Atlantic Cape Community College

Buccaneers BaseballTeam Handbook

2019-2020

Head Coach: Rod Velardi

Assistant Coaches: Jeff BallEdge MaitlandBrett McCulleyMike BatesChris RussDrew KhouryBert Rosica

© 2018 ACCC Buccaneers Baseball

Team Handbook

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Team Handbook

Table of Contents Page

Introduction…………………………………………………………3

Mission Statement…………………………………………………..3

Team Motto…………………………………………………………3

Team Priorities……………….……………………………………..3

Ode to the Buccaneers………………………………………………3

Message to Parents/Guardians………………………………………4

Message to Players…………………………………………………..4

About the Coaching Staff…………………………………………...4

Coaching Philosophy………………………………………………..6

Team Core Values…………………………………………………..7

Expectation of Players……………………………………………....7

Expectation of Coaches……………………………………………..8

Policies……………………………………………………………....8

Summary…………………………………………………………….9

Off-Season Training Regimen……………………………................10

Pre-Game/Pre-Practice Warm-Ups…………………………….……12

Academic Requirements to Maintain Eligibility …………………....14

Agreement…………………………………………………………...15

Player Contact Information………………………………………….15

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Introduction

Welcome to Atlantic Cape Buccaneers Baseball!

The purpose of this handbook is to clearly set forth the policies and expectations of the team so we are unified in our goal of fulfilling our mission statement to its fullest.

Mission Statement

To become men for others as we relentlessly pursue perfection in all we do – on and off the field.

Team Motto

“Ludere Sicut Pugiles!”(“Play Like Champions!”)

Team Priorities

1. God and Family2. Being a man for others3. Pursuing academic excellence4. Working hard and having fun playing baseball

Ode to the Buccaneers

The wind blows north, the wind blows south;Howling, unabated.

On its heels, the rain teems down;Sod and soil, inundated.

Sun and warmth, at last, prevail,To each and all’s delight.

And with their diamond newly greened,They toil ‘til twilight.

A sea of blue, a sea of green;In rows of straight array;

Silent, empty, yet they beckon;Calling us today.

In white and red and blue they play;And will throughout the years.

They fight, they claw; n’er to quit;They are…the BUCCANEERS!!!

Champions surround them,Pressing from each side;

Laying bare true character,Defeat they won’t abide.

Come win, come lose; does matter not, For even if they fail;

So mighty is their will to win,In time they will prevail

Opponents line against them,All strong and straight and true.

Perfection’s pursuit sustains them;The white and red and blue.

Victory and gloryThey seek through toil and tears.

“Play Like Champions!” their noble cry;They are…the BUCCANEERS!!!

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Message to Parents/Guardians

Thank you for allowing us to coach your sons. It is a responsibility we take seriously and undertake with a sense of gratitude, humility and honor. We will do our utmost to ensure your sons become better baseball players and, more important, better students - and men.

Message to Players

We are delighted you have decided to be a Buccaneer. You have a unique opportunity here at ACCC; that is, to be a student/athlete at the collegiate level. Take full advantage of the opportunity by always doing your best: in the classroom; on the field; and, away from campus. Work hard and have fun. We want you to be proud of your school and your team. We are in the process of building champions and making men; and we hope you will share our vision and be a part of that exciting process.

About the Coaching Staff

Rod Velardi - Head Coach

Coach Velardi has been the Buccaneers Head Coach since the program was reestablished in 2010. During his tenure, the Buccaneers baseball program has improved steadily in size, quality and performance. Prior to taking the helm at ACCC, he was the Head Coach for the Egg Harbor Township High School baseball team. Coach Velardi was a standout high school baseball player at Toms River HS South and had a successful D-I college baseball career at Butler University, where he was a left-handed pitcher and played right field. During college, he signed to played in the Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball Summer League. Coach Velardi graduated with honors from Butler University, earned a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University where he was Valedictorian of his graduate class and entered into a PhD program in pursuing his career as a professional educator. Coach Velardi is a district administrator in the Egg Harbor Township School System. He is happily married and has three beautiful children.

