Guidelines and Expectations
2015-2016
To get what you have never had, you must do what you have never done.
Varsity
Nick Schieffer- Head Coach
Joe Fagler- Varsity Assistant
Junior Varsity
Mitch Vernon
Reserve
Jamie Policky
Freshman
Dan Hoffman
Southwest Baseball
Game/Practice Procedures
1) Practice times will vary during the entire season depending on the weather. When we are forced inside to practice, we must share space with several other sports and we may have practice times starting as late as 5:30 p.m. We, as coaches, very much appreciate the cooperation of parents as we all make the adjustment to these, sometimes inconvenient, times for practice.
Because baseball players are expected to travel to a practice site and games, we ask that parents talk to their sons about driving safely to and from the sites.
2) All players in our program will be expected to wear baseball pants (required on Varsity & JV) and hats to practice, indoors and outdoors. Sleeves are left to the discretion of the coach of your team based on the weather that day.
3) The objective of our daily practice sessions is to work on the fundamentals of the game of baseball. As the season progresses we will change our daily emphasis based on our needs as dictated by our performance in games.
4) How we play is how we practice. Our team focus is Intensity, Commitment, & Execution. As we focus on these things in practice it will lead us to success in our games and in life.
5) We are all working toward the same goals in this program. We as coaches all strongly believe in the educational process. Everyone is expected to be at practice, be there on time, and give a total effort to improve as an individual and as a team.
6) Visitors are welcome to attend practices within limits. We do ask though, that you notify your coach in advance that you are planning to attend.
7) The Maintenance of the Varsity field will be in the hands of the players who practice and play there. Following all practices and games, the field will be manicured by raking, tamping, and watering. We want all players in our program, and community, to take ownership and have pride in our field.
8) FUN! The game of baseball was originally created for the entertainment of those who play. We all know that the best way to have fun is to win! We may not win all of our games, but the by-product of hard work is winning.
9) Safety- Baseball can be a potentially dangerous game, resulting in injury or even death. There are a number of safety precautions that are required and some options that you may consider to protect your son from injury or worse. We expect that ALL athletes wear batting helmets with a mask when in the batting cage or in game situations (pitching or hitting while in the cage). ALL athletes must wear a protective cup while playing baseball (practice or games). Catchers must wear a mask, chest protector, shin guards, and a protective cup when catching in a game or bullpen. Other optional equipment that you may want to consider for your son may include a heart protector, polycarbonate goggles, elbow guards (for hitters), protective eyewear, mouth guards and compression shorts with sliding pads built in.
10) The NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) has issued a change in bats beginning with the 2012 season. The rule allows bats that are stamped with the BBCOR (Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution) label only.
Southwest Baseball
Program Policy
Attendance at School
All players are expected to be in school and attend all classes unless they are excused according to school policy. Absences without parent or school approval, is classified as a truancy.
Practices & Game day
A student must be in attendance for all scheduled class periods on order to participate in a practice or contest that day. Exceptions: Medical appointments, school business/ activities, and prearranged absences by the Principal’s office.
Punctuality
Being on time to practices is expected of all players at all times. If tardiness is unexcused, a penalty may be imposed.
Absence from practice and games
Missing practice or games without being excused is not acceptable. Each time a player is absent from practice, it is requested that a parent call the coach or leave a message at school. On non-school days it is expected that the coach will be contacted, in advance, at home. But, be mindful that if a player is to miss games, another player will need to be prepared to step in and play and that substitute player will need playing time to become acclimated to playing that particular position. And the player who has missed may have to earn back his position. It is very important that the coach be notified before the season begins (if possible) that you are going to be absent for one of these excusable reasons: family, school, medical appointment, or faith.
An unexcused absence
An unexcused absence is any absence that does not involve family, school, medical appointment, or faith. The penalty for an unexcused absence from a practice or a game will be loss of position, loss of playing time, or suspension from the team.
Training Rules
Students may not possess or consume alcohol, tobacco, or drugs during the season of participation. This issue has been addressed in the Student /Activities Code of Conduct guidelines that were read and signed by the athlete and parent as a part of the eligibility requirements to participate in athletics at Southwest High School.
We will not ignore the use of a substance by an athlete in our program. If the circumstance should arise that an athlete is known to be a user, he will be referred to the SCIP Program at Southwest High School and his parents will be notified of our concerns. The well being of the athlete and his family are of the utmost importance in this situation, baseball is not.
Open Door Policy
If any athlete has a problem or a question, we strongly encourage him to come and talk to his coach. All coaches will do whatever they can do to help. We ask that the athlete come and talk to his coach first to resolve a problem.
During the Game
All players are expected to keep their heads in the game whether they are on the field or on the bench. We all must have the same goals in mind. This is a team effort! When the opponents are hitting watch for tendencies of their hitters, base runners, the opposing coaches signs, and help others to identify situations. When our opponent is on defense watch their pitcher to learn his pitches in certain situations. Or watch the outfielders to see how strong or weak their arms are. If we get the opportunity take an extra base, and we know the arm of an outfielder, we can’t hesitate! Also, KNOW HOW MANY OUTS THERE ARE AT ALL TIMES!
