Frequently Asked Questions about Modified Sports

 

v   What are Modified Sports?

Interscholastic competition in sports for pupils below the 10th grade level that has been modified and adapted to students in grades 7-8-9.

 

 

 

v   What is the major emphasis of Modified Sports?

The emphasis of our Modified program is on participation, safety, and teaching fundamental skills to young athletes.

 

 

 

v   Who can participate in Modified Sports?

Upon entry into the 7th grade, a student is eligible for the modified program competition.  One is ineligible when the sixteenth birthday is attained; however, if a student attains the sixteenth birthday during a sport season he/she may complete that sport season.

 

 

 

v   What sports are offered and when?

Fall Sports                        Winter Sports              Spring Sports

Boys Cross Country        Boys Basketball           Baseball

Girls Cross Country       Girls Basketball            Softball

Field Hockey                   Boys Indoor Track      Boys Tennis

Football                           Girls Indoor Track       Girls Lacrosse

Boys Soccer                     Wrestling                      Boys Lacrosse

Girls Tennis                                                             Boys Track

Girls Volleyball                                                       Girls Track

Girls Soccer                                                            

 

v   What is the “cutting” policy in Modified Sports?

 

At the Modified level, all students are encouraged to participate.  However, if the number of students trying out for a team creates an unmanageable situation and/or poses a safety hazard, reducing team size may be necessary.  To alleviate “cutting,” the Athletic Department usually splits the team into two or three small teams, which divides the practice and game schedules.

 

v   Is there a Code of Behavior for Modified Student-Athletes?

 

    Membership on an athletic team is a privilege, and all team  

    members should strive to perform to the best of their

    abilities as student-athletes and citizens in their community.

    The student-athlete and their parents/guardians must sign

    the Hastings Athletic Contract and hand it in to their coach.

 

 

   

v   What steps need to be taken in order to be able to participate in Modified Sports?

 

A.     Student-Athletes must attend the mandatory sign-up meeting.

B.     Student-Athletes must turn in a Green Athletic Permission/Medical form.  The green form must be taken home, completed and signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the coach or nurse’s office before the posted deadline.  A new Green Athletic Permission/Medical form must be completed before the start of each sport season.

C.     Student-Athletes must have a physical exam within the last 12 months on file in the nurse’s office.  If more than 12 months will pass between the last exam and before the start of the sport season, the nurse will require the student-athlete to have a new physical exam.  Preferably, this exam will be done by his/her private physician.  However, if this is not possible, he/she may see the school physician.  The school physician will be scheduled for one visit prior to each sports season.  The Health Office must have all original forms on file.

D.     Student-Athletes and his/her parents/guardians must read and sign the Hastings Athletic Contract and return it to the coach.

 

 

 

v   What is the commitment in Modified Sports?

 

Team practices are usually held 5 days a week.  Practice sessions shall be limited to two hours and will be at least 45 minutes in length.  However, coaches understand and allow middle school student-athletes to occasionally miss practices to pursue other interests.  The other commitments must be discussed prior to the season with the coach.

 

 

 

v   Are there any rules or regulations governing how many practices the student-athletes must attend before they are allow to participate in a scrimmage and/or game?

 

Yes.  Every sport has a State requirement for a minimum number of practices prior to being permitted to participate in a scrimmage and/or game as mandated by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSSA).  Regardless of whether the absence from practice was excused or not, student-athletes who do not attend the required number of practices will be ineligible for participation in the contest.

 

 

 

 

v   What is the required number of practices needed to participate in a scrimmage and/or a game?

 

 

SPORT

Number of Practices Prior to First Scrimmage

Number of Practices Prior to First Game

Baseball

Pitcher

8

10

10

15

Basketball

9

11

Cross Country

10

13

Field Hockey

9

11

Football

13

17

Golf

training

training

Girls Lacrosse

10

13

Boys Lacrosse

10

15

Soccer

9

11

Softball

6

8

Swimming

10

15

Tennis

6

8

Outdoor Track

10

15

Winter Track

10

15

Volleyball

6

8

Wrestling

13

15

 

 

v   When do buses leave for games?  Will it interfere with extra help/ AIS?

