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Oakdale Athletic Association, Oakdale Minnesota

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Oakdale Athletic Association Purpose:
Educational: To foster the development of youth aged eighteen (18) years of age or younger and support the efforts of Independent School District 622 and its coaches to teach proper, safe sports techniques and ethical athletic practices; to encourage effective communication, cooperation, sportsmanship, and healthy competition; to develop the value and self-esteem of each individual participant; and to create an atmosphere where camaraderie, inclusiveness, accountability, learning, and respect are valued.  

In order to fulfill our mission it is important to have an understanding on what it looks like as players, coaches and parents. 

Research:
According to Colleen Hacker, NSCAA National Academy staff coach and professor of sports psychology at Pacific Lutheran University, children play sports:  
    1. To have fun.  
    2. To be with friends.  
    3. To experience the excitement of competition.  
    4. To enhance their physical fitness.  
    5. To demonstrate their competence 

Sadly, however, about 75% of children who play sports stop playing the game before they get to the age of 13. A recent study found the top five reasons for this high dropout rate were: 
    1. Lack of playing time. 
    2. Overemphasis on winning. 
    3. Other activities are more interesting. 
    4. Lack of fun. 
    5. Coaching/adult behaviors  

There's nothing we can do about reason 3, but we can do something about all the rest, especially the number 1 reason why children stop playing: lack of playing time. In fact, if we make sure all our players get a fair amount of playing time, we will go a long way to removing reasons 2, 4 and 5 too.  

OAA OVERALL GOALS FOR OUR PROGRAMS
    1.  Provide a positive, fun-filled experience;
    2.  Teach the participants the skills, rules, strategy and discipline of the game and to encourage good sportsmanship, self-confidence and teamwork;
    3.  Promote healthy and safe physical activity for all participants;
    4.  Build character by offering a team experience, regardless of individual ability, stressing skill development and a positive attitude regardless of winning or losing;
    5.  Provide opportunities for equal playing time for all participants as much as possible. (Exceptions to this may include chronic missed practice time, disrespect for the game, officials or team)
    6.  We do not create heroes or failures among participants who are too young to handle either role.
    7.  We exist for the benefit of ALL KIDS. We do NOT exist for the benefit of the adults or a select group of kids.
    8.  Each participant will learn to play positions on offense and defense during the course of the season.
    9.  Each player will have a starting position on either offense or defense for the game and should have an equal opportunity to participate in 50% of the game, except for disciplinary reasons. 

Traveling Baseball / Fastpitch Playing Time: 

  • The starting lineup will provide an opportunity for every player to have a place in the batting order. (U10-U13)  This is encouraged to be rotated at the beginning of the season so all players will, by the end of the season, be close to the same at bats.  
  • Minimum playing time for our teams will be four defensive innings per game.  ALL players should be playing a minimum of one inning per game of both infield and outfield. 
  • No one player will sit more than 2 innings unless ALL players have sat at least 1 inning.  Max number of innings a player may sit is 3.  The same player should NOT be sitting every game.  The goal is that ALL players get a similar experience in field and at bats. 
  • Minimum playing time for 14-15 year old teams will be three innings defensively during regular league games. 

* Some game situations (e.g. 10 run rule) may prevent this from happening in a specific game
** MSF State and Qualifying tournaments for 13 yr olds use a nine man batting order so an equal number of at bats for each player during tournament play is highly unlikely.  During any such tournaments playing time rules for the 14 - 15 yr olds will apply.
** Coaches will have the right to field the best possible lineup in order give the team the best opportunity to win the tournament.  All kids should have the opportunity to play in all OAA sponsored tournaments with a minimum of 2 defensive innings.  
**Coaches philosophies of league play is NOT to win all games, but instead as a way to get experience to all players in 2 or more positions.  
 
