Wardle Family YMCA
Player Handbook
Wardle Family YMCA
Charles Ridlehuber
Director, Sports and Wellness
522-9622
[email protected]
www.ymcabeaufortcounty.com
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YMCA Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and
body for all.
YMCA Character Development
Caring – Caring is compassion, empathy, and concern for others. Youth need to care about the
needs of others.
Honesty – Honesty is truth-telling, reliability, forthrightness, ethics, and integrity.
Encouragement and positive reinforcement should always be tempered by the truth.
Respect – Respect is showing regard for someone or something. In regards to people, it is
valuing their dignity regardless of race, creed, or gender. The need for learning respect for other
people, property, nature, animals and the environment is very important.
Responsibility – Responsibility is how one fulfills his or her obligations. A responsible parent
loves, nurtures, disciplines, and guides a child.
Responsibilities as a YMCA Youth Sports Parent
1. Have a parent or guardian stay with your child at games and practices.
2. Keep winning in perspective, and help your child do the same. Everyone is a winner
at the YMCA.
3. Help your child set challenging, but realistic goals.
5. Inform the coach regarding any allergies or special health conditions your child has.
Make sure your child brings any necessary medications to practice and games.
6. Sometimes playing sports can be stressful for children. Focus on having fun and
enjoying the sport.
Pre-Game Prayer
The YMCA would like to implement a pre-game prayer for all youth sports program
participants. The coaches and referees should take the opportunity to bring the teams and parents
together prior to each game to pray. This is part of the YMCA philosophy and we feel it should
also be a part of our Youth Sports programs. A YMCA staff member is available if needed to
pray before the game.
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Team Parent Duties
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Set up a schedule for refreshments for each game.
Assign each player a game to be responsible for snacks and drinks for the end of
the game.
Team parents should call players prior to the game they are scheduled to bring
refreshments as a reminder.
Please save all snacks for after the games.
Develop a “phone tree” to contact players and parents when a change of schedule
occurs.
The team parent should find one or two other parents to assist in making phone
calls.
The “phone tree” can also be used to remind players of picture day, refreshment
responsibilities canceled practices/games, and rescheduled practices /games.
Coordinate end of season party with other parents.
Notify Director of any concerns or questions you or your team may have.
Equipment Needed
The YMCA will have bats and balls for practice and games. We encourage you to bring a
glove.
Jerseys ordered during open registration will be given out during the week before the first games.
Any player who registered late is not guaranteed a jersey for the first game.
Pictures
Pictures will be taken by Photographer, Lisa O’Brien during practice the week of June 6th.
Bring completed photo form with money to practice that week. See attached photo form for
pricing. Make checks payable to Lisa O’Brien or have exact cash.
Photographer: Lisa O’Brien
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 843-476-1064
Inclement Weather
Go to http://www.rainedout.com/ and register so you will receive an email and or text message
notifying you that the practice/game has been canceled. Be sure to search for Wardle Family
YMCA under organization name when registering. If you are unable to register, you can call the
YMCA at 522-9622 and ask the front desk staff. Practice will not be cancelled unless it has been
raining all day long or there is thunder and lightning. The decision to cancel practice will be
made a half an hour before start time. If a game has been canceled due to inclement weather
it will be made up during practice the following week.
http://www.rainedout.com/
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Practice and Game Locations
Port Royal Elementary
1214 Paris Ave.
Port Royal, SC 29935
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From Shell Point
o Take Parris Island Gateway/Hwy 802 East
o Right on Paris Ave. at the Port Royal red light
o Port Royal Elementary will be on your left. The fields are located in the
back.
From Beaufort
o Take Ribaut Road/Hwy 802 West
o Left on Paris Ave. just past Friendly Restaurant at the Port Royal red light.
o Port Royal Elementary will be on your left.
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Participation Rules
All Players:
 Only players registered with the YMCA will be allowed to play.
 Players will play a different position each inning during the game (rotation).
 Teams listed first on the game schedule are considered the home team.
 Each inning the entire team will bat. Batting order will be determined by jersey number.
 There are no strikeouts. The player bats until the ball is in play.
Players Ages 3-4:
 Players will use a batting tee.
 7 batters hit regardless of the number of runs or outs
 Batting order must remain fixed throughout the game (exception: injury, late show)
 Parents are allowed in the outfield to help keep children in their positions and from
chasing overthrown and foul balls.
 Games will be played within the scheduled 45 minute practice time each week. The first
game will take place the second week of the season. Each week the practice time will
decrease and game time will increase.
Players Ages 5-6:
 Slow coach pitch.
 Coaches will pitch to their own team.
 Players will have 3 tries to hit the ball and if unsuccessful after 3 tries the ball will be
placed on the tee. If a player is not ready for coach pitch they can use the tee.
 All players will have a turn at bat hit regardless of the number of runs or outs( fixed
batting order)
 Players must stay at their base on an overthrown ball.
 Players should not chase after foul or overthrown balls.
 Each game will be 45 minutes or three innings in length; which ever comes first.
Coaches:
o Any problems that a coach may have with an official ruling must be directed to Sports
Director.
o Foul or negative language will not be permitted.
Parents:
o Please save snacks for after the game and practice. Water breaks will happen during both,
it is recommended to keep your child well hydrated.
o Foul or negative language will not be permitted.
o No smoking allowed around field or practice.
o Parents are to provide supervision for their children when at practice or games.
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