Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association (ORTBA)

Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association
(ORTBA)

Updated October 2015

Vision

Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association (ORTBA)is a competitive basketball program for boys and girls in 4th- 8th grades, attending schools that are part of the Old Rochester tri-town area; Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. These teams participate in the Cape Travel Basketball League with other school-based teams from the South coast, Cape and the Islands. ORTBA teams also compete in post season and holiday tournaments based on team interest. ORTBA works closely with the Boys' & Girls' basketball programs at ORR, and are designed to be a feeder program to our High School programs. ORTBA is not an "equal playing time" program. Playing time is earned through demonstration of hard work, commitment and performance during practices and games.

ORTBA- Basketball Rules

1. Eligibility:Participation in the Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association (ORTBA) program is open to all students, boys and girls, who either attend a Tri-town school; Marion, Mattapoisett or Rochester or reside in the Tri-town area.

2. Number of Teams:ORTBA will sponsor a minimum of one team for grade, 5th – 8th for girls and 4th – 8th for boys. This conforms to Cape Hoops Travel League structure.
3. Number of Players per Team:Travel teams will consist of a minimum of 10 players. Ten has been set as the most desirable number for team size but coaches have the discretion in increase their team size up to 12. However, more than even 10 players on a team is not advisable because of the difficulties of allocating playing time in games. That said, the number of players selected for each team is at the coaches discretion. More than 12 players is subject to the approval of the ORTBA-Board.
4. Player Selection Process:Travel basketball is a competitive program. Competition begins with player evaluations as only a fixed number of players will be selected for each team. Prior year’s participation does not guarantee selection in the current year. Selection is always a difficult process and all players who are unable to play on a travel team are strongly encouraged to participate in the town's recreation and after school programs and other basketball programs in the area. Selection for a team is based on the rankings and skill assessments of non-parental, basketball knowledgeable neutral evaluators. No parent of a participating child is allowed to be part of the selection process unless pre-approved by ORTBA Board as a coach or evaluator. If the team’s coach does not have a participating child, and is otherwise neutral, he/she may choose to select the team alone or with the assistance of other neutral evaluators.

Evaluations - Players will be evaluated through a series of drills and scrimmages on their individual physical athletic abilities, basketball skills, scrimmage play, aggressiveness, potential and sportsmanship in addition to their general behavior and conduct during the selection process. Team skills and quality of overall contribution to team play will also be considered. Selection is based solely on a player’s performance during the selection sessions (typically one session.) In the event that an exceptionally large number of players participate at the tryout, the coach has the option of making a first cut after the initial practice or in some cases a second tryout will be scheduled. The players selected for each team will generally be posted on the ORTBA website within three days following the tryout process.
Playing Up - Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association in the best interest of the player will consider allowing players to play above their grade level based on the following circumstances.

No team at their grade level
Player has played with the same team/core of players in past ORTBA season’s (more than 1)
A player may request to play at a higher grade level because it is anticipated the player’s skill would be best developed and utilized by playing at the higher grade level. Essentially, it is believed based on evaluation player playing up would be a starter and a highly impactful player on the team they are playing up for. Based on ORTBA Board and Coach’s approval of a player/parent request.
EXCEPTION – In the best interest of the ORTBA, should a team fail to have enough players to field a team in the Cape League because a player or multiple player’s requested to play up, the ORTBA Board and designated Coach may require players to play at grade level
This provision will be reviewed annually based on the best interests of ORTBA.

5. Team Coach Selection:The coach of each team is selected by the ORTBA Board. At the end of each season, players and parents have an opportunity to provide feedback about the team and the coach. That feedback receives significant consideration in making decisions for the next year. Team Managers and Assistant Coaches are permanently selected by the Coach after the team has been selected. No Coach, Manager, or Assistant Coach is ever assured that their child will be selected for the team.
6. Commitment:All players and their parents are asked to make an extraordinary commitment to the travel teams, including attendance at all practices and games. Practices are generally twice a week on weeknights and there may be anywhere from 14 to 25games in the course of a season, counting tournaments and playoffs. If a player is unable to make the required commitment, he/she should not participate in tryouts potentially depriving another player who is willing to make the commitment to the team.

