Member
Booklet
Welcome to the Port Adelaide
Magpies Softball Club
We hope your new or continued involvement with us
will be an enjoyable and rewarding one
CONTENTS
The Softball Season
4
Teams
5
Where We Play
5
Where We Train
5
Club Uniform & Equipment
6
Team Grading & Player Selection Policy
7
Player Clearances to move between Clubs
9
Carnivals & State Representation
9
Member Protection Policy (MPP)
10
Training and Game Attendance
10
Game Times and Diamond Locations
10
Bench Allocation
11
Match Cancellations
11
Club Communication
11
Team Roles
12
Committee & AGM
15
Disputes/Grievance Policy
16
Club Finances
17
Season Fees
17
Sponsors & Financial Supporters
18
Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Our club has grown significantly in the last few years under
the guidance of a very willing and active group of players,
supporters and their families. Our goal is for growth to
continue, and to promote softball within the Port Adelaide
district and South Australian community.
We pride
ourselves on being a friendly, inclusive club that offers the
opportunity to participate in softball at both elite and social
levels.
The Softball Season
We are affiliated with and compete in the Softball S.A. “Adelaide
Competition”. The season commences in October and concludes in
March/April with a break over the Dec/Jan School holidays. At the
end of season, we hold a club presentation night to celebrate o u r
achievements and thank our supporters.
Games are played on Saturdays at the Softball S.A. Headquarters at
West Beach. Juniors have fixed match times and senior teams are
rostered through 3-4 timeslots. The season draw/results and ladders
are available on our Website at www.portadelaide.softball.org.au. Preseason training usually commences in mid-late August on Sunday
mornings. Once the season starts, training is moved to a weeknight.
Page | 4
Teams
The Softball SA Adelaide competition runs the following:
Juniors:
Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17
Seniors:
A, B, C, and D grade
Our club aims to field teams for all of these grades each season, to
ensure players of all skill levels can play and represent our club.
Where We Play
SA Softball Headquarters, Barratt Reserve, West Beach includes two
international playing diamonds, 15 outer diamonds, canteen and
licensed clubrooms. Adequate car-parking is available near all playing
fields.
Where We Train
Most teams train at the West Lakes Sports Club Oval on Bartley Terrace,
West Lakes Shore, whilst some may train at Jubilee Reserve, Hawkesbury
Way, West Lakes Shore. Both training grounds are closely located and
are connected with a short walk and an underpass. A d e q u a t e
c ar-parking is available a t b o t h g r o u n d s . Maps are on the back
of this book.
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Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Club Uniform & Equipment
* denotes mandatory items
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*Black shorts (any)
*A, B & U/17’s wear long pants
*Club ‘strip’ (top)
*Club socks and cap/hat
*Sandshoes / cleats
*Mouth guard
*Glove
*Helmet (for batting)
White sliders
Shin guards
Club windcheaters/jackets
Bat (if you prefer to have your own)
We have a uniform coordinator who is available to answer your
questions before you make any purchases. Uniform items are
purchased through Emmsee Sportswear on Port Road, Woodville,
including helmets.
The club provides strips (tops) to junior players for a nominal
refundable fee. Gloves can also be loaned to juniors, and all teams
have a number of bats.
Page | 6
Team Grading & Player Selection Policy
Intent
• Players are graded according to their age and ability. All players are given
every opportunity to advance within the club.
• Players can play in a higher age group or senior team, provided they have
the required skill level.
• Juniors will generally play within their respective age group, however
there may be exceptions (see player selection exceptions)
• All junior players are to have equal diamond time. Coaches must create
the best way to cater for this. No team player is to be a bench player
week after week, or consistently be given half a game. Finals are
treated differently (see next page)
• Teams will have a regular playing list of at least 10 players, which will be
set at the start of each season. This list can be changed at the coach’s
discretion (ie. A player made be moved to a higher or lower grade ). This
is not generally expected to occur in junior grades.
• Each team requires at least one recognized pitcher and catcher,
preferably two of each, particularly in the junior teams where
pitching/catching restrictions are in place.
Exceptions
• Each coach is to maintain a list of players who can be called upon to play
in a higher age group or grade if required. This list needs to be shared
with the coaches of higher grades. Both coaches are responsible for
getting consent from the player and parent/guardian (if under 18) to play
in the next age group or grade. Who is approached from the list is at the
discretion of the higher age/grade coach and according to the needs of
their team.
• Coaches are responsible for ensuring that any players called upon to fill a
position in their team are not displacing one of their regular players from
a starting position.
