Parents and Volunteering
Etiquette for parents/observers
Parents and spectators need to remember that we are setting an example for children. It is particularly important to be respectful of the umpire. Frequently these umpires are young (especially at the more junior levels of Softball) and can be intimidated by the 'enthusiasm' of the parents.
- Team management is responsible for the behaviour of parents and spectators.
- No person from the stands shall make derogatory comments about any player on either team, team officials or spectators.
- If a spectator is unmanageable, the umpire may stop the game until the situation is under control.
- The umpire may order any person (team official, spectator, or player) out of the park. They also have the authority to default the game.
- Any time a person has been required to leave, the umpire will report the incident to the league (which may lead to further action).
- Cheer your child but try to avoid coaching your child during a game; it is the coach's job and confuses the players to be receiving (sometimes different) instructions from many people.
- Abuse of youth umpires is grounds for ejection in players and coaches in VMSA. Hold yourself to the same standards.
Parent's Obligations
Mostly, we need parents to volunteer to run the organization. If you don’t like how it’s being done, volunteer. That said, every parent needs to:
- Ensure that players have a ride to games and practices on time ("5 minutes early is on time, on time is late")
- Ensure that players have the necessary equipment not provided by the Association.
- Co-operate fully with the managers and coaches and managers.
- Support coaches by doing field preparation and teardown
- Take proper care of VMSA property
Volunteer to assist your coach, manager, or association. Contact your coach or manager to volunteer for team related jobs. Volunteers ensure the running of your team and Association.
Volunteering
As we look to our upcoming 2023, we are in need of volunteers to fill critical roles. The following is a list of volunteer positions that we need to fill before January 2023 as planning sessions start early in the new year. Please fill out this Google form if you can help with any of these roles. Or for more specific information, contact President@vmsa.ca.
*** Volunteer Coaching Assistance - If you are an ex-Wildcat or played college/university level softball and would like to help coach, please reach out to President@vmsa.ca or info@vmsa.ca. Depending on how much time you have to give, we would be happy to consider you assisting in-season with one of our house teams, rep teams, and/or skills clinics.
Bookkeeper Needed (PAID position) - We are looking for a bookkeeper to manage our finances using Quickbooks. This is part-time work during the softball season (March to June) with a few hours off-season (July to February). If you have experience and are interested - please contact treasurer@vmsa.ca.
League Administrator (PAID position) - We are looking for an administrator who primarily handles registration of our Spring season, summer camp(s) and clinics, gets our field permits, and schedules all games/practices and umpires. This is a desk position with variable hours throughout the year. In-season (March to June) may require 1 to 8 hours a day; off-season (July to February). may require 1 to 2 hours a day. Must be comfortable with casual work, willing to learn TeamSnap and comfortable with spreadsheets. If you are interested - please contact President@vmsa.ca.
Volunteer Roles - Short Descriptions:
Fields Coordinator - The main duties are: i) organize clean-up days for VMSA's five main diamonds; ii) get lime when needed; iii) identify field equipment repairs; iv) ensure coaches know how to use VMSA's two tractors & golf carts. Most of this work is completed between mid-March and end of April.
Equipment Coordinator - The primary role is to distribute & collect house team equipment bags at the start and end of the season. The majority of the work is completed pre-season (Jan to Mar). Other tasks include the purchase of new equipment pre-season and ensuring the equipment room at our Trafalgar clubhouse is kept tidy.
Permitting & Parks Board Liasion - The main of the permitting coordinator is to get VMSA field permits using Vancouver Parks Board online booking system in January and February. Throughout the year will need to correspond with Parks Boards as needed.
Registrar - The primary role is to manage Spring registrations using TeamSnap. The majority of the work is pre-season (Feb to Mar).
Scheduler - The main duty of this volunteer is to schedule all rep and house games and practices on the VMSA diamonds based on our field permits. Scheduling is typically completed in a shared spreadsheet (i.e. Google Docs, Excel). The majority of the work is done mid-Mar to the end of April.
Umpire Coordinator - The primary role is to manage and schedule our umpires for all rep and house games from April to the end of June. As the majority of our umpires are teenagers, communication and coordination of umpire training, equipment, and payment is also required. The coordinator's work is completed mostly in-season from mid-March to the end of July. Some tasks are required pre-season (i.e. recruitment of umpires and training).
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