WELCOME TO 2021 SUNRISE GIRLS SOFTBALL

2021 SPRING LEAGUE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN      

3RD COACHES MEETING AND DEADLINE FOR TEAM & PLAYERS REGISTRATION IS MARCH 1ST AT 7:00PM AT SUNRISE OPTIMIST MEETING ROOM.  THIS WILL BE AN INPERSON MEETING - MASKS REQUIRED. MEETING IS MANDATORY FOR HEAD COACHES OR A TEAM REPRESENTATIVE. COACHES AT MEETING WILL RECEIVE A FREE ENTRY IN DRAWING ON OPENING DAY FOR A 2021 USA OLYMPIC TEAM AUTOGRAPHED HELMET. MEETING IS ALSO DEADLINE FOR TEAM & PLAYER REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF ALL FEES. RULES FOR ALL DIVISIONS WILL BE COVERED.

We have added a enhanced team cage rental service.  1 hour 30 minutes for $30.00, with a max of 12 players and 2 coaches, split into 2 periods of 45 minutes with a max of 6 players and 2 coaches. Can be paid and scheduled on line under the USA TRAINING ACADEMY Page

WE HAVE ADDED FIELD RENTAL FOR FIELDS 3, 4, & 5.  ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE ADDED FIELD RENTAL FOR 1 & 2 .  FIELD 2 RESTRICTED TO 14 U TEAMS, FIELD 1 RESTRICTED TO 12 U OR ABOVE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON ONLY. 

Membership fees have been lowered .  FACILITY IS SUPERVISED, HEATED, AND AIR CONDITIONED  IN THE SUMMER.  NEW PROVIDER TO BE ADDED NEXT WEEK. 

Just a reminder that players that are grandfathered to a team must register and pay by tomorrow to be added to that teams roster.    On the 16th  players without a team  will be assigned to teams with less that 12 players on their roster.  Players will be assigned in order of registeration and must be paid for them to be  assigned to teams that are closest to their location

The zoom recording of the 2nd Coaches meeting can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

The handout agenda for the meeting can be viewed by CLICKING HERE

DEADLINE FOR TEAM, PLAYER REGISTRATION IS MARCH 1ST.

ALL GRANDFATHERED PLAYERS MUST BE ON TEAM'S ROSTER AND PAID TO SAVE THEIR PLACE ON THEIR GRANFATHERED TEAM.

COACHES WORK DAY WILL BE FEBRUARY 20TH FROM 8:30AM TILL NOON.  A LIST OF WORK PROJECTS TO VOLUNTEER FOR WILL BE POSTED ON WEBSITE. 

The first coaches meeting recording can be viewed by clicking on the following link

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AmLPpM8slk0qgfMnJ0CzjaRt1sStEA?e=cPwt3R .  The coaches handout package can be downloaded by clicking on the following link; http://www.sunrisesoftball.net/Documents.asp?org=SunriseSoftball.net .  The next coaches meeting will be on February 8th at 7pm at Sunrise Optimist Complex Meeting Room and by Zoom.

CHECK OUT WEBSITE FOR MEET TEAM USA UPATED AND WEEKLY TEAM USA TIPS AND PLAYER INTERACTIONS.  LOTS OF GOOD STUFF AND A CHANCE TO MEET THE TEAM USA PLAYERS.

Over the next 2 months we will be posting introduction videos on a weeking basis for the 2020-2021 USA OLYMPIC SOFTBALL TEAM.  TAKE THIS TIME TO GET TO KNOW THE TEAM AND LEARN ABOUT EACH OF THE PLAYERS.  GET STARTED BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW TO GET INTRODUCTION OF THE ROSTER FOR THE OLYMPICS. https://www.mlb.com/usa-softball/meet-the-team

I have received several questions and comments on where teams can be formed and where players can play and on which teams.  Our league is dedicated to providing opportunity for all girls to play softball regardless of ability.  ALL PROSPECTIVE COACHES AND PARENTS SHOULD READ THE LEAGUE RULES UNDER DOCUMENTS , ESPECIALLY ARTICLE III.   Players cannot just play for whatever team they want unless the rules allow it under "Grandfathering of teams, or playing for teams in their school district." COACHES AND PARENTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE RULES BECAUSE THEY WILL BE ENFORCED FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE LEAGUE AND PLAYERS.  DO NOT PUT YOUR PLAYERS IN THE POSITION OF BEING TOLD THEY CANNOT PLAY FOR A CERTAIN TEAM.  PLAYERS WITHOUT TEAMS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE TEAM CLOSEST TO THEIR SCHOOL.  REQUESTS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THESE ASSIGNMENTS.

