WEST COBB BASEBALL
2015 Spring Season
Parent Informational
Package
Head Coach: Bill Sirois
Asst. Coach: H. C. "Skip" Shipman
Welcome Parents!
As a 13 U Coach, I felt it important to open the lines of communication by giving you a
packet of information to create the proper expectations for this up coming season. In the
packet you will learn a little of what we will be doing, as coaches, to evaluate your son's
skill levels, identify the positions said skills match up with and try to enhance their
knowledge of the game.
Our head coach, William "Bill" Sirois, has over 16 years of experience coaching
baseball at various levels. His son, Graham, is on the team and has played baseball at
every level as well. I'm sure they both look forward to becoming part of your baseball
family this year.
You will learn about my credentials on the preceding page which I think will benefit our
team this year. Between both of our years of coaching experience, we think your sons
are in for a treat, provided they listen and take advantage of our baseball expertise.
Recreation League baseball is all about teaching baseball skills, learning good
sportsmanship and playing as a team! No one individual player makes a TEAM... You
know the old saying, "There is no "I" in T-E-A-M"!!! Each player will be given the
opportunity to play, excel and/or fail during the course of the season.
Just in life, everyone has their own skill set and has to adjust to the ups and downs
thrown at them. By teaching, yes, teaching players to deal with winning as well as
dealing with adversity, hopefully, will teach them some life lessons under our tutelage. It
is my coaching philosophy to have players leave as better ball players at season's end.
But, more importantly, to leave as a better, well rounded person...
With the players we were fortunate to draft this year, we should have a more than
competitive team. Only time will tell as the season progresses. Winning games makes
things more fun, however, how we come back after a loss is what makes character. I
assure you, as parents, we will have a great season, whether we win or lose. Hopefully,
we will have plenty more wins than losses!
Both Coach Sirois and I look forward to having your sons on our team this year. Let me
know if I can answer any of your questions.
Respectfully,
H. C. "Skip" Shipman
Assistant Coach
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Parents and Players,
Let's "PLAY BALL" and have fun this year!!! It's time to oil the old glove, shake out the cleats
and get the cobwebs off your bats... Once3 the cobwebs are dusted off, we'll load them up with
game winning hits!!!
Hello, I'm H. C. "Skip" Shipman or just plain old, Coach Skip. The WCB Board has teamed me
up with Coach Bill Sirois to be your Assistant Coach this year. I am delighted to have Coach
Sirios as my head coach. With him having over 16 years of baseball coaching experience, I'm
sure we all can learn a lot from Coach Sirios as we move through the season...
Gabe Shipman is my grandson and we come from a baseball oriented family. We are both so
excited to have you and your son's as teammates and part of our extended baseball family for
the upcoming season! Having a family atmosphere amongst the coaching staff, players and
their parents is the only way to have the cohesiveness necessary to have a wonderful
experience for all concern. Our goal this year is to have fun, to teach our players the
fundamentals/nuances of the game and to become better each time we take the field.
Parents, so we can get to know one another a little better, I thought I'd give you a little
background information on myself. I have over 35 years of sports related experience via
coaching, scouting on the collegiate level and playing semi-pro baseball. I have a son, Gabe’s
Uncle Josh, that played DIV I baseball on scholarship at Duke University in the ACC. We've
always been a baseball family... My brother was always the homerun hitter in the family, my son
the pitcher (he couldn't hit a curve if his life depended on it) , Gabe takes after them both and
then there was me... little on talent, but big on enthusiasm while being a utility infielder.
Once Josh went off to play baseball at Duke, I was named the Vice President of Scouting
Operations for the Western United States, based out of Scottsdale, AZ for College Prospects of
America (CPOA). At the time, CPOA was the largest and most successful high school student
athlete recruiting service in America. My collegiate scouting group was responsible for finding
over 4,500 scholarships for high school student athletes working with over 1,400 colleges and
universities over a 3 year period. Out of the 4,500 scholarships awarded, approximately 2,300
were for football, 700+ were for basketball and 850 were baseball scholarships. (If your son
would like to play on the collegiate level, I'd be more than happy to give your son an
unbiased evaluation and talk with you about what it takes to win an athletic
scholarship...)
