Parent Information: March 16 2018 Season Start (March 12, 2018)

Good Evening! There are a few topics we need to discuss tonight. This document should provide
all of the information necessary for a successful softball season at both the Varsity and Junior Varsity
levels. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask anyone on the coaching staff at any time!

Varsity Softball Steve Schiesel Cell (810) 459-2093 Email:

Coach School (586) 825-2700 x. [email protected]
14404
Varsity Claire Wells Cell (586) 907-2349
Assistant

Junior Varsity Dale Erickson Cell (586) 722-4775 [email protected]

Coach
Junior Varsity Aleshia Fournier Cell (586) 596-6885 [email protected]
Coach

Athletic Trainer Kaisey Collins Remind # 81010 [email protected]

@shhsspo
Athletic Director Jason Kluczak [email protected]
School # and ext. 14673 Twitter:
@SHHS_BlacknGold
Team Updates Calendar App: WEBSITE: Social Media:

BAND APP: Shhsstallionssoftball.weebly.com Twitter: @SH_Stallions_SB

SH STALLIONS Facebook: SHHS Stallions

SOFTBALL Softball

Game Changer Instagram: stallionsoftball

Sterling Heights
Stallions Varsity or Snapchat: SH Softball
JV

EXPECTATIONS:
1. NO alcohol or recreational drug use during the season.
PENALTY—Removal from the team, parent contact, and counselor contact.

2. NO smoking during the season.

PENALTY—Possible removal from the team or suspension.

3. Playing time
Playing time will vary by level; we will follow SHHS/WCS/MHSAA Guidelines for
eligibility and any playing time guidelines, which were discussed at the Sports meeting
held by Mr. Kluzak at the beginning of the school year. Playing time is defined as being
entered into a game at any point during the contest. This includes courtesy runners, pinch
runners, pinch hitters, defensive substitutes, and both players in a DP/Flex.
 a. Varsity—At the varsity level, we are here to win (Division, Districts, Tournaments, Cross-Overs,
etc.). The best eligible players will be put onto the field to perform (Full time
commitment). Eligibility per game will be further explained in detail.
b. Junior Varsity—While winning is just as important as it is at the Varsity level, at this level, our
primary focus is to develop all players so that they will be as prepared as possible for the Varsity
level in the future. The best eligible players will start and receive the majority of the playing
time. At this level, though, we will also try to get everyone who is eligible playing time (this
does not mean that all girls will play in every game, nor will playing time be equalized). Most
importantly, we will work the entire season to identify and develop varsity characteristics.

4. Eligibility
There are school rules and rules that my coaches and I have agreed upon in regards to player eligibility
per game or event. These rules include:
a. An athlete must be in school for at least four full hours during the school day to be eligible
to play in a game that day. Practices, however, they may attend and participate in.

b. If an athlete is given disciplinary action (detentions/suspensions/ISS) during the season

for attendance or tardies, the athlete will not play in the next competition date they attend.
If an athlete is given disciplinary action (detentions/suspensions/ISS) for behavior, the
athlete will not play in the next 3 competitions that they attend.

c. An athlete must be passing at least four classes to practice with and be on the team.
 While this is the district policy, we feel your athlete should be passing all six
classes. We maintain the district policy but WILL WITHOLD playing time if
all six classes are not being passed. If at any time an athlete is failing a class (less
than 60%) that athlete is not eligible for any playing time until all 6 classes are
being passed.

d. There are excused and unexcused absences. If an athlete misses a practice due to an
excused absence, then she will still be considered eligible for the next event.

Excused absences include:

 Being sick from school {going home ill during school day (not after)}
 Attending a funeral of immediate family
 Being at a school function for a class/program, such as Band, NHS, Field Trip,
etc. (email confirmation to Coach Schiesel required from teacher)
 Attending tutoring after school, which will be verified (email confirmation to
Coach Schiesel required from teacher)
Unexcused absences include:
 Skipping practice/going home ill after school
 Having to leave for work
 Planning a doctor’s appointment during practice time, such as Dentist Cleaning
or Dermatologist Appointment
 Vacation OTHER than the week excused for Spring Break
 Not having proper gear to practice in and having to sit out

If an athlete misses a practice or game due to an unexcused absence, she will not play the
following competition date and will sit the entire game. If she has a second unexcused absence,
she will sit the entire week of competition. By the third unexcused absence, the athlete will be
 removed from the team. The athlete is expected to communicate with the appropriate coach
when she will be late or miss a game/practice. Missing a game for a school reason or another
reason does not count as a missed game for an unexcused absence.

