Boyertown Lady Bears Softball Rules and Expectations Boyertown Softball Program: It is a privilege to be part of the Boyertown Softball Program. We demand that players succeed not only as an athlete but also academically. As a member of the softball team, it is important that you accept that you are a part of a TEAM, and everyone will have a different role on the team. Understanding the role, you personally play on the team will make the team better and stronger, everyone s role on the team is important. Our team not only consists of the players but also the parents, coaches, and school official coordinating their efforts toward one common goal which is winning games and developing you into better athletes and productive members of society. Open channels of communication must be established in all directions. Anything less than a positive supportive attitude from everyone involved in the program will greatly jeopardize the success of our program. The coaches have a common goal to make sure that players develop their skills and learn the skills needed to be an important part of the team. We want our players to understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. Sacrifice, discipline, teamwork, and work ethic are key characteristics to being successful not only in softball, but in life. Those are a few of the qualities that we try to instill through our program. The coaching staff of the Boyertown Middle School East Softball team has been hired to coach this sport to the best of their ability under the head coach s philosophy. Make sure you have by the first practice: Indoor and outdoor clothes Glove Physical on file or turned in Sports fees must be paid The Rules and Expectations must be carefully read by both parents/guardians AND players then signed and turned in to your head coach. No player will be allowed to start practicing with the team until the form is collected. Communication Donna Long dolong@boyertownasd.org 610-442-9043 Mary Ansett manstett@boyertownasd.org 610-476-1079 Attendance Be on time to all practices, meetings, games and bus times. For all away games players should be at the school ready to board the bus 15 minutes before the bus departure time.
Practice starts at 3:00 all players should be ready to warm up and stretch at 3:00. If they are not the team will have a penalty. The players are responsible to ensure we have all necessary equipment on the field/in the bus prior to noted start or departure time. If all items are not present, the team will have a penalty. Players need to contact their coach prior to practice or games if they are unable to make it. You may ask the secretary to contact your coach. Notification to another player to let the coaches know is not acceptable. If an athlete misses practice before the day of a game for an excused absence, they will not be able to start in the game the following day. Excused absences Will include but not limited to deaths in the family, emergency medical treatment, religious commitments on the days of worship, and school field trips. For school trips or other planned items, please notify the coaches ASAP as we need to ensure we have enough players and the correct mix for each event. Unexcused absences Will include but not limited to hair/dress appointments, detentions, in-school or out of school suspension, family vacations, going home to study, leaving to get equipment at home, babysitting, work/job. If the absence covers multi-days, each day will count as an unexcused absence under this policy Penalties for being tardy to practice and games 1 st tardy- Player will receive written warning 2 nd tardy will result in a player not being able to start for the next game 3 rd tardy will result in a player not being able to start for the next game. If you are late because you are getting help from a teacher you must bring a pass from that teacher with you to practice with the time on it. You have fifteen minutes from the time on the pass to get to practice. When possible, please email/text the coaches as well to the possibility of this happening. Penalties for unexcused absences 1 st unexcused absence: Player will not be able to start the next game. 2 nd unexcused absence: Player will be suspended for the next game. She will be expected to attend the game and sit in the dugout. 3 rd unexcused absence: Player will be terminated from the team. If you are at school once school is dismissed you are expected to come to practice.
If you are going to miss a practice, your coach needs a written note from your parent/guardian explaining your absence prior to the practice. This will not guarantee the absence is excused. Practice All practices are closed to parents/guardians, alumni and fans. Injured or ineligible players are expected to attend practices whenever possible if not receiving treatment. Safety is a number one priority! Unsafe behavior will not be tolerated at any time. Make sure you have clothing and shoes for inside and outside and for various weather conditions every day. No jewelry should be worn. Be prepared for sliding and diving at every practice Dress appropriately Wear sports bra No tank tops No t-shirts cut off at an inappropriate length (no bra or torso showing) No inappropriate logos or words on any clothing item Softball pants should be worn at all times. We will try to keep practices to weekdays after school whenever possible. However, there may be times our games are scheduled/rescheduled for a weekend. We will notify you if this should occur. Practices will run from 3:00pm-5pm Monday-Friday. Game Players will be in charge of getting all equipment needed for a home or away game. No one leaves until all equipment has been put away and the field has been tended to. Every player is required to ride the bus to all away games. A player will be allowed to ride back from games with their parent/guardian. Parents/guardians must sign their daughter out with the coaching staff on the appropriate transportation list prior to leaving. A player can only go home with her parents. There is to be not contact with parents/guardians, friends, boyfriends etc. once warmups for a game begins. If it is imperative that you speak with them, clear it with your coach before doing so. No eating in the dugout before or during games. If you are not playing, pay attention and cheer for your team. Seeds, peanuts, and gum are ok to have in the dugout.
