Prior Lake High School Baseball Program Player Handbook 2016-2017
GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION INTRODUCTION The following information has been written for the student athletes that are preparing to become part of or continue with the Prior Lake Baseball Program. It has been written to provide the student athletes with as much information about the entire baseball program as possible. TEAM OVERVIEW Prior Lake Baseball is a sport that maintains 5 teams and involves tryouts and releases. Roughly there will be 75-80 players in the entire Prior Lake high school baseball program. Coaches will determine the number of players at each level: Varsity: players can come from all four classes. (freshmen to senior class) Junior Varsity: players can come from three classes (freshmen through junior class) Sophomore: players will only come from the sophomore class (sophomores only, typically) Freshmen A & B: players will only come from the freshmen class (freshmen only) • The Varsity team focuses on the skills and team work needed to compete and be successful in the South Suburban Conference. Student athletes playing time on the varsity team will be determined by which players give the team the best chance to be successful. • The Junior Varsity, Sophomore and Freshmen teams will work on fundamentals and skill development. The primary goals of these levels is player skill development, identifying and developing players for future varsity competition, and implementing Prior Lake high school baseball team strategies and philosophies. In high school, baseball playing time will not necessarily be equal PROGRAM COMMUNICATION The Prior Lake Baseball Program will use several methods to communicate information to the baseball parents, players, and community throughout the year. Some of these methods include: announcements within the school, posting information within the school, e-mail messages, baseball booster club meetings, phone calls and the Prior Lake High School baseball Web site at: http:// http://www.plhsactivities.org/page/show/990576-baseball We hope that by utilizing several different methods to communicate our baseball information. COACHES CONTACT INFO Varsity Head Coach – Greg Nesbitt –
[email protected] Junior Varsity Coach – Kevin Nagel -
[email protected] Sophomore Coach – Ben Meacham –
[email protected] Freshmen A Coach – Kevin McDonald -
[email protected] Freshmen B Coach – TBD COMMUNICATION CHAIN/ORDER 1. Prior Lake player talks with his head coach 2. If an understanding is not found: Prior Lake player & parent talk with player’s head coach 3. If an understanding is not found: Prior Lake player & parent talk with player’s head coach and coach Nesbitt 4. If an understanding is not found: Prior Lake player & parent talk with player’s head coach, coach Nesbitt, and Activities Director Reetz
The coaching staff requests that you, as a parent, adhere to the following grievance guidelines: Coaches request that email be the primary form of communication between parents and coaches. Please do not approach any coach at the field at any time. At the field, coaches are focused on baseball and coaching responsibilities. Coaches will not handle questions and concerns before, during, or after a game or practice. Please do not try to contact any coach at home. Coaches have families and time at home is dedicated to being a part of that family. Baseball conversations and issues should not interrupt this valuable family time. During discussions with parents, coaches will not talk about lineups, game strategy, other players, or coaching decisions. Thank you for your understanding ATHLETIC REGISTRATION FORMS Student athletes must fill out an online sports registration form and have an up to date physical on file in order to participate in TRYOUTS, TEAM PRACTICES, and GAMES. The student athlete CANNOT participate until all forms are turned in and up to date. If you miss a tryout day because your forms are not up to date, there will NOT be make up evaluation sessions available. Registration forms, physical release forms, and payments are all done through the Prior Lake Activities website. Please visit the activities page and click on the registration tab in the left hand column of the page. TRYOUTS The student athlete will participate in a 4 day tryout. Players are expected to be at all days during the tryout process. During tryouts student athletes will participate in the following: individual athleticism evaluation physical conditioning evaluation offensive skill/capabilities evaluation defensive skill/capabilities evaluation intangibles (coach able, attitude, behavior off the field, and work ethic) evaluation Tryouts will be a PROCESS oriented evaluation, and not necessarily a RESULTS oriented evaluation. Coaches will be evaluating player’s technique, mechanics, and adjustments and not just whether or not the player hits or fields the ball every time. TRYOUT SCHEDULE FRESHMEN: DATES: Mon, Mar 6th – Fr, Mar 10th LOCATION: Twin Oaks MS Gymnasium TIME: TBD
SO/JR/SR DATES: Mon, Mar 20th – Fri, Mar 24th LOCATION: Twin Oaks MS/Savage Sports Dome TIME: TBD
TRYOUT EQUIPMENT No equipment will be provided at tryouts. Players are expected to bring their own bats, gloves, and tryout clothing. Some bats will be available, but not enough for every player. Catching equipment will be available for those student athletes participating in the defensive catcher position evaluation TRYOUT COMMUNICATION PROCESS Every player will meet with a coach individually to determine their status in the Prior Lake high school baseball program. This will be done on the Friday of the player’s tryout week. Freshmen players will meet with Coach McDonald, Coach Meiners, and TBD Sophomore players will meet with Coach Meacham and Coach Chinn Junior players will meet with Coach Nagel and Coach Larson Senior players will meet with Coach Nesbitt, Coach Geisler, and Coach Amundson
