FORKS TOWNSHIP ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

GUIDELINES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREATED:  September 13, 2005

LAST UPDATED: May 29, 2007

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT 

 

CODE OF CONDUCT    

 

THE DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER 

 

THE DUTIES OF A COACH  

 

THE DUTIES OF A PARENT

 

COACH/COMMISSIONER FEEDBACK

 

BASEBALL                         

WRESTLING                       

FOOTBALL                          

BASKETBALL                      

SOCCER                              

LACROSSE                          

SOFTBALL                           

CHEERLEADING                                                                              


MISSION STATEMENT

 

It is every parent/coach/commissioner’s responsibility to instill good sportsmanship and provide a fun and safe environment for the children of this community as they learn and play sports in Forks Township.  It is the purpose of this document to provide guidelines and expectations for commissioners and coaches governed by the Forks Township Athletic Association and the Forks Township Recreation Board.  It is to provide assistance to the commissioner and coaches of any sport sponsored by the Forks Township Athletic Association (FTAA).  It is to provide assistance to parents, guardians and players of any sport sponsored by the Forks Township Athletic Association (FTAA).

 

FORKS TOWNSHIP ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

 

Each parent/guardian must sign a copy of the Forks Township Code of Conduct (Article XVI) of the By-Laws of the Athletic Association.  The Articles of the Code of Conduct below are taken from the FTAA By-laws.

 

ARTICLE XV – COACHES           

 

                        SECTION 1.  Coaches should conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.

 

                        SECTION 2.  Coaches should be encouraged to attend all F.T.A.A. meetings and be members of the F.T.A.A.

 

                        SECTION 3.  Coaches should maintain discipline on their team at all times.  Any discipline problem should be reported to the commissioner immediately.

 

                        SECTION  4.  Coaches should play all their players as much as possible.

 

                        SECTION 5. Coaches should know and follow the league rules and policies for each league their team is involved in.  The FTAA will honor and support any organized league by-laws accordingly and will support any legitimate decisions made by said league against any Forks coach. 

 

                        SECTION 6. All Coaches must agree to submit to a criminal background investigation prior to being allowed to coach or work with youth enrolled in FTAA programs.  Refusing to submit to a criminal background check removes that candidate coach from consideration for coaching any Forks team.

 

                        SECTION 7.  Both the commissioners and the FTAA will strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards any coach’s inappropriate behavior.  Inappropriate behavior can be considered to be, but not limited to, verbal or physical abuse of a child, another coach, parents, or officials.

 

                        SECTION 8.  Any disciplinary actions, which result in a dismissal or suspension of a coach, will be carried across all sports governed by the FTAA and the Recreation Board.

 

                        SECTION 9.  All FTAA coaches and commissioners will receive, review, and sign a copy of Article VX of the FTAA by-laws.  This will serve as an acknowledgement of the coaching policies of the FTAA.  This copy will be stored by the FTAA until a time that the coach no longer volunteers in that capacity for the FTAA.

 

                        SECTION 10.  Coaching should be considered to be a privilege not a right of an individual.  Prior coaching involvement in the FTAA is not a guarantee of future coaching involvement in any capacity.

 

ARTICLE XVI – PARENTS

 

                        SECTION 1.  Parents should conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.  If the do not, they may be removed by the coach, commissioner, F.T.A.A. Officer or referee.

 

                        SECTION 2.  A parent and or legal guardian must sign a registration form for each of their children to participate in F.T.A.A. programs.  Non- resident parents are responsible to pay a non-resident fee (as directed buy the Forks Township Recreation Board) per sport per child at the time of sign-ups. 

 

                        SECTION 3. A parent and or legal guardian registering a child for a youth sports program will be provided with a code of conduct at the time of registration. The parent and or legal guardian must acknowledge receipt of this code of conduct on their registration form.

 

                        SECTION 4.  Parents are responsible for their children’s transportation.

