Don Victoria Softball League

1. Don Victoria Softball League

2. Don Victoria Softball League April 4, 2012 Coaches Meeting

3. 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

4. DVSL Coaches’ Meeting Welcome and Introductions

5. Don Victoria Softball League Overview of League & Structure

6. 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

7. 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

8. Don Victoria Softball League Important dates April 18 - Season begins May 9 or 10 - Picture Day June 23/24 - Championship Day

9. Don Victoria Softball League Team Selection • Balancing • Age range • Gender (Mite-T-Ball) • Ratings and previous performance if known • Siblings on same team • Promoting Safety - Everyone feels included

10. Don Victoria Softball League 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

11. Don Victoria Softball League Coaches Responsibilities & Duties

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. Don Victoria Softball League • 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.

18. 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

19. Don Victoria Softball League 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

20. Don Victoria Softball League Practices Cont’d • 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

21. Don Victoria Softball League Role of Convenor

22. 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

23. Don Victoria Softball League Review of League Rules Brian Cook

24. Don Victoria Softball League • Two-umpire model • Unable to field a team for championship day • Tie-breaker rule for semi-final/final games

25. Don Victoria Softball League League Equipment Juanita Devine

26. 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

27. Don Victoria Softball League • 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

28. Don Victoria Softball League • 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

29. Don Victoria Softball League Keep track of your equipment

30. Don Victoria Softball League Equipment lost during 2012 season - Youth Division

31. Don Victoria Softball League Preparing the field

32. 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

33. 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

34. Don Victoria Softball League • 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

35. Don Victoria Softball League To Play or not to Play!!

36. 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

37. Don Victoria Softball League 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

38. Don Victoria Softball League Getting started

39. Don Victoria Softball League What has worked for you?

40. Don Victoria Softball League Need help scoring?

41. Don Victoria Softball League • Celebrate success no matter how big or small.

42. Don Victoria Softball League Questions?

43. Spring Ball is unpredictable • Be Prepared!

44. Softball is a family activity!

45. Encourage family involvement

46. Don Victoria Softball League 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

47. Don Victoria Softball League 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

48. Don Victoria Softball League 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

49. Don Victoria Softball League Executive Committee Positions

50. 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