Jeff Ball - Assistant Coach

Coach Ball has had an outstanding playing and coaching career. Coach Ball was drafted out of college and eventually made several game appearances for the San Francisco Giants at third base. He played and coached for eleven years in professional baseball, including playing, coaching and serving as the General Manager for the Atlantic City Surf professional baseball team. An infrastructure supervisor with the State of New Jersey, Coach Ball has two children, one of whom is a college baseball player.

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Dr. Edge Maitland - Assistant Coach

Coach Maitland was a distinguished high school and college athlete. He played for the New York City High School Baseball Championship in Yankee Stadium. Coach Maitland attended Fordham University, where he was a star football player as well as baseball player. After graduation from Fordham, he enrolled in dental school and has pursued a successful dental career ever since, while he has continued to play and coach baseball.

Brett McCulley - Assistant Coach

Coach McCulley is the Buccaneers’ Strength & Conditioning Coach. He is an alum of ACCC Buccaneers Baseball where he was a right-handed relief pitcher and was a recipient of the Coaches Award in 2013. He transferred to Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, where he continued his baseball career and graduated in 2017 with a B.S. in Kinesiology/Exercise Science, along with a coaching certificate. He is certified in strength and conditioning and personal training, and plans to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition.

Mike Bates - Assistant Coach

An outstanding high school baseball player, Coach Bates played college baseball for Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC) for one season. That year RCGC advanced to the NJCAA National Championship final game. After RCGC, Coach Bates came to Atlantic Cape to play his final season of NJCAA eligibility with the Buccaneers. He is currently on staff at the college while he completes his Associate’s Degree. A tremendous asset to the team, Coach Bates assists in all facets of the game, including developing players’ fielding skills, tactics and strategy and situational play.

Chris Russ – Assistant Coach (Catchers)

Another proud alum of ACCC and Buccaneers Baseball, Chris serves as a catchers’ coach. Rugged and technically sound, Chris was a catcher for ACCC for two years, completing his second season with a .300 batting average. On the rare occasion he was not behind the plate, he often called pitches for his backup. Chris graduated from Cape May Technical High School (Cape May Tech) where he received a 4-year varsity award. Prior to ACCC, Chris’ coaching resume included serving as an Assistant Coach at Cape May Tech and coaching travel baseball. Chris studied Criminal Justice at ACCC and currently serves his community as a police officer in Cape May County.

Bert Rosica, Assistant Coach

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Coach Rosica is a catchers’ coach and also assists with hitting instruction. Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Coach Rosica ran the fall varsity baseball program for St. Anselm’s Abbey School in Washington, DC where he also served as catchers’ coach. In each of his last two seasons at St. Anselm’s, the school advanced to the league championship finals and their starting catcher was named a first-team league all star. Coach Rosica served as catcher and bullpen coach for 6 years for Pitchers Edge Performance Studios in Tysons Corner, Virginia where he worked with high school, college and pro prospects. Coach Rosica has been happily married for 34 years and is the proud father of four children. A Chemical Engineer by training, he is an investment banker specializing in the environmental and energy industries. Coach Rosica serves as a member of ACCC’s Engineering Advisory Board.

Coaching Philosophy

o We are servant/leaders who love our playerso We are committed to their development as players, students and meno Our job is to teach (educate and equip), encourage, energize, empower and

elevate our players in terms of their preparation and performance on and off the field

o We model the behaviors in ourselves we want to instill in our playerso We are humble, constantly seeking to improve, learn and growo We are either coaching an action or allowing it to happen; in any case we always

assume responsibility for causing the player to learn and execute properlyo We are working to create a championship culture on and off the field that honors

and respects the game and reflects positively on Atlantic Cape Community College, the Buccaneers Baseball team, the players and the coaches

o We seek to navigate the competing demands of destroying complacency (challenging, demanding, speaking truth, and holding players accountable for championship attitude and effort) and building confidence (developing prepared players, speaking greatness, and inspiring hope in what can be compared to what is)

o We seek to cause the player to learn by creating an environment where lessons can emerge and then we help the player make sense of those lessons, transferring ownership of the growth process to the player, focusing more on process and effort (which can be controlled) as opposed to outcome (which can not be controlled). In the process, we will not only explain “what” and “how” but also “why” we need to do the things we do.