 

     Buses usually leave at 3:30pm. Academics come first and 

     students must attend their academic commitments at 2:45-

     3:15.

 

 

 

v    How do the student-athletes know when practices are

scheduled?

 

 

 

Coaches make practice schedules for their team.  Usually, it is at 3:30pm everyday ending no later than 5:30pm.  The coaches will inform their players and then it is the responsibility of the student-athlete to inform their parents.  Practice times may change due to lack of space, weather, or unforeseen circumstances that may arise.  As soon as the change is known, it is posted throughout the middle school and locker room area.

 

 

 

v   How do parents/guardians know when practices/games   are scheduled? 

 

It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to inform their parents/guardians as to when and where their practices/games are held.  The coach will give a game schedule to the student-athlete to bring home to their parents/guardians.

 

 

 

v   Are there any other ways a parent/guardian might obtain an up-dated game schedule?

 

     Parents/Guardians can check the school website at:  

     http://www.hastings.k12.ny.us

 

or

 

     go directly to the BOCES Athletic website at:

     http://athleticsdb.lhric.org

 

    Parents/guardians may also pick up an updated game  

    schedule and direction booklet in the Athletic Director’s

    Office.

 

 

 

 

v   How do I use the websites?

         

    If you go on the school website: 

    http://www2lhric.org/hastings, 

    click on “Sports”.

 

    For game schedules:

    click on: “Visit the BOCES on-line Sports Schedule”.

    

    Then click on: “Games”. (This could be reached directly by

    going to http://athleticsdb.lhric.org).

    

     Then click on: “Game Schedules”. 

    

     Next, scroll in the desired School, Sport, Level, Start Date,

     and End Date and click “Submit”. 

    

     The game schedule will then appear.

  

     For directions to the schools:

    

     click on: View Interscholastic Sports Travel Guide.

    

     Then scroll to the desired school

Or

     Click on: Visit the BOCES on-line Sports Schedule

    

     Then click on: Directions to Games. (This could be reached

     directly by going to http://athleticsdb.lhric.org)

    

     Next, scroll in the desired school.

 

 

v   Is there a Hastings Athletic Hotline that announces the    

      daily athletic events?

 

      Yes.  The number is (914) 478-6245.

 

 

v   What are the coaches’ qualifications?

 

      All coaches must be certified in First Aid, CPR, and

      Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training.  They

      must have completed a Child Abuse and a Violence

      Prevention Workshop. They also must complete three

      coaching classes: Philosophy, Principles, & Organization of

      Athletics in Education; Health Sciences Applied to  

      Coaching; and Theories and Techniques of Coaching in

      Education.  If they are new to the district, they are

      required to submit fingerprints.

 

 

v   Can my son/daughter be driven home from away

games?

 

      It is desired for the student-athlete to ride the bus home  

      with the team.  If necessary, a student-athlete may leave the  

      game with a parent/guardian with a signed permission slip.

      The permission slip must be given to the coach prior to

      leaving the game. The permission slips are available from

      the coach or Athletic Office.  A student-athlete may only go

      home with his/her own parent/guardian.

 

 

v   What time should I expect my son/daughter to arrive

back to the school after an away game?

 

 This all depends on what sport your son/daughter is   

 participating in.  As a general rule, the buses usually do not

 arrive back to the school before 7:00pm. 

 

 

v   Is there a consequence if my son and/or daughter

v   do not participate in Physical Education classes?

 

As noted in the Hastings Student Handbook, Students not properly dressed
for class activities, or who do not participate fully in Physical Education
class will be unable to participate in athletic practices or contests that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 This pamphlet has been developed by the Athletic Director, Andrew Wendol.