Complaints from Parents

Never approach a coach during, before, or after a game because tension will be higher at that time. Any comments or complaints should be discussed with the Head Coach only, and away from the ballpark, away from other parents and certainly not where any players can hear the discussion. Coaches will have an open door policy as long as comments and complaints handled appropriately. Any parent or other relative who violates this policy is subject to having their player immediately and permanently removed from the team.

Game Day Attire

All players and coaches must comply to the following dress code for games. Even if we don’t always play our best, we will look like a ball team. This is not an optional policy. Violators may be cut from the program after one warning.

Jerseys

Always must be tucked in while in public. NO TIES IN SLEEVES OR JERSEY BACK.

Sweats

Team issue only, matching sweats, caps, etc. or don’t wear them at all

Cleats

Black (with black, white or purple laces) Knee Pads: Black

Batting Gloves

White, Purple or Black Sliding Shorts: White if visible

Sweatbands

White, Purple, Yellow or Black Undershirts: White

Batting Helmets

Team issue, all helmets must match. (no airbrush or decals other than team issued)

Jewelry

None allowed that will be a distraction, per coaches /umpire discretion

Coaches

Shirts must be team colors, alomng with team logo with sleeves and shirt tails tucked in, long or short pants with shoes, no flip flops. Hats must be team issue.

Parental Conduct

Parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that exhibits good sportsmanship and sets an example for their children. Cheering and having fun is always welcome. Parents yelling at players, coaches, the opposing team or umpires will not be tolerated. Coaches are the only people permitted to address an umpire and they will do so at their discretion. From time to time we will play teams whose coaches and/or fans will act inappropriate; we will not tolerate that behavior in our organization. People who are unable to behave themselves at the park and set an example of how to act with class will have their player removed from the team.

Playing time, positioning, batting order, etc. will be at the discretion of the head coach and will not be a topic of discussion with parents. Parents are encouraged to help their daughter improve her skills by working with her themselves or taking her to individual lessons and camps. Playing time and positioning decisions will be based on merit. The coaches reserve the right to remove a player from the roster for the actions of the player’s parents if such actions are deemed by the coaches to have a negative impact on the team’s overall performance and/or moral.

If at any time a parent feels that their child has been mistreated by a coach, if and only if they have not been able to resolve the problem with their head coach, then they are to contact Richard Shea. Issues such as playing time, batting order and positioning are not open for discussion.

Public Forums

Any coach, player, or parent who posts on public forums should always refrain from making negative comments that can be associated with our teams. If others happen to post negative comments about us, simply ignore it because responding will only escalate the problem.

Player Attitude & Commitment

The Birmingham Thunderbolts are a family oriented organization that is intended to enjoyed by everyone that is involved. Players are expected to always be respectful to coaches, parents, and their team mates. Players should be on time for events with the right attitude and enthusiasm. Players or Parents are expected to call their coach in advance if they are going to be late or miss an event. It is understood that schedule conflicts will arise, but if such conflicts become a problem then the player will be warned and possibly removed from the team. Players will be expected to listen when a coach is talking and they will be asked to follow instructions to the best of their ability. The coaches reserve the right to remove a player from a game and/or the roster if the player fails to participate as agreed.