OPAA Baseball Coaches Guide
Transcription
OPAA Baseball Coaches Guide
OCEE PARK ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION SPRING 2010 COACHES GUIDE AND REFERENCE BASEBALL 2010 Spring Team Managers and Coaches, On behalf of the Ocee Park Board of Directors and the more than 1,100 families who participate in our baseball and softball leagues, I would like to thank you for volunteering this season. We know what a significant investment in time and energy that it takes to manage and coach a youth baseball team, so we’ve committed to helping you. We developed this guide to help you prepare for the season ahead and make you aware of the many resources available to you. Your role is central to providing a competitive, instructional and fun experience to our children. As a team manager or coach, what you do has an enormous impact on whether players want to play baseball next season. Your primary responsibilities as an OPAA team manager or coach are to: 1. Be a Teacher - Teach baseball fundamentals, run well organized practices and make learning fun. 2. Be a Leader - Provide clear, frequent and open communication. Make each player feel like an important member of the team. 3. Be a Role Model - Demonstrate and encourage sportsmanship among players and parents. 4. Be Safe - Ensure player safety at all practices and games, and avoid preventable injuries. Please take a moment to also read Ripken Baseball’s Coaching Youth Baseball, an excellent coaching resource that is also helpful for those who have not yet taken Babe Ruth Baseball’s mandatory ASEP coaches certification exam. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have further questions or ideas throughout the season. Good luck this season! Regards, Wayne Henderson Vice President – Baseball Paul Bozzuto Coach & Player Development Coordinator Table of Contents 1. Season Preparation • • • • • What Kind of Coach Will You Be? Manager/Coach Code of Conduct Coaching your own son or daughter Manager’s Checklist Babe Ruth Coaches Certification: REQUIRED 2. Assessments & Draft • Player Assessment and Draft Guidelines 3. Equipment and Uniforms • • Equipment distribution Uniform distribution 4. Instructional Curriculum • • • • • Instructional & learning goals by league − Age 5-6 − Age 7 − Age 8 − Age 9 − Age 10 − Age 11-12 − Age 13-15 − Age 16-18 Running organized practices Sample practice plans and drills Add’l. instruction resources Tips and ideas 5. Communication • • • • Pre-Season Conduct the parent meeting In-season Post-season 6. Safety • • OPAA Rules City of Johns Creek safety 7. Rules • • • Rule changes for 2010 Rules by league Interpretations 8. Contacts • • League officials Managers Advisory Group 9. Appendix • • • • Frequently asked questions Park map Spring program philosophy Fall program philosophy Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 3 Season Preparation Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 4 What Kind of Coach Will You Be? Even though the spring season is designed to be more competitive than the primarily instructional Fall, it doesn’t mean that the spring program is all about winning and not on player development. In fact, the most successful spring teams are the ones that focus on player development the entire season, often sacrificing games in the early part of the schedule in return for a well-rounded and more engaged team in the final portion of the season and post-season tournament. Lead by Example - At our best, our conduct coaches can make a positive, life changing impression on each child in our program. All too often, however, we let our adult attitudes about winning overshadow a sense of fair play for boys and girls just learning how to play the game. Coaches who favor only “the best” players at the expense of others, allow taunting of players on opposing teams, or lose their cool with umpires or players won’t be tolerated at Ocee Park. Baseball is a competitive game and we can sometimes get frustrated, vocalize our frustrations, and do things that we may regret. Remember, the game is for the players, and our ultimate purpose as managers and coaches is to make a positive impression, to develop young men and women of character, integrity, and confidence. The kids are watching. Learning what is right and wrong establishes a child’s set of morals. Doing what is right establishes a child’s character. Mandatory Play: spirit and the letter of the rule - Ocee Park imparts mandatory play requirements on all age groups. Remember, these rules are minimums. Let them all play and don’t “play favorites”. It becomes obvious and demoralizing to a youngster when he/she is always batting last in the order, and repeatedly only plays the infield for one inning. Kids want to feel they have an opportunity to contribute to the team. Unlike professional coaches, our coaching jobs won’t be in jeopardy after a losing season. Jim Sundberg, a 22-year major league baseball veteran and the catcher of the 1985 world champion Kansas City Royals, reported in his book How to Win at Sports Parenting that when youngsters were surveyed as to why they had dropped out of a sport, two of the most common responses were that “it was no longer fun” and “the coach played favorites.” When boys were asked what they found to be the most enjoyable aspects in playing sports, they responded: 1. Relationships; 2. Fun; 3. Competition; 4. Developing character. Winning came in 6th. The vast majority of kids age 5 through 10 don’t care about winning. Kids age 11 and 12 indicated that competition was more enjoyable than winning. Basically, youth program players would rather actively play on a losing team, than sit on the bench of a winning team. 11 and 12 year old players enjoy playing a close, competitive game, and don’t share the adult “win at all cost” attitude. Youth baseball is a game FOR THE PLAYERS, not for the parents! Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 5 Manager/Coach Code of Conduct 1. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of any personal desire to win; I will teach and emphasize the positive aspects of losing as well as winning. 2. I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the broad diversity of emotional and physical development within the same age group. 3. I will do my very best to provide a safe and healthy environment and playing situation for my players and I will take positive action to correct unsafe circumstances. 4. I will review and practice the necessary first-aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players and I will not hesitate to seek professional emergency medical assistance when necessary. 5. I will demand a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free environment for my players and I agree to assist by refraining from their use at all youth sports events. 6. I will remember that I am a youth sports coach and that youth sports activities are for the children and not the adults. 7. I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my players through active participation and development of a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the sport. 8. I will lead, by example, in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players. I will refrain from using rude, profane, or abusive language and from the demonstration of actions or gestures that are rude, threatening, abusive, or unsportsmanlike in nature. 9. I will ensure that I am knowledgeable in the rules of the sport I am coaching and I will teach these rules to my players and I will ensure that I am familiar with the skill requirements of the sport I am coaching and I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for each of the skills that I teach my players. 10. I will abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the City of Johns Creek as it pertains to Ocee Park. The City owns and operates Ocee Park and allows OPAA use of the park under an annual Field Use Permit. 11. I will return in good condition all league-issued equipment that must be returned at the season’s end. If equipment or apparel is not returned, I understand that I may be held financially responsible for replacing those league items and my ability to manage or coach future Ocee Park youth baseball Cal Ripken or baseball/softball Babe Ruth teams may be affected. 