HOUSE LEAGUE
COACHING
HANDBOOK
Revised
April / 08
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Cover Page page 1
2. Table of Contents page 2
4. Coach’s Conduct page 4
5. Player’s Conduct page 5
6. General Rules page 6-7
7. Variances/Playing Rules page 8-11
8. Inclement Weather Procedures page 11
9. Use of Playing Fields page 12
10. Base & Pitching Distances page 12
11. Park Locations page 13
12. List of Available Resources page 14
13. Discipline Committee Procedures page 15
14. Appeals Committee Procedures page 16
15. Player Rotation Sheet page 17
16. Play-off Rules page 18
17.
Hit/Run/ Throw (Golden Glove) Competition
18. Most
Sportsmanlike Player Award
19. Constitution & By-Laws
1. Coach’s Responsibilities:
Coaches are responsible for their team’s conduct during the
game and will maintain order, including the seating of all players on the bench
when not otherwise occupied at bat, on deck, or on the field. A game forfeit is
at risk if a coach cannot calm an abusive player.|
2. Coach’s Behaviour:
Coaches are expected to exhibit exemplary behavior,
setting a good example for the players. Remember that this game is for the
players. Coaches are not to antagonize opposing players, coaches, or umpires.
Coaches must remember that our umpires are sometimes young and are learning how
to umpire and they will make mistakes. It is unacceptable for anyone to
embarrass an umpire. Both coaches for the offensive teams must remain in their
respective coaching boxes and all bench staff must remain in the bench area when
their team is batting.
3. Score Sheets:
The coach of the winning team must ensure that
the game card and their score sheet are submitted to the convenor after the
game. The coach of the losing teams must submit their game sheet either through
the winning coach or directly to the convenor. This must be done within 24 hours
of the game.
4. Player Training:
It is the job of the head
coach to ascertain that the players on his/her team are receiving proper
training. The head coach is also responsible for making certain that all times
of practices are coordinated, supervised, that players and other coaches have
these rules and regulations made available to them, and that the games are
properly supervised.
5. Hustle:
Coaches, umpires, and players are jointly responsible for keeping the game
moving briskly. This is accomplished by hustling players on and off the field,
preparing for games in advance, and generally encouraging players to keep
hustling to and from their respective positions. Do not delay the game. Failure
to begin play after the umpire has called “Play Ball” may result in forfeiture
or expulsion if such a delay exceeds 2 minutes.
6. Player
Participation:
Coaches are
responsible for ensuring that each player participates in every game that she
attends and that all players receive playing time as set out in the S.C.L.S.L.
Variances.
7. Alcohol:
Alcohol will not be allowed in any ball park (including the parking lot).
PLAYER’S CONDUCT
1. Uniforms:
Players shall wear the shirts provided for that season. Each player must be
properly dressed. Cleated shoes or any apparel that would cause injury will not
be permitted. Short pants can be prohibited by a team’s rules, but are best not
worn for the player’s safety. Coaches have the right to bench a player who is
not and cannot be properly dressed or equipped to play safely. Players may only
wear running shoes or shoes with soft rubber cleats.
2. Game Arrival:
Players are required to arrive at games and practices promptly, at the times
specified by the coach. It is important that players attend all practices and
games for their personal development. When a player is unable to attend, she (or
the parent) must contact the coach so that plans can be made knowing she will
not be in attendance.
3. Exposed Jewellery:
Exposed jewellery
such as wristwatches, bracelets, any type of earring or nose ring, neck chains,
piercings are not permitted. Medical alert jewellery may be worn but may not be
taped. Any other items judged dangerous by the umpire may not be permitted on
the field.
4. Good Sportsmanship:
Players are expected
to exhibit good sportsmanship on and off the field of play. Use of foul language
or abusive language, rowdy behaviour, disrespectful conduct during the post game
handshake or any other time, fighting, smoking, abusing equipment or other
excessive behaviour is not acceptable. Cheering shall be done in a positive
manner ONLY. Coaches and parents are reminded to set a good example.
5. Discipline
Committee:
Participants who
fail to comply with these guidelines may be required to appear before a
discipline committee to explain their actions.
6. Registration:
All players must be duly registered with the S.C.L.S.L. Registrar before
participating in any event. Coaches will discourage anyone from participating
until he/she has confirmed their registration on the team.
1. Fair Hit Balls:
Each park has its particular ground rules. The umpires at home plate before the
game will discuss these. If you have any questions, this is the time to ask.
