Rock Bridge Baseball

Rock Bridge Baseball

• Philosophy

• Program Expectations

• Program Structure

• Practice Organization

• Spring Trip

• Fundraisers

• Work Day

• Off Season

• Youth Camp

• Summer Baseball

• Program Essentials

Rock Bridge Bruin BaseballPhilosophy

Bruin baseball players must possess the attitude and work ethic that championship teams have. Pride and determination to excel as a player and a student are key components to winning teams. Bruin baseball players are those that are willing to set aside personal goals in order for the team to be successful.

Rock Bridge BaseballProgram Expectations

Player-Team-Coach-Parent Relationships

Always remember that the most important factor in dealing with your teammates and coaching staff is respect. Respect is the nucleus for all constructive relationships and must be earned. In order to receive respect, one must display and understand the process of giving it. NEVER back-talk your coaches in any manner. If you have a problem or a misunderstanding, inform the coach that you would like to talk and it will be done privately.

The coaches’ goals are to coordinate the personnel toward one common goal. This cannot be done without the cooperation and commitment of every player.

Make sure you understand what is expected of you in all aspects of the baseball program and how it affects you. The primary role of the coach is to teach. The primary role of the player is to learn and perform.

Baseball, as mentioned before, is a team game and everyone must work together in order to be successful. Be willing to praise your teammates when praise is due and when one needs a lift. PRAISE the good throw, good hit, good catch, good defensive plays and good effort, etc.

The leaders of the team have an important view of the game and team. They are constantly in a position to interpret the action on and off the field within the teams’ perception. Team leaders are players capable of assuming leadership with the responsibility that comes with it. Share on and off field concerns with the coaching staff.

The parents’ job is that of support. It is important to understand that just because your player was the starting short stop on a team before he got to RB doesn’t always mean that is where we will place him. As a parent you need to be supportive of these types of decisions as well as any other RB Baseball decisions.

Umpires – 1) They are human and will make mistakes, and 2) They are part of the game and belong on the field. Mistakes are part of the game, both by the participants and the umpires. Accept their decisions and play.

Bruin Expectations:Fulfillment and Neglect

It is entirely up to the individual player as to whether he chooses to fulfillment or neglect for any of the expectations. Each must choose for himself in any decision relating to one’s performance as a baseball player on and off the field.

Each member of the RB Baseball Program can expect to be rewarded in any one or all of the following ways based upon meeting the expectations given both orally or in the handbook:

– The opportunity to represent Rock Bridge High School in baseball. Never consider the aspect of dressing out for a game as trivial.

– Playing Time. This depends on ones ability, attitude, and good standing, as well as strategy and philosophy for the upcoming opponent.

– Varsity Athletic Award upon the fulfillment of season-long expectations. Each one must remain in good standing and meet the criteria set forth by the coaching staff.

– Fun, Challenges, Achievements, and Experiences that come with playing High School Baseball and Sports.

Each member of the team can expect any one or all of the following as applicable in neglect of stated expectations:

– Extra work of assignment provided for the neglect of expectations.– Loss of playing time due to neglect of expectations.– Suspension from practice and/ or games due to the neglect of expectations.– Dismissal form the team due to neglect of expectations.

Rock Bridge BaseballTraining Expectations

Be aware of physical needs such as nutrition and sleep. Both affect your performance mentally and physically. Adhere to curfews when they are expected.

No tobacco use in any way, shape, or form.

No consumption of alcoholic beverages in any way, shape, or form.

No drug use in any way, shape, or form unless under the care of a doctor and/ or parental permission.

Use of profanity will not be tolerated. Be in control of your speech at all times, on and off the field. Be a positive example to the little ones who admire your role as an athlete.

Maintain good-standing in the classroom with both class work and behavior. You will need to maintain the grade requirements set forth by the head coach to receive playing time. If you are disciplined at school for not following school expectations, you will also be disciplined by the baseball program. This program demands you to carry yourself with class on and off the field.

Maintain good-standing in the community. As an athlete and a part of the ROCK BRIDGE BASEBALL PROGRAM, you are looked up to by many youngsters and the community.

NOTE: District handbook regulations will apply in the areas of training rules, travel, academic requirements, and unexcused absences.