Page | 7
Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Exceptions (cont’d)
• Players who are asked to fill in for another team due to player shortages
will not be charged extra fees.
• Juniors may be invited to ‘sit on the bench’ for a higher grade for their
own development. They will not necessarily get the opportunity to take
the diamond and will not be charged additional fees
• There may be occasions where players are listed on two playing lists,
effectively playing regularly in two teams. This instance will be discussed
between the coaches involved, the player/s and/or their
parent/guardians (if under 18).
• If the Club creates an additional team that requires a majority of its
players to double up and play two games every week, the club will
charge a nominal additional fee (set by the committee). The club may
subsidise any shortfall in player or team registration fees.
Selection of players during finals
• All players who have played in the team for most of the season will be in
the playing list for finals games.
• It is strongly encouraged that all team members be given the opportunity
to participate in the finals rounds.
• It is against Club philosophy to bring players in for finals that have not
played the majority of that season with the team.
Page | 8
Player Clearances to move between Clubs
District zoning and the requirement to obtain a club clearance only
applies to players who have played club softball within the previous 7
years. All new players or players who have not played for more than
7 years are able to join a club of their choice without a clearance.
Carnivals & State Representation
The Labor Day Weekend Junior Tournament (October) is held at West
Beach with players from SA and interstate competing. It is a terrific
way to kick-off the season.
Senior State Championships Carnival (January).
The Senior State Championships are held at West Beach each year.
Junior State Championships Carnival (February).
The Junior State Championships are usually held in regional S.A. each
year and this provides players with the opportunity to spend the
weekend together and to also meet teams from other districts. Many
of our players also try out and are selected for State Representative
Teams.
We encourage players to develop their skills through involvement in
special clinics, camps and training that is offered by our Club and
Softball S.A.
Page | 9
Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Member Protection Policy (MPP)
Our club operates under Softball Australia’s Member Protection
Policy, which includes Codes of Conduct for coaches, officials, players,
parents and spectators. This policy is available on the Softball
Australia website www.softball.org.au. All club members are required
to read and understand this policy, as it is a requirement for your
application for club membership.
Training and Game Attendance
Players are expected to attend training sessions and be punctual.
If for any reason, a player cannot attend training or matches, they
must advise the coach of their unavailability as soon as possible.
Players are required to be at their scheduled diamond one hour prior
to game commencement ready to begin warming up.
Game Times and Diamond Locations
Competition details including game times and diamond locations, are
available from the ‘Events’ -> ‘Results and Ladders’ section of the Port
Adelaide Softball Club Website
(http://www.portadelaide.softball.org.au/).
Page | 10
Bench Allocation
The team named first in the program takes the third base bench, and
bats first. The team named second takes the first base bench, and
fields first.
Match Cancellations
Games are very rarely cancelled. Even if the weather appears
unsuitable, players are required to be at West Beach at the
scheduled time. If for any reason, the game is cancelled the coach or
team manager will notify players.
Club Communication
Email is our main method of communication to all members. Our
club email address is [email protected].
Our website www.portadelaide.softball.org.au should also be
accessed for the latest news, upcoming events and photos.
Club Newsletters are distributed approximately 6 times during the
season. If you need a printed copy, please advise the Newsletter
Coordinator or Secretary and we can arrange it.
Team Managers also play a role in ensuring information and
permission forms etc. are coordinated between their team and the
broader club.
Page | 11
Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Team Roles
We are just like any other sporting club, we rely upon volunteers and
we have some dedicated m e m b e r s for whom softball is their
passion. We do welcome all parents, players and supporters to
help out in any way possible, as this does contribute greatly to the
overall success of the Club.
For each team we register, we must also register two coaches (must
have at least one), an umpire, a scorer and a team manager. These
are filled by volunteers who can make the required time and energy
commitment. We can provide support and a ‘buddy’ system to
people who want to learn the ropes. Without these officials, the
team cannot register.
THE COACH
Imparts knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to players on training nights
and during games
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Decide player positions, batting line-up and planned changes prior to game
Determine skills gaps in team and individuals and put training actions in
place to address
Build a cohesive team, develop players skills, create champions, work
miracles and win the odd game or two!
