Objective
Promote & develop youth fastpitch players in a safe, fair environment that emphasizes fun and appropriate skill development.
Philosophy
At the U11 and first year U13 level, players should be rotating through every position. As the players get older it is recognized that not everyone will want to or have the skills to play the positions of catcher and/or pitcher in game situations.
Within the older divisions (second year U13, U15, U17 and U19) more position specializations begin to happen, with less emphasis being placed on players playing each and every position.
Cochrane Softball as well as Calgary Minor Softball adheres to the principle of fair playing time for all divisions. All coaches will exercise and promote the principles of fair play. Fair play will be defined as all coaches taking reasonable measures to ensure players
•receive proportionally equal playing time on the field during the course of the season regardless of skill
•receive equal access to instruction, support and playing time
Coaches strive that, within a margin of two to three games, no player should have sat out more innings (as a percentage of the player’s availability) than any other player on the team. As stated above with the specialization of positions, all players should have opportunities at infield and outfield. If this is not happening, the parent should speak with the team manager.
All teams need to practice to improve skills and try out new strategies. Coaches will make a practice schedule that best suits the team. Cochrane Softball would like each team to have at least one practice per week to ensure players are learning and developing throughout the season.