Braswell Softball

1. Braswell Softball Parent Meeting 2018 Building Traditions in Excellence Please Sign In Grab a schedule Sign up for concessions and the Tina Minke Tourney (Might Win a Reward!)

2. Motto: Be The Standard • Head Coach: Kasie Ostrom • Varsity Assistant Coach: Tiffany Weise • Head JV Coach: April Ryan • JV Assistant: Courtney Natonek Welcome to the Braswell family and the 2018 softball season!

3. Braswell High Softball Vision and Core Values PAACD • Pride • Academics • Accountability • Character • Discipline The Braswell Bengal softball staff will challenge all athletes in our program and others to live out our core values on and off the field, in the classroom and in the community. This program will make your athlete a better more prepared person!!

4. Vision Short-term: Be the Standard. Build a foundation to be proud of. Make playoffs. Long-term: Get the Braswell Zone more involved in softball. Create a softball club at the middle school level. Get to know future Bengals in elementary and middle school. Help the community develop the opportunity to foster softball year round at the younger level.

5. District Teams: Denton Braswell, Denton Ryan, Denton High, Denison, Sherman, Wichita Falls High, and Wichita Falls Rider. Softball Period: 5th 3:10(3:20)-4:10 After school practices begin on January 19th, till 5:50-6:00 (tentatively) ***We will practice on some Saturdays and play games/practice on Spring Break.

6. Braswell softball is a Commitment • Commitment means being at every practice and game. Being a part of the Bengal Softball Program is a choice and a privilege. With this choice comes sacrifice. Athletes know that time before and after school during season is required, not optional. • Absences will effect game participation. • Let me know of your absence by calling me at (940) 390-7837. I do not take parent notes. Send doctors’ notes always. • There will be a make-up assignment for missed practices.

7. Injury Expectations • Athletes must let a coach know of your injury immediately. • If you think you are injured, you need to see our school trainer after notifying your coaches. They will refer you to a specialist or send you to your doctor, if necessary. *If you go to Dr. first and get a note… you will have to go back to get cleared. • All injured athletes will go to the training room before and after school until able to attend practices at 100%. • Softball time is softball time. • Do not ask to miss class. Take care of your needs on available time. • Grades • HAC: www.dentonisd.org click on Parent tab. • Athletes will get to pick their walk up songs if they make B’s and above. Team goal of 3.5 GPA • Athletes will need a 1 inch notebook for journaling and teambuilding assignments. Notebook will be stored in athlete’s locker.

8. Locker Room Responsibilities • No items will be left out in the dressing room or bathroom area. • No food or drink other than water. • Only softball and tennis athletes allowed. • Cell phones are not allowed on or out at practices/games, in the locker room, or on the bus, unless permission is given. Phones are available in the office for needs that may arise. Phones need to be on silent or off and out of site. • Locker room will be opened by 8:25 a.m. for athletes to drop off their workout bags. Doors will be relocked at 8:40 a.m. • Dress code will be enforced. Be The Standard!

9. Workout Attire • Plan ahead. Mon./Wed./Fri. is Black shirts. Red on Tues./Thurs. These items will be turned back in, if they are lost the athlete will have to pay for them. • Each athlete will be required to wear long white, red, or black socks. • If you require an inhaler, medication, or braces, have the item(s) with you. • There will be NO jewelry worn to practice. • Field House • Do not walk on the grass or in mud. • Wear clean shoes in weight room. • Remove all shoes at the door prior to entering field house. Do not knock off mud in any entrance area. • Practice Set-up and Take Down • All Athletes are responsible for setting up and putting away equipment. Do not rank yourselves, on this team each person is a valuable asset to our success. Working together we will accomplish more.

10. Technology/Internet/School Activities/In Public • Please uphold the high quality standards expected of you in the language you use, pictures you show, behavior displayed, your outlook (hopefully positive), and the character you create. • Do not take pictures in locker rooms. • Lettering Policies/Quitting/Dismissal. • Student/athletes may earn a letter in softball in the following ways: • -Must be on Varsity • -Must play in 25% of games on a varsity level. • -Letter jackets will be ordered at the end of the season.

11. Reasons for Dismissal • Disrespectful or inappropriate behavior • Unable to follow school or program rules. • ISS, AEP, detention, and teacher complaints. • Unacceptable grades, including the fall semester. • Lack of effort, hustle, or improvement. • Absences and/or tardies. • Drugs or Alcohol. • Other issues. • Probationary contracts may be implemented before dismissal • Profiles will be kept for each athlete. Praises and disciplines will be documented in notebook. The notebook will be kept in the coaches’ office and only viewed by coaches.

