hamilton girls softball association instructional (7-8
HAMILTON GIRLS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION INSTRUCTIONAL (7‐8) LEAGUE RULES 2018
Objectives: TO HAVE FUN, learn the rules of softball, and foster good sportsmanship, individual accomplishments and teamwork, while introducing a team sport.
Divisional Goals for players ages 7‐8: 1. Player maintains knowledge of general format of game and basic playing rules of the game. Each player shall know ball‐strike count and result of each at bat. Each player shall know innings, outs and game score during all game play. Each player shall have a basic understanding of and know the field location of all 10 playing positions. Each player shall be make on‐field decisions as to the play of the game. *Each player will have experienced game time in all infield and outfield playing positions. *Each player will be shown proper pitching and catching mechanics. 2. Player consistently exhibits the proper throwing and catching mechanics Each player AND her partner each should be able to have 5 throws and catches in a row without a dropped ball between them. Each player shall be able to be consistent in accuracy to her intended throwing target during game play. 3. Player consistently maintains proper batting mechanics. Each player shall be able to come to her at bat in the correct stance and body position. Each player shall be able to exhibit correct swing mechanics to consistently hit a player pitched ball during every game played. Each player will know the correct bunting mechanics and exhibit in game play. 4. Player consistently utilizes proper fielding techniques. Each player will be able to show consistency in game fielding decisions (pop‐up, fly, grounder, line drive) and utilize proper mechanics of each. Each player shall understand roles of fielding positions, including but not limited to base coverage, back‐ups and cut‐offs. 5. Player consistently shows proper base running techniques. Each player shall be able to exhibit correct base running form and mechanics. Each player will be able to adhere to base coaching instructions during game play. Each player shall have knowledge of proper sliding mechanics and use during game play as necessary. 6. GRADUATE PLAYERS Each graduate shall be accurate and master proper mechanics in throws from 3rd to 1st, CF to 2B, and LF to infield cut‐off. Each graduate will show mastery of fielding decisions and show proper mechanic usage in all fielding options. Each graduate shall have a mastery of correct batting mechanics and master such in game play. Each graduate shall have a working knowledge of bunting mechanics and able to utilize in game play. Each graduate shall employ proper base running techniques including leads and sliding, and master such in game play.
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Game Management Note: 1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
All games will be played under ASA Junior Olympic Fast Pitch and Babe Ruth Softball Rules with the following modifications. This is an instructional league. The emphasis is on having fun while playing and learning the skills of softball. Game scores are to be reported to the League Agent at the conclusion of every game by the winning team. Managers should also provide the local newspapers with game scores and summaries. All attending players will play each game. All players will bat in consecutive order whether playing defensively or not. Players should play an equal amount of innings defensively, preferably alternating players every other inning. Defensive substitutions can be made at any time. Batting line‐ups must be rotated every game and from game to game. so that each player on your roster has the same number of at bats during the course of the season. For example, if the #5 batter makes the last out, the #6 batter should lead off the next game. Games will be scheduled on Friday nights (6:00 PM) and Saturdays (9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:15 PM) Wednesdays and Sundays, if necessary. Make‐up games, scheduled by the League Agent will be played on Sunday afternoons after 12:00 PM. All games have a time limit of no more than 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is measured from the time that the game was scheduled, not the time the game started. If you start late, your teams lose that playing time. You must be off the field in 1 hour and 40 minutes, including hand shakes and gathering your equipment, so that the other teams have time to get in the dugouts and prepare to play. Games will be 5 innings of play. HGSA staff must move the game along swiftly to allow the maximum amount of game play for both teams. TIE BREAKER: . If 5 innings have been completed and there is still enough time to utilize a tie‐breaking inning, a coach pitch 6h inning should take place. Managers from both teams are required to field a team for the tiebreaking innings. If there is not enough time, the game ends in a tie. Scoreboards will be used throughout the season at all times.. The visiting team manager will assign a family to work the scoreboard. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to ensure that the scoreboard is manned. Game will not start until the scoreboard is manned. The HGSA concession stand shall be staffed by one parent from every team playing in your time slot. Each manager will assign concession stand duty for their team. Parents are to arrive to the concession stand 20 minutes PRIOR to game time. If your assigned parent does not arrive, your game will not be started until a replacement has been found. Please see rule 7 for game time policy. Scorebooks are to be kept for each game, listing the LAST name and jersey number of the player. At the conclusion of the season, all Scorebooks MUST be submitted to the league agent. This is a league requirement and must be maintained per HGSA and Babe Ruth rules. In order to enhance the softball experience for all players at the beginning of the season, games will be pitched by the players for the first 2 innings of the game. The remaining innings will be pitched solely by the coaches. This will remain in place until April 30, 2018. Beginning May 1, 2018, all innings of the game will be pitched by the players. All pitching rules listed in the section entitled “Pitching” are still in effect.