Game Frequency: Regular season games begin the first full weekend in December and run through the end of January. Pending any weather or school closings, teams should expect to play two games per weekend with no consistency to the weekend days games are scheduled. Meaning you could play one on Saturday and one on Sunday or have them both on a Saturday or Sunday.

ORTBA Holiday Tournament: ORTBA annually hosts a Holiday Basketball Tournament at Tabor Academy over the winter school vacation. Each ORTBA team is encouraged to participate as teams from all over the region participate. This tournament is an important funding arm for the ORTBA program as it provides the resources for all the teams to play in some post season tournaments and year end team meetings. We will ask parents and volunteers to assist with the many operations of the tournament.
7. Inability to Attend on Tryout:Each player must be present at Tryouts. If a player is unable to attend the dates set for the selection process for a team due to injury, illness or other similar extraordinary circumstances the player should notify aORTBA Board member or coach if known, as soon as possible. The Coach and ORTBA Board may require such player to participate in a supplemental selection session should one be scheduled. Tryouts must be a priority for all interested players so coaches can see the competition and interaction with other players in one collective tryout. Failure to attend may affect your participation and selection to a team.

2015/16 ORTBA Board: Greg Yeomans, Steve Carvalho, Jared Maxwell, Great Fox, Marissa Hughes and Jesse Matteson

ORTBA -Tryouts

ORTBA holds tryouts for Boys Grades 4 to 8 and Girls Grades 5 to 8 Travel Basketball Teams. Tryouts take place in October each year for the coming season and results are announced via coaches’ e-mail, phone call or on ortba.org website shortly thereafter.

Players that are interested in participating in the travel program need to tryout. ORTBAneeds to know beforehand of the player’s intention to tryout and that they understand the commitment required to become an ORTBA travel player. Parents must register their players online on the ORTBA website. During the registration process parents will be asked tocomplete aParent/Guardian profile in addition to registering their child or children for their desired team. It is requested that all parents/guardians complete this form prior to the first tryout in able to participate in the tryout.Make sure to read, understand, and accept the Travel Team Rules posted on the website. No child will be permitted to participate without a completed authorization form.

Selection is always a difficult process and all players who are unable to play on a travel team are strongly encouraged to participate in the town's recreation and after school programs and other basketball programs in the area. Selection for a team is based on the rankings and skill assessments of non-parental, basketball knowledgeable neutral evaluators. No parent of a participating child is allowed to be part of the selection process unless pre-approved by ORTBA Board as a coach or evaluator. If the team’s coach does not have a participating child, and is otherwise neutral, he/she may choose to select the team alone or with the assistance of other neutral evaluators or ORTBA Board.

Each player must be present on all selection dates. If a player is unable to attend the dates set for the selection process for a team due to injury, illness or other similar extraordinary circumstances the player should notify a ORTBA Board member or coach if known, as soon as possible. The Coach and ORTBA Board may require such player to participate in a supplemental selection session should one be scheduled. Tryouts must be a priority for all interested players so coaches can see the competition and interaction with other players collectively. Failure to attend may affect your participation and selection to a team.

Dates and times of the tryout sessions are announced with as much notice as possible. Players should be at the gym at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

2015/16 ORTBA Board: Greg Yeomans, Steve Carvalho, Jared Maxwell, Great Fox, Marissa Hughes and Jesse Matteson

Old Rochester Travel Basketball Association

Player and Parent Agreement

1.PRIVILEGE NOT RIGHT.As a member of anOld Rochester Travel Basketball Team, each player understands that participation is a privilege and not a right. As part of earning that privilege, and in order to maintain it, more is expected of each player than perhaps other students. Each player agrees to assume the responsibilities set forth in this contract and each parent to support its intent. ORTBA reserves the right to revoke the privilege of any player to be a member of a Travel Basketball Team if the player does not exhibit appropriate conduct or otherwise fails to meet the obligations set forth in this contract.