THE SECTION OF RULES THAT APPLY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE III – TEAM & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY - DISTRICTING***** Section 1: FOR THE 2021 SEASON 6 &U ,8 & U TEAMS,PLAYERS MAY COME FROM ANY SCHOOL IN THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT. 14U TEAMS may be formed according to current USA Code determining player and team eligibility FOR ALL 10 u, 12u, TEAMS, TEAMS WILL BE FORMED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING 2021 RULES: Sunrise Optimist 2020 League Rules 10/08/2019 Page 3 Section 2 – 2020 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY CHANGES IN ORDER TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN THE LEAGUE AND THE SPORT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE PASSED THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN PLAYER ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES FOR TEAM FORMATION IN THE LEAGUE AS OF 01/01/ 2020. 1. ALL EXISTING LEAGUE TEAM ROSTERS FOR THE SPRING OR FALL 2020 WILL BE GRAND FATHERED AS LONG AS A MINIMUM OF 5 PLAYERS RETURN. PLAYERS MAY CONTINUE TO PLAY FOR THEIR TEAM UNDER PREVIOUS ELIGIBILITY RULES AS LONG AS THEY PLAY FOR THE TEAM. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO PLAY UNDER PREVIOUS RULES THEY MUST PLAY FOR THE TEAM EVERY SEASON. FAILURE TO REGISTER FOR THE TEAM BY FEBRUARY 15TH OF EACH YEAR WILL VOID THEIR GRANDFATHER CLAUSE AND THEY WILL BE ASSIGNED TO TEAMS UNDER THE 2021 RULES. THE GRANDFATHERED TEAMS ATTENDANCE ZONE WILL BE THE ZONE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PLAYERS ATTEND. TEAMS MAY ADD PLAYERS FROM THAT ZONE ONLY. ADDITIONAL PLAYERS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE TEAM UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 12 PLAYERS BY THE LEAGUE AFTER FEBRUARY 15TH. ANY ADDITONAL PLAYERS ASSIGNED TO THE TEAM MUST BE UNDER THE 2021 RULES. 2. NEW TEAMS MAY SELECT 5 PLAYERS FROM ANY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ZONE EXCEPT GIRLS ATTENDING WICHITA FALLS ISD MAY NOT BE ASSIGNED TO ANY TEAM OUTSIDE OF WICHITA FALLS UNLESS THEY LIVE IN THAT ZONE. ONLY 1 SELECTION MAY BE A PITCHER. ALL OTHER PLAYERS FOR THE TEAM MUST COME FROM THE ATTENDANCE ZONE OF THE TEAM WHICH WILL BE ZONE THE MAJORITY OF THE INITIALLY SELECTED PLAYERS ATTEND. REMAINING PLAYERS WILL BE ASSIGNED BY THE LEAGUE ACCORDING TO THEIR PROXMITY TO TEAMS. 3. REGISTERED PLAYERS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A TEAM FROM THEIR ATTENDANCE ZONE. WHILE THE LEAGUE WILL DO THEIR BEST TO ASSIGN ALL GIRLS TO A TEAM PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORM TEAMS IN THEIR ZONE BECAUSE NO GUARANTEE CAN BE MADE THAT A TEAM WILL BE AVAILABLE. 4. INISIDE WICHITA FALLS ISD THE ATTENDANCE ZONE WILL BE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ZONE FOR GRADES PRE-KINGARTEN THROUGH THE 5TH GRADE. 6TH GRADE PLAYERS ZONE WILL BE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SCHOOL ZONE. PRIVATE SCHOOL PLAYERS WILL BE BASED ON THEIR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OR THE PUBLIC ZONE IN WHICH THEY RESIDE. Section 3: 16 & under and above league teams may be formed according to current USA Code determining player and team eligibility. ARTICLE IV - ELIGIBILITY FOR LEAGUE PLAY Section 1 - Each girl must meet the player eligibility requirements as outlined in the USA softball code for th

2021 TOURNAMENTS NOW POSTED BELOW.  TO ENTER TOURNAMENTS GO TO WWW.TOURNAMENTUSASOFTBALL.COM  OR CLICK IN TOP RIGHT CORNER OF WEBSITE. 

