⚾️ GUARDIAN ANGELS: Tournament Protocol & Rules

 

1. Playing Time Protocol

​

⚾️Playing time will be fair, but must be earned — not guaranteed.
While every player will have opportunities to contribute, playing time and innings may vary based on effort, attitude, attendance, and team needs.

​

⚾️So, what earns a player more time on the field?
– Consistently showing up on time
– Being prepared, dependable, and ready to compete
– Following instructions and responding properly to coaching
– Demonstrating reliable effort, attitude, energy, and putting the team-first in both practices and games. 

– Being a good teammate  
– Consistent playmaking will be rewarded as this helps the team!
– This is travel baseball — not recreational ball — and the goal is to compete and help each team be as competitive as possible. This is an expectation that comes with being part of our program.

​

⚾️ What’s the Standard?

Our goal as coaches is to get every player on the field as much as possible. Typically, no player will sit more than half a game—when circumstances allow. That said, playing time may shift based on game situations, team needs, or player availability. Each coach is intentional about managing playing time fairly while also keeping the team competitive and focused on development.

 

🚫Players are not permitted to request positions during game time. Each coach has a game plan and lineup prepared in advance. Players are expected to trust that coaches are making decisions with the team’s best interest in mind.

 

Examples of situations where playing time may vary:

• Close or high-stakes games

• Late-game situations

• Elimination games

• Moments where the team needs a spark or momentum shift

• Injuries

• Behavior

• Anything that negatively impacts the team

​

      Again, we put the team first. 

 

​

⚾️PARENTS & PLAYERS:  If you have an issue with playing time, these are the Rules to follow, as a Guardian Angel:

​

Stage 1: The Player Speaks First

​

The first step is that the PLAYER must speak directly to the coach — not the parent.
Coaches will not discuss playing time with parents until the player has initiated the conversation.

It is then the player’s responsibility to communicate with their parents about what was discussed with the coach.
This process encourages accountability, maturity, and healthy communication — all important parts of player development, which is high on our priority list as an organization.

​

What should the player say? 

First, if a player is not in their desired position, the coach currently sees their skill level best suited elsewhere. This does not mean they will be in that spot permanently — it simply means there’s still growth needed to earn the opportunity to play in the desired spot. The coach’s decision should be respected. Instead of asking: “Why am I not playing [position]?”
 

Ask: “Coach, what do I need to improve to earn the opportunity to play [position]?”
 

This shows maturity, respect, and a willingness to grow — all qualities that coaches value highly, which may increase a player’s chances for future opportunities.

​

​

When should the player address the coach?

​

Before practice or after a practice – 🚫never during practice/games. If it is before practice, it should be at least 10 to 15 minutes beforehand, not right before practice starts. Parents may notify the coach via email if their child is planning to talk to the coach, to give the coach a heads up. 

​

​

🚫 Game-Time Conversations

Players and parents are not permitted to address coaches about playing time or related concerns at the tournament location. This includes before the game, during the game, or after the game.  It’s simply not the right environment for that discussion. 

 

Stage 2:  If the player has made proper adjustments consistently enough IN-GAMES, not practice, it is likely the coach will give the player more opportunities. However, if the player has not consistently shown the improvements. There is no need for further conversation until the adjustments have been made. These are the standards we have in place. And further discussion with parents will not take place until this has happened. 

​

Example of when a parent should not reach out about playing time:

1. When the player has not yet spoken to the coach — the process begins with the player, not the parent.

2. After just the first two tournaments — there simply isn’t enough data or opportunity yet to evaluate fairly.

3. When the player has not shown consistent in-game improvement — until adjustments are evident over multiple games, conversations about playing time are premature.

 

Stage 3: When a Parent Can Reach Out

Once the player has:
✅ Spoken to the coach directly
✅ Made consistent, in-game adjustments over multiple games
✅ Shown a genuine effort to grow in the areas discussed

Then — and only then — may a parent reach out to the coach for further clarification or discussion.

This communication should be done:
– Respectfully
– Away from the tournament setting
– Via email or scheduled phone call.

​

This ensures our staff can focus on coaching during practice and games.

 

2. Game-Time Policy

 

Parents are not permitted in or around the dugout during games. While providing a drink or towel is completely fine, we do not encourage any outside coaching, influence, or in-game advice. Players should not be looking to the stands for direction. Coaches need to lead without distractions, and the best time to talk to your son about how he played or what he can improve is after the game, not during it. Thanks for helping us build confident, focused athletes.

 

 

 

3. Uniforms

⚾️ Saturdays: Blue tops with gray pants

⚾️ Sundays: White tops with white pants

⚾️ Fridays (if applicable): Blue tops with gray pants

⚾️ Players must wear belt.

 

4. Arrival Time & Pre-Game Routine

Players are expected to be ready to go and meeting at the batting cages of the facility 45 minutes to 1 hour before game time. If a player arrives late and the entire team has already completed hitting, they may miss batting practice, as we want to be warmed up as a full team on the field and on time.

 

5. Expectations for Parents

We ask that all parents continue to support our teams in a positive and respectful manner. By being part of the Angels program, we trust that you understand and embody the values we stand for. We kindly ask that parents lead by example — especially in the moments that matter most — because our players often reflect the behavior they see from the adults around them.

​

Please Remember:

⚾️ Represent the Angels brand with pride, class, and integrity.

⚾️ Do not engage in arguments with umpires or opposing fans — no matter the situation.

⚾️ Respect the roles we each play: coaches coach, players play, and parents show support.

⚾️ Many tournaments enforce strict policies: if a parent is ejected, the head coach is also ejected — which can seriously impact the team.

Teams are remembered more by how they carry themselves than by how many trophies they take home.

 

6. Tournament Game Schedule Info

Tournament hosts typically release weekend schedules between Monday and Wednesday of the tournament week. Early in the season, families will receive email notifications with their team’s specific schedule. However, website links will be provided to everyone, and it’s important to note that this is the same place coaches check for updates. Therefore, we kindly ask that parents check the tournament website first for the schedule before immediately asking the head coach.

​

You’ll also be able to find links to all tournament sites listed below (also see schedule tab on website):

​

All American: https://playallamerican.com/9u-15u/

PlayNetB: https://playnetb.com/

Atlantic Coast: https://playacbaseball.com/ (Find 3 rivers under affiliates tab)

No Offeason: https://www.nooffseasonsports.com/

Bridgeport: https://www.fatherandsontournaments.com/

 

If for some reason, there is an issue regarding the schedule, please feel free to reach out! guardianangelbaseball@gmail.com