Huntington Beach Girls Softball FAQ

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Huntington Beach Girls Softball FAQ Thank you very much for your interest and participation in Huntington Beach Girls Softball . The purpose of this organization, as stated in our by-laws, "is to teach the fundamentals of softball; develop good sportsmanship; learn additional experiences of self-discipline in an organized sport; help youths meet new friends; and to help mold and strengthen the character in our youths while they have fun." Each division is unique: T-Ball is intended to be purely instructional and noncompetitive; 8-U division (7-8 years) is moderately competitive, the purpose being to provide a fun environment in which the emphasis is placed on teaching softball skills, team play and good sportsmanship; 10-U (9-10 years), 12-U (11-12 years), 16-U (13-16 years) are increasingly competitive, with more emphasis being placed on improving softball skills. Following the completion of the regular season, each softball division fields an all-star team (with the exception of 6U), which gives the best players from our league the opportunity to compete against the best players from other leagues. HBGS is a non-profit organization. We also do not belong to a charter, therefore all money earned sponsorship donations, etc. stays here in our community for our kids. Rules and Regulations: The softball rules are contained in the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) 2006/07 Softball Rule Book. T-Ball has some special rules, which are issued to each T-Ball manager. Eligibility: HBGS is open to all Girl’s aged 5 to 16 (as of Jan 1st, 2007). T-ball players must be 5 years old by Jan 1st, 2007. Sportsmanship: All players must conduct themselves according to principles of good sportsmanship. We insist that managers, coaches, and parents do the same. Abusive and foul language will not be tolerated, and consumption of alcoholic beverages at both practices and games (held on school district property) is not allowed. HBGS is a zerotolerance league. If you abuse the rules, you will be asked to leave and not participate in the league. A league code of conduct will be signed at the time of registration. All Managers, Coaches, Players, and Parents will sign the ASA code of conduct prior to the start of the season.

Questions for Players 1)

How will I be placed on a team? •

2)

Softball players will attend tryouts, after which the manager of a team will draft them. Every softball player who signs up before the deadline will be drafted. We attempt to place T-Ball players on teams according to the school/friends they attend. However, this is not always possible. In any case, there are no tryouts for T-Ball. How will I find out which team I am placed?

• Your manager will call you within two weeks of the tryouts. Since there are no tryouts for T-Ball, T- Ball managers will be in contact by the third week of .January 3)

Will I be on the same team as last year? •

4)

Not necessarily, it depends on which team drafts you. Can I be on my friend's team?

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5)

For softball players, only if you are drafted on the same team. For T-Ball players, if your friend goes to the same school, there is a good chance you will be on the same team. But if there are too many players for one team from your school, you could end up on a different team. If I sign up before the deadline, will I definitely get on a team?

• 6)

Yes, we will form as many teams as needed for the number of players who signs up in each division. When is the last day to sign up?

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7)

Deadline for the spring sign-up is Dec 9th, 2006. Last walk up registration is Dec 2, 2006. Anyone who signs up after the last scheduled registration (Dec 9th, 2006) but prior to the draft will be placed on a waiting list. Anyone who signs up after the draft will be put on a waiting list, however team placement will not be guaranteed. If a team in that division needs another player, the player agent will randomly assign that team a player from the waiting list. TBall applications will also be put on a waiting list, possibly forming enough for another team. What happens if I miss tryouts?

• 8)

You will still be drafted on to a team, however your name will be placed in the "blind draft". What is the "blind draft"?

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Players who sign up after tryouts are placed in the "blind draft". After the completion of the "regular draft", players in the "blind draft" are picked at random by the managers of each team until all players are selected. Player’s identity is unknown to the managers until the completion of the "blind draft".

9)

Do I get to keep my uniform? •

10)

You get to keep the league issued shirt, shorts/pants, and socks Must I wear my uniform to all games?

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YES, you must wear your complete uniform at each game. If you are not in your uniform you will not be eligible to play that game.

• All players on a team shall properly wear unforms that are like in color and style. Sleeves or straps of the uniform top may be adjusted, with or without tie-ups, to the comfort of the players, provided uniform numbers remain visible. Ball caps, visors and headbands are optional for players. If worn, they may be mixed in style, must be of the same color and worn properly. Handkerchiefs do not qualify as headbands and cannot be worn around the head or neck. All players’ pants may be long, short or mixed in style, as long as they are like in color. Players may wear a solid-colored undershirt. It is not mandatory that all players wear an undershirt, but they must be like in color and cannot be white. An Arabic whole number (0-99) of contrasting color must be worn and visible on the back of all uniform shirts. No jewelry can be worn during practices of games. Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry. If worn, they must be taped to the body so the medical alert information remains visible. .

Only players are allowed in the dugout with 2 (max 3) board approved coaches.

Questions for Parents 1)

How can I help? •

There are many ways for parents to help. The minimum that we ask is for you to be supportive of your child as well as the manager and coach of your team. You could be a "team parent". Show your support by attending as many games as possible and by helping out during practices, if you can. Keep in mind that these are young children out on the field and they need lots of encouragement. Don't yell at them when they make a mistake; they will feel bad enough already! Be positive!

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We appreciate and welcome criticism of a constructive nature. But keep in mind that there are many different ways of doing things; don't criticize a manager or coach simply for doing things differently than you would. If you have a legitimate complaint or suggestion, we do want to hear from you, and it is best if you put your complaint in writing.

