Coach's Welcome!!!!

Hi Gang:

I thought it might be nice to publish our team adventures on a blog, as we venture through our YAO Rookie League season. For the newcomers, I'll tell you a bit about me. This will be my 4th year involved with YAO, which is an amazing youth development league for baseball. Great things are happening with this organization and I think you will find that the commitment from the top down is great! I am also involved with the local softball association, and from that standpoint we hope to get the YSL (Youth Softball League) back up and running, directly following the baseball season!

Back to baseball. As I said earlier, this is my 4th season at YAO, 3rd as a head coach. In my first year, I was extremely lucky to have a great squad, who actually won the championship!!!! That was a great year, and I am honored to still have 4 members remaining from that championship team. Adam, Bryce, Thomas and William will be counted on for their leadership and experience. They know that we can achieve great things if we all work together as a team. It's also exciting for me to have returning for their second season, Liam, Mateo, Syriah and Taj. Their continued development will be a pleasure to watch.

For my new team members, and parents, I should go on record now and forewarn all of you. I have a unique coaching style. I'll leave it at that for now. Also helping me will be Mr. Hall, Mr. Way and Mr. Perry, all of whom I hope you will give equal respect. I value each of their assistance, and their word is gold with me. I will support them 1000% and hope you do as well. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.

I have a pretty simple philosophy when it comes to baseball. I think it's my job as a coach to get kids at this age to love the game and have fun. Throwing, catching, hitting and running are all secondary. Yes, these are important parts of the game, but I think it's more important that kids develop a love for the game first. Victories are measured not in wins, but in smiles. Don't get me wrong. We will work hard, play hard, and maintain focus on what we're doing. We will win together and lose together, and along the way we will make quite a few amazing plays!

That, for the most part is the easy stuff. Now for my... rules.

1) Practices. I can't force you to come to practice, nor can I force you to be on time for practices or games. Practices will be Thursday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the rookie league field. Please try and make it. The only way your child will improve is if they practice, and I don't know how many will practice at home. Practice makes perfect. If the coaches are taking their time to be available for practice, please make every effort to be there.

2) Games. As with practices, my only demand here is that we be on time. I ask that ALL players be 30 minutes early for a game, so that they can warm up, and I can set the lineup. If you show up 2 minutes before the game, your child can not prepare properly. If you are running late, or for whatever reason can NOT make a game, please call me ASAP (737-2811).

NOTE: The league has just agreed on a rule that once the game begins any player that shows up late MUST sit out a FULL inning.

If you are having problems making practices or games, and your child still wants to play, please let me know and we will coordinate transport if needed.

3) General stuff. FULL uniforms must be worn in every game. All uniforms, including hats should be labelled once received. I don't know how many times we have kids show up with incomplete uniforms. Your child should have his or her own glove as well. If they have a bat, it must be a legal little league bat, not softball or any variation. Bats are aluminum, not wooden. Also, please make sure that proper shoes are worn. No flip-flops, sandals or the like (this means practice too!)

4) Safety. We will always preach SAFETY FIRST. A fun environment is a safe environment. A child that gets hurt most often gets hurt because they were unaware or did not take the proper instructions.

5) Coaching. Please leave it to the coaches. If you are on the other side of the fence, please stay there. Do not ask the child to do something during the game or practice. If you need to give them a kleenex or a bottle of water, wait until the inning is over. Please do not coach them in any way. This leads to confusion and the last thing anyone needs is a player who is trying to do too much. At this level, it's more important that they focus on the game at hand, not Nana who is holding a camera and wants junior to smile for the "birdie". Kids want nothing more than to please you, and believe me... they will.

6) Game stuff. Lineups will be set and positions will be earned. At this point I have a good idea as to who, from my returning players, can do what. For my new players, I ask you to be patient, practice hard and play hard. Your turn will come. For the most part my policy is that we play our strongest players in the strongest positions (infield) until 3 outs and then we change them out for the younger ones so that they get a chance. So, if a team has 14 players, and we get 3 outs right away, you will get ample playing time at the position of your choice - remember the whole team bats through the lineup in every inning.

7) Snacks. MY MOST IMPORTANT RULE! A snack rota will be given. Each parent will be asked to supply snacks for the WHOLE TEAM - 1 week of the season. Please make a note of the week and DO NOT FORGET! Our kids deserve a snack after a hard game, and it gives us a quiet moment to reflect after the game.

I know it seems like a lot to digest right now, but most of it is pretty important stuff. If you have any questions or comments, please ask! The only stupid question is the one you don't ask!

Thanx for listening. I hope you will find that this blog will be a source of good fun and information over the next few months.

Coach Phil