Adopted: 02/06/20006

Baseball Guidelines for Parents and Players

 

  1. At least 1 parent per player will need to help no less than 1 game (and possibly 2) in the concession stand over the course of the season. We will have a schedule available and work to accommodate the parents as best we can. Please make sure you are there when scheduled. This is critical to ensuring the smooth and successful operation of the stand. By signing your child up for SSL baseball, you agree to work in the concession stand. We do this to help keep the cost down and to eliminate fundraisers. Other leagues in the area require participation in fundraisers, working in the concession stand, AND higher sign-up fees. With everyone’s participation we can keep the costs down. Please do your part.
  2. The coach is the authority on the field. The player should listen to the coach. Parents coach at home following the coaches’ suggestions (and are highly encouraged. If they want to coach on the field then they should volunteer to help coach). Parents and coaches should work together on this.  Reason: It is too much of a distraction for a child to hear their coach telling them one thing and the parent telling them another during a game or practice.
  3. Any questions about why a coach did something should be held until after the practice/game and then discussed in a respectful way. Please don’t disrupt the practice/game. It is ultimately the coaches’ decision and will hopefully help the team. Example: A coach may feel a child isn’t playing up to their normal abilities or is slacking. The coach may then bench the child and insert another player.
  4. If you notice something your child is doing, either correctly or incorrectly, discuss it with the coach before or after a practice/game. This will benefit everyone. The idea is to improve the individual in order to improve and strengthen the team. Give your child encouragement!
  5. Have your child at a practice 10 minutes before the start (20 before a game) so that they can warm up and stretch. It also helps the coaches to plan their lineup. Please notify (if at all possible) one of the coaches if your child won’t be at a game!!!!
  6. Umpires should be treated with respect! No person is perfect and like the rest of us umpires can and will make mistakes. Parents, let the coaches do the disagreeing with the umpires. Coaches, if you feel the urge to question an umpire (notice we didn’t say argue), do so in a very respectful manner. Remember, the kids are watching and we are their example!
  7. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL FOUL LANGUAGE BE TOLERATED! Anyone using foul language will be asked to leave.
  8. If anyone would like to voice an opinion please do so at the regular monthly meeting of the SSL board (the first Monday of every month @ 6:30pm at the ballpark). This is the time and place, not arguing at a game, practice, or over the phone afterwards.

 

 

All-Stars

 

If your child is chosen for all-stars it is a great honor. Now even more work is expected from them!

·       They should come to practice and games ready to play hard. At the all-star level the player is expected to play hard at all times. Listening to the coaches is critical! This is the next level and if we are to have success then everyone must work together and give it their all. The goal is to WIN each game! If you let down, for even an inning, it can cost you the game. Everyone works too hard from the coaches to the parents to the players to not give your all on game day!

 

·       As an all-star you may be moved to different positions than what you are used to, asked to do things a little differently than what your regular coach does, etc… Parents and players, bear with the coaches until they get the lineup set. We can’t use 9 players at shortstop or 3 lead-off batters!!! Again, it’s the coaches’ decision, not the parents! This isn’t meant to satisfy egos, it’s to prepare the team to WIN!

 

·       Not only is talent considered for the All-Star team, but how well a player listens to the coach, hustle, and desire. We would rather have good talent with hustle, desire, and coach-ability, than great talent without the other attributes.

 

·       Tournaments are usually Thur-Sat. Plan accordingly! Especially pool parties, amusement parks, and days of swimming!! If kids are participating in strenuous activities the night before a game or the day of a game, they will be worn out at game time and not play well enough to win. We know this from experience!

 

·       Let the coaches know when your family will be on vacation so we can plan accordingly.

 

 

 

These guidelines are to help the season run smoothly and successfully. Our goal as coaches is to help the kids learn the basics, understand the game, and experience the thrill of winning. If we accomplish these goals then the kids will have fun and be successful.