South Vancouver Little League Baseball: Coach's Corner

All coaches wishing to be All-Star coaches must apply for the position. 

Deadline: May 31, 2013

Submissions: E-mail to both the Secretary (Chris Hutchcroft at chris@hutchcroft.com) and Head Coach (Brian Perry at bperries@hotmail.com) requesting consideration to coach an All-Stars team.  Specify for which division, head coach or assistant coach, your qualifications, and past coaching experience.

Positions: head coach, assistant coaches.

Qualifications: head coach, and assistant coaches must be on the coaching roster for the 2013 season as submitted to District 6 and have a valid record clearance on file with SVLL.

Teams: one All-Star team for each of the Majors, Minors, Rookies, and T-Ball divisions.

Coaches will need to commit to the entire All-Star process, which includes tryouts, team selection, practices, and the All-Star tournaments. Based on results Minors may go on to the Provincial championships, and Majors may go on to the Little League World Series.

Selection of the head All-Star coaches will be voted on at the June 3 executive meeting. Team Parents and additional coaches will be selected by the team Head Coach after teams are formed and subject to Executive approval.

All coaches, league executive, and volunteers working with youth are required to fill out the volunteer form and have a recent criminal record & vulnerable sector clearance on file with SVLL. This is a standard for anyone volunteering with youth and is for their protection.

#1 - Complete a volunteer form.

• Fill out and print theVolunteer Form and submit to your division coordinator to be forwarded to the Secretary.

#2 - Have a criminal record & vulnerable sector clearance done with local authorities

• SVLL will reimburse for clearances done with Vancouver Police or Burnaby RCMP.
• Have a volunteer clearance with vulnerable sector check done. This is at a lower cost is charged for volunteers ($25 for VPD), and requires a letter of proof stating that you are volunteering with youth - bring a printout of the Volunteer Letter Of Proof.
• The original copy of the clearance needs to reach the Secretary. The clearance can be mailed directly to SVLL at 6417 Fraser Street, PO Box 60222, Vancouver, BC, V5W 3A0, or have the clearance mailed to yourself and give it to your division coordinator or the Secretary. 
• Be sure to request a receipt as this is required to provide a reimbursement of the fee. Submit the receipt to your division coordinator as soon as possible for reimbursement; this also serves as confirmation that a clearance has been requested.

FAQ

Q: How often do I have to get a clearance done?
A: If your clearance is 4 years or older (dated in 2009 or earlier), we will request an updated clearance.

Q: I have a clearance that was done 5 or 6 years ago, is this good enough?
A: No. Most organizations with volunteers working with children require a current clearance to ensure a high safety standard.

Q: I’m a division coordinator, what do I do with the volunteer forms and clearances and receipts?
A: Get them to the Secretary for filing and receipt reimbursement. During the season these can be dropped off at the Concession.

Q: Is my information private?
A: Your clearance is filed with the Secretary, and is made available only to the President if needed. Online clearances with BackCheck are also secured in the same way.

Q: How long does it take to get a clearance done?
A: If using Vancouver Police Department or RCMP, it will take between 2 to 8 weeks to receive via mail.

Q: I don't live in Vancouver, my residence is in Burnaby.  Can I get my clearance done by Vancouver Police Department?
A: No. VPD requires proof of residence in Vancouver to do a check. Burnaby RCMP should be used.

Q: Why can't I get a new clearance with BackCheck?
A: Our League is no longer using BackCheck for new record checks. Due to changes in federal policies BackCheck can no longer provide the required vulnerable sector check.

Q: I have a vulnerable sector check from BackCheck in 2009, is this valid?
A: No. 2009 clearances are no longer valid, and after 2009 BackCheck has been unable to provide federal vulnerable sector checks.

Q: I have a BackCheck from another volunteer service. Do I have to get another one done?
A: Yes. BackCheck clearances do not meet minimum standards for clearances and a check with VPD or RCMP is required.

Q: I have a recent criminal record check done for work, can I submit a copy of this?
A: Most work record checks do not require a vulnerable sector check. Unless the check includes a vulnerable sector check, it cannot be used.

Q: I have a recent criminal record & vulnerable sector check, can I submit a copy of this?
A: We require either the original check, or a certified copy. If you would like to submit your original we will make a copy and return the original back to you. We also need a short letter granting permission to South Vancouver Little League to have the information as the clearance will not have this explicitly stated.