Parents, please refrain from coming to the dugout or bullpen to give your son advice. During a game he needs to focus on the things that we have worked on together in practice.
ENTHUSIASM!
Anytime we have a player make a great play, score a run, lay down a sacrifice bunt, or come off of the field after pitching, we want the entire dugout to shake hands/congratulate him. This is a means of showing our loyalty and support for each other!
(New rule- no one is allowed out of the dugout except for an on deck hitter or to congratulate a player for a home run)
Sportsmanship
During a game each player is responsible for his actions, he must not display emotions in a way that will detract from the team or from Southwest High School. Throwing of equipment, especially helmets, is not acceptable behavior. Each player will treat others with respect- teammates, coaches, support staff, and the opponent. After the game each player will shake hands with the opposing team AND coach regardless of the outcome.
Lincoln Southwest Varsity Baseball Letter requirements
All letters are awarded on the recommendation of the Head Baseball Coach and approved by the Athletic Director. The Head Coach and Athletic Director reserve the right to recommend additional letter winners.
1. Play at least one inning per number of games played during the season
(9 games, 9 innings; 27 games, 27 innings).
2. One recorded win as a pitcher.
3. Senior team member.
4. All members of a state qualifying team will automatically letter.
5. Must finish the season in good standing.
When making a Commitment to a Southwest Baseball Team:
Know that…
1) … we will practice everyday after school, on Saturdays, during Holiday Breaks, and other vacation days. You are expected to be at all practices and games.
2) … there will be games every week with some out of town.
3) … because this is baseball there will be rain outs and those games may be rescheduled.
4) … YOU (not your parents) must take responsibility to let your coach know in advance that you will not be at practice due to illness. And Remember, if you are not at tryouts you can’t be evaluated.
5) … you represent Southwest High School not only when in school but also when you are at home, and in the community.
6) … school comes first. You must be enrolled in at least 15 Hrs. of credit during terms 3 & 4 and must have passed at least 20 Hrs. in the two terms before baseball. Attendance in every class is essential!
7) … this is not an intramural program, you are not guaranteed equal playing time.
8) … an expectation of this program is that you are ON TIME to all practices and games.
9) … winter sports may run long and those who come out late will also get a tryout.
10) … being a part of a team is a huge responsibility and that you are expected to fulfill your commitment to the team!
11) … baseball is a great game! Play hard and have fun!
12) … making a team at LSW has absolutely nothing to do with what team or teams that you may have played on in the past.
13) Know that… if you do not attend class, have truancies, don’t make an effort when you’re in class, and you do not display positive citizenship in school, it will affect your trying out for a spot in the baseball program.
14) Know that …your expectations for success in the classroom are greater than those on the baseball field.
This is not recreational baseball.
Unfortunately, not everyone who tries out will make a team.
You Never Know Who’s Watching
by: Bob Howdeshell, High School Baseball Web
Because You Never Know Who’s Watching
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be allowed to sit with several college coaches as they evaluated talent at a very good high school baseball tournament. This was a small tournament with only six invited teams, held at a major division 1 college campus. A “showcase” tournament.
The following are some of the comments and discussions that I was allowed to listen in on:
• The first involves a player with a “national reputation” listed as a top prospect in several sources that I am familiar with. He is a position player. The coaches were in agreement that this player had several nice tools …. Good arm strength, good glove and good speed. The question that each of them had was his ability to hit at the upper end of college baseball.
Some coaches told me that the solid tools that the player had would make him a prospect to them even without “plus” hitting abilities.
What happened next amazed even me. The player was struggling with his bat but showed flashes of an “upside.” However on defense the player did not move well. Did not show good anticipation, did not follow foul balls (showing a jump). More often than not only moved from his position if he was involved in the play.
Some of the coaches REALLY did not like the “lazy” (their words – not mine) attitude shown. On a couple of stolen base attempts (where the player was covering the bag) he did not make an attempt to stop a “less than perfect” throw. Basically he flagged at the ball and got out of the way.
One coach told me that he wanted players that were interested in “sticking their nose in there and getting dirty.” This coach is with a team that would be considered a “national power.”
Some of the coaches told me that they would have to see the player again – later this summer before making any decision regarding a potential scholarship offer. Other coaches told me that they probably would not pursue this player any further.
• Next Up - A right handed pitcher that was throwing solidly in the upper 80’s. He has a slight movement on his fastball, an okay breaking ball and a fair change-up.
This player however did impress many of the coaches. WHY ????
He did not have his best control at times. At times was getting penalized by a “moving” and small strike zone, and had 5 errors made behind him, by his defense.
What caught the coach’s attention was his ability to battle and keep challenging the hitters. He did not drop his head or slump his shoulders when things went against him. He showed no expression when a ball was called on an obvious strike.
He even went so far as to walk over and speak to his second baseman, after a costly error and then pat him on the back as he walked away. The coaches I was sitting near did not miss this!
Each of the coaches that I spoke to admitted that they did not have the player on their lists of potential recruits. Each also said that they would be making a point to see the player pitch again this summer.
This player became a prospect with several “big time” schools on a day when he was the losing pitcher and did not have his best stuff. Because of his attitude and the heart he showed.