Mission & Responsibilities

MISSION STATEMENT

The Guelph Girls' Minor Softball Association has several important objectives for the operation of their House League.

To provide a fun experience for all participants at every age level.
To create an environment of competitive softball that every player can enjoy.
To provide guidance to coaching staff that will assist them in teaching the fundamentals of softball.
To make our House League as enjoyable as possible so that every player will return, year after year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To meet our objectives each participant has important responsibilities that they must follow. This includes the GGMSA League Executives, Convenors, Umpires, Coaches, Parents and Players.

League Responsibilities

The League Executives steer the GGMSA House League from year to year, making sure that we can meet our financial objectives and look for ways to improve the overall environment for the most important asset we have the player.

As a League Executive your most important responsibilities are:

To fully discuss all changes to rules, personnel and policies to ensure that it will result in a more positive experience for the girls in our House League.
To choose the right people as Convenors, Coaches, Umpires and Committee Members to improve the image of GGMSA as an excellent sport organization.
To provide the right tools, training and support to our front line volunteers, the Coaches and Umpires, to ensure their success on building and managing our House League.
To provide communication to all stakeholders players, parents and volunteers to keep them up to date on important changes and positive information on league experiences.
To listen to our stakeholders to collect ideas and input on possible improvements to how we operate.
To show leadership in building a positive GGMSA atmosphere by reinforcing all of the responsibilities of the Convenor, Umpire, Coach, Parent and Player as we participate in events and games throughout the season.
To create an organization that provides our players with the enthusiasm to continue a lifelong participation in sport and bring them back to the GGMSA year after year.

Convenors Responsibilities

The Convenor plays a critical role in making sure that we can meet the GGMSA Objectives. They serve as the front line executive volunteer directly supporting the Coaches who have the most influence on whether a player has a positive experience and thereby wishes to return the next year.

As a Convenor your most important responsibilities are:

To be visible and attend as many games as possible to ensure that our objectives are being met and the Coaches are managing their teams in a way that allows every participant to have fun, improve their skills and play competitive ball.
To be decisive in resolving conflicts and making sure that all involved understand that any judgement made is consistent with supporting the league objective of ensuring that all participants are having fun.
To provide communication to all stakeholders players, parents and volunteers to keep them up to date on important changes and positive information on league experiences.
To listen to our stakeholders to collect ideas and input on possible improvements to how we operate.
To show leadership in building a positive GGMSA atmosphere by reinforcing all of the responsibilities of the Umpire, Coach, Parent and Player as we administer the divisional games throughout the season.

Umpire Responsibilities

The Umpire has a difficult role to fill, ensuring that all participants follow the rules while trying not to negatively influence the playing experience or determine the outcome of the game. They must have firm control of the game and not let conflicts escalate to the point where it creates a situation that overshadows the objective of having fun and playing competitive ball.

As an Umpire your most important responsibilities are:

To make sure that all conditions are right for any game to begin a safe playing surface, any safety issues addressed, and any field problems that may affect play noted and that both teams are ready to play.
To make sure that there are no surprises, clearly outline any rules prior to the beginning of the game that must be followed by each team.
To give your best effort at managing the rules and staying alert throughout the game to provide a positive playing situation for the participants.
To apply your best judgement fairly to both teams.

Coach Responsibilities

You are one of the most influential people in a child's life. Your job is not only to teach how to hit a ball or make a play, but also to teach how to win and lose graciously. You must also remind them that the sport is meant to be FUN. The athletic skills these young girls learn from you may only be used for a few years. The attitudes they develop toward themselves and others will last a lifetime.

As a Coach your most important responsibilities are:

To serve as a positive role model for your players, both on and off the field.
To display good sportsmanship in all cases, both as a winner and as a loser.
To teach respect for all players, both teammates and your competitors.
To show respect for the rules, the officials and their decisions.
To show leadership in building a team atmosphere, by using constructive advice and positive reinforcement.
To help your athletes develop a positive self-image for themselves, no matter what their skill level.
To provide your players with the enthusiasm to continue a life-long participation in sport.
To teach them that Softball can be competitive and fun. Don't ever let the competitive part destroy the fun part.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents have the opportunity to lead by example every day. To ensure that your daughter has a fun and fulfilling experience with softball, and hopefully with sports for the rest of her life, you should support and encourage her efforts.

As a Parent your most important responsibilities are:

To not put pressure on her to play a sport or a position.
To remember that my child plays softball for her enjoyment, not for mine.
To lead by example and serve as a positive role model. I will applaud good plays and performances by both teams on the field. I will never resort to abuse or hostility towards any other participant, coach, umpire or league official.
To never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a game. I will offer support and stress the fun that she had that day.
To teach my daughter to display good sportsmanship in all cases, both as a winner and a loser.
To show respect for the rules, the officials and their decisions. I will support the coaches, umpires and league officials and show appreciation for the time that these volunteers give to provide a fun and competitive environment for my child.
Provide your child with the enthusiasm to continue a life-long participation in sport.

Player Responsibilities

The player has made a commitment to the league and their team by signing up to play softball with GGMSA. They should make the most of the experience by joining in, having fun and participating in every practice and game to improve their skills.

As a Player your most important responsibilities are:

To participate because I want to and to remember to always have fun.
To remember to always play by the rules and in the spirit of the game.
To remember that winning isn't everything that having fun, improving skills, making friends and doing my best is also important.
To contribute to my team by giving all my effort and supporting my teammates. I will never let my team down by missing games and practices without good reason.
To respect my opponents and always acknowledge all good plays those of my teammates and of my opponents.
To show respect for the rules, the umpires and their decisions. I will never verbally abuse and umpire and will display good sportsmanship in all situations.
To recognize and thank all those who volunteer their time Convenors and Coaches to provide me with the support and organization to play a sport that I enjoy.