FRANKFORT YMCA Summer 2015 T-BALL & BASEBALL INFORMATION

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1 Summer 2015 T-BALL & BASEBALL INFORMATION

2 The YMCA Philosophy of Youth Sports: YMCA youth sport programs are not like other sport programs. We have a mission, and that mission is stated in our Seven Pillars of YMCA Youth Super Sports. Pillar One - Everyone Plays. We do not use tryouts to select the best players, nor do we cut kids from the team. Everyone who registers is assigned to a team. During the season everyone receives equal practice time and plays at least half of every game. Pillar Two - Safety First. Although kids may get hurt playing sports, we do all we can to prevent injuries. We ve modified each sport to make it safer and more enjoyable to play. Coaches make sure the equipment and facilities are safe, and they teach the sport as we ve prescribed so that the skills taught are appropriate for athletes development levels. Coaches constantly supervise their players and stop any unsafe activities. Pillar Three - Fair Play. Fair play is about playing by the rules - and more. It s about coaches and players showing respect for all involved in YMCA youth sports. It s about coaches being role models of good sporting behavior and guiding their players to do the same. Pillar Four - Positive Competition. We believe competition is a positive process when the pursuit of victory is kept in the right perspective. The right perspective is when adults make decisions that put the best interests of the players before winning the contest. Learning to compete is important for youngsters, and learning to cooperate in a competitive world is an essential lesson of life. We want to help kids learn these lessons through YMCA sports. Pillar Five - Family Involvement. YMCA youth sports encourage parents to be involved appropriately in their child s participation in our sports programs. In addition to parents being helpful as volunteer coaches, officials, and timekeepers, we encourage them to be at practices and games to support their child s participation. Pillar Six - Sport of All. YMCA Youth Super Sports is an inclusive sports program. We offer programs to all youngsters regardless of their race, gender, religious creed, or ability. We ask our adult leaders to encourage and appreciate the diversity of children in our society and encourage the kids and their parents to do the same. Pillar Seven Sport for Fun. Sports are naturally fun for most kids. Sometimes when adults become involved in children s sporting activities they over-organize and dominate the activities to the point that it destroys kids enjoyment of them. If we take the fun out of sports for young athletes, we are in danger of the young athletes taking themselves out of sports. The sports are for the kids to have fun!

3 BASIC INFORMATION PRACTICE AND GAME LOCATIONS Practices and games for all leagues will be held at the Prevention Park YMCA (fields are located to the left of the Y). You can park on the side of the streets or in the vacant parking lot across the street. Please try to keep the YMCA parking lot open for members using the facility. Due to construction, the Cardwell Lane side of the YMCA is shut down and can t be used to get to the Y. In addition, parking will be difficult during the 5:30 practices due to construction worker vehicles still parked in the area. You may have to park at the far end of the field and walk a little further this season. Bring your own chairs and tents/umbrellas for shade. A portable toilet is located at the far end of the fields, or restrooms can be used inside the facility. EQUIPMENT The YMCA provides a t-shirt and hat for every player. Players can wear shorts or baseball pants (most wear shorts because of the heat). Cleats may be worn but are not required (tennis shoes are just fine). Players will need their own baseball glove. The YMCA has a few gloves that may be borrowed but does not supply a glove to every player. The YMCA will supply a tee, balls, helmets, and a bat to use during practices and games. PRACTICES AND GAMES TINY T-BALL LEAGUES: Tiny T-Ball takes place on Monday nights from June 15 to August 3. The first two weeks are practice only. The rest of the season uses the following format: mini practice, small break, and then game all within the hour either at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. T-BALLL AND COACH PITCH LEAGUES: There will be a one hour practice and one game per week for the t-ball and coach pitch leagues. Practice times and days are chosen by the coaches. If you can t practice during your scheduled time, please call the YMCA ( ext. 105) so we can move your child to another team. Games will start on June 20 and go through August 8. Games will be held on Saturday mornings starting at 9:00 a.m. and go through early afternoon. Trophies will be given to each player at the end of the season.

