Don Victoria Softball League
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
Don Victoria Softball League
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
Don Victoria Softball League
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
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Important dates April 18 - Season begins
May 9 or 10 - Picture Day
June 23/24 - Championship Day
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Team Selection Balancing
– Age range– Gender (Mite-T-Ball)– Ratings and previous performance if known
Siblings on same team Promoting Safety
- Everyone feels included
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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
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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
DVSL: Coaches Responsibilities & Duties
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
DVSL: Coaches Responsibilities & Duties
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
DVSL: Coaches Responsibilities & Duties
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)
DVSL: Coaches Responsibilities & Duties
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
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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.
Don Victoria Softball League
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
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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
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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
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Role of Convenor
Don Victoria Softball League
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
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Review of League Rules
Brian Cook
Don Victoria Softball League
Two-umpire model Unable to field a team for championship
dayTie-breaker rule for semi-final/final
games
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League Equipment
Juanita Devine
Don Victoria Softball League
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
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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
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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
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Keep track of your equipment
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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
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Preparing the field
Don Victoria Softball League
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
Don Victoria Softball League
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
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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
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To Play or not to Play!!
Don Victoria Softball League
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
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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
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Getting started
Don Victoria Softball League
What has worked for you?
Don Victoria Softball League
Need help scoring?
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Celebrate success no matter how big or small.
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Questions?
Spring Ball is unpredictable
Be Prepared!
Softball is a family activity!
Encourage family involvement
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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
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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
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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
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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 !