PURPOSE OF HANDBOOK The coaching staff s goal in developing this handbook was to communicate our expectations for the players in the Bulldog Baseball Program. We hope that this handbook will help parents and players to plan for the baseball season. The coaching staff believes that successful programs are disciplined and do the little things well. Our goal for this handbook to be a tool that will help in reaching program goals. The coaching staff is dedicated to winning games and to being a class operation that the community and school can be proud of. After reading this handbook, all players and parent/guardians must please sign and date the form that contains the player s Handbook Guidelines and return to one of the coaches. This must be signed before the player will be allowed to participate in any given baseball game. Thanks, Bulldogs Coaching Staff
Bulldogs Baseball HANDBOOK GENERAL INFORMATION Contents: 1. Philosophy 2. Parental Info 3. Before Practice Begins a. Forms b. Athletic Code of Conduct c. Fee d. Eligibility 4. Practice Expectations a. Attendance b. Practice Work Ethic and Behavior c. Practice Timeliness/Warm-ups d. Trainer 5. Games a. Game Day Dress b. Game Day c. Game Equipment d. Dugout decorum e. Substitution f. Sportsmanship g. Post Game 6. Travel a. Timeliness b. Bus Behavior c. Dugout d. Riding the bus home 7. End of Season a. Equipment b. Lettering c. Banquet 8. Coaches Info 9. Player s Handbook Guidelines ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, ONE MISSION
Handbook General Information Brighton Baseball Philosophy In accordance with the school philosophy regarding athletics, the purpose of the baseball program is to provide any student who is eligible, the opportunity to participate. The player selection process that was just completed was a difficult one, and players that have been selected are those that the coach s feel will best represent Brighton High School this season The following is a list of criteria that will be considered in the selection process: 1. The athlete will represent the school in a positive manner both on and off the field 2. The athlete has set high standards both academically and athletically. 3. The athlete demonstrates an ability to function as a team player and at the same time exhibits self-confidence in his individual play. 4. The athlete demonstrates both mental and physical abilities and talents to play the game of baseball. 5. The athlete demonstrates the same wholesome competitive spirit in practices as in the games 6. The athlete who exhibits the willingness to work hard, play unselfishly, make teammates better while striving to improve each day. The foundation of the Brighton Baseball Team is based upon the attitude, dedication, and effort the players and coaches bring to the program. Our goal is to put a team on the field that plays with great desire and character because it is the character that players and fans will long remember. Therefore, the bulldog coaching staff has made the decision to have 4 competitive teams this year, a Varsity, Junior Varsity, C-Team and Freshman-Team. Our varsity program s philosophy is to play the best players, playing time is earned not guaranteed. This may mean that your sons may not get to play in a given varsity game. The coaches are aware of who plays and how much. Our freshman, C-Team and JV teams will be more participation oriented. The starting line ups and playing time will be based on ability, attitude, grades and teamwork. Your son will be given every opportunity to improve his skills throughout his four years at Brighton High. If he takes advantage of the extra programs provided, he will greatly enhance his chances of playing. The following is a description of the makeup for the three teams within the Brighton Bulldogs Baseball Team.
