2015 daniel boone high school baseball team
TRANSCRIPT
2015 Daniel Boone High School Baseball Team
Agenda
– Player/Parent Handbook
– Folder Forms- things to return, things to be aware of
– Spring Activity Fee
– Spring Practice Schedule
– Calendar/Schedule Updates
– Team Webpage
– Opportunities for involvement
– Baseball Boosters Presentation
Team Handbook
Goal of the Handbook: Serve as a code and a guide to layout expectations, requirements, procedures, and processes.
– What’s new this year: There is nothing that is completely new, however; there are some key sections I would ask everyone to be aware of.
• Important Sections of the Handbook include: – The Team Communication Process
– The Team Rules and Policies
– The Team Core Values
– Handbook Items to be Returned: • Player/Parent Signature Page
• Player Information Page has been replaced by the online version which should be accessed and completed by visiting
Expectations Mission Statement
Develop student-athletes who are committed to achieving excellence in the classroom, on the field, and
in the community.
Program Goals – Field a successful team at all three levels
• In the classroom – have no team members appear on eligibility reports
• On the field – improve our skills and bond as a team every single day
• In the community – represent our community by being leaders and role models
– Provide each player with the opportunity to learn, develop, and improve baseball skills on a daily basis.
– Provide each player with an atmosphere that encourages mental, social, and emotional maturity.
– Open doors for college advancement.
Player Expectations
Player Expectations: – An athlete in the Daniel Boone Baseball Program is expected
to: • Show up on time.
• Work hard.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Dedicate yourself to improvement every day.
• Put the TEAM ahead of personal goals.
• Respect your coaches, teammates, opposing teams and officials.
• Encourage your teammates.
• Discuss questions or concerns with your coach in a positive, mature manner.
• Represent the program appropriately on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
• Remember your priorities: family first, academics second, athletics third.
• The development of a baseball program is based upon the following five points. – First, the program must establish discipline both on
and off the field.
– Secondly there must be open lines of communications with coaches, players, parents, and administrators.
– Third, rapport must be built, fostered, and nurtured with players through caring and motivation.
– Fourth, all elements of the program must be well-organized.
– Fifth, at the heart of what is done on the field, the key is to teach the game's fundamentals and develop a respect for the game of baseball.
When a player or parent has questions or concerns regarding the program or a player's individual role on the team, it is important to keep in mind the following communication process that have been adopted by our baseball program. This process provides an effective and efficient progression, focused on solving any problem that may develop throughout the season. The full plan is available on our website or from a coach.
Communication You Should Expect From The Coaching Staff: • Coach’s philosophy. • Guidelines for selecting the team. • Expectations for your athlete. • Locations and times of all practices and games. • Team requirements: equipment, off-season training, fundraising, etc. • Procedure to follow should your athlete become injured during
participation. • Player code of conduct and consequences for not following these
guidelines. • Disposition of lost/outstanding equipment at the end of the season. • How to best contact the coach. • Communication concerning your son’s role on the team and how he
fits into the future of our program.
In addition, coaches are expected to: • Talk to athletes during games and practices and take an active
role in coaching your athlete. • Model appropriate behaviors. • Work with parents/guardians to raise money for their teams via
fundraising. • Follow Daniel Boone School District procedures and PIAA rules. • Work with the building Athletic Facilitator to make sure athletes
are meeting eligibility • requirements. • Reinforce the Daniel Boone School District Student Handbook
rules and expectations as well • as our Baseball Team Handbook.
The 24 Hour Rule A key component to our team communication guide is our 24 hour rule. This rule shields parents, players, and coaches from conversations that could be ruled by emotion instead of good sense and logic. We all want what is best for each individual athlete. Thus, in the interest of insuring that the central issue is addressed and not the emotion of a heated situation, a mandatory wait time for discussions will be in place. This wait time will pertain to team selections, team placement, and playing time. Obviously, if there is a bigger issue of health or safety, this rule would not apply. If there is an issue you would like to discuss with a member of the coaching staff after tryouts or after a game, please follow the established procedure for setting up a meeting listed below.
