The Virginia Lady Eagles Softball Club is an IRS 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation staffed by parents and volunteers dedicated to fostering teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership through competition on the playing field. By assembling most of the finest young talent in Southeastern Virginia in one program, it is our objective to assist in developing these traits in each of the young ladies who choose to participate in the program. While superior playing skills are necessary to compete at the regional and national level, they are not the only criteria used in selecting the players. Academic acumen, respect for fellow players and coaches, willingness to learn and a desire to excel are major among the personal traits sought by the team managers and club directors and in which players must continue to demonstrate growth.
Another primary objective is to place these young ladies in an environment that will showcase their personal, academic and playing skills to the colleges and universities which actively seek these traits in future selections for attendance at their institutions of higher learning. Whether or not a player continues to compete at the next level, the experience gained through association with the Lady Eagles should help her meet the challenges of her future. In addition to achieving these very commendable goals, it is sincerely hoped that all volunteers, parents and players will have a good time doing so.
A degree of success can now be measured by the fact that ALL eligible players who wished to do so, have had scholarship opportunities to go on to play softball at the collegiate level. The Board of Directors, managers, coaches and parents take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the dedication, hard work and sacrifices they have made that justifies the dedication, hard work and sacrifices we have made. We are very proud of each of them. Their personalities, work ethic and academic success bring a high degree of credibility to the VA Lady Eagles program.

Player Conduct:

Our players are selected each year from a pool of returning players, players moving up from a younger team within the Organization and players who participate in our annual tryouts. Each coaching staff selects the players they feel will be most helpful to their team. This selection is based on a player’s ability, determination, character, and a willingness to be the best, to learn and improve their skills in the sport. The coaches expect that the players have above average softball skills or demonstrate skills that can be improved through instruction. The player must understand that the requirements of the team will be viewed as primary. The manager and coaches will expect 100% from you as a team player at practices and games. Players must submit up-to-date report cards to the Manager and Organization. High School unofficial transcripts are required immediately once a player makes the 18U team. This information kept confidential by the Manager and the Organization. You must keep a 2.0 GPA in school to play with the Virginia Lady Eagles. A 3.0 GPA or above is required at the 16U and 18U levels which allows for more college opportunities for the player. Less than a 3.0 GPA will result in fewer opportunities.

Each individual player who joins the Virginia Lady Eagles must have the attitude necessary to work hard, to learn, and to place the team effort above any personal gain or glory. Virginia Lady Eagles win or lose as a team, practice and work hard as a team, make mistakes as a team, and support each other as a team. Virginia Lady Eagles will not have room for anyone who thinks they are the team, or that they are better than everyone else on the team. Actions based on this attitude, no matter how good you are, will result in dismissal from the team.

We expect all of our players to display a positive attitude on and off the field at all Organization functions. Don't question your manager's or coach’s judgment in front of the team. If you do have a suggestion for your manager, coach or a fellow player, do it privately.

We expect that our players will be at practice and other events as required. Practices will not be treated as an optional activity but as a necessary opportunity to improve skills as well as the team’s performance. An excessive number of missed practices could result in dismissal from the team.

A player for the Virginia Lady Eagles will learn more than just softball. They will also learn responsibility. This is your team; you will be responsible for all team equipment before leaving the field after a practice or game. No player is to leave before all team equipment is picked up and packed away, all trash is removed from the field, and all your equipment is packed in your bags. We will leave the field as a team: together. Your equipment is just that, it’s yours. It is your responsibility to make sure you have all the equipment you need to come to practice and play in a game. It is not up to your parents, fans or other individuals to make sure you have what you need. If you can’t make a practice or game due to an emergency, it’s up to you to call the manager and let them know. You must do this ASAP so they can plan as needed.

We expect all players to be ready to practice or warm-up before a game at the time set by the Manager and coaches.

You must come to all practices and games dressed and ready to play.

We expect ALL VIRGINIA LADY EAGLES to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the Organization, especially when in uniform and when traveling.