The C Team and Freshman Program Approximately 13-15 players are selected for this team, which was established to provide more freshman and sophomore athletes an opportunity to participate at the high school level of competition. Generally, games are scheduled with other teams of the same ability level. This gives those athletes an additional year of experience, which the coaches feel could give them the time to mature, both physically and mentally. At the freshman and c-team level, our goal is to be competitive and the emphasis is on learning the game, improving fundamentals, and gaining baseball experience through practices and games. We keep more players at the freshman level, because it is an opportunity to develop players. In some situations practice in the spring along with game experience in the summer is the best way to do this. The Junior Varsity Program Approximately 13-15 players, freshman, sophomores or juniors, are selected for this team. These athletes have exhibited a higher skill level than those playing at the freshman team level. The coaches feel that these players have demonstrated a definite potential to play varsity in the future, but they still need to refine their sills and further their maturity physically and/or mentally. With this team comes greater emphasis on competition. The coaches have higher expectations for these athletes to perform up to their capabilities and to begin to develop consistency. There is always opportunity to move up to the varsity level if the coaches feel that the individual can contribute to the varsity program. It may also be the case that a varsity player could be moved down to the junior varsity if that individual is not getting the playing time that was expected. The coaches expect a positive response from all the players in situations of this type. The Varsity Program There are usually 13-18 players who make up this team. The primary emphasis at this level is competition. Those athletes selected seniors, juniors, sophomores, or freshman are expected to perform at the highest level within the program on a consistent basis. These athletes posses the qualities that the coaches consider essential to produce a competitive team at the varsity level. Participation is based on each individual s ability, attitude, and contributions made to the TEAM. ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, ONE MISSION
ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, ONE MISSION Parental Info Parents don t put your loved ones in the middle. It is common for parents to disagree with coaches of their youngsters. Even when a disagreement does not surface to the coach, it can result in parents complaining about the coach s strategies or policies. All coaches will be available to discuss the well being of your son. We will not defend our strategy used in a particular game or defend why another boy has been selected to play in front of your son. We have a system, which is based on sound baseball philosophies, and believe in the system 100%. The chain of command, if a problem arises, is as follows: First, we will not talk about your sons playing time. Part of our philosophy is holding the boys responsible, so have the player himself bring the problem to his appropriate level coach and discuss it. Usually a proper time to discuss a problem is not directly before, during or following a game. Make an appointment with the coach via of email and a coach will get back to you and set up a time to meet. All emails will be answered by coaches in a timely fashion. Please do not call coaches on their personal cell phones unless it is an emergency or a program related question. As a coaching staff we ask that the appointment be scheduled at least 24 hours after the problem arises. Second, if the player is not satisfied, then the next level of discussion will be with parent(s) and son together with the same appropriate level coach. If you are still not satisfied, then all parties involved will have a meeting with Coach Garza, the head coach. You feel the problem still not solved see our athletic director, Get involved as much as possible. This is OUR PROGRAM, NOT MY PROGRAM and there will be several opportunities to get involved in the program as a parent; I encourage you to take advantage of it. At least attend as many of the games and parent meetings that your schedule allows. Maintain high expectations of your student athlete, but try to avoid extra pressure on the athlete. Encourage your student athlete to be the best they can be. Understand that placing high school athletics is an extension of high school education. Your student athletes will be asked to make a serious commitment. As a parent, support that commitment to athletics as you would a commitment to the classroom. Encourage your student athlete to be responsible for the schools athletic equipment. This includes the care of it and returning it on time. Once the equipment is checked out to the student it is the financial responsibility of the student. Represent Brighton High School and Bulldog Baseball with class at all times.
THE BULLDOG WAY Before Practice Begins Forms There are several documents that every player must have filled out, signed, and turned in to Julie Trujillo before he can be allowed to practice; these are: Physical Examination and Parent Permit for Athletic Participation, Brighton High School Athletics Emergency Card, Brighton High School Parent/Guardian Medical Consent, Participation Contract back page of Athletic Handbook, and Athletic Director s letter. SD27 Athletic Code of Conduct Brighton High School and 27J has established rules which all students must follow if they wish to participate in an interscholastic program. Participation in interscholastic sports is a privilege that allows the student to represent themselves, their classmates, school and community. This challenges them to meet standards of behavior and sportsmanship that is worthy of pride by the school community. In addition to these rules, participants are also held to the rules and consequences of the Brighton High School Student Handbook and Discipline Matrix as well as the policies of SD27-J. This Code of Conduct applies to behaviors on or off-campus and at ANY TIME during the student s enrollment at SD27-J schools, including summers. It is the responsibility of the participant to know and observe the rules below and to accept the consequences associated with any violation of these rules. Please read the rules and guidelines below. You signature below indicates your commitment to support them until the end of your enrollment in School Athletic Fee All players are responsible to pay the $135.00 athletic fee prior to tryouts on the 27 th of February. Players will not be allowed to participate unless the fee has been paid through a financial waiver. Eligibility All baseball players and parents of players are expected to read the Athletics Handbook for Parents and Athletes. The coaching staff supports all school policies, and will enforce all rules in the Handbook. All boys are expected to adhere to the general rules set forth in our athletic code handbook i.e. athlete using or in possession of any illegal drug, alcohol, or tobacco. Be familiar with the rules! Ignorance is no excuse. All rules will be enforced equally, at all levels of play. A student/athlete must be passing a minimum of five classes and may have no more than one (1) F to be eligible to play baseball. Ineligible players will not be able to participate in games for one full week (Monday morning-saturday night), but still must attend practices. The student-athlete