Appropriate Concerns to Discuss With Coaches At times, it may be difficult to accept the fact that your athlete is not playing as much as you or the athlete would like. Coaches are professionals who make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be the best for the team and all involved. As you will see in the list below, certain things can and should be discussed with your player’s coach.
– The treatment of your athlete, psychologically and physically. – Ways to help your athlete improve. – Concerns about your athlete’s behavior – Coordinating efforts for playing at the next level
Coach’s Decisions
1. Playing time 2. Team strategy 3. Play calling Ultimately, it is not the Athletic Facilitator, School Administration, or School Board’s decision to assign players to teams, determine playing time, determine team strategy, or to call plays. They have hired a coaching staff they believe in to make those decisions. With this in mind, it is important to understand that no one from the athletic office, administration or board will intervene in these areas. For these areas you will need to address the coaches directly. The one who is best equipped to address these discussion areas will be your athlete. Please encourage them to ask questions first. The best form of these questions would be, “What can I do to improve so that I can contribute to the team more than what I currently am?” If you do not feel the answer was complete or fair, you are welcome to set up a meeting with your child and the coaching staff. As the discussion is about the player they will be included in any discussions with the coach and any other parties involved in the meeting. Without the player, the meeting will not be conducted.
Procedure to Voice Concerns There are situations that may require a conference between the coach, the athlete, the parent(s), and possibly the Athletic Facilitator. When entering into these meetings it is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other participants’ roles and position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution. • Your athlete should first talk with the coach about their concerns. • After the athlete meets with the coach and the matter is still unresolved, or
guardians should email the coach to set up an appointment with the staff to discuss any concerns. In this email, please list times when you are available not after a game, and what the exact issue is that you would like to discuss.
• If the coach cannot be reached or the parent and athlete do not think that a resolution can be reached by talking with the coach, the Athletic Facilitator should be contacted.
• Please DO NOT approach a coach before or after a contest or before or after a practice with previously agreeing to a meeting at that time. These can be emotional times for both the parents and the coaches. Meetings during these times usually do not work well for the coach, the parent, or the player. Use the “24 hour” rule to keep your emotions and those of the other parties involved in check.
The Next Step What can a parent do if the meeting/discussion with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution? • Call and discuss the situation with the school Athletic
Facilitator. At this time, the appropriate next step can be determined.
• Whether or not this step is ever reached, please keep in mind the following protocol when you elect to pursue a concern you may have regarding your child’s experience on Daniel Boone Baseball Team. Please make contact as follows: 1. Player meets with the Coaching Staff 2. Parents and Player meet with the Head Coach. 3. Parents, Player, and coaching staff with Athletic Facilitator 4. Parents with Athletic Facilitator
• Communications Process Reminders • Express concerns directly to the coaches at appropriate times. Do not
approach the coaches during games, when they are with the team, or unscheduled.
• Notify coaches of scheduling conflicts during the season well in advance. It is expected players will be with the team for all in season practices, games, and activities. Emergencies may arise. If they do, notify the coach of your child’s team as soon as possible. Vacations, trips, attendance at professional sporting events and the like should be scheduled outside of the season or on off days.
• When contacting the coach to set up a meeting, make sure you specify exactly what your concerns are in advance. Also, be sure your child is in attendance at any meetings about them as a player.
• Be sure to follow the proper chain of command in any communications. Jumping to higher levels without observing the chain of command ultimately does not help the player or the program. Instead it creates a stressed environment where things cannot change, and understandings cannot be reached because the informed stakeholders in the discussions have never had the chance to talk about the situation.
1. You are a student first. Maintain eligibility and attendance throughout the school year and playing season. Eligibility rules will be strictly enforced.
2. If you need help with a class, seek out a coach for help. If you need to see a teacher after school for tutoring or to make up work we encourage you to do so. Just be sure to let us know ahead of time when you can. If you cannot let us know, please simply bring a note from the teacher and your absence will be excused.
3. If an athlete visits a physician for illness or injury, he/she must bring a note from the doctor before being allowed to return to practice.