 

                        SECTION 5. Parents are responsible for submitting their completed and approved “hours of service voucher form” for each child in each sport to avoid having to pay the association’s activity fee.  Activity fees are collected at each registration.

 

                        SECTION 6.  If any equipment is lost, stolen, damaged (beyond normal wear) or not returned at the end of the season, restitution must be made before said boy or girl or siblings would be allowed to participate in any future F.T.A.A. programs.

 

                        SECTION 7.  If a parent has a problem or complaint, the following procedure should be followed:

 

a.      a.       Discuss the problem with the coach.

b.      b.      Discuss the problem with the commissioner of the sport involved.

c.      c.       Discuss the problem with the F.T.A.A. President.

d.      d.      Attend an F.T.A.A. meeting to discuss the problem with the membership.

 

ARTICLE XVII – CHILDREN (PLAYERS)

 

                        SECTION 1.  Children must conduct themselves in responsible manner at all times. 

                        SECTION 2.  Children from outside of Forks Township may participate in F.T.A.A. programs in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Forks Township Recreation Board and current leagues.

 

                        SECTION 3.  Children who have participated in F.T.A.A. programs and have moved from Forks Township will be subject to the non-resident participation guidelines set forth by the Forks Township Recreation Board.

 

 

THE DUTIES OF A COMMISSIONER

 

  • Budget
    • You must submit a budget on a yearly basis to submit to the Recreation Board. 
  • FTAA meeting attendance
    • If you cannot attend a FTAA meeting, you must provide a status for your sport to the secretary of the FTAA at least 24 hours before the meeting.
  • Obtaining qualified coaching
    •  Coaches you obtain to coach a team whether they are a child’s parent or not, should have enough knowledge of the sport to be able to teach it.
  • Address any concerns of a parent/guardian or coach
    • If a parent/guardian expresses a concern about a coach or another parent/guardian or child on the team, it is the commissioner’s duty to address that issue.  The commissioner must advise the coach or parent/guardian or the child’s parent/guardian of the situation and address it.  If the issue continues or if the issue is of a pressing nature, it must be brought to the attention of the FTAA. 
    • Forks Township has a zero-tolerance for any coach who verbally or physically abuses any of his/her players.
  • Ensure background checks are completed on each coach
    • The FTAA obtains a volunteer to perform the background checks but the commissioner is responsible for obtaining the forms necessary for the volunteer to have the checks done.
  • Ensure enough equipment is provided for each player
  • Ensure equipment is handed out and returned within a reasonable timeframe
  • Obtain a photography studio to arrange pictures for the sport
  • Filter opportunities of tournaments or post-season play to coaches and arrange try-outs if necessary
  • Attend league meetings for the sport
  • Attend Forks Recreation Board Meetings regularly
  • Field arrangements
  • Schedule arrangements
  • Snack Bar volunteer arrangements
    • A list of volunteers along with phone numbers must be provided to the FTAA President and the Snack Bar Coordinator.
  • Dance volunteer arrangements
    • It is the Commissioner’s Duty to provide the required number of chaperones for their sponsored dance.  A list of volunteers along with phone numbers must be provided.  If a commissioner does not provide the required number of chaperones; their sport is in jeopardy of losing their portion of the proceeds from that dance.
  • Updating website
  • Filtering information from the FTAA and Rec. Board to the respective coaches
  • Each year an initial coaches meeting shall be held to review the Code of Conduct
  • Ensuring all players are residents of Forks Township and if not, they need obtain permission by the Recreation Board
  • Adhere to the Code of Conduct on a daily basis
  • Feedback forms
    • If a player/parent/guardian returns a feedback form, it is the Commissioner’s duty to follow-up

 

 

THE DUTIES OF A PARENT/GUARDIAN

 

 

  • CODE OF CONDUCT

o        Each parent/guardian must sign a copy of the Forks Township Code of Conduct (Article XVI) of the By-Laws of the FTAA.  The Articles of the Code of Conduct can be found under the Code of Conduct herein.

o        If a parent/guardian has any problem with a coach, other parent, other player, etc… that person has several choices….

