2008 Canton Baseball Guidelines
Vision Statement:
To develop and manage an environment that is conducive to producing a high level of excellence in the classroom, on the field and as community members for all players of the program.
Mission Statement:
To develop student athletes who are committed to personal excellence, professionalism and accountability that will generate championship level of team success through hard work, perseverance and dedication.
Team Goals:
1. Play as many players as possible without sacrificing team success.
2. Teach players accountability, responsibility, integrity and commitment.
3. Instill concept of team.
4. Strive to reach championship level of play.
5. Develop and promote proper sportsmanship.
6. Promote academic success.
7. Promote achieving team and personal goals through work ethic and perseverance.
Team Rules and Player Expectations:
1. Practice doesn’t make perfect. “Perfect practice makes perfect”. Perfect practice is the stepping stone to making a championship team. Much will be required both mentally and physically during practice and games. Be ready for the challenge each and every day.
2. Always be on time, not in time. Being late affects the entire team negatively. Three times being late will result in a loss of playing time that will be determined by your coach accordingly. Missing a practice will result in a one game suspension. Missing a game will result in a two game suspension. Our coaching staff has an open door policy; therefore there should be no excuse for lack of communication between players, parents and coaches.
3. Players must wear proper attire at all practices/ games. Long pants, hats and sleeves. No saggy pants or hat on sideways / backwards. Underwear must be concealed by your pants at all times. You are part of a special organization and represent Canton High School Athletics, so look professional and respectable.
4. Know the signs! Your ability to follow your coach’s lead at specific times of opportunity is crucial to the success of the team. You need to know and understand every sign in our scheme and be able to execute at a moments notice. Inability to follow instructions affects the team negatively and loss of playing time will occur, not as a punishment, but rather due to the fact that players’ not executing signs will inhibit team success.
5. Be the ultimate team player. Do anything and everything you can to add to the success of the team. Whether you are keeping score, charting the other team or warming up pitchers, you are an important part of this team and crucial to the success of it. Each player needs to know their role on the team and be a positive teammate at all times. If you are unsure of your role, ask your coach, but this usually happens directly after tryouts. If you are unhappy with your role, it is only up to you to change that mindset.
Refer to the PCCS Student Handbook for all other topics of concern
Determination of Playing Time:
It is our goal as a coaching staff to get as many players into the game as possible, but not sacrifice the success of the team doing so. The coaching staff will exclusively determine who will start and how and when playing time is issued. The coaching staff is responsible for the overall success of the team and therefore must make these decisions based on a variety of criteria, background knowledge, player evaluations and the overall philosophy of the Canton Baseball Program. The coaches see these players each and everyday and are constantly making evaluations of the players skill level, hitting for average, hitting for power, hustle, arm strength, speed, agility, attitude, teamwork, sportsmanship, ability to bunt, ability to throw strikes and sign comprehension and application. It is mandatory that everyone on the team must know and accept their role, as no one player is more important than the success of the team. A team will not be a team without role players and having players understand how they fit on this team or in the program. At no time will a parent discuss playing time to a coach or any other player in the program. Instead, the coaching staff suggests having the player ask the coach what he needs to improve on to possibly get more playing time in the future. The best baseball players will start according to the criteria listed above. It is our desire to play as many people as possible. Our hardest workers and best athletes will lead us to a championship and it’s just as important to have role players who can contribute off the bench. All of you who do not earn a starting position, it is up to you to continue to work hard, know your role on the team and be ready to contribute when called upon to do so.
Criteria for Playing Time:
Defensive Skill Level, Hitting for Average, Hitting for Power, Hustle, Arm Strength, Speed, Attitude, Teamwork, Sportsmanship, Ability to Bunt, Sign Recognition, Ability to Throw Strikes and Overall Baseball Finesse.
Canton Baseball Guidelines