Q: I am a youth volunteer, do I need to have a clearance done?
A: No. Clearances cannot be done for youth under 19 years of age and the League considers these waived. A Volunteer Form should still be completed.

Beginning of day procedures for the large scoreboard at the Phil & Joan Lake Diamond

1. Get the ladder from the batting cage. You will need the cage key which all coaches have, it is the same as the equipment bin key.
2. Take the ladder out to the board. The yellow power cord will be hanging around the fence. Climb the ladder with the cord and plug into the board on the bottom.
3. While up the ladder there are two fly clips holding the Vancity sign cover. Please take out the clips, which will allow the cover to drop (we have to have this covered when not in use per Vancouver Parks Board). Replace the fly clips in their slots at the top of the Vancity sign so they do not get lost.
4. Take ladder back to batting cage. Plug the yellow extension cord in at the west end of the cage to the power socket.
5. Go to the score shack and turn on the scoreboard remote to make sure it is all working.

End of day procedures

1. Turn off the remote in the score shack.
2. Unplug the extension cord in the batting cage.Get the ladder from the batting cage.
3. Bring the ladder to the score board. Remove the fly clips, pull up the Vancity cover and replace the fly clips in their slots to close up the Vancity sign.
4. Unplug the extension cord from the bottom of the board and wrap around the fence on the yellow fence cap.
5. Return ladder to the batting cage and lock the cage.

Weather in Vancouver is variable and localized. Teams scheduled to play are expected to show up at the diamond at game time in any weather.

Prior to the game start the coaches can agree to not play. If they agree to play they should ensure the plate umpire is also in agreement. This decision is to be made at the field of play.

Division coordinators are to be notified immediately by the home team manager of any games called due to weather. Division coordinators are to reschedule the game in accordance to the rules, and notify the following coordinators: division umpire coordinator, web site coordinator, concession manager. 

The Rookies, Minors, and Majors home team (and each Majors and Minors team for road games) need to send the game score after each game to baseball@svll.ca or tweet @SouthVanLL for posting to the web site and division standings.

South Van Little League in-house rules for all divisions.
2013 SVLL In-House Rules (revised February 13, 2013)

Revised for 2013

New: A pitcher may finish a batter at any cut off point without it affecting that pitcher’s days rest.

Example: Richie has 2 balls, 2 strikes against him. Johnny has thrown 20 pitches. He may throw the necessary pitches until Richie either reaches base or makes an out. When Johnny leaves the game after Richie’s at bat is over, he is not subject to 1 day rest.

In minors maximum pitches per game is 75. In majors maximum pitches per game is 85

Pitch counts do NOT include warm-up tosses, practice pitches or throws to any base.
Pitch counts DO include pitches that hit the batter, are fouled off, or hit into the field of play

*Pitcher may exceed a maximum to complete a batter, however these pitches do not count against days of rest rule.

Limits are per Little League Rules book Section VI - Pitchers (pages 38-39)

Pitchers league age 14 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar days of rest is required.

Examples:
Pitcher throws 20 pitches during Tuesday's game - requires 0 days of rest and could pitch again on Wednesday.
Pitcher thows 21 pitches during Tuesday's game - requires 1 day rest and could pitch again on Thursday.
Pitcher throws 65 pitches during Tuesday's game - requires 3 days rest and could pitch again on Saturday.
Pitcher throws 66 pitches during Tuesda's game - requires 4 days rest and coudl pitch again on Sunday.
Pitcher, age 8, starts a batter with 49 pitches and stays in game to complete at bat, throwing 53 total pitches which exceeds his daily limit. However having exceeded 50 pitches, he now requires 3 full days rest.

Pitcher/Catcher Scenario

A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
A catcher that catches parts of 4 or more innings may not pitch that day. If the catcher is limited to 3 innings, then they are eligible to pitch.
Please also remember that any “League age” 8 or 9 year olds that are first year Minors are eligible to pitch from 42 feet in the first two innings of any game until the first Saturday of May, at which time all pitchers must now pitch from 46 feet.

District 6 Majors Interlock rules for 2013 (revised March 5, 2013)

District 6 Minors Interlock rules for 2013 (revised March 5, 2013)

Current batting cage rules, as posted at the park.
SVLL Batting Cage Rules

BlastBall warmups

Baseball Scorekeepers Guide

Additional links for scorekeeping:
About.com baseball scorekeeping
Baseball Scorecard
Gilmer Baseball
Swingley Development