o We will be consistent, not manic, in teaching and providing feedbacko We will demonstrate and model proper technique, tactic and execution in all

aspects of the gameo We will create a teaching environment that enables success but also causes

failure; thus preparing players for the pressures of game conditions and learning the differences between: loss and defeat; and, victory and success. (Winning isn’t

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everything; but the will to win is the ONLY thing. The thrill of the victory soon fades; but the will to win endures. Vince Lombardi)

Team Core Values

o Be men for others, exhibiting character, selflessness, integrity and virtueo Play like champions (play hard, play fair, play with honor and dignity) – on and

off the field – always hold your head up, never quito Relentlessly pursue perfection in all things and at all timeso Accept victory with humility and gratitude; and defeat with unbowed

determination to work harder and improve o Never, ever, ever give up!

Expectation of Players

o Be early. On time is lateo Be prepared physically, mentally, spirituallyo Stay physically fit in the off-season months (July/August, November/December)

by performing the Off-Season Training Regimen o Keep your grades up. If you are struggling, let an advisor know, speak to your

professor and let your coaches know immediately.o Give your utmost best in off-season conditioning, on the practice field and in

gameso Respect the game, teammates, coaches, opponents, umpires, groundskeepers and

spectatorso Conduct yourself as professional gentlemen: this is a college baseball team, not a

sandlot rabble – you are to be leaders and champions:o Exercise self-control in word and deed at all timeso Hold your head up at all times, particularly in the face of defeat o Know your job – if you don’t, then asko Do your job to the best of your abilityo Do not make excuses

o Give back to your school and community. As gifted and privileged young men, this is central to being a man for others. The team is expected to select one or two philanthropic organizations of their choosing in which to participate to help an underprivileged sector of our community and provide volunteer hands-on support to that organization at least once a month throughout the year (soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless shelter, etc.).

o Never criticize a teammate or coach; or speak negatively about a teammate or coach. (If you have something to say to a teammate or coach, choose an appropriate time and place to say it; and then tell them directly and with all due discretion, propriety and respect.)

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o Always encourage and support teammates, helping them whenever and wherever you can – through thick or thin; in victory or defeat

o To excel at baseball is a process. Have fun: enjoy the game and the processo We are a team and a family: what we do here, what we say here, what we see

here and what we hear here stays here when we leave here.Expectation of Coaches

o Coaches will treat all players with dignity and respecto Coaches will lead by exampleo Coaches will judge players solely on the basis of baseball ability, effort and

personal charactero Coaches will do their best to help their players improve:

o In all aspects of the game o As studentso As men

o Coaches will be available on and off the field to teach and mentor their playerso Coaches will always be honest in their evaluation of players and their

performances

Policies

o As ambassadors of the school, all members of the Buccaneers baseball team are expected to acquit themselves accordingly at all times – on the field, in the classroom and away from campus as respects:

o Effort and leadership in the classroomo Conducto Dresso Languageo Grooming

o In accordance with league policy, there is to be no tobacco use of any kind (including vaping) by Buccaneer players – no exceptions.

o Players are encouraged to have fun and listen to music at appropriate* times during practice and team travel to and from games. Music containing vulgar or inappropriate* language or themes is not allowed at any time. (*At the coaches’ sole discretion.)

o As Buccaneers we will always endeavor to leave our playing facilities, especially those where we are visitors, in as-good or better order than we found them.

o When lining up after a game Buccaneers will shake hands (as opposed to high-5, or fist or elbow pump) with our opponents and look them directly in the eye when we congratulate them on a “good game” – regardless of the game’s outcome or the opponents’ behavior – good or bad - during the game. Good conduct and play are always to be commended after the game.

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o Attendance and punctualityo Players are expected to attend all practices, games and team meetings and

be on time, which means dressed and ready to go at least 15 minutes before the scheduled event

o If a player can not attend or anticipates being late for a practice, game or meeting, he is to inform the coaches ASAP with an explanation as to why he can not attend or may be late. There are no excuses for missing or being late.