Page | 12
PLATE UMPIRE
Before game
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Meet the base umpire, and team coaches
During game
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Start and finish game on time
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Call balls and strikes over home plate and keep track of count
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Call foul balls and pass balls
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Call outs on third and home
bases After game
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Sign scorecard for winning team
BASE UMPIRE
During game
 Make safe or out calls on first and second base
 Maintain view of runners on both first and second base for leaving
early or tag plays and call them out
TEAM MANAGER
Before game
 Help set up sunshade and ensure theFirst Aid kit i s available
 Ensure ice isin the esky and thatplayers have water
and sunscreen during t h e game
 Ensure players stay in bench area and are hydrated/sun protected
 Keep younger teams organised with batting line-ups and
equipment after game
 Help pack bench up and ensures team equipment taken back to club
trailer Training nights/Other times
 Ensure players are registered and emergency contact information is available
 Advise equipment manager of items needed for first aid kit
 Distribute and collects any forms or information between club and team
Page | 13
Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
TEAM SCORER
Before game
 Ensure scorebook is completed with own and opposition teams details
 Ensure the match scorecard is completed (when we are namedas
the‘home team’)
During game
 Score the game (training is available)
 Record team changes for both sides as advised by coach and/or
opposition scorer or coach
 Liaise with opposition scorer & umpire as required throughout game
on changes, score checks etc.
After game
 Record final score on match scorecard, get umpires and scorers to sign.
(when we are ’home team’)
 Ensure scorecard is lodged in office (winning team does this)
We encourage you to consider what you can do
this season. The clubs’ success both on and off
the field does rely heavily upon
our PASC softball community.
Page | 14
Committee & AGM
Positions are:
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President
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Vice–President
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Secretary
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Treasurer
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Senior Coordinator
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Junior Coordinator
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Social/Fund-raising Coordinator
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Grants and Sponsorships Officer
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Player Representative
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Newsletter/Website Officer
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Committee members who help with activities and tasks
Positions are held for one year, and become vacant at the Annual
General Meeting. The AGM is a necessary part of any club, and we
need to achieve a minimum quorum of attending members to hold
the AGM.
Page | 15
Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Disputes/Grievance Policy
Intent
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All disputes between the Club and any of its members, or between a member
and another member, shall be resolved in accordance with this policy.
Procedure
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The parties to the dispute must meet and discuss the matter in dispute, and,
if possible, resolve the dispute within 14 days after the dispute comes to the
attention of all parties.
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At the meeting the Club shall be represented by President, unless the
President has had direct involvement in the incidents or events which form
the substance of the dispute.
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If the President is unable to attend, or has had direct involvement in the
dispute, the Club Committee shall appoint a member of the committee not
involved in the dispute.
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If a party fails to attend that meeting, the dispute must be referred to and
decided by the Club Committee at its’ next meeting.
•
If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute at the meeting, the dispute
must be referred to and decided by the Club Committee at its’ next meeting.
•
The Committee will attempt to determine a resolution of the dispute
through consensus in the first instance and if unable to achieve this, a vote
will be held. The decision will be communicated to both parties by the Club
President or their committee delegate.
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The Committee decision will be final and binding on all parties.
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Club Finances
Each year, our club aims to keep our player fees among the lowest of
all clubs in the Adelaide competition. We don’t want cost to be the
reason players can’t participate. We raise money through fundraising events, grants and sponsorships.
Our fund-raising events are a mixture of ‘fun’ and ‘fund’, and
designed to not only raise a few dollars, but to build club unity, team
and club spirit.
Our season fees are made up of State and National affiliation and
player registration fees, umpiring costs, insurances, club equipment
and operating costs.
Season Fees
Fees are set at the beginning of each season, once we have been
advised of the association affiliation and registration fees. Invoices will
be provided as soon as practicable after registration.
We offer an early payment discount for all players who pay in full by
the 30th of November of each year. If financial hardship is being
experienced, please negotiate with our Club Treasurer to pay regular
instalments over time. We also offer direct debit payment options.
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Port Adelaide Magpies
‘proud of our history, excited about our future’
Sponsors & Financial Supporters
We strive for mutually beneficial partnerships with our sponsors and
encourage all members to use the services and products of all our
partners. We acknowledge the support we receive through our
newsletters, website and other club promotional material.
The Newmarket Hotel on Commercial Rd, Port Adelaide is a major
supporter of our club. We also appreciate the consistent and generous
support (both financial and ‘in-kind’) from the Department of Recreation
and Sport, the Port Adelaide Enfield Council and many local businesses,
including Bendigo Bank, West Lakes.
We are extremely fortunate to have long standing partnerships in
place and greatly appreciate the support and generosity we receive.
We are proud of our history and excited about our future!
Page | 18
We Play at
Barratt
Reserve,
West
B h
We Train at West Lakes
Sports Club (Bartley Tce)
and Hawkesbury Reserve,
West Lakes
PO Box 266
Port Adelaide SA 5015
[email protected]
www.portadelaide.softball.org.au