·         Go directly to the coach to resolve an issue.

·         Go directly to the Commissioner of the sport to resolve an issue.

·         Attend an FTAA meeting held on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Community Center to resolve the issue.

·         If immediate action is not necessary, fill out the feedback form herein and return it to the Community Center where it will be placed in the appropriate Commissioner’s mailbox.

 

  • VOLUNTEER TIME

o        Each parent/guardian is responsible for three hours of volunteer service for each child for each sport.  For example, if you have 2 children playing football and one playing soccer, then you are responsible for 3 hours for each child which in this case would total 9 hours.

o        Coaching, assistant coaching, team managing counts towards volunteer time.  Other opportunities such as snack bar duty and dance chaperoning are other ways to obtain these hours.

o        Not completing your service means you will be charged a fee the next time you register a child for a sport.

o        If a child is selected to a baseball all-star or a tournament team, one parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory meeting and complete additional hours of volunteer time working a snack bar tour of at least 3 hours.  This is in addition to volunteer time required during the regular season.  If you do not work the at least the 3 hours, your child will not be allowed to play in the next game.

o        If you are scheduled for a snack bar duty and do not show up for that time, your child will be exempt from playing in the subsequent game.  You may switch with another volunteer or have someone cover your scheduled duty, but you must make arrangements.  A team mom is not responsible for re-arranging this for you.

o        Once a player receives a uniform for a sport, the player is responsible for returning it on time.  If a uniform is not returned within two weeks of the return date specified by the equipment manager, a late fee will be assessed and the child is now allowed to register for the next sport until all previously issued uniforms have been returned or replaced (replacement fee).

 

  • REGISTERING A CHILD FOR A SPORT
    • All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is given by the Forks Township Recreation Board.
    • The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Residents” section and bring to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the player should be allowed to play in Forks Twp.  If approved, they will be notified at that meeting and placed into the pool of players.
    • A child can be registered for a sport by going to the Community Center at the time designated for sign-ups for specific sports.  These times are posted in the newspaper, on the board at the entrance to the Community Center and are also currently distributed at the elementary a middle school level to each student.

·         If a child is not signed up within that time frame, the Commissioner of the sport would have to approve a late entry and a late fee would apply.

 

  • PRACTICE AND GAME ATTENDANCE
    • In all sports, it is critical to attend all scheduled practices and games.  A child must learn the plays and work together with the team to learn their respective sports successfully.  If a child must miss a game or practice, a coach must be notified.  A coach may alter playing time if a child is missing practices.

 

THE DUTIES OF A COACH

 

  • You must submit to a background check on a yearly basis.  Therefore, you must agree to provide all information necessary for the Athletic Assoc. to perform this check.
  • You should be knowledgeable of the sport and be able to teach it in a calm and patient manner.
  • Address any concerns of a parent/guardian
    • If a parent/guardian expresses a concern about a coach or another parent/guardian or child on the team; you must address it and report it to the Commissioner of the sport.
    • Forks Township has a zero-tolerance for any coach who verbally or physically abuses any of his/her players.
  • Ensure each player is equipped for every practice or game to ensure safety
  • You must be available for practices and games and should the need arise, a knowledgeable assistant coach should be available
  • Finding knowledgeable assistant coach/coaches
  • Ensure assistant coaches have a background check
  • Attend all equipment/uniform handouts and returns for your team
  • Ensure all equipment/uniforms are returned in a reasonable timeframe
  • Ensure the volunteer requirements are filled for dances
  • Ensure the volunteer requirements are filled for snack bar
  • Attendance at the Forks Township Athletic Association Meetings
  • Initial contact of all players on the team
  • Adhere to the Code of Conduct on a daily basis
    • Ensure that each player/parent/guardian signs a copy of Article 16 of the FTAA By-laws which is the Code of Conduct.  Coaches must co-sign each player’s copy.
  • Ensuring that each player gets a fair amount of play during practices and games.  Rules are established regarding league minimums of required play for each sport.  If you think no one is watching, they are!
  • To create a fun and safe environment for learning and playing a sport and remember these are children!
  • Attendance at all commissioner-sponsored meetings
  • Approach each practice, scrimmage and game with an enthusiastic attitude and promote fairness and team play
  • Keep apprised of schedules – letting each player know of their practice, scrimmage or game schedules in as far in advance as possible
  • Should inclement weather arise, ensure that each player is notified as early as possible of an postponement, cancellation or reschedule