Players late for practice will run – if a player is more than 30 minutes late, it will be counted as a missed practice

Players missing practice will sit out games, NO exceptions; no excuses.

Summary

Playing Buccaneers baseball is a privilege to be earned and maintained; not a right. Buccaneers baseball players have a responsibility and obligation to themselves, their team and their college to conduct themselves as champions at all times.

Our goal and our mission are to become the best baseball players, students and men for others as we possibly can – and to have fun doing so. In the process, we are to represent ourselves, our team and our college with the utmost dignity, honor and respect. The purpose of this handbook is to set forth some guidelines to help us achieve these goals.

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Off-Season Training Regimen (Summer/Late Fall/Winter)

Strength Workout Days Per Week - 3 with 1 day in between workouts.

Workout DescriptionThis workout is designed to increase strength (especially upper body strength) in the baseball off-season. The workout is a full body workout hitting all major muscle groups every workout, 3 times per week. It should take you about 1 hour per session.

Daily Workout Schedule:

Full Body Routine - 3 Days Per WeekLegs

Exercise Sets RepsSquat 3 12,10,10Leg Curl 3 15,12,12Leg Extension 3 15,12,12

ChestExercise Sets RepsMilitary Press 3 12,10,8

TricepsExercise Sets RepsLying Tricep Extension 3 10,8,8

BackExercise Sets RepsBent Over Barbell Row 4 15,12,10,8

TrapsExercise Sets RepsDumbbell Shrugs 3 12,10,6

BicepsExercise Sets RepsStanding Barbell Curl 3 10,8,8

ForearmsExercise Sets RepsBarbell Wrist Curl 2 15

AbsExercise Sets RepsDecline Sit Ups 3 20-25

Conditioning Workout 2-3 days per week. Off-days from strength training

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Dynamic Warm-up

The following should take 10-12 minutes to complete.  Set distance at 20 yards. Complete the required distance then jog back to the starting cone.  Complete each movement deliberately.   Do not just go through the motions.

Walking Lunge with Knee Hug – 1 x Walking Quad Stretch – 1 x Inch Worms – 1 x Lateral Lunge – 1 x each direction High Knees – 1 x Butt Kicks – 1 x A Skip – 1 Lateral Shuffle – 1 x each direction

Conditioning

Build-up Sprints – Set up markers at 20 and 40 yards.  Begin your run at 50-75% effort. As you hit the halfway mark, increase your speed to 100% effort.

2 20-yard sprints at 50% effort 8 40-yard Build-Up sprints: first 20 yards at 75% effort, second 20 yards at 100% effort

After each sprint, use your walk back to the starting line as your rest.

Agility Dot drill – Footwork/coordination: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR7s4nXtWSw) – 1 x Box Drill – Explosiveness: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCECiAdA43k – you can use

steps) – 1x Ladder Drill – Agility/quickness/core strength – https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=GlzsDgFopk4 – 1x: Forward 1 step, Hopscotch, Lateral, Lateral Buzzsaw, Lateral handwalk

Static Stretching Hamstrings – 1 x 60 seconds each Groin – 1 x 60 seconds each Piriformis Stretch – 1 x 60 seconds each Hip Flexor Stretch – 1 x 60 seconds each Calves – 1 x 60 seconds each

Endurance training o Run 1-2 miles, 2-3 days per week. If you weigh in above your ideal weight, then run 2-3 miles

until the weight has been dropped.

Show up in shape! This is a large part of what “Playing Like Champions!” is all about.

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Pre-Game/Pre-Practice Warm-Ups

1. Easy Jog Around Field

2. Dynamic Warm-up - 60 feet – do it right – it’s not a race1. Hi Knees2. Butt Kicks3. Side shuttle (both ways)4. Carioca (both ways)5. Hi kicks (Frankensteins)6. Hip Cradle7. Front lunges (hands behind head; full twist both ways)8. Side lunges9. One leg/two hand toe touch10. Elbow to instep11. Caterpillar walk12. Back peddle13. Quad Stretches14. Ham Stretches15. Calf Stretches

Arm Warm-up/Stretching (about 10-15 seconds each)

