Levels of Play/Team:
The Lady Osprey Fast Pitch Softball club currently competes at five levels. U10 (ages 8-10), U12 (ages 11-12), U14 (ages 13-14), U16 (ages 15-16) and U18 (ages 17-18). . Your daughter's playing age is determined by her age on January 1st of the playing year. Your daughter will be assigned to the appropriate level based upon her age.
Goals/Expectations:
The Lady Osprey have a strong tradition of being a competitive club. This has not changed, however we do put an emphasis on the experience and not our win-loss record. We will strive to win at all levels and will have to work hard to earn our victories, but it is important to remember that we are still learning fundamental skills, and are working to advance each player’s overall performance and competitiveness. We will emphasize preparation for the next level, high school ball and college We feel that ASA participation is very important to your daughter's chances to make her high school squad and to contribute to the competitiveness of your team. It does not ensure a spot on the High School roster but it can help. It is definitely a must for post high school participation. The Lady Osprey will do what ever we can to facilitate capturing a college scholarship. There are no guarantees and a lot depends upon you and your daughter's commitment. Club participation is a great opportunity to develop and hone your skills to a higher level. As your daughter moves up through the levels of the program (as she gets older), the emphasis of what we are doing changes. We always put a significant emphasis on having fun!
Emphasis items/priorities for each level
U10/U12
1 - Skills development
2 - Basic fundamental Enhancement
3 - Competitiveness
U14
1 - Continued skills development
2 - Competitiveness
3 - Fundamental enhancement and reinforcement (it is assumed that these skills are in place)
U16/U18
1 - Competitiveness
2 - Continued skills development
3 - Fundamental enhancement and reinforcement (it is assumed that these skills are in place)
4 - Positioning for post high school participation
It is important to understand that no one has been assigned a position in the field. Everyone must be willing to try new positions as assigned by the coaches. Players will be placed in the position that the coaches determine will best benefit the team. We place a great deal of emphasis on team unity, and players are expected to support each other at all times. Players will always exhibit good sportsmanship.
Team practices will be scheduled for 2-3 times each week starting in March (as weather permits) with off season work outs (at least) once a week generally starting in November and going until we can get outside. Little League and High School schedules will be accommodated as much as possible, but players are expected to participate in all of our practices! Outside practices will be scheduled on weekends and some afternoon/evenings . We strongly encourage as much field time as possible. Pitchers and Catchers should work out as often as possible.
It is expected that you will arrange for transportation to and from practices, your daughter will be at practice on time and ready to go when practice is scheduled to start (not rolling in at start time) and that they have their needed equipment. This is greatly appreciated.
All games will be in a tournament environment. Tournaments are scheduled for weekends. It is not uncommon to have a game scheduled for a Friday evening. We will generally play 4 to 6 six games each tournament. We will not participate (at the U18/U16/U14 level) in any tournaments that conflict with high school schedule.
Fundraising and Fees:
ASA softball is not only a time commitment but a financial one. We are actively pursuing sponsorships and have had some success. We require a non-refundable participation fee of $150 with an added expectation of getting $250 in additional sponsorships/donations. It is important that each girl contributes her share. EVERYONE is expected to meet their fundraising obligations. The success of the program depends upon it.
We keep track of each girl's contributions. Of course if you have opportunities to raise more than your required amount, please do so. For each additional $250 raised above the required amounts, a $50 credit to towards items from the Lady Osprey Store is provided. We will provide each participant with various fundraising opportunities. We have arranged with the Missoula Osprey to sell 50/50 tickets at a few Osprey home games. Parents will be expected to participate in the sale of 50/50 tickets at 5-6 Missoula Osprey Baseball home games. Fees and donations will be used to offset tournament entry fees and equipment costs. The funds you raise will go directly to the team your daughter is playing upon, however there are some expenses that are attributed of the entire club. The balls, bats, helmets, catcher's equipment, tournament entry fees, training equipment are not free. Remember, this is an investment in your daughter's future, take it seriously. Lack of participation in fund raising does not go unnoticed.