will sit out and serve the ineligibility unless they have extenuating circumstances. They will have an opportunity by Friday 3 pm to change their status if there is a mistake with their grades, but they will remain ineligible until they have had their petition approved. All grades are checked for all players on Thursday of each week. If a boy in our program has academic problems, Coach Garza will personally set up strategy with the student to obtain better grades, and monitor the progress. Don t think that quitting a sport creates more study time it creates more leisure time. Use your time wisely outside of baseball and plan ahead. Studying for a test is no excuse for missing practice. Therefore, as the Head coach I am making a rule that if you have to attend tutoring sessions for two consecutive weeks that it can and more than likely will effect your playing time. The coaching staff expects the young men in the baseball program to be role models for the other students. We expect our athletes to go to class, be on time to behave in school, and be solid students. Playing time will be affected for players who cannot meet these standards. THE BULLDOG WAY Practice Expectations Attendance Practice is required. To be excused, a coach must pre-approve absences. Family emergencies and school activities are examples of excusable reasons for missing practice. Players who miss practice (excused or unexcused) will not be allowed to start in the next game. Players who have unexcused practices will not play in the next game. A player who has excessive (2) unexcused absences will be removed from the team. There are scheduled practices during a few Saturdays and spring break. These are required and very important practices. Please plan work and family activities around these practices. Try to schedule doctor s appointments and other appointments before or after practice or on weekends. We need your son to be at practice to teach the proper skills and game strategies. Working a part time job is not an excuse to miss practice, unless the practice was not announced on the yearly practice schedule. If your son misses practice, someone in our program will call home that day or night. We want to know his health status, and I am sure parents would like to know where their son was, if he was expected to attend practice that day. All players are to notify their team coach about missing practice. If a player is in school all day, we expect him to come to practice. If he goes home sick, leave a note in Coach Garza s mailbox and or call stating his absence. Do not tell someone to tell the coach. If a player is home sick, call the school and leave a message for the coach or you may also email the appropriate level coach (see coach contact info)? Several times during the season a coach is asked to make exceptions to these guidelines. These benchmarks are set forth for the benefit the team and your son. Please don t ask a coach to compromise unless you are willing to do so also. A player, who misses a practice or a game due
to a family outing or vacation, still misses valuable time. Other players and families have made a commitment not to do this. Please keep this in mind before planning a spring trip or other conflicting activities. We are counting on your son s attendance for the entire season. Practice Work Ethic and Behavior We believe that practice is our most valuable resource, and that there is never enough time to practice all the things that good teams and individuals need to perfect. Because of this we look at each practice as a precious opportunity and privilege. All players will be expected to approach practice with the attitude that every minute of practice is an opportunity to improve, and that we can never get back wasted time. Players will be expected to give 100% effort and concentration throughout every practice. Each player is to leave his daily problems in his locker room and to dedicate himself physically and mentally to each practice. Players who are not working up to their potential, physically or mentally, will be asked to leave practice and to come back next practice ready to give it their all. Being asked to leave practice will effect playing time. Practice is a coach s class as we also consider ourselves teachers. Players are expected to treat all coaches with the utmost respect. When a coach is talking all players are to be quiet and eyes on the coach. Horseplay will not be tolerated. Arguing with a coach will not be tolerated. If you have a question about strategy or technique, please feel free to ask at an appropriate time. If you have a problem with a coach, then set an appointment with that coach, and discuss your issue in private. Complaining about, criticizing a coach or the coaching staff publicly or among your teammates will not be tolerated. As a team we must stick together and work together to reach our full potential. Physical intimidation or trash talking teammates will not be tolerated. Your job as a team member is to do your best to improve and to help your teammates to improve. The best teams have great chemistry. Criticizing teammates publically or among teammates will not be tolerated. Practice Timeliness/Warm-up Practice time is very valuable. The coaches will have each practice pre-planned. All drills and practice activities will be set to a strict time and player personal schedule. The goal will be to get the most out of each practice. It will be the player s responsibility at each practice to be on time, dressed, and ready, mentally and physically, to focus on developing as a player. All players are expected to be dressed and warming up 10-15 minutes (punctuality rule) before the scheduled practice time. Any player who is not dressed and warming up 10-15 minutes before the scheduled practice time will be considered tardy. Players who are late for practice will be expected to stay after the scheduled end of practice to perform some additional conditioning to make up for missed time. Players who are not using warm up time in a productive way will be considered tardy for practice, and will be asked to do some extra conditioning after practice. If this occurs more than once for any player he will be asked to leave that practice.
