Illinois Irish fastpitch softball

Player/parent packet

Illinois Irish Organization

The Illinois Irish organization was founded in 2014. The Irish organization continues to be a premier softball program. The Irish program was created as an affordable way for athletes to improve their softball skills and compete in challenging softball action. This is a competitive program that provides a quality softball experience to the young woman who are privileged to become part of it. The Illinois Irish programs are provided with college exposure and the tools necessary for these young women seeking to play at the college level. For more information, a copy of our by-laws is found on our website at: or can be obtained by contacting the Program Director.

Mission Statement

The Illinois Irish organization is committed to providing opportunities for young athletes to engage in quality and competitive experiences. The Illinois Irish is dedicated to the idea that any athlete should be given that opportunity. A competitive athletic experience can instill a good work ethic, enhance social development, contribute to mental and physical health, and teach values of personal responsibility, self-discipline, self-motivation, and teamwork. Participation in competitive fast pitch softball also improves the athlete’s opportunity to realize the goals of improving individual skills and ability to play and contribute as a member of a team. This includes improvement in skill level and in the mental outlook necessary to be a successful member of a select softball team.

Philosophy

The most important consideration in forming a team is developing a philosophy. The motivation behind creating this team is that it will be a performance team, not a participation team. A performance team is one is where playing time is earned based upon work ethic, a positive team-centered attitude, skill set, and coachability. Ideally, the Illinois Irish will not have excess turn-over. Turn-over in any organization can be corrosive, but no turn over might mean the team becomes stagnant. Every player will be required to try out each year. Making the team in August means a player is a team member thru that summer only. It is not a guarantee that they will be on the team for the next season or future seasons. Additionally, other players may be added throughout the season if the need arises. Successful organizations attract new talent and this team has been fortunate to attract significant area players and families.

Standards of Conduct

While softball skills and work ethic on the field will set the standard of our teams, there are other standards that the Illinois Irish will represent. Players are expected to participate in ALL practices, scrimmages, games, fundraisers, tournaments and other events as scheduled. Failure to do so could result in loss of playing time in the next tournament or games, and if the problem is repeated, removal from the team. It is the player’s responsibility to notify the coach if she cannot attend an event. If a player needs to miss several practices because of extra-curricular school activities, they are required to give the coach a schedule to make practice accommodations. We will attempt to work around school sports schedules, because we encourage players to play multiple sports to represent their school with pride. However, players must understand that this is a competitive team that seeks commitment and determination. Championships are made in the off-season! This is not a recreational program. It is the expectation of the player to sign up for the full yearly season and to make all tournaments. All players will be given ample playing time in tournaments- especially during pool play. However, during tournament play when the objective is to advance as far into the playoffs as possible players will be played at the discretion of the coach based upon coach’s evaluations. Players are expected to consistently work on their own to raise their levels of physical condition and skill. All players will sign a code of conduct for as part of their membership with the team. The following standards must be observed for one to continue as an active member of the Illinois Irish. Standards marked with a (**) will result in immediate dismissal from the organization, standard with (*) are suspensions:

  1. ** Alcohol and/or illegal drug usage.
  2. ** Smoking is prohibited.
  3. * Academic excellence is expected. Academics are a priority.
  4. * As a representative of the Illinois Irish, no actions that hinder the player’s performance, game, or scholastics will be tolerated. The player’s actions and behaviors should always be such as to reflect positively on the player and their team.
  5. * Players must be on time for all commitments. Violations will result in loss of playing time. Being 5 minutes early, ready to play, is always the expectation.
  6. * Each player is expected to treat all other players, teammates, coaches, umpires, and fans with courtesy and respect. We will not tolerate negative attacks, accusations, or words in person or on social media.
  7. * During any overnight travel tournament the coach will determine curfew. Violations will result in suspension for games. Consistent violations will result in dismissal from the team.
  8. Players must call their team coach when they are going to be late or absent from any event.
  9. All players are required to attend physical conditioning activities and drills unless excused by a doctor or the coach.
  10. Players must report all physical illnesses or injuries to their coach immediately.
  11. Players are required to take care of practice equipment and facilities. Our organization is blessed utilize top notch game and practice facilities and all players will respect these.
  12. Each player will keep their coaches informed of their presence and whereabouts during tournaments.
  13. If players are involved in a dispute, they must immediately work out the problems between them. If they are unable to resolve the problem immediately, they must meet with the coaches until the problems are resolved. Problems between players must never be left unresolved. “Cliques” within the team are not tolerated or permitted.