2. Protests:
Legal protests, in accordance with Softball Canada Rules, will be permitted if
made in writing to the S.C.L.S.L. Secretary, and accompanied by a $10.00 fee
within 48 hours of the game. In order to file this formal request, the coach
must have advised the home plate umpire at the time of the play in question.
Make sure that you check out the grounds for the protest and then if you have a
viable case, file the letter and fee within the time limit. Play-offs do not
allow protests.
4. Umpires:
Umpires are assigned
games by the Umpire-in-Chief. When an umpire does not show, contact your
convenor immediately following the game. If someone fills in, put their name &
phone number on the game sheet, so that we know who did the game if there are
any questions. This does not just denote that they wish to be paid, so complete
this information, regardless.
5. Umpire’s Duties:
Umpires will arrive at the playing field no less than 15 minutes before the
scheduled game time, properly dressed in appropriate shirt and dark trousers
(preferably blue). Umpires will inspect the field to determine the presence of
obstructions and/or debris. Umpires must start their games at the scheduled time
after explaining the ground rules to the coaches and captains of the teams. The
umpire’s watch/or designated watch will be he official timepiece for the game.
At the end of the game, the umpire shall check the game sheets to see that the
scores are the same and sign the game sheet, and then leave the diamond
promptly. Umpires will be paid by the S.C.L.S.L. biweekly in accordance with its
established fee schedule.
6. Umpire's Age:
Umpires shall have
completed the training program and test as prescribed by the Umpire-in-Chief. It
is the responsibility of the U.I.C. to determine an umpire’s proficiency in
assigning the umpires to their games.
7. Game Ejections:
Smoking, abusive
language, throwing or misusing equipment and generally behaving in an overly
aggressive manner will result in ejection from the game and/or park. Coaches may
be replaced if unsportsmanlike behaviour persists.
8. Uniforms:
All players and coaches shall wear the shirts provided for that season. Players
are encouraged by many coaches not to wear shorts, for the player’s own
protection. Trophies, uniforms, awards or other considerations may not be
solicited/accepted from parents or sponsors without the authority of the
S.C.L.S.L. Executive. Players may wear their own ball pants and caps, but
stirrups are prohibited.
9. Sportsmanship:
In the interest of
promoting good sportsmanship, players and coaches must shake hands at the end of
each game.
10. Common Sense:
Coaches are reminded
that they must remain at the diamond until the last minor player has gone home
or is properly supervised. This applies to all team activities.
No activity should continue while there is lightning. Seek shelter in vehicles
until it ceases, or the umpire officially “calls” the game.
All coaching staff should be aware of the way to speak to players and any
physical contact, i.e. arm around the shoulders is discouraged.
11. Discipline
Committee:
Coaches who fail to comply with the above guidelines may be required to explain
their actions to a Discipline Committee.
12. Team Discipline:
Coaches are
encouraged to set down team rules and file a copy with their convenor for some
input before distribution to the players and parents. These rules will allow a
player to be benched for not showing up at games and/or practices without prior
notification and must be followed consistently for all players.
All rules will be governed by
Softball Canada Official Rule Book unless changed by the Provincial Women’s
Softball or noted otherwise by the St.Catharines Ladies Softball League.
St. Catharines Ladies Softball League Variances
All
Divisions
All
games will have a 1hour and 25 minute time limit. No new inning will start
after 1 hour and 25 minutes has been played from the time the game started.
Umpires will inform both teams of the starting time. Umpires watch will be
considered the official time.
Umpires will be instructed not to call last inning.
Umpires will keep coaches informed regarding playing time remaining in the game.
5 or 7 RUN
RULE
·
If Visiting
team achieves the mercy rule.....
If Visiting team scores 5 or 7 runs or achieves the mercy rule per inning the
umpire will check time left in the game.....
·
If playing
time exceeds 1 hr and 15 min the inning will continue until a 3rd out
is recorded. Home team will hit until 3 outs are recorded or Home team is
ahead.
·
If playing
time is less than 1 hr and 15 minutes the inning stops and home team hits.
This will require another full inning to be played as
It is
required that the final inning of all games is played until 3 outs are recorded
Only exception is when Home team takes the lead.
·
If Home
team achieves the mercy rule.....
If Home team scores 5 or 7 runs or achieves the mercy rule per inning the umpire
will check time left in the game....
·
If playing
time exceeds 1 hr and 25 min inning will continue until a 3rd out is
achieved or Home team leads.
·
If playing
time is less than 1 hr and 25 min. Inning is over and another inning is played
until 3 outs are recorded.
Only
exception is when Home team takes the lead
Mite
Division
Squirt
Division
Regular season only
1.