Registration for the 2021 SOGS League opens on 01/04/2021 for teams, coaches, and players.  Fees remain the same as the 2020 Season at $65.00 per player and $225 for teams.  The First Coaches meeting will be on January 25th at 7pm at the Sunrise Optimist Complex Meeting Room at 5401 D Southwest Parkway.  If COVID requirements still prevent the meeting at that size it will be held by Zoom and a invitation will be posted to the website and emailed to all registered coaches.  New rules and forms have been posted ot the website.  Only changes are the change in game time for 6U to 60 minutes, and the requirement for all 3rd Base and Pitchers in 10 & above to wear a noscae certified fielder's masks while playing those positions. PLEASE REVIEW THE PLAYER AND TEAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS IN THE RULES UNDER DOCUMENTS. 

THE USA SOFTBALL TRAINING ACADEMY IS NOW OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS AND YOU MAY REVIEW THE NEW PROGRAM UNDER THE TOP HEADING ON THE WEBSITE.

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEARS AND SEE YOU ON THE 25TH OF JANUARY.

Bill Franklin

SOGS President

THE FOLLOWING SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE FOR 2 SEASONS. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT LANGUAGE HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM MAY BE TO WILL BE.  THERE WILL NO LONGER BE ANY TOLERANCE FOR UNSPORTSMANSHIP ACTIVITY TOWARD OFFICIALS, STAFF, PLAYERS, FANS OR OTHER COACHES. I WOULD LIKE ALL OF YOU TO REMEMBER THAT CHILDREN OBSERVE THE ACTIONS OF ADULTS AND WE WANT THOSE ACTIONS IN OUR PROGRAM TO CONSTRUCTIVE NOT DESTRUCTIVE. 

THE RULES CALL FOR FANS, PLAYERS, AND COACHES TO TREAT UMPIRES, SCOREKEEPERS, LEAGUE OFFICIALS, OTHER FANS, PLAYERS & COACHES WITH PROPER SPORTSMANSHIP AT ALL TIMES.  THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN THAT YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH AND YOU MAY NOT LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER FANS, TEAMS AND OFFICIALS. HOWEVER WE EXPECT THAT EVERYONE WILL BE TREATED WITH PROPER SPORTSMANSHIP.  FAILURE TO DO THIS WILL RESULT WITH YOU BEING REMOVED FROM THE FACILITY.  COACHES OR PLAYERS THAT ARE EJECTED FROM GAMES WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR BEFORE SOGS BOARD TO DETERMINE IF ANY FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED.  FANS REMOVED FROM A GAME MAY, DEPENDING UPON THE EVENT,WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SOGS BOARD TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO FACILITY. 

YOUTH SPORTS ARE MEANT TO TEACH SPORTSMANSHIP AND LIFE LESSONS.  THIS IS NOT PROFESSIONAL SPORTS AND MISTAKES MAY BE MADE BY OFFICIALS.  IT IS NEVER INTENTIONAL.

WE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT SEASON AND ENJOY YOUR SELF AT THE BALL PARK

  It is our policy to protect the safety of our participants , umpires , and parents at all times.  We will postpone, or reschedule game if severe weather is in or will come into the Southwest part of Wichita County . We continuous monitor weather status and weather radar to determine possible severe weather that would affect us.  We do not cancel games for a severe weather watch unless storms are developing that would enter our area.  We have a Storm Spotter location at the Stadium at the fields and we also rely on their advice. 

Please rest assured we will do everything possible to keep everyone safe, however parents are the final judge of their children's safety and should do what they feel is necessary.  However, we will not reschedule games unless previous conditions exist.