Playing Time

Playing time is important to everyone. It is important to apply the skills and fundamentals taught in practice in a game situation. Only then can a coach and player truly realize which skills the player is proficient at and which skills require more training. Nevertheless, every player should have an opportunity to play. Your team fees go towards workout facilities, uniforms, equipment, umpires, and tournament fees, NOT playing time in tournaments. More playing time is earned by being at practice with a positive attitude and working hard to improve, as well as, executing skills when given the opportunity to play. The coaches are advised to give everyone opportunities to contribute their individual skills and abilities to the team.

Out of Town Trips

All regulations previously listed above, under “Standards of Conduct”, apply to out of town trips. If either parent is unable to attend and out of town trip with their daughter, the parent must designate in writing who is responsible for their daughter. That parent then becomes the designated and responsible parent for the tournament. The player’s parent needs to be reachable in case of emergency. Coaches are NOT responsible for parenting or accommodating players with regards to travel and hotel accommodations. No player(s) will room with a coach.

Player Expectations

Each player must abide by the listed expectations and the code of conduct. Any violation may be cause for termination from the team as deemed necessary by the coaching staff at their discretion.

You are expected to put school first, maintain your academics, be the best student-athlete you can be, and strive to raise your GPA.

You are expected to participate in school activities, clubs, and sports during your school year.

You are expected to be a responsible citizen, abide by laws, including driving to and from games, practices, etc. in a safe manner for you, your teammates, and your communities.

You are expected to be committed to the program while school is not in session, attend all practices, games, tournaments, scrimmages, winter workouts, mandatory cage times, conditioning, positional workouts, etc.

Unexcused absences will NOT be tolerated.

You are expected to have a positive attitude and reflect a positive image on the program.

Players are required to be ready to begin practice at the designated start time. Being on time is arriving ten minutes early. Begin practice mentally prepared and have personal goals of improvement at every practice. A good time to think about goals is during warmups or while lacing up your cleats.

There will be no jewelry allowed at practice, please leave your jewelry at home, you will not be permitted to wear it on the field, and your coach/team is not responsible for it if you have to take it off.

No cell phone usage is permitted in the dugout during a game, unless approved by a coach. All cellphones need to remain in the player’s bag, on silent, unless permitted.

You must respect all decisions made by the coaches.

You will respect umpires, opposing players, coaches, fans, and parents. You will not engage in any conduct or argument with any of the listed above. No negative behavior or foul language is tolerated.

If a player must be absent, a telephone call to the coach is mandatory before a scheduled event or practice. Advance notice is mandatory. A coach will use his own discretion if an absence is excused. Each practice session is very important to the development of our players. Players need to make every effort to be at every practice so that the player, and our team, is constantly improving. Also, the coach prepares practice plans based upon an expectation of players being present, it is a sign of courtesy and respect to communicate with the coach.

You will maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle with positive life choices.

You are expected to participate in all fundraisers and team activities.

General Information

Insurance Coverage

As part of the player individual membership fees, all players are covered by a supplemental insurance policy from Bollinger Insurance- the preferred carrier of ASA softball. This policy covers all club activities and injuries that may occur during an event. An event can either be a practice or a tournament. Please note that this is a supplemental policy to your own hospitalization policy. Specimen policies can be found on the web at the Amateur Softball Association website.

Uniforms

Illinois Irish players will be provided 2 uniforms, 2 pairs of socks, 1 batting helmet, 1 hat, and 1 bat bag. There is an additional spirit pack of gear that players, parents, and fans may choose items to purchase from that will be created in the fall.

Fundraising

Each team will have its own fundraising contest with prizes to be given away during the year. On top of that there will be a winter program fundraiser held at an area location with raffles, silent auction items, food and drink, giveaways, and good times! Keeping our costs as manageable as possible, to give our players the best opportunities to excel, is our focus. Fundraising is a necessary component of running an organization and we need parent buy in. There will be additional items throughout the year.

