Wausau West High School COACHES EXPECTATIONS SOFTBALL

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1 Wausau West High School COACHES EXPECTATIONS SOFTBALL As a coach at Wausau West High School, there are certain guidelines anyone interested in playing softball need to follow. Remember, you are all students first and softball players second. Therefore, problems with classroom attendance, tardiness, performance, and behavior will be handled by the coach in this manner: 1. Discussion with student 2. Suspension from team for one game or games 3. Expulsion from team Some other general characteristics needed to help strengthen the Wausau West Softball Program: Communication, Responsibility, Respect, Work Ethic and Attitude. Here is a list of other expectations for girls playing softball at Wausau West. PRACTICE RULES 1. Attendance is mandatory for the entire practice. 2. If you must miss a practice, you (or a parent) must notify the coach before the practice begins. 3. Missed practices and/or missed games can result in not starting, not playing or not dressing depending on the circumstances. 4. All athletes must arrive to practices and games on time. 5. All athletes are expected to help carry out, set-up, and return equipment. Also, players are expected to help manicure the diamond before and after practice, and after games. 6. Any injury received at a practice or a game must be reported to your coach. 7. Jewelry is not to be worn at any time (practice or games). 8. All athletes are expected to have proper personal softball equipment (examples: softball spikes, glove, etc.) for outside and games. (Tennis shoes for inside) LOCKER ROOM RULES 1. All athletes should leave the locker room in the same as or better condition than they found it. 2. All lockers should be locked. 3. Athletic locker rooms are not available during the school day. In an emergency, ask a softball coach for assistance. 4. No Cell phone use allowed in the lockerroom at any time. GAME CONDUCT 1. At all home games you are expected to be dressed and ready for pre-game warm-ups one hour prior to game time. 2. Good sportsmanship is to be shown to officials, opponents, teammates, coaches and spectators at all times. 3. Respect umpires and the calls that they make. Even if you think the decision is a mistaken one you must accept it. You cannot dwell on things you cannot change, for this will affect your play which in turn affects the teams play. 4. Captains are responsible for thanking umpires and scorekeepers following the game.

2 TRANSPORTATION CONDUCT 1. Respect will be shown to all bus drivers and all buses will be left in better condition than when you arrived. 2. All athletes must ride the team bus to away games. 3. Parents or guardians wishing to have athletes ride home with them from away games must sign the release form provided by the coaches at each away game. It is recommended that athletes ride the bus home in order to build team unity, cooperation and provide time for relaxation together. EQUIPMENT CARE 1. All athletes are responsible for all equipment issued to them for the season. Each girl is issued approximately $150-$200 worth of equipment, uniforms, etc. Please take good care of it. Any equipment which is lost or not returned at the end of the season must be paid for by the athlete. The charge for lost equipment will be handled through the business office. UNACCEPTABLE LANGUAGE 1. Bad language, throwing of equipment, taunting and/or name calling is considered unacceptable behavior whether it is at practice, games, on the bus, in the locker room, or in the school setting. Players are to be in control of their emotions at all times. You are always a reflection of the softball program! 2. Coaches will deal with any situation on an individual basis. DRESS CODE 1. You should be proud to be a Wausau West Softball player, and your dress should reflect that at all times. Good taste in choice and style of clothing should be exhibited. 2. On game days, the team will decide whether they want to dress up or wear softball logo clothes. TRAINING & PERFORMANCE 1. Taking care of yourself is important. Good nutrition and appropriate amount of sleep are necessary in order to perform at a high level. CRIMINAL CONDUCT Any violations of the Wisconsin Criminal Code will be treated on an individual basis by the coaches and West High School Administration. FUNDRAISING All athletes are required to actively participate in fundraising projects. We need everyone s involvement to enhance and support our softball program. Please do your part!

