Preseason Manager/Parent Meeting

Mission Statement: Westside Baseball of Oak Lawn continues to implant firmly in the children of the community, the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and reverence, so that they may be finer, stronger and happier children, and will grow up to be good, clean, healthy men and women.

Zero Tolerance Policy: Westside Baseball of Oak Lawn has a zero tolerance policy. Unsportsmanlike behavior, verbal and/or physical abuse, discrimination, harassment, derogatory remarks and/or gestures towards umpires, managers, coaches, other parents or board members is unacceptable. Westside Baseball of Oak Lawn aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all.

Talking Points…

  1. Player Safety:
  2. Please remind players to keep their hands to themselves
  3. Baseball bats should only be swung in the on-deck circle (T-Ball/Pinto)
  4. Communication:
  5. Game schedule will be emailed and reminders for games will be sent as often as possible
  6. Practices will be scheduled and communicated (ie…text messaging) at the manager’s discretion
  7. We encourage all parents follow (like) Westside Baseball of Oak Lawn on Facebook for latest updates including:
  8. Day of game cancellations
  9. Fundraising events
  10. Latest scores and updates
  11. Team photos and much, much more
  12. Medical Concerns:
  13. Please communicate any medical issues for your child that might impact play on the field
  14. Drinks:
  15. Please have your child bring a water bottle or drink to every practice and game
  16. Be sure to label your child’s drink with his or her name
  17. Be a Team Player:
  18. Show sportsmanship to your teammates, coaches, managers and other players
  19. Be positive. Point out strengths and let managers/coaches focus on limitations
  20. Goals:
  21. We encourage all players to set an individual goal at the beginning of the season
  22. Goals will be constantly be discussed during the season between the manager and player
  23. The role of the manager and coaches is player development
  24. Baseball at Home:
  25. Please encourage your child to practice at home every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes
  26. Play catch, swing a baseball bat or practice batting stances are just a few examples
  27. Watch baseball videos on YouTube…There are many videos on the fundamentals of baseball
  28. Respect:
  29. All players should be respectful to each other, managers, coaches, umpires and other teams
  30. All players should be good listeners to adults at all games and practices
  31. Parents should model respectful behavior as well and at all times
  32. Negative and/or disrespectful behaviors or comments should be communicated to the team manager immediately
  33. All players should be respectful to Westside property/fields
  34. No climbing of fences
  35. Clean the dugout of all trash immediately after each game is over
  36. Expectations:
  37. The hope is that every player will attend every practice and game
  38. Discipline issues will result in part or full game suspensions at the manager’s discretion
  39. Please encourage your child to be the best they can be but also remind them this is an organized sport playing Little League Baseball
  40. Managers will be teaching players the fundamentals of baseball with an emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship
  41. Individual team ground rules or bylaws can be set at each manager’s discretion. Below are a few examples:
  42. No playing with grass or dirt
  43. Stay in your position
  44. No throwing of baseball gloves
  45. Put away your bat, helmet and glove after each game
  46. Points:
  47. All families are required to earn a total of one hundred (100) points per season. Ten (10) points are earned per one (1) hour of volunteer service.
  48. Some examples of how to earn points throughout the season are sponsorship, opening day, working the concession stand, field maintenance, working the end of season picnic, team mom, coaching or managing,etc…