The Softball Season

The softball season begins on September 1 and typically concludes in the middle of February (for older teams with IHSA high school softball) and resumes at the conclusion of high school ball, playing thru the end of July. Some teams will play in Nationals, at an additional player and parent expense, agreed upon at the beginning of the season, if invited. The 14U, 16U, and 18U will play exposure and showcase tournaments in ASA, PGF, and/or USSSA. In addition to these tournaments, there will be “friendly” games against area and Chicagoland teams that could require travel to and from games. There may be out of state travel. The 12U teams will play a mostly local schedule.

College Softball Aspirants

The coaches of the Illinois Irish have helped place many student-athletes at various collegiate levels. The Illinois Irish program will have teams play in exposure and college showcase tournaments to help this. Additionally during the fall and winter, player profile films will be created and available to see through our website. Coaches will help assist in the recruiting efforts, but most of this rests on the player shoulders. The club team has become a must to play at the next level, especially for those hoping to obtain scholarship monies. Our program will assist any player who has those goals. The program will host an informational seminar for players looking to learn about the recruiting process to better educate players and parents in the process. The program will assist in developing a profile for each player and be registered with Captain U. Roster and player information will be distributed to each college coach in attendance at exposure events.

How to be a Supportive Parent

Our program cannot be successful with positive parental support, not only in games, but in communications, cheering positively at events, and bonding as a family. We would like our parents to be supportive of their young athlete without becoming overbearing.

  1. Supportive parents focus on mastering sport skills and strategies rather than competitive rankings. Sport mastery focuses on performance, which can be controlled by the athlete, while competitive ranking focuses primarily on winning and losing, which is frequently outside of the athlete’s control. Over-emphasizing wins and losses, rather than skill development has led to a dramatic dropout rate in competitive sports for teenagers.
  2. Supportive parents decrease the pressure to win. While sports create pressures to succeed, additional pressure from the parent is likely to be counterproductive, particularly, in the long run. The outcome of the game is not bigger than life. When games get blown out of proportion, a child’s self-esteem can become tied to winning and losing; our child should not feel less valuable when a game is lost.
  3. Supportive parents believe that sport’s primary value is the opportunity for self-development. The probability of achieving lasting game and glory via sport is low. Many will never achieve professional status. However, their sport experiences and social relationships will allow them to develop life-long values, friendships, and self-respect.
  4. Supportive parents understand the risks. Competition places the athlete on the center stage. Anytime one attempts to succeed publicly, she risks failure where others can judge. In the long run, competing is willingness to chance failure. Giving one’s best is what athletics is all about.
  5. Supportive parents communicate their true concerns directly with the coach, at the appropriate time. A positive working relationship is based upon clearly communicated mutual goals among parents, coaches, and athletes. While a parent cannot control the behavior of a coach, they can communicate with the coach regularly about the development of their child, in an appropriate setting and manner.
  6. Supportive parents understand the differences between parental roles and coaching roles. Both parents and coaches need to understand their different roles in supporting the young athlete. While parents are ultimately responsible for their child’s development, once they have chosen a softball program they must leave the coaching to the coach. Even though supportive parents often play sports with their child they avoid “coaching over the shoulder” of the coach and/or publicly questioning the coaching decisions.
  7. Supportive parents control negative emotions and think positively. Few athletes wish to perform poorly or fail. Negative reactions to performances only add to an athlete’s pressures. Supportive parents realize that even the athlete who “chokes” is trying to succeed. In fact, pare of the problem with many athletes is that they are trying too hard to succeed. Criticizing does little to enhance their performances.
  8. Supportive parents avoid the use of fear. The use of punishment and withdrawal of love can pressure kids to perform better. Unfortunately, such strategies tend to trade short-term performance gains for long-term emotional risks to the youngster’s health and well-being. Supportive parents recognize that a love for a sport is rarely fostered by fear of the consequences of failure.
  9. Support parents don’t nag, they avoid criticizing, and overly involved parents sometimes lose their objectivity. Softball is a game and is supposed to be enjoyable. Seeing a child who is unsure or insecure about a skill is not a sign of weakness, rather it is a coachable moment for the player, coach, and parent.
  10. Supportive parents avoid the use of guilt. “We’ve done so much for you,” or “The family’s given so much for you, the least you could do is take advantage of what we’ve provided for you” are typical remarks of UN-supportive parents. They use guilt to manipulate the child to perform the way the parent’s desire.

Player/Coach/Parent Relationship