3 PUBLICITY PRESS/RADIO/TV 1. Keep these points in mind when dealing with the press. a. Do not discuss or compare teammates, unless in a positive way. b. In discussing your opponents, before or after a game, use common sense. *DO NOT say anything that might end up on their bulletin board. c. Be careful of statements after a game. LOSE: Be a good sport. If you don t have anything good to say, don t say anything at all. WIN: Give credit be complimentary of your teammates and/or opponents. We are a team, not a group of individuals. d. When a writer does a story about you, a thank you is appropriate, preferably a letter or a note. It will take less than five minutes and will be well worth it in the long run. VARSITY LETTER POLICY A. To earn a letter award in softball at Wausau West High School, an athlete must do the following: 1. Attend all scheduled practices unless excused for illness or pre-approved by the head coach. 2. Attend all scheduled varsity games unless pre-approved by the head coach. 3. Play in at least ¼ of all innings played. 4. Be used as a pinch runner or pinch hitter in at least ¾ s of games. 5. Pitch in at least 4 Varsity games during the season. B. The coach has the right to waive the above criteria and letter an individual the coach feels justifiably deserves an award. Example: 1. A senior who has been out for interscholastic softball for four years. 2. An injury waiver. 3. Members of a State Tournament qualifying team. 4. The subjectivity of the coach. C. A manager in softball must do the following to earn a varsity letter. 1. Work on the varsity level full time or 2 years in the program and junior class standing. 2. Attend all practices, games, and tournaments as assigned. 3. The manager must receive good ratings in the areas of responsibility, integrity, spirit, cooperation, trust, and overall performance. SENIOR AWARD PLAQUE If any student athlete earns 1 varsity W in three (3) different sport seasons (fall, winter, spring), maintains at least a 2.00 ( C average) after completion of seven semesters, has honored the Athletic Code and has no violations, that athlete will receive a special plaque from the athletic department in the spring of their senior year to be presented at the senior awards night program.

4 PARENT / COACH COMMUNICATION We are very pleased that your daughter has chosen to participate in our softball program. We will do all that we can to provide a positive experience for your daughter. One of the most important ingredients to achieve a positive experience is to ensure lines of communication are developed to allow for resolution of questions before they become issues. As a parent, you have the right to know what expectations are placed on your daughter. COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM THE STAFF 1. Philosophies. 2. Expectations of the athletes. 3. Locations and times for practices and games. 4. Team requirements: equipment, off-season training. etc. 5. Procedures you should follow should your daughter become injured during participation. 6. Code of conduct and consequences for not following these guidelines. 7. Requirements to earn a varsity letter. 8. List of lost/outstanding equipment at the end of the season. COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS 1. Concerns expressed directly to a coach. 2. Notification of schedule conflicts well in advance. 3. Specific concerns in regard to a coach s philosophy and/or expectations. As your daughter becomes involved in the Softball Program she will experience some of the most rewarding moments of her life. It is also important to understand that there will be times when things do not go the way your daughter wishes. These situations also create opportunities for lifelong learning. At these times, discussion with the coach may be the quickest and most effective way to clear up issues and avoid misunderstandings. PERSPECTIVE: COACHES Team is #1 and Players are #2. PLAYERS They are #1 (or different things) and? is #2. PARENTS Your daughter is #1, sometimes also #2 and Team is #3. PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN 1. Your daughter should first talk with her coach and Head Coach about her concerns. 2. If you want to get involved call to set up an appointment with the coach. 3. If the coach can not be reached after a reasonable time, call Dan Hein and he will arrange an appointment for you. 4. Do not approach a coach before or after a game or practice. These can be emotional times for both parties and are not conducive to problem solving.

5 APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS 1. The treatment of your daughter psychologically and physically. 2. Ways to help your daughter improve. 3. Concerns about your daughter s behavior. At times it may difficult to accept the fact that your daughter is not playing as much as you or she would like. We are trained professionals who make judgment decisions based on what we believe is best for the team and all involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can and should be discussed with the coaches. We ask that things, such as those that follow, be left to the discretion of the coaches. COACHES DECISIONS 1. Playing time. 2. Team Strategy, Game Planning. 3. Matters concerning other athletes. These are situations that may require a conference between the coach, the parent, and the athlete. It is important that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the other person s role and position. When these conferences are necessary, please review that procedure to resolve the concern. SUPPORT YOUR DAUGHTER AND HER SOFTBALL PROGRAM IN A POSITIVE WAY! THE NEXT STEP What can you do as a parent if the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution. 1. Call and set up an appointment with Athletic Director-Dan Hein to discuss the situation. 2. At this meeting the appropriate next step can be determined as necessary. Whether or not this step is ever reached, please keep in mind the following protocol when you elect to pursue a concern you have regarding your daughter s experience in our Softball Program. Please make contact as follows: 1. Head Coach 2. Athletic Director 3. Building Principal 4. District Athletic Director 5. Superintendent We hope the information provided helps make involvement in the Softball Program as enjoyable and as positive as possible for both you and your daughter. We thank you for your support. GO WARRIORS!