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Game Play 1. 2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
The home team will supply one new ball and one slightly used 11” DX‐5 Softball. In order to speed up the game and reduce delays: a. Players should run on and off the field in a timely fashion. Each half inning should begin within 3 minutes of the completion of the previous half inning. b. Catchers speed up with two outs: a catcher on base will be replaced with a runner, so that the catcher can put on her gear. c. Defensive team shall have one coach stand behind home plate helping the catcher and retrieving passed balls. Coach shall also oversee the catcher to ensure she is positioned safely and appropriately, and monitor her for equipment malfunctions. Outfielders must be behind the infielders with both feet on the outfield grass before each pitch. They may back up or make plays at any base so long as they start the play on the outfield grass. a. 4 out fielders unless a team is short on players. The infield fly rule does not apply. Making defensive plays on base runners: a. Keep this guiding principle in mind all of the time: We don’t want to penalize a defensive player for making an attempt to throw the ball to the correct base. That’s why a second overthrow is a dead ball. b. If a batter hits a ball anywhere in the infield and an overthrow occurs in an attempt to get any runner out, the batter and each base runner, if any, may only advance a total of 2 bases from the start of the play. c. All base runners advance at their own risk on overthrows. If an overthrow occurs and a base runner attempts to advance, she may be thrown out. If a second overthrow occurs, the ball is dead and no runner may advance any further. d. Players on defense should be encouraged to make a play on a runner or get the ball back to the pitching circle. The play ends once the pitcher has control of the ball while fully within the pitching circle. Any base runner over the halfway mark to the next base at that point will be awarded the next base and any base runner who has not reached the halfway mark to the next base will go back to the last touched base. e. When any ball is hit into the outfield grass, infielders should receive the relay throw and try to make a play on a base runner or get the ball back to the pitching circle. If that throw is overthrown to a base or the pitching circle, the play will stop there and any base runners over the halfway mark will be awarded the next base. All other runners will go back to the last touched base. Again, players should be taught to get the ball back to the pitching circle to end play. f. Fielders should be instructed not to block the base paths unless they are making a play on a ball g. Fake tags are not allowed at any base. Base running: a. Base runners may take a short lead after the ball has crossed the plate, but must return to the bag before the next pitch is thrown. b. No stealing is permitted, nor may runners already on base advance due to passed balls, even if an attempt is made to get them out. c. Sliding at close plays should be encouraged, but is not mandatory. Deliberate colliding with a fielder will result in the runner being called out. Players should be instructed on how to avoid a collision with another player. d. Players should be encouraged to take extra bases on hits and, within the limitations indicated in §5, on overthrows. Batting: a. Up to 7 batters will bat in one‐half inning. The team that is at bat must notify the team on the field when the 7th batter is coming to the plate. b. When the 7th batter comes to bat, there are automatically 2 outs. A half inning ends when the 3rd out is made, when the ball is dead due to an overthrow (see §§5.a‐e or when play stops or the pitcher has gained control of the ball in the pitching circle (see §5.d). c. Bunting is permitted and encouraged according to the usual rules with the following exceptions: i. The same player may bunt only once in a game.
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ii. Only two bunts per game per team are permitted. d. Batters hit by pitches: i. If a pitch by either a player or a manager/coach hits a girl, she will ordinarily not be awarded first base merely because she was hit by a pitch. ii. If a girl is hit and loses her composure or is not able to continue her at‐bat, she will be awarded first base. iii. If a girl is hit and is unable to continue to play at that time, the manager should send a pinch runner to 1st base. iv. Any girl who has to leave the game temporarily after being hit by a pitch may retake her place wherever the corresponding pinch runner is at any time.
