Parent Handbook

About AGSA

Alameda Girls Softball Association provides recreational and tournament league softball programs for girls age 5 to 14 with the overall goal of developing sportsmanship, citizenship, friendship and leadership.

The spring recreational league offers play in five age groups: 6 and under, 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, and 14 and under. The league focuses on developing age-appropriate skills and an understanding and appreciation of the game of softball. All girls play a minimum number of innings each game and all players are in the batting order regardless of whether they are currently fielding a position. The league is open to any Alameda girl who meets the age criteria. Registration is available online from November through January. Teams form in February and play through early June.

The Alameda Blaze summer tournament teams provide opportunities for more competitive play for girls in the 10U, 12U and 14U age groups. Girls must tryout and be selected by the coaches. Rules, such as minimum playing time, free substitution and continuous batting, are not used. Interested girls should look for information about team tryouts in April.

Age

Playing age is determined by the ASA rulebook. For 2009 the age cutoff will be a players
age of 12/31/08. Leagues are broken down into 6 and under, 8 and under, 10 and under, 12
and under, and 14 and under.

Cost

Registration rates for the 2008 season are the following:

$105 for 6U divsion
$125 for 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U

Code of Conduct

(A download of the Code of Conduct can be found here)

The essential elements of character building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles:

Trustworthiness                 Respect                    Responsibility
Fairness                                Caring                       Good Citizenship

The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these “six pillars of character.”  I therefore agree:

  • I will never lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to strike an official, coach or player.
  • I will not force my child to participate in sports.
  • I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults.
  • I will inform the coach of any physical disability or ailment that may affect the safety of my child or the safety of others.
  • I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league.
  • I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice and all league events.
  • I (and my guests) will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, coach, player, or parent such as booing and taunting; refusing to shake hands; or using profane language or gestures.
  • I will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and well being of the athletes.
  • I will teach my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
  • I will demand that my child treat other players, coaches, officials and spectators with respect regardless of race, creed, color, sex or ability.
  • I will teach my child that doing one’s best is more important than winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game or his/her performance.
  • I will praise my child for competing fairly and trying hard, and make my child feel like a winner every time.
  • I will never ridicule or yell at my child or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition
  • I will emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit my child over winning. I will also de-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups.
  • I will promote the emotional and physical well being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.
  • I will not gamble or wager on any play or outcome of any game with anyone at any time.
  • I will not be guilty of tampering or manipulating any league rosters, schedules, draft positions or selections, official score books or reporting, rankings, or any other league published procedures.
  • I will respect the officials and their authority during games and never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an agreed upon time and place.
  • I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all sports events.
  • I will refrain from coaching my child or other players during games and practices, unless I am one of the official coaches of the team.

Please note that AGSA has a zero tolerance policy. We make every effort to create a happy, wholesome atmosphere where the children can play.

I agree that if I fail to abide by the aforementioned rules and guidelines, I will be subject to disciplinary action that could include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Verbal warning by official, head coach, and/or head of league organization, or a written warning,
  • Parental game or season suspension with written documentation of incident kept on file by organization involved,
  • Game forfeit.

Equipment

AGSA provides bats, balls, helmets and catcher's equipment to each team. Players are responsible for providing their own softball glove, cleats and sliding pads in the 12U and 14U age groups. No metal baseball spikes are allowed. Soft plastic and rubber spikes are permissible. Girls in the 6U division may play in tennis shoes, and soccer cleats are permitted.

ASA Approved Bats: Beginning January 1, 2000, in ASA Championship Play, players may use only those bats that meet all requirements of Rule 3, Section 1 of the ASA Playing Rules, and satisfies one of the following:

  1. bear an ASA approved certification mark as shown below


  1. -or- are included on a list of approved bat models published by the ASA National Office; or
  2. -or- in the sole opinion and discretion of the umpire, were manufactured prior to 1995 and, if tested, would comply with the ASA bat performance standards then in effect.

The list of ASA Non-Approved bats can be downloaded here.

Helmets: All helmets must be equipped with a face mask and chin strap that have been approved by NOCSAE - National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. A helmet that meets this standard will have the label shown here.

If a player currently has a personal helmet that does not have both of these safety items, it must be retrofitted with a NOCSAE approved guard prior to use in any practice or game.

Medical Release Form

Every player requires a medical form on file with the league. The form can be downloaded here.

Practices

Each team is assigned one to two weekly practices. Practice days and times will be distributed to the teams by their coaches.

Rain Outs

To find out if the field you are scheduled to practice or play on is open, call the Alameda Park and Rec weather hotline at (510) 747-7540. The AGSA Homepage will also be updated when rainouts or field conditions prevent games and practices from being held.

If the hotline has not been updated you must show up for your scheduled game.

Registration

For the spring season, registration is open from October through January 31st. If during the course of registration, the number of girls in any division exceeds the number of available teams, a wait list for that divsion will be created.

Uniforms

Players will be issued an AGSA jersey that is theirs to keep when the season ends. This jersey must be worn in all official league games. Players are required to wear long black softball pants as part of their uniform. In the 10U & above divisions, sliding shorts should be worn under the softball pants, and knee sliding pads are optional.