4. Any use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco will result in suspension or removal from the team. School rules and policy apply. Consult the Daniel Boone School District Handbook for details. There will be no exceptions or modifications to this policy. You have been warned! This includes all forms of tobacco. It is illegal in school. Keep it away from the school, practices, games, and the team!
5. Any athlete who is ejected from a contest will be suspended and at a minimum must sit out the next game.
6. An athlete should not miss a team practice or game without a valid excuse given well in advance. Choosing to participate with the team means you are dedicated to the team. We are counting on you to be there.
7. If a student maintains a job while participating in baseball, it is our expectation that the employer will be flexible enough to work with our athletes and their schedules. Your employer should adjust your work schedule to accommodate our season, not the other way around.
8. The coaches will always be willing to work with players who have things that cannot be avoided. Please talk to us in advance.
9. Please be familiar with all the guidelines and rules in the Daniel Boone School District Student Handbook and the Team Handbook.
10. Be extremely cautious of anything you post through social media websites or send in text messages. Remember you are representing yourself, your school, and your community. Represent all three with respect and dignity. Team consequences will be enforced for messages sent that are in violation of our code of conduct. General rule of thumb, if your post offends or upsets someone, do not post it. It is amazing how often that one post can find its way into the hands of someone you did not want to see it and create major problems.
• Participants must:
– Have a physical examination and signed parental permission card on file with the school trainer.
– The athlete must meet all eligibility requirements set forth by the school and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
– The athlete must remain substance free.
– The athlete must abide by all school policies and all team policies.
• Athletes are representatives of Daniel Boone High School and should present themselves in a proper manner at all times.
• Getting in trouble at school (detention, in-school suspension, and suspension) will result in punishments from the team as well including suspension from the team, loss of playing time, and removal from the team.
• Athletes should show proper respect to opponents, coaches, officials, and fellow students.
• Athletes are responsible for the care, maintenance, and return of all equipment and uniforms. Athletes will be charged for misused or unreturned items.
• Uniforms and equipment are to be worn and used only at Daniel Boone High School events.
• Athletes are expected to display proper sportsmanlike behavior before, during, and after events. See Sportsmanship policy for further clarification.
• Team members will be required to ride on school provided transportation when traveling to and from away contests. Exceptions may be granted with travel release procedures. It is the responsibility of the athletes and parent(s) to have personal contact with the coach when release occurs.
• In order to participate in a scheduled school-day practice or contest, an athlete must be present in school on the respective day. If you are reporting late for an excused reason you must be in school by 9:30. If you arrive after 9:30 you must have a doctor’s note.
• An athlete who misses a practice for reasons not approved or accepted by his coach will not be permitted to participate in the next game following the absence.
• All sports related injuries are to be reported immediately to a coach. The athlete is to check with the coach the day following the report of the injury to insure that an accident report has been filed with the school trainer.
• An injured athlete who is under medical care by a physician, must present a written release from the physician before the coach can permit the athlete to participate in practice or games.
• The use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs is prohibited. Athletes will be reprimanded according to School Policy if a violation occurs. To be the best you can be you should not allow such substances into your system. They hurt your ability to perform in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.
• Of particular concern to the baseball world is the use of tobacco in various
forms. Given that most of the players in our program are under the age of 18, it goes without saying that tobacco products should not be in their possession, let alone be used by our players. Even if you are 18 or over, school policy strictly forbids the use of such products while with a school team, this includes on bus rides, at practices, at games, and at other team functions. Simply put, do not use these products with a school team. If you are caught in possession of these products or using them, you will be suspended from the team. This starts with the first offense. There will not be any exceptions made in this area. Your future with the team is at stake! Is the risk worth the reward? Is there any reward to using these substances?
Core Values On the practice field we will play like we are in front of a collection of scouts, parents, and spectators. With that in mind the following will be strictly enforced: • We will use appropriate language. Profane language reflects poorly on the
team and the community. Any audible use of profane langue at a practice will result in an immediate punishment of no less than two poles per word for the individual.
