Sparks Elite Policy

 

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Sparks Elite Organization is to improve the softball skills of each participant, to teach and exhibit good sportsmanship, to have fun playing softball, and to get as many girls as possible signed allowing them to play at the next level.  There is no guarantee of playing time during games, but there is much to be gained by the experience. Our job is to get the girls to the Museum. It's their jobs to show everyone what kind of painting they have.

 

Recruiting

Parents, players, relatives, and fans are not to approach college coaches at the ball park under ANY circumstances.  Interaction with a college coach by a parent or a player is a violation of NCAA regulations.  Our players, parents, and other relatives must respect the privacy of the coach and allow him/her to do their job.  If a coach has a question or needs information, NCAA regulations allow them to speak to the travel team coach.　

 

Coach

Our coaches are expected to get the girls seen and recruited by college coaches. Coaches will promote a team spirit and do their best to help the players improve their skills.  The coaches’ decisions will be made based on what is believed to be the best for the team over what may be best for an individual.  It should be understood that our coaches are all volunteers that dedicate significant amounts of personal time to the team.  Playing time, positioning, batting order, etc. will be at the discretion of the head coach and will not be a topic of discussion with parents. There is no guarantee of playing time during games, but there is much to be gained by the experience. Parents are encouraged to help their daughter improve her skills by working with her themselves or taking her to individual lessons and camps. Playing time and positioning decisions will be based on merit. The coaches reserve the right to remove a player from the roster for the actions of the player or player's parents, if such actions are deemed by the coaches to have a negative impact on the team's overall performance and/or morale. All of these decisions are made by the coaching staff, and they were hired simply because Slade Stewart believes in them and knows they have the girl’s best interest.

Never approach a coach during, before or, after a game, because tension will be higher at that time. It should always be 24 hours after the last game. Any comments or complaints should be discussed with the head coach only and away from the ballpark, also away from other parents and certainly not where any players can hear the discussion. Coaches will have an open door policy as long as comments and complaints are handled appropriately. Any parent or other relative who violates this policy is subject to having their player immediately and permanently removed from the team without a refund. If at any time a parent feels that their child has been mistreated by a coach, if and only if they have not been able to resolve the problem with their head coach, then they are to contact Slade Stewart.

 

Game Day Uniforms and Spirit Wear

All players, parents and coaches must comply with the following dress code for games. Even if we don’t always play our best, we will look like a class act ball team. This is NOT an optional policy for coaches, players, or parents.

Jerseys: Always must be tucked while in public. No tying of jersey. Jersey will be issued by the Sparks Elite Organization.

Pants: Players are responsible for solid black and solid white Mizuno pants. They should always look new before tournaments, especially the white.

Cleats: Black / Black Laces

Batting Gloves: Black or White

Batting Helmets: Players are responsible for a white Mizuno helmet with a black face mask. The team logos for the helmets must be receive final approval by Slade Stewart and issued by the Sparks Elite Organization.

Undershirts / Sweatbands: Black or White

Sweats / Sweatshirts: Final approved by Slade Stewart and issued by the Sparks Elite Organization. (Matching sweats, caps, etc.)

Parent’s Spirit Wear: Final approved by Slade Stewart and issued by the Sparks Elite Organization.

Coaches:  Final approved by Slade Stewart and issued by the Sparks Elite Organization.

 

Parents

Cheering and having fun is always welcome. Parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that exhibits good sportsmanship and sets an example for their children. As parents, you should be the girl’s biggest fans. Parents are not allowed in the dugout or on the field at a game or practice unless invited by a coach. The only people allowed to coach your daughter on the field is the coach, because they need your daughter’s full attention. Parents yelling at players, coaches, the opposing team, or umpires will not be tolerated. Coaches are the only people permitted to address an umpire, and they will do so at their discretion. From time to time, we will play teams whose coaches and/or fans will act inappropriate; we will not tolerate that behavior in our organization.

 

Social Media

Any coach, player, or parent who posts on public forums should always refrain from making negative comments that can be associated with our teams. If others happen to post negative comments about us; simply ignore it, because responding will only escalate the problem. If we hear or see anything on a public forum, Facebook, Instagram, etc. that is negative or brings negative attention to our organization, it will be dealt with accordingly.

 

Players

The Sparks Elite is a family oriented organization that is intended to be enjoyed by everyone that is involved. Players are expected to always be respectful to coaches, parents, umpires, their teammates, and other teams. Players should be on time for events with the right attitude and enthusiasm. Players or Parents are expected to call their coach in advance, if they are going to be late or miss an event. It is understood that schedule conflicts will arise, but if such conflicts become a problem, then the player will be warned and possibly removed from the team. Players will be expected to listen when a coach is talking and they will be asked to follow instructions to the best of their ability. The coaches reserve the right to remove a player from a game and/or the roster if the player fails to participate as agreed.

We play a lot of games in a given season, so when we have an off week our players need to rest and take a break from softball. Players in the Sparks Elite Organization are NOT permitted to participate with other teams as pickup or substitute players before the completion of our season unless special circumstances warrant granting such a request. We do believe in pick-ups within the Organization. Note: Other teams being short of players is not a "special circumstance". The Coach or Manager is the only person who has the authority to grant such a request.

 

Sparks Elite Fees will be discussed with the Coach and Team. Each Team will pay an Organization Fee based on the number of players on each Team.