What HGSA Expects of Players
HGSA expect players to honor the game. Honoring the Game goes to the “ROOTS” of positive play. Each letter in ROOTS stands for an important part of the game that we must respect. The R stands for Rules. The first O is for Opponents. The next O is for Officials. T is for Teammates, and the S is for Self.
R is for Rules – Rules allow us to keep the game fair. If we win by ignoring or violating the rules, what is the value of our victory? HGSA believes that honoring the letter AND the spirit of the rule is important.
O is for Opponents – Without an opponent; there would be no competition. Rather than demeaning a strong opponent, we need to honor strong opponents because they challenge us to do our best. Athletes can be both fierce and friendly during the same competition (in one moment giving everything to get to a loose ball, and in the next moment helping an opponent up). Coaches showing respect for opposing coaches and players sets the tone for the rest of the team.
O is for Officials – Respecting officials, even when we disagree with their calls, may be the toughest part of honoring the Game. We must remember that officials are not perfect (just like coaches, athletes and parents!). Take time to think about how to best approach an official when you want to discuss a call. What strategies do you have to keep yourself in control when you start to get upset with officials calls? We must remember that the loss of officials (and finding enough in the first place) is a major problem in most youth sports organizations, and we can confront this problem by consistently respecting officials. Calls should only be challenged by a manager of a playing team.
T is for Teammates – It’s easy for young athletes to think solely about their own performance, but we want athletes to realize that being part of a team requires thinking about and respecting one’s teammates. This respect needs to carry beyond the softball field into the classroom and social settings. Athletes need to be reminded that their conduct away from practices and games will reflect back on their teammates and the league, club, or school.
S is for Self – Athletes should be encouraged to live up to their own highest personal standard of honoring the Game, even when their opponents are not. Athletes respect for themselves and their own standards must come first.