 

BASEBALL GUIDELINES 

 

The Forks Township baseball league is governed by the Greater Easton Area Baseball Association league by-laws.  Further information can be found by contacting the Forks Township Baseball Commissioner.

 

  • CODE OF CONDUCT
    • A copy of Article 16 of the FTAA By-laws shall be signed by each parent/guardian on or before the date the players receive their uniforms.  It is imperative that the players/parents/guardians and coaches adhere to the code of conduct.  A zero-tolerance rule will be in effect before, during and after practices and games.
  • EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM POLICY
    • All equipment and uniforms are owned by Forks Township.  Any equipment or uniforms you receive must be returned within two weeks of the return date and should be in the condition it was presented to you.  If you do not return equipment and uniforms within two weeks of the return date, you will be subject to a late fee assessed by the equipment manager.  If the equipment/uniforms are not returned, you will be billed for the replacement value of the equipment/uniforms not returned.
    • Some sports require a refundable deposit for equipment/uniforms.  If the equipment/uniforms are not returned, the deposit will not be refunded.
    • Once a player receives a uniform for a sport, the player is responsible for returning it on time.  If a uniform is not returned within two weeks of the return date specified by the equipment manager, a late fee will be assessed and the child is now allowed to register for the next sport until all previously issued uniforms have been returned or replaced (replacement fee).
  • PLAYING TIME
    • Playing time is governed by the rules of the leagues
      • League rules state each child must play a minimum of 2 innings in the field or the team will forfeit the game.
  • “PLAYING UP”
    • If a coach is in need of a substitute player; that coach may request a player from one level down to “play up”. 
    • The coach in need of a player must request a player from a coach and should not contact any player directly until approval is given from that player’s coach. 

 

  • PARENT BEHAVIOR DURING PRACTICES AND GAMES
    • Parents are asked to refrain from coaching or voicing concern to referees from the sidelines at any time.  This causes confusion for both coaches and players and distracts the players from their position and could result in injury to a child.
    • Referees do have the authority to discipline a team for a spectator’s conduct by issuing a penalty and can also request that a spectator be removed from the field.  Police will be called if necessary. 

 

  • TOURNAMENT AND ALL-STAR SELECTION PROCESS
    • 7/8 year old (coach pitch)
      • All players are invited to play in a tournament.  Currently, there are no all-star games at the 7/8 year old level.
    • One team of all-stars will be formed at each age group.
      • Each team shall consist of 12 players plus three alternates for a total of 15 for a full roster.
      • “Playing up” will not be permitted on any team.  For instance, an eight year old who is an outstanding player cannot play on a 9/10 year old all-star team.
      • All-star selection process
        • Coaches will meet with their stat books available and, as a group, pick the kids who will be given the opportunity to play on an all-star team.  The Commissioner should attend this meeting and keep notes should any issues arise at the FTAA level.  Additional players should be picked (in addition to alternates) in cases where an all-star player or alternate turns down the opportunity for play. (i.e. vacations, moving, injury)
      • The Baseball Commissioner shall select the head coach for all all-star teams.
      • No try-outs will be necessary for tournament and all-star team selection as scorebook keeping records show abilities of the players and coaches should be familiar with all players.

o        If a child is selected to a baseball all-star or a tournament team, one parent/guardian will be required to attend a mandatory meeting and complete additional hours of volunteer time working a snack bar tour of at least 3 hours.  This is in addition to volunteer time required during the regular season.

