysis.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual salary of $68,640 - $80,000. This is a regular status, full-time position.
As a candidate for this position, your salary and related elements of compensation will be contingent upon your work experience, education, job-related skills, and any other factors the Colorado Rockies consider relevant to the hiring decision for this position.
In addition to the base salary, the Club believes in providing a very competitive and generous compensation and benefits package for its employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, employee discounts on merchandise, and so much more! All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and the terms of official plan documents which may be modified or amended at any given time.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by December 10^th, 2024.

The estimated time to complete the recruitment process will be by December 20^th, 2024. Please note this is just an estimate, and the application process and recruiting process may extend or close at any time.
A note for Colorado Rockies employees:
- Please apply via the internal job board in UKG by following these prompts: MENU > MYSELF > VIEW OPPORTUNITIES > select the position > CONSENT > APPLY NOW
- If you cannot access UKG, please list your most recent Manager as an Employee Reference on your application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Rockies baseball is for everyone! We pride ourselves on hiring, developing, and promoting talent as an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants and employees will receive consideration for employment or promotion without regard to race (including, but not limited to, traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length and/or protective hairstyles), color, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, ancestry, age (40+), creed, religion, disability, veteran status, pregnancy/childbirth and related conditions, or any other category or activity protected by law. In addition, we will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified job applicants and employees with known physical or mental disabilities in compliance with the ADA. All employment and promotion decisions will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business needs.