Practices and Games
Please remember to be prompt and prepared for practices and games. Bring liquid refreshment (water, Gatorade, whatever) and a sweatshirt as well as necessary equipment. It's also very important to pick up your child on time. The coaching staff would appreciate your consideration in this matter. Ask your coach what his procedure is if you are unavoidably detained at the time practice ends.
Practice Dress Code: The girls must wear clothing and gear appropriate for "softball" practice. This includes ball glove, cleats, shirts that can be tucked in, sliding pads, leg and knee pads, long socks, athletic sweats or sports shorts and ball caps or visors. The girls should not wear school, tennis shoes or sneakers, mid-drift, halter or short tops, short socks, jewelry, inappropriate pants or shorts. The coach may ask the player to sit out of practice if he/ she feels the player is not prepared for practice. This is for the girls’ safety.
Game Dress Code: All girls must wear their assigned uniforms and have proper gear for games. This includes jersey, pants, long socks, visor or hat, cleats, sliding shorts, leg and knee pads, and ball glove. All shirts MUST be tucked in for games or the umpire will stop the game until everyone complies. Girls are not allowed to wear jewelry during a game, including earrings. This is for their own protection.
Dugout Rules: During games, the coach, manager, assistant coaches, one dugout parent, and the players are the only persons allowed in the dugout. The girls are asked to remain in the dugout throughout the game. Remember all the great moments you want to share and review them after the game. Your child will appreciate that hug and pat on the back just as much after the game. Your cooperation is appreciated. The player can take their water in the dugout with them, although most coaches will not allow eating in the dugout during a game.
Attendance: There are some rules regarding missing practices and games. If your child misses two consecutive practices and/or games without prior notification to the coach, she will sit out the following game. Please take the time to make a call to the coach and tell him or her when your child will not be at practices and games. We understand there are emergencies and sometimes you can't make that call. No problem, just give the coach a call as soon as you can. We are trying to teach the girls responsibility to their teammates and you can be part of that process.
Pick Up That Trash: Please pick up your trash when you leave the field. We will be asking the teams that play the last games of the day to pick up trash before they leave. If everyone picks up after themselves, it will be much easier for everyone.
Lost & Found: We have a lost and found box at the Snack Shack. Try to take ALL of your stuff with you when you leave the field. If you forget something, take a look in the box at the Snack Shack. Or ask the coach to take a look in the bin after practice. We'll pick it up if we see it first, but some things disappear forever.
Payments: Payment in full, of registration fees and deposits, is required before a player can be assigned to a team. Please make checks payable to BPGSL. There will be a $25 Service Fee assessed for any returned checks.
Snack Bar Deposit and Duty: It is required (for each registered girl) that a parent work a (4) hour snack bar shift. We also offer a $40.00 Buy-Out, which will satisfy your snack bar duties for the regular season.
We require a $40.00 refundable deposit. Once your shift has been worked (by you or someone older then 14) payment will be returned to you. If you are over ? hour late, or do not show up, your refund will be forfeited.
All Snack bar checks will be cashed. When your team receives its schedule, you can indicate if you would like to buy out or not.
Refund Policy: Our goal is to be flexible and fair. We will respond to any reasonable situation that arises. We ask that you understand BPGSL's need to have a time frame wherein we can fairly respond. In particular, once teams have been formed/drafted, refunds will not be issued barring unusual and unforeseeable circumstances. Withdrawing a player after teams are formed/drafted can adversely affect a team and the entire division. Accordingly, BPGSL's refund policy is:
(1) First Registration Date through Evaluation Date = 100% Refund
(2) After Evaluation Date and Team Formation / Draft Date = No Refund
Volunteer Policy: As with any youth sports organization, our League is directed and maintained by volunteers. Many people contribute hundreds of hours to ensure your children have a worthwhile experience. In order for the League to run smoothly, every family must do its share. The League requires each player's family to volunteer for a job at the team level as well as work the snack bar for at least one shift during the season.
There are a number of jobs to choose from at the team level. This requirement is in addition to a snack bar duty. These include assistant coach, team parent, scorekeeper, field maintenance day, field set-up and breakdown on game days, banner purchase and maintenance, sponsors, and of course, coach and manager.
Below is a brief explanation of each of the team jobs, not including coach and manager. Assistant coach: assists the head coach during practices and games.
Team parent: attends an information meeting, distributes league information to players/parents, collects and turns in items/money required for fundraisers, etc. by the due date. Coordinates snack schedule (if necessary). Assists coach/manager with volunteer coordination.
Scorekeeper: attends scorekeeper training meeting, responsible for the official scorebook and team scorebook.
Field Maintenance Day: works to prepare the fields, batting cages, and all other league equipment for the season. One time, all day event.
Field Set-up, etc.: Preps fields for games including raking or dragging, lining, watering, and setting bases and pitching rubbers. After games, raking, dragging, watering, and removing bases and storing in the proper bin. Check dugout and around playing field for trash.
Sponsors: sponsors or provides a sponsor for the team. Sponsorships are $150.00 and each team is required to provide one. If no sponsor can be found the team's players are responsible for this amount.
Banner: purchases and maintains the team banner. Puts up and removes banner before and after games.
The coaches cannot do everything for your team. Everyone must participate to make the season a pleasant experience. The level of team volunteerism directly affects their standings during the regular season. We look to every parent to help out.
A copy of our league rules and regulations are on the Forms and Handouts Page.
Please remember this is a game, not life or death. We appreciate the spirit of competition that some of you bring. However, let's keep it all in perspective. Let's try to avoid negative comments. You can easily hurt a girl's feelings and that is surely not your objective. Denigrating the opposing team and coaching staff is not a necessary part of the game and will not be tolerated by the league.
Most importantly, enjoy watching your child grow and improve as a player throughout the season. The kids love to have their own fans out there watching them play. They already have a coach; what they want is support from family and friends. Everyone makes an error now and then; some more than others. It's all part of the game. Enjoy the triumphs as they come and learn from the mistakes.
A final word: Fundraising! Please be supportive of our fundraising efforts. It costs money to maintain the fields and equipment. We need your support and effort. Thanks in advance for your help. If any of you would like to see our current financials please contact our Treasurer.
Thanks again for playing softball with us. Good luck and best wishes throughout the season.