• We will be on time. For us to begin working as a team we must all be ready to get started on time. That means that you need to have yourself dressed, have your spikes on and your equipment ready by the posted start time of the practice. Every minute you are late you will run a pole. Every ten minutes you are late you will be benched for an inning at the next game.
• We will hustle. Your drive to give 100% at all times reflects more on you as a player then your actual abilities. Given this, hustling is its own reward during practice. Hustling will give you the chance to get into and stay in the starting lineup. Failure to hustle will cost you reps and a chance to earn game time.
• We respect and value all of our team members. Fights and arguments between team members rips a team apart and will guarantee failure. For success we must stay together. Any fights with teammates will result in a suspension from the team.
Core Values Continued… • We will attend every practice. The only acceptable excuses to miss a
practice are you are absent from school, you are working with a teacher, you have an unavoidable appointment, or a major family event like a wedding or funeral. Other potential issues should be discussed with the head coach before missing the practice. If you miss practice and try to explain later it is too late. The penalty for an unexcused practice is a game suspension.
• We will turn in all necessary forms. The forms that are handed out are very important and are needed for use to help the team. You are not eligible to participate in games, including scrimmages until all forms are turned in.
• We complete our jobs and responsibilities. To start practice all jobs must be done. At the end of practice all jobs must be done. We must respect our teammates and our facilities. Completing your assigned job is one way you can do that. If you fail to complete your job before practice you will run. If you fail to complete your job after practice you will be held out of the next game.
Core Values Continued…
During games our abilities and talents are on display for all to see. Our skills are not the only thing that is noticed though. The way we conduct ourselves, the way in which we win, and the way in which we lose is also on display. We will play with pride, integrity, and with supreme discipline. We will play the game the right way at all times. The following will be points of emphasis during games: • We will use appropriate language. Profane language reflects poorly on
the team and the community. Any audible use of profane langue on the field or in the dugout will result in immediate removal from the game and if you are not in the game you will not be entered into the game.
• We will accept all umpire decisions without argument. Umpires are a part of the game. Mistakes made by umpires are also a part of the game. We will not argue a decision made by an umpire. That is part of the head coach’s job. As a player you will immediately hustle away from a bad call. Any arguing or negative reaction to an umpire’s call will result in removal from the game or being held out of the game.
Core Values Continued… • We will keep our cheering to positive comments in support of our team.
We will not negatively address an opposing team member, coach, or spectator. Games are won and lost between the lines, not with our voices and from the dugout. Negative chatter or bench-jockeying will not be tolerated. Negative statements will result not only in removal from the game or being held out of the game, but also in removal from the dugout. If you want to act like a fan you can go and be one.
• We will be on time. For us to focus and prepare for the game you must be ready to get started on time. That means that you need to have your uniform on, have your spikes on and your equipment ready by the posted start time for warm ups or batting practice. Every five minutes you are late is an inning you will be held out of the game. You are considered to be late even if you are at the field, but are not ready to go. If you cannot avoid being late make sure you bring a written excuse.
• We will hustle. Your drive to give 100% at all times reflects more on you as a player then your actual abilities. At no time during a game is it acceptable to not give 100% effort. Lack of hustle on the field will result in immediately being removed from the game or in being held out of the game. Examples of hustle include running on and off of the field, always running your best time to first, and busting it to recover a misplayed ball.
Core Values Continued…
• We respect and value all of our team members. Fights and arguments between team members rips a team apart and will guarantee failure. For success we must stay together. Any fights with teammates will result in a suspension from the team. This includes putting down a teammate who may have received a start over you. Put downs will result in removal from the dugout. Remember, it is not your teammates decision who starts and who plays where. It is the head coach’s decision. If you have issues, address the coaches at an appropriate time. We will remain united always.
• We will attend every game. Games are what we work for. Only extreme cases will be accepted as reasons to miss a game. This includes family issues like a funeral or other unavoidable situations. Jobs, concerts, professional sports games, and other just for fun functions are not acceptable excuses. The penalty for an unexcused miss of a game is a one game minimum suspension.
• We complete our jobs and responsibilities. To start a game, all jobs must be done. At the end of the game all jobs must be done. We must respect our teammates and our facilities. Completing your assigned job is one way you can do that. If you fail to complete your job before a game you will not play. If you fail to complete your job after the game you will be held out of the next game.
