Trevian Agreement

Trevian Philosophy and Team Agreement

The Trevian Girls Softball Association (TGSA) was established in 1980 to provide a top quality softball program for the girls of New Trier Township. TGSA is a non-profit organization run primarily by parent volunteers. Through participation in the Trevian program, its players learn responsibility, hard work, teamwork and how these things add up to group success. Trevian players also build self-esteem and the confidence to take on difficult challenges later in life.

This statement of Trevian Philosophy has been assembled to summarize the Association's collective expectations and to guide all Trevian Coaches, players and parents in their softball activities both on and off the field. Exceptions to this philosophy statement may be approved by the TGSA Board as needed to maintain the overall function and development of TGSA. It is intended that this document be broad enough to allow for continued innovation, yet specific enough to ensure that basic objectives are met.

TGSA as a Community Organization

In order to play Trevian softball, a player must live within New Trier Township, unless approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the TGSA Out-of-District Player Policy. Through this commitment, TGSA ensures that its members will be part of a community effort and that the girls in our community will continue to enjoy the benefits of the program for years to come. This requirement is a key to the partnership that TGSA has enjoyed with area park districts, local businesses and New Trier Township softball programs.
TGSA and its families should strive to publicize the program throughout New Trier Township to keep the program accessible to all eligible players and their families.

TGSA's Commitment to Players and Families

TGSA Coaches, Board members and officers are committed to providing a top-quality softball experience for its players and their families. Over the course of the program, players receive the opportunity to develop all basic, intermediate and advanced softball skills as well as knowledge of the game required to play at the high school level and beyond. These are gained by extensive practice and drills as well as through competition in league play and in competitive tournaments.

TGSA will ensure that all Coaches are qualified to teach the skills, rules and strategies of softball appropriate to each age group. The TGSA Board maintains a Coaches Committee responsible for: Coach selection (with Board approval), training and development, supervision, program surveys (including annual evaluation of Coaches) and approval of team policies.

TGSA depends upon parent input in the direction of the organization and allows for at least one parent representative from each team on its Board of Directors.

Coach’s Commitment

The top priority of all Trevian Coaches is to foster the safety, confidence and self-esteem of their players. In every phase of the Trevian program, all Coaches will treat players with respect and in a positive and encouraging manner. All Coaches will abide by and reinforce safety rules including the TGSA Travel Policy.

All Trevian Coaches must be qualified, through experience and study, to teach the softball skills and strategies appropriate to the age group of their respective team. All Trevian Coaches will work to improve knowledge of the game and teaching methods, in part, by attending Trevian Coaches’ clinics and by reading the ASA Playing Rules at the start of each season. The Head Coach accepts overall responsibility for developing his or her Assistant Coaches and holding them to these same standards of developing coaching skills and encouragement to players.

Good communication and administration are critical to the success of every team. The Head Coach is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate communications, including providing written schedules and travel directions. The Head Coach will provide team members with a written Team Policy, including attendance and standards of conduct for tournament travel with appropriate penalties for rules violations, and will apply the team policy consistently.

Player's Commitment

Trevian players are committed to attend all practices and games, except for excused absences and unforeseen emergencies. The importance of this commitment comes from the basic nature of team sports. When any player misses a game or practice, it negatively affects every other player on the team, not only the missing player. Tardiness or unexcused absences may be cause for suspension or removal from the team. Players should notify the Head Coach or Team Manager as soon as possible of any anticipated absences. Players will abide by the written Team Policy and agree to:

Be on the field, on time and ready to play for all games and practices.
Hustle and put forth their best efforts on the field at all times.
Support their teammates and encourage them in their efforts at all times.
Complete any homework, such as reading, conditioning or skill work.
Conduct themselves in an appropriate, sportsmanlike manner at all times.
Follow all safety rules, including the TGSA Travel Policy.

Parents’ Commitment

Parental support is the foundation of the Trevian program. Parents established the TGSA and serve as its Coaches, board members, officers and financial supporters, as well as its most loyal fans. Trevian parents must also make some fundamental commitments to support their daughters in their softball efforts. Parents agree to abide by the TGSA Travel Policy.
Trevian parents must reinforce the importance of the commitments their daughters make. This is crucial to rounding out the overall learning process for our players - without it, players may get "mixed signals" about the overall importance of commitment and responsibility.

Another important job of Trevian parents is the on-going encouragement of the teams as well as their own daughters. The Coaches will maintain a positive, encouraging environment for the players, but Trevian parents must also act as "cheerleaders" both on and off the field.

Travel

The TGSA Travel Policy is as follows:

Safety is TGSA’s number one priority. Anyone driving must have a valid drivers license and drive in accordance with the law.
There shall be enough seat belts for the driver and every passenger. Every person traveling with the team must wear seat belts.
If there are not enough seat belts, the team does not travel.
Drivers shall refrain from any consumption of alcohol.