12. Parent/Guardian Information and Expectations • Parents and coaches hold a common goal… success for the team, as well as, each individual. • Make arrangements with other players/parents, if a ride is not available. Athletes, left longer than 15 minutes once practice has ended, will be dropped off at the field house/front of school to wait for their ride. • Encourage and uplift your team and athlete. Criticism is best taken from a coach. Be positive about your athlete, her teammates, and coaches. Expressing your frustrations to your athlete or other parents can only end with a negative outcome. Be supportive of the coaching decisions made to correct irresponsibility and/or misbehavior. Discipline will coincide with the conduct. • Be supportive of coaching decisions made during practices/games, etc. Ultimately, choices are the job of the coaching staff and they must have the freedom to make them in the best interest of the entire team without interference.

13. Be supportive of coaching decisions made during practices/games, etc. Everyone has a strategy or opinion but the knowledge of the coaching staff is collective information with each athlete’s strength and weaknesses, attitude or feelings, game situations/theory, and other factors outsiders may not be aware of. • Coaching from the stands will NOT be allowed. These situations cause confusion, take away focus, and may hinder the philosophy being used to have the needed outcome during the game. Until the game ends, your daughter is our athlete. Show confidence in your coaches by letting them do their jobs. • The dugout/warm up area is OFF LIMITS to parents. (Drinks and other items need to be taken care of by athletes on their own prior to warm up.) • Integrity and etiquette should apply each time your represent the Braswell Bengal softball team. Positive comments should apply to your team, their competitors, and umpiring officials. We expect courteous, respectful, and prideful conduct, as you represent Braswell High School. • Be flexible due to weather. Practices may be altered or changed. • Don’t fight your athlete’s battles for them. If your athlete has an issue, have them discuss it with a coach to work it out. Teach them not everything goes their way and to find a positive way to look at it or deal with it. • Curfew before game days is 10 PM.

14. Issues for Parents/Guardians and Coaches to Discuss • Appropriate issues that may be discuss with coaches: • Mental and physical treatment of player • Ways to help player improve • Concern’s about player’s behavior • Inappropriate issues that should not discuss with coaches: • Team placement or playing time • Practice management, game strategy, or play calling • Other student athletes • Coaches will not address parents after games. If needed, parents need to call the office to set up a conference with coach or coaches to discuss other matters.

15. Team Commandments • Be an above average student, as well as, person. • Uphold a quality character. (No complaining, selflessness, etc.) • Have a good attitude. Seriousness included. • Be a student of the game. • Communicate clearly in a positive way. • Treat teammates like family. (Trust, get each others back, learn individual behaviors, etc.) • Be confident in coaches, teammates, and self. • Set goals and work 110% to reach them daily. If accomplished, make new ones. • Step up when it is your turn on and off the field. • Improve skills, endurance, strength, and power.

16. Travel Information • All athletes will travel by school transportation to, from, and in-between places on trips. • Athletes are NOT exempt to riding the bus except for emergencies. • Cell phones are NOT encouraged. This time is focus time, as well as, a team building opportunity. Outside distractions are discouraged. • Food will be provided with MOST out of town games. Other times, athletes will be asked to bring items for a team picnic. • Always double check uniform and equipment the night before to verify everything is packed. • If you need to contact us and are not present on the trip, please call my cell phone. If it is upsetting news, please allow me to know first to discuss our options and create a plan to deal with the situation.

17. Team Dinners Dinner time: 6:30-7:30 P.M. Cost of meals: $2.00 per athlete Menu Ideas Chili Dogs , Hamburgers, Brisket Sandwiches, Sub Sandwiches, Spaghetti, Tacos, Pizza …with fixings and drinks! You will be feeding approximately Varsity: 15 people JV: 16 people This is an athlete event only. Host families, athletes, managers, and coaches will be attending. Athletes must sign in at dinner and be marked as paid. Athletes will RSVP with COACHES PRIOR TO MEAL and coach will confirm participants with host house.

18. Booster Club • Best way to support your daughter and the program • We need as much help as possible (field work, putting stuff together, fundraising, concession help) • Tina Minke Tourney HELP!!!!!!!!!!

19. Contact Information • kostrom@dentonisd.org • Cell: 940-390-7837 • Website: http://www.dentonisd.org/Domain/9103 • Facebook: Braswell Bengal Softball • Twitter: @bengalsSftb • Instagram: bhs.softball

20. Bengal Up! • Lets have a great year! • Thank you in advance for your help and support to make this the best first season ever! • Please sign up for Concessions, Tina Minke Tourneyand GAME DAY FIELD CREW.