MANDAN BRAVES

BASEBALL2018

PLAYER HANDBOOK

18-14 conference, 20-17 overall, 4th WDA, 4th West Region Tourney, 0-2 state tourney

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BRAVES BASEBALLHANDBOOK OUTLINE

TEAM GOALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 3

TEAM RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 4

LETTERING AND AWARD REQUIREMEN . . . .PAGE 5

PARENT / PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS . . .PAGE 6

PRACTICE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 7

MANDAN BRAVES – (definition)- a group of people who are:

1. possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching,

2. oblivious of dangers or perils or calmly resolute in facing them,3. bold; courageous; daring; intrepid,4. encounter with courage and fortitude.

"My philosophy is to lay it on the line every day, every time you are on the field. There is a couple of ways to play the game, but there is only one right way to play the game of baseball, and that is to play hard, respect the game, and respect your opponent. It is game-on from the time you step on that field, and that is the way it should be in life and on the field." Darin Erstad

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BRAVES BASEBALL TEAM GOALS

1. Teamwork - There is no “I” in team. Being part of a team gives you a sense of belonging or connection to others with common interests and goals. We are all individuals but together we will work toward fulfilling the common goals of this team. Success happens when individual goals give way to team goals. “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.” Babe Ruth

2. Discipline - Doing what is right is not always popular and doing what is popular is not always right. Having self-control and being responsible for your actions are the cornerstones of discipline. Discipline and self-control are characteristics that are continually being tested each and every day both on and off the field. Being on time for practice, treating teammates, opponents, coaches and umpires with respect and following the rules on and off the field are expectations of anyone involved with MHS baseball.   “It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you got to have is faith and discipline when you're not a winner.” - Vince Lombardi“Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” - John Wooden

3. Sportsmanship - Exhibiting good sportsmanship is difficult at times, but it defines the character of the team/individual and is the expectation of all MHS athletic teams.Sportsmanship defines who you are as a person. Conduct that draws undue attention, belittles an opponent, and/or has no regard for the rules or integrity of the game has no place in the wonderful game of baseball. Your behavior and the way you react to the situations are being continually scrutinized by everyone around you. Being a good sport when you are having success is easy to do but when you’re not having success it requires respect for the game, the players, the coaches and the fans. Be a role model for other kids to emulate. Few will remember who won the game but many will remember how you conducted yourself during and after the game. “It is your response to winning and losing that makes you a winner or a loser.”— Harry Sheehy, athletic director“Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out. Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.” – John Wooden

4. FUN - People rarely succeed unless they enjoy and have fun in what they are doing. The point of playing America’s greatest game is to have fun. The joy of making a great catch or getting a base hit, the excitement that occurs during competition(win or lose) and the awesome feeling associated with belonging to a team is what baseball is all about. Coming to the field, working hard and having good things happen because of it, should be exciting each and every day.“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” - Michael Jordan

BRAVES BASEBALL TEAM RULES

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1. Any conduct that is deemed unacceptable by the coaches or has negative repercussions to the players, managers, teammates and/or school will result in disciplinary action decided by the coaches. Respect each of your teammates and their personal belongings.

2. Student/athletes who participate in or promote acts of HAZING or BULLLYING will be dismissed from the team immediately and face school disciplinary actions. NO EXCEPTIONS!!

3. The use, possession or mere presence of prohibited substances, as defined by NDHSAA and Mandan Public Schools, during the season will result in the immediate dismissal from the baseball team.

4. Student/athletes should address concerns with the coaching staff. The coaches WILL NOT address a parental concern until the player has addressed the concern with the coach. If a coach receives parental communication before the athlete has addressed the issue with the coach, the athlete will NOT play the next double-header/games. Any further communication will result in the athlete’s dismissal from the team.

5. You are representatives of the community of Mandan, Mandan High School, your coaches and your teammates. Therefore, you are expected to have good personal hygiene as well as exhibit appropriate appearance. Facial hair, haircuts, dyed hair, any bodily markings or attire that directs attention to the individual and detracts from the team will not be permitted. Loss of playing time, loss of dugout privileges or dismissal from the team may result.

6. All student/athletes must notify their coach directly if they will be absent or late for practices/games(if you are sick, a phone call/text is expected). UNEXCUSED absences will result in the following consequences:1st OFFENSE = 1 game suspension. 2nd OFFENSE = 2 game suspension. 3rd OFFENSE = dismissal from the team.

