Team Rules

Edina Softball Team Rules

Scholastic Eligibility

Education is an important part of being a Student-Athlete.  ALL players are required to maintain MSHSL minimum GPA requirements to remain in compliance.

A high school student who participates in high school activities who fails to maintain MSHSL GPA requirements at the end of each semester will be contacted by the appropriate counselor and activities director and a conference will be held with the student, parent, counselor, activities director, and others as determined. The purpose of the conference is to develop a plan for assisting the student to work to their potential. The details of the plan will be jointly determined by the participants of the conference.

Lettering Policy

Players will be awarded a letter based on the following criteria:

1. Must be a part of the varsity team.

2. Complete the Varsity Season.

3. Coaches’ discretion. (i.e.  A player may letter if they suffer an injury that results in her missing part of the season.  A player can letter if she is on the varsity team for the majority of the season and may be a role player or sub.)  Coaches will look at the player’s attitude, dedication, attendance and contribution on the team as factors in the decision.

Varsity Team Awards

• MVP - Most Valuable Player

• MIP - Most Improved Player

• Hornets Award - player displays sportsmanship and team spirit

• Offensive Award - best offensive player

• Defensive Award - best defensive player

• All Conference/All Conference Honorable Mention - voted on by the conference coaches

• All State/All State Honorable Mention - voted on by the Minnesota Softball Coaches Association

• All Metro - voted on by press and coaches

Attendance 

ALL STUDENT ATHLETES in the program are expected to attend ALL team activities, including but not limited to tryouts, spring break practice, team building activities, games, etc.  If a player will be absent, they need to contact their coach.  This contact can be a phone call, text or email.  Please schedule any and all appointments: medical or otherwise outside of practice and game times.

Late to Practice

• Players are expected to be on time and dressed weather appropriate for every practice.  Practice will start at the schedule times, EXAMPLE: Practice time is 4p-6p, BE READY TO GO at 4pm, arrive at 10-15 mins prior for set up and prep.

• Arrive 10 mins prior to the scheduled bus departure. The bus will not wait if you are late.  If you miss the bus you will not start. If you miss the bus and do not show up at the game, it is unexcused and you will sit the next game.

Spring Break Policy 

• All players are expected to be at practice for the week.   

• Players who will be out of town for any duration of the week must submit documentation: itinerary and contact information of parent

• Players will be given a workout to do while out of town

• Players who do not submit travel documentation and do not attend practice during Spring Break will be considered unexcused and will have to sit out a game.

• If a player will be gone for a school related trip they must submit documentation: itinerary, purpose of trip and contact information of the organizer

Absence of School and Practice

• Players are expected to attend school daily.  If a player leaves school early or does not attend school, they will not participate in practice or game for that day.  

• Players must contact their coach before practice or game if they will not attend due to medical reasons.

• Failure to communicate absences with a coach prior to game or practice will be unexcused and player will have to sit out a game.

Excused Absences

• Documentation much be provided for school related absences or tardiness.  IF you have to make up test, quizzes or homework do so before school or during study hall.

• Coaches MUST be notified of an absent, this can be done be phone call, text, email or team Facebook: Edina HS – Hornets Softball team

• Examples: Doctor’s appointment, illness or injury (providing documentation of training staff why you cannot watch practice), school related activities or church

Unexcused Absences

• Failure to notify a coach of your absence or arrive without proper documentation of why you are late or missing practice.

• EXAMPLES: no show, detention, spring break, hair appointments, other sports, summer team practice

Tardy/Being Late

• Be on time

• Players are expected to be on time for practice.  Each player must have all of her gear (dress appropriate to the weather, we are in Minnesota). Practice will start at the scheduled time, this is not when a player should be arriving to the field.  

• Buses do not wait if you are late. BE ON TIME FOR BUS DEPARTURE.  If you miss the bus you will not start, if you miss the bus and do not show up at the game, it is unexcused and you will sit the next game.

Consequence for Unexcused Absence

• Team “fun” conditioning

• 2 unexcused tardies results in sitting for a game

• If it happens more than 3 times, a meeting with player, coach and parent will take place and player could be dismissed from team

Consequence for Missing Game or Practice - Unexcused

• 1st time: miss a game

• 2nd time:  miss a game and meeting with coaches and parents

• 3rd time: talk about future within the program and player could be dismissed from the team or demoted

Consequences for Early Departure/Absence - Unexcused

• 1st time: will not start/ miss 3 innings

• 2nd time: miss a game

• 3rd time: meeting with parents, coaches and demotion

• 4th time: player will be dismissed from the team

Alcohol/Drug Related Violations

Players in violation of alcohol or drug possession/use policy are subjected to MN State High School League and school sanction consequences.  The MSHSL rules states:

• FIRST VIOLATION - The student shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive interscholastic contest or two weeks, 14 calendar days, whichever is greater, of a season in which the student is a participant.

• SECOND VIOLATION - The student shall lose eligibility for the next six consecutive interscholastic contests or three weeks, 21 calendar days, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant. 

• THIRD/SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION - The student shall lose eligibility for the next 12 consecutive interscholastic contests or 4 weeks, whichever is greater, in which the student is a participant. 

• A student who chooses to become a participant in a treatment program may become eligible for participation after a minimum period of six weeks after entering treatment if all the following conditions are met:

• Student is assessed as chemically dependent

• Enters treatment voluntarily

• The director of the treatment center confirms the student has completed the program successfully

• The treatment option cannot be used for the first or second violation

• Successful completion of a chemical dependency treatment program will satisfy only the most recent violation.  Any other violations for which the penalty has not been satisfied must still be served in full.

• Players, who violate the alcohol or drug possession/use policies will lose their role as a captain

Additional Expectations

• Players are expected to be fully focused during practice/games.  All spectators may talk to them after the game is complete.  If parents bring snacks or drinks, we ask that you give them to a coach between innings. 

• PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED DURING PRACTICE OR GAMES UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY COACH.  

• For road games, phones are to be turned in to coach before entering the bus and will be returned after the game or for emergency purposes only. 

• If you are injured you are expected to attend practice and games, even if you cannot participate. 

• DRESS FOR PRACTICE - Players are expected to have an Edina Shirt, softball pants and additional weather appropriate attire for practice (long sleeves, sweat shirt, jacket)

• NO JEWELRY WILL BE WORN DURING PRACTICE OR GAME. This means bandages over earrings will not be permitted. 

Being an Edina Hornet Softball Player is an Honor

It means you have committed to your school and sport at the highest level.  You are a representation of the program and the school. We will respect our teammates, coaches, the game, officials, opponents and anyone we are in competition with.  We will represent our school and community by being positive role models and helping when there is a need.  YOU AS AN EDINA STUDENT-ATHLETE, will work hard on and off the field of play and will take pride in the work you do in the classroom and on the field. 

Take pride in HORNET SOFTBALL.