12. I understand that the administration of this code is the responsibility of the Ocee Park Athletic Association Board of Directors and I agree to this code and its administration as a condition of my volunteer service in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. I understand that a violation of this Code may result in the suspension or termination of my volunteer service in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 6 Coaching your own son or daughter Coaching your own child may be one of the most challenging aspects of coaching. The role of the parents should be as supporters and encouragers, while the role of the coach should be as teacher and instructor. As parent-coaches, our two combined roles sometimes put us in a dilemma. Make it clear to your son that you will be his/her coach on the field, and a parent at home. In a recent conference, Jim Sundberg suggested that you don’t don your baseball cap till you get to the park, then take it off again in the car on the way home. Explain that when you are wearing your cap, you have a responsibility to all the players on the team, not just him/her. Avoid favoritism. Treat your child the same way you treat the other players. In the aggressive nature of this game, it is easy to become frustrated and take it our on your own child. After all, he/she knows how to push your buttons, and it is easier to take it out on him than someone else’s kid. If you are more strict with him than the other players, he may start to resent participating with the team, which goes opposite to why you wanted to be out here coaching him in the first place. How do you handle it? Consciously give your child more leniency. When you put your hat on, let go a little. Think about letting him have fun. Make an effort to ignore him if he is just goofing off, and not endangering anybody, like you would another player. If your son needs to be disciplined, have another coach talk to your son. Also, always try to have another coach work with him when you break up for drills. It is also easier to be more critical of, and to over coach our sons. We all live through our children. We have good intentions when we want them to be successful and to perform well. But our role as parents, like the role of the other parents in the stands, is to be supportive, and to encourage. Again, make the effort to treat him like anyone else on the team. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 7 Manager’s Checklist (League Required in Red) Before you receive your team roster ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ Complete all required manager forms Obtain Babe Ruth Baseball certification for you and assistants Pick up baseballs and equipment from the league Assemble equipment - cones; baseballs, tee, & tennis balls Buy game balls to hand out after each game Buy or refresh first aid kit Draft welcome message Draft practice #1 and season practice plans Create an emergency contact / medical form folder After your team is assigned ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ Send welcome message Ask possible assistant coaches to complete volunteer forms and confirm Call parents who have not replied to welcome message Tee ball - Prepare dugout laundry baskets/buckets Create player name tags for practices #1 and #2 Confirm with parents name to be added to back of jerseys After you receive your schedule ❒ Set a snack schedule and build into the schedule you send to parents ❒ Invite parents to first parent meeting ❒ Set date of team party At your first practice ❒ Determine size of uniforms; line up players in order of size Before the end of the season ❒ Request parents complete league’s online end-of-season questionnaire After the season ❒ Send post-season thank you's to Parents and Coaches ❒ Assess what you’d do again and change for next season Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 8 Required Coaching Certification Managers and coaches must register for and complete Babe Ruth Baseball’s required course and exam, Coaching Youth Baseball: The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth Baseball Coaches. A score of 80% or above on the exam is required to meet Babe Ruth Baseball’s certification requirements and be eligible to manage or coach an Ocee Park baseball team. OPAA purchases the course on your behalf so there is no cost to you as a coach to become certified. WHY: ASEP certification for baseball is required for all 2010 baseball managers. • Requests to manage teams for the Spring 2010 season will be honored on a provisional basis until the manager can be verified as certified in either baseball or softball as appropriate to the program in which the manager will be coaching. • Managers or any assistant coaches who are pre-assigned to a team before the draft will not be permitted to take part in his or her league assessment or draft until the certification requirement is met. • Other assistant coaches are encouraged to become certified under the program. • No team manager or coach will be permitted to coach a Select program team or a Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth tournament team without certification (no exceptions). Tournament credentials for 2010 must include Certificates of Coaches Certification for the team manager and all team coaches or the team will not be permitted to compete. • Even if you received ASEP softball certification, you must also be certified for baseball. • An Advanced Coaching Baseball course is expected to be available by Babe Ruth Baseball by year-end. Once we’ve had the opportunity to review it ourselves, we’ll be able to communicate if and how OPAA managers can register for it as part of ongoing training. HOW: Getting certified is simple takes only a few hours of your time. Here are the steps involved: 1. Create an account. Go to www.baberuthcoaching.org and select the COACHES link at the top of the page. Then select Create An Account, fill out the information form, and then complete the account creation process. 2. Once your account has been created, send a follow-up email to playeragent@oceepark.com identifying the email address you used to create your account in step #2. It is critical that you properly identify the email address (login name) for your account since this is how the player agent will assign your course. 3. The player agent will then allocate a pre-purchased baseball certification course to your account and respond with an email to you indicating that you may now take the online course and become certified. The player agent will also email you the course guide, or a link to the guide you can access via the web. 4. Following notification of course availability, you may login to your account at which time you should see the availability of an online course. Follow the link to take the course at your leisure. All of the coaching materials are in PDF format and therefore very easy to download and/or print for future reference. 5. When you’ve completed the course and are ready for the certification exam, select the exam link in your course materials and take the online test. Once you have completed the test, you will submit it online at which time your exam is scored. If you score 80% or above on the exam, you will be certified and a course certification certificate will be available for you to download. If you fail the certification exam, you will be able to take it again. 6. Once certified, send an email to playeragent@oceepark.com that has your name, email address used as your Babe Ruth ASEP login name, and whether you completed the baseball course. Once this email is received, the player agent will be able to verify your certification status and add you to the Ocee Park registry of certified coaches. NOTE: if you do not follow this step, you will not be in the Ocee Park registry of certified coaches since we are not automatically notified when coaches are certified (this is due to the fact that coaches do not specify which league they belong to when they create an online login). Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 9 Uniforms Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 10 Equipment Equipment Distribution Equipment (and for those whose who did not purchase one previously, an Ocee Park bag) will be issued to each manager. Please bring a $100 check made out to OPAA which will be returned to you after you return the equipment (and bag if not purchased) at the end of the season. Each set of equipment will include: a catcher’s helmet with dangling throat guard, long model chest protector (13-15 Junior and 16-18 Senior League - short model is OK), shin guards and catcher’s glove. Also issued will be 2 dozen baseballs, the Babe Ruth League Official Baseball Rules and Regulations and a scorekeeper’s book. Tee Ball teams will only be issued 2 dozen RIF baseballs. Mandatory Playing Equipment Requirements Cages and C-Flaps In Tee Ball, Farm and A League Baseball, a Cage MUST be attached to the batting helmet. In AA and AAA League Baseball, a cage or C-Flap must be attached. We do not have a requirement for a cage or C-Flap in Majors American, Majors National, 13 Prep, or Seniors 13-15 League Baseball, although it is encouraged from a safety standpoint. No Metal Cleats There are NO METAL CLEATS permitted in any Division of Baseball except 16-18 Senior baseball. Helmet Advisory Rule Instruct your parents before the season not to apply decals, or to paint their child’s helmet. Warning! Manufacturers have advised that altering helmets in any way can be dangerous. Altering the helmet in any form, including painting or adding decals (by anyone other than the manufacturer or authorized dealer) may void the helmet warranty. Decals or paint may conceal cracks or other defects in the helmet. Helmets may not be re-painted and may not contain tape or reapplied decals unless approved in writing by the helmet manufacturer or authorized dealer. The Bat Regulation 1.10 (Baseball) – Bats may be wood or metal but shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in length (42 inches for 13 Prep and 13-15 Senior Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 11 Leagues), and not more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter (2¾ inches for 13-15 Junior and 16-18 Senior Leagues). Catcher’s Equipment Catcher’s Mitt: Regulation 1.12 – Catchers may wear a catcher’s mitt not to exceed 38 inches in circumference. Note that mitts are not required but highly recommend. Mitts are provided to each team as part of the equipment bag. Dangling Throat Guards: Catchers are required to wear a Dangling Throat Guard attached to the helmet, unless using the “hockey” style catcher’s helmet. Uniforms You can pick up your team uniforms on (date and time TBD), near the concession stand. If you would like to pick them up earlier or are unable to make it that morning, please contact the OPAA Uniform Coordinator. • Sizing Issues - Managers and Team Moms, make the uniforms work! The uniforms for each league and team are based on average sizes of players in that league. Do not distribute uniforms to players based on the jersey number they want. Instead, line up your players shortest to tallest and then hand out uniforms accordingly based on fit. Replacement jerseys will not be ordered except in extreme situations and only to address significant size issues. We will not order a new jersey unless there is simply no other solution. A jersey that is a little too big is not a size emergency. • Names on Jerseys - Team moms or managers can get player names screened onto the jerseys at S&S Team Sports or Christian Print Shop both in Alpharetta and both close to the Jones Bridge/State Bridge Road intersections. There are other print shops that can do it but these are companies used in the past by teams at the park. • Pants and belts- Color chosen by manager and supplied by each player. . Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 12 Instructional Curriculum Click above for to access Coaching Youth Baseball by Ripken Baseball Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 13 Curriculum – Age 5 & 6 (1 of 2) Buzzwords are highlighted Recommended Team Rules 1. No talking when coach is talking (‘Rule #1’) 2. Must wear a helmet before picking up a bat. Only pickup a bat when coach tells you to. Before swinging, make sure nobody else is around you 3. Always hustle – on and off the field; when charging and fielding the ball; when running bases 4. Cheer for your teammates when they’re at bat 5. Stay on bench until your time at bat. No leaving the dugout. Baserunning Rules to Learn • The right direction to run when the ball is hit ; Runners must touch the bases • Running past first base; not over-running 2nd or 3rd • Scoring a run • Return to base after foul ball • Not running into or past teammates on the base paths Mechanics • Running with head up - “Hustle” • Listen to 1st base coach – “Through the base” or “Round it“, or ”Go to 2nd” • Running to 2nd – rounding 1st and stopping at second base Throwing 1. “Look at the chest” - Keep eyes on the receiving player’s chest 2. Step toward the target with the non-throwing foot 3. Turn body so that shoulders point to target “Connect the dots” 4. Keep the elbow above the shoulder and release the ball 5. After release, body momentum moving toward target Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 14 Curriculum – Age 5 & 6 (2 of 2) Fielding • “Ready position” - Bent knees, legs spread shoulder width, glove open to sky (“Pizza”) in front of body, hands off knees • Step to the ball; charge it • Glove on ground, field ball in front and middle of body (“Ball, glove, nose”) • Bare hand over glove (“Alligator”); Funnel glove to belly, head down so that top of hat is visible (hat in mouth if necessary) • Pop-ups – two hands, above head, call “I Got It!” • Learning positions— if ball is hit to teammate, let him/her field it • Catching with “Two hands”, “Show ten fingers” • Catching: Hands out in front of body, catch with bare hand behind glove; turn glove if thrown or hit below waist level (“Clock”) • Tracking—follow the ball with the eyes to the glove, whether on the ground or in the air (use tennis balls) • Rules: How to record outs: catch in the air, force out, or tag runners. Three outs constitutes an inning Batting • Batting safety (when not to swing bats, wearing batting helmets); hitting off a tee; hitting softly tossed pitches. • Line up feet; Knees bent • “Flashlight”– take a picture of other side of plate. “Bat back” How to hold and swing the bat • Gripping the bat with both hands • Swing all the way through to the point that bat touches front shoulder at end • Same swing whether to a pitched ball or when hitting off the tee Position Play 1st, Middle Infielder, 3rd Base: • If ball is not hit to you, be ready for a throw to your base • If ball is hit to you, force out by stepping on base Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 15 Curriculum: 7 - Farm League Baserunning First half essentials Listening to and looking at base coaches for instruction. • Running through first; rounding first and holding; rounding first for extra base hits. Situational baserunning • Freezing on line drives with less than 2 out. • Holding on pop-ups. • At 2nd with no runner on first, holding on hits to SS or 3rd. Second half essentials • Pivot with lead foot and cross-over step. • Sliding basics. • Recognizing when to advance on overthrow at 1st. • Tagging up at 3rd on flies to outfield. • Checking 3rd base coach before reaching 2nd or 3rd. • Running to the foul side of the 3rd base line when at 3rd. • Running with head up and body leaning forward. Fielding and Throwing First half essentials • 4 seam grip; point the front shoulder, step, and throw. • Generating momentum toward the target and following the throw. • Underhand flip. Second half essentials • Crossover, crow hop and drop steps. • Forehands and backhands • Short hops. • Tagging. Putting tag down vs. reaching for the runner. • Catching fly balls and pop-ups with 2 hands. Move back, then forward. Batting First half essentials • Hitting strikes and taking balls. Second half essentials • • Proper grip. Keeping bat back. • Hitting with two strikes. • Properly avoiding up and in pitches (bat down; shoulder turned and up to shield head). Positional Play First half essentials Second half essentials First base First base • Waiting to stretch until seeing ball is in flight. • With runner on 1st, unassisted force at first and tag play at 2nd. • Stretching catch with one hand. • Runner on 1st: throwing to 2nd or unassisted force at 1st Pitcher • Throwing to 1st, 2nd, 3rd or home depending on the situation. • Covering first on ball hit to the right side. Short stop and second base • Charging and throwing to 1st. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 Pitcher • Backing up 3rd base. Third base • Straddling 3rd on tag plays at 3rd. Catcher 16 • Covering 2nd on balls hit to P, right or left side. • Cutoffs and relays to 2nd or 3rd. • Backing up 1st base with no runners on. Outfield • Backing up throws to bases. • Throwing ahead of runners and to cutoffs. Catcher • Proper stance (squatting vs. kneeling). • Receiving pitches (not reaching and staying low). • Tag plays at home. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 17 Curriculum: Age 8 – A League Baserunning First half essentials • Listening to and looking at base coaches for instruction. • Running through first; rounding first and holding; rounding first for extra base hits. • Situational baserunning • Freezing on line drives with less than 2 out. • Holding on pop-ups. • At 2nd with no runner on first, holding on hits to SS or 3rd. Second half essentials • Pivot with lead foot and cross-over step. • Sliding basics. • Recognizing when to advance on overthrow at 1st. • Tagging up at 3rd on flies to outfield. • Checking 3rd base coach before reaching 2nd or 3rd. • Running to the foul side of the 3rd base line when at 3rd. • Running with head up and body leaning forward. Fielding and Throwing First half essentials • 4 seam grip; point the front shoulder, step and throw. • Generating momentum toward the target and following the throw. • Underhand flips Second half essentials • Crossover, crow hop and drop steps. • Forehands and backhands • Short hops. • Tagging. Put the tag down vs. reaching for the runner. • Catching fly balls and pop-ups with 2 hands. Move back, then forward. Batting First half essentials • Hitting strikes and taking balls. Second half essentials • • Proper grip. Keeping bat back. • Hitting with two strikes. • Properly avoiding up and in pitches (bat down; shoulder turned and up to shield head). Positional Play First half essentials Second half essentials First base First base • Waiting to stretch until seeing ball is in flight. • With runner on 1st, unassisted force at first and tag play at 2nd. • Stretching catch with one hand. • With runner on 1st, throwing to 2nd or unassisted force at first Pitcher Pitcher • Backing up 3rd base. • Covering first on ball hit to the right side. • Throwing to 1st, 2nd, 3rd or home depending on the situation. Short stop and second base Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 18 • Charging and throwing to 1st. • Cutoffs and relays to 2nd or 3rd. • Covering 2nd on balls hit to P, right or left side. Outfield • Backing up throws to bases. • Throwing ahead of runners and to cutoffs. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 19 Curriculum: 9–10 (1 of 2) Baserunning First half essentials • When not to run. • Freezing on line drives with less than 2 out. • Holding on pop-ups. • At 2nd with 1st empty, holding on hits to SS or 3rd. • Listening to and looking at base coaches for instruction. • Rounding first and holding or going to second for extra base hits. • Checking 3rd base coach before reaching 2nd or 3rd. Second half essentials • Pivot with lead foot and cross-over step. • Sliding basics. • Recognizing when to advance on overthrow at 1st. • Tagging up at 3rd on flies to outfield. • Running to the foul side of the 3rd base line when at 3rd. • Running with head up and body leaning forward. • Steals • Infield fly rule Fielding and Throwing First half essentials • 4 seam grip; point the front shoulder, step, and throw. • Generating momentum toward the target and following the throw.Underhand flip • Tagging. Put the tag down vs. reaching for the runner. Second half essentials • Crossover, crow hop and drop steps. • Forehands and backhands • Short hops. • Catching fly balls and pop-ups with 2 hands. Move back, then forward. • Cutoffs and relays • To 2nd. 3rd or home plate • Sure doubles (e.g., first baseman follow runner into 2nd base) • Basic bunt defenses • First and/or third baseman charge; second and/or third baseman rotate • Second baseman covering first • Sure doubles (e.g., first baseman follow runner into 2nd base) • Basic first-and-third situations • Underhand flip (Box Drill) and double plays • Defending the steal • Infield and outfield communication and priorities. Run downs • Ball in air – call rundown (no pump fakes) • Minimum throws returning player to earlier base • Rotations and back-ups Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 20 • Sure doubles (e.g., first baseman follow runner into 2nd base) Batting First half essentials • Sacrifice bunting Second half essentials • • Proper mechanic for avoiding up and in pitches Positional Play First half essentials Second half essentials First base First base • Waiting to stretch until seeing ball is in flight. • With runner on 1st, unassisted force at first and tag play at 2nd. • Stretching catch with one hand. • With runner on 1st, throwing to 2nd or unassisted force at first Pitcher Pitcher • Backing up 3rd base. • Covering first on ball hit to the right side. • Throwing to 1st, 2nd, 3rd or home depending on the situation. Short stop and second base • Charging and throwing to 1st. • Cutoffs and relays to 2nd or 3rd. • Covering 2nd on balls hit to P, right or left side. Outfield • Backing up throws to bases. • Throwing ahead of runners and to cutoffs. Pitching First half essentials 1. Wind-up versus stretch 2. Four-seam grip; shuffle, throw, follow through (“palm to the sky”) 3. Pitcher covering first. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 Second half essentials 1. Crossover, crow hop and drop steps. 2. Forehands and backhands 3. Short hops. 21 Curriculum: 11-12 Baserunning First half essentials • When not to run. • Freezing on line drives with less than 2 out. • Holding on pop-ups. • At 2nd with no runner on first, holding on hits to SS or 3rd. • Listening to and looking at base coaches for instruction. • Rounding first and holding or going to second for extra base hits. Second half essentials • Pivot with lead foot and cross-over step. • Sliding basics. • Recognizing when to advance on overthrow at 1st. • Tagging up at 3rd on flies to outfield. • Checking 3rd base coach before reaching 2nd or 3rd. • Running to the foul side of the 3rd base line when at 3rd. • Running with head up and body leaning forward. • Leading off • Steals • Infield fly rule Fielding and Throwing First half essentials • 4 seam grip; point the front shoulder, step, and throw. • Generating momentum toward the target and following the throw.Underhand flip • Tagging. Put the tag down vs. reaching for the runner. Second half essentials • Crossover, crow hop and drop steps. • Forehands and backhands • Short hops. • Catching fly balls and pop-ups with 2 hands. Move back, then forward. • Cutoffs and relays • To 2nd. 3rd or home plate • Sure doubles (e.g., first baseman follow runner into 2nd base) • Basic bunt defenses • First and/or third baseman charge; second and/or third baseman rotate • Second baseman covering first • Sure doubles (e.g., first baseman follow runner into 2nd base) • Basic first-and-third situations • Underhand flip (Box Drill) and double plays • Defending the steal • Infield and outfield communication and priorities. • Cutoffs and relays; basic bunt defenses; basic first-andthird situations; underhand flip (Box Drill) and double plays; defending the steal; infield and outfield Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 22 communication and priorities. • Run downs • Ball in air – call rundown (no pump fakes) • Minimum throws returning player to earlier base • Rotations and back-ups • Sure doubles (e.g., first baseman follow runner into 2nd base) Pitching First half essentials • Wind-up versus stretch Second half essentials • • Four-seam grip; shuffle, throw, follow through (“palm to the sky”) • Pitcher covering first. • Balks. Batting First half essentials • Opposite field hitting Second half essentials • • Bunting: • Sacrifice bunting • Squeeze bunt • Bunt for hit • Sacrifice bunting Positional Play First half essentials Second half essentials First base First base • Waiting to stretch until seeing ball is in flight. • With runner on 1st, unassisted force at first and tag play at 2nd. • Stretching catch with one hand. • With runner on 1st, throwing to 2nd or unassisted force at first Pitcher Pitcher • Backing up 3rd base. • Covering first on ball hit to the right side. • Throwing to 1st, 2nd, 3rd or home depending on the situation. Short stop and second base • Charging and throwing to 1st. • Cutoffs and relays to 2nd or 3rd. • Covering 2nd on balls hit to P, right or left side. Outfield • Backing up throws to bases. • Throwing ahead of runners and to cutoffs. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 23 Curriculum: 13-15 – Junior League Baserunning First half essentials • First-and-third situations • Steal breaks • Delayed steals • Reading situations and reacting to them. • Second half essentials • Pivot with lead foot and cross-over step. • Sliding basics. • Recognizing when to advance on overthrow at 1st. • Tagging up at 3rd on flies to outfield. Fielding and Throwing First half essentials • 4 seam grip; point the front shoulder, step, and throw. • One throw double plays. • Infield-in defenses. • Bunt situations (1st base hold, 3rd base hold, all charge) Second half essentials • Crossover, crow hop and drop steps. • Forehands and backhands • Short hops. • Pitching First half essentials • Breaking balls Second half essentials • • Change-ups • Pitching mechanics and using the body effectively (longer distance) • Pickoff mechanics; flatwork (drills) • Advanced pickoff plays (daylight play; plays put on by fielders) • Batting First half essentials Situational hitting • Inside-out swing Second half essentials 1. • Hitting behind runners • hit and run • Productive outs • Sacrifice bunting and bunting for a hit • Understanding the count. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 24 Positional Play First half essentials Second half essentials First base First base • Waiting to stretch until seeing ball is in flight. • With runner on 1st, unassisted force at first and tag play at 2nd. • Stretching catch with one hand. • With runner on 1st, throwing to 2nd or unassisted force at first • Pitcher Pitcher • Backing up 3rd base. • Covering first on ball hit to the right side. • • Throwing to 1st, 2nd, 3rd or home depending on the situation. • Short stop and second base • Charging and throwing to 1st. • Cutoffs and relays to 2nd or 3rd. • Covering 2nd on balls hit to P, right or left side. Catcher • Stance with runners on and no runners. • Receiving and framing pitches • Blocking pitches up middle and to sides. • Pop-ups and timing of mask/helmet toss. • Fielding bunts to 1st and left field side. • Pitch-outs. • Signal mechanics. Situations • Backing up play situations. • Close plays at the plate – force and tag plays. • Defending delayed stays. • Third base • Tag plays from infield and outfield. • Charging chop Outfield • Backing up throws to bases. • pickoff plays; full bunt defenses; full first-and third defenses; pop-up and fly ball priorities; double plays and underhand flips. • Throwing ahead of runners and to cutoffs. • Cutoffs and relays; introduce the trailer concept Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 25 Running Organized Practices How well you prepare your team during practice depends on your ability to organize your limited time and limited field space efficiently. It’s essential to develop a practice plan to keep kids actively engaged, teach proper technique, develop fundamentals through repetitive drills, build on previous lessons, and incorporate competitive elements of the game to have fun. Here are some suggestions: • Develop a practice plan for each practice session. • Making additional copies of your plan for your assistant coaches will keep them on task and establish your expectations for the day. • As the players arrive, start every practice with a warm-up. During the warm-up, conduct a brief “team meeting” where you explain to the players exactly what they will be doing, and when. Also use your warm-up time to review previous lessons. Plan every practice to cover a core of basic fundamentals. • Due to limited field space, you will be sharing your scheduled field with another team. • While you have the outfield and batting cages, cover Hitting, Throwing/Pitching, Fielding/Catching, and Sliding. While you have the infield, cover Base running, Defensive Strategy, and incorporate a competitive intersquad Team Activity. Following is an example of a preseason practice plan: • After the players are executing a drill properly, add some competition to finish the drill, and to make it fun. For example: • Sliding: Instruct the proper sliding form for safety. Use three throw down bases, and turn a sliding drill into a race between three teams. The kids will run faster, and learn to slide effectively. • Throwing and Catching: After proper instruction, divide players into pairs at 10 yards. Time them to see which “team” can have the most touches of the ball in 20 seconds. Move the teams to 20 yards apart, then 30 yards. They will learn catching with two hands, quick release, and throwing on target. • Hitting: Instruct and demonstrate proper fundamentals, then have the kids pair up for Soft-Toss hitting of tennis, or whiffle balls, into a soft-toss net. Each player gets two sets of three tosses, then rotates. When the players are using good form, have them count how many hits each “team” gets on three tosses, then rotate. Later, you can incorporate “rapid fire,” where the coach calls “Flip, Flip, Flip” in fairly rapid succession. Players count their number of hits. Split up the winning pairs with weaker players, so they can have fun too. In addition to the players learning hitting, the flipper learns to make good tosses toward the hitter’s front hip. The kids learn effective teamwork and stay actively engaged throughout the drill. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 26 • • • • • Bunting: (Bunting not permitted in T-Ball and 7-8 Baseball) Demonstrate the proper technique, then have the players pair up. Hitter should have his back toward the fence, with his partner about 10-15 yards in front. Again two sets of three “pitches,” then rotate. Kids count bunts into fair territory, which are marked with cones. You can make this into a competitive game too. Around the Horn: Divide the players into two teams for Around the Horn. Let them practice the drill a few times before you time them. This drill is a great way to finish practice since they have time to think about proper “athletic position” stance, where they are going to throw the ball, receiving the throw, quick release, and the value of teamwork. Inter-Squad Scrimmage: If the other team is not occupying the outfield, you can do some live hitting. I like to have three catchers choose players to make up teams of four. Team 1 is at bat for three outs, Team 2 occupies the infield at Catcher, Pitcher, 1B, and 2B. Team 3’s pitcher (or pitchers) warm up on the side with a coach/dad, occupies SS, 3B, and CF. Other parents can fill in the outfield. A variation to get more hitting and defensive work done is to have a coach pitch. Plan the last 20 or 30 minutes of one of your practices to have a scrimmage between players and parents. Parents bat opposite-handed. Have the parents wear their gloves opposite-handed too. In addition to the tremendous fun for both players and parents, this educates the parents about how difficult this game actually is. When parents throw over the First Baseman’s head, don’t keep their glove down and boot routine grounders between their legs, drop easy fly balls, and hit weak grounders into the teeth of a trained, talented, and determined Little League infield, they will be more understanding and supportive of their children when they do it. These are just a few ideas I’ve come up with or run across that seem to work for me. Come up with ideas of your own, tailored to the specific needs of your team, and share what works with other managers. Start by developing an effective, written practice plan. Focus on teaching a core of basic fundamentals. “Overlearn” these fundamentals through repetitive drills. Keep all the players involved during drills, promoting camaraderie and teamwork, and add elements of competition to make it fun. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 27 Sample Practice Plans 1st Practice: Age 5-6 Drill time Start/Name Tags Total Time :02 Start/Name Tags :02 :03 Running through 1st :05 :03 :08 :05 Team Huddle, Team Rules Assign to breakout teams Ground Balls, Pizza, Funnels (box - coach in middle) :05 Alligator Tank Drill :18 :05 Charging, Throwing (P to 1st, P to 3rd , SS to 2nd) Charging. Throwing (P to 2nd. 2nd to 1st, 3rd unast. Break :23 :45 :10 Batting (Field, Net, Cages) Blue – Cage 1 Red – Cage 2 Yellow – Field Game simulation – hit off tee :05 Pitcher to Home :55 :03 Baserunning game :58 :02 Wrap-Up :60 :05 :02 :15 Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 :13 :28 :30 :50 28 1st Practice: Age 7-8 Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 29 Additional Instructional Resources 1. Coaching Youth Baseball by Ripken Baseball – ASEP Coaches’ Guide (access on oceepark.com) 2. Coach and Player Development Coordinator – Paul Bozzuto 3. Vice President of Ocee Park Baseball – Wayne Henderson 4. Coach and Player Development Advisory Group (other experienced managers and coaches in the league) • Websites (to be added) Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 30 Tips and Ideas: All Leagues • Assign a team parent to handle non-coaching activities (see the oceepark.com site for suggestions) • The speed of in-between inning transitions is the manager’s responsibility. If you’re team is slow – it’s your fault and you’re wasting both teams; precious playing time. o BE PREPARED FOR ALL GAMES: Post a lineup with positions by inning; o Practice going on and off the field between innings before your first game Age 5 & 6 • o Keep an orderly dugout; use dugout organizers o Be ready with warm-up catchers (with masks on) Keeping the game moving is a key to success in tee ball to sustain player interest o Use laundry baskets or buckets for players’ equipment in the dugout o Practice going on and off the field between innings before your first game o Complete your lineup and positions for each inning before the game; post positions in the dugout for each inning so that players can know where to go without asking the coaches (picture of the field with position assignments is best because reading ability at this age varies). Give assistants and dugout parent copies so you’re not the only one who can help players onto the field. • Have a knee pad for pitching to batters (it’s important to pitch at player’s eye level) Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 31 Ages 7 & 8 Coach behind the Catcher To speed up games, defensive teams should position a coach behind and to the side of the catcher next to the backstop to collect pitches that are not hit or that pass the catcher. Ages 7 & Up Keeping Statistics Individual statistics will prove invaluable during your season. But they should only be shared and used by the coaching staff. We recommend that you select a small set of parents to be the primary scorekeepers over the course of the season. During games, the Home Team is required to provide an Official Scorekeeper and to run the scoreboard anyway. Have the scorekeeper chart statistics after every three games, or, if you wish, you can run them yourself. If you collect stats, you might find that your preseason assumptions about certain players may be wrong. You may find that some pitchers have lower ERA’s than your ace, and some weak hitters are scoring runs. The information also may help dictate what you need to work on during practice. For example, a player striking out a lot may need more batting practice to learn the strike zone, since he is chasing bad pitches. Further, the information may help you build your lineup, e.g. players with high time on base (TOB) percentages are good candidates to be leadoff hitters. You may be predisposed to put poor hitters in the bottom of your order, but sometimes they recognize and don’t chase bad pitches and accumulate a lot of walks, developing high TOB percentages. One of these players would be thrilled to get the chance to be the leadoff batter. Actually, you can put weaker hitting, high TOB players 1, 2, and 3, and follow them up with good contact hitters. Put one of your sluggers after your slowest runner, so there is less chance of him/her being thrown out on a force play. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 32 Schedules • Before Opening Day, teams (except for age 5 and 6) practice twice on weekdays and on Saturday • After Opening Day, teams play one weekday game and one Saturday game, and conduct practice on one weekday. • “LF-2” refers to the practice area behind the left field fence of Field 2, near the pavilion by the center field of Jacobs Field • “RF-2” refers the practice area behind the right field fence of Field 2 • Teams assigned practice at “LF-2” or “RF-2” are entitled to share use of the two batting cages between these areas Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 33 Communication Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 34 Pre-Season Parent Communication Sample Welcome Message: Age 5-6 Hello! Your child has been assigned to a fall 7-8 year-old baseball team at Ocee Park. My name is Paul Bozzuto and I am the manager of the River Cats. My contact information is as follows: E-mail: Paul.Bozzuto@invesco.com Mobile: 404.578.0854 Home: 770.442.9422 Office: 404.439.3332 Next week, we are also scheduled for practices on Tuesday and Saturday. a. Tuesday, September 8: 5:45pm to 7pm b. Saturday, September 12: 1:30pm to 3:00pm Jacobs Field 1 As soon as possible, please review the important information below and reply back to me with answers to these 4 questions: 1. Will your child attend the optional practices this Saturday and Monday? 2. Is your child’s first [or last] name, as listed in the roster below, how you’d like it to appear on their jersey? If not, please indicate. • • • Joe Smith Mark Jones Billy Stevens … 3. Would you like to serve as an Assistant Coach or Team Parent? (If so, the attached Ocee Park and Johns Creek volunteer forms must be completed.) The fall season should be a lot of fun for everyone, and I look forward to meeting and seeing of all you soon. Meanwhile, please don’t hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions. Go River Cats! Regards, Manager’s Name Fall 2009 Season Information 1. Season Schedule & Roster – PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE is attached 2. What to Bring to the First Practice Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 35 a. Medical waiver form. Please bring a completed medical waiver form (see attached) to our first practice. Note: A new medical waiver form must be completed and provided for every new season at Ocee Park. b. Glove, helmet with mask/cage and bat c. $6 for jersey name lettering. d. Completed volunteer forms (for Assistant Coaches and Team Parents) 3. Assistant Coaches, Team Parents and Volunteering at Practices/Games a. Please let me know if you would like to serve as … (completed Ocee Park and Johns Creek volunteer forms must be submitted to me) 1. An Assistant Coach. As you consider, please note that (1) I recognize that you may not be able to attend all practices/games, and (2) I have a schedule and plan for each practice, so there’s no preparation required. 2. Team Parent. I would like a volunteer to serve as Team Parent, whose primary duties will be assisting with Dugout Duty, Picture Day and the end-of-season party. b. Helping at practices and games. Everyone’s help at practices and games is welcome and greatly appreciated … your help maximizes what we can accomplish during the limited field time we have and helps keep the kids active and interested. 4. Snack and Dugout Duty a. For each game, I’ll assign snack and dugout duty to one family. When I distribute the schedule I’ll ask that you email me to confirm that you’re OK with your assigned date(s). After September 8th, if you need to make a change to your assigned date, please make arrangements with another family and just let me know. b. For snack duty, please provide one small food item and drink per child. c. Dugout duty: this entails helping to ensure that players are ready to bat and ready to take their defensive positions. 