A player will pitch every inning with a maximum of 3 innings each and a
limit of twice per inning.
2. Players will
follow all pitching guidelines as set out in the Softball Canada Rulebook. i.e.
2 feet on the pitching mound, 1 step forward.
3. Home plate
umpire will keep balls and strikes.
4. 4 balls on a
batter will result in the batter being awarded 1st base.
5. Batters will
be encouraged to swing at strikes.
6. Players will
each be permitted to pitch in a maximum of 3 innings per game.
7. The third
strike rule, which enables the batter to become a base runner if the catcher
fails to catch the ball on third strike, is to be disregarded.
8. Base runners
can only advance to home plate on a batted ball or bases loaded walk.
9.
Base
runners will be permitted to steal 2nd and 3rd base.
More Squirt
Division Variances
1.
Softball Canada Conference Rule, as per their Playing Rules, will be
waived i.e. the team coaches may make several trips to the mound if necessary.
The umpire’s judgment will prevail.
2.
Minimum
number of players required to play will be reduced from 9 to 7. Teams having
less than 7 players will result in a game being played but will be considered a
forfeit and a loss in the standings.
3. 5 Run Rule:
If 5 runs are scored in a half inning, without 3 putouts being recorded, the
team at bat will switch and, after play has finished, take the outfield. A
maximum of 5 runs will count towards the official score but the play finishes
and any extra base hits will be counted for newspaper results. See 5 Run Rule
for explanation.
4. Each player
must play a minimum of every other inning only exceptions are physical
injuries.
5. No call-ups
allowed during playoffs (unless deemed necessary by the appropriate convenor and
liaison.)
6.
In the case of an injury to a
player, where, in the opinion of the umpire, play needs to be stopped, it will
be done so immediately. At that point, the home plate umpire may allow any
runner on base to advance one base only, past the base she was on when the
incident occurred
Novice
Division
1.
Softball Canada Conference Rule, as per their Playing Rules, will be
waived i.e. the team coaches may make several trips to the mound if necessary.
The umpire’s judgment will prevail.
2.
Minimum
number of players required to play will be reduced from 9 to 7. Teams having
less than 7 players will result in a game being played but will be considered a
forfeit and a loss in the standings.
3. 7 Run Rule:
If 7 runs are scored in a half inning, without 3 putouts being recorded, the
team at bat will switch and, after play has finished, take the outfield. A
maximum of 7 runs will count towards the official score but the play finishes
and any extra base hits will be counted for newspaper results. See 7 Run Rule
for explanation.
4. Each player must play a minimum of every other inning only exceptions
are physical injuries.
5. No call-ups allowed during playoffs (unless deemed necessary by the
appropriate convenor and liaison.)
6. In the case of an injury to a player, where, in
the opinion of the umpire, play needs to be stopped, it will be done so
immediately. At that point, the home plate umpire may allow any runner on base
to advance one base only, past the base she was on when the incident occurred
Bantam / Midget and Ladies Division
1. Pitching and base distance will be 40’ and 55’ respectively.
2. Pitching Rule: A player, who has pitched “Rep Team or All-Star” category ball, must wait 3 seasons before she can pitch in the Ladies Division in the house league. (A player can qualify for her 3 seasons before she reaches the age to play in the Ladies Division.) Any discrepancies will be handled by the Ladies Convenor.
3. Minimum number of players required to play will be reduced from 9 to 7. Teams having less than 7 players will result in a game being played but will be considered a forfeit and a loss in the standings.
4. 7 Run Rule: If 7 runs are scored in a half inning, without 3 putouts being recorded, the team at bat will switch and, after play has finished, take the outfield. A maximum of 7 runs will count towards the official score but the play finishes and any extra base hits will be counted for newspaper results. See 7 Run Rule for explanation.
5. Each player must play a minimum of every other inning only exceptions are physical injuries.
6. No call-ups allowed during playoffs (unless deemed necessary by the appropriate convenor and liaison.)
7. In the case of an injury to a player, where, in the opinion of the umpire, play needs to be stopped, it will be done so immediately. At that point, the home plate umpire may allow any runner on base to advance one base only, past the base she was on when the incident occurred
Procedures for uncertain park
conditions are:
A/ Rain during the day or for a couple of days previous (before 3:00 p.m.)
1/ Parks Convenor will call Parks & Recreation
2/ If park(s) are out of commission, the Parks Convenor will call the divisional
convenor(s) involved. DO NOT CALL PARKS & REC.
3/ Divisional Convenor(s) will then call the coaches of the teams involved.