Trainer We are very lucky to have an athletic trainer at our disposal. I expect everyone in the baseball program to treat the trainer with respect. Any player who has training needs must arrive at the training room at 3:00 pm practice nights. On Saturdays players should be dressed, and in the training room twenty minutes before the scheduled practice time. On home game nights, players with training needs should be in the training room twenty minutes before the time that they are to be dressed for the game. Players, who have training needs that need to be taken care of before leaving for away games, should be in the training room twenty minutes before the scheduled departure time. It is very important for injured players to follow the recommended treatment by the trainer. This will help in quickening the recovery time of injured athletes. Injury or sicknessplease did not let the coach know if player is not feeling well nor has an injury. The coaches have been trained to attend to most common athletic injuries. The coaches must report all injuries. The coaches will adapt the practice to the player s needs. Games Game Day Dress On days of games, the baseball program will start a tradition of dressing up for school. We do this to show pride in the program, publicize the fact that we have a game, and show that we are a class organization which means business. All players will dress up on game days. This includes to school. This means not wearing jeans or anything made from jean material. Traditionally, boys have worn dress shirts with nice slacks. You must have neatly groomed hair and you facial hair is allowed as long as it is fashionable. Remember that you are a role model and are representing Brighton High School. If any player is having trouble meeting these standards for personal reasons, they should see a member of the coaching staff privately. Players who do not dress up for games will be expected to do some extra running at the next practice. Game Day During game warm ups all players must have complete uniforms on, shirts tucked in, pants pulled up, and hats on. At home games, teams may play their own warm up tape, but there must be no sexual content or profane language. Game warm ups set the tempo for game performance. We expect players to be focused and working on the skills that will performed during the game. Warming up with a less than serious attitude will not be tolerated. During this time players should take care of any bathroom needs, stretch out, go over game strategies with teammates, and get themselves mentally ready for that day s contest (No Eating junk food). This is a very important period for a team to be successful. Baseball is an extremely mental game, and successful teams and players need to be mentally ready for each game. Pregame should be used by players to get focused. Relaxation and visualization techniques are great techniques to be used during this time. Horseplay will not be tolerated during pre-game preparation time. This is an important point for team leaders to take some responsibility, and to help the players focus on preparing for today s game.
Game Equipment Game equipment will be checked out to all players. The coaching staff has worked hard to get nice gear and to maintain our gear. Uniforms and warm ups are very expensive. It is the player s responsibility to take care of their equipment, and to return all of it in good condition at the end of the season. Any equipment that is lost, stolen or damaged will be the responsibility of the player to replace. Players and parents, the varsity team has the privilege of having a set of new game uniforms this season. They are by far the sharpest uniforms that we have had during my two years as a coach at Brighton High School and any other school that I have been apart of. These uniforms have tackle-twill numbers and emblems. These items will soften after one wash and completely soften after a couple, so it is very important to take care in washing game uniforms. The white uniforms should be washed by themselves. All colors should be washed with like colors, and in cold water only. Uniforms should be hung to dry, or dried on a gentle, cool setting, and hung up when complete. Uniforms should be washed after each game, and not left lying in lockers, bags and dugouts after games. Players may wear whatever length sock they want for games, but they must be entirely red and the entire team must wear them either knee high or ankle low. During pre-game and games, all players are to keep shirts tucked in at all times. Game pants are to worn up around the belt line (no sagging). All players are responsible for checked out equipment. Lost or damaged equipment will be replaced at the player s expense. For example: Jersey-$80.00, Pants-$65.00, Belts- $6.00, baseball bag-$50.00, Helmets-$40.00, Catchers gear $400.00, etc Dugout Decorum It is a player s job in the dugout to be 100% ready to go in the game at any time. To do this a player must be mentally in the game at all times. Every player in the dugout should be able to answer any question about the game and what is happening on the field at that moment. Every player in the dugout will be sitting up, focused on