In addition, teams may develop their own supplemental rules to support this policy

Overnight Safety

Players shall not leave open or unlocked a door to a hotel room while a teammate is alone in that room.
Players shall not walk unescorted, without a coach or parent or another player if over 18 years of age, from the hotel premises to or from another location.
No player shall roam the hallways of hotels without a buddy or parent accompanying her.
Coaches will verify that players are in their rooms and their doors locked each night if not accompanied by a parent.

In addition, teams may develop their own supplemental rules to support this policy.

Player Safety

Coaches will consider player safety as an overriding priority. It is the responsibility of the parents to notify the Head Coach in writing before the season, or as soon as practicable, of any medical condition or physical limitation which could impair their daughter's ability to perform softball activities safely.
Coaches will help familiarize players with safety procedures. In addition, parents and players should, in particular, be aware of and follow these important safety practices:

The ASA (American Softball Association) requires that any player who is warming up a pitcher shall wear a catcher's mask.
NSFPL (National Softball Fast Pitch League Rules) state that on-deck batters, while the batter is in the batter's box, must stand behind the batter, i.e., on the third base side when a right-handed batter is at the plate, and vice versa.
Base runners involved in games and in base-running drills during practice shall wear helmets at all times.
TGSA strongly encourages the use of mouth guards.
TGSA players must wear facemasks when they are pitching in games. In addition, pitchers must wear facemasks when pitching to batters in practice, when fielding as the pitcher during coach-assisted pitching, as well as when participating as pitchers during fielding practice.

TGSA parents and players are required to sign the TGSA Waiver and Release prior to a player's activity in the TGSA program. The release portion of this form authorizes emergency medical treatment for a player if a parent is not on hand, and it states that players and their parents assume liability for not following TGSA-required safety and other practices.

Player Development

It is the Association's belief that players should receive training and playing time in more than one position over the course of a season. This makes our players more versatile and, therefore, better prepared for the inevitable day when they will be asked to play a "new" position. Teams with versatile players are also capable of remaining competitive in spite of the unavoidable injuries, illnesses and absences that occur on every team.

All position players will receive instruction and practice in at least one infield position and at least one outfield position during the course of each season. Pitchers and catchers will receive instruction and practice in at least one other position. Coaches will make best efforts to see that players have playing time for new positions to ensure that these skills are reinforced.

Playing Time

A primary goal of the Trevian program is to prepare each player for a significant team role and to provide that player with the game time needed to reinforce the skills learned during practice. A key step in meeting this goal is to give every player a chance to perform in both league games and in tournament situations. Although winning is important, we also take a long-term view of player development, so that girls remain active members of our organization for as long as is beneficial and fun for them. We are very proud when young girls join the Trevians and continue to play ball all the way to college.

Parents and players should realize that playing time is affected by a number of “moving parts,” including time limits on game length, varying lengths of individual innings, the competitive dynamics of each game and each opposing team, the size of the roster, different tournament rules for player substitution, and sometimes even player health and injury. Furthermore, an absent player is not automatically accorded extra playing time when she returns, just because other players had more playing time when she was gone.
Taking into account the above factors, and assuming good commitment, attendance, work ethic, team spirit, and hustle, Coaches should handle playing time as described belo

10-AND-UNDER AND 12-AND-UNDER TEAMS

Children, particularly younger ones, mature physically and emotionally at different times and at different rates. Therefore, players in the 10U and 12U age groups should have approximately equal playing time over the course of a season.

In tournaments, these players will play at least half the innings in pool play and an average of at least 2 innings per game during championship play, all subject to time limits and "run-ahead" rules. In league play, these players will play defense at least 3 innings of each regulation (7-inning) game, with teams batting their full lineup.

14-AND-UNDER BLUE, 16-AND-UNDER TEAMS, AND 18-AND-UNDER TEAMS

Girls in the older age groups are focused on high school-level and college-level play; therefore their playing time will correspond more closely to player ability. Playing time for these teams will be determined by each girl’s competitiveness, commitment and hustle, with most substitutions made in response to competitive situations.

14-AND-UNDER GREEN TEAM

The composition of the 14-and-Under Green team varies each year in its percentage of current freshmen and highly experienced players. Therefore, before the regular season begins, the Head Coach of this team and the Coaches Committee will assess the overall experience and abilities of the players. They will then determine whether the playing time policy for 14 Blue/16-U/18-U or that for 10-U/12-U will better serve the team as a whole. The 14-and-Under Green team will then follow the selected playing time policy.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS

Pitchers play a distinctive role on the team. Pitching demands extra practice and specialized training, in addition to game experience. To an important extent, the same is true for catchers. Therefore Coaches should consider the following, in addition to the above general principles on playing time.