Rock Bridge BaseballPractice Expectations

BE ON TIME! If you cannot be on time – BE EARLY!!!

Notify your coach if you are going to be absent. An unexcused absence is a one game suspension. Notifying the coach the next day or having a teammate give the message is unacceptable. On the third unexcused absence, a player may be dismissed from the team.

All drills are to be performed at game speed unless otherwise specified by the coaching staff.

ALWAYS HUSTLE!! RUN from drill to drill, station to station, dugout to field and back and anywhere else the coach instructs the players to RUN.

Perform skills and drill as they are instructed.

Stop what ever is happening when instructed to stop.

Push yourself everyday in practice.

Don’t argue with teammates. CONTROL YOUR MOUTH!!!!!!!!

No horseplay. Take your job seriously.

Accept constructive criticism and apply the skills that are being emphasized and rehearsed.

Pick up around the field after every game and practice. DO YOUR PART!!!

The coach’s door is open to anyone who has a problem concerning the team or himself.

Take nothing for granted in baseball. It is your PRIVILEGE to represent RB and the community. The coaches are constantly evaluating players and positions.

Rock Bridge BaseballGame Expectations

Motivation and performance go hand in hand and both must be present for an athlete to be consistent and dependable on game day. Your mental, as well as our physical preparation, is highly dependent upon you and your approach to each contest. PLAY EVERY GAME AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST!!!!! THEY ALL COUNT TOWARDS SEEDINGS IN DISTRICT!

•Game and Game-Day Expectations:– Your appearance on the field should reflect a team image. Look sharp, think sharp, play sharp!– Play the game the way it is practiced. Utilize the game plan as it is designed.– Do not talk back, make faces or gestures, or perform any other type of immature actions towards

fans, opponents, coaches, umpires, or parents.– Your best effort is a minimum and a premium.– Run on and off the field at all times.– When not in the game, give undivided attention to the action on the field, the play of your

teammates, and the play of the opponents. Stand and acknowledge all good plays and hustle. Also acknowledge the player being substituted for.

•Pre-Game and Post-Game Expectations– Relax and eat a good meal before the games. – Do not allow any distractions before a contest. Be ready to play both physically and mentally!– Display proper self-control after the game. Greet the opponent in humility and celebrate away from

the opponent.– Never approach the umpires for any reason after the game.– Uniforms need to be washed after each game.

Rock Bridge BaseballTravel Expectations

While we are traveling, we are providing others with first impressions as we pass through the communities and ours. Don’t shout, throw or stick anything out the windows of the bus. Stay in your seat and keep your shoes off the upholstery.

If you bring food or drink on the bus, be respectful of the property and put trash in the trash can.

When occasions arise in which we must stay over night, adhere to curfews and travel guidelines set forth by the coaching staff.

We came as a team and we will leave as a team. Our school district has a policy concerning your travel to and from a contest. Leaving with anyone besides the team bus must be approved by the administration and cleared with the coach prior to the contest. It will be discouraged and only allowed with administrative approval and verification of need.

Program Structure

• Varsity– This team is comprised of the top players in the program. Coaches will evaluate players

and try to put the “BEST 9” not the “9 BEST” players on the field that can work together as a team. Players on this team will range from grades 9-12 depending on the team’s needs and players’ ability, attitude, and work ethic.

• Junior Varsity– This team is a player development team for the varsity. Players will range from grades 9-11

depending on ability. JV games are typically 5 inning games with an hour and a half time limit. They are also usually played immediately following the Varsity game.

• A-Team– This team is a player development team for the Junior Varsity program. Players on this

team will be mostly made up of 10th graders. Their games are typically 7 inning games.

• B-Team– This team is the beginning player development level for the program. The purpose for this

team is to learn the basic fundamentals and structure of the program. Players on this team will be made up of 9th graders unless there aren’t enough to completely field a team.