Every player needs to have the proper attire for each game. (Jersey, softball pants, socks, cleats, no jewelry) Playing Time Softball consists of 9 players on the field. Those 9 players will be the players who show up for practice, display positive attitudes, exhibit a hard work ethic, and are the best skilled player for the position based on the coaches determination. There is no guarantee everyone will get playing time. If you are concerned about why you are not playing or believe that you should be playing, you may approach a coach before or after a practice and discuss the issue. They should be conducted when you are calm and focused on what you as a player can do. If needed we as coaches have the right to cut to a reasonable number of girls per team. All coaches in the program also have the right to cut any player or ask any player to leave practice, who lacks proper attitude, work ethic, willingness to learn and /or follow the coaches philosophy, and for any behavior that brings a negative outlook to the softball program. Tryouts Every player will be offered 5 days to try out for the team. Players are expected to attend all 5 days to be considered for the team. Tryout attire Black pants if possible T-shirt with name on back if possible Socks Indoor/outdoor shoes No jewelry Tryout scoring criteria Coaches will review the scoring criteria with the players before tryouts begin. Selections to the team will be made based on scoring review of all 5 days of practice. Players will be notified in person at the completion of the 5 th day of tryouts. Team Eligibility 8 th graders on the 8 th grade team. 7 th graders on the 7 th grade team.
Injuries Our team goal is to select the best 26 players for the team. Injuries need to be documented. If a player is injured during a practice or game, they need to report it to their coach and the athletic trainer. Keep in mind there is a difference between being hurt and being injured. If you feel the need to ice during practice because of an injury, you will be out the rest of the practice. Wear safety equipment such as helmets, mouth guards, masks, and sliding pads to help avoid injuries. If you are injured, you are required to attend all practices and games. If a player exhibits any signs of a potential concussion, the player will be removed immediately from play and will be sent to the athletic trainer. The player will not return to the practice for the remainder of the day and we will look to the athletic trainer and/ or medical professionals clearance t return to practice. Cell Phones Cell phones should not be visible and on silent during practice or games. It should be in your locker or bag at all times. Players will be asked to call their parents/guardians to let them know they are 15 minutes away from the school. Rides need to be on time to pick players up after practice or games. Conduct You represent Boyertown softball. All players must respect the coaches, umpires, bus drivers, teachers, administrators, parents, other athletes, school and equipment. Disrespect will not be tolerated and will lead to suspension of playing time. If it continues the player will be removed from the team. All players will address coaches and adults by Mr. or Ms. or Coach. Your primary goal as a student at Boyertown is to maintain and meeting all education requirements necessary to support eligibility for playing team sports. If the student drops below the academic requirement, they will be suspended from practice and games for three days and the athletic director will be in contact with the teachers. You will have one week to bring your grades up to an acceptable level. While players are in the dugout it is expected that they are alert and aware of what is going on. This includes practices and during games. If you throw equipment at any time during the game you will immediately be removed from the game. Bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated. We play with class. Under no circumstance should a player be allowed to speak inappropriately to a person of authority. Hazing, bullying, or any other type of disrespect towards your teammates absolutely will not be tolerated. If anyone is disrespecting another player, they will be removed from the team. If hazing of any
kind is going on the coach may not always be aware so it needs to be reported to a coach so it can be dealt with appropriately. Complaining about your team or coaches will not solve anything. Talk to them directly to fix the problem. Social Media NEVER POST PICTURES from the locker room, practice, or games without the permission of the athletic director or head coach. It is absolutely inappropriate for any athlete to post anything on social media that talks negative about a practice, game or another player or coach. This will not be tolerated and the first offense will be a one game suspension and the second time the player will be removed from the team. Equipment All players will respect the schools equipment at all times. Players will be responsible for taking care of the uniform they are given and returning it after the season is over. If they do not return their uniform or if there is any damage to school property they will be held liable. Concerns If there are concerns at any level for any reason please contact the coach. Please follow the correct order when handling a problem or concern which is as follows: Player needs to contact or talk with the coach. Parent needs to contact the coach. Parent needs to contact the head varsity coach. Parent can contact the athletic director. PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR COACH AND DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO MR. PALLADINO. Most concerns can be taken care of with a simple conversation with the coach involved. These steps are created to help you understand the decisions made by the coach and to allow you to communicate your concerns with eh coach. Rules will not be changed and playing time or position changes are not going to be up for discussion with the coaches or Mr. Palladino. We set these rules in hopes to establish a foundation of citizenship and responsibility in our players to address their concerns. *All final decisions will be made by the coach according to the head coach s philosophy.
By signing below, you agree to follow the stated requirements. You will respect and uphold all the rules of Boyertown Middle School East both on and off the field. Parent Name: Parent Signature: Player Name: Player Signature: Date