Katy LoneStars: My Site News
Words of Wisdom | |
 |
When you stretch ... do it best.
When you perform a drill ... do it perfect every time.
Practice hard ... because you play the way you practice.
Play hard all the time ... never walk on a baseball field.
Games are lost, not won ... mistakes lead to losses.
You don't have to be a great athlete to be a good baseball player.
Baseball reveals character ... it doesn't build it.
Character means doing the right thing even when nobody's watching.
This Day in Baseball History
Click on the above headline for some trivia ...
Baseball Organizations
PONY Baseball
-------------------
PONY is an acronym for “Protect Our Nation's Youth” and is designed to provide experiences in youth baseball that will help young people grow into healthier and happier adults. The organization was started in Washington, Pennsylvania and became an international program in the early 1950's. Baseball play is governed by the Official Rules of Major League Baseball, and PONY Baseball rules and regulations, which contain those exceptions deemed necessary for a youth baseball program. The PONY rule book also contains regulations relative to league organization and administration. There are currently over 375 Major League Baseball players who are graduates of PONY Baseball. Mark McGuire, Tony Gwynn, Alex Rodriguez and J.T. Snow are just a few of the Major League players who participated in PONY Baseball.
USSSA
---------
The United States Specialty Sports Association’s (USSSA) primary focus is the development of programs that allow teams of all skill levels to compete against one another. USSSA believes the overall development of all players can be enhanced by the experience and fun of national tournament play. USSSA Baseball offers programs for four levels of play. Major and AAA programs are national programs that culminate in a World Series. The AA program is a regional program ran by the participating states that culminates at a National tournament. The A level is for recreational teams and is at a state level only.
CABA
-------
The Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA) is not a league sanction program. CABA of Texas is a tournament based alternative for Texas baseball teams age 9 - 18. CABA has three levels of play designed to fit the majority of teams in the State. The House division is an alternative for local association or community based teams that have a desire to play teams of similar strength outside their local community. The Quality division is a highly competitive division designed for teams seeking competition on a statewide and national basis. The Ultimate division represents the highest level of competition in CABA.
IBC
-----
IBC Baseball is a sanctioned league which started in January 2000. By 2003, IBC hosted 168 qualifiers in 17 states. Over 2,000 teams have registered with IBC Baseball.
AAU
------
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is not a league sanction program. A team can pay the AAU registration fee and have an automatic berth in the region AAU National qualifier. Ages 9 through 18 can play in a National qualifying tournament at the National level.
Super Series
----------------
Super Series is not a league sanction program. New in 2000, it is a tournament program designed to qualify teams for the Super Series National Championship. Ages 8 through 18 can play in national qualifying tournaments. Levels of play, ranging from most to least competitive, are National, American and All-Star.
Sportsmanship
As a team and as individuals, we strive to always maintain a good, positive attitude, give our best effort, play by the rules, respect the official's decisions, and win or lose with dignity. These qualities are as important as the development of solid baseball fundamental skills.
Sportsmanship is an honorable quality that requires us to be courteous, fair and respectful. It is a blending of cheers for the "home team" and applause for the "visitors", observing the letter and spirit of the rules, and showing consideration for others. It is playing by the code of conduct -- treating others as you want to be treated. At Katy Pony, we expect our players and fans to:
1. Show respect for the teams, coaches and officials.
2. Know, understand, and appreciate the rules of the game.
3. Set a good example for everyone to follow.
4. Maintain self-control.
5. Recognize and appreciate skill in performance – regardless of which team.
6. Refrain from arguments in front of players and spectators.
7. Not throw objects in disgust under any circumstances.
8. Not use profanity, bad language or display improper actions.
9. Play safe, be safe – no one gets hurt.
10. Have fun!
The lessons of good sportsmanship -- playing the game hard but fair, winning humbly, losing gracefully, developing respect for discipline and authority, playing and living by the spirit as well as the words of the rules -- are not confined to those who play this game.
Everyone should see the full impact and potential of athletics as an educational and fun experience. This is a worthy challenge that all coaches, players, spectators and officials must pursue.
Code of Conduct
Participant Agreement – Code of Conduct
To prevent any misunderstanding or misinterpretations when problems occur during the baseball season, the Katy PONY Baseball Board of Directors has instituted the following Code of Conduct for players, managers, coaches and parents. This has been distributed to our managers, coaches, Board members, players and parents this season in the hope that it will strengthen our organization and its policies, and will clearly state the expectations that our organization has with regard to our standards of behavior.
Code of Conduct - Players
As a player for the Katy PONY Baseball League, I agree to:
• Respect my manager and coaches. The managers and coaches are volunteers who donate their time to our organization and my appreciation of their help should be reflected in all my actions on the playing field. It is my duty to listen to and follow the directions of my manager and coaches and to obey the rules set forth by the manager and coaches of the teams.
