C H A T T A N O O G A
Rockers

Select Fastpitch Player/Parent Contract

 

 

PURPOSE: To prevent parental/player misunderstandings of Chattanooga Rockers Fastpitch program general policies, rules, and regulations, it is in the best interest of all involved that a “contract” be drawn up to which all parties show acknowledgement of these policies, rules, and regulations.

I. As, parent and player, we ACKNOWLEDGE that the CHATTANOOGA ROCKERS FASTPITCH (CRF) policy regarding traveling teams DOES NOT require EQUAL playing time. Fair and reasonable playing time is encouraged.

II. Because of the higher competitive nature of select teams, players are required to make a full commitment to attending PRACTICES, GAMES and TOURNAMENTS. This commitment includes occasional scrimmage games, practices 1 - 2 times per week and 4 to 7 or more weekend tournaments per season. Absence for any reason may result in player benching. As a parent, I agree to schedule my child’s and family’s other activities around the softball schedule.

III. ANY conduct detrimental to the team or individuals on the team and/or any violation of area State High School League rules (such as smoking, drinking, fighting, etc.) will present the coaches no option but to enforce the disciplinary actions available to him/her. These disciplinary actions can include benching, ineligibility for games, or even removal from the team. It is agreed that under the established guidelines, what the coaches deem appropriate will be accepted by both the player and parent.

IV. Tryouts will be conducted based on the CRF Softball program’s established evaluation criteria. Participants agree in advance to abide by the results.

V. Uniforms and/or equipment issued to the player by the CRF Softball program are required to be returned in full and in good condition. Participants agree that they will be responsible to replace, at their cost, any equipment that is not returned or is damaged.

VI. As players and parents, we will accept constructive criticism from coaches in a POSITIVE way and demonstrate a POSITIVE attitude and RESPECT toward teammates, coaches, opponents and spectators.

VII. As players and parents, we will show RESPECT for game officials and their decisions. The officials of any contest are impartial arbitrators who are trained and who perform to the best of their ability. Mistakes by all those involved in the contest are a part of the game.
As player and parent we agree not to rationalize poor or unsuccessful performance or behavior by placing responsibility on an official.
As player and parent we will take total responsibility for our own behavior. We will apply the rule of good sportsmanship and accept, respect and abide by the decisions made by the officials at all times. We commit to making good sportsmanship a top priority and model winning with class and tolerating defeat with dignity.

VIII. As a player I understand and accept my role on the team as a player/competitor, not a coach.
As a parent I understand and respect the differences between parental roles and coaching roles and agree to uphold the authority of officials and coaches who are working with my child and will assist them when possible and use good judgment if I disagree with them. I will inform the coaches of issues and conflicts as soon as they arise.

IX. As a player I agree to apply the concepts, drills and skills I am taught and give 100% in practice and games. I will never just “go through the motions.”

X. As a parent I agree to get involved in my child’s softball education. I will help my child practice outside of scheduled team practice times. I will assist the coach in any way I can with practices, games, tournaments and travel.

XI. As a parent I will focus on performance which can be controlled by the athlete and not on winning or losing, an outcome which is frequently outside the athlete's control. I will positively reinforce improved skills, decrease the pressure to win and avoid making the outcome of the game bigger than life so my child's self-esteem does not become tied to winning or losing. I will make sure my child knows that win or lose; I love her even if I am disappointed with her performance.

XII. I agree to notify the coaches immediately when I am aware that a serious athletic problem exists within the CRF Softball program.

XIII. As a player I understand that I represent Chattanooga, my team, and my coaches. I will enhance our reputation and character with my conduct on and off the field. I will respect and protect the equipment and facilities I practice and play games with whether in Chattanooga or outside of Chattanooga. I will report any damage that occurs.
As a parent I will help monitor the areas adjacent to where my child’s team practices and plays games in order to prevent any damage caused by horseplay or unsupervised activity by CRF Softball players or siblings of CRF players.

XIV. As a parent, I agree to attend games when possible and to act as a role model at those games. I will refrain from arguing with umpires' decisions, criticizing players on the field, or using loud or abusive language or cursing. I understand that unsportsmanlike behavior on my part can result in my being asked to leave the area and that my child's team may forfeit the game if I refuse to do so.

As a player, I agree to cooperate with and show respect to my manager, coaches, teammates, opponents, and umpires during the season. I will not argue with umpires' decisions and will not use foul language. I will attend practices and games with few exceptions.

XV. Whenever possible, I will let my coaches know in advance if I will not be able to attend.

XVI. I agree not to use any tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

XVII. I understand that if I do not follow these rules, I may be suspended from playing on the team.

 

Rule Addendums & Explanations:

ATTENDANCE/TARDINESS
1. Any player who misses a scheduled tournament without a legitimate excuse will be suspended indefinately from the team.

Legitimate Excuses are ONLY limited to situations which may arise that are beyond the control of the player. Examples include:
-Illness/injury

-Death of loved ones/funerals

-Required school functions

-Emergencies

-Previously scheduled commitments that the coaches have been informed of at least a week in advance.

-Any other situation which causes the player not to have a choice about not attending tournaments.

