Little League® Diamond Leaders Discussions: Rachel Perkins

For more than 30 years, Rachel Perkins has dedicated her life to youth sports. Mrs. Perkins, a former softball player herself, has taken her love and passion for the game onto the field as a volunteer Little League coach.

Over the years, Mrs. Perkins coached both baseball and softball, served as an umpire and trained other volunteers who also wanted to coach. Inspired by her son, Mrs. Perkins teamed up with a close friend to create the Hawthorne (Calif.) National Wiseburn Little League’s Challenger Division. For more than 13 years, Mrs. Perkins dedicated her time to giving players of all abilities the opportunity to experience the joys of baseball.

“We had a blast,” Mrs. Perkins said. “It wasn’t about winning or losing, but about making sure every player had the opportunity to hold a bat, even if he or she used a walker or was in a wheelchair. We just wanted them to have fun.”

Today, Ms. Perkins serves as the Safety Officer for California District 37 and continues to volunteer as a referee to fill volunteer gaps in local leagues.

Recognized as the June 2024 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, as part of the Girls with Game 50 CelebrationMs. Perkins recently 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 not only for coaches, but for all volunteers to attend the training?

“The Diamond Leader training covers everything related to the importance of ensuring the young athletes get what they need from the coaches so they can build their self-esteem. When I first started, I was a tough coach who wanted to win at all costs, and there are coaches who are still like that. But checking that your player is emotionally well, both on and off the field, is the important piece of coaching that is sometimes overlooked. What we do with the children now will impact our future and that is why Diamond Leader training is important for all volunteers.”

This year marks its 50th anniversary^e Little League Softball Birthday^® World Series and 50 years of allowing girls to participate in the Little League program. What does the celebration of Girls with Game 50 mean to you as a woman who plays an active role in the program?

“I’m so happy that we’re celebrating Girls with Game and I think it’s phenomenal, but I hope that women’s involvement will continue to grow. You look at the growth and excitement around women’s basketball right now and that’s what I want for softball, specifically Little League softball. As the Little League Softball World Series continues to expand and with events like the Athletes Unlimited Pro Games, we could see more growth. The AU Pro Games are phenomenal because hopefully you now inspire the next generation of little girls to sign up for Little League softball with the dream of being just like the professional players.

What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader and why should others aspire to be the same?

“First of all, the Diamond Leader training was great. There are so many different areas where everyone can learn something, whether they are a district administrator, coach or parent. It is important because what we do now with the community’s youth will impact everyone’s future, not just theirs. From the tee ball players to the senior league, it is important to take the lessons from the field and teach them the importance of community and volunteer work. If we want programs like Little League to continue in the future, we must lead by example both on and off the field.”

The Little League Diamond Leader Programwhich was first tested with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers during the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in collaboration with the Project game from the Aspen Institute. The Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is focused on ensuring kids have a positive, well-rounded experience both on and off the field. It is a FREE educational tool that helps coaches understand the impact 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.

REMARK: The Little League Diamond Leader Discussions is part of the #GWG50 celebration in 2024with interviews from select Girls playing who have completed the Little League Diamond Leader training program and exemplify their experiences in their local field. For more information about this initiative, visit LittleLeague.org/GWG50. The #GWG50 celebration is proudly supported by DICK’S Sporting Goods, a longtime Little League partner committed to creating opportunities for girls and women in sports and will be active around key events and milestones this year.