the game. Players who are slouched down, and are not paying attention will be less likely to be called to go in to the game. This type of behavior does not give the coaches confidence that the player is ready to play. It also gives people watching the game a bad impression about our team, and our player s attitudes. When an inning has been completed all players on the field should sprint to our dugout area. Thirty seconds is not very much time, and players walking off the field cannot waste time. The coaching staff will assume that a player that walks off the field is tired, and will sub a fresh player in for them. Substitutions The coaching staff will decide any and all substitutions and player rotations. Players in the dugout should pay attention to what is happening on the field, and not bother the coaches by
asking to be subbed in to the game. When a coach chooses to sub a player in to the game, he should immediately start to loosen up by stretching then throwing. When a player is subbed in for, he should communicate clearly with the player subbing in for him what order in the line-up he bats, and any other needed information. The player being subbed in for should then run directly to the bench, and sit by the coach. Players who do not hustle off the field, negatively question being subbed in for, and/or show negative body language because they are being subbed out will be risking reduction in playing time, and possibly will not be put back in the game. The player should listen to any corrections that the coach may have. Sportsmanship Participation in athletics is a privilege provided by the school in order to promote a positive learning experience in self-discipline, self-confidence and healthy competition. By choice, student athletes are ambassadors of the school year-round. They are expected to make choices that represent their school in a manner that is becoming of a mature and responsible person. Any violation of these expectations could result in suspension from games or suspension from the team. It is extremely important to the Bulldog Coaching Staff that we are a class organization. How we display ourselves is a reflection on the players, their families, the school, and the coaching staff. We strongly believe that athletes are role models for the student body and younger children in our community. This is a responsibility that we want our players to take seriously. We expect our players to focus on their performance and to not waist mental and physical energy by trash talking. Players who are heard trash talking and or taunting the opponents will be removed from the game. When a player makes an exciting play, we expect them to focus immediately on what needs to be done in the play that follows. The umpires are to be respected. They have a difficult job and they do make mistakes. Players have an even more difficult job, and make even more mistakes. The coaching staff will not tolerate players questioning umpires, or showing negative body language towards an umpire s call. Players who display this type of behavior will be removed from the game. It is the coach s job, in a sportsmanlike manner, to question umpires. We in the Bulldog Baseball program do not believe in getting ejected. Rarely and in hope never do any of our coaches get ejected. A player should never get ejected. If a player gets ejected for being unsportsmanship like, he will be removed for the remainder of the game and will have to sit the next game. After games all players in our program will, in a sportsman like manner, shake hands with the opponent s players and coaching staff. Post Game After shaking hands with the opponent all players are expected to go directly to the outfield on our dugout side. Once in the designated area, all team members will condition then should kneel with hats removed and wait to have a short meeting with the coaching staff. Players should not dress until after the post game team meeting and or field maintenance. After the expectations
have been met players may return to the dugout to see fans, friends, and family. On road trips, players should keep post game discussions short, and exit quickly to the bus or van. THE BULLDOG WAY Travel Timeliness All players should arrive at the school at least 15 minutes (punctuality rule!) before the scheduled leave time for road games. Players who have training needs that need to be attended to before leaving on a road game, should arrive at least thirty minutes before game departure time. Players who are not at the bus and ready to leave at the scheduled leave times will be left behind. Players who are left behind cannot drive themselves and play in the game. Once we arrive at the opponent s facility, the whole team will enter and sit together before and during games. Bus Behavior All players will be expected to follow all school district rules and policies that apply to riding in a district vehicle. All players are expected to treat the driver and vehicle with the utmost respect. Profanity or discussion of a sexual nature will not be tolerated. All trash must be cleaned up when leaving bus and or vehicles. Players will follow all requests and directions by drivers or coaching staff