If an athlete is late to practice or a game and it is for an unexcused reason, that athlete will NOT
start the following competition and will sit for 3 full innings. If she is late a second time for an
unexcused reason she will sit a full game. By the third unexcused tardy, the athlete will sit a
game for each tardy. If an athlete sits 4 games for being late, she will be removed from the team.
Missing a game for a school or personal reason does not count towards a game or innings for
being late on a violation. (Example: Player is late to practice Tuesday so she will sit the first 3
innings of the next game; that same player is sick on Wednesday which happens to be the next
game. The illness keeps the athlete home from school and the game; this does not count as the
first 3 innings sitting for a team violation. The athlete will sit the first 3 innings of the next game
she is in attendance for.)

5. Clothing/Equipment
All athletes are required to come to practices and games on time and fully prepared. Clothes worn
during practice must be appropriate to wear in school; they also must be one of the following main
colors: Black/White/Gray/Gold. Wearing just a sports bra or “wife beater” will NOT be accepted. No
short shorts, leggings, thin tank tops (basketball cut is acceptable), or large cut tanks. Every athlete must
come prepared to practice every day which means getting dirty and sliding. If a player doesn’t want to
get a hole in her shirt or pants, she should not wear them to practice or to a game. Pants during practice
are not required but wearing shorts and not sliding because we are using the spare field and it will hurt
or prom is soon, will not be an acceptable excuse. Also, players should wear shoes out to the field every
day, not just socks or bare feet (we don’t need anyone injured by broken glass/sharp objects). Players
should please come with their hair pulled back and no jewelry or metal clips in their hair. Athletes must
not get piercings during the season or shortly before the season. Each athlete must also bring her own
mitt(s) and cleats to practice. Batting gloves are recommended but not required. Players must
ALWAYS have a pair of tennis shoes in case we have to practice indoors. The softball program will
provide one game uniform, bats, balls, helmets, and catcher’s equipment.

6. Time
Being on time will be essential this year. Being on time includes being ready to practice at the scheduled
start time. For example, most practices outside will begin at 3:00 p.m. for varsity. Athletes are given
approximately 30 minutes to be at the field with the proper equipment in place, dressed accordingly, and
in proper footwear. The team should be stretched and warmed up, including arms loose, by the scheduled
practice time.

On the opposite end of this spectrum, we as coaches will also be checking the clock to ensure that practice
ends at the appropriate time. Practice times may seem long, but this is to include the time your athlete
takes to clean up the field, put away equipment, and walk back to the locker room to get her belongings.

The school has implemented a rule about picking up students. Coaches are to only remain at the school
up to 15 minutes after practice has ended. After that point, the athletes are no longer considered our
responsibility. If an athlete is left waiting for a ride longer than 15 minutes, and this occurs two or more
times, the coach must inform the Athletic Director, who will then contact the athlete’s parent or guardian.
If this should happen two more times after the parent contact, the coach will then notify the Athletic
Director again, and the athlete may be removed from the team. Those athletes who drive themselves
must leave the school grounds after the conclusion of a game or practice. The only exception is with a
written note from a teacher for a study session, or to support one of our other athletic programs that have
a home game.

7. Phones
Athletes may have their phones on them, but they MUST BE TURNED OFF at all times! Game times
and locations have been known to change while we are en-route. Having a cell phone gives the athlete
an opportunity to contact anyone coming to watch her, or her ride home. Unlike during the school day,
if an athlete has a phone out during a practice/game and has not been given permission to get it out for a
particular reason by a coach, the team will get one warning of the policy (after that the athlete will have
consequences which may include additional cardio work after practice or deducted playing time for
games, which could be the game they are about to play or are currently playing).

8. Security
By having two parents as security at every home game, money is generated for the Booster Club. These
parents simply sit behind home plate, where there will be two chairs set up. One is in charge of the
scoreboard, and the other observes the crowd to ensure everyone is behaving according to the school
standards. To date, we have never had a problem at the softball diamond, and I hope to keep our record
strong. Also, for helping the Booster Club, they have donated items to us in the past.

9. Team/Attitude
All athletes are expected and urged to give 100% at every practice and game. If there should ever be a
problem with another teammate or coach, your athlete is asked to talk to her coach about the situation or
Team Captain(s) at the Varsity level if appropriate. We as coaches cannot guess if your daughter is
having a problem. Please work with your coach to help prevent any misunderstandings. During game
play, we ask parents not to contact their athlete regardless if the player is sitting on the bench or on the
field. We want the player focused on the game and the team. With that being said, we ask that spectators
(including family/friends) DO NOT sit directly behind or next to the dugout so that the athletes are not
tempted to speak with them. NO PARENTS, FRIENDS, FAMILY ARE ALLOWED IN THE
DUGOUT BEFORE OR DURING A GAME FOR ANY REASON; THIS INCLUDES DROPPING
OFF WATER/SEEDS/SHOES/ETC (PLEASE GIVE ANY ITEMS REQUIRED BY THE ATHLETE
TO THE COACHES). After a game I am happy to have help of parents/friends/family assist with
equipment to allow us as coaches and players to leave from the game faster. While the team should be
handling all of it on their own, I know it is appreciated by your daughters.

