Welcome

Welcome to the St. Anthony Village High School Softball program. The program is designed to provide you with an environment that is:

• Positive & Encouraging. Coaches and players will be positive and encouraging to each other.
• Fair. All players will be treated with fairness and respect.
• Competitive. It is our goal to be as competitive as we can with our opponent’s and to win games.
• Fun. Let’s all enjoy the experience while we have it and let’s make the most of the opportunity.

Fees, Permission Forms & Physical

The participation fee and the Minnesota State High School League permission form must be turned into the athletic department office. The athletic office will issue you a blue card. The blue card must be given to your coach before you are eligible to participate in a game or practice. No exceptions! Please read the State High School form and discuss it with your parent’s before signing. You must also have a physical up to date and on file with the school.

Social Conduct

You are the core of our program. It is important that you act as a representative of St. Anthony Village High School at all times. People notice! Positive public relations between our team and the community, faculty and student body is imperative. These people are our fans and support. You are expected to be on your best behavior both on and off of the court.

State High School League Rules

You have signed the Minnesota State High School League form. You are expected to follow that form unconditionally. You have given your word that you will follow all rules and your word should be gold. These rules are in effect 365 days a year.

Repercussions (in addition to the guidelines set by the MSHSL) for committing a High School League violation are:

1. You will not be eligible for any post season awards

2. If you are a captain, you will forfeit that position on the team

Academics & School Attendance

Academics always come first! You are a student first and an athlete second. St. Anthony Village High School requires that in order to be eligible to participate in an athletic activity, you must be “progressing towards graduation” and have earned the correct number of credits to participate given your year and trimester. You are expected to excel to the best of your ability in the classroom. You are expected to be in every class, every day. If you have an unexcused absence from a class, you will not be able to practice, compete in the game, or be a part of the team in any way on that day.

Playing Time / Role On Team

Our goal is to win softball games. Therefore, equal playing time is not given. It is the responsibility of the coach to determine which players give the team the best chance for success. That determination will be based on attitude, the amount of effort put forth in practice, and performance in practice and games. Every player on the team has a unique role. You are asked to accept the role given to you.

Cutting Policy

We do not cut anyone from the B-Squad and C-Squad teams. Cutting is permissible at the Varsity level. We have a fixed number of uniforms and it’s possible that not everyone will receive one. If you do not receive a uniform, you are welcome to continue to attend practice and games with the rest of the team. The same team rules are in effect for all players. It may be necessary to share a set number of jerseys on a non-varsity level depending upon the number of girls participating in softball.

Communication

Much of the information that players and parents need to know will be communicated verbally at practice and usually also posted on the softball website. The site address is WWW.STANTHONYSOFTBALL.COM . Also, communication between players and coaches is essential. You need to feel free to approach your coach with any topic. Your coach is there to assist you in any way possible. However, you are discouraged to want to discuss your position on the team with your coach on the day of a game.

Foul Language

The use of foul language will not be tolerated by any player or coach. The use of foul language will be strictly enforced in the locker room areas, dugouts, during practices, games, on the team bus & at opponent’s schools.

Injuries

All injuries that occur during a practice or game must be reported to your coach immediately. If you are injured outside of softball, your coach must be notified about it as well. If you miss a practice or game because of an injury, you must have a doctor’s permission before you will be reinstated to the team.

Captains

The captains are the leaders of the team. They need to lead by example. They are also partially responsible for the actions of their teammates. Whenever a captain makes a request of a teammate or the entire team, that request is to be followed promptly. The captains are required to meet with the coach throughout the season to discuss team matters when the need arises.

Uniform Responsibility

Each player is responsible for the entire uniform (game tops/bottoms, bats, bags, helmets). It is each player’s responsibility to care for equipment and jerseys properly and return all items provided to the coach at the end of the season. If a player should happen to lose or damage any piece of the uniform or equipment, immediately notify the coach. Players are responsible for the cost to replace it. Also, be sure to follow the washing instructions provided for the jersey. Finally, be sure to bring warm enough clothes for outside practice starting from the beginning of the season.

Requirements for Lettering

Everyone has a role on the team. You do not have to get game innings to be an asset to the team. Players who give it their all at practice every day can be just as worthy of a varsity letter as someone who plays every inning of every game. The following are the requirements for receiving a varsity letter:

1. Must possess a varsity uniform for a minimum of 75% of the games.

2. Must attend practice consistently and work hard every day

3. Must practice with the varsity team during the time you have a uniform

4. Must have a positive attitude and be a team player

5. Must be academically eligible for the entire season

Practice and Practice Conduct

You are given the practice schedule before the season starts. However, there may be a few changes made to it throughout the season.

1. Be prompt or early to practice. We cannot afford to waste any time at the start of each practice. There will usually be running and stretching to do before warming your arms up by playing catch.

2. Come to practice ready to play. Be prepared to work very hard. Leave your personal life off the field and concentrate while at practice. Practice doesn’t make perfect…Perfect practice makes perfect!

3. Stop all action when told to.

4. When going from one drill to another, run!

5. Practice at game tempo. An all-out effort during practice is demanded by you and will make game habits automatic. This is the best way to improve as individuals and as a team.

6. Approach every drill and technique with a positive attitude.

7. Communicate. Be prepared to listen and respond. Respond and communicate with each other. Learn how to encourage your teammates. Always acknowledge a good offensive play or defensive play. This shows you understand the game and appreciate your teammate’s hard work.

8. Be aggressive. Be aggressive at the plate on offense, on the base paths, and in the field on defense. Swing at strikes, and do not go down looking at a called third strike. Take as many bases as you can, but do not create bad habits for yourself. Create problems on the bases for the other team by not hesitating. Be assertive and improve by hustling. To accomplish the goal of a TEAM, you must respect your teammate!

9. Practice gear. Bring warm clothes. Bring long pants. Bring your sliding pads. Bring your batting gloves. Don’t leave your equipment at the field. You are provided a bat bag; use it to keep these items in and keep track of your belongings.

10. Attendance. You are expected to be at every practice. Dental appointments and regular doctor check-ups are not an excuse to miss practice. Work is also not an excuse to miss practice. Emergency medical exams due to injury or any extra classroom help from a teacher that you may need are the exception. A player’s physical and academic well-being always comes first!

Game Conduct

1. It is a privilege to wear a Husky uniform and represent St. Anthony Village High School. Whether you start the game or are on the bench, always have great enthusiasm and intensity.

2. Always play under control. Never allow your emotions or frustrations break your concentration. If you strike out, miss a ball, or make a mistake, do not pout about it! You cannot do anything about the past, however, you can do something about the next play. Keep yourself under control!

3. Never show displeasure with a teammate or an official. Always show respect for the official’s calls whether you agree with them or not. You have no power to change them. Do not ever show negative body language, do not turn your back or roll your eyes to an official. If you have an issue, talk to your captain or coach and have them check with the official. It NEVER hurts to just be nice to the official…they are people too..

4. Our bench needs to be active and supportive. We are a team and everyone plays an important role. Players on the bench are expected to be attentive and encouraging. If called upon, you can play a vital role in the game.

Game Day

1. Dress code. Varsity team together decides on what the team will wear on a game day. B-Squad and C-Squad can do the same.

2. Transportation. Be prompt for bus departures or car caravan departures. Be sure you know exactly what time everyone is planning on departing so you aren’t left behind. We will not wait for you if you are late! You are required to ride the team bus to our opponent’s school and back to the high school following the varsity game. If you’d like to ride home with your parents after a victory, you must provide a written note from them and give to your coach. If you are going to ride home with a teammate’s parents, you must provide a note from your own parent. Any verbal request will be declined.

3. Home games. At the coach’s discretion… varsity usually meets 90 minutes before the game.

4. Away games. You must respect the property of the opponent’s school as if it were your own. Damage to another school’s property will result in punishment at practice and a possible suspension or expulsion from the team.

5. Fans. Never engage in communication with the opponent’s fans. Do not gesture verbally or physically to them at any time. You’re encouraged to not acknowledge them whatsoever.

Team Make-Up

Players will be placed on teams based upon their ability and their age.

1. Varsity. In 2008, 12 uniforms will be awarded for varsity players based on ability and team needs. These are awarded to players in grades 7-12 that the coaches believe will create the best possible team. The varsity coach has the luxury of awarding any other uniforms to a player who may not be amongst the top players, but has shown dedication and loyalty to the program and has worked hard to earn a spot on the varsity team.

2. B-Squad. The B-Squad team will consist of 15 players in grades 7-11.

3. C-Squad. The C-Squad team will consist of 15 players in grades 7-11.

4. Seniors. Senior’s are not allowed to play on the B-Squad or C-Squad teams. Any senior not included in the top 12, will not receive a uniform.

· There may be opportunities for the next best 1-4 players from the B-Squad to suit up for varsity on days when the B-Squad does not have a game (Henry Sibley Tournament, Sauk-Rapids-Rice Tournament, Playoffs).

The make-up of the teams will be determined early in the season.

Security

You are encouraged to secure your personal items at all times. Items should be secured in your bat bag and with you or with someone else. Do not leave any items (personal or school) unattended for any amount of time at our school or at an opponent’s school.

The opportunity of being a part of a high school sports team only comes along once in a lifetime. No matter what your role on the team is, you can get as much out of this experience as you’d like to. Make the most of every moment.

ENJOY IT AND YOU’LL HAVE A LIFETIME OF GREAT MEMORIES!!!