Parent Informational Meeting. February 12 th, 2018

Transcription

1 Parent Informational Meeting February 12 th, 2018

2 AGENDA Overview of P.L.A.Y. Positive Coaching Alliance-PCA 2018 In-House Softball Board In-House Philosophy In-House Program Choices for 2018 Playing Time 2018 Travel Softball Board Travel Fastpitch Softball Program Options for 2018 Time Commitment Tryout Process / Team Formation Process Questions

3 Prior Lake Athletics for Youth, services the Prior Lake Savage School District, providing competitive and fun athletic opportunities for kids. Our priority is safety, skill development, and the teaching of life lessons through sports. What is P.L.A.Y.? Program Mission? Our program promotes the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and integrity. We believe learning both success and failure through competition will benefit our future generations.

4 POSITIVES OF YOUTH SPORTS According to parents Surveyed Promote Confidence Provide Exercise Develop Team Concepts Build Individual Skills Build and Develop Relationships Recognize with Effort comes Accomplishment Create a Health Understanding of Winning and Losing Learn about Sportsmanship Spend Time with Friends and Have Fun

5 WHAT IS POSITIVE COACHING Positive Coaching Alliance P.L.A.Y. aspires to be an outstanding educational athletic organization that provides a high quality experience to every athlete. A high quality experience is one in which every athlete: Is coached using the principles of Positive Coaching Has Fun playing the game Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance Learns life lessons that have value beyond the playing field Learns the skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player

6 PARENTS PLEDGE As a parent of a P.L.A.Y. athlete, I will: 1. Engage in No-Directions Cheering, letting the players and coaches take responsibility for the first goal of winning. I will relentlessly focus on the second, more important, goal of using sports to teach life lessons to my child and other youth. 2. Set an example for my child by Honoring the Game and will encourage him/her to remember ROOTS (Respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Team & Self). This includes appropriate language, comments, dress, and actions. 3. Use positive encouragement to fill the Emotional Tanks of my children, their teammates and coaches. As I understand people perform at their best being positive. 4. Reinforce the ELM of Sports Mastery with my child, meaning that I will encourage my child to (E) put in a high level of Effort, (L) have a teachable spirit to continue to Learn and improve, (M) to quickly rebound from Mistakes. 5. Support my child s commitment to their team by getting my child to and from practice and games on time. I will share in my child s commitment to the team as an in-season sport and work with coaches when conflicts arise. 6. Allow a 24 hour cool down, be objective period before I discuss any serious concerns I have with a coach before communicating with that coach in an objective and adult manner. Basic Parental Responsibility: I will represent Prior Lake Athletics with my personal best efforts, never bringing embarrassment or an unfavorable view to my team, coaches, family, P.L.A.Y. or community Penalty: Abuse brings restrictions and penalties, they may vary from a minimum of one event suspension from P.L.A.Y. athletic events to restriction for a season and the following sport season. It is a Privilege, not a Right to be in a P.L.A.Y. program.

7 P.L.A.Y. CODE OF CONDUCT Signed During Registration Players Will Make Mistakes Coaches Will Make Mistakes Officials Will Make Mistakes You are Responsible for YOUR Family Members If Issues or Concerns Arise During the Season Talk to the Head Coach Talk to the Director

8 IN-HOUSE SOFTBALL BOARD Please consider helping P.L.A.Y. in some capacity! We are a volunteer run organization In-House Softball Board Debbie Aidas, VP of Softball Brian Domagalski, In-House Director Age Level Coordinators: Erica Delain PreK-Kindergarten Jamie Bachmann: 1 st /2 nd Grade Dawn Flasher: 3 rd /4 th Grade 3 rd /4 th grade Tournament Director, Open Position** Chris Blanchette: 5 th -7 th Grade Nicki Theis: 8 th -12 th Grade Tournament Coordinator, Open Position** Becky Leonard: Equipment Coordinator

9 2017 REVIEW In-House Softball Larger of the Two Programs PreK-4 th grade program feeds into either the Travel Softball Program or Slow Pitch Softball program PreK/Kindergarten 6 Teams, 61 players 1 st /2 nd Grade 10 Teams, 102 players 3 rd /4 th Grade 6 Teams, 71 total players 5 th -12 th Grade South Metro 4 Intermediate Teams, 52 players 3 Senior Teams, 37 players 323 In-House Softball Players 422 Total Players in Both Programs

