high school softball season

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Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
Our season here in Illinois is a spring sport. Feb 26 is the first practice date allowed by IHSA rules. What are the penalties, if any if coaches start practicing early?? And are open gym nights where the girls can get together on their own and practice allowed? I was just wondering what is allowed/not allowed. Can voluntary practices be on high school property or do they have to be completely separate?

I know we have at least one Illinois coach on here. Any help appreciated.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I don't know what the penalties are, but open gyms are fine. A coach can be there. I set up and supervise all ours. I just don't plan anything or coach them. A coach CAN participate in open gyms (the best example of this is a coach playing in a pick-up basketball game, but not doing any actual instruction). I've had the girls ask me to hit them grounders or pitch soft toss with wiffle balls, and I will do that. We've even had others (gym teachers who are not coaches, etc) join in on that kind of thing.

Oh, also, open gyms have to be open to all students, not just people who play or intend to play, and they can't be "girls only." You're also supposed to announce them in a way that all students can have the opportunity. I have flyers posted and they're supposed to make an announcement that day. It would be against the rules to have "open gym" but only tell your varsity players about it or something like that.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
We have been going with open gyms for two weeks. Notice for open gym should be made in school and everyone is welcomed regardless of year in school and whether they have previously played on the team.
Coaches can not take roll, coach, ... For us, we sit in chairs in the corner and talk but make sure safety is enforced. The players have a set of drills we worked on over the summer and so, the older girls set up the stations. We have been having anywhere from 12 to 14 at open gym. We only get an hour in our gym as it is really used a lot.

Per penalties, if you get caught you are not eligible for the post season and those players stand a possibility of losing eligibility. Keep in mind that the majority of schools that get turned in are turned in by disgruntled parents from that school district. Last year, we had a parent who showed up a lot to see what was happening. Since we don't break the rules, there wasn't any problem letting him show up. We did tell him he was not coaching his dd during that time.

Per voluntary practice, we can't do that since we don't have open time slots in either of our gyms. Also, there has to be someone there that makes sure that safety rules are followed. Typically, this is someone from the school.
 
Oct 3, 2009
372
18
Last year, we had a parent who showed up a lot to see what was happening. Since we don't break the rules, there wasn't any problem letting him show up. We did tell him he was not coaching his dd during that time.

Something tells me there is a gold mine of stories about said parent! Serious kudos to all the coaches, umpires, and even athletes that thrive despite us crazy parents. Good luck this season, CB! I will be watching from this side of the river. :)
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Andy, you'd be correct on that. Thanks a bunch and good to hear from you! I'll be keeping track of your dd as well as I did last year. Good luck to the youngin!!!
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
In Illinois, no more than 2 kids from the same HS team can be coached at the same time, unless the team is regularly competing. So, a TB team with scheduled tournaments could practice with more than 2 players from the same HS team.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
In Illinois, no more than 2 kids from the same HS team can be coached at the same time, unless the team is regularly competing. So, a TB team with scheduled tournaments could practice with more than 2 players from the same HS team.

This rule only applies to being coached by the HS coaches. A coach not affiliated with the school can coach more than 2. The idea here is that a HS coach can give private lessons to his players, and if there are more than 2 it's not really a private lesson anymore. There's nothing in the by-laws about "regularly competing."

And softball has an exception to the summer contact days limit, so a HS coach can have a summer team with his players. There are rules on exactly when that team can compete that I can't recall offhand. And of course that has to be optional.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the input. So obviously prior to Feb 26th, any participation is voluntary. How many high school parents know of coaches, or school personnel "encouraging", or even "strongly encouraging" girls to be at open gyms?? I realize that coaches jobs are to get teams ready to go, and IMO two weeks is not really enough time to get a team prepared and ready to go. Especially with girls who have not been playing recently. Feb 26 to first game, for us, is only two weeks. I also realize that coaches can't really worry about each kid, and what they may or may not have going on in their personal life, they have to worry about coaching the sport. Some kids, mine included, have a lot going on besides softball. She is currently working at three different places, not to mention having difficult AP classes she is trying to do good in. Just discouraging for a high school aged kid, and I must admit the parent too, to be made to feel guilty or lessor for not attending enough pre season open gyms.

Thanks for letting me vent.
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
Private school in NC, we have open tryouts on Feb 19th and 20th. Up until that date we can practice with up to 8 girls and no more. We send out texts, first come, first serve.
 

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