Travel Ball
This is a Fast pitch travel team and not a Rec. team. The players make the lineup decisions for the coaches every game based on their attitude, catching, fielding, hitting, hustle, pitching, running and throwing skills. Decisions for all "team players" positions and playing time are made in the best interest for our team to remain competitive. The statement "Playing time is earned, not given" is the foundation of our coaching philosophy. Most teams have starters and role players. However, starters will not receive any special treatment. Everyone on the team is expected to put the best interest of the team first, before any thought is given to individual accomplishments. No individual, coach or player, is more important than the team.
What specifically does "Playing time is earned, not given" mean? The amount of playing time each player receives will depend on attitude, skill level, and commitment, absences, injuries and game/tournament situations.
Team pride is another cornerstone of our competitive athletic program. Winning builds pride, but so does hard work and commitment to individual and team goals. The coaches and I will instill in each player the belief that hard work pays off, and the harder she works, the more they will achieve. While winning is a goal for everyone, at the same time each player should focus on her effort - not the outcome. A team can always control its' effort, but seldom the outcome of a game.
Being a softball parent.
Being a softball parent is probably the toughest job on the field. It is hard to do well, and seldom does anyone applaud you when you do it right. But to the team and to your player your job is exceptionally important. The responsibility is enormous. Do your best to be a good representative of your team and your daughter's #1 supporter. In doing so, keep in mind the following:
1. Softball is a SPORT - Kids are supposed to have FUN playing softball.
2. Your child is NOT you. Therefore, she will have different strengths and weaknesses than you have/had as an athlete and as a human being. They will also be different from their siblings. Help your child, as an individual, excel in their strengths and continue to improve on their weaknesses.
3. Your daughter might not be as good of an athlete as you were when you were in school. Don't force her to be something she isn't.
4. If you weren't a good athlete in school, it is not your daughter's job to make up for what you didn't do.
5. Your attitude & behavior "trickles down" to your child. Demonstrate sportsmanship in your actions & words.
6. She knows when she makes mistakes. Catch her doing something right.
7. Teach, but only teach when you know the right things.
8. BE PATIENT! If you are the parent of a pitcher there are many body "mechanics" she needs to master before she can start throwing hard. THEN, she has to master both mechanics AND speed before she should start working on accuracy. Be patient!
9. Umpires do their best and ARE trying to be fair. If you disagree with an umpire's call, try to keep it to yourself. Your daughter doesn't need to think that the problems she might be experiencing can be blamed on the umpire.
10. Not all good parents make good softball coaches.
11. Not all good coaches make good softball parents.
12. Again, softball is a SPORT. Let your daughter have the privilege of: (1) doing it on her own, (2) doing her best, and (3) having FUN doing it. Win or lose, your objective is to make her feel good about herself and make sure she is smiling at the end of the game.
Unwritten Rules
Unwritten Rules are rules that 'go without saying.' We all know them; we shouldn't have to be told.
BE ON TIME - "on time" means "on the field, warming up" before the start of each practice. If you're not five minutes early, you're late.
ABSENCES/PRACTICES - If a player must miss a practice, she must call the coaches to let them know. If the conflict is the parent’s (or sibling’s), the player is still expected to be at practice. Get a ride. That is what the player phone list card is for – pick up the phone and call another parent.
ABSENCES/TOURNAMENTS – Every player is expected to be at every game of every tournament. While we all understand that conflicts do come up, this is a travel team (not rec), and it is expected to be a priority. When softball tournament season begins (in April), it is expected that Softball becomes your #3 priority until the season ends – after family and school. Again, if a conflict is the parent’s (or sibling’s), the player is still expected to be at the tournament.
INJURIES - In the event of an injury, the player should still attend games and practices. Much can be learned from helping coaches and listening during practice.
ATTIRE/EQUIPMENT - Come prepared to play/practice. Equipment should be taken care of with respect. Keep equipment in bags, never on the ground or bench. For practices, you are expected to be wearing the team practice uniform, and have all necessary equipment at every practice: spikes, tennis shoes, glove, game face, knee sliding pads, sliding shorts, and jump rope
CELL PHONES - NO cell phones at practice. NO cell phones at games. NO cell phones in bat bags. This includes texting also.
DUGOUTS - Only Coaches and players in dugout at all times. Do not leave the dugout unless it is an extreme situation.
UNIFORMS – Arrive at games prepared and ready to play. Don't dress at the field or in the dugout. Shirts should be tucked in at all times.
Let the Ump ump,
Let the Coach coach,
Let the kids play, and
Let the parents cheer.