Practice Organization• WHEEL PRACTICE

– All Players (9-12) & Coaches• 3:00 – 3:40 Team Stretch• 3:30-4:40 Wheel (15 minutes per spoke)

– Base Running, Throwing, Positional Defense, Cage Work• 4:40-5:30 Scrimmage/ Situational Hitting

– C-Team breaks off for the rest of their practice• 5:30 Conditioning

• ¾ WHEEL PRACTICE– All Players (9-12) & Coaches

• 3:30-3:40 Team Stretch• 3:40-4:10 Wheel (10 minutes per spoke)

– Cage Work, Throwing, Positional Defense• 4:10-4:40 Team Defense/ Offense

– C Team breaks off for the rest of their practice• 4:40-5:40 Hitting Groups• 5:40 Conditioning

• SCRIMMAGE PRACTICE/ C Team at Bethel Memorial– 3:30-3:40 Team Stretch– 3:40-3:50 Green Team Warm-Up/ Gold Team in the Cage– 3:50:4:00 Gold Team Warm-Up/ Green Team in the Cage– 4:00-5:15 Situational Scrimmage

Bruin Baseball Spring Trip• PURPOSE

– The Spring Trip is used as a team building activity for the players and coaches. This is also an opportunity for our program to measure itself against other out-of-state teams that we normally wouldn’t get to play.

• PLACE– 2008 – Disney World – Orlando, Florida

• COST– The cost will be $500 per player.– Includes 5 Night Stay, 3 Day Park Hopper

• Who Goes?– All Seniors and Juniors. 9th and 10th

graders are on an invite basis only. We plan to take up to 30 players.

• SCHEDULE– Friday, March 21 – Bus leaves at 4:00 pm– Saturday, March 22 – Off Day– Sunday, March 23 – Practice – Monday, March 24 - Games– Tuesday, March 25 – Games– Wednesday, March 26 – Team Building – Thursday, March 27 – Leave at 8:00 am

Baseball Fundraisers

• HIT-A-THON– Saturday, March 8 @ 12:00, – $ Earned goes directly towards your $500 for the Spring Trip– Rain Date – Saturday, March 15 @12:00

• PROGRAM (Black/ White)– Place of Business– Full Page - $450– Half Page - $250– Quarter Page - $150– Eighth Page - $100

• GARAGE SALE– Saturday, March 8

• CANDY BARS– Saturday, March 1

Bruin Work Day

• Saturday, March 1• Saturday, March 8

– Shovels, Rakes, Leaf Blowers, Edger, Trash Bags, etc.

Bruin Off SeasonWeights/ Conditioning

• Fall Workouts– Mon, Wed, Thurs

– 4:00 – 5:30

– Conditioning• Sprint Day, Agility Day, Distance Day

– Power Stretching• Yoga

– Weights• Core Workout

• Winter Workouts– Mon, Thurs

– Conditioning, Power Stretching, Weights

• Wed. Night Workouts– Optional at Balls and Strikes

Bruin Summer Youth Camp

• Camp Dates– K-4th Grade

• June 25,26

– 5th – 7th

• July 8,9

• Cost– $35 + T-Shirt

• Volunteers

Southside Baseball PHILOSOPHY

– The philosophy of the Southside Summer Baseball Team is to prepare each of its players for the following spring. “SPRING BASEBALL IS WHAT REALLY COUNTS.” Every player will be given the opportunity to play different positions (as determined by team needs) and to work on the skill needed to improve in his respective position. The coaches will tell each player what they need to do in order to improve and contribute at the next level. The only promise the program can give is that each player will get a chance. The rest is up to the player. How he handles the opportunity is up to him. There will be no guarantee on number of innings a player will get. Many players will get more time because of their work ethic and their ability but many players will get more innings than they did in the spring to see where they stack up with the rest of the competition.

ATTENDANCE

– Summer is a time to experience many things. Baseball is not the only thing in our lives. Our only policy is to let the coach know at least 48 hrs in advance of missing a game for any reason other than an emergency. No player will be penalized for missing a practice or game if they follow this rule. We do expect each player to show up at games unless they have made the proper arrangements.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

– The summer program consists of two teams, a Varsity and a Junior Varsity. Each team will play 20 league games and 4 tournaments, which includes a state tournament. The Varsity player will have a chance to participate in a College and Pro Showcase prior to our state tournament. There will also be the opportunity to try out for a Mid-Mo Prospects team that travels to various Junior Colleges in the fall to play double headers.

Program EssentialsIn order to be CHAMPIONS, every coach, player, and parent must work together towards the same goal!