Pitching
League age is determined by a player’s actual age on January 1, 2018. Players who are league age 9 years old (players born in 2009‐ for Spring 2018) are ineligible to pitch. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game. Any girl playing pitcher must within the past 12 months, have taken either a pitching clinic or private pitching lessons or be currently enrolled in pitching clinic/lessons. If a pitcher meeting this criteria is not available to pitch, it shall be coach discretion to allow another player to pitch or use coach pitch.
Pitching distance will be 35 feet for all girls except those who need a shorter distance, in which case it will be 32 feet. The pitcher must use the same distance for the entire time she pitches in the game and may not change the distance once she has thrown her first pitch to a batter. Pitchers will wear: a. A facemask b. Athletic glasses or eye guards, and a mouthpiece. A new pitcher may take up to 6 practice pitches. A pitcher returning the very next inning may take up to 4 practice pitches. Pitchers must start each pitch with both feet touching the pitching rubber and can take only one forward step when delivering the ball. Windmill pitching is permitted but not required. A pitcher may not walk any batter. When a pitcher reaches 4 balls on a batter, the manager or a coach from the batter’s team will step in to pitch to the batter. When the manager or coach enters to pitch: A coach pitcher will throw a maximum of 6 pitches to a batter. A batter may strike out from coach pitches should they swing and miss. If the batter has 2 strikes when the coach enters to pitch, the count will reset to 1 strike. If the batter has 1 strike, the batter will retain that 1 strike. If the batter has no strikes when the coach enters to pitch, the batter will retain that count of no strikes. When an inning is coach pitch only, the coach will throw a maximum of 6 pitches to a batter. A batter may strike out from coach pitches should they swing and miss.
Umpiring Games 4
1.
The manager or a coach from the team that is at bat will be the primary umpire for that half inning. He or she should stand in the pitching circle behind the pitcher at a comfortable distance that will not interfere with the pitcher’s motion or concentration, but with a clear view of home plate. This manager or coach will start play by advising the batter to step into the batter’s box and telling the defensive team that play is about to begin. The manager or coach who stands behind the pitcher will call balls and strikes on his or her team’s batters. He or she will also call plays at 2nd base and home plate. The coaches on 1st base and 3rd base will call any plays at their respective bases. When the manager or coach in the pitching circle has a better view, he or she may overrule a call by the 1st or 3rd base coach, especially if asked by either coach or the other team’s manager on an appeal. Close decisions on whether a runner is halfway or not (see §5 in Game Play above) should be resolved in favor of the defensive team and in favor of the base runner returning to the last touched base. Coaches must pitch from the same distance as the pitcher for whom the coach is substituting after 4 balls are thrown to a batter. When calling balls and strikes, remember that we want the girls to swing the bat, not wait for a manager or coach to come in and pitch. a. Pitches by managers/coaches should be called balls and strikes consistently for the entire game. The strike zone should not change based upon the batter’s age or level of ability. Real strikes, including third strikes resulting in an out, are called when they do not swing at strikes.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Safety Concerns 1. 2.
All on‐deck batters and base runners will wear a helmet at all times and all chinstraps must be fastened. When not at bat, players may swing bats only in the fenced‐in area outside the dugout by the entrance to the field and should never be allowed in the dugout itself. Players who are not on deck should stay in the dugout away from the on‐deck hitter. All coaches, managers, and scorekeepers should be vigilant in watching for conditions that may affect the safety of the players, particularly with respect to retrieving bats from the field.
3. 4.
Encouraging/Promoting Good Sportsmanship 1. 2.
3. 4.
If a team is ahead by six runs, that team should stop “running” its players to avoid adding on to the lead unnecessarily. Stay with your girls when they are shaking hands after each game. It’s been reported in the past that some unsportsmanlike words have been expressed. Please review the HGSA code of conduct with your players and instruct your players on how they should act whether they win or lose. Coaches and managers of both teams are encouraged to recognize good plays by players on both teams and encourage girls on both teams. Coaches and managers must monitor their own players to make sure that team cheers are not mean spirited or intended to be derogatory or intimidating and that unsportsmanlike comments made by individual players are not tolerated.