10 GRADE LEVEL OVERVIEW PreK/Kindergarten Tee ball Season Length: April 30 th -June 27th Time Commitment: Monday & Wednesday Evenings 6:00pm or 7:15pm Games: Monday Evenings Team Size: 10+ per team Play/Playing Time Batters will hit off of the T for the first four games Batters can choose to have a coach pitch (3 pitches maximum) starting in game five All players bat each inning and advance one base at a time, last batter clears the bases Full rotational: All players play defense no one sits, no catcher, playing with 2 pitcher positions Fields: TBD Coaches on the field to direct players Local: Prior Lake or Savage Season Ends June 27th

11 GRADE LEVEL OVERVIEW 1st/2 nd Grade Coach Pitch Season Length: April 30 th -June 27 th Time Commitment Monday & Wednesday Evenings 6:00pm or 7:15pm Games: Wednesday Evenings Team Size: 10 per team Play/Playing Time Coach pitches 7 pitches maximum Each player bats and advance one base at a time (2 bases on hit to outfield), last batter clears the bases If a player is out they return to the bench 10 players on defense Full Rotational: extra players rotate sitting, no one sits again before everyone else has once. Fields TBD Coaches on the field to direct players Local: Prior Lake or Savage Season Ends June 27th

12 GRADE LEVEL OVERVIEW 3 rd /4 th Grade Spring Board Level of P.L.A.Y. Softball Program Pitching Machine Season Length: May 1 st -July 22 nd Time Commitment: Tuesday & Thursday Evenings, Saturdays until June 2 nd 6:00pm or 7:15pm Two day End of Season Tournament, July 21 st -July22nd Games: Tuesday & Thursday Evenings depending on the schedule for the week. (12-14 game season, not including tournament) Development, practice, practice, practice Team Size: per team depending on Reg. # s Play/Playing Time Pitching distance is 35 feet (same distance for 8u & 10u travel) 3 outs or 5 runs ends a teams at bat 5 pitches or 3 strikes, speed setting of 32-36mph No stealing or advancing on passed balls Scoring book provided, score is kept & reported 10 players on defense extra players rotate sitting Full Rotational No coaches on the field after June 19 th Under the Lights games at the Ponds Complex Fields: TBD Local: Prior Lake Season Ending Tournament: July 21 st & 22 nd Pool Play & Bracket Play / Schroeders Acres Park Spring Board for the program

13 GRADE LEVEL OVERVIEW 5 th -7 th Grade Intermediates South Metro SlowPitch League SlowPitch Program South Metro SlowPitch League Opponents: Burnsville, Eagan, I.G.H., Apple Valley, Rosemount Season Length: April 16 th -July 22 nd Time Commitment: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Some Saturdays 1:15 minute week night practice, 1:30 minute weekend practice Games: Tuesday & Thursday (14 Game Season) May 7 th Start might switch to Doubleheaders on Thursday evenings depending on field availability (allows for practice time) Game Length: 75 minutes single game, 65 minutes doubleheader Team Size: Maximum of 12 per team Player Pitch Fields Pitching distance is 46 feet 3 outs or 8 runs ends a teams at bat No stealing or advancing on passed balls 10 players on defense extra players: full rotational. No coaches on the field Practices will be at the Prior Lake High School North Fields Ponds Complex & Schroeders Park Games are played in Prior Lake, Savage, and Burnsville Two Tournaments Mid Season Tournament will be in Prior Lake June End of Year Tournament will be in Burnsville July 21-22