During my tenure as VP of Scouting operations, my scouting group even found one high school
student athlete a scholarship for "Goat Roping" for a small West Texas college! Yes, there
were rodeo scholarships for this event… Being retired, I now volunteer with the National
Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) helping kids get athletic scholarships to play their
favorite sport on the college level. NCSA has surpassed CPOA as the nations top high school
athletic scouting/recruiting service. The owner, Chris Krause, worked as one of my Regional
VP's while at CPOA.
I look forward to meeting each parent individually and working with your sons this year. Any
questions, suggestions and/or concerns should be brought to me immediately. This way, we can
address your issues expeditiously.
On behalf of Coach Sirois and myself, thank you for allowing us the privilege to coach your
sons. We will be needing parent volunteers to help us this year. So, "Step Up To The Plate"
and let us know your intentions! On page 4, the Star Drill, is an evaluation drill used as a tool to
determine a player's potential position while observing his strengths and weaknesses.
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Youth Baseball
Star Drill
This drill is designed to help infielders work on good accurate throws and quick
hands and releases.
The C throws to the 2b,
2b throws to 3b,
3b throws to 1b,
1b throws to SS,
SS throws to C.
The sequence is repeated.
Teaching Points:

Throws should be targeted to the throwing arm shoulder.

Do not catch the ball deep in the glove but make your glove hand stiff so
the ball does not become 'trapped' in the glove.

NOTE: You may want to have your son pitch and catch with you using the
techniques above.
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Coach Skip's
"Hitting Progression Techniques"
1.
Signals... Standing outside the box or having one foot in the box and one out,
players should always look to the 3rd base coach for his signals prior to getting in
the batters box.
2.
Stance... Any good hitter will tell you that being comfortable at the plate and
allowing you to use your legs and hips only adds to getting base hits.
3.
Swing... Allows you to control the bat, hit the ball in front of the plate and add
quickness so you can catch up to the fast ball.
4.
See...
5.
Step Out... If the pitcher takes a long time getting signals or delivering the pitch,
Means watching or seeing the ball hit the bat. The biggest mistake
younger players make is pulling their heads out. When you do this, you swing
where you think the baseball is going to be rather than SEEING exactly where
the ball is as your bat hits it.
you ask the umpire for a time out. You step out of the batters box, then go
through your routine again getting set for the next pitch.
The 5 tips above are the fundamentals I have taught while teaching hitting for years as
part of my hitting and instructional baseball clinics. I have used these techniques with
players of all ages with successful outcomes, making them better hitters and players.
Each individual player has his own idiosyncrasies when hitting. Some being successful
and some not. However, if a player can pick up one or more of my tips to become a
better hitter/player and learn to use the "Hitting Progression" outlined in the 5 hitting
tips above, I've done my jobs as an instructional baseball coach.
During the course of hitting in the cage, we will be videoing each player's stance, swing
and how they watch the ball from the pitchers hand to the catcher's mitt. This will allow
us, not only to evaluate them as a hitter, but, more importantly, show the player what he
could be doing better. I encourage each player to get in front of a mirror and watch
himself go through the "5 Steps of Progression Hitting" listed above.
Each player will be given a "Hitting Tip Card" as a reminder of the progression we
require your son to go through each time he steps up to the plate. Whether it is in the
cage or during a game, learning these disciplines of the batting progression will only
result in them becoming better hitters...
Coach Skip
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"Hitting Tips Card"
Coach Skip's
"Hitting Tips"
1. Signal
2. Stance
3. Swing
4. See
5. Step Out
Your sons will be given a tip card
to be used as a reference during the learning process.
These progressions of batting will
be essential when stepping
up to the plate.
Personal Message To Parents
With my personal friendship with the owner of the National Collegiate Scouting
Association, along with my experience as a college recruiter, I have compiled
another informational package I think you would enjoy reading. It tells you: "What
Every Parents Should Know About The Recruiting Process?". All you have to do
to get it, is just by asking me to send it to you...
It's NOT just for baseball... Do Not Forget Your Daughters! I can show you how to
get exposure to over 42,000 college coaches in 27 different sports, both male and
female, looking to fill spots on their team's rosters. Women's athletic
scholarships are sweeping the USA! Therefore, if you want more info or need
assistance, please contact me at:
Email me at [email protected] or call my cell at 770-335-7250
IMPORTANT NOTICE: I am retired and help kids achieve their dreams of playing
their sport on the college level as an UNPAID Volunteer. I am in no way
compensated for assisting parents and your sons/daughters... I'd love to help
you!
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Below, you will find a printed copy of this year's West Cobb Baseball
Rules. You can access them online by going to:
http://www.westcobbbaseball.org/
Then, click on, "RULES"
West Cobb Baseball Association Rule Supplement
For Recreation Leagues
Any rules not covered by this Supplement or Georgia High School Rules, in that
order, are covered by the National League version of the Major League Baseball
Official Rules.
1. The home team scorekeeper will be the official scorekeeper for the game.
2. No inning will start after one hour and fifty minutes from the umpires’ official start
time.
3. If either team has a lead of 15 runs after 4 innings or 10 runs after 5 innings, the
game will end and be recorded as a win for the team in the lead.
4. If a game is called for weather, it is considered official after the team with the least
runs has batted through four full innings.
5. If game is tied at the end of the time limit, the game will end and be recorded as a tie.
If a game is tied after seven innings have been played and the time limit has not
expired, additional innings may begin under the time limit rule.
6. Uniform Rule: Players will NOT be permitted to play in any game without the full
WCBA provided uniform. (Excluding pants-but must have baseball pants on).
7. The WCBA ejection rule will stand.
a. The Team Manager will be responsible to notify the Age Director, Athletic
Director, or President if any Player, Coach or Manager has been ejected from a
game preferably by e-mail or phone by noon the following day. The penalty for
not notifying the above mentioned is a one game suspension of the manager the
first time and two games suspension the second and so forth.
b. No ejected Player, Coach or Manager may participate in any subsequent
game activity until cleared by the Age Director, AD, and President. Practice is
permitted.
c. The penalty for a Manager or Coach Ejection will be a MINIMUM one (1),
maximum three (3) game suspension for each occurrence, in addition to the
game ejected. The Age Director, A.D. and President will make the final
determination on the length of the suspension.
d. The penalty for a Player ejection will be a MINIMUM one (1), maximum three
(3) game suspensions for each occurrence, in addition to the game ejected. The
Age Director, A.D. and President combined will make the final determination on
the length of the suspension.
e. Suspension is defined as the player / coach / manager may not participate in
any game activity (coaching, playing, scoring, etc.) and may not watch game play
in the bleachers! The president, A.D., Age Director may allow the coach / player
to watch the game from the outfield fence.
f. All ejections must be reported to the President and AD promptly regardless of
any appeal. (by noon of next day by email)
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g. The penalty may be appealed. Appeals may be made through the President,
Athletic Director or Age Director.
h. An out will be recorded each time an ejected player is scheduled to bat
regardless of how many players a team started the game with.
8. Playing Time Rule: For defensive purposes, no player shall sit a second inning until
all players at the current game have sat a first inning. (SITTING PART OF AN INNING AND
GOING IN TO THE FIELD DOES NOT COUNT AS AN INNING SAT). No player shall sit a third
inning until all players at the current game have sat a second inning. This rule continues
as long as the game is in progress. An exception may be made in order to discipline a
player. In this case, the manager must notify the home plate umpire and the opposing
coach. This rule does not apply with regard to starting pitching (the starting pitcher may
pitch the first 4 innings without sitting, but must sit the fifth inning if all others have sat
out). For offensive purposes, all players at the current game will be in the batting order.
Opposing Managers will monitor the playing time, with any complaints and
discrepancies being put forth in writing to the Director of that age group or the Athletic
Director. Discrepancies or complaints must be reported within 24 hours of the
occurrence. Failure to adhere to the rule will cause forfeiture of the game in which the
incident occurred and the manager will be suspended the next game.
9. Pitching Rule:
a. No pitcher will be allowed to pitch more than four (4) innings in a game. One
pitch constitutes an inning. No other rest rules apply.
b. The pitcher must be removed from the mound on the coach or manager’s
fourth defensive visit to the field of play and any visit thereafter during the game.
Any visit in which you change pitchers is not counted as a visit. Visits for injuries
are an exception and are not considered a visit for this purpose.
c. Only the starting pitcher may return to the mound one (1) time in the same
game as long as it is not in the inning they were removed.
d. Toeing the rubber between innings declares a player to be the pitcher of
record.
e. Failure to follow pitching rules will result in a forfeit.
f. An intentional walk will be automatically awarded to a batter upon
announcement from a catcher, pitcher, or a coach to the home plate umpire for
all age groups. Time shall be called, and the batter awarded first base.
14U pitching rules: When the 13 and 14 year old age groups are combined, 14 yr
olds can only pitch a combined 4 innings in a game. 1 pitch counts as an inning.
The balance of the game is to be pitched by 13 yr old pitcher(s).
10. Squeeze Bunt Rule:
a. The runner from third cannot cross the plate until the pitch crosses the plate
and the batter MUST be squared around with intent to bunt, though he does not
have to bunt at the ball and must pull his hands back towards his chest if he does
not bunt. Absolutely the batter cannot swing at the ball. This will be based upon
the umpires’ judgment.
b. Stealing of home, prior to the ball crossing the plate, is NOT allowed.
c. The penalty for failure to comply with this rule is as follows:
i. The runner will be declared out.
ii. If - during a squeeze play attempt - the batter does not square, show
intent to bunt, though he does not have to bunt at the ball, AND takes a
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full swing, the batter, runner, and manager will be ejected with the batter
and runner being declared out. The suspension penalty noted in the
Ejection Rule (#7) above WILL apply.
11. Avoid Contact Rule: According to WCBA by-laws, all Players MUST attempt to avoid
contact (either slide or get out of the way). Should any Player fail to attempt to avoid
contact – in the judgment of the Umpire – the Player will be ruled out AND ejected from
the game. The suspension penalty noted in the Ejection Rule (#7) above WILL apply.
12. Forfeit Rule: Per our WCBA by-laws there are no forfeits during the regular season.
In the event that any team does not have nine Players, the following may occur: The
team will have 15 minutes after the official game start time to solicit Substitute Players.
The time limit (rule #5 above) will NOT be extended. Game clock starts at assigned
time.
a. A minimum of 8 Players (including Substitute Players) will be necessary to
field a team. Anytime your batting order starts or drops below 9 players it is an
out for that spot/s in the order.
b. The Substitute Players can be from the same age group, or a lower age group,
provided they are registered in the WCBA Program. The Uniform Rule above
(#6) will apply for all Substitute Players (i.e. they must wear the uniform from their
own team).
c. Substitute Players from the same age group must play an outfield position and
may NOT be included in the batting order (unless approved by the opposing
Manager). If Substitute Players are needed to field a team, they will be able to
play the following positions:
i. First Substitute Player – Right Field
ii. Second Substitute Player – Left Field
iii. Third Substitute Player – Center Field
iv. Fourth Substitute Player - 3rd Base
v. Fifth Substitute Player - 2nd Base vi. Sixth Substitute Player - 1st Base
vii. Seventh Substitute Player - Short Stop
viii. Substitute Players will NOT be permitted to pitch or catch. Substitute
Players from a younger age group may be included in the batting order without
opposing manager’s approval.
Contact Info: Coach Skip
Email: [email protected]
or
Cell Phone: 770-335-7250
Thank You and God Bless You!
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