You are invited to display your skills.
Fifteen players will earn the jersey.
Warbird Academy’s first club baseball team.
THE 15U WARBIRD SENATORS
THE MISSION OF
THE WARBIRD SENATORS
To develop smart, skilled, savvy baseball players.
To teach the mental side of the game.
To help players reach the collegiate level via national-level tournaments, showcases and direct
contact with college coaches.
To keep baseball fun.
To manage the health and workload of players to prevent the overuse injuries now prevalent in
baseball.
To field a team of hungry, coachable, hard-working young athletes. With a team of 15 who are
eager to learn and train, we will outcompete others on a national level.
Warbird Academy prides itself in providing excellent programs for physical preparation. The
Senators will take the field bigger, faster, healthier and stronger than any team in the country.
But, that’s not enough. Young ballplayers must be taught the mental side of the game. It’s a dying
breed, the intelligent ballplayer. The Senators will be taught:
- How and when to hit and run.
- When to move a runner over and when to swing for the fences.
- How to pitch to contact and when to pitch for a strikeout.
- How to defend a bunt and how to hold a runner.
- How to accept failure.
- How to compete.
- How to be a great teammate.
- How to enjoy all of the heartbreak and joy that baseball has to offer.
We will field a great team, teach them the right way, look great and have a lot of fun doing it.
This is the Warbird Way. You’re invited to compete to wear our colors.
WHO WE ARE
Warbird Training Academy
Founded in 2010, Warbird Academy has grown into a 7300 square foot training facility that serves
baseball, softball and athletes of all sports. Warbird’s vision is to create smart, strong, healthy athletes who not only physically outcompete their opponents, but are more savvy.
Owners
Dan Blewett Lucas Cook
COACHES
Manager
Lucas Cook
Assistant Coaching Staff
A full-time assistant coach will be announced later in 2015.
Dan Blewett will be an assistant coach during the fall and winter only. He will join the staff fulltime upon his retirement from professional baseball.
Staff Philosophy & Qualifications
Assistant coaches will be trained in-house at Warbird Academy. We will have a unified organizational coaching and player management philosophy.
We are in the selection process of retaining a coach with a strong playing career and coaching
resume. It is our goal to employ coaches who were both talented players and are excellent communicators and leaders.
For objectivity, no parents of players will be on any Senators coaching staff regardless of qualifications.
OUR CONSULTANTS
Dr. Joe Norris
Orthopedic Surgeon
McLean County Orthopedics
Team Physician
Bloomington Edge, Bloomington Flex, Bloomington Blaze
Bryan Jasker, PT/DPT
Physical Therapist
Accelerated Physical Therapy
Brooks Carey
Field Manager
Normal Cornbelters
Nick Tumminello
World-Renowned Strength Coach
Performance University
THE WARBIRD SENATOR UNIFORM
Official Team Colors
WHITE POWDER
BLUE
BROWN
TEAM EXPECTATIONS
The Warbird Senators Player:
- Is coachable and hard-working
- Respects authority, coaches, players, and umpires
- Shows up on time
- Wants to play a sport in college
- Does not blame others
- Wins and loses as a team
- Can accept criticism and failure
- Can be a good teammate from the bench
- Puts the team first
- Desires to learn the mental side of the game
The Warbird Senators are not the team for you if:
- You wish to both pitch and catch
- You wish to throw 100+ pitches in a game
- You cannot support a teammate who is outperforming you
- You are a selfish player
- You cannot handle being benched to preserve your arm or your health
- You don’t care to put in the time for strength and conditioning and arm care
- You expect to play every position and every inning of every game
The Warbird Senators Parent:
- Will never, in a hostile manner, question a coach’s decision to start, bench, remove, or insert a
player into a game
- Always approaches a coach in a civil, respectful manner
- Will not slander players or coaches
- Is not overly critical of his or her own player
- Fully agrees that baseball should be fun
- Agrees to abide by all team rules
- Is a supportive, respectful spectator
- Understands that playing time and roster decisions are always merit-based and needs-based
- Understands that coaches’ decisions are always in the best interest of the team
TEAM EXPECTATIONS CONT.
The Warbird Senators Coach:
- Will always be honest and open to players and coaches regarding depth charts, roster needs,
playing time and position decisions
- Will hold the player’s health and safety (pertaining to overuse) as the number one priority
- Will make every attempt to satisfy the positional and playing time goals of every player
- Will address parents’ questions and concerns in a civil and respectful manner
- Will not belittle or degrade players
- Will treat the players like men until proven otherwise
- Understands that his first job is mentor and leader
- Believes that player development comes before winning
ROSTER
The Warbird Senators will carry 15 players:
- 11 Position Players
- 2 Catchers
- 5 Infielders
- 4 Outfielders
- 4 Pitcher-Primary Players
- 4 position players must be able and willing to pitch
- Catchers will not be allowed to pitch for arm-health reasons
- Pitcher-primary players will be prioritized as starting pitchers
Pitcher Management
Pitchers will be treated like a professional staff:
- The pitching staff will be larger than most to allow for more fresh arms
- Roles will be established to best position each pitcher for success
- Rest between outings will be concurrent with research
- Innings and pitch counts will be closely monitored
- Catchers will not be allowed to pitch
- Pitchers will not return to the game once removed
- Pitchers will not enter the game from the field if at all possible
- We will teach pitchers and catchers to call their own game
- All pitchers will have a rigorous arm care and conditioning routine
Under no circumstances will we overuse or abuse any pitcher. We will pitch a position player in a
championship game before we overuse a pitcher. Winning will always be tertiary to player development and player health.