SPRING BREAK PLHS Student Athletes are allowed to go on a SPRING BREAK TRIP in Spring 2017. Tryout schedules have been adapted to not conflict with Freshment-Senior Tryouts. IN-SEASON PRACTICE SCHEDULE VARSITY JUNIOR VARSITY SOPHOMORE FRESHMEN th th WHEN: March 25 – End of the SEASON March 27 – End of the SEASON Inside Location Twin Oaks Middle School Twin Oaks Middle School Outside LOCATION: Memorial Park Ponds 7 Thomas Ryan TIME: 3:30 – 5:30/6 3:30 – 5:30/6 WHEN: M-F, not game days M-F, not game days Players are expected to attend all practices. If they are unable to attend, it is the PLAYER’S responsibility to communicate that to their coach ASAP. PLAYER INJURIES All baseball players should report injuries to the coaching staff immediately, regardless if the injury occurred during a game, practice, or outside of the baseball field. Coaches must ensure that our players receive proper diagnosis as well as treatment for a quick and healthy recovery. AWAY GAMES TRANSPORTATION Buses are provided for all players to & from away games. Players are expected to ride the bus with their teammates to & from the away game location. Any exceptions must be cleared by the player’s head coach. Players will demonstrate appropriate behavior while on the bus or they will be subject to discipline including, but not limited to suspension from games and/or practices. PLAYER LEVEL CHANGES Moving student/athletes up from freshmen or sophomore to junior varsity or to varsity or moving student/athletes down from varsity to junior varsity, sophomore or freshmen may take place throughout the season. (Remember: ONLY freshmen can play on the freshmen team). When student athletes are being moved within the program, the coaching staff will talk with the student athlete(s) involved prior to making any level changes. This discussion will provide the reason(s) for the change. LETTERING POLICY For a student athlete to receive a baseball letter 1 of the criteria must be met: 1. Participated 3 consecutive years in Prior Lake high school baseball program or 2. Appeared in 3 varsity games FUNDRAISING All players are strongly encouraged to volunteer their time and efforts to our fundraising opportunities. All fundraising efforts go directly to the Prior Lake Baseball program to assist with uniform costs, equipment, field renovations, ability to hire assistant coaches, etc. We will be participating in both the salt sale and gold card fundraisers this season. Your willingness to help the program is greatly appreciated. More information will follow.
PLAYER EXPECTATIONS • Strive to do your academic best; do not just settle for passing. • Support and back-up your teammates on and off the field • Be coachable, we know you bring a lot of experience but keep an open mind • Do not transfer blame or make excuses. Look to yourself and only yourself • Maximum effort at all times • Be on time and be prepared for all baseball activities. • Play together and play for each other (Summer too) • Accept your role on the team. If you do not like it, work harder to change it. • Show respect for all coaches, students, players, umpires, parents, teachers, and staff. • Players will communicate directly with their coach on any issues they may have • The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, and any illegal drugs will not be tolerated. If you are caught, punishment will be according to the Prior Lake High School Athletics rules. • Lead by example on and off the field. Set the standard high for future Prior Lake athletes to follow. • DO NOT do anything that will embarrass your family, the program, your coaches, your teammates, or yourself • Baseball is meant to be fun, HAVE FUN. Learn the game and enjoy the privilege of playing the game of baseball. PARENT EXPECTATIONS • Insist on academic excellence • Be Loyal to the program • Support all the players in the program, not just your son • Be good fans/representatives of Prior Lake High School Baseball program • Ask that your player communicate with the coach on issues first • Let the players play, let the coaches coach
RULES & REGULATIONS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 719 PRIOR LAKE - SAVAGE AREA SCHOOLS 514.1 CHEMICAL USE AND ABUSE (STUDENT) The following procedures are an extension and interpretation of ISD 719 School Board Policy 514.1. Students participating in extracurricular and co curricular activities are held to high standards and will demonstrate respectful and responsible behavior at all times. Prior Lake-Savage Area School District consequences for rule violation are greater than the Minnesota State High School League and therefore take precedence. Penalties will be assessed for rule violation in extracurricular, co curricular and interscholastic activities. Students shall not possess, purchase, sell, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol, tobacco, or any other illicit drug including look-alike drugs and drug paraphernalia. STUDENTS SHALL NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR (chargeable offense whether charged or not which may be a violation of civil or criminal law), GROSS MISCONDUCT (insubordination, threats, and/or