Carolina Comets Fastpitch

Player & Parent Expectations

 

What Coaches Expect of Players:

• Ability and willingness to learn.
• Players will listen to and follow directions of the coaches.
• Understand that there is no guarantee of playing time or position.
• Attendance at practice is mandatory and therefore will be a top consideration for starting position and playing time (barring excused absences such as for vacation).
• All players are expected to give 110% at practice and during games.  The way we play at practice is the way we will play in tournaments.
• Everyone needs to have a "team first" mentality.  Players must be willing to play where they are needed in the field and everyone must be willing to bat anywhere in the batting order.
• All players will conduct themselves with the best sportsmanship.  No arguing with the umpire please.  
• Continual respect and support for your teammates.
• Recognize areas for improvement within yourself and work to improve.

What Players Can Expect of Coaches:

• We don't play favorites.
• We promise fair and honest treatment.
• While playing time is not guaranteed, all players will play in every tournament.
• All things being equal, players will be rotated.
• We will treat all players, parents, and umpires with respect.
• Lines of communication will be open and encouraged among the head coach, assistant coaches, players, parents, and volunteers.
• We are human and we are going to make mistakes.
• The team will have the appropriate practice gear (balls, batting tees, practice nets, etc...)
• Consistent coaching messages.
• To the extent possible, advance notice of tournament schedule to allow families to plan for vacation.
• Expect to play fundamental fast pitch 110% of the time, no exceptions.
• Knowledgeable coaching.
• Commitment to the team.
• Every effort will be made to keep and review individual performance for each game played.  Batting average, on-base average, RBI, errors, etc. along with the attendance record and attitude assessment by the coaches will be used to evaluate the players as the season progresses.

What Coaches Expect of Parents:

100% support of your player, her teammates, coaches, other parents, and umpires.

Be supportive of your player and offer only constructive criticisms.  We learned (the hard way!) a long time ago that our own daughters respond much better to corrections offered by someone besides us.  Girls tend to shutdown when constantly fussed at.  Don't be responsible for running your player out of the game.

In the event of an issue, communicate with the coaching staff in order to resolve it in a timely manner and mitigate any long-term impacts.

Understanding that the coaches will decide the players position, the playing time for the players, and will make the calls to the pitchers, the base runners, and the hitters during games, and will make position substitutions as deemed necessary at any point during the game.  When the girls are between the white lines, they are ours. Understanding that playing time is not guaranteed.

Set your child's expectations accordingly.  For example, if they are late for a game, they shouldn't expect to start.  If they're having an off game, it's okay for them to sit out and have time to regroup.  If they've missed practices, they shouldn't expect to start.

Good sportsmanship:  respect ALL coaches, ALL players, ALL umpires, etc.

Getting your player to practices and games on time.

You watch, we'll coach.  We are always open to questions during practice and between games.  If you have a question, ask before it becomes an issue.  Please DO NOT bring these issues up during or right before a game. Work with your player on improving her skills outside of practice.

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Keep in mind that your behavior also sets an example for your player.  If you do not conduct yourself properly, neither will your player.  This could lead to your player being asked to stp down from the team.