Position Player Management
Our goal is to establish the most projectable position for each player and teach him that position,
to increase his chance for success and desirability for college baseball coaches.
Playing time will be delegated according to merit, coachability, and performance. A depth chart
and starters will be established. All players will be given playing time. It is not our intention to sit
anyone on the bench all season, because we want every single player to develop, and development
requires ample innings and at-bats.
THE SCHEDULE
TIME, PRACTICE, GAME COMMITMENT
The Warbird Senators have not yet released their schedule for competition in the summer of 2016.
However, the schedule of training is as follows:
Notable Events:
- Tryouts: late July/early August 2015
- Roster finalized: August 2015
- Outdoor and indoor practice starts: August 2015
- Two practices per week during warm months:
- Full team practices on baseball field
- Indoor only practice starts: October 1- February 15th (approx.)
- Once per week at Warbird Academy on Wednesday night
- All team activities cease 3 days prior to first HS team practice
- All team activities resume 3 days after HS season ends.
Warbird Senators Summer Schedule (June-August)
- The Senators will play a weekend tournament schedule consisting of tournaments on most or
all of the following weekends:
- June 6-8
- June 13-15
- June 20-22
- June 27-29
- July 6-8
- July 13-15
- July 20-22
THE SCHEDULE CONT.
TIME, PRACTICE, GAME COMMITMENT
Weekly Schedule (June-August)
Mid-week practices will be held on Monday and Wednesday each week to prepare the team for
competition. Pitchers will be on a regular schedule to ensure they are optimally prepared for their
day(s) to pitch each weekend. Position players will hit and field endlessly.
Monday
- Practice: fielding, batting practice, intrasquad game, and conditioning
- Strength training at Warbird Academy (suggested)
Tuesday
- Off
- Strength training at Warbird Academy (suggested)
Wednesday
- Practice: fielding, batting practice, intrasquad game, and conditioning
- Strength training at Warbird Academy (suggested)
Thursday
- Travel and Tournament Games
Friday
- Tournament Games
Saturday
- Tournament Games
Sunday
- Tournament Games and return home
TRAINING AT WARBIRD ACADEMY
Team members are encouraged, but are not mandated, to train at Warbird Academy. Warbird
Academy offers the following programs and services that are available to team members and any
other ballplayer in the area:
- Strength, speed and conditioning programs
- Throwing and pitching programs
- Hitting programs
- Combination hitting and pitching/throwing programs
- Private Lessons
- Tunnel rentals
Warbird Senators members will enjoy discounts and special programs for the offseason period
(Oct-Feb), should they wish to train in addition to their team practices.
Because no team activities are allowed during High School season per IHSA by-laws, any training
at Warbird Academy during the High school season must be separate from the team.
TEAM FEES
Player Dues: $925 Uniform Fee: - Tournament fees - 2 Full-Button Jerseys - Coaches’ salaries and travel expenses
- Pro-Quality Pants
- Field maintenance fees - 2 Practice Shirts
- Equipment fees - 2 Pairs of Socks
- Hoodie
Total Fee: $350
- 2 Hats
- Shorts
- Belt
- Helmet
$1275
Payment Schedule (due on or before date listed)
- September 1:
- November 1: - January 1:
- March 1: Payment 1: $325
Uniform Fee: $350
Payment 2: $300
Payment 3: $300
WARBIRD ACADEMY DISCOUNTS
$800
As Warbird Senators Player, incentives are as follows:
- $200 Value: Two free 5-Punch Tunnel Rental Cards
- One valid Aug.1-Oct.1 2015
- Second valid April 1 - June 1
- $30 Value: Free set of Warbands Arm Care System
- $20 Value: Free copy of Dan Blewett’s book Pitching Isn’t Complicated
- $550 Value: 1 Free Strength Training Session per week for August 1 2015-July 1 2016
- These sessions can be deducted from your cost should you choose a winter program
- Total: $800 in discounted training programs, services and products
HOME FIELD
We are still exploring options for a home field to host practices and exhibition games.
TRYOUTS
Our open tryout will be held in late July/early August.
As specific details in regard to location, date, and time unfold, we will contact all interested parties
via the information provided on the enclosed registration form. Also, by submitting a registration
form, you will automatically be included on the Senators email list to receive all relevant tryout
information as it becomes available.
TRYOUT REGISTRATION FORM
FIRST NAME
LAST NAME
AGEGRADE (Fall 2016)
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL WILL YOU ATTEND IN 2016?
THROWS:HITS:
Right Right
LeftLeft
Switch
POSITION YOU’RE TRYING OUT FOR (may select up to 2):
Pitcher
Catcher
Middle Infield
Third Base
First Base
Outfield
PLAYER PHONEPLAYER EMAIL
PARENT PHONEPARENT EMAIL
ADDRESS
Mail registrations to:
Warbird Academy
Attn: Senators Registration
1314 Fort Jesse Road, Unit A
Normal, IL 61761
1314 Fort Jesse Road, Unit A
Normal, Illinois 61761
www.warbirdacademy.com
[email protected]
Dan Blewett: 410.688.0849
Lucas Cook: 309.826.1288