    • If a full team cannot be fielded, then no team shall be entered into a tournament.   A full team must consist of all Fork Township residents.

 

  • FORMING A TEAM – TEE BALL AND 7/8 YEAR OLD LEVELS
    • Forming a team should continue to be done by neighborhood.   A player may request to be on a certain team for transportation or other special needs but this is not a guarantee.
    • All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is given by the Forks Township Recreation Board.
      • The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Residents” section and bring to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the player should be allowed to play in Forks Twp.  If approved, they will be notified at that meeting and placed into the pool of players.

 

  • FORMING A TEAM  - 9/10 AND 11/12 YEAR OLD LEVELS
    • All players must be Forks Township residents unless specific approval is given by the Forks Township Recreation Board.
      • The approval process is to sign up during regular registration and fill out the “Out Of Town Residents” section and bring it to the following Recreation Board Meeting where the Board will hear the circumstances as to why the player should be allowed to play in Forks Twp.  If approved, they will be notified at that meeting and placed into the pool of players.
    • Each player is rated by the coaching staff at the end of the year from the previous level. 
      • Rating should be done discreetly and each child is to be given a rating from one – five; five being the highest.  These ratings are to be turned in to the baseball commissioner.
    • Each player then goes in to a draft and coaching staffs pick an even amount of players at each rating. 
    • If a coach has a son on their team that was rated, that child counts as a pick for that coach at whatever rating he was given.
    • All new players are required to attend an evaluation.  Each of these players are rated by an independent group and then distributed evenly among the teams.  New players are determined as never having played Forks baseball or have skipped a season and are returning.
  • FORMING A TEAM – 13-15 YEAR OLD (JR. LEGION)
    • Evaluations shall be held for kids moving up to the Jr. Legion.  These evaluations should take place at the end of the baseball season and not wait until the following year. 
    • At least 3 evaluation dates shall be held to accurately evaluate the kids.
    • Evaluations are to be done by an independent, qualified group of at least 5 people.  The Commissioner will have final say over the selection of these evaluators.
    • Coaches may be present but cannot pick their team or influence any decision of any evaluator.

 

 

 

  • AGE BRACKETS

 

AGE GROUP MUST BE AGE                                 BEFORE

T-ball

6

May 1st

7/8’s (Coach Pitch)

7

May 1st

9/10’s (Kid Pitch)

9

May 1st

11/12’s (Babe Ruth)

11

May 1st

13 - 15’s (Jr. Legion)

13

May 1st

16 – 18 (Sr. Babe Ruth)

16

May 1st

 

 

SOFTBALL GUIDELINES http://www.smillerdesign.com/directories/tworivers.html

 

 

 

The Forks Township softball league is governed by league by-laws.  Further information can be found by contacting the Forks Township Softball Commissioner or by clicking on the link above.

 