10-and-Under and 12-and-Under Teams

It is difficult to predict which young players will ultimately develop into strong pitchers and catchers. Girls not only mature physically and emotionally at different rates, but their concentration and level of interest in particular positions may change. It is in TGSA’s best interest to develop a larger stable of pitchers and catchers at the younger levels so that TGSA will have a strong pitching and catching staff at all levels.
When pitchers are paired with different catchers during the course of a season, these players and their teams will have broader defensive experiences.
Players who want to pitch are expected to attend pitching lessons and practice regularly outside of team practice and demonstrate their readiness in practice. Catchers are also expected to attend some extra practices, primarily as catchers at some pitching lessons.
The playing time of pitchers and catchers is not only measured by inning count. It is also defined by meaningful opportunities to gain real game experience in a variety of scenarios -- in starting positions, during pool play and in elimination rounds, against opponents of different levels, and pitching and catching throughout the season. Coaches should provide these girls with opportunities in which they are most likely to succeed.
When the Head Coach’s daughter is a pitcher, the Head Coach and the Assistant Coaches should cooperate to ensure that playing time is objectively allocated in a manner that serves the best interests of the team and the development of the pitching and catching staff. One pitcher and one catcher should not be allowed to dominate a tournament, unless they are the only “ready” pitcher and catcher.

14-and-Under Teams

The most beneficial approach to pitching and catching for the 14-and-Under teams may vary each year, depending on the makeup of these teams. Therefore, their Head Coaches and the Coaches Committee will determine each year whether these teams should follow the policy of the younger teams or the older teams, or whether to use a modified approach.

16-and-Under and 18-and-Under Teams

Playing time for pitchers and catchers for these teams will be determined in response to competitive situations.

The Role of Competition

The Trevian Philosophy embraces competition as an important component of player development. Athletic competition is healthy and is an exciting and stimulating part of the sport of softball. Competitiveness and player development may sometimes appear to be in conflict. There are some occasions when competition will play a decisive role in team decisions, but on most occasions competition should take a back seat to player development.

Emphasis on competition for Trevian teams differs greatly across the various age groups. Competition plays a minor role for the youngest age groups but increases in importance for the older age groups. As Trevian players gain skill and confidence, their natural desire to compete becomes greater and should be encouraged and developed.

Trevian Code of Conduct

TGSA Coaches, players and parents are expected to behave in a sportsmanlike manner, being courteous and respectful to coaches and players, game officials, parents and spectators at all times. The enjoyment by all those playing and attending a TGSA softball game is one of the expressed goals of our organization. Enthusiastic support of your team or favorite player is an expected and welcome part of our games. However, this enthusiasm cannot be allowed to become counter productive. Umpires of the league in which the TGSA participates have been instructed to stop any game when parents/spectators are displaying, in that officials opinion, inappropriate and disruptive behavior that interferes with other spectators or the conduct of the game. The umpires will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area.

Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced. In addition to the umpires, inappropriate behavior observed by TGSA officials may also result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from the viewing area. Violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the TGSA Board of Directors. The following is a limited and non-inclusive list of potentially inappropriate or disruptive behavior and all TGSA members agree that they:

Will not use obscene or vulgar language to anyone at any time at the park before, after, or during the game.
Will not taunt players, coaches, umpires, or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or actual physical violence.
Will not throw any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, and playing field, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

Any parents/spectators who must be removed from the playing area will not be allowed to attend a TGSA game for a period of two weeks from the date of the removal. Any parent/spectator who must be removed from the field a second time will be suspended from attending any further TGSA games. The matter will be reviewed by the TGSA Board, which will establish final sanctions. Failure to comply with the above sanctions will result in the player not being allowed to participate while that parent/spectator is at the field.

If a TGSA player, parent or Coach sees a person violating this Code of Conduct; if possible, she or he should tell that person to stop that behavior immediately. If she or he cannot resolve the situation immediately, he or she should refer the problem to the Coach, the Team Manager, a parent, or a TGSA Board member.

Parents are responsible for the behavior of the other members of their family and of any guests they may invite to a game.

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I have carefully read, understand and agree to abide by the Trevian Philosophy and Team Agreement. Furthermore, I understand that failure to comply with the above may lead to disciplinary action being taken against me, my family members, my guests, and/or my child. Such disciplinary action may include suspensions or expulsion from the program.

Player:                                    __________________________________________________
Date:                                    __________________________________________________
Parent of Player:            __________________________________________________
Date:                                    __________________________________________________
Coach:                                    __________________________________________________
Date:                                    __________________________________________________

Player and Her Family should retain the above for their files. The next page should be completed and turned in to the Head Coach or Team Manager.

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Signature Page for Trevian Philosophy and Team Agreement to be turned in to Head Coach or Team Manager

I have carefully read, understand and agree to abide by the Trevian Philosophy and Team Agreement. Furthermore, I understand that failure to comply with the above may lead to disciplinary action being taken against me, my family members, my guests, and/or my child. Such disciplinary action may include suspensions or expulsion from the program.

Player: __________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________

Parent of Player: __________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________

Coach: __________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________

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