don victoria softball league. april 4, 2012 coaches meeting

Don Victoria Softball League


April 4, 2012

Coaches Meeting

Agenda

Introductions

League Structure & Overview

Coaching – Role & responsibilities – Tips for running a practice

Role of Convenor– How to deal with problems

Review of League rules– Insurance/Umpires

Equipment management

Wrap-up

DVSL Coaches’ Meeting

Welcome and Introductions


Overview of League & Structure

2012Don Victoria Softball League Executive

Co-Chairs:– Dan Leliever– Juanita Devine

UIC – Brian Cook Treasurer- Karen Fraser Registrar- Warren Jones Equip.& Fac.- Vacant Web-master- Mike Fusco Secretary- Juanita Devine Sponsor coordinator - Vicki Cook Coach & Convenor Coordinator –

Dan Leliever Photo & Trophy Coordinator- Liz

Fusco

Uniform Coordinator- Elaine Macklin

Schedule Coordinator- Staci Andrews

Forms/Info Coordinator- Jennifer Woodward

T-Ball convenor- Liz Fusco Mite convenor: Fadia Cocco Girls convenors:

– Elaine Macklin– Ruby Ward

Boys convenors:– Rhonda Cook– Linda Griffiths


What’s in 2012 Based on feedback- no umpires at T-Ball Division Two Umpires when feasible at youth levels Increase in permit fees, will impact registration fees for 2013 Fewer girls at T-Ball & Mite levels Championship day schedule proved in parent info package Tony Devine Memorial Award (Girls & Boys Division) details to follow Registration

7 T- Ball teams (89 players, 75 boys, 14 girls) 3 Co-ed Mite teams – 4 Youth Girls Teams 3 Youth Boys Teams– 7 Adult Teams


Important dates April 18 - Season begins

May 9 or 10 - Picture Day

June 23/24 - Championship Day


Team Selection Balancing

– Age range– Gender (Mite-T-Ball)– Ratings and previous performance if known

Siblings on same team Promoting Safety

- Everyone feels included


Coaches package Coaches Duties Rules for the League Team List & Contact Info Player Rating Sheets- details to follow Team Schedule & Championship game schedule Parent Letter Exec Info & Contact Info Equipment Maintenance Info Accident Report Form Score Sheets


Coaches Responsibilities & Duties

DVSL: Coaches Responsibilities & Duties

Adhere to the League’s Code of Conduct-Respect

Umpires Players/Children Parks/facilities Coaches

- Encourage Educate Motivate Support development Show

appreciation

- Praise Offer praise Turn defeat into victory Applaud

good plays on both teams Have Fun


Reinforce League Mandate: To teach recreational softball skills, good

sportsmanship, honesty, teamwork & commitment to players

Follow League Rules

Report injuries to Convenor & submit completed accident report ASAP and no later than 2 days after incident


Demonstrate & promote good sportsmanship

Be a positive role model

Be prepared for practices & games

Be knowledgeable of coaches duties at games: park set-up, getting started on time See coaches Duties

Contact Convenor in a timely manner with any issues/concerns


Refer parents to Convenor if unable to resolve their issue/concern

Be knowledgeable of softball rules that apply to your division

Contact UIC re clarification of rules

Complete player ratings as per tool provided ( details to follow)


F/U re unsigned waivers as necessary, see call list ( Players can NOT play until indemnity waiver is signed! )

Reschedule & play all cancelled games regardless of impact on standings

Rain-out games to be rescheduled within 1 week


Set up park if home team

Prepare line-ups, identify a 1st & 3rd base coach, be ready to start game on time & ensure score is kept

Maintain a good pace of play during games

Ensure principles of fair play if > 9 players

Home team to provide game results to convenor within 24 hours of game.


