CEDAR RAPIDS LITTLE REDS BASEBALL, INC. 2024 COACHES CONTRACT

The rules, philosophies and procedures of the Cedar Rapids Little Reds Baseball, Inc. (REDS) will operate under are outlined in the following pages. Please read through each page closely, as we want you to be fully aware of what is expected of our players, parents and coaches for the 2024 season.

A. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Each player ages 6U to 14U is responsible for player fees, an indoor practice fee, an uniform fee and tournament entry/gate fee. Organizational fundraising is mentioned in section B of this contract.

Any of these fees can be paid prior to the assigned due date. Player fees help cover: equipment expenses, field maintenance, insurance, tournament entry allowance, league fees, umpires and office/advertising expenses. The indoor practice fees will vary depending upon each individual team’s access to practice facilities (batting cages and gyms) during the winter months. Gate fees are a prepaid fee ($300 – $400 per tournament) for admission into the tournament. This previously (and in some cases still) was charged to each individual as they came to the game.

CEDAR RAPIDS LITTLE REDS BASEBALL, INC. COACHES CONTRACT AND VIRUS WAIVER 1

If your player chooses to leave the REDS organization, or is dismissed from the team due to rule violations, or disciplinary reasons, these fees are non-refundable.

When your team is playing out of town, each parent is responsible for all meals and lodging or needs to make other arrangements if they are unable to accompany their child on trips.

2. FUNDRAISING

Every player is provided the opportunity to play at no charge if they choose to take advantage of the programs set in place to aid families with player fees.

1. Should your team decide to work on player fee fundraising, it must be a team decision and each family on the team must be provided an opportunity to participate in the decided fundraiser, whether it is for player fees or for traveling expenses.

2. For the 2024 season, team fundraising will be left to the discretion of the team’s coach. The sponsorship form can be found at our website www.crreds.com.

Each family is required to participate in the organizational fundraising to help offset club expenses. If a family chooses not to participate in our fundraising efforts, a “Buyout Option” will be available.

*The REDS Board of Directors reserve the right to change, modify or add to the fundraising efforts of the organization if necessary. Such actions will be voted on and implemented by a majority vote of the Board.

3. COACHES – Expectations and Rules

Our aim is to develop young men and woman with sound values, competitive spirit, great work ethic and fundamental baseball skills. Coaches will, at all times, have the safety and general well being of the players in mind. Our coaches will treat the players with respect, deliver constructive criticism and provide motivation throughout the season.

1. The coaching staff is required to attend one baseball/softball clinic prior to the beginning of the season. This clinic is designed to help enhance the coaches’ ability to teach the sport and to help improve the skills of their players.

2. All coaches are asked to utilize the talents and abilities of everyone associated with their team; this includes parents, board members and other coaches outside the REDS organization.

3. All coaches are expected to aid other REDS teams and assist with all REDS functions including, but not limited to, tryouts, winter work outs, fall and spring clean up of fields and any REDS tournaments.

4. Coaches need to attend as many board meetings as possible. It is required that at least one coach from each team attends each and every board meeting.

5. Alcohol and tobacco (smoking or chewing) usage during the practices or

games is strictly prohibited. While at tournaments, we certainly understand that you may want to have a drink or use tobacco while at dinner or around the pool, but please remember the reason why we are there and that we are always setting an example (either good or bad) for the kids.

D. PARENTS PARTICIPATION – Expectations and Rules

The success of the REDS depends on the commitment of everyone in our organization. Parents are encouraged to attend practices, games, and board meetings. The REDS board of directors will assign the head and assistant coaching positions for your team. You may be called upon by the coaching staff to help with practice drills, score keeping, tournaments, umpiring, field preparation, fall and spring clean up and concessions.

Non-Profit Organization: The REDS are a 501 c 3 Non-Profit organization. We rely solely on our volunteer parents for our success. It is your responsibility to help the organization in any way possible.

2022 Reds Tournaments: Each REDS team may be required to help with the 2022 Reds tournament. Specifically for field maintenance, clean-up, raffles, gate admissions, score keeping, concessions and T-shirt sales. This may require some volunteer time per player. There will be sign up times given to each team so that there are no surprises.

Field Maintenance: Participation in field maintenance and cleaning up around bleachers are required by all teams. It is in the best interest for parents to clean up after themselves at all fields. We want to continue to be known as a “Class Organization” and one small way that has a big impact is cleaning up after ourselves.

Rules for Parents:

1. Parents are encouraged to participate in the monthly board meetings, to give them perspective on the organization as a whole and to provide any input that they might have to improve the teams and the organization.

2. The Reds organization is staffed 100% by volunteers (including board, advisory and coaching members). Countless hours are put in throughout the year by our staff in order to make the organization and team(s) able to teach good fundamental baseball/softball and prepare your kids for the high school level. Thus, leave the coaching to the coaches and the positive encouragement and cheering to you, the parents.

3. As coaches, we are not perfect and may make mistakes. If at any time anyone has any questions, ideas, or concerns, please feel free to talk to any of the coaching staff. Appropriate times for these conversations are times that do not interfere with practices or games. A time should be setup that is mutually agreed upon by both you and the coaching staff.

4. To be known as a “Class Organization,” we ask that parents, relatives and friends attending the games act respectfully towards umpires, opposing coaches and all players at all times. Please allow the players to play the game as they have been coached. This rule will be strictly enforced.

5. During games, parents are respectfully asked to remain a good distance away from the dugouts unless asked by the coaches. Players are instructed not to talk to their parents, relatives and friends while a game is in progress. Please allow the only adult contact with your son during a game to be the coaching staff.