4 WEATHER POLICY In the case of inclement weather, a YMCA staff person will determine game day cancellations while the coaches determine practice day cancellations. The umpire shall stop play anytime during the game if lightning is spotted or inclement weather conditions are deemed too hazardous to continue. Any game that has passed the mid point is an official game and will not be completed. Games that have not reached the halfway point will be made up in their entirety. Coaches are to suspend practice if lightning is seen. Game cancellations will be posted on our website, SNACKS AND DRINKS It gets hot during baseball season. Please be sure to send a water bottle with your child to every practice and game. If your team plans a snack and drink schedule for the games, please help promote healthy choices. Water is the best drink option but sports drinks and 100% fruit juices are fine too. Recommended snacks include fruit, crackers, healthy granola bars or trail mix, or other options with limited sugar. PICTURES Picture day will be announced on the game schedules. Events Imaging will take both team and individual pictures. Order forms will be posted on the website. Parents do not have to purchase pictures, but we want everyone to participate in the team photo. If there is a problem with a picture order, it is best to contact Events Imaging ( ) rather than the YMCA. YMCA INFORMATION The Frankfort YMCA website baseball page will be updated with valuable information including schedules, weather updates, and basic information.

5 RULES FOR TINY T-BALL (Ages 3) LEAGUE RULES 1. The YMCA Philosophy is Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins! All coaches, parents and players are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and remember the kids come first. 2. All games will start with both teams reciting the YMCA Sports Creed and end with teams and coaches shaking hands. BASIC INFORMATION 1. Tiny T-Ball will hold its practices and games all on Monday nights. The first few weeks will consist of practice only. Once games begin, there will be a 20 minute period for practice at the start of the scheduled time. After a brief break, games will begin and will last for 2 innings or 40 minutes (whichever comes first). 2. The defensive team is allowed to station 3 coaches in the field. The coaches are responsible for making sure kids begin in their positions and instructing the players during game play. Coaches of the offensive team may locate themselves opposite first and third base as well as behind home plate. At no time may the offensive or defensive coaches physically participate (touch a player or ball during the play). BATTING 1. The ball will be hit off of a tee and must go past a 10 foot arc drawn in front of home plate to be fair. The batter will then run to all bases including home. The coaches may stop the base runner at each bag to teach him/her how to properly run the bases. The batter may not swing at the ball until the umpire says batter up. 2. Each child will bat every inning before the sides are switched (no player shall bat more than once in an inning). 3. After hitting a fair ball, the batter must make an attempt to lay the bat down. 4. Runners will not be called out. FIELDING 1. A maximum of 6 players (no catcher and two pitchers) may be in the infield. All remaining players will be placed behind the infield and cannot come into the infield to make a play. 2. An arc will be drawn in front of home plate. All infielders must play outside this arc before the ball is hit. No more than two players may play in the pitcher position. 3. The object is to field the ball and throw it to first before the base runner reaches first. If the ball reaches first prior to the runner, the defensive team did their job. 4. The last batter and the base runners already on the bases will be allowed to finish running the bases.

6 RULES FOR T-BALL (Ages 4-5) LEAGUE RULES 1. The YMCA Philosophy is Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins! All coaches, parents and players are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and remember the kids come first. 2. All games will start with both teams reciting the YMCA Sports Creed and end with teams and coaches shaking hands. GAME RULES 1. Regulation games are four innings, or 55 minutes whichever comes first. Games will be started promptly at the scheduled time. However, the game will complete the full inning before the umpire calls the game. 2. The defensive team is allowed to station 3 coaches in the field. The coaches are responsible for making sure kids begin in their positions and instructing the players during game play. Coaches of the offensive team may locate themselves opposite first and third base as well as behind home plate. At no time may the offensive or defensive coaches physically participate (touch a player or ball during the play). BATTING 1. For the first four games of the season, the ball will be hit off of a tee and must go past a 10 foot arc drawn in front of home plate to be fair. The batter will then run to all bases including home. The coaches may stop the base runner at each bag to teach him/her how to properly run the bases. During the final three games of the season, the ball will be pitched three times by the team s coach. If the player is not able to hit the pitched ball, then he/she will hit off the tee located at home plate. 2. The batter may not swing at the ball until the umpire says batter up. 3. Each child will bat every inning before the sides are switched (no player shall bat more than once in an inning). 4. After hitting a fair ball, the batter must make an attempt to lay the bat down. 5. Runners will not be called out. FIELDING 1. A maximum of 6 players (no catcher and two pitchers) may be in the infield. All remaining players will be placed behind the infield and cannot come into the infield to make a play. 2. Every player must play at least two innings in the infield. 3. An arc will be drawn in front of home plate. All infielders must play outside this arc before the ball is hit. No more than two players may play in the pitcher position. 4. The object is to field the ball and throw it to first before the base runner reaches first. If the ball reaches first prior to the runner, the defensive team did their job.

