Let’s Play Ball!
Hello Fastpitch Enthusiasts,
The WFSCA clinic is history. In the past I’ve always started the upcoming year’s Fastpitch Bulletins after that clinic is over. This year I began a week or two prior to that date. However, it was just Volume 14, Number 1 that appeared on the site.
Today’s Bulletin was nearing completion on my Chromebook when I accidentally hit a key stroke that caused the entire hour’s worth of writing to disappear. This one will be an attempt to remember most of the things I covered in the one that disappeared.
The official start to the season is March 17th at midnight. Between now and then coaches and athletic directors will be making sure that all the necessary protocol is taken care of. Issues such as making sure all coaches meet the WIAA requirement. Those that are CNLT must be certified etc. The WIAA has a four-page document entitled 2013-2014 WIAA High School Rules at a Glance which covers just about any situation that might be in question. Coaches must be aware of all those things.
The WFSCA is the only avenue available for post-season awards beyond a player’s all-conference team selection. In order to be nominated and considered for all-district or all-state recognition and I believe the border battle team, a player’s head coach must be a dues paying member of the WFSCA by April 15th of each year. There are no exceptions to that deadline. The fee for a head coach to be a member of the WFSCA is $40 while coaches at all other levels pay $20 for the membership. The WFSCA urges head coaches to recommend WFSCA membership to all assistant coaches, youth level coaches and travel ball coaches within their school districts.
The WFSCA sponsors quite a few awards for both coaches and players. WFSCA member head coaches who reach mileposts in their careers such as 100 wins, 200 wins, 300 wins, 400 wins and 500 wins receive a plaque for those levels. The WFSCA awards a Coach of the Year award to one member at the conclusion of the season. The organization awards a state championship ring to all WFSCA member coaches winning a state title. The WFSCA sponsors a Coaches Hall of Fame whereby coaches are honored at an annual banquet, receive a beautiful plaque and have a plaque on display in the display case at Goodman Diamond in
Coaches who have not joined for 2014 are reminded or notified herein that membership dues are collected online only. You must have a credit or debit card in order to join. Be sure to have it handy when you go online to join.
The above mentioned things are just a partial listing of answers to coaches who may ask: So what’s in it for me?” It’s all of the above and more.
The game has changed since I started coaching it in 1979. Back then there were very few summer opportunities for girls to play fastpitch softball. Today the opportunities are endless. Private instruction is available everywhere you go. Some is done voluntarily while most is done on a cost basis. If a kid wants to improve there are people out there willing to help her out, one way or another.
Don’t confuse the WFSCA with the Fastpitch Chronicle. The information on the FPC site has been gathered over time by me. The Coaches Honor Roll and other lists are included in that. Fastpitch Chronicle rankings are compiled from voting done each week by coaches, umpires and knowledgeable fans that see lots of teams, lots of games and lots of players. If you are a coach and don’t see your name listed where it could be or ought to be just e-mail the information to me and I’ll add you in. We’ll have a no-hitter list again in 2014 and there will be Fastpitch Chronicle award certificates to go with those but only if somebody sends me the information. Coach’s milepost awards such as 100 etc. all include a Fastpitch Chronicle award certificate. Triple play certificates, home run certificates and more are included within The Fastpitch Chronicle website. Check it all out herein.
I’ve started to compile a list of state records. They of course are unofficial and based upon the information I had or that I have received from coaches and other interested fastpitch folks.
More Information:
The Poynette Fastpitch Jamboree, the largest high school fastpitch event in the state, is May 2nd and 3rd. Teams planning on participating should keep checking this website. I have gleaned a list of schools that have returned contracts. Last year there were a lot of schools whose athletic directors failed to return contracts and issues arose whereby I had to make last minute additions and adjustments. The list of teams from the jamboree binder will be posted in the next day or so on two websites so keep referring to this one for that announcement.
The Poynette JV/Frosh Jamboree is May 10th. There are a few openings yet for that event. Contact me for information.
The Poynette Summer Jamboree is June 20-22. There are openings in all four age categories included in the event (10, 12,14,16 Under). Check out information on the Summer Jamboree including registration information at www.eteamz.com/poynette
Coaches and umpires should be aware of the fact that the WIAA has posted the softball rules exam. I think the deadline is March 25th to complete it.
Have a great day!
Bob
Tag(s): Bulletins
