TIDAL WAVES GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL EXPECTATIONS: Tidal Waves Girls Fastpitch Softball’s primary purpose is to provide a complete softball program for girls that want to play at a higher competitive level. The Tidal Waves successfully compete with top teams from the state and national levels. A comprehensive program is provided for girls in U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18 age levels. Girls have the opportunity to improve their softball skills with fall, indoor winter and spring/summer practice and game schedules. The Tidal Waves have an excellent reputation that we are proud of and work hard to maintain. If you are chosen and decide to play for the Tidal Waves you are expected to: 1.
Display proper conduct as a player and parent. A “Code of Conduct” must be signed.
2.
As a player, attend all practices, games and tournaments. Be supportive of your teammates and work hard to improve your skills. If you must miss, contact your coach. You will play approximately 60 to 75 games. This includes approximately 10 tournaments / round robins, and practice games. Practice outside in the fall (Sept / Oct), indoor Jan – March, and outside from April thru July. High School players cannot participate with the Tidal Waves during the High School season which runs from March through early June. Although the majority of tournaments will be scheduled in the Chicagoland area, there will be out of town tournaments. Each age group schedules will vary so please refer to your coach regarding tournament and travel plans. Participate in a National Tournament if your team qualifies.
3.
As a parent, be involved in the organization as a committee member or volunteer as deemed necessary. Be a “POSITIVE TIDAL WAVES AMBASSADOR”. This is a volunteer organization and participation from families is necessary to maintain our existing cost structure. We urge each family to participate in an organizational committee. For example, Fields, Uniforms, Sponsorships, Communications, Web Site, Pictures, etc.
4.
Obtaining sponsors help keep registration fees low and we highly encourage you to obtain sponsors. Traditional Sponsorship Levels: $100 – Single, $300 – Double, $500 – Triple, $1,000 – Grand Slam.
5.
Participation in fundraising activities to help out others in the community. Teams can also organize and conduct team fundraisers that can be used directly for the team (team hitting lessons, offset national expenses, additional indoor practices or tournaments outside of budgeted allocation).
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TIDAL WAVES FASTPITCH SOFTBALL Organizational Rules 1.
Tidal Waves Fastpitch Softball is a Crystal Lake Park District Affiliate and a nonprofit corporation, incorporated in the laws of the State of Illinois. The business address of the Tidal Waves is P.O. Box 1993, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60039-1993.
2.
All Tidal Wave players, parents, and coaches must sign and abide by the TW Code of Conduct.
3.
All Tidal Waves players must be covered by insurance and parents must sign waiver and emergency medical release form. The Tidal Wave Organization is not responsible for medical expenses incurred while participating in this program.
4.
Team selection and placement is totally at the discretion of the Tidal Waves Board of Directors and/or the head coaches. Those players not selected will be notified and thanked for their efforts. Those players selected will be notified and assigned to a team.
5.
Registration, Uniforms, and equipment fees, fundraisers and payment schedules will be determined on an annual basis by the Board of Directors. The 2014 Registration fees are $1,000. Payment of registration fees will be $400 to secure a position on a team payable by September 1, $400 by October 1, and balance payable at the annual organizational meeting scheduled in November. There are no required organizational fundraisers for 2014, however, teams can organize and conduct team fundraisers that can be used directly for the team (team hitting lessons, offset national expenses, additional indoor practices or tournaments outside of budgeted allocation). New Player package consisting of a Helmet, Back Pack, Gold and Navy Jersey, Pants, Belt, and socks will be ordered for all new players and is an additional $200. Returning players can order these items at the following prices: Helmet Back Pack Set of Jersey’s Pants / Belt Socks
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$60 $60 $60 (one gold / one navy) $35 (each) $5 (pair)
New players are required to purchase uniforms and returning players can purchase additional or replacements as needed. 6.
Participation in community service and outreach efforts as a way to give back to our community and teach the girls the importance of helping others.
7.