4/ Parks Convenor will call the Umpire-in-Chief.
5/ Coaches will then call players.
B/ If it rains between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – divisional convenors will check out the diamonds (personally or call someone to check). If the diamond is a lighted diamond she/he will make sure that the parks attendant knows of any decision to cancel a game or not. The Divisional Convenor will also contact the Parks Convenor if any games have been cancelled, as well as notifying the Umpire-in-Chief.
C/ After 5:30 p.m. teams must show up at the regular time and the umpire(s) will call the game if necessary.
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF PLAYING FIELDS
1.
No Alcoholic beverages are permitted in any public park or public school
yard, and parking lot.
2. Parks or schoolyards are to be left litter free.
3. No vehicles are permitted on grass areas.
4. The user is restricted to only the playing field and date and time as stated on their Park Permit.
5. The user agrees to cooperate with the members of the Parks and Recreation Department staff and other groups using facilities.
6. The Parks & Recreation Department has the right to cancel the use of any playing field as a result of inclement weather.
7. The user accepts the responsibility for providing adequate supervision during the entire time that the group makes use of the field.
8. The user agrees to pay for any damages to equipment or premises.
9. The user agrees to indemnify the City of St.Catharines against all manner of claims and actions arising from the use of the playing field.
10. Provision and installation of the bases is the responsibility of the individual teams. The Parks attendant will not install bases.
11. Non-Attendance Penalty: Where the Parks and Recreation Department is required to prepare a field and the teams fail to show up, the team will pay a penalty, unless 24 hours notice is given to the Parks Convenor of St.Catharines Ladies Softball.
12. Should the league or a team require extra work, they will be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses.
13. The Parks & Recreation Department, or those authorized by the Parks & Recreation Department shall have the sole and exclusive right and control over all food and beverage concessions.
14.
Permits may be cancelled if any of the above terms and conditions are not
complied with.
Base & Pitching Distances
DIVISION BALL SIZE PITCHING BASES
Ladies 12” 40’ 55’
Bantam /Midget 12” 40’ 55’
Novice 12” 38’ 60’
Squirt 11” 35’ 55’
Mite 11” 30’ 45’
Hit, Run & Throw/Golden Glove Competition
Each team must name one candidate for each event. The Hit and Throw must be in Fair Territory. Each event will take place until completed, before beginning another event.
Coaches or their representatives will be sent out to act as judges for distance, or touching bases for the run competition. If everyone agrees on the furthest distance, measurement will not be needed.
Regulations:
HIT
Mite/Squirt
– 1 practice & 5 fair ball hits, coach will pitch
– farthest will be marked (measured from home plate straight to the ball)
– ball is marked where it stops rolling
Novice/Bantam/Midget
– 3 practice & 5 tries
– pitching machine used, if available, otherwise coach will pitch
– all pitches at the same speed
– ball bounces in infield inside the baseline (1 point),
– ball bounces between bases and edge of the outfield grass (3 points) ,
– ball bounces on outfield grass (5 points)
– highest point total wins
RUN All Divisions
– 2 tries around the bases
– all bases must be touched
– fastest time counted will be the winner
THROW Mite/Squirt
– girls will be given 1 practice and 3 tries
– the furthest throw will be the winner (measured from home plate straight to the ball)
– ball is marked where it stops rolling
GOLDEN GLOVE Novice/Bantam/Midget
– pitching machine or designated hitter at home plate
– fielder takes short stop position
– ground ball sent to each competitor at relatively the same speed in each round
– machine or designated hitter will be sped up or difficulty increased in each round
– a clean pick up will allow the participant to continue to the next round
– miss and you are out
– last remaining fielder must make a clean pick up to complete the round to be declared the winner
– 1 practice before beginning
If a division wishes to have
a variance of the above procedures in one or more categories, executive approval
is required.
These contests should not take place between Championship Games.
MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER AWARD
ONE CANDIDATE PER TEAM, ONLY!
Each year this
organization awards a Most Sportsmanlike Player award to one player per team.
This girl is not necessarily the best, most popular, or the leader of the team,
but could have all or some of these attributes.
The coaching staff should select this award with input from the players, if
desired. This award should go to the player who shows determination, good
sportsmanship, dedication, patience, and enthusiasm for the game. It is an award
that hopefully recognizes what playing is all about.
Presentation will be made at a designated time and hopefully will be a surprise
for all of the recipients when their names are announced.
The selected player’s name must be given to the convenor so that the awards can
be prepared beforehand. Please submit your MSP to the convener before July 31st.