For more than 14 years, Melanie Grubb has dedicated her time to the Little Leaguers® of Swedesboro Woolwich Little League in Swedesboro, New Jersey.
As a softball coach, League President, and mother of four, Ms. Grubb understands the importance of not only teaching the necessary skills that will help her players succeed on the field, but also the life lessons to be carried off the field and into the Swedesboro community.
“With four kids, I knew I wanted to be involved in their lives and be a role model for them the same way my coaches were for me,” said Ms. Grubb. “Then I became League President and now Little League is 24/7 in my life now because my goal is for the program to have a positive impact on the players, coaches, volunteers, and the community.”
Already a role model in her community, Ms. Grubb was also recognized as the recipient of the Lance Coach of the Year Award for Little League Softball® at the 2024 Little League Baseball® World Series (LLBWS) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Also recognized as the September 2024 Little League® Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 Celebration, Ms. Grubb shared her 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?
The Diamond Leader training is great for coaches to take and showcases all of the reasons why Little League should be a positive experience for each player. When some people sign up to coach, they have never played or coached a team before. The Diamond Leader training might not teach them how to run a specific drill on the best way to field a ball, but it will teach them why it is important for them, in their new leadership role, to make sure their players are learning the bigger life lessons that come with playing Little League.
What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader and why should others strive to be the same?
Coaches can make or break a player and there are a lot of coaching styles out there. Some are more competitive, some are focused on winning, and others are focused on the development of the players whether they come off the field with a win or not. Everyone should try to get on the same page and strive to be a Diamond Leader because its important to remember that our role is to make sure the players are having fun and growing more and more each time they step onto the field. Little League is a place for kids to take a step away from the hardships in life and its important to be a leader and ensure the environment is positive and fun.
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.
NOTE: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is a piece of the #GWG50 Celebration in 2024, with interviews of select Girls with Game who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their learnings at their local fields. To learn more about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a long-time Little League partner that is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be activating around key events and milestones this year.