Football Playing Time:

  • Minimum playing time for our players will be ½ the game.  All players will play each half. A
  • ALL Players will have a starting spot on either Offense or Defense.    
  • It is the coach's job to create a written plan to ensure this happens.   
  • In Grades 3 - 6, the league dictates the fair play rules.  In Grades 7-8, the league encourages fair play but does not track it.  OAA REQUIRES ALL COACHES to follow OAA’s GOALS!  All players should feel a part of the team.   
  • With 11 players on the field, there IS a position for everyone.  Special teams is a great way to also get kids involved.  Rotating players every 1-2 plays is a way to keep players fresh and allow less experienced kids to participate.  The goal is to be competitive AND treat all kids in a fair and equitable manner.


COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

  • Obey and enforce all OAA rules. 
  • Treat all players in an equitable and fair manner. 
  • Demonstrate good sportsmanship, self-control, and proper behavior.  Ensure the good sportsmanship and proper behavior of team players, assistant coaches, parents and spectators. 
  • Assure that all players receive playing time that is as mandated by the Traveling Baseball Board. 
  • Teach the players to have fun and enjoy competition. 
  • Help the players to develop a healthy, competitive attitude toward winning and losing. 
  • Assess individual player’s strengths and weaknesses to help each player improve. 
  • Encourage and compliment players; use only constructive criticism.  Care for the equipment that is issued to them. If any equipment is lost or damaged, coaches should report the problem to the Director. 
  • Conduct a pre-season parents' meeting. At this meeting, the coach should set the tone and expectations for the season, distribute team schedule, roster, team rules, etc. 
  • Document playing time so that if an issue arises, the OAA Director/board can support you. 


PARENTS RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS
Your child's participation in the OAA’s sports program will require a significant contribution of your time and effort. Parents can contribute many things to support their child, team, and the program. 

  • Let your child know you love him/her, win or lose, whether he/she plays well or not. 
  • Compliment and encourage. Let the coaches handle coaching and criticism.  Coordinate your efforts to help your child's development with the recommendations of the Coaches.  Support your coaches.  Remember that they are responsible for many children in addition to yours. 
  • Don't compare your child to other players. Be honest with yourself and your child about his/her abilities. 
  • Regard each player on the team as your own. 
  • Keep negative comments to yourself. Express concerns only to the coach and a straightforward, fair, and objective manner.
  • Teach your child to have fun and enjoy competition. Don't tell him/her that winning does not count because it does, and he/she knows it. Instead, help him/her to develop a healthy competitive attitude toward winning and losing. 
  • Demonstrate good sportsmanship and proper behavior. Don't criticize officials, coaches, or other parents or players. 
  • Ensure the good sportsmanship and proper behavior of your child and your guests. 
  • Get your child to, and pick them up from, practices and games on time.  Inform the coach in advance whenever your child will miss or be late for a practice or a game. 
  • Provide a copy of your child's birth certificate to the head coach at the first parent/coach pre-season meeting. 
  • Volunteer to assist the coach whenever possible. 
  • Cheer, cheer, cheer. 


Parents' Rights include:

  • Have your child treated fairly and with respect. 
  • Have your child practice and play in a safe and healthy environment. 
  • Have your child coached by effective and qualified adult leadership. 
  • Have your child engage in practice and playing activities that increase his/her skills and enjoyment of the sport. 
  • To be fully informed by the coaches with respect to schedules, team philosophies, team rules, and your child's strengths and weaknesses. 
  • Additional team fees are optional.  Extra jersey’s, shirts, equipment bags are just some of the examples.   You do not need to purchase these to belong on a team.  A coach can only suggest these items are available.  It is not a requirement, and the coach cannot reduce playing time for not doing so.   
  • Extra practice times: This is a fee that is acceptable, which helps increase the children’s ability. 
  • Extra tournaments:  This is an acceptable fee as well.  If a child does not participate in the extra tournament, they will not see any playing time reduction in any OAA regular season or tournament play.   

  
Communication Steps to Resolve Conflict
1. Talk to Coach
2. Talk to Director
3. Talk to President