How I coach
I've been coaching softball since 2000 or 2001 (first for All Saints, then for St. Paul's). Some of the seasons have been all about fun, others have been a bit more intense. For 2006, I'd like it to be all about fun and fellowship. My coaching style will try to accomodate that. I'm not going to be giving preferential treatment to the stronger players this year, as I have in the past. Attendance and communication will be the primary factors determining who gets to play, and how much they get to play. So everyone understands that there is a method to my madness, I will do my best to explain how I determine who plays when here.
The first determining factor in who gets to play, and how much is communication. I put a lot of effort into communicating with my players, and I expect a little effort in return. Players are expected to let me know at least two days prior to a game whether or not they will play (Monday games, let me know by Saturday night.. Thursday games, let me know by Tuesday night.. Friday games, let me know by Wednesday night). I prepare a roster with lineup and fielding positions ahead of time, and it's really no fun for me when I have to make a bunch of changes at game time. If you just show up for a game, or let me know you'll be there at the last minute, I may accomodate you, but don't expect it. Letting me know ahead of time also gives me time to gather up some subs if necessary.
The second determining factor in who gets to play is past attendance. I have developed a rating system based on attendance at this year's games as well as past years' games to determine which players are given a spot on the roster for a game first. Players receive 10 points for each game they attend in 2006, 0.9 points for each game attended in 2005*, and 0.0125 for each game attended prior to 2005. Players who don't show for a game after telling me they will be there will be subject to a penalty of rating points. I will not post these ratings, but they are available if you want to see them.
Hopefully I haven't scared everyone away...
*Due to differing numbers of games for Alpha and Omega from last year based on the stats I have available, I have adjusted the numbers to equal 10 games for both Alpha and Omega. For example, Phil was at all nine games for Alpha last year, so I adjust his number of games for last year by dividing his nine games attended by the total numer of games, nine, and multiply that by 10. I have stats for nine Alpha games for last year, so each player's total games will be divided by 9 then multiplied by 10. I have stats for six Omega games, so each Omega player's total games will be divided by 6 then multiplied by 10.