SHB Girls Fastpitch Softball

Coach's Corner-

Tips, Drills and Training | Forms and Documents | FAQs | Field Set-up Guides | Coach docs

All coaches and managers shall work with their inexperienced players to encourage them to build their playing skills. It is the goal of SHBGFS to encourage players to improve their skills, enjoy the game and want to continue to play.

Scores and Standings- All game results should be reported to the webmaster each Saturday.-Click here Scores and Standings will be updated each Monday and Friday.

SHB Coaches Clinic- This year the SHB coach's clinic is mandatory for all coaches whether or not they've coached in the past. We are also offering an ASA-sponsored coaches clinic for all coaches and assistant coaches.Check the calendar for dates .

ASA Coaches Clinics-
We are also offering an ASA-sponsored coaches clinic for all coaches and assistant coaches. If you do not have a certificate of training that was completed within the last 2 years from a ASA-sponsored clinic, you will not be allowed to be a head coach. You must complete one of the ASA-sponsored clinics to be a head coach or hold a valid and current certificate. Contact the your Commissioner for more info and sign-ups on ASA clinics.

ACE Level I & II available. Includes ASA's ACE Manual, lunch, "Hands-on" Instruction, coaches gift, Insurance and ACE level I or ACE level II certification.
Cost: free for all SHB coaches. You must email your commissioner to reserve a spot. Indicate Level I or II programs. All coaches must be ASA/ACE certified minimum every three years.

(Note: You must have certified Level I last year to certify Level II this year- remember that certification is good for only 1 year)

Rules- It is advisable for all new and previous coaches and their assistants to be familiar with the General ASA softball rules, the SHBGFS standing rules, rule deviations and by-laws as these may be revised from year to year. More info.

Equipment- Each coach will be given a bag of equipment for use during the season. At the end of the season, the bag must be returned to the Equipment Coordinator or the coach may be charged to replace the bag and its contents. Coaches will also be given game balls. If during the season, something breaks or you need additional equipment, contact the Equipment Coordinator.

Batting Helmets- The League supplies batting helmets for the girls to wear. ASA rules require that ALL helmets MUST have facemasks on them. As pitchers throw harder and faster, it is more and more important to protect the face of the player. It is forbidden to remove the facemask from a league-supplied helmet. Girls may wear their own helmets, but they must have facemasks on. ASA rules require chin straps for all helments.

Uniforms- The League supplied uniform includes shirt, hat, shorts and socks. The team and coach will determine the team's color. Many teams choose to have their team names embroidered on the hats and/or add names to the back of the shirts. The League does not cover these expenses. Cleats are required. Soccer cleats are okay, but softball cleats cannot be used for soccer. The softball cleats have an extra cleat on the front of the shoe which is illegal for soccer.

Batting cages-
There is a sign up sheet for the batting cages in the equipment bin. The sheet runs for a two week period ending on Sundays. A new sheet will be posted, usually on Fridays, a couple of days before the expiration date of current sign-up sheet.

Field Set-up Guides- These guides have been created to assist the Coaching Staff or the Field Set-Up parents in preparing your game fields. More Info.

How to take Stats-
For all you coaches and managers who like to take the numbers, here is how to do it. Here.

Scorekeepers-
Scorekeeping is an important function in SHBGFS. It is required that all home teams keep score in the Official Scorebook. This means that every team MUST have an official scorekeeper.

Practice Schedule- Practice fields will be assigned at the beginning of the year by the league. See your commissioner for team schedule and details.

Point System
A point system has been established that will affect a team's end of season status. Points will be awarded for season game performances and for volunteer participation.

Regular season league games shall count toward post-season tournament play. During league season points will be awarded as follows:
1. Wins = 4 points
2. Ties = 2 points
3. Loss = 0 points

In addition to earning points from scheduled games, additional points will be awarded for volunteer/participation events as follows:
1. Scorekeeping Clinic = max. 6 points; 3 points awarded per attendee.
2. Field Maintenance Day = max. 10 points; 5 points awarded per attendee
3. Team Parent Meeting = max. 4 points; 4 points awarded per attendee

Points will be totaled at the end of League play. The team in the division with the most points will earn the top seed in the bracket, with succeeding positions also determined by points in descending order. Note: 6U teams will receive a medal for earning the maximum points for volunteer/ participation.

ALONE AT THE PLATE

She pulls on the helmet, picks up the bat and walks to the plate, "gotta hit and that's that".

The crowd starts to yell, the game's on the line, last inning, two outs, the score's nine to nine.

Dad yells, "go get it," Mom wrings her hands, coach hollers, "hit it" but alone there she stands.

Heroes are made in seconds such as this, but she's just a little girl, what if she should miss?

Years after this game's ended and she's little no more, will she remember the outcome or even the score?

No she'll have forgotten if she was out, hit, or a run, she'll only look back on her friends and the fun.

So cheer this girl on, alone with her fate; help her remember with fondness, this stand at the plate.

Spend your time wisely and help in her quest to be a hitter with confidence and always her best.

And when the game's over, this girl can stand tall, for you helped her prepare to give it her all!

COACH'S CREED 1997

SOUTH HUNTINGTON BEACH GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL

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