Coaching Responsibilities & Guidelines

The Association shall:

1. communicate with the Township to ensure that the diamonds are properly maintained and marked prior to each game.
2. supply all teams with sufficient and proper equipment so that players may safely enjoy their practices and games.

The league shall also supply:

1. a score sheets for the season as well as team lists for all divisions of play.
2. attempt to create balanced teams from the list of registered players in each age group. In order to achieve this, it may be necessary to move one or two players from one team to another in the first few weeks of the season.
3. supply umpires for all games and make rule books and/or the Playing regulations vailable to all coaches.

Coaches

1. Only registered players may participate in house league, Select and rep ball. All enquiries from young people wishing to play are to be direc-ted to the Registrar. Coaches are not to sign players on their own.
2. The equipment supplied is the property of the Association. Coaches are expected to take proper care of it and ensure that it is available to all players at games and practices. In addition he/she must report any losses or damage to the Equipment Manager and return all equipment to same at the conclusion of the season.
   Please ensure that all items such as measuring tapes and hammers are left in the proper equipment shed for other coaches to use. 
3. Coaches are responsible for the conduct and behaviour of their players while participating in league and playoff games, both home and away. They are also asked to be particularly attentive to players who are not standing while in the field or who are not focusing on the ball. Player safety is our first concern.
4. No alcoholic beverages or use of tobacco products are permitted within the vicinity of the diamond.
5. It is the responsibility of each team to furnish a scorekeeper for each game. The home team shall turn in a game report, based on the score sheet, to the publicity director, who will then forward the report to the local news papers. Please ensure that all players receive at least some exposure during the season. The same courtesy should be given to the team sponsor.
6. Any re-scheduling of games must be done through the House leauge Convenor
7. Extra Practices are held at the discretion of the coach, at a diamond made available by the association.
8. Coaches should read their schedule carefully. It is recommended that a copy of the schedule be given to every player (parent) on the team.
9. Finally, coaches are expected to be properly dressed for all games. This includes a team hat, and uniform top tucked into the appropriate pants.

 Players/Parents

1. It is the responsibility of players and their parents to inform the coach when they will be absent from a game. Players should make every effort to be at their game at least 30 minutes prior to the start.
2. A player may use his/her own bat provided that it is made available to all other players on the team. Neither the league nor any other player shall be responsible for replacement of the bat should it become damaged or lost.
3. Children and pets can be a distraction if they are not closely watched. Parents are reminded to keep both off the field of play.
4. Parents are asked to adhere to the association’s code of conduct.

 Miscellaneous

1. Interference with, or protest against, umpires by players, coaches or fans will not be tolerated and may lead to that individual being ejected from the game. Our umpires are human as well and will seldom call a perfect game; however, should a coach have a genuine concern regarding an umpire, he/she will bring it to the attention of the Executive at the earliest possible opportunity.
2. In adverse weather conditions, the Executive will make every effort to decide by 5:30 PM on game day whether or not the game will be played and will notify the coaches and Umpire-in-Chief so that players and the umpires may be contacted. In marginal weather situations the decision whether or not to play the game shall be the responsibility of the home coach prior to beginning the game, and that of the umpire(s) after the game has commenced.
3. The following procedure and guidelines should be followed in adverse weather conditions:
   
   
   1. HOME team - If during the day, the Township declares the diamond unplayable, or your observation of significant rainfall has caused the field to be unsafe, the HOME Team Coach, with ample notice prior to game time, is responsible for:

• Advising the opposing coach ASAP (email and phone)
• Advising the Umpire-In-Chief (jjcooke@sympatico.ca) so that the Umpires can be cancelled 
• Advising all the players of your team 
• Work with the opposing coach, and the Scheduler for the home association, to arrange for a make-up game
• Prompt communication is essential in these situations!

1. 1. At game time, once the plate meeting takes place with both coaches and the Umpire, the decision of the game progressing (or being cancelled), then becomes the responsibility of the Umpire.
   2. VISITING team - Please don’t try to second guess the weather or the diamond condition. Unless you get word from the HOME Coach, consider the game to be on and get your team to the diamond.