Non legitimate excuses include ANY situation in which the player is given the choice whether or not to play in the tournament, and chooses not to play. This can be choosing to spend time with friends, deciding not to play because you disagree with coaching decisions, not showing up because you have an issue with a player or parent on the team, or just “not feeling like playing ball.”

Very simply put: If you would rather be somewhere else, doing something else, at ANY time you are a part of this team, then you should leave the team. We do not want anyone here that doesn’t want to be. We have several players who work hard and are dedicated to taking this team to it’s highest level. Anyone who doesn’t want to be here does not deserve to be a part of the victories ahead of us. We can’t and will not even try to make anyone WANT to be a part of this team. Either you want to and are willing to fully commit to doing so, or you do not. If you do not want to, there is always someone else who wants your spot and is ready to do what it takes to earn it.

2. If you should miss a practice without a legitimate excuse, you will be benched the next game on the first offense. On the 2^nd offense, you will be benched for the entire tournament. On the 3^rd offense, you will be suspended indefinately from the team. In addition to that:
If you choose not to attend a tournament/game because you know you will be benched for the above offenses, you will be suspended indefinately from the team. There are consequences for your actions. If you are not willing to accept them, then this is not the team for you.

3. If you plan to miss a scheduled tournament with a legitimate excuse, please do not come to the practice(s) scheduled immediately preceding the tournament. For example: if your family is scheduled to go out of town on Friday-Sunday, causing you to miss the tournament- do not come to practices scheduled on the Monday-Thursday before the tournament you will not be attending. We are presently limited with the time we have to spend on preparing for each tournament. Since we usually are only able to practice once or twice per week, we must do all that we can to prepare the girls who WILL be present at the next tournament to play. This gives us more time to work with individual players on things they need help with before the tournament. In addition, if you have a starting position and will not be at the tournament, we must have ample time to prepare the person filling your position that weekend. If and when we are able to schedule multiple practices throughout the week, this rule is subject to change to allow all to attend whether playing in the upcoming tournament or not attending with a legitimate excuse. We will inform you if this changes.

4. Anyone who does not inform the coaches that they will not attend a practice prior to the practice will be benched with the same consequences as #2 listed above. Unless it is an absolute emergency, there is NO EXCUSE for not informing the coaches. This applies to legitimate excuses. Not calling and missing practices IN ADDITION to not having a legitimate excuse may result in indefinate suspension from the team at the discretion of the coaches.

5. Anyone who does not inform the coaches that they will not attend a game/tournament with as much advance notice as possible will be suspended indefinately from the team. This does not include emergency situations which cannot be helped. However, just “not showing up” whether the excuse is legitimate or not will absolutely result in indefinate suspension from the team.

6. Should you inform us that you are not attending a tournament with a legitimate excuse, if your plans change afterward and you decide to come to the tournament after all, you must notify us AT LEAST 24 hours in advance to be able to play. We must turn in a game day roster for every single tournament. If you are not on that roster, you are not eligible to play in the tournament. If you do not notify us that you will be there, you will not be added to the game day roster. In addition to that, we prepare the batting order and starting lineup on the day before the tournaments start. A player who was not scheduled to be in attendance can and usually will change the entire game plan if they are going to be there. We MUST be informed of this with plenty of notice in order for you to be eligible to play in the tournament. If this situation should take place, and you are not able to play because of short notice in plan changes, your previous legitimate excuse for missing will remain in effect, although you are encouraged (but not required) to attend even when not eligible to play in order to show support for your team mates

PARENTS (COACHING ISSUES/PARENT ISSUES)
7. If players OR parents have an issue with coaching decisions, DO NOT start problems by talking to other parents or players about it. Either have enough respect to ask for time set aside to discuss the issue with the coaches, or do not say anything at all. If and when you want to have a discussion, please be respectful if you disagree. We are not unreasonable, especially if a player or parent comes to us asking how they can improve their performance so that they can reach their goals.

8. If an issue SHOULD arise that needs to be discussed, we will refer to the 24 hour rule: You must wait AT LEAST 24 hours after games/tournaments to bring issues up to coaches that you disagree with. This ESPECIALLY applies if you are upset about something that happened during the games, such as: playing time, pitching time, coaching decisions, parent disagreements, player disagreements, etc. This will give the parties ample time to cool off in order to discuss things in a rational manner. If a team/parent meeting is needed to resolve issues, that decision will be made after the 24 hours have elapsed.

9. DO NOT scream at, degrade, curse at, or verbally correct your children during games or practices. What you say or do to your children away from team settings is your business. However, once on the field for games or practices, any discipline, coaching, etc is the job of the coaches. As parents, your job is to SIMPLY show up on time, have your children prepared for games/practices, and BE ENCOURAGING to them. We cannot instruct, coach, or teach your child if she is upset because her parents are screaming at her from the sidelines.

10. DO NOT instruct your children during games or practices. This is the job of the coaches. If you feel that we are not doing our jobs properly, then this is not the team for you. Should this be the case, simply inform us of such, and you are free to move on, with no hard feelings at all.

　

These rules/amendments/explanations may be added to throughout the season if deemed necessary.