Special Events:
Throughout the season and some of the off season we have opportunities to participate in events that are related to softball but not specifically on the field. In 2003, we were invited as special guests to the Playball Missoula Hot Stove League Banquet. It was a special treat to meet Jenny Finch and spend some one on one time with her. We also have Lady Osprey night(s) at the Missoula Osprey ball park. These events are treated with the same expectations as practices, If you can not make them, let us know.
The Lady Osprey will sponsor a tournament. In order to make this a success every parent is expected to chip in. This includes, but not limited to, tournament setup, field maintenance, concessions, tournament break down and administration. The funds raise from this tournament are directly invested back in the girls.
Uniforms:
Uniforms consist of a visor, jersey, shorts and socks. The jersey and shorts are team assets and are to be returned to the coaches at the end of the season. You should expect to turn these in at the last tournament. Visors and socks can be kept by the girls.
Participation Fees:
Participation fees will be used to outfit the girls as outlined in the player expectations section.
Player Equipment:
Each player is expected to have their own glove, sliding shorts and knee (sliding) pads. It is preferable that each player have their own bat. We will provide protective batting helmets, catcher's gear, uniforms and some team bats. If an individual player provides their own bat, her team mates will be expected to ask permission to use the bat each time they wish to use it. Do not be embarrassed to ask that only your daughter use her equipment. Each player will respect the wishes of her teammates.
Travel
Tournaments are played out of town and will require transportation and lodging. There are possibilities of Missoula based tournaments that do not require travel. When ever possible we will travel as a team and lodge as a team. Room reservations will be coordinated by the coaches but individual room expenses will be covered by the parents. Rooms will be reserved in a block with specific cut off dates. We will provide you with the lodging information but you will be expected to confirm a room for yourself. If you are unable to attend a tournament, we will expect your daughter to bring $20.00/night to give to whomever provides lodging for her. Your daughter should also be provided with money for food and some spending money. We would like to travel in as a team with parents who are attending the tournaments providing rides for the team.
Participation:
Your daughter is expected to participate in all practices, tournaments and scheduled events. Where there are circumstances that preclude 100% participation, please let your coaches know as far ahead of schedule as possible if your daughter will be unavailable to attend a practice or tournament. This common courtesy will allow for better planning and increased team unity.
Little League All-Stars:
Participation on this team has NO affect on your daughter’s selection to the Little League All-Star team. These are two entirely separate programs and playing ASA will not help your daughter’s likely hood to be asked to play Little League All-Stars, however it will enhance her abilities. There may be conflicts in tournament scheduling and you must ensure that you do not have any conflicts. This may result in having to make a choice between programs. We ask/prefer that you chose Lady Osprey. We will honor any choices that you make but ask that these choices be communicated as early as possible to all involved parties so that other arraignments can be made.
Playing Time:
There is no “minimum play” rule in ASA. While all players will have an opportunity to play there will be games where the coaches make decisions not to play everyone based upon specific circumstances. It is the coach's intent to maximize the involvement of all girls, but it is unlikely that playing time will be distributed exactly equal. It is important to understand this. Playing time will be dictated based upon effort, attendance, commitment, attitude and ability second. This includes off the field obligations such as fund raising and event participation.
Parental Involvement:
It is extremely important that all parents exhibit good sportsmanship. We encourage everyone to root for our team, and expect that our fans will not root against the opposing team. It is very helpful if the parents reinforce the message of team unity and remind players of the how critical each position on the field is. At this level of play, everyone must contribute for us to be successful. We promote attendance at all tournaments by family members. Parents will be responsible for their own lodging. Full parental involvement is expected in support of the Lady Osprey tournament.
Insurance:
We will carry the required ASA supplemental insurance coverage but encourage you to ensure that your personal policies cover potential injury.
Thank You
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