  • CODE OF CONDUCT
    • A copy of Article 16 of the FTAA By-laws shall be signed by each parent/guardian on or before the date the players receive their uniforms.  It is imperative that the players/parents/guardians and coaches adhere to the code of conduct.  A zero-tolerance rule will be in effect before, during and after practices and games.
  • EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM POLICY
    • All equipment and uniforms are owned by Forks Township.  Any equipment or uniforms you receive must be returned in a reasonable timeframe and should be in the condition it was presented to you.  If you do not return equipment and uniforms within two weeks of the return date, you will be subject to a late fee assessed by the equipment manager.  If the equipment/uniforms are not returned, you will be billed for the replacement value of the equipment/uniforms not returned and may not register for another sport until the either equipment is returned or replacement value is paid.
  • PLAYING TIME
    • Playing time is governed by the rules of the leagues
      • League rules state each child must play a minimum of 3 innings or the team will forfeit the game until the children reach the 13 yr. age bracket when the games become more competitive.
  • “PLAYING UP”
    • If a coach is in need of a substitute player; that coach may request a player from one level down to “play up”. 
    • The coach in need of a player must request a player from a coach and should not contact any player directly until approval is given from that player’s coach. 
    • The child “playing up” cannot have a game that day at their own level.
    • The child cannot play more innings than any other child on the team she is playing up for.
  • PARENT BEHAVIOR DURING PRACTICES AND GAMES
    • Parents are asked to refrain from coaching or voicing concern to referees from the sidelines at any time.  This causes confusion for both coaches and players and distracts the players from their position and could result in injury to a child.
    • Referees do have the authority to discipline a team for a spectator’s conduct by issuing a penalty and can also request that a spectator be removed from the field.  Police will be called if necessary. 

 

  • ALL-STAR SELECTION PROCESS
    • Tee ball and 7/8 year old (coach pitch)
      • Currently, there are no all-star games at the tee ball 7/8 year old level.
    • 8/10 – 15-19 year old
      • Each team shall select 2 or 3 players to the all-stars (number of players is determined by the league).  These players are then assigned to an “all-league division team”.  This is determined by the league.
        • The team shall select its all-star players via a vote from each team player.  The player with the most votes shall proceed to the all-star team.  In the case of a tie, the head coach shall be the tie-breaking vote.
      • Coaches for the all-star team are determined by the teams placing first and second in the regular season and are notified by the league.

.

  • FORMING A TEAM – TEE BALL AND 7/8 YEAR OLD LEVELS
    • Forming a team should continue to be done by neighborhood.  A player may request to be on a certain team for transportation or other special needs but this is not a guarantee.
    • To join tee-ball, a child must reach age 5 by May 1st of that year.
    • An 8 year old may “play up” at the 9/10 year old level with the permission of the softball commissioner.
    • All players must be Forks Township residents.
      • This is a league rule.  If you are not a Forks resident, you must be granted permission by the Eastern Lehigh Valley League President.  Contact the Forks Commissioner prior to pursuing this.
  • FORMING A TEAM  - 9/10 AND 11/12 YEAR OLD LEVELS (Eastern Lehigh Valley)
    • All players must be Forks Township residents.
      • This is a league rule.  If you are not a Forks resident, you must be granted permission by the Eastern Lehigh Valley League President.  Contact the Forks Commissioner prior to pursuing this.
    • Evaluations shall be held for kids moving up to this level. 
    • Evaluations are done by coaches and other qualified persons determined by the Forks Softball Commissioner.
    • Each player goes in to a draft and coaching staffs pick an even amount of players on their team.
    • If a coach has a daughter on their team that was rated, that child counts as a pick for that coach at whatever rating she was given.
    • All new players are required to attend an evaluation.  Each of these players are evaluated and distributed evenly among teams.
  • FORMING A TEAM – 13-15 and 15-19 YEAR OLD LEVEL (Two Rivers)
    • All players must be Forks Township residents.
      • This is a league rule.  If you are not a Forks resident, you must be granted permission by the Two Rivers League President.  Contact the Forks Commissioner prior to pursuing this.
    • Evaluations shall be held for kids moving up to this level. 
    • Evaluations are done by coaches and other qualified persons determined by the Forks Softball Commissioner.
    • Each player goes in to a draft and coaching staffs pick an even amount of players on their team.
    • If a coach has a daughter on their team that was rated, that child counts as a pick for that coach at whatever rating she was given.
    • All new players are required to attend an evaluation.  Each of these players are evaluated and distributed evenly among teams.

 

  • AGE BRACKETS

 

AGE GROUP               MUST BE AGE                                BEFORE

T-Ball

5

April 1st

8-10 Minors

8

April 1st

11-12 Majors

11

April 1st