14 GRADE LEVEL OVERVIEW 8 th -12 th Grade Seniors South Metro SlowPitch League SlowPitch Program South Metro SlowPitch League Opponents: Burnsville, Eagan, I.G.H., Apple Valley, Rosemount Season Length: April 16 th -July22nd Time Commitment: Mondays & Wednesdays, some Saturdays 1:15 minute week night practice, 1:30 minute weekend practice Games: Monday & Wednesday (14 game Season) May 7 th Start Might switch to Doubleheaders on Monday nights depending on field availability (allows for practice time) Game Length: 75 minutes single game, 65 minutes doubleheaders Team size: preferred size is 12, but is fluid at this level Player Pitch Fields Pitching distance is 50 feet 3 outs or 8 runs ends a teams at bat No stealing or advancing on passed balls 10 players on defense extra players: full rotational No coaches on the field Practices will be at the Prior Lake High School North Fields, Ponds Complex & Schroeders Park Games are played in Prior Lake, Savage, and Burnsville Two Tournaments Mid Season Tournament: Prior Lake June End of Year Tournament: Burnsville July 21-22

15 EQUIPMENT Player Provided Equipment Required Equipment Shoes, cleats are not required but can be worn, no metal cleats Glove Helmet, must be NOCSAE approved Effective Since 2017: Softball Pants (gray) required for 1 st -4 th grade. Will be teaching the girls how to properly slide.*

16 EQUIPMENT P.L.A.Y. Provided Equipment Bats Balls Bases Tees Pitching Machines Catcher s Gear First Aid Kit Uniform Jersey and Socks Uniform Pants included (grades 5 th -12 th ) Headbands for PreK-4 th Grade

17 2018 Traveling Softball

18 2018 Travel Board Members Debbie Aidas VP of Softball Term Expires Fall 2018 Kurt Seurer Director of Traveling Softball Term Expires Fall 2019 Matt Haefner PL Varsity Softball Head Coach Dan Beech Director of Waves Softball (PL Club Team) Chip Gardiner Coach Development Coordinator Kristi Zelenka Scheduling and Umpire Coordinator Jeremiah Flinck Equipment, Fields & Safety Coordinator Nicole Ulrich Communications & Social Media Kristin Weise General Board Member

19 Expectations and Eligibility Players must reside in and/or go to school within the boundaries of PL/Savage School District 719. A waived player from another community may be eligible if proper approval has been granted through the Travel Softball Board. Age level is based off of the player s age as of January 1, U - birth years of U birth years of U birth years of U birth years of Players are expected to give 100% commitment for the duration of the season, early April-late July.

20 Time Commitment for 10U-14U Travel Teams Practice 1-2 nights a week for 10U/2 nights a week for 12U/14U. Practices will begin April 8 th at the Savage Dome League games. Games begin mid May. 8U Monday or Wednesday 10U - Tuesday 12U Monday and Wednesday 14U Tuesday and Thursday 3 weekend tournaments (8U will have 2 weekend tournaments) State Qualifying Tournament 10U/12U (June 23 & 24, 2018)** 14U (July 14 & 15, 2018)** State Tournament 8U/10U/12U (July 7-8, 2018)** 14U (July 21-22, 2018)** National s Tournament 10U Bloomington, MN (July 26-29, 2018)** 12U Eagan, MN (July 19-22, 2018)** 14U Eden Prairie, MN (July 26-29, 2018)** **2018 Dates yet to be announced, dates used to show approximate timing for this season based off previous season USA Selects (All Star) Weekend (August 10-12, 2018) Two players chosen from each level team to compete with other league players.

21 Travel Softball Tryouts All players intending to play fastpitch must participate in a scheduled tryout annually. Tryouts will consist of throwing, catching, fielding, batting, and running. All tryout drills are predetermined by the Tryout Coordinator. Pitchers and Catchers will attend an additional tryout session for evaluation of specific pitching and/or catching skills.

22 Tryouts Continued: Teams will carry a maximum of 12 players, which means some players may get cut. Players will be placed on a team based off of their tryout score. Top scores go to the top team. Coaches evaluations from the previous season may be used to help place those players whose tryout scores do not clearly define their placement. Each age level (10U-14U) will have classifications of A (potentially), B, and C level. A* Level Teams are the most competitive and have a greater focus on winning. The best athletes will likely be on an A team. B Level Teams will strive to win, however, fun and fundamentals remain a primary focus. C Level Teams are for players new to Fastpitch and learning basic softball skills. *If there are not enough players to form a team at each level, or skill does not support a specific placement, the Travel Softball Board will determine which level to classify the teams.