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The only way to make things get done your way is to do them yourself, i.e. become a manager or coach. Every year we need more managers and coaches. This is a fun and rewarding experience that requires relatively little time, but can have a significant impact on the lives of a number of young people. We require that all of our managers attend a ASA certified coaching clinic. We may also require that a background check be done through (CORI), the Department of Justice Criminal Offender Records Information Unit. This is for the protection of our children and all records are confidential. If you are interested in managing or coaching let us know right away.

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If you are interested in helping even more, and can invest a little more time and want to have more responsibility, we have a way! Our league is run by a small, hard-working group of volunteers. Every year we need new members of the Board of Directors. If you are interested, talk to one of the current Board members.

2)

What does a team parent do? •

3)

The team parent is the liaison between the manager and the other parents. She/he must attend a team parent meeting and pick-up/distribute team uniforms. The team parent generally arranges for a female adult (21or older) to be at all practices and makes arrangements for parents to take turns bringing after game refreshments. In addition, the manager may make other requests, such as asking her (him) to make a few phone calls, such as reminding players of practice times, etc. What are my responsibilities as a parent?

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You are responsible for getting your child to practices, games, and other team functions on time (for games this usually means at least 45 minutes prior to game time) and picking up your child promptly afterwards, unless other arrangements are made with the manager ahead of time. Please do not rely on

the manager or coaches for transporting your child to and from games. They are not baby-sitters. •

Attend league and team functions whenever possible.

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Obey all league rules.

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Maintain a two-way line of communication with the manager. You should keep each other advised of scheduling changes or problems involving attendance at games and / or practices. Call in advance if your child will miss a practice or game.

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Attend as many games as possible and cheer for the players. Our league will not tolerate derogatory remarks or gestures and other unsportsmanlike behavior. Your interest and participation are highly desirable, but remember to let the manager and coaches do their jobs. Negative remarks to the Umpires will NOT be tolerated; they are in full control of the entire game and may eject you from the area. If you have an objection or a complaint to lodge, notify the director of your division in writing.

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Keep the area around the field of play free of trash.

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Observe 5 miles per hour speed limit in all parking areas. Park in designated stalls.

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Keep other children off the field and out of trouble. Our fields are on school property, and children should not be allowed to play without supervision away from the ball field.

4)

How can I register a complaint? •

5)

Communication is very important! We encourage you to talk to your manager first. He/she should pass it on to the division director, who will communicate with the rest of the board if necessary. If you feel you cannot talk to the manager or coach, or if you do not achieve satisfaction by this route, feel free to contact the division commissioner. They can be contacted via email through our website at www.hbgs.org. Lastly, you may talk to the player agent and the code of conduct person – check the web site for contact info. Can my child be put on a particular team or on a team with a particular player for transportation reasons?

• 6)

No! (Siblings are the only exceptions). Siblings must be living in the same household and have at least one parent in common. What equipment do I need to provide?

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For T-Ball players, almost any glove is adequate as long as it is not too large. For softball players, you are required to provide a softball glove, non-metal softball cleats. For softball, a larger glove is recommended; it's hard to catch a large ball with a small glove. Extremely cheap gloves made of plastic or leather and plastic with plastic straps are not recommended because they tend to break relatively easily. If your child owns her own helmet, a chinstrap and

NOCSAE approved facemask will be required. VGS recommends, for health purposes, that each child have their own helmet with a mandatory NOCSAE facemask and chinstrap. However, upon request, managers can be issued a small number for team use. The following are approximate costs for items that you will need to purchase:

7)

Cleats

$30 and up

Gloves

vary

Helmets with masks

$35-$45

How often will there be games and practices? •

T-Ball teams generally practice once a week and have one, sometimes two games a week (in which case one game is generally on Saturday and the other on a weekday).

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Upper age Softball teams generally have two and sometimes three games a week (usually one game on Saturday and the other games being on weekdays). Prior to opening day, there are usually two practices a week. During the season, practices are usually held only once a week (or not at all if they have games scheduled on both of their practice days). Practices are up to the manager and tea. Time and location can vary.

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Weekday games usually start at 5:00 p.m. Saturday games start at various times ranging from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m.

8)

What if my child decides not to play, do I get a refund? •

Full refunds are issued prior to tryouts; partial refunds are issued after tryouts and before teams are formed; no refunds are issued once teams are formed.

HBGS GIRLS SOFTBALL / GIRLS T-BALL 2006 – 2007 PRE-SEASON CALENDAR DATE

Time

Activity December, 2006

12/2/06

9 am – 12 pm

Last day to walk up and Register – Circle View Benches

12/9/06

All Day

Last day to register online

12/9/06

All Day

Last day to notify league to MANAGE for the spring

January, 2007 1/6/07

All Day

Tryouts

1/7/07

All Day

Make up Tryouts

1/16/07

TBD

8U Draft

1/17/07

TBD

10U draft

1/18/07

TBD

12 and 14U Draft

1/20/07

TBD

Coaches Clinic Field Clinic February, 2007

1/27/07

Golden West Softball Clinic

2/10/07

Opening Day Tournament

2/17/07

Games Begin March-May, 2007

5/12/07

TBD

Closing Day

If you have any other questions that were not answered here, feel free to contact us.. Email through website available @ www.hbgs.org Contact Us link.