10. Driving
For our games, we will have one-way busing. This means the bus will take your athlete to the game,
and then you must provide a ride home for your athlete. We would like to see parents picking up their
own athletes, but we know this is not always possible. Please ensure that there is a responsible party
picking up your athlete, and that you are aware of what time the games end and what time your athlete
should arrive home. As usual, we would like transportation to run as smoothly as possible. In the case
that an athlete cannot make the bus for a school-related reason (MMSTC/FIELD TRIP/SCHOOL
MEETING/ETC.), we ask the parents to arrange to pick up the athlete to take her to a game the same as
you would for the athlete leaving a game.

11. Food
Food in the dugout should be kept to a MINIMUM. Water will be provided for every home game. Seeds
and sport drinks are the only items allowed. NO other food or drinks (including Slurpees)! Tournaments
have a different procedure and will be addressed at a later time. Also, athletes will please make sure all
trash is picked up in the dugout before leaving the field. This includes away games and practices, even
if the trash was there.
 12. Injuries/Soreness/Illness
If an athlete becomes ill/sore/injured, that athlete needs to communicate with her coach as soon as
possible. In the event that the illness forces the athlete to stay home either on a game day or practice
day from school, that athlete needs to notify the coach as soon as possible so that arrangements can be
made. If an athlete is tired/sore/injured from playing, she should please visit the trainer provided by
SHHS before seeking medical attention from the Doctor/ER. If an athlete goes to the doctor for medical
attention, the only way that athlete can return to play in any capacity is with a note from that doctor
saying she is cleared to play. This is regardless of how minor the visit may have been.

The most critical thing to do in all of this is for the coaches to be made aware of the athlete’s health. If
an athlete is sore/injured/sick and is attending practices/games, all coaches will still expect the best from
that athlete. We may not always know when an athlete is sore/injured/sick, so please be open and tell
us. No victory or practice is worth the health/well-being of our athletes, so please don’t just “suck it up”
and remain silent.

13. Coaching
Parents, our last request is that you attend the game as parents/spectators/fans. I know many of you may
coach in summer leagues, but there are some varying philosophies when it comes to coaching softball,
and we as a coaching staff have agreed upon how we will coach the positions/hitting/pitching. If there
is ever a time that your daughters seem stressed or upset with their performance in a game, allow them
to approach you for advice instead of providing it when it was not requested. Many of your daughters
may have already heard similar analysis from us of the swing mechanics; in most cases at Varsity, they
know what they did wrong and what they need to focus on. This, I truly believe, will allow our teams
and your daughters to perform at their best. Just be their #1 FAN!!

14. Questions/Comments
If you should ever have any questions about a coach’s actions during a game, we try to follow a 24 hour
rule. Many of us as coaches are heated during and just after a game. If you have something you would
like to discuss, please call or email us the day after the event has occurred or later. For general daily
questions or comments, please feel free to let us know.

If any athlete should ever question playing time, please have her talk with her coach first before you as
a parent contact the coach. Coaches will be following these guidelines which were created to prevent
confusion.

To conclude, these are the Sterling Heights High School Softball rules and regulations. If there are any
questions at all, please contact myself, Steven Schiesel, or any one of the other coaches. We all look
forward to an outstanding softball season!

Coach Schiesel
Coach Wells
Coach Erickson
Coach Fournier
 LETTER REQUIREMENTS

Varsity—Complete the season with a total of 25 innings played. THIS DOES NOT
MEAN YOU HAVE TO FIELD AND BAT TO GET CREDIT! For example, batting during
the third inning of the second game of the season for the varsity team counts as one
inning towards your varsity letter.

Junior Varsity—Same as Varsity, except athletes only need 20 innings played for the
Junior Varsity team to receive recognition.

Principal: Mr. Craig Miller

Athletic Director: Mr. Jason Kluczak
Varsity Coach: Mr. Steve Schiesel
Varsity Assistant Coach: Ms. Claire Wells
Junior Varsity Coaches: Mr. Dale Erickson and Ms. Aleshia Fournier

We have read the above information and agree to all of the rules and regulations. We
also understand the Letter Requirements.

Player’s Signature: ________________________ Date: ___________

Parent’s Signature: _______________________ Date: ___________