members. Players and teams that can t follow these transportation guidelines will be expected to do extra running at the next practice. If this behavior continues, those individuals will not be allowed to travel. Dugout At home and away, players in the baseball program are expected to pick up after themselves after using the dugout. The dugouts of opposing schools should be left in the same shape as before our arrival. Any player who is caught stealing while representing the baseball program will be removed from the team. This includes theft from opponent s dugouts, locker rooms, home locker rooms, gyms, vehicles, stores, restaurants, or any other place while representing Bulldog Baseball. Vandalism will not be tolerated while representing the baseball program. Any player who vandalizes will be removed from the team. Riding the Bus Home
All players will ride to the games and home on the bus (be on time!). It is important to experience winning and losing together. Please don t ask to make exceptions unless it is an emergency and or prior approved arrangement. ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, ONE MISSION End of the Season Equipment All checked out equipment must be in good shape and turned in at the end of the season. Players will not receive participation certificates or letters until all equipment has been turned in. Players who do not turn in equipment, or have damaged equipment, will be billed for these items at replacement cost. Letterman System Only varsity team players may earn a varsity letter. Players will be awarded a letter based on their contribution to the varsity program, both in practice and in the games. Participation awards, varsity letters, all-conference awards and other awards are presented to the athletes at the end of the season during a team awards banquet. In order to earn a varsity letter, a player must achieve one of the following and finish the season in good standing: Play in half of the regular season varsity innings, Play in half of the district or regional playoff innings, Play in half of the state play-off innings, A four-year participant Action the coaching staff deems acceptable (i.e. injuries, attitude, behavior, attendance, etc ) Players who play the entire season, but do not meet these criteria will receive a participation certificate.
Banquet All Bulldog Baseball participants are strongly encouraged by the coaching staff to attend the end of the season awards ceremony. The spring athletic season is a very long and demanding season for all participants. The end of the year awards ceremony is the one last thing to totally completing the season. By attending the awards ceremony a player shows pride and respect for his efforts, his teammates, the baseball program, and the coaching staff. The coaching staff would very much appreciate your attendance. Coaches Contact Info: If there are questions concerning anything in our program, please call one of the coaches listed below: VARSITY: VARSITY HEAD COACH: Ray Garza (970) 381-1130 e-mail: rgarza@sd27j.net ASSISTANT COACH: Jake Duran (303) 968-6920 email: j.duran0319@gmail.com ASSISTANT COACH: Marty Stricklett (720) 810.5225 email: mbkd41@msn.com JV TEAM: HEAD COACH: Mike Morrison (720) 299-1073 email: mike.morrison@staples.com ASSISTANT COACH: Adam Devito (303) 709-3528 email: devitskeet@gmail.com ASSISTANT COACH: Roliego Alvarado (303) 931-6097 email: chapoalva5@yahoo.com C - TEAM HEAD COACH: HEAD COACH: Pat Tabor (303) 654-0112 email: pattabor@hotmail.com ASSISTANT COACH: Ty Archuleta (720) 810-6263) email: baseballarch@gmail.com FRESHMEN TEAM: HEAD COACH: James Aitken (303) 945-1070 email: kjmadhouse@live.com ASSISTANT COACH: James Enright (303) 229-3183 email: jreake@aol.com ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, ONE MISSION
PLAYER S HANDBOOK GUIDELINES 2017 We will play a hard, aggressive style of baseball at Brighton High School. Program comes first and foremost. Baseball is a team sport. Each player has a role on the team. As talented as we may be we have to learn to play the right way by having respect for the game. Some players will contribute by hitting, some by fielding and some by pitching. Others will contribute more by being emotional leaders. Each player needs to find his role and be strong in that role. We will be more concerned with the team s success than individual successes, making their teammates better and be willing to sacrifice for this. Through hard work in practice, individual potential will be maximized and thereby the team s potential for success will also reach its utmost. If you are committed to winning baseball, you will not do anything that will restrict your ability to contribute to a successful season. Your work and attitude in the classroom, personal appearance, training habits, and ability to carry out instructions will tell a lot about your desire to play baseball and be a success. A lack of personal discipline will cause your teammates to resent you for not being willing to sacrifice for a team s success. Respectfully Submitted, Coach Garza and Staff I have read and agree with the Player s Guide. Print Player s Name Date Player s Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date