Participation in the Austin Storm is a privilege, not a right. The following policies and procedures must be observed for a team member to retain this privilege.
Registration & Release Forms
All of the following forms must be filled out completely and turned in to your parent representative before a player can participate in any team related activity:
1. Austin Storm Medical Release Form
2. Austin Storm Release Form/Parent or Guardian Waiver of Liability
3. Austin Storm Participation Contract
Player & Parent Handbook (September 2006)
All Austin Storm rules, policies and procedures are outlined in the Player & Parent Handbook. All parents and players are encouraged to review this material and keep a copy for reference purposes.
Practice & Game Attendance
If you must miss all or part of practice, prior notice is necessary. Please call your parent representative or coach. Missing practice could result in loss of playing time at tournaments.
Tournament Attendance
1. If you must miss a tournament, prior notice must be given before the practice immediately prior to the tournament, unless an emergency arises.
2. A player who misses more than a third of the team’s scheduled tournaments may lose playing time or be dismissed from the team.
Out-of-Town Trips
1. All rules listed above (under “Tournaments”) apply to out-of-town trips.
2. Players are advised that they are representing the Austin Storm organization at all tournaments and will not do anything to embarrass themselves or the organization.
3. The use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco is prohibited at all times. Use of any illegal substance will result in the player being suspended from the tournament, sent home at her parents’ expense and may also be dismissed from the team.
4. Any Austin Storm player caught in a boy’s room will be suspended from the tournament, sent home at her parents’ expense and may also be dismissed from the team.
5. Any player caught doing any illegal activities will be suspended from the tournament, sent home at her parents’ expense and may also be dismissed from the team.
6. If either parent is unable to attend an out-of-town trip with his/her daughter, the parent must designate in writing who is responsible for the player during the out-of-town trip. That parent then becomes the designated parent for the tournament. The player’s parent should provide to the designated parent an insurance card, description of any health problems, a medical release and a contact number.
Community Service & Fundraising
1. The Austin Storm Board has expressed a desire for the organization to perform public service whenever possible to give back to its community. Community service and volunteer activities will improve the player’s self-esteem and generate respect off the softball field throughout the Austin area. All players are expected to participate in any community service activities that the Austin Storm sponsors. This community service can also be used toward the player’s community service requirement in the school system. Additional community service work may also be assigned for disciplinary reasons.
2. Fundraising is used by the organization to keep the player’s participation costs reasonable. Therefore, all players and parents must participate in all concession stand and other fundraising activities, regardless of whether the player or parent feels they will benefit directly. Failure to participate in team fundraising activities will result in the player being assessed additional fees. Failure to pay the additional fees will result in dismissal from the team.
Communication & Appeal Process
A successful team and organization requires proper communication. It is imperative that the player, parent or coaches relate concerns to each other. Parent reps are available to hear concerns and relay them to the coach, parent, player or board member. If satisfaction is not achieved then the player, parent or coach can discuss the situation with Phil Koehler and/or Jerry Russell. If there is still a problem or concern, the player, parent and/or coach can request a hearing with the Board. The Board’s decision in all matters will be final.
Parent Representatives
Parent reps provide a two-way pipeline between players, parents, coaches, Jerry Russell, Phil Koehler and the Board. The parent reps assist the organization by providing information to parents, making phone calls and collecting fees.
The Austin Storm Board
The purpose of the Board is to provide direction for the organization. The Board will aid in the decision making of the organization, provide ideas, structure and assistance in fundraising, team structure, tournaments, uniforms, hotels and promotion of the Austin Storm organization. Beyond its administrative role in the organization, the Board has no authority on the softball field as game and tournament operations and procedures are administered by the coaching staff.
2007 Austin Storm Board Members
Scott Burford
David Hoyer
Phil Koehler
Jerry Russell
Click here to contact the Austin Storm Board
