- Jun 1, 2015
- 501
- 43
I have a uniform problem - probably sounds very petty, but welcome to softball. Background:
- Players/parents are responsible for a majority cost of their uniforms. This past year, parents paid $41 and the team covered the rest of the cost (for tops/bottoms - this was agreed upon by everyone). The reason stems from the very first season where uniforms were $41 per player (for top and pants - we got a discount for quantity ordered).
- Players chose uniform numbers. Duplicate number choices went to the player with higher tryout score.
- Money is collected up-front - if a player quits the team before the season, uniform money is non-refundable but they receive their uniforms regardless.
- Any players who played for me in 2015 but didn't return in 2016 lost their number/roster spot.
In 2016, I varied between 8-10 players due to injuries, playing for other teams, etc. I had a player (call her "D", played for me in 2015) who came back to play for me for the last 4 games to fill a lineup. She did NOT start the season, and was given a chance to rejoin before the start, however she had other athletic conflicts. Her uniform number (chose in 2015) is the same as a player who tried out and played in 2016 (#11).
ASA rules state no duplicate numbers may exist on a lineup. Our summer league, while playing ASA rules, is somewhat lax on interpretations like this (since we're not school-sanctioned). However, I don't want to take chances. So I have offered "D" the following option: The team would cover the cost of her uniform top (the $41) IF she chose a different number. "D" is now very adamant about even playing now because of this, saying she has "worn the number since youth ball, etc." Not invalid reasons, etc. "D" was our league's 1st team SS as a 9th grader and will return as the starting Varsity SS (and would almost positively be my starting SS if she plays).
I've made everything above very clear to her. Is my compromise appropriate or should it be more "Take it or leave it" regarding the matter?
- Players/parents are responsible for a majority cost of their uniforms. This past year, parents paid $41 and the team covered the rest of the cost (for tops/bottoms - this was agreed upon by everyone). The reason stems from the very first season where uniforms were $41 per player (for top and pants - we got a discount for quantity ordered).
- Players chose uniform numbers. Duplicate number choices went to the player with higher tryout score.
- Money is collected up-front - if a player quits the team before the season, uniform money is non-refundable but they receive their uniforms regardless.
- Any players who played for me in 2015 but didn't return in 2016 lost their number/roster spot.
In 2016, I varied between 8-10 players due to injuries, playing for other teams, etc. I had a player (call her "D", played for me in 2015) who came back to play for me for the last 4 games to fill a lineup. She did NOT start the season, and was given a chance to rejoin before the start, however she had other athletic conflicts. Her uniform number (chose in 2015) is the same as a player who tried out and played in 2016 (#11).
ASA rules state no duplicate numbers may exist on a lineup. Our summer league, while playing ASA rules, is somewhat lax on interpretations like this (since we're not school-sanctioned). However, I don't want to take chances. So I have offered "D" the following option: The team would cover the cost of her uniform top (the $41) IF she chose a different number. "D" is now very adamant about even playing now because of this, saying she has "worn the number since youth ball, etc." Not invalid reasons, etc. "D" was our league's 1st team SS as a 9th grader and will return as the starting Varsity SS (and would almost positively be my starting SS if she plays).
I've made everything above very clear to her. Is my compromise appropriate or should it be more "Take it or leave it" regarding the matter?