The St. Helens Softball Board of Directors appreciate you volunteering your time to help us make our program successful and enjoyable for the youth in our community. A coach’s responsibility includes providing a safe environment for all players, instilling sportsmanship, and teaching the fundamental skills of softball. The information below outlines the expectations that the Board of Directors have for each coach within our organization.

• Coaches are required to complete and pass a background check, as well as both the ACE and Concussion courses. Additionally, all assistant coaches, parents, helpers, and anyone helping on the field (during games and practices) must also complete and pass a background check and both the ACE and Concussion Course. All coaches must ensure this process is followed with any team volunteers.

• Coaches will attend the coaches meeting hosted by St. Helens Softball each season. Attendance is required.

• Coaches will show up prepared for games and practices with team materials, skills practice drills, and a positive attitude.

• Coaches must always promote good sportsmanship and a positive attitude and ensure that their players do the same.

• Coaches will refrain from displaying an argumentative approach with other coaches, players, and teammates. They will use the proper chain of command to resolve issues on the field.

  • Umpire has final ruling on the field.

  • Consult the SH Softball rules.

  • Consult the Division Liaison.

  • Consult the Coaches Liaison.

  • Game is forfeit if coaches are unable to come to an agreement.

• Different players have different abilities and coaches should celebrate great effort and steady improvement just as much as great athletic achievements.

• Our league has a zero-tolerance policy for any umpire abuse. Umpire abuse is defined as a deliberate action that makes an umpire feel physically threatened, verbally intimidated, or emotionally humiliated. Disrespectfully objecting calls, yelling at, publicly calling, constantly disagreeing with an umpire action or call, can be deemed as umpire abuse. Coaches should always show decorum, respect, and observe all game rules whenever questioning an umpire about a call.

• Coaches are responsible for maintaining all league equipment assigned to them and to return shared equipment to the appropriate storage areas.

• Coaches are responsible for preparing the field (verifying field is free of debris, ensuring bases are secure, chalking the field, setting up pitching machine for 8u, etc.) prior to game play/start time.

• Coaches are responsible for ensuring the field and team areas are clean following all practices and games (remove all trash, water bottles, equipment, etc.).

• Coaches are responsible for the team’s actions on the field and will represent the team in communications with the umpire and opposing team.

• Coaches are responsible to ensure their team’s parents and spectators behave in accordance with the SH Softball standards of behavior. Coaches have the authority to address negative behavior, comments, and language directly with parents/spectators, including asking the individual to leave the field. In the event a situation escalates beyond a coach’s control, game play should be stopped, players removed from the area, and a board member/Division Liaison/Coaches Liaison should be notified immediately.

• No electronic equipment, including cell phones are to be used on the playing field during games.

• Line-up cards are to be completed and submitted to the official scorer and umpire (when applicable) at the start of each game.

• Any coach may be removed from their coaching position for violating the SH Softball standards of behavior.

• While players have a responsibility for their own safety, a coach also must be aware of safety issues and use common sense and safety practices. This includes a concern for the mental as well as physical well-being of the participants.

• Coaches are responsible to ensure Fair Playing Time for all participants. No player should sit the bench (during defense) for more than 1 inning per game (exceptions for injury). In the event that a player does not play 2 innings (defense) in a game due to rain-out, time limit, etc., that player should play the full first and second inning of the next game.