1. Large Shoulder rolls – forward/backwards - Pull in shoulder blades with upper back muscles -

a. Palms upb. Palms down c. Palms front

2. Front Scissors – rapid, alternating up and down3. Small Shoulder rolls – forward/backwards – Pull in with upper back muscles

a. Palms upb. Palms down c. Palms front

4. Front Scissors - rapid, alternating up and down5. Arms front/hands locked – rotate side to side6. Arms front/hands locked – figure 87. Scissors above head8. Raise the roof – Pull in with upper back muscles9. Push out walls – Pull in with upper back muscles10. Palms down push Back – Pull in with upper back muscles11. Palms down push forward – Pull in with upper back muscles12. Pull arm across chest13. Pull arm behind head/back14. Palm rotation/hand squeeze

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Throwing Practice(The arm is already warmed up – Practice your throwing!)

Black/white practice balls4-seam grip at all times

Aim at baseball-sized target on the catching shoulder of receiver(“Aim small/miss small”)

Glove side elbow outside of receivers glove shoulder

1. Band work before throwing2. Wrist Flips – 10 reps (10-12 feet apart, elbow above shoulder, 4-

seam grip, hard flip, lots of rotation)3. Throw from knees – 8 reps, 40 feet apart, good hip turn4. Concrete feet – 8 reps, 60 feet apart, good hip turn 5. Step and throws – 8 reps, 60-90 feet6. Start long toss at 90 feet work back to 180 feet+, always throwing

through target – be precise – 10 reps 7. Cool down - by gradually closing distance to 30 feet – 8-10 reps8. Band work after throwing; or, after game or practice – DO NOT

LEAVE THE FIELD WITHOUT DOING YOUR BANDWORK – it is a key component to arm maintenance/health.

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Academic Requirements to Maintain Buccaneers Baseball Eligibility

Any student admitted to Atlantic Cape Community College is eligible to try out for the Buccaneers Baseball Team and is encouraged to do so regardless of his previous academic record.

Once on the team, you will be required to achieve the minimum academic performance standards set forth below.

ACCC and Buccaneers Baseball will support you and make available to you the time, resources and programs you need to help achieve, maintain and exceed these minimum standards so you can learn to enjoy and excel at baseball, at school and at life – now and in the future.

1. You MUST take a minimum of at least 24 credits over the course of each academic year.

2. You MUST take a minimum of at least 12 credits in the Spring Semester of each baseball season.

3. IF you take less than 12 credits in the FALL semester preceding a baseball season, THEN you MUST make those credits up in the winter session subsequent to said fall semester and prior to the spring semester of the baseball season.

4. You MUST pass all classes with the minimum of a “C.”5. Your cumulative GPA in any semester MUST be equal to or greater than 2.5.6. FAILURE to comply with the foregoing may result in loss of your eligibility to

play baseball.

The ACCC Buccaneers’ coaching staff and ACCC’s administration are committed to the academic and baseball success of its Baseball Student/Athletes and we will help you meet and exceed these standards. Ultimately, however, it is to your benefit and, therefore, your responsibility to achieve academic excellence.

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Agreement

I have read, understand and accept the terms and policies of this Buccaneers Baseball Team Handbook. If I have any questions or concerns, I will address them immediately with a coaching staff member.

By signing this form, I agree to abide by the letter and spirit of the policies and expectations outlined above. I further agree to maintain a grade point average of __.____ (TBD and agreed by the player and coaches) or above at all times while attending ACCC. I hereby grant permission and agree to allow Head Coach Velardi access to all my academic records and course schedules at all times and I will forthwith provide Coach Velardi my access/passcode and any other information he may need, including obtaining permission from teachers, tutors, and/or administrators, if required, in order to gain such access. In addition to the foregoing, all players who have not already done so are to complete the Player Information Form (go to: www.acccbaseball.weebly.com).

Player’s Name: ______________________________________________________

Player’s Signature: ___________________________________________________

Date: _________________/________/____________

Player Contact Information

Address: ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Mobile Phone: ___________________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________________

Date of Birth: ___________________________________________________

ACCC Student ID Number: ___________________________________________________

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