Coaching Why are you coaching? Understand all expectations ( League, your own,

players & parents) Build confidence, motivate & set goals. Seek support for parents:

– Carpools, score keeping, organizing equipment, etc Be empathic- Never compare boys to girls Make it fun


Practices: Schedule practices Get to know your team- why did they sign up to play Be prepared- have a plan & use time wisely Work on & develop individual skills Accept individual styles Rehearse field activities- demonstrate & practice Provide feedback – praise vs. punishment


League expectations- 1 practice/wk

•Find a time that works for you and your players

•Communicate expectations to parents

•Schedule appropriate length of practice based on age & # of players

Practices Cont’d


Role of Convenor


Role of Convenor

Represents coaches/players at Exec. Comm. Mtgs. and communicates League info back to coaches/parents

Attend the majority of division games

Oversees conduct of team players, coaches and parents

Assists Coaches in player/parent disciplinary matters

Collects and maintains info re game results for Division

Submits game results to Webmaster in a timely manner


Review of League Rules

Brian Cook


Two-umpire model Unable to field a team for championship

dayTie-breaker rule for semi-final/final

games


League Equipment

Juanita Devine


Team Equipment Team bags available for pick up today

Do not remove team tag #

Bag content list provided for reference

Use only League issued equipment (personal helmets ok if approved)

Carry an old blanket or sleeping bag for cool nights


Different sizes of helmets & bats provided ( no need to in-do chin straps)

Discourage playing from throwing helmets on ground

1 set Shin Guards and a Chest protector provided

Adjust straps on shin guards (no knots)

Contact Equipment Manager re size concerns

Have players label their gloves and caps


Dry wet equipment asap

Contact Equipment Manager re damaged equipment for a replacement

Clean equipment bag at end of season

Check for player’s personal belongings & return to owner

Return equipment on Championship day


Keep track of your equipment


Equipment lost during 2012 season - Youth Division

Equipment # Est. Replacement cost

Chest protector 1 $40.00

Bats (Various sizes, 24”, 26”, 27”,29”, 20”, 32” )

8 $300.00

Wiffle balls 6 $9.00

Pitcher’s mounds & spikes 3 $10.00


Preparing the field


Preparing the field: Home team prepares park for game Allow at least 15 minutes for preparation

(more if it has rained) Carry a rake and shovel if possible A bucket & old shammys come in handy Hammer & Tape measure provided


Distance from pitcher’s mound to home plate measured from back of home plate

Use foul posts as a guide when available

Safe base straddles the 1st base foul line. White on the left and orange on the right

Use hammers( not bats) to secure base spikes


Protect base straps when hammering in base spikes

Use care when removing bases to limit damage

Check dug-out and field for equipment before leaving park

Remind players/parents to collect their garbage


To Play or not to Play!!


Cancellations due to weather or park conditions (no later than 5:30pm ) – Who decides & when

Home team coach & UIC

– Who needs to know Other coach Players UIC Convenor


To Play or not to play!

Can’t field a team- forfeit or reschedule

Games to be rescheduled within 1 week.

Contact the UIC to confirm availability of a park & umpires


Getting started


What has worked for you?


Need help scoring?


Celebrate success no matter how big or small.


Questions?

Spring Ball is unpredictable

Be Prepared!

Softball is a family activity!

Encourage family involvement


Final Thoughts Consider providing a parent letter Consider having a treat list for games. Have

a parent organize. Have a plan for communicating cancellations Consider the age & developmental stage of

players


Keep call lists in a safe place

Please contact players by the beginning of next week

Look for ways to recognize achievements

Have fun, you’ll get back more than you give

Share your experiences & stories with friends and family


Goal is to have uniforms by 1st game Plan to repeat a parent survey this season Your availability for mid-season coaches

meeting? Consider joining the Executive Committee Promote parental involvement, eg coaching,

convenor, Executive Committee


Executive Committee Positions

Positions Role & estimated time commitment ( In addition to attending the majority of meetings)

Secretary Record & circulate meeting notes of Executive Committee – approx 10-12 (2 hour) meetings/ season

Asst Equipment manager Approx 15 hours at end/beginning of season to prepare team equipment bags for distribution

Asst Sponsor Coordinator Approx 15 Hours at beginning of season to identify & confirm sponsors

Coach Coordinator Approx 10 hours to recruit coaches and distribute key information to coaches

Convenor Coordinator Approx 5 hours to recruit convenors and distribute key information to Division Convenors

General Member Assist as necessary to support League functioning

Resources for coaches

DVSL Coaches package Other League Coaches Sample parent letter on DVSL Website Local Library for books on coaching softball Softball Ontario Resources available for loan from

Executive Websites:

– www.y-coach.com– www.game-ex.com/drills– www.specialolympics.org/softball.apex– www.oasa.ca/links

Lets Play Ball!!!!

Have a great Season !

don victoria softball league. april 4, 2012 coaches meeting

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