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Objectives: TO HAVE FUN, learn the rules of softball, and foster good sportsmanship, individual accomplishments and teamwork, while introducing a team sport.
Divisional Goals for players ages 7‐8: 1. Player maintains knowledge of general format of game and basic playing rules of the game. Each player shall know ball‐strike count and result of each at bat. Each player shall know innings, outs and game score during all game play. Each player shall have a basic understanding of and know the field location of all 10 playing positions. Each player shall be make on‐field decisions as to the play of the game. *Each player will have experienced game time in all infield and outfield playing positions. *Each player will be shown proper pitching and catching mechanics. 2. Player consistently exhibits the proper throwing and catching mechanics Each player AND her partner each should be able to have 5 throws and catches in a row without a dropped ball between them. Each player shall be able to be consistent in accuracy to her intended throwing target during game play. 3. Player consistently maintains proper batting mechanics. Each player shall be able to come to her at bat in the correct stance and body position. Each player shall be able to exhibit correct swing mechanics to consistently hit a player pitched ball during every game played. Each player will know the correct bunting mechanics and exhibit in game play. 4. Player consistently utilizes proper fielding techniques. Each player will be able to show consistency in game fielding decisions (pop‐up, fly, grounder, line drive) and utilize proper mechanics of each. Each player shall understand roles of fielding positions, including but not limited to base coverage, back‐ups and cut‐offs. 5. Player consistently shows proper base running techniques. Each player shall be able to exhibit correct base running form and mechanics. Each player will be able to adhere to base coaching instructions during game play. Each player shall have knowledge of proper sliding mechanics and use during game play as necessary. 6. GRADUATE PLAYERS Each graduate shall be accurate and master proper mechanics in throws from 3rd to 1st, CF to 2B, and LF to infield cut‐off. Each graduate will show mastery of fielding decisions and show proper mechanic usage in all fielding options. Each graduate shall have a mastery of correct batting mechanics and master such in game play. Each graduate shall have a working knowledge of bunting mechanics and able to utilize in game play. Each graduate shall employ proper base running techniques including leads and sliding, and master such in game play.
1
Game Management Note: 1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
7.
8. 9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
All games will be played under ASA Junior Olympic Fast Pitch and Babe Ruth Softball Rules with the following modifications. This is an instructional league. The emphasis is on having fun while playing and learning the skills of softball. Game scores are to be reported to the League Agent at the conclusion of every game by the winning team. Managers should also provide the local newspapers with game scores and summaries. All attending players will play each game. All players will bat in consecutive order whether playing defensively or not. Players should play an equal amount of innings defensively, preferably alternating players every other inning. Defensive substitutions can be made at any time. Batting line‐ups must be rotated every game and from game to game. so that each player on your roster has the same number of at bats during the course of the season. For example, if the #5 batter makes the last out, the #6 batter should lead off the next game. Games will be scheduled on Friday nights (6:00 PM) and Saturdays (9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:30 PM and 2:15 PM) Wednesdays and Sundays, if necessary. Make‐up games, scheduled by the League Agent will be played on Sunday afternoons after 12:00 PM. All games have a time limit of no more than 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is measured from the time that the game was scheduled, not the time the game started. If you start late, your teams lose that playing time. You must be off the field in 1 hour and 40 minutes, including hand shakes and gathering your equipment, so that the other teams have time to get in the dugouts and prepare to play. Games will be 5 innings of play. HGSA staff must move the game along swiftly to allow the maximum amount of game play for both teams. TIE BREAKER: . If 5 innings have been completed and there is still enough time to utilize a tie‐breaking inning, a coach pitch 6h inning should take place. Managers from both teams are required to field a team for the tiebreaking innings. If there is not enough time, the game ends in a tie. Scoreboards will be used throughout the season at all times.. The visiting team manager will assign a family to work the scoreboard. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to ensure that the scoreboard is manned. Game will not start until the scoreboard is manned. The HGSA concession stand shall be staffed by one parent from every team playing in your time slot. Each manager will assign concession stand duty for their team. Parents are to arrive to the concession stand 20 minutes PRIOR to game time. If your assigned parent does not arrive, your game will not be started until a replacement has been found. Please see rule 7 for game time policy. Scorebooks are to be kept for each game, listing the LAST name and jersey number of the player. At the conclusion of the season, all Scorebooks MUST be submitted to the league agent. This is a league requirement and must be maintained per HGSA and Babe Ruth rules. In order to enhance the softball experience for all players at the beginning of the season, games will be pitched by the players for the first 2 innings of the game. The remaining innings will be pitched solely by the coaches. This will remain in place until April 30, 2018. Beginning May 1, 2018, all innings of the game will be pitched by the players. All pitching rules listed in the section entitled “Pitching” are still in effect.
