Thank you for Coaching...

The Sharon Springs Athletic Association is comprised of volunteers who endeavor to provide the youth of our community the opportunity to participate in baseball and softball in a safe and healthy environment and we thank you.  We have provided an outline of topics below that should help you with a successful season.

Coach Information validation: coaches need to insure the AGD has the correctemail and mailing address as Jerseys will be mailed to head coach home address – no PO Box.   Each coach and assistant must have an NYSCA number (if returning as a coach within the past year, we will renew it).  You may attend the video session at the SSAA coaches meeting for free or go online to www.nays.org and take the online version.  Please note the park will not be able to reimburse you for the online fee.  Each coach (Head, Assistant, and Helper Coaches) must provide a background check form for the county along with a copy of your Drivers License.

Calendar of Events: (Actual Dates and Time here: http://www.ssaa-kids.com/index.php?site=ssaa&page=upcomingevents)

• Evaluations: your evaluation time and field location are listed on www.ssaa-kids.com under rec baseball, and your respective age group.  Please be there approximately 15 minutes early.
• Draft: your draft time and location are listed on the calendar and a minimum of one coach must be present. Team names will be selected by the draft date and hats, belts, and socks will be handed out during the draft. 
• Coaches Clinic: The coaches and assistant coaches are required to attend a coach’s clinic.  The local High School programs will conduct this clinic.
• Mandatory Coaches Meeting: Forsyth County requires a team representative to attend the county coaches meeting.  This meeting will cover rules, game reports and pre-season tournament schedules.
• Equipment Distribution: SSAA provide basic team equipment for catchers along with a coach’s bag.  You are responsible for pickup and return of the equipment at the end of the season.  If you have issues with your equipment during the season, please inform your AGD.
• Team Pictures: Team pictures are encouraged for all teams as this preserves the memory of the experience and also serves as a source of fundraiser revenue for the park.
• Braves Night: All teams are encouraged to participate in this fundraiser event.  Prizes will be given for various levels of dollars generated by player and 5/6 team.  SSAA continues to try and hold this single event as annual fundraiser.   

Things to Know:

• Uniforms: Game Pants are to be picked up by the parents at Forsyth Sporting Goods, and Uniform shirts will be mailed to the head coaches’ home.
• Team Number: Each team will be assigned a team number along with a team name.  This team number identifies your team on the practice schedule as well as the batting cage schedule.  This is the number also used on the game report. 
• Game Reports: the county will issue a package of these to you at the county meeting.  After each game, both coaches must sign the report.  The home team is responsible for the process and must place a copy of it in the mailbox at the concession stand.  Failure to turn in the game report results in a home team forfeit. 
• Practice Times: practice times are set by the county for the first month of the season by your team number and the practice schedule can be found on the link on the home page.  Post the pre-season tournament, practice field may be request via www.ssaa-kids.com under Practice Time Request. 
• Games Times: The County establishes game times and the schedule will be distributed at the mandatory county meeting.  The county utilizeshttp://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=forsythcountyyouthathletics for schedules and standings.
• Rainouts: The County establishes make up games and they will be listed on league lineup.
• Batting Cage Schedule and Request: this information can be found athttp://www.ssaa-kids.com/battingcages
• Sunday Select Program: the Sunday select program is described in detail here in section 6 and section 7 http://www.ssaa-kids.com/operationalstrategies  The All-Star coach will be selected prior to evaluations.
• Dizzy Dean Affiliation: All coaches must complete a Dizzy Dean roster and return to your AGD.  Though you do not have to collect birth certificates, the information on the roster must match the birth certificate. 
• Initial Parent Meeting: All coaches should conduct a parent meeting at the first practice.  In this meeting collect email addresses, explain your coaching philosophy and how you will communicate.  Explain to them the Sunday Select All Star process and identify your AGD for them as an escalation process for any issues. 

If you have any additional questions about the SSAA Spring baseball or Softball program, please contact you AGD.