23 Tryouts Continued: 8U players will participate in the tryout as well, mostly for the tryout experience. If numbers support more than one 8U team, players will be divided up, in attempt to have two equal teams. *8U Teams may carry up to 13 players if cuts can be avoided by doing so. We can only offer as many teams as we have parents who volunteer to coach! Ideally, we would like 3-4 coaches per team One Head and 2-3 Assistants.

24 Pitchers and Catchers Team Placement Pitchers and Catchers will identify themselves and their interest at the time of registration. Pitchers and catchers are ranked and placed on a team at the most appropriate level of play: First, based off of their overall, general tryout. And then off of their pitching and catching tryout. The top two scoring pitchers and catchers will be placed on the highest team (assuming their overall tryout lands them there as well). Trying out as a pitcher or catcher cannot hurt your positioning on a team, unless the player chooses to play down. Nor can a pitcher or catcher tryout move a player up a level if their overall tryout score defines them to a lower team.

25 Injury or Illness Preventing a Player from Trying Out If a player cannot tryout due to an injury or other medical indication, a physician s note is required. The Travel Director must be notified, in writing, prior to the player s assigned tryout date. Players unable to tryout due to medical indications only, will be placed on a similar level team as they were the previous year. Players new to the program who are unable to tryout will be placed on the lowest level team for their age group. If cuts become necessary, it is possible a player new to the program, who could not try out, may be cut. Once medically cleared, another physician s note is required prior to resuming activity through P.L.A.Y.

26 Playing Up an Age Level 10U to 12U P.L.A.Y. encourages players to remain within their age appropriate level. If a 10U player is requesting to play up, a letter of intent must be submitted to the Travel Director a minimum of 7 days prior to the tryout date. If approved, the player will be required to attend her current age tryout. The player must score in the top 3 of her current age. The player will be notified whether or not to attend the second tryout with the next age group. The player must achieve a score that places her in the top half of the higher age group.

27 Playing Up an Age Level 8U to 10U 8U players requesting to play up must still submit a letter of intent to the Travel Director. 8U players will only attend the one tryout, as 8U and 10U try out together. All other criteria will remain the same. Any player younger than the cut off age for 8U is welcome to try out. Player must have a minimum of one year previous In-House experience. If the number of 8U players trying out exceeds the number of team positions we have to offer and cuts become necessary, a non-age appropriate player will not be taken over an age appropriate player, regardless of tryout scores. The Travel Board reserves the right to move any player up to the next level to cover any specialized needs in accordance with program objectives.

28 2018 TRYOUT DATES All tryouts will be held at The Savage Dome from 6-8pm. Check In begins at 5:15pm. 8U and 10U, Thursday, March 1, U and 14U, Sunday, March 4, Catching Tryouts. All Catchers requesting to tryout will attend an additional station built into their General tryout date and time slot. Pitching Tryouts. All pitchers will report to Starters in Shakopee on March 5, Pitcher s will be assigned a one hour time slot within the window of 4-8pm. No parents will be allowed inside while tryouts are in process, with the exception of Travel Board members necessary to facilitate a timely and organized tryout experience. Tryout performance is confidential. No scores will be shared, only evaluator comments, if available.

29 UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS Uniforms are ordered online, directly through our distributor. Player s family is financially responsible for purchasing all required items: Navy pants, knicker length Effective & since 2017, Shorts are no longer be acceptable as a uniform option. Team jersey Gold Socks Gold Belt Sliding Shorts optional Sliding Pad - optional

30 Equipment Needs Batting Helmet Navy, White, or a combination of both. All helmets MUST have a chin strap, a face mask, and be nonreflective. Infielder s Face mask Not required, but HIGHLY encouraged! Softball Cleats No Metal Spikes allowed at 8U-12U. Fielding Glove Bat All bats must conform to the ASA bat performance standard. Softball Bag Batting Gloves - Optional

31 Travel Softball Websites PL is part of the Big West League for Spring/Summer play. Big West League covers North, West, and South cities within the Metro area. 8U plays under Tri County League for Spring/Summer. All information regarding Fall Ball for all ages. All information regarding All Star Weekend. Locally maintained site listing of all tournaments.

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