"It takes pitching, hitting, and defense. Any two can win. All three make you unbeatable."

-Joe Garagiola

"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment."

-John Wooden

"You can observe a lot just by watching."

-Yogi Berra

"Gettin' good players is easy. Gettin' 'em to play together is the hard part."

-Casey Stengel

"Never permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure."

-Joe Maddon

YOUTH COACHes AGREEMENT

The Collegedale Recreation Association (CRA) Youth Coaches Agreement has been adopted by the CRA Executive Board. This Agreement is enforced by the CRA's President, Commissioner, and Board Members. All CRA Youth Coaches and Assistant Coaches are required to abide by this agreement.

Based on input and feedback through the year, the CRA Commissioner may suggest revisions or modifications to this Agreement, which may change, as approved by the board. In 2017, a Parent and Player Agreement was established, which is mandatory for registration. In 2018, this Youth Coaches Agreement was also established. Both are mandatory for Coaches and Assistant Coaches to sign.

Philosophy

The CRA provides a Christian community softball program aimed at educating our youth on the basic skills and rules of softball. The CRA's primary interest is the development of each player, including improvement in the technical skills and increased knowledge of the game, as well as personal and social growth as a team member. Our goal is to encourage sportsmanship within a competitive and fair environment. Parents and players must understand this and should conduct themselves in a manner that enables a healthy team environment. Playing only to win often has adverse effects on player development and team dynamics.

Rules and Policies

Coach's Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the coaching staff is to strive to develop the fundamental skills of each player on their team. The coach should also foster an environment of sportsmanship within the team as well as encourage sportsmanship with opponents and officials.


Primary goals:

  • Select players for team
  • Determine the style and philosophy of play
  • Teach players at practice sessions
  • Assign all playing positions and roster spots
  • Determines starters at game time
  • Establish and enforce team and league policies
  • Always assure safety and athlete welfare is first priority
  • Maintain communication with the players and their parents throughout the season


A coach will be held accountable for his or her actions, the actions of their assistant, and the actions of their players. Unsportsmanlike behavior and repeated violation of rules will not be tolerated.

General Rules

  • Do not allow children or players to climb fences or backstops
  • Alcohol is not permitted near any CRA field, common area, or parking lot of any of the locations used by the CRA
  • No tobacco product use by anyone at any time on the field, in the dugout, or around the common areas within any venue
  • After each game, each team must clean up trash in the dugout and around the stands

Coach-Officials Relationship

Officials are necessary to the game. They are bound by the USA Softball rulebook and the CRA home rules, which makes them rigidly impartial.


Expectation:

  • Neither coaches, nor their teams, shall harass or taunt officials
  • Only registered coaches shall discuss rules or questions calls with the officiating crew.

Sportsmanship

Coaches should consistently demonstrate good sportsmanship, with parents and coaches serving as positive role models to the players.


  • No vulgar or inappropriate language
  • Taunting and trash talking will not be tolerated
  • Those affiliated with the team, but not a member of the team, must never intrude upon the field during a game, nor will it be permitted that they interfere with the game from the stands or dugout
  • Cheerleading shall always be for one's own team, NEVER against opponents
  • Keep comments positive in nature

"Baseball is not a sport that you can achieve individually."

-All-Star MLB Pitcher, Curt Shilling

Ejection Policy

When a player or a member of the coaching staff is ejected from a game, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in the game. They MAY NOT sit in the stands, nor may they be recalled. A member of the coaching staff ejected from a game MUST NOT be present at the game site for the remainder of that game. As an enrolled league participant, any player or member of the coaching staff ejected from the game is automatically suspended for their team's next physically played game and MAY NOT be in attendance at the game site.


Any player or member of the coaching staff ejected from a game MUST also appear before the League's Disciplinary Committee, who may recommend no further action or make recommendations to the Executive Board for further disciplinary action. Players or a member of the coaching staff with more than one ejection will not be allowed to finish playing or coaching with their team for the involved season.


Coaching staff are also responsible for communicating the expected behavior to the team's parents and relatives. In the event that a team's parent or relative is ejected, they will be ordered to leave the complex immediately. If they refuse to go and continue to cause a problem, the umpire will halt the game and ask the manager of the team to handle the problem.


If any ejected person does not comply with stated ejection policy, continuing to disrupt the game, the game will be suspended immediately and subject to forfeiture by the affiliated team.


The disciplinary committee has the right to adjudicate ejections on a case by case basis.

For other league rules, policies, and downloads, visit the Rules & Downloads page.