2
Game Play 1. 2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
The home team will supply one new ball and one slightly used 11” DX‐5 Softball. In order to speed up the game and reduce delays: a. Players should run on and off the field in a timely fashion. Each half inning should begin within 3 minutes of the completion of the previous half inning. b. Catchers speed up with two outs: a catcher on base will be replaced with a runner, so that the catcher can put on her gear. c. Defensive team shall have one coach stand behind home plate helping the catcher and retrieving passed balls. Coach shall also oversee the catcher to ensure she is positioned safely and appropriately, and monitor her for equipment malfunctions. Outfielders must be behind the infielders with both feet on the outfield grass before each pitch. They may back up or make plays at any base so long as they start the play on the outfield grass. a. 4 out fielders unless a team is short on players. The infield fly rule does not apply. Making defensive plays on base runners: a. Keep this guiding principle in mind all of the time: We don’t want to penalize a defensive player for making an attempt to throw the ball to the correct base. That’s why a second overthrow is a dead ball. b. If a batter hits a ball anywhere in the infield and an overthrow occurs in an attempt to get any runner out, the batter and each base runner, if any, may only advance a total of 2 bases from the start of the play. c. All base runners advance at their own risk on overthrows. If an overthrow occurs and a base runner attempts to advance, she may be thrown out. If a second overthrow occurs, the ball is dead and no runner may advance any further. d. Players on defense should be encouraged to make a play on a runner or get the ball back to the pitching circle. The play ends once the pitcher has control of the ball while fully within the pitching circle. Any base runner over the halfway mark to the next base at that point will be awarded the next base and any base runner who has not reached the halfway mark to the next base will go back to the last touched base. e. When any ball is hit into the outfield grass, infielders should receive the relay throw and try to make a play on a base runner or get the ball back to the pitching circle. If that throw is overthrown to a base or the pitching circle, the play will stop there and any base runners over the halfway mark will be awarded the next base. All other runners will go back to the last touched base. Again, players should be taught to get the ball back to the pitching circle to end play. f. Fielders should be instructed not to block the base paths unless they are making a play on a ball g. Fake tags are not allowed at any base. Base running: a. Base runners may take a short lead after the ball has crossed the plate, but must return to the bag before the next pitch is thrown. b. No stealing is permitted, nor may runners already on base advance due to passed balls, even if an attempt is made to get them out. c. Sliding at close plays should be encouraged, but is not mandatory. Deliberate colliding with a fielder will result in the runner being called out. Players should be instructed on how to avoid a collision with another player. d. Players should be encouraged to take extra bases on hits and, within the limitations indicated in §5, on overthrows. Batting: a. Up to 7 batters will bat in one‐half inning. The team that is at bat must notify the team on the field when the 7th batter is coming to the plate. b. When the 7th batter comes to bat, there are automatically 2 outs. A half inning ends when the 3rd out is made, when the ball is dead due to an overthrow (see §§5.a‐e or when play stops or the pitcher has gained control of the ball in the pitching circle (see §5.d). c. Bunting is permitted and encouraged according to the usual rules with the following exceptions: i. The same player may bunt only once in a game.
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ii. Only two bunts per game per team are permitted. d. Batters hit by pitches: i. If a pitch by either a player or a manager/coach hits a girl, she will ordinarily not be awarded first base merely because she was hit by a pitch. ii. If a girl is hit and loses her composure or is not able to continue her at‐bat, she will be awarded first base. iii. If a girl is hit and is unable to continue to play at that time, the manager should send a pinch runner to 1st base. iv. Any girl who has to leave the game temporarily after being hit by a pitch may retake her place wherever the corresponding pinch runner is at any time.
