La Porte Girls Softball Association: Coach's Corner
Tournaments & More
Coaches-You can find tournaments on Eteamz and ASA Virtual Tournament Director's websites.
**Post-Season, All Star teams-friendly reminder that there will be mandatory manager meetings to attend upon entering some tournaments, read entry requirements. Also-if your team does any fundraising your are required to turn in a financial statement to the LPGSA Treasurer.
**10U Rule Changes - WE ARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF OUR SEASON - Effective 4/14/2008. There will NO longer be a Coach Pitcher until two (2) walks are issued from the player pitcher per half-inning. After the second four-ball
walk, the Coach Pitcher will then pitch the remaining strike count to his/her batter.
GHYSA Rec CHAMPIONSHIPS -League Teams Only. See Handout Below for more information. 6U and 8U play by PIXIE Rules.
Handout: 2008 GHYSA Championship Information
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ACE Coaching Certification Goes Online
Oklahoma City, Okla. --- The Amateur Softball Association announced today that their ACE Coaching Certification Program is now available to coaches nationwide in a new web based format.
Coaches who had an active certification as of 2007 can access the online system with their prior information and continue their certification beginning with the next appropriate level. New coaches can begin certifying online with Level 1. Coaches can watch the ACE Coaching Certification instructional videos and complete their certification tests at http://ace.usasoftball.com.
The ACE (Achieve, Certify, Educate) Coaching Certification Program is a certification program, developed and designed to provide softball coaches of all levels – from beginning coaches to experienced veterans – an opportunity to certify as a coach with the ASA.
Wednesday, January 16
2008 ASA Championship Tournaments Dates Posted
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Handout: 2008 ASA Championship Tournaments
Wednesday, January 16
2008 ASA GOLD
2008 ASA Gold Berth allocation information. Please see handout for more information.
Handout: 2008 ASA GOLD
Thursday, May 17
We All Need a Reminder..........
A Ball Player's Prayer
God grant me wisdom,
to tell a strike from a ball,
to know where to throw
and never to fall.
Keep me always in the base line,
running straight and true
and I'll look for your sign,
to stretch one into two.
God give me vision,
to see every pitch
so if a player needs help,
then I will see which.
Let me always hustle,
so I'll be at my best,
take pride in myself,
in sports and the rest.
God be my strength,
when I throw the ball
when I'm far from home plate,
or against the wall.
So I never miss a base,
please guide my feet,
bring me home safely,
so my job is complete.
When I help younger players,
let me always give praise,
so they'll see You in me,
in all of my ways.
Please guide our coach,
to be fair and smart,
let him teach me to be good,
let it come from his heart.
Let me take a loss,
just as well as a win,
to do any less,
is surely a sin.
As long as I can play,
let me make my parents proud,
as proud as I am,
when they yell my name out loud.
However my games end,
let me always have fun,
and if heaven has all stars,
I'd like to be one.
When my games here are over
and my seasons are done,
let me play on your team,
just like your Son.
By Hal Skinner
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| What Kind of coach Are You? |
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The National Institute for Child Centered Coaching prepared this quiz for coaches to evaluate themselves. Note the response that best reflects your thoughts about each statement.
1. The major reason children should be involved in sports is for fun, not winning.
A. No. Winning is important to young children and older children
B. Sort of. Winning is important but not necessary.
C. Yes. Enjoyment is the key; winning is only secondary.
2. It is important for children to learn how to compete at an early age.
A. Yes. They stand a better chance of being successful later in life.
B. Sort of. Competition is important, but it shouldn't be the basis for playing sports for young children.
C. No. The earlier young children learn to be competitive, the less enjoyment they might have playing.
3. A good, strong self-image can be developed in young children with a no-nonense approach to coaching.
A. Yes. They need to be told "who is the boss" and to follow the rules.
B. Sort of. Children need to be managed with a firm yet reasonable approach.
C. No. Children need to be encouraged to try their best.
4. Praising a child's ability is OK, but a coach shouldn't overdo it.
A. Yes. If praised too often, they'll develop a false sense of their abilities.
B. Sort of. Children need to be told accurately and honestly about their weaknesses.
C. No. If it's honest praise, there is no such thing as "overdoing it."
5. Children who develop too high of a sense of self-esteem grow up being spoiled.
A. Take any one of those high-priced superstars in today's sports, and you'll see what a spoiled child is like.
B. A child must be taught humility; a child with high self-esteem often acts conceited.
C. Children with high self-esteem often make the best players.
6. Most parents want their young children to win -- not necessarily to have fun.
A. Agree.
B. Some do, but not all.
C. Parents need to be educated.
7. Disciplining a child in front of the team sets an example for the others.
A. Other children learn to do the right thing really fast.
B. Peer pressure is the most effective form of team discipline.
C. Disciplining a child is a private issue between the coach and child.
8. Team rules should be set by the coach and given to the players.
A. A coach needs to show who's in charge; children need to respect authority.
B. A coach needs to demonstrate leadership; children need to comply.
C. A coach needs to provide guidance; children should be empowered.
9. The coach sometimes acts like a teacher; sometimes like a parent.
A. A coach should not be confused with a parent or teacher; a coach is a coach.
B. A coach might sometimes take on the role of a teacher or a parent but should remain first a coach.
C. A coach is at times a parent and a teacher.
10. A parent's role in children's sports should be:
A. To be mildly involved.
B. To be moderately involved.
C. To be involved to the maximum level.
To score your responses, give each "A" response 1 point; each "B" response 2 points; each "C" response 3 points. If you totaled:
10-16 points. Attitudes of traditional coaching: Believes winning is the primary reason for playing sports; takes a hard line in discipline; uses an autocratic approach to coaching; finds little value for parental involvement. Need a lot more instruction in child-centered coaching philosophy and techniques.
17-23 points. Tendency toward leadership, not autocratic rule; problem solving, not ruling;motivating, not commanding. Needs continued study and practice in child-centered coaching philosophy.
24-30 points. Believes in making the game fun; is willing to be both a parent figure and teacher; offers guidance, encouragement and support and maximizes parental involvement. Needs to continue practicing skills.
For more information on child-centered coaching, contact The National Institute for Child Centered Coaching
3160 Pine Brook Road
Park City, Utah 84060
(801) 649-5822
Please...........
PLEASE ...SHE'S JUST A LITTLE GIRL
She stood at the plate
With her heart pounding fast
The bases are loaded
The die has been cast
Mom and Dad cannot help her
She stands all alone
A hit at this moment would
Send the team home
The ball nears the plate
She swings and she misses
There is a groan from the crowd
With some boos and hisses
A thoughtless voice cries
"Strike the girl out"
Tears fill her eyes
The game is no longer fun
Remember she's just a little girl
Who stands all alone
So open your hearts
And give her a break
For it's moments like this
A woman you can make
Keep this in mind
When you hear someone forget
She's just a little girl
And not a woman yet!!!
(A kind unknown author)
