Hopkinton Softball

The Hopkinton Athletic Department is committed to providing athletic opportunity for all students.  It is our hope that students’ participation in athletics will instill invaluable life lessons and contribute to their ongoing development as positively contributing citizens to our school, community, and the world at large.  Through participation in Hopkinton's athletic programs, students will be encouraged and expected to:

• Pursue personal, academic, athletic, and civic excellence

• Believe in the importance of embracing a team-first mentality

• Develop and enhance leadership skills

• Make sound and ethical decisions

• Possess strong character

• Exhibit unwavering respect for others

• Display sportsmanship

• Understand the importance of demonstrating cross-cultural awareness

• Become actively involved in community

• Maintain “big picture” perspective

• Establish a balanced and healthy lifestyle

Athletic participation allows students to grow and learn as athletes and as individuals.  The entire Hopkinton Athletic Department (coaches, training staff, and administrators) will work tirelessly to help students achieve these goals while honoring the mission of the Hopkinton Public School district, the Tri-Valley League, and the MIAA. 

Philosophy for Athletics

Middle School Philosophy:

• To emphasize development of skills, team concept, and sportsmanship rather than winning.

• Opportunity to play in games based on effort and attitude in practice.

Junior Varsity Philosophy:

• More emphasis on team unit and strategy development;

• Opportunity to play based on effort and skill level;

Varsity Philosophy: 

• • Opportunity to play in games based on skill level, effort and judgment of the coach to optimize team performance.

  • Emphasizing skill development and team concept in the preceding years will result in competitive team at the varsity level;

  • Our goal is to have all members of the team feel a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride in their team.

Purpose of Interscholastic Athletics: Hillers softball strives to create and promote a healthy and respectful environment that provides each student-athlete opportunities to develop skills and learn personal responsibility. 

1. Promotion of Learning:  Student-athletes should acquire new knowledge or skills that will lead to long-term behavior changes. This learning is not limited to the development of physical skills and should also facilitate the social, personal and psychological development of each student. 

2. Citizenship :  Student-athletes should acquire knowledge, attitudes, experience and skills that will prepare them to be a productive and responsible member of society. 

3. Sportsmanship:  Student-athletes should learn respect and concern for rules and officials, opponents, and the spirit and customs of sport. 

4. Healthy lifestyle:  Student-athletes should become committed to an addiction-free, physically active and long-term healthy lifestyle. 

5. Life skills:  Student-athletes should learn how to balance their life, emotional well-being, leadership, personal growth and decision-making skills.

Hillers Softball players will:

• • Follow the rules stated in Hopkinton High School Handbook as well as the MIAA bylaws.
    These rules will be strictly enforced: 

the Bona Fide Team Member Rule

Chemical Health Rules

Hazing/Bullying Rules

• Be respectful at all times. Playing softball for Hopkinton High School is a privilege.  Hopkinton High School softball players will conduct themselves with professionalism and integrity both on and off the field.
  
  

• Practice good sportsmanship. You represent your team, school, and community.
  
  

• Be on time and ready to play every day. 

  • Students who choose to participate in high school athletics should be aware of, and dedicated to, the time requirements of playing for a high school team. Students are expected to be on time to school and on time to practices/games.

  • It is the player’s responsibility to notify the coaching staff of a planned absence. An unexcused absence from a practice or game (planned or unplanned) may result in a one-game suspension. 

  • Practice times will be staggered to allow for student-athletes balance after school extra-help sessions and practice. 

  • Immediately let your coaches and trainer know of an injury or illness. No game is worth your health.

Family and friends of Hillers Softball will:

• Demonstrate positive support for every member of the Hillers softball program.  

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship toward the umpires and opposing teams.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship toward our opponents and their coaches.

Hillers Softball coaches will:

• Be respectful toward all players and parents in the Hillers softball program.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship and professionalism toward our opponents and umpires.

• Be reasonable, approachable, fair, consistent, motivational, and supportive.

• Model integrity, respect, overcoming adversity, commitment, responsibility, accountability, discipline, dedication, determination, and preparation.

• Work to develop strong character in each student-athlete.

• Communicate practice details, purpose of drills, and goals with student-athletes.