Pitching
League age is determined by a player’s actual age on January 1, 2018. Players who are league age 9 years old (players born in 2009‐ for Spring 2018) are ineligible to pitch. A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 2 innings per game. Any girl playing pitcher must within the past 12 months, have taken either a pitching clinic or private pitching lessons or be currently enrolled in pitching clinic/lessons. If a pitcher meeting this criteria is not available to pitch, it shall be coach discretion to allow another player to pitch or use coach pitch.
Pitching distance will be 35 feet for all girls except those who need a shorter distance, in which case it will be 32 feet. The pitcher must use the same distance for the entire time she pitches in the game and may not change the distance once she has thrown her first pitch to a batter. Pitchers will wear: a. A facemask b. Athletic glasses or eye guards, and a mouthpiece. A new pitcher may take up to 6 practice pitches. A pitcher returning the very next inning may take up to 4 practice pitches. Pitchers must start each pitch with both feet touching the pitching rubber and can take only one forward step when delivering the ball. Windmill pitching is permitted but not required. A pitcher may not walk any batter. When a pitcher reaches 4 balls on a batter, the manager or a coach from the batter’s team will step in to pitch to the batter. When the manager or coach enters to pitch: A coach pitcher will throw a maximum of 6 pitches to a batter. A batter may strike out from coach pitches should they swing and miss. If the batter has 2 strikes when the coach enters to pitch, the count will reset to 1 strike. If the batter has 1 strike, the batter will retain that 1 strike. If the batter has no strikes when the coach enters to pitch, the batter will retain that count of no strikes. When an inning is coach pitch only, the coach will throw a maximum of 6 pitches to a batter. A batter may strike out from coach pitches should they swing and miss.
Umpiring Games 4
1.
The manager or a coach from the team that is at bat will be the primary umpire for that half inning. He or she should stand in the pitching circle behind the pitcher at a comfortable distance that will not interfere with the pitcher’s motion or concentration, but with a clear view of home plate. This manager or coach will start play by advising the batter to step into the batter’s box and telling the defensive team that play is about to begin. The manager or coach who stands behind the pitcher will call balls and strikes on his or her team’s batters. He or she will also call plays at 2nd base and home plate. The coaches on 1st base and 3rd base will call any plays at their respective bases. When the manager or coach in the pitching circle has a better view, he or she may overrule a call by the 1st or 3rd base coach, especially if asked by either coach or the other team’s manager on an appeal. Close decisions on whether a runner is halfway or not (see §5 in Game Play above) should be resolved in favor of the defensive team and in favor of the base runner returning to the last touched base. Coaches must pitch from the same distance as the pitcher for whom the coach is substituting after 4 balls are thrown to a batter. When calling balls and strikes, remember that we want the girls to swing the bat, not wait for a manager or coach to come in and pitch. a. Pitches by managers/coaches should be called balls and strikes consistently for the entire game. The strike zone should not change based upon the batter’s age or level of ability. Real strikes, including third strikes resulting in an out, are called when they do not swing at strikes.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Safety Concerns 1. 2.
All on‐deck batters and base runners will wear a helmet at all times and all chinstraps must be fastened. When not at bat, players may swing bats only in the fenced‐in area outside the dugout by the entrance to the field and should never be allowed in the dugout itself. Players who are not on deck should stay in the dugout away from the on‐deck hitter. All coaches, managers, and scorekeepers should be vigilant in watching for conditions that may affect the safety of the players, particularly with respect to retrieving bats from the field.
3. 4.
Encouraging/Promoting Good Sportsmanship 1. 2.
3. 4.
If a team is ahead by six runs, that team should stop “running” its players to avoid adding on to the lead unnecessarily. Stay with your girls when they are shaking hands after each game. It’s been reported in the past that some unsportsmanlike words have been expressed. Please review the HGSA code of conduct with your players and instruct your players on how they should act whether they win or lose. Coaches and managers of both teams are encouraged to recognize good plays by players on both teams and encourage girls on both teams. Coaches and managers must monitor their own players to make sure that team cheers are not mean spirited or intended to be derogatory or intimidating and that unsportsmanlike comments made by individual players are not tolerated.
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