As a player of the Virginia Lady Eagles, you may participate in other sports, other than softball as long as it doesn't interfere with Virginia Lady Eagles team practices and games. You cannot participate with any other softball club other than with the Virginia Lady Eagles or your school team.

If for any reason at any time you don’t feel well, you’re hurt, or you’re not going to be able to give 100% for whatever reason at practices or games, please let the Manager or Head Coach know ASAP. This may keep you from practicing or playing a game but it’s for the best of the team and you.

Cheering is a big part of girls softball. As an Organization we promote the girls cheering for each other. The Virginia Lady Eagles do not promote cheering against the other team to distract them from playing the game so we win. If you feel you need to do that you will need to find another team. This rule applies to parents as well. The organization will ask you to leave if this becomes a problem with any tournament Director or Manager. There should be no cheering or yelling against the other team. You can cheer before games, during the games for your teammates and after the game for your team. This is what makes our organization one of the best and we intend to keep it that way.

At tournaments the girls must stay together unless the Manager or Coaches release them to the parents. Anywhere players go they MUST be in 2s even to the bathroom. Players must tell the Team Moms where they are going. Team Moms need to know where players are at all times.

The Virginia Lady Eagles shirttails must be tucked in at all times during and between games and whenever in uniform.

Parents:

Players’ parents enable the Virginia Lady Eagles to exist. Parents entrust the organization with a limited, but specific degree of authority over their daughters, on the practice and game fields. There is an understanding that the authority entrusted will result in their daughters’ growth in individual softball skills, sportsmanship and their integration into a team.

Parents ensure that the organization has the resources to accomplish these objectives by raising funds through Bingo. Bingo is an important part of the organization. It is highly regulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia that imposes significant rules and penalties for violations. The Virginia Lady Eagles want to protect this asset so we attempt to control our activities during Bingo sessions. The organization’s Bingo Managers have the final word on conduct and actions during Bingo.

During tournament practices/warm-up and games, your daughters belong to the Manager and his coaching staff. No parents should be in or around the dugouts during games. Between games and after the last game of the day, your daughters will be released to spend time with their families. Please be sure to follow the Manager’s guidelines set for the weekend, what time to be back for warm-ups during the games, lights out time/ bed time for your daughters, and the times they need to show up before a game. If any of these guidelines are broken, it may result in your daughter’s dismissal from the team.

Please be advised that the Virginia Lady Eagles has a 24-hour rule in place for all discussions regarding Coaches decisions or Organization Rules. Anyone wishing to discuss coaches’ decisions or rules must allow for a 24 hour period, following completion of the final game of a weekend tournament. Should a player or parent disagree with a coaches’ call/decision or an Organization rule, the player/parent has a right to question, ask for explanation, or ask for clarification, but are expected to adhere to this 24-hour timeline. This period is considered to be a cooling off period. Should you feel that your concerns cannot withstand the 24-hour rule, and the coach or board member has asked you to wait until this 24-hour period has expired, you can contact the President of the Virginia Lady Eagles. Should you choose not to abide by this rule, the repercussions could be possible termination of a player.

Coaches

The Manager of each team is responsible to the Virginia Lady Eagles Board of Directors to execute the policies of the Organization. To these ends, Team Managers, Coaches, and Assistant Coaches must commit to:

• Maintaining a positive attitude,

• Maintaining proper conduct with game officials, tournament directors, tournament officials, etc.,

• Providing the time, dedication, knowledge, and environment required to teach individual players about softball and sportsmanship, and to mold those players into a team,

• Working to improve their own softball knowledge and skills so they can impart them to their players,

• Providing opportunities for all players to excel with hard work and dedications,

• Ensuring communications are maintained among coaches, parents, players, and relevant club officials about team issues and plans,

• Ensuring every effort is made to showcase your daughter to prospective college coaches upon reaching age eligibility,

• Manage the team budget.