7. “Student/Athletes” with an unexcused absence(s) in school during the season will miss a game for every period that is unexcused.

8. Stealing, destroying or damaging(not including proper usage) any school equipment (including baseballs) or another player’s equipment or belongings will result in replacement and disciplinary action. Using another player’s wood bat is prohibited. You break it, you buy it.

9. Proper baseball attire should be worn or brought DAILY to practice and games. Spring baseball weather is unpredictable so the following should be with you every day: long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt, long pants, hat, stocking cap, jacket, mittys/gloves, protective cup, glove,.... Long sleeves and practice pants/sweats will be worn outside until further notice.

LETTERING CRITERIAA Player will receive a varsity letter if ANY of the following criteria are met:

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1. A player must play in a minimum of SEVEN varsity innings.

2. A player who is selected to be part of the POSTSEASON team.

A Player will NOT receive a varsity letter or post-season awards if ANY of the following criteria are met:

1. The player DOES NOT complete the high school baseball season, which is defined as the first official practice date through the year end banquet.

- Exception: a varsity player who receives a season ending injury may letter if they attend the remaining games and practices. (If health conditions do not allow, the judgment will be left to the varsity coach).

2. ANY qualified player who is dismissed from the team for any reason.

*The season is defined as the first official practice date through the year end banquet.

Managers will receive a varsity letter if they meet the following criteria:

1. Attend ALL varsity games (Exceptions will be determined by the coach).

2. Attend ALL varsity practices that are REQUESTED by the coach.

3. Receive no suspension for violating the NDHSAA substance use policy during the high school baseball season.

*The season is defined as the first official practice date through the year end banquet.

Top 10 Signs You’re a Great Teammate1. You’re confident but not arrogant or showy.2. You learn and grow from your own mistakes, as well as others.3. You help and encourage younger teammates who have less experience.4. You are quick to support a teammate who is having a bad day.5. You are coachable, listen and respect your teammates, coaches and officials.6. You respect your opponents but don’t fear them.7. You love to be at practice with your teammates.8. You commend your teammates when they make a play and support them when they don’t.9. You are more concerned about team goals than personal goals.10. You’re willing to play any role that helps the team.

PARTICIPANT & PARENT REQUIREMENTSPARTICIPANTS in the baseball program will be required to do the following:1. Pay the high school activities fee of $50 or $25 if you have already paid the full amount for participating in two previous high school activities.2. Abide by all team rules and be active in supporting all of your teams.3. Assist with fundraisers, if applicable, to benefit the team and/or our ballpark.4. Assist with the upkeep of the fields/areas utilized by the athletes.

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Legion Baseball Games:According to NDHSAA any player participating in high school baseball is allowed to participate in Babe Ruth and/or Junior American Legion without affecting their high school eligibility. You MAY NOT play in any other competitive baseball games(amateur) until the season has officially ended.

*The high school baseball season is defined as the first official practice date through the year end banquet. JV team members need to have finished their year end tournament.

PARENTS are asked to volunteer their services. Help is needed in the following areas:1. Assist with home game press box(scoreboard, announcing, book-keeping), selling

50:50 tickets, field and facility maintenance, taking care of the field between games, etc….

2. Participation in fund raising activities (calendar and players raffle). *Fund Raisers are sometimes needed to support and build our program.

3. Provide support to your child, their teammates and the coaching staff.

“Someone who is much wiser than I once said that in athletics, we have five groups of people involved in competitive situations: 1. Parents 2. Athletes 3. Officials 4. Coaches 5. Administrators Parents need to parent; athletes need to compete; officials need to officiate; coaches need to coach; and administrators need to administer. Whenever any of the five try to do more than one duty, the result is usually irreversible problems.”Gelaine Orvik – Executive Secretary of NDHSCA

PRACTICE INFORMATIONPractice Sites and Times: (sites are dependent upon weather conditions and availability).

VARSITY:

Regular Season = Weekdays - 4 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. @ Baseball Field / JV FieldWeekends – times will varyInclement Weather = TBA @ TBA

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JUNIOR VARSITY:

Regular Season = Weekdays – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. @ JV Field Weekends – times will varyInclement Weather = TBA @ TBA

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