Players who are selected are expected to attend practices and games regularly. In the event a player does not attend practices or games with regularity, the head coach of the offending player may recommend the player for disciplinary action. Such recommendation shall be heard by the Board of Directors. The player and her parents may choose to be present. After a hearing on the matter, the Board of Directors will have the total discretion to decide the matter. During the pre-season, among possible solutions would be a recommendation to drop the player from the roster without refund of monies paid to date. If the problem occurs during the season (once games begin), it will be presumed that the players will forfeit fees and be dismissed from the team.
8.
If a player attends a practice, game or tournament under the influence of illegal drugs and/or alcohol, the player will be told to leave the premises immediately. If no parent is available or no transportation is available, the parents will be notified and arrangements will be made to return the player to her home. This is not the exclusive remedy of the Tidal Waves. The player will also face disciplinary action by the Board of Directors as outlined above.
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9.
At tournaments in which the players stay in motels, hotels, or other public accommodations, players are to be chaperoned by their parents or their designee. While the Tidal Waves assume no liability for the players in attendance, the players are expected to act in a way which will reflect positively on the organization. This means that players will not have any un-chaperoned members of the opposite sex in their rooms, that players will be sure to create an environment which will allow themselves and other players to get a reasonable night of sleep. Likewise, players should make every effort to cooperate with each other so that a good time can be had by all.
10. In the event of an injury to a player, the coach will attempt to attend to minor injuries. If, in the determination of the coach, (in absence of a parent) the injury warrants more serious treatment, the coach may call a trainer, rescue squad, paramedic, or even an ambulance for transport to the nearest medical facility. The coach will present the medical release form as signed by the parent for treatment. All medical and ambulance bills will be the responsibility of the parent. In no case are the members of the TW or the coach responsible or liable for their response except as prescribed by law.
Team Rules While team rules may vary somewhat from coach to coach, the following are rules to which all coaches subscribe: 1.
This is NOT a recreational organization. It is a highly competitive travel program. One of the primary differences between these two approaches is that in a recreational league, specific rules are set up to allow equal playing time for all participants. In a competitive league, while coaches want to play each player as much as possible, the actual amount of playing time for each player is not prescribed by the Tidal Waves but rests in the sole discretion of the Head Coach. Consequently, it is to be expected that some players may play more than others. If a player is unhappy about the amount of playing time she is getting, she should talk with her coach at an appropriate time. During a game/tournament is NOT an appropriate time. Sometimes players are not happy with the position they play - again, talk to the Head Coach. In the event the issue is not resolved, the player or parent should contact the Board of Directors or the President and discuss the problem or concern.
2.
The “Chain of Command” must be followed: A. B. C.
Player/parent must talk to Head Coach. Player/parent calls the President to set up a meeting with the Board of Directors. After expressing their concerns in writing, the player/parent addresses the Board of Directors.
3.
Abusive and obscene language will not be tolerated.
4.
All players must be in proper uniform for games.
5.
Players are expected to be on the bench paying attention to the game and cheering on their teammates. NO ONE ELSE BUT PLAYERS AND COACHES ARE PERMITTED ON THE BENCH WITHOUT THE EXPRESS APPROVAL OF THE HEAD COACH.
6.
If a player is going to miss a game or practice, notify the coach by email or phone prior to the game or practice. If a player is going to miss a tournament, the player/parent should notify the coach IN WRITING as soon as the situation is known.
7.
All players are expected to move equipment, pick up after themselves and prepare for the next game.
8.
Players must not leave the tournament site without obtaining the approval of the Head Coach.
9.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Behavior such as talking back to the umpires, coaches, and other players at tournaments is unacceptable. In the event a player and/or parent exhibits such behavior, they will be removed from the game or temporarily suspended as deemed appropriate by the Head Coach. Should a second instance occur involving the same player/parent, the Board of Directors shall be notified and an appropriate punishment will be applied including possible exclusion from the program.
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