7 5. The last batter and the base runners already on the bases will be allowed to finish running the bases. RULES FOR COACH PITCH BASEBALL (Ages 6-8) LEAGUE RULES 1. The YMCA philosophy is Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins! All coaches, parents and players are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner and remember the kids come first. 2. All games will start with both teams reciting the YMCA Sports Creed and end with teams and coaches shaking hands. GAME RULES 1. Regulation games are five innings, or 50 minutes whichever comes first. Games will be started promptly at the scheduled time. However, the game will complete the full inning before the umpire calls the game. 2. Two coaches of the defensive team will be permitted to station themselves in the field. These coaches will be responsible for keeping fielders in the proper position and instructing players. At no time can they physically participate (touch a player or the ball) while the ball is in play. If this occurs the offensive player will be called safe. Coaches of the offensive team may locate opposite first and third base. A coach or the home plate umpire will adjust the tee. At no time may the offensive coach enter the field during the play or physically participate. If this occurs the base runner will be called out. 3. Coaches must submit a line-up card to the umpire before each game. (Use player s numbers not names) BATTING 1. There will be five pitches or three strikes, if five pitches are reached and no out, then he or she will hit off a tee located at home plate. 2. The tee must be set up lower than the batters waist. 3. Batter may not swing at the ball until the umpire says "batter up". 4. All team members present at the game shall be in the batting rotation and bat continuously in that order. 5. There will six batters or three outs per at bat per inning. 6. A ten-foot arc will be drawn in front of home plate, and the ball must be hit out of this area before it becomes a fair ball. 7. After hitting a fair ball, the batter must make an attempt to lay the bat down. A thrown bat will be given as a team warning on first offense and second offense on will considered an out. 8. Players are not permitted to steal or lead off bases. 9. Base runners must stop at his/her base on all overthrows. Also the play is to stop once a defensive player has possession of the ball in the infield.

8 10.If a base runner is out, he/she must leave the base and return to the bench. We expect this will help the children learn the fundamental rules as well as reward a good play by the defense. FIELDING 1. A maximum of six players may be in the infield. There is no limit on players in the outfield. No player may block the base path. 2. Every player must play at least two innings in the infield. 3. An arc will be drawn in front of home plate. All infielders must play outside this arc before the ball is hit. No more than two players may play in the pitcher position. 4. Play is stopped and the ball is dead when one of the following occurs: once a defensive player has possession of the ball in the infield. 5. If the ball goes under the outfield fence, the player retrieving the ball must raise his/her hand so the umpire can call a ground rule double. The player then will be instructed to either get the ball or have the umpire or coach get the ball.