• Respect my team members and other players. I will not insult, criticize or verbally abuse any other player. Such behavior does not promote but destroys team spirit and will not be tolerated by Katy PONY.
• Never resort to physical threats or actions to rectify a situation. Physical outbursts are unacceptable and will be dealt with using a zero-tolerance policy. Any occurrence will be immediately directed to the Executive Board for review and ruling.
• Display good sportsmanship at all times. As a representative of Katy PONY, it is my duty to reflect the characteristics of fair play at all times. I will display to others that competition is healthy and I will not lower the standards of Katy PONY by engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Be a contributor to Katy PONY. I play baseball not only for my own personal pleasure and benefit but for the benefit and as a representative of Katy PONY. I will always give 100% to my team by doing the best job that I can.
• Be proud to be a player of Katy PONY and have FUN doing it!
Code of Conduct for Parents
As a parent of a player in the Katy PONY Baseball League, I agree to:
• Respect the managers and their coaching staff. Managers and coaches are volunteers who donate their time and expertise to Katy PONY. My appreciation of their efforts is paramount to ensuring a willing and ample supply of managers and coaches in the program. I will take practices and games seriously by making sure that my child(ren) are available and on time as scheduled. I will collect my children in a timely manner when practices and games are finished.
• Respect all players. All players are contributors to a team and should be positively encouraged by all parents. I will not engage in insults or criticisms of players. Such behavior does not promote team spirit but breaks apart a team and will not be tolerated.
• Follow proper channels to resolve any dispute with Katy PONY Baseball. Katy PONY is willing to assist any parent that has a problem with any of its programs. If I have an issue or problem, I understand that I should approach the manager or coaches of my child’s team, the league director, any individual member of the Board or the entire Board to address it. No parent should ever feel that the league or any of it’s members are unapproachable.
• Display good sportsmanship at all times. The children are learning to become team players and work toward a common goal. I will always be non-judgmental in my support for their attempts and their outcomes.
• Be a contributor to Katy PONY Baseball. I will volunteer in some aspect of the program and will be a supportive and positive influence for all efforts made by Katy PONY.
• Appreciate that Katy PONY is striving to provide the best baseball program for my children. The programs of Katy PONY Baseball are intended to be learning and fun experiences for all players. I will relax and enjoy the youth baseball experience.
Code of Conduct for Managers and Coaches
As a manager for the Katy PONY Baseball League, I agree to:
• Respect all players on my team and the opposing team. I will ensure that all criticism I offer to the players will be constructive and balanced with compliments. I recognize that all players are contributors and I will treat them all fairly and equitably within the rules.
• Respect all parents on my team and the opposing team. I recognize that baseball is a big commitment for parents. I will keep my team parents informed as well as possible to ensure that the whole team is pulling in the same direction.
• Follow proper channels to resolve any disputes. I understand that I am not alone in my position as manager or coach. I have a strong organization to assist me in the resolution of problems, issues or disputes. If they arise, I will discuss problems with my manager or coaches, the player(s), the parents, the Board members or the entire Board as necessary. With the manager or coaches I will schedule a team meeting before our first practice to formulate the expectations for our team.
• Display good sportsmanship at all times. I understand that the players are learning to be good sportsmen and team players and are quick to copy all behavior they see on the field, particularly that of me in my position as manager or coach. I will show respect to my team’s manager, coaches, players and parents and the opposing managers, coaches, players and parents at all times. The umpires and fans will also have my respect and I will respectfully take care of the playing fields, facilities and equipment that we use including and assume responsibility for my parents, players and fans.
• Be a positive contributor to Katy PONY Baseball. I will be a positive and caring influence and an encouraging force in teaching the lessons of team play through baseball to all the players I encounter. I will also speak only in the utmost of respect for Katy PONY, it’s members, sponsors, employees and affiliates.
Discipline Guidelines
The Katy PONY Board of Directors will review all reported incidents of behavior considered detrimental to the game. The Board will act on a simple majority vote with a Three Strikes & You’re out rule in force.
First Incident - Written Warning
Second Incident - Second Written Warning with a 1 game suspension
Third Incident - One year suspension from managing, coaching and the facility
A second one-year suspension will result in a lifetime ban from all Katy PONY activities including managing or coaching. Any manager/coach that has been ejected from a game must leave the playing field area for the rest of the game and retire to the parking lot. Any threat made by a manager/coach, parent or any other person will not be tolerated. Threats will draw a punishment up to and including a 1-year suspension from Katy PONY.
A manager’s /coach’s most important role is teaching young men and women about life. This involves setting some standards and a code of conduct. A manager/coach in the Katy PONY League must agree with the idea of being a role model for the players and their parents.