2.PLAYER CONDUCT.As a member of anOld Rochester Travel Basketball Team, each player represents and serves as a reflection of his coaches, his team, his family and his community and agrees to conduct himself or herself responsibly both on and off the court, to display sportsmanship on the court and to demonstrate concern for the rights, safety and welfare of others off the court. All Players agree to treat their coaches, teammates, competitors and referees with respect and courtesy.Behavior that shows disrespect toward other players, coaches, and referees, or demonstrates lack of self-control including the use of profanity will be subject to discipline.The coach will determine appropriate disciplinary actions.Should the behavior continue to be inappropriate, the coach may seek the removal of the player from the team subject to approval of the ORTBA Board.[See Disciplinary Action Below]

3.CLASSWORK COMES FIRST.Each player is expected to strive for academic as well as athletic excellence.A player's class work and performance in school take precedence over basketball. All players are expected to perform well academically, to complete their homework and studying first so as not to interfere with their commitment to basketball.Should the player be unable to attend practice to complete academic responsibilities, the parent should communicate this directly to the coach.While academics take priority, it is not acceptable to repeatedly miss practice due to school workloads.Should a player be unable to perform at an acceptable level academically and athletically, the player should withdraw from the team until such time as the academic performance improves. This is a parental decision, however, the coach and team assume that each player will be present for all practices and games.Repeated absences could result in diminished playing time and potential dismissal at the discretion of the coach.

4.COMMITMENT.During Basketball Season, the Travel Basketball Team should take precedence over all other extra-curricular activities.The season runs from November to February-March pending playoffs and post-season open tournaments.Teams will play anywhere from 14 to 25 games in a season (including tournaments). Practice is a critical element of individual skill development and team success. Based on facility availability, each team will meet at least twice a week for practice. Practices are structured by the coach to improve individual skills, build team strategies and develop the sense of team. Each coach devotes a substantial amount of time in the design and delivery of each practice.Each coach is committed to teach the players as much as they can about the game of basketball so that each player can become the best that they are capable of being. Players agree to work hard at all times in an effort to learn as much as they can, to improve their individual skills and contribute to success of the team. While all players should have fun, that is not the only goal of the Travel Basketball program.This is an advanced basketball experience that requires the commitment and dedication on the part of players, their families, and the coaches. The objective of the travel basketball program is to develop advanced basketball skills within a highly competitive environment, while at the same time learning the values of hard work, preparation and teamwork. Ultimately, we strive to develop players and teams that will one day compete for and win high school state championships.

5.ATTENDANCE.Attendance at each practice and all Games is mandatory.Players should arrive thirty minutes prior to scheduled game times unless otherwise instructed by the Coaching Staff and should be on time for practices.If a player is unable to attend a practice or Game due to illness, vacation, family emergency, school/religious education obligation, then it is the player's responsibility to notify the coach or assistant coach in advance if at all possible with the reason for absence.The coach will determine implications of absences as it relates to playing time.

6.PLAYING TIME.The amount of playing time during games is within the sole discretion of the coaching staff of the team.The team is competitive and no player is guaranteed playing time. Each coach will make playing time decisions based on the game situation, player’s skills, abilities and attitudes.

7.FEES.Fees go principally toward payment of referees, tournament fees, supplies, gym usage, equipment, website maintenance and insurance. Players will be required to purchase their own uniforms in hopes they can be used for more than one season. Individual teams may determine on their own to enter into additional tournaments or games which may result in a supplemental charge to members of that particular team.

8. DISCIPLINARY ACTION.Any tardiness or unexcused absences for practice or games will be addressed at the discretion of the coach.Repeated unexcused tardiness will result in treatment as an unexcused absence.Being grounded by parents is treated as an unexcused absence.The first unexcused absence may result in diminished playing time. The second unexcused absence may result in the player being benched for the next game. Three or more unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the team.

9.PARENTS.Parents understand that they too represent our team, community and basketball program.Parents agree to encourage and cheer for the team in a positive fashion during the game and to refrain from rude or obnoxious behavior or comments toward the opposing team and officials. Parents should never confront referees or other game personnel -- that is solely the province of the coaching staff. Parents should respect and support the decisions of the coach. Parents may be asked to cover the game clock and official scorebook from time to time for both home and away games.In the absence of volunteers, parents will be assigned these tasks on a rotating basis.