persistent or flagrant violation of school policy), OR RACIAL/RELIGIOUS/SEXUAL HARASSMENT/VIOLENCE/AND/OR HAZING. Minnesota State High School League guidelines state that students participating in an interscholastic activity must serve a penalty for any rule violation. Students participating in enrichment AND interscholastic activities will serve a penalty in the enrichment AND the interscholastic activity for any rule violation. At the end of one calendar year from the date of rule violation notification, the enrichment activity penalty will expire. There is no “sunset” clause for serving a penalty in interscholastic activities. A team/activity, in conjunction with the coach/advisor, may increase the severity of a penalty or suspend a student for the season. The coach/advisor shall clearly communicate any additional consequences to parents and students prior to the season. Any additional consequences will be in place until the last game is played or the team banquet is held which ever
takes place later. Penalties are cumulative for violations in the chemical abuse category and the harassment, violence, and hazing category. First Offense Consequence 1. Parent/Student Conference held with appropriate school personnel 2. Student will lose eligibility for next SIX WEEKS 3. Student will NOT be eligible for any school awards for the seasons which the consequence is served: MVP, Most Improved, etc… Student will be eligible for Conference and State Awards 4. For the duration of student’s high school career, the student will not be eligible to be a Captain or hold a leadership position in ANY sport or school sponsored activity at Prior Lake High School 5. Student shall make arrangements with the coach regarding reinstatement to on the team Second Offense Consequence: 1. Parent/Student Conference held with appropriate school personnel 2. Student will lose eligibility for ONE CALENDAR YEAR 3. Student will not be eligible for any further school awards: MVP, Most Improved, etc….. 4. The Superintendent will convene a review board no sooner than four months after the notification of the violation to consider appeals in which a student wishes to be considered for reinstatement a. During the four month period, the student must demonstrate behavior free from further offenses. b. Appeals must be written to the Activities Director and Principal Third Offense Consequence: 1. Student will not be eligible for any high school co-curricular activities 2. The Superintendent will convene a review board no sooner than one calendar year after the notification of the violation to consider appeals in which a student wishes to be considered for reinstatement a. During the calendar year, the student must demonstrate behavior free from further offenses. b. Appeals must be written to the Activities Director and Principal The District 719 Extracurricular & Co curricular Behavior Regulations are enforced during the entire calendar year and throughout the student’s career in the Prior Lake-Savage Area School system. In addition to the regulations: 1. Law enforcement agency citations of substance violations under the Minnesota State Statue 121A.28 will be investigated and enforced as violations under the MSHSL Bylaw 205.00. 2. A student shall not possess, use, or give away any performance enhancing chemicals. 3. District 719 has extended the MSHSL General Rules “Racial/Religious/Sexual Harassment/Violence/and Hazing” to be in effect and enforced during the entire calendar year. This extends the rule to include June, July, and August as well as the school year. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS Student athletes are required to have NO grades as an F at anytime. The athletic department does grade checks every 2 weeks. If a student is found to have an F in any class they have 2 weeks to raise that grade to a passing grade. If by that time it is not accomplished the student athlete will be suspended from athletic competition, games, and practices until the grade is raised. Players may be released from their last period early on game days. Please take this into consideration when scheduling your spring classes and consult with your counselor if you foresee any problems. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE Student athletes are expected and required to attend all of their classes throughout the school day. If a student is marked as UNEXCUSED ABSENT during the day, the student athlete is ineligible for the day and not able to participate in games or practices for that day. The student athlete is still required to attend practice and stay for the duration of that day’s game or practice. GO TO YOUR CLASSES! If a student athlete misses a day of school (excused absence), they are ineligible for that day’s game and/or practice. It is the PLAYER’S responsibility to communicate with their coach if they will miss a game or practice ASAP.
Player and Parent Agreement Please turn in to the Prior Lake High School Athletic Office.
Players will be unable to participate in team activities without this form completed. I have read all of the information in the Prior Lake Baseball Handbook. I understand what is expected of me as a student athlete and agree to follow all policies, procedures, and expectations throughout the school year.
_________________________________ Student Athlete’s Printed Name
_________________________________ Student Athlete’s Signature
____________________ Date
_________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature
____________________ Date