5. When to arrive for games and practices a. Games: 15 minutes prior to start for warm-up. b. Practices: 5 minutes prior to start for warm-up. 6. Planned/Unexpected Absences and Postponements a. If your player won’t be able to attend a game or practice, please let me know as far in advance as possible, or call or email me if case of an illness/last minute change. This helps with practice and game planning. b. Weather postponements. i. OPAA offers SMS text messaging alerts to mobile phones in the event of park closures. IF YOU PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED FOR THIS SERVICE, YOU MUST RE-REGISTER FOR THE FALL 2009 SEASON. You can register by sending the keyword OPAA to 74700. You may also register online using the following address: http://www.moptin.com/?OPAA ii. Once I’m notified of park closure, I’ll also send an email to announce any practice or game cancellations or other practice arrangements. 7. Uniforms and Equipment a. Each player will receive a hat, pair of socks, jersey and at least one patch for their jersey. b. Players must wear white baseball pants at games. c. First names will be added to the backs of the jerseys. The cost of the lettering is noted above. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 36 d. The “Cal Ripken” patch goes on the left sleeve; as a guide, the bottom of the patch should be 1½ inches from the end of the sleeve. e. Each player must bring his/her own helmet, full face mask/cage and bat to each practice and game. 8. Team Rules a. Below are my “top five” team rules. I’d appreciate your help in reinforcing them with your child as needed throughout the season. 1. Listen when coach talks. 2. Always hustle. 3. Never pick up a bat unless told to do so by a coach, and always wear a helmet before swinging. 4. Be a great teammate – help, encourage and cheer each other. 5. No leaving the dugout and no trips to the stands during games. This is a safety matter. If players need to use the restroom, they must let a coach know and their parent must escort them. 10. Age 5 Tee League Rules Some of you will be experiencing the tee ball league for the first time, so below is a sample of the league rules: a. Each game lasts according to time limit, which is 1 hour and 15 minutes. b. All players play defensively each inning c. For the first few weeks, batters hit off a tee. Going forward, coaches pitch. Each batter will receive 3 pitches. If after 3 pitches the batter does not hit the ball safely, the batter will hit off the tee. (if a batter fouls off the 3rd pitch, s/he gets an additional pitch. Maximum 4 pitches.) d. A team’s turn at bat ends when three outs have been recorded. Early in the season, we will bat through the full order. 11. Attachments a. Player Medical Form (required for all players) b. Volunteer form packet (required for assistant coaches and team parents) Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 37 Parent Meeting (Suggested Topics) 1. Introductions – Manager, Coaches, Team Parent (or request one) 2. Administrative – medical formss, schedule, Photo Day 3. Call or email me as soon as possible if you cannot attend a game or practice. 4. Dugout Duty – what to do 5. League Rules 6. Team Rules 7. Ready to play at least 5 mins. prior to practices or games. 8. Players stay on the field and in the dugout – please, no trips to stands. This is a safety matter. If children need to use restroom, they must let a coach know and a parent must escort them. 9. Let me know if you’d like to talk at any time during the season. 10. Team party 11. Bad weather – text msg., lightning warning system Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 38 Weekly Parent Communication Rock Hounds parents, Please see below this week’s schedule. 5:30pm Monday, October 19 PRACTICE (KENNETH has Snack Duty). 5:30pm Friday, October 23 GAME vs. River Cats at Tee Field (AUSTIN has Snack Duty). (VISITOR) Please arrive by 5:15pm. 12:00pm Saturday, October 24 GAME vs. Diamondjaxx at Tee Field (JAKE has Snack Duty). (VISITOR) Please arrive by 11:40am. Regards, [Manager’s Name] Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 39 Player Communication • Keep it Positive • Post-game • All positives • Don’t single one player out for great performance. Mention as many as possible. • Look forward to the next game; Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 40 Safety Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 41 Safety Our safety goal is simple – No Preventable Injuries! Read the Safety Manual and follow our Safety Rules. When the ThorGuard ightning Prediction Warning Horn sounds, clear the fields and direct the players to seek shelter either in a car or inside a building. Do not permit the players to remain on the field, in the dugouts, or to stand in open areas such as next to the concession stand or in the parking lot. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 42 Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 43 Rules During games, the Home Team will provide an “Official Scorekeeper,” who will retrieve and setup the scoreboard console from the office, operate the scoreboard, and maintain the scorebook. At the game’s conclusion, the console must be returned to the office. The reason why our scoreboards fail is because the consoles are left out overnight, sometimes getting soaked by rain. Home Teams will occupy the First Base dugout. Prior to games, Visiting Teams will take infield warm-ups first, and Home Teams second. During practices where two teams share a field, the team scheduled as Visitors will take the infield for the first half of the practice period, and the Home Team the last half. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 44 Contacts Ocee Park Athletic Association 2010 Directors and Officers Board of Directors Lalo Munoz President president@oceepark.com Angie Aiken Treasurer treasurer@oceepark.com Wayne Henderson VP Baseball vpbaseball@oceepark.com Paul Bozzuto Player and Coach playeragent@oceepark.com Aaron Richards Julie Munoz Development Coordinator Rob Latszch VP Softball vpsoftball@oceepark.com Dennis Sands Safety, Equipment safety.equipment@oceepark.com Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 45 Appendix Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 46 Frequently Asked Questions Q: How are teams assigned? In the tee league, the baseball VP and Player/Coach Agent assign teams. In all other age groups, managers draft players based on the results of player skill assessment sessions. Q: How do I choose assistant coaches? You may ask for volunteers once rosters are distributed. Q: What forms am I and other coaches required to complete? Each team manager and all assistant coaches must complete a volunteer form packet in the Spring. Even if you have done the forms previously, they must be completed again ince the City of Johns Creek considers Spring the start of a new year for volunteer purposes. A copy (scan) of your current driver's license is also required and is needed in order to complete the background check. Please make sure you download the volunteer forms from our web site using the following link: http://www.oceepark.com/forms_info/OPAA_2008_Volunteer_Form_Packet.pdf and return those forms at the OPAA mailbox at the park or via mail to OPAA at 10945 State Bridge Road, Suite 401, PMB 145, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Q: What forms are players’ parents required to complete? A medical form must be provided to the manager before the 1st practice. Managers must ensure all player medical forms are present at all practices, games and team events. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 47 Map of Ocee Park Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 48 Ocee Park Babe Ruth League Spring 2010 Baseball/Softball Program Description & Philosophy It is important that participants in the Spring baseball and softball program understand the overall philosophy of the program and how it differs from the Fall program. The Spring program, like the Fall program, emphasizes instruction and good sportsmanship. In contrast to the Fall program, the Spring season places an equal emphasis on a league-appropriate level of competition. In the Spring, a player and his/her families likely will find it infeasible to play another sport due to the commitment required by the number of practice and game events of the Spring season. The main characteristics of the Spring program are as follows: • • • • • • • • • Game strategy is focused on winning and instruction Player assessments are performed Team are drafted (except for 5-6) to provide team skill parity Standings are kept League champions are recognized at season end End of season tournaments are played All Stars are selected to play in All Star games Time limits are enforced subject to official baseball rules – innings must not start after the time limit and incomplete innings must be finished to allow if the game’s outcome is undecided. Trophies – trophies are awarded to the youngest players including those in the tee ball league, 7/8-year old baseball, and 6-8 softball, as well as to league champions. The Spring program begins with assessments in January, then proceeds with the opening day of games in February and ends near the final week of May. With the exception of Tee League, teams will practice once and play games twice weekly during the Spring season. Tee league teams have one weekday and one Saturday event. In summary, the Spring program is intended to provide a league-appropriate balance of competition and instruction, while emphasizing good sportsmanship among all players, coaches and spectators. Please keep in mind the overall philosophy of the Spring program to make sure you have an enjoyable Spring program experience. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 49 Ocee Park Babe Ruth League Fall 2010 Baseball/Softball Program Description & Philosophy It is important that participants in the Fall baseball and softball program understand the overall philosophy of the program and how it differs from the Spring program. The Fall program is a less competitive supplement to the Spring program and is designed to provide an opportunity for players to get additional practice and game experience as well as to also experiment with playing positions they might otherwise not play in a more competitive Spring season. Many players in the Fall program are also participating in other Fall sports but enjoy playing baseball or softball and wish to enjoy a year-round experience without necessarily the same level of commitment required in the Spring. The main characteristics of the Fall program are as follows: • • • • • • • • • Focused on instructional practice and play (game strategy is not focused exclusively on winning as is the case in the Spring program) No player assessments are performed Team are assigned (not drafted as they are in the Spring season) Standings are not kept No recognition of league champions at season end No end of season tournament No All Star selections or All Star games Strict adherence to time limits – games are terminated precisely when time limit is reached without regard to current score or which team is batting (officially, the score reverts back to last completed inning) Trophies – trophies are only awarded to the youngest players including those in the tee ball league, 7/8-year old baseball, and 6-8 softball. The Fall program is designed as a 2-month season that begins September 7th and ends the final week in October. With the exception of Tee League, teams will practice once and play games twice weekly during the Fall season. Tee League teams have one weekday and one Saturday event. The first games are scheduled in mid-September. In summary, the Fall program is however a great way to enjoy 2 months of baseball or softball, to work on refining skills, for trying out new positions, for getting a head start on a transition to a new league for the following Spring, and namely for making new friends and simply enjoying baseball or softball at Ocee Park. Please keep in mind the overall philosophy of the Fall program to make sure you have an enjoyable Fall program experience. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 50 Parent Code of Conduct 1. I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement of my child while participating in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth tee ball, baseball, and softball program. 2. I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating respect and positive support of all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth sports activity. 3. I will place the emotional and physical well being of my child ahead of any personal desire to win. 4. I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment. 5. I will support coaches and officials working with my child to provide a positive, enjoyable experience for all. 6. I will demand a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free environment for my child and agree to assist by refraining from their use at all youth sports events. 7. I will remember that youth sports activities are for the children and not the adults. I will do my best to make youth sports fun for my child. 8. I will encourage my child to treat other players, coaches, officials and fans with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability. 9. I will help my child enjoy the youth sports experience within my personal constraints by assisting with coaching or officiating, performing maintenance, or whatever I am capable of doing, as well as being a respectful and sportsman-like fan and spectator. 10. I will refrain from using rude, profane, or abusive language and from the demonstration of actions or gestures that are rude, threatening, abusive, or unsportsmanlike in nature. 11. I will abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the City of Johns Creek as it pertains to Ocee Park. The City owns and operates Ocee Park and allows Ocee Park Athletic Association use of the park under an annual Field Use Permit. 12. I understand that a violation of this code may result in the suspension or termination of my child’s participation in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. I further understand that a violation of this code may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of my privilege to attend events at Ocee Park during any time that Ocee Park Athletic Association holds a Field Use Permit. 13. I understand that the administration of this code is the responsibility of the Ocee Park Athletic Association Board of Directors and I agree to this code and its administration as a condition of my child’s participation in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 51 Player Code of Conduct 1. I hereby pledge to provide positive attitude among my team, teammates and coaches and demonstrate the positive aspects of youth sports while participating in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. 2. I will observe good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support of all players, coaches and officials at every game, practice or other youth sports activity. 3. I will treat players, coaches, officials and fans, regardless of race, sex, creed or ability, with respect by refraining from rude or abusive language, actions or gestures. 4. I will demonstrate humility in winning and dignity in losing, knowing that each provides positive contributions to being a good sport and growing up. 5. I will make every effort to arrive at all practices, games or related events at the scheduled time and ready to play or provide advance notification of my expected absence or late arrival. 6. I will pay attention to my coaches and follow their directions, realizing they have given freely of their own time to teach me how to play the sport, making it more fun for me. 7. I will remain personally alert and attentive, refrain from unsafe actions such as throwing equipment or unnecessary physical contact, watch out for other players to ensure safe and healthy playing conditions, refrain from using profane or abusive language, and I will encourage my teammates to do the same. 8. I will try my best to learn the rules and the necessary skills of the sport in order to have the most fun understanding and playing the game. 9. I will abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the City of Johns Creek as it pertains to Ocee Park. The City owns and operates Ocee Park and allows Ocee Park Athletic Association use of the park under an annual Field Use Permit. 10. I understand that a violation of this code may result in the suspension or termination of my participation in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. 11. I understand that the administration of this code is the responsibility of the Ocee Park Athletic Association Board of Directors and I agree to this code and its administration as a condition of my participation in the Ocee Park Athletic Association youth sports program. Ocee Park Baseball Manager’s Guide – 2010 52