A former Little Leaguer® himself, Jeff Palazzola always knew that one day he would return to the field as a coach; so, when his son signed up for his first season with Monarch Little League in Louisville, Colorado, it was a no-brainer for Palazzola to put on his coach’s cap and sign up right alongside him.
“One of the fun things about parenting is to be involved, which included being part of his start with Little League,” said Palazzola. “Something that drew me to coaching my son’s team was being a part of his experience and being able to help him with his growth. It is important in youth sports to remember that it’s not just about the game, but it’s about teaching these kids about being good human beings, too.”
With his own Little League® memories in the back of his mind – like the joy he felt during his first home run or the sense of pride he experienced when he was selected to play for his first All-Stars team – Palazzola understands the importance of creating an environment that allows his players to make those same memories.
“You work hard, you play hard, and you love the game so when you get those moments as a player, it’s a special feeling,” said Palazzola. “Now, it’s important for me as the coach to make sure those experiences are now special for my son and his teammates as they continue through the program just like they were for me.”
Recognized as the April 2025 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, Palazzola shared his training experience in a Diamond Leader Discussion:
From your experience with the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program, why do you think it is important for other coaches and volunteers to take it, as well?
One of the things that was particularly important for me while I took the training was how some of the concepts were articulated – getting to know the players, understanding their motivations, how to build a team, how to drive teamwork, and how to help them build confidence. All coaches should do the training and understand that it is not all about wins and losses, but it’s about setting these kids up on a foundation for life, too. No matter the number of years you’ve been doing it, there is always something to learn and add to your coaching style.
Why do you think it is important to focus on developing Little Leaguers® not only as players but as people, too?
We all have to remember that these players are anywhere from four to 16 years old, and these are the foundations for life. As the coach, we get to teach them how to be a good teammate, which is something they will have to know how to do whether they end up being a professional athlete or not. Building that foundation to help them be a good person and a good contributing member of their community is as important as teaching them how to throw a ball.
What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader, and why should others strive to be the same?
It is really special to see how these kids grow year after year, whether they are on my team or not. The excitement when they get back on the field, even if they are no longer on your team, is great because you got to be a part of their progress and continued success. The joy they get from playing Little League is what makes being a coach such a special experience and builds the memories that I will carry with me after I am done. Plus, when you have a group of coaches who all align on the values we want to share with the kids, special things happen, and it’s a privilege to work with the group of coaches I work with every season.
The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.