9 NAME DOB SSN ADDRESS CITY ZIP HOME PHONE WORK CELL ADDRESS: 1. I understand that failure to follow this description may result in suspension, probation, or removal as a coach or assistant coach of my team. 2. I will treat each player, opposing coach, official, parent, and administrator with respect and dignity. 3. I will do my best to learn the fundamental skills, teaching and evaluation techniques, and rules and strategies of the sport. 4. I will become thoroughly familiar with the objectives of the YMCA mission and youth sports philosophy and will strive to achieve these objectives and communicate them to my players and their parents. 5. I will uphold the authority of officials who are assigned to the contests in which I coach, and I will assist them in every way to conduct fair and impartial contests. 6. I will learn the strengths and weaknesses of my players and conduct my practices and games so that all players have a maximum opportunity to improve their skill level through active participation. 7. I will protect the health and safety of my players by insisting that all of the activities under my control are conducted for their psychological and physiological welfare, rather that for the vicarious interests of adults. 8. I will seek and courage parental participation at practice, games and any other activities. 9. I will respectfully control the behavior of players and parents by asking them to leave the sidelines should they become unruly or create an atmosphere that is not appropriate for the development of good sportsmanship. 10. I will follow the practice schedule as given and will not practice at any other time or location unless approved by the YMCA sports department. 11. I will adhere to all rulings made by YMCA staff and officials, and I will report any irregularities that violate sound competitive practices. 12. I will lead by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship in my on and off field activities. I certify that I will represent the YMCA in a positive manner, keeping in mind the YMCA philosophies. NAME: (Please Print) DATE: SIGNATURE:

10 Child Abuse Prevention CODE OF CONDUCT Youth Sports 1. In order to protect YMCA staff, volunteers and program participants at no time during a YMCA program will a volunteer be alone with a single child (that is not their own) where they cannot be observed by others. 2. Volunteers shall never leave a child on their team unsupervised. 3. Volunteers shall not abuse children including: Physical Abuse strike, spank, shake, slap Verbal/Emotional Abuse humiliate, degrade, threaten, intimidate Sexual Abuse inappropriate touch or verbal exchange Mental Abuse shaming, withholding care, cruelty Neglect withholding water, food, basic care Any type of abuse will not be tolerated. 4. Volunteers must use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than comparison and criticism. 5. Volunteers will be observant of any signs of child abuse by participants on their team. Any signs of child abuse should be documented and reported to the appropriate authorities and YMCA sports staff. 6. Volunteers will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of gender, race, religion, culture, or disability. 7. Volunteers will respect children s rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable and their right to say no. Children are not to be touched in areas of their bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit. 8. Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs immediately prior to or during volunteer hours is prohibited. 9. Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one s personal life, and any kind of harassment during volunteer hours is prohibited. I understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in my volunteer services no longer being needed. NAME: (Please Print) SIGNATURE: DATE:

11 I will place an emphasis on the fun of participation and keep the emotional and physical well being of all the children ahead of my personal desire to win. I will teach my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect without regard to gender, race, religion, culture, or ability. I will encourage good sportsmanship by giving positive support to all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other event. I will help my child enjoy the youth sports experience by doing whatever I can, such as being a respectful fan, assisting with practices, or providing transportation. I will support coaches and officials working with my child in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all. I will refrain from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs at all youth sports practices, games, and other events, and I will encourage others to do the same. I will remember that youth sports are for the kids and not for the adults and will do my very best to make this experience fun for all of the children and parents involved. I will monitor the actions of our coach or coaches and will bring any behavior that is inconsistent with the Coach s Code of Conduct to the attention of someone in authority at the YMCA. I will pick up my child promptly after games and practices so the coach is not left in a compromising position with my child. I will support the implementation of the YMCA s four character development values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility and will help my coach follow the YMCA Mission and Youth Sports Philosophy. I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parent s Code of Conduct.

12 I will not intentionally hurt or be mean to any player, coach, or referee. I will pay attention to my coach and give her/him the respect s/he deserves. I will not misbehave or be disruptive during practices or games so that I do not ruin the experience of other children. I will not argue with referees and will leave any disputes regarding officiating to game officials and my coach. I will follow the rules for safety that my coach and the YMCA have established. I will seek and willingly receive instruction both in the skills of the sport and in proper sporting behavior and good sportsmanship. I will encourage my parents to set an example of good sportsmanship for my fellow teammates, the other parents, and myself. I will commit to follow the following pledge: WIN OR LOSE, I PLEDGE BEFORE GOD, TO DO THE BEST I CAN, TO BE A TEAM PLAYER, AND TO RESPECT MY TEAMMATES, OPPONENTS AND OFFICIALS, AND TO IMPROVE MYSELF IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY.