Syracuse
s
Baseball
Club
2015-2016
Rules and Guidelines
Page
1. General Rules/Guidelines
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2. Age Group Mission Statement
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3. Practices
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4. Scrimmage Games
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5. Cooperstown Dreams Park
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6. Payment Schedule
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OUR OVERALL MISSION STATEMENT
At Syracuse Baseball Club we have a set of goals at which we
aim to achieve throughout a season. Our main goal as a
program is to increase the overall baseball knowledge of a
player and help him or her to reach their maximum baseball
potential. We also realize that baseball as a game can be a large
part of shaping the lives of these young ballplayers. Our
program strives to not only to increase the overall baseball
ability of our players , but to prepare them with proper life
skills necessary to succeed in society. We pride ourselves in
teaching these young men and women good sportsmanship,
hard work, and respecting authority are the keys to being a
positive influence on society. At some point in all of these
player’s lives the ability to play the game of baseball will end
and the next chapter of life will begin. We not only want these
players to play baseball for as long as possible, but be model
citizens and role models in society.
1. General Rules/Guidelines
A.) All players and parents will be held to all team and facility rules and guidelines at
all time. Failure can result in immediate dismissal from the Syracuse Baseball Club
program.
B.) NO SEEDS OR GUM ARE ALLOWED ON THE FACILITY TURF
C.) There will be no foul language or unsportsmanlike conduct from parents or
players. If this occurs parents or players will be asked to leave the facility, field or
venue of competition or training immediately and that player may be dismissed
from the team immediately at the discretion of Syracuse Baseball Club’s directors.
THIS IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY!
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D.) Players will respect all SBC’s facilities and equipment. Intentional damage made
to any SBC equipment or facilities will result in immediate reimbursement by that
player’s parent/guardian. (This does not apply to unintentional damages)
E.) All players parent/guardian (If under 18) must fill out a facility waiver (can be
found on website www.cusebaseball.com) in order to participate.
F.) Parents are allowed and encouraged to watch but parents must remain off of the
turf/field unless directed by a coach.
G.) There are no Alcohol or Tobacco Products allowed inside the facility.
H.) Players are required to listen to coaches at all times. Failure to do so may result
in consequences such as being asked to leave a practice, game or possibly the team.
I.) Parents are not allowed to approach a coach during a game for any reason. Any
matter must be taken up with a coach either before or after game day. Please be
aware that games can be mentally exhausting and frustrating for coaches and as a
result please approach coaches on days other than tournament/game days in
regards to baseball matters.
J.) Any issues regarding a coach other than playing time, should be directed to SBC
director Bryan Smith. Playing time issues will not be addressed as coaches are doing
their absolute best in order to align their teams with the SBC mission statement for
that age group
K.) All players must abide to the payment schedules. Failure to make payments will
result in the loss of the roster spot.
L.) There will be no discrimination by any SBC Player/Parent/Coach/Administrator
of any other Players/Parents/Coaches/Administrators because of Race, Sex,
Religious or Sexual Orientation. Failure to abide to this rule will result in immediate
dismissal from the team.
M.) Players are not allowed to use foul language or throw equipment (including but
not limited to helmets, gloves, bats, etc.) Failure to comply will result in an
immediate suspension from current game and also will result in a one game
suspension.
N.) Any player who is hit in the head during practice or competition will be
immediately removed from the practice/competition and is highly encouraged to be
evaluated by a medical professional at the discretion of the participants
parent/guardian. (No player will be allowed to rejoin competition unless written
permission/release is given by a qualified professional, parent or guardian.
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2. Age Group Mission Statement:
*Please review your child’s age group guidelines and Mission Statement as ages may differ
A. 9u-12u
a.) DEVELOPMENT IS KEY! We at Syracuse Baseball Club pride
ourselves in the developmental program we offer to ballplayers. Our focus
for the 9u-12u divisions is to find a way to have each player reach his/her
potential and have the ability to play the game of baseball for as long as they
possibly can. Please note that there is no magic potion to turn every
ballplayer into a Professional. Our job is simply to bring the absolute best of a
player so that maximum baseball potential can be reached.
b.) We do not evaluate success of players or our programs based on
wins and losses. Although our program is highly competitive and is aimed at
competing in every game or tournament that we compete in, the “win at all
cost” mentality is not enforced at these age groups.
c.) Although every player from 9u-12u will get opportunities for
playing time, there is no guarantee for playing time and issues regarding
playing time will not be addressed by the coach or any SBC administrator.
d.)Our main goal for the age groups from 9u-12u is to prepare these
young athletes for Cooperstown Dreams Park Competition. Cooperstown
Dreams park is a weeklong tournament which consists of six “pool play”
games followed by a one hundred and four team single elimination
tournament.
e.) We will not promote players (“playing up”) an age group unless a
sub is needed or in a special circumstance deemed necessary by SBC
administrators and coaches. Being a travel organization the competition is
much more elite than that of local leagues. In competition players on other
teams are the “elite” players at their prospective age groups and in terms of
development, moving players up and down age groups only hurts the overall
talent level and competitiveness at all levels.
f.) From 9u-12u our goal is to prepare these players for “school
baseball”. At these age groups we play 50/70 baseball (Modified Major
League Baseball Rules) in which players can lead, steal, pitch from the
stretch. We have found that the earlier that these players are submersed in
this style of baseball, the easier it becomes for these players by the time they
are trying out for their school teams.
B. 13u-18u
a.) We still keep development as our number one goal for each of our
players at our older age groups. However, as players get older our aim is to
become more competitive at these tournaments and to play deeper into the
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tournament format. In order to do this, the coach will determine which
players and lineups he/she sees fit in order to be the most competitive in that
game/tournament.
b.) Scrimmage games are used for coaches to allow players to prove
themselves as well as work on specific skills and situations that may arise
during tournament play.
c.) PLAYING TIME MAY NOT BE DISCUSSED WITH COACHES! If a
player would like he or she may sit down with the coach and discuss
decisions, however a coach will never address these issues with parents.
d.) Our goal for these age groups is to try to allow players to play
baseball at the highest level of competition that their potential allows. (Not
every player will be at the same level)
3. Practices:
A.) Practices are NOT mandatory. Players will not be penalized for missing
practices. A coach may require notice of a player not attending (for planning
purposes).
B.)Even though practices are not mandatory, the more practices a player
attends, the more growth and improvement will be noticeable.
C.)Practices are structured to player’s ability levels. Different players will be
at different ability levels at different levels/aspects within the game of
baseball.
D.) Practices are very structured and drills that players from the 9u-12u age
group will be using are drills used for high school/college/professional
players. These practices are structured to let players have a lot of reps all
while being observed/taught by staff and coaches.
E.) Players are not required to wear SBC gear to practice, However players
are encouraged to wear SBC colors (royal, black, white)
F.) During the winter part of the program may have players throwing off of a
mound live to hitters. We are aware that some players may be playing on
multiple teams/leagues and just ask that as a parent/guardian you are in
contact with your player’s coach in regards to his throwing schedule.
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G.) Players are encouraged to be on time for practice. Practice times are on a
strict time schedule and anything that is missed during these time slots
cannot be made up.
H.) Players are responsible for knowing their own bodies and what they
require to get ready in order to practice. A stretching and warm up routine
will be offered and demonstrated to the players but players are responsible
for any additional stretching/throwing they may require to prepare for
practice.
I.) Development of a player is based upon a full years worth of training. Our
training system is a tiered approach and the level of baseball that is taught to
our players increases with age and the ability level of the players. All age
groups are structured to build off of the prior years training and coaching.
4. Scrimmage Games:
A.) Scrimmage game schedules are dependent on the team and coach
availability. These games are also subject to the weather and we will try
to make these games up but because of other teams limited availability
for scheduling there are no guarantees of these games being made up.
B.) These games are intended as scrimmage and developmental games and
are used in order to not only prepare players for tournaments/ games but
also are for the coaches to see what lineups/ players work best.
C.) All players will be given opportunities to play and prove themselves in
these games, However, there are no guarantees on or equal playing time.
Coaches will determine what is best for the overall development of the
team as well as the players. The coach will also be using these games to
prepare the teams to be competitive in the tournaments that they will be
competing in.
5. Cooperstown Dreams Park
A.) Our program sends our 12 year olds to Cooperstown Dreams Park for a
once in a lifetime weeklong baseball experience. During this week players
are required to stay in the bunkhouses at Dreams Park in which they will
compete in 6 pool play games, followed by a 104 team playoff.
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B.) Players check in Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, following check
in on Saturday, players will go through opening ceremonies and a skills
competition. At the conclusion of the skills competition players will
return to the bunkhouses.
C.) Players will compete in six pool play games with two on Sunday, Monday
and Tuesday. Following pool play the playoffs will begin on Wednesday.
Closing Ceremonies will be Thursday Evening followed by the
Championship game and fireworks.
6. Payment Schedule:
A.) A $550 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a roster space.
Failure to make a deposit may result in a loss of roster spot.
B.) Payments are due by the first scheduled practice of the month. Failure to
do so could result in a loss of roster spot.
C.) Payments are designed so you are paid in full by the end of indoor
training. There are no additional payments or fees required.
D.) For specific age group pricing see below
Age Group
9u-10u
11u
12u
13u
14u
15u-18u
Deposit
Monthly Payments
(Nov-Mar)
$550
$550
$550
$550
$550
$550
$220
$335
$335
$275
$335
$275
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