6. Alcohol and tobacco (smoking or chewing) usage during the practices or games that are held on school properties and at facilities that permit the use of or serve alcohol and tobacco is strictly prohibited. Please remember the reason why we are there and that we are always setting an example (either good or bad) for the kids.

7. Any parent challenging the authority of a REDS coach will be asked to leave the team. Verbal or physical abuse of coaches will not be tolerated.

8. The REDS will “suspend” parents from attending games, should any of the rules be broken. See Section “H”.

E. PLAYERS – Expectations and Rules

Every member of the team should recognize that it is a PRIVILEGE to represent the REDS and should act accordingly. We want everyone associated with the REDS to have the most positive experience possible, thus it is necessary for our players to have some rules to follow. The following expectations and rules are for the safety of the kids and overall satisfaction of all the players, parents, and coaches.

1. No REDS player is allowed to play on any other teams during the REDS season, unless permission is obtained from your team’s head coach.

2. Players are not allowed to argue with or disrespect coaches, parents or umpires for any reason.

3. Foul language and profanity are not tolerated at any time.

4. Good sportsmanship is a quality that is exemplified by our players. Taunting of your own, as well as opposing players, fans or umpires, will not be tolerated.

5. Self indulgence by players, such as hanging one’s head after an error or mental mistake, pouting over personal failure, tossing of helmets or bats, will have no place on the team.

6. Care of Equipment: Each player is responsible for the care of the equipment issued. Your equipment is to be worn only for practice, games and REDS functions, not for leisure wear. Hats are to be worn forwards and undershirts and jerseys are to be tucked in pants at all times. At practice we expect you to wear baseball/softball pants, a hat (not required for softball, protective gear and cleats at all times.

7. Practices during the season are not optional. Practices during the off season are highly recommended but not mandatory. Please see your head coach for any questions as to when you are in season versus off season. Family, school and church functions should always come first and are excused. All other absences require notifying your coach in advance via whichever method (telephone, email, etc.) they prefer.

8. Give 100% effort 100% of the time.

9. Cleaning of the field, dugout and equipment after each use is required.

10. No jewelry is to be worn, unless worn for medical or religious purposes and it is taped down.

11. Hotel Etiquette: Each coach will have their own rules for the team when traveling to tournaments. Please make sure to respect the other guests of the hotel by not running through the halls, going in and out of rooms or using loud voices.

6. PLAYING TIME

In tournament games, it is up to the coaches’ discretion to use all their players.

In non-tournament games, coaches will attempt to play every player.

Guest players may be deemed necessary in the event of injuries and to complete or supplement a team’s roster (with Executive Board approval). (Guest players may be charged according to the tournament fee).

7. UNIFORMS

Each player will be required to have the full uniform determined by the head coach and Cedar Rapids Reds Organization.

Apparel items such as (jackets, t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, sweatpants, etc.) are the responsibility of the players and can be obtained through the designated apparel orders throughout the year. The apparel orders are typically done in the winter and early spring. Each player is required to provide his/her own glove, cleats, protective cup (baseball only), helmet, batting gloves, defensive mask (softball only) and personal bat.

Uniforms will not be issued until all player fees are paid in full, unless arrangements are made with the REDS Organizational Treasurer.

H. ENFORCEMENT OF RULES AND VIOLATIONS

The rules and expectations listed herein are in place to ensure the quality development of our teams while maintaining the integrity of our organization. Violations of these rules by a parent, coach, or player will result in disciplinary action, which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

1. A formal written warning will be issued and documented.

2. A suspension from participation in at least one (1) game but no more than two (2) weeks will be issued and documented.

3. Possible expulsion from the REDS Organization.

The organization reserves the right to modify and/or add to the above list of potential disciplinary actions depending on the nature and severity of a given violation.

9. INDIVIDUAL TEAM RULES

Each individual team has the ability to add some specific rules applicable only to their team. These rules, if any, will be attached after discussion with parents and player.

10. MEDIA CONSENT

For the purpose of promoting the Cedar Rapids Little Reds Baseball, Inc., I give consent for my image to be displayed on the Red’s website or other promotional media used by the organization. Only team/club related information will be used in such promotions.

2024 COACHING WAIVER/RELEASE FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INCLUDING COVID-19

ASSUMPTION OF RISK / WAIVER OF LIABILITY / INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

In consideration of being allowed to coach on behalf of Cedar Rapids Little Reds Organization and related events and activities, the undersigned acknowledges, appreciates, and agrees that they will enforce the following guidelines relative to Cedar Rapids Little Reds athletes and families or risk termination from the Cedar Rapids Little Reds Organization and assume liability for any wrongdoing:

1. No dugouts will be used during practice and bags will be distanced at least 6 feet apart during that time. Dugout procedures during games will follow the guidelines of each tournament director, which could mean players will be allowed in the dugout or they may have to distance outside of the dugout.

2. Parents must remain in their cars or drop off and pick-up players after practice, No Exceptions. This rule also will apply to any practice that is held on private property as we understand there are families within the organization that have their own facilities where our Reds teams practice.

3. Players need to use their own equipment as much as possible.

4. Players need to bring their own water bottles/jugs no sharing and no team water coolers

allowed.

5. Anyone with symptoms of illness is not allowed to practice and/or play in games, this includes

coaches and players. (This extends to parents as well during games)

6. Players are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer if they can.

7. No spitting of sunflower seeds.

8. Pitchers will be guided by Pitch Smart USA pitch counts...this will override USSSA and/or any

other tournament pitching rules.

https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines

9. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS Cedar Rapids Little Reds and their officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event, WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ACTIONS I TAKE OR DON’T TAKE AS A COACH RELATIVE TO THE COVID-19 GUIDELINES PUT IN PLACE WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I HAVE READ THIS COACHES AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.