• If you, for various reasons, find it impossible to ride the team bus home from an away game or if your family is leaving and going in the opposite direction, the following procedure must be followed.
– The athlete must obtain a Travel Release Form (Permission to ride home with your parents form) from our team website.
– The form must be signed by a parent or guardian regardless of your age.
– This form must be sent to Ms. Goss in the athletic office. – It is the player’s responsibility to print out the approved form from the
website and hand it in to or send it electronically to Ms. Goss prior to getting on the bus to go to the game…
– If approval is given, the athlete must make sure that: • All team obligations, etc. are taken care of first. • He only leaves with a parent or guardian. • If an emergency arises, parents should submit a written note to the team’s head
coach after the game.
• CHEER do not SNEER! Only positive words should come out of your mouth during a game. There is simply no place for negative comments or criticism.
• WALK before you SQUAWK. If you feel a sudden urge to
yell at the coach or the official, take a walk and cool off before you say something that will embarrass you - or your child
• A YELL will not make the team JELL. Do not bellow
instructions to your child from the sideline. It is boorish and your kid cannot hear a word you are saying, anyway!
• Do not sell them SHORT, be a SPORT. If the opposing team has played well, give them a pat on the back. Nothing makes a kid feel more special than when a parent from the opposing team tells him how well he played.
• Do not point and BLAME when they lose a GAME. When your
child's team loses, do not blame it on a bad call, a teammate's error, or anything else. How will your child learn to accept responsibility if you do not?
• Give 'em a SMILE - not BILE. Kids always respond to the coach
or parent who smiles - not to the adult who criticizes or scowls. Besides, your child wants to see you having fun.
• RAISE with PRAISE. That is right, the kids will "raise" their game and their efforts if you praise them. Use any achievement as an excuse for a compliment. They want to believe in themselves. You can help them.
• For Pete’s SAKE, give the ump a BREAK! Remember, "Bad" calls are
part of sports. • PARALYSIS by ANALYSIS. Avoid replaying the game in the family
station wagon on the drive home. If your kid brings the game up, fine. However, chances are it is about the last thing he wants to talk about.
• This I BESEECH, practice what your PREACH. With too many pro
athletes talking trash and misbehaving, parents have to work extra hard to teach kids fair play. Make sure your own sportsmanship is flawless. You are the most important role models kids have!
Spring Activity Fee:
Spring Activity Fees are due to the Athletic office by Monday, March 24. Please fill out the necessary form (in your packet) and turn in to the athletic office. If you are unable pay by this date, please contact the athletic office to make other arrangements. Please remember, even if you do not owe anything for the spring season, you must still turn in the paper work.
Spring Practice Schedule:
– Varsity- generally 3:00-5:30 outside at Optimist Field
– JV- generally 3:00-5:30 outside at the High School Field
– Indoor Schedule: • If we are inside our schedule will rotate. On Mondays
and Wednesday we will practice from 3:00 until 5:00.
• On Tuesdays and Thursdays we will practice from 5:00 until 7:00.
• Fridays will alternate between these two times on a week to week basis. This Friday we will be early and next we will be late.
• Our main method of communicating schedule changes and updates will be through email and through our team webpage. Please make sure you have an active email account registered with us and check in for our regular updates.
• Please also visit our team website for changes and cancellations.
• Team webpage: www.danielboonebaseball.com
• Other source of information: www. Schedulestar.com
• Our Annual spring order should arrive within the next week or two.
• There will be a second sale with a limited list of items. Information about this order will be posted on our webpage and sent out through email.
• Opportunities for involvement:
– Weekly snack
– Be a fan of the team
– End of Season Banquet
– Planning, organization, donation, creation
– Team Dinners
– Field Volunteer
– Participate with the Baseball Boosters
Thanks Again for Coming…
• Thanks again for attending tonight. Please contact me with any questions, comments, and concerns. Feedback from tonight’s meeting is greatly appreciated.
• Please drive safely and let’s make this the best year ever!