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Coaches, Players, and Parents Protocol
"Passion & Commitment"
When you read the document posted on our website (www.nhcomets.org), “About The NH Comets Junior Olympic Softball Organization”, the first paragraph states simply our 1st mission, “to provide a supportive environment for female athletes to improve their softball skills, and participate in quality tournament play.” That being said, what are the components necessary to live up to that statement?
a-THE NH COMETS have a responsibility to provide quality coaching, equipment, insurance, and financial support to help with expenses, such as off season clinics, coaches’ expenses, costs unmet by the player fee, and any other type of support necessary to give the teams an opportunity to be successful. The organization needs to both be accountable and to hold coaches, players, and families accountable to the goals expressed in the statements below.
b-COACHES have the responsibility of putting their roster together, providing written, organized, dynamic, fun, goal oriented practice plans designed to improve both individual skills (throwing, hitting, fielding, pitching) and the team’s offensive and defensive concepts. Coaches must organize a tournament schedule primarily for June and July, giving players who have earned the chance an opportunity to step up in games (while still keeping the team competitive in tournaments). They must provide off season clinic opportunities for players to improve skills in a noncompetitive environment, while always giving constructive positive feedback. To provide all this leadership, takes passion, being humble enough to ask for help when needed, ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISTAKES ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD, and always keeping the best interest of the TEAM at heart. This is a huge endeavor, and a learning process for the coaches involved. To do this, takes PASSION & COMMITMENT.
c-PLAYERS are responsible to come to practice with a desire to improve skills with an “I’ll try!” attitude, working through struggles and adjustments positively, respecting and supporting coaches and teammates at all times, supporting the organization, building confidence, and experiencing a new level of competition, while having a great time. Always remember, that you have chosen a team sport for one basic reason, to be part of something greater than you could ever be alone. It’s about PASSION & COMMITMENT.
d-PARENTS have the most difficult job of all. They must first bear the financial responsibility. This is explained in the document on the website,ABOUT THE NH COMETS JUNIOR OLYMPIC SOFTBALL ORGANIZATION. Parents must realize that JUNIOR OLYMPIC (J/O) SOFTBALL IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. The level of play here is very high, and cannot be found anywhere else. It’s not a recreational program, like LL or Babe Ruth. It is a tryout program. This is for players who wish to be the best players they can be. ASA is for players and families choosing to have fun by dedicating themselves to their team, teammates, coaches, and organization. PLAYING TIME IS EARNED AS A RESULT OF PRACTICE ATTITUDE, ATHLETIC ABILITY, AND SKILL LEVEL. The most difficult thing as a parent is to watch your daughter struggle, and be supportive and patient. When people are given a chance to step up competitively, they will have successes, and they will have struggles. It’s these struggles in life and how we react to them that mould our character. I urge you to be patient and supportive. Always keep in mind that coaches have your daughter’s best interest at heart and will work hard to help. We all know that the things that come easy mean little to us. It’s the things we struggle for in life that shape us. Also, if your daughter is not in the game, this is a teammate’s opportunity. Talk to coaches in a proper setting, never interrupt practices or games. Remember, COACHES DO THIS FOR FUN TOO. Be supportive. To gain from this program, COMMITMENT TO PRACTICES AND GAMES IS ESSENTIAL. Players will learn far more here, than they will anywhere else. As an organization, our stance is that this program is the best for the players involved, and to reach the stated goals for the players and teams, once preseason practices begin, THE COMETS SHOULD BE THEIR PRIMARY COMMITMENT. Teams will begin practices before the tournament season starts, which is mostly in June and July. Something special, like a bid to ASA Nationals could extend that a week. We ask families to plan their vacation in August if possible, and always keep coaches informed. In the off season, we want kids to play the sport in season, and our workouts are optional, but highly recommended, as this is an opportunity to make adjustments in a noncompetitive setting. It’s about PASSION & COMMITMENT.
As a parent of former players and coach, on behalf of the board of directors, I urge you to follow these protocols. You will have an incredible experience!
Sincerely yours,
Bill Dickson/President/NH Comets J/O Softball Organization.
603-225-7020 and bdickson@nhcomets.org