FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 1

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1 Farmington Travel Baseball Association (FTBA) Parent and Player Handbook Revised as of January 1, 2016 (Information contained herein is subject to change) FTBA Board Members General Rules: Year Old Teams:... 6 Specific Rules: Year Old Teams:... 7 Attendance: Bats: Behavior: Birth Date Cutoff: Blood Policy: Coach Removal: Coach Selection: Code of Conduct: Commitment: Drug and Alcohol Policy: Equipment Abuse: Parent Survey and Suggestions: Fees Registration: Risk Management Policies: Games and Practices: Inclement Weather: Information and Eligibility: Levels of Play: Parent s Responsibilities and Right s Participation in Tryouts: Player s Clinic: FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 1

2 Player Evaluation: Player Identification during Tryouts: Player Removal: Player Selection: Player s Responsibilities and Right s: Problem Resolution Guidelines: References: Scholarships: State Tournaments: Suspensions: Tobacco Policy: Tournament Play: Tryout Dates: Tryout Eligibility: Umpires: Uniforms: Volunteer Fee:

3 For the most current and up-to-date information visit these websites. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 3

4 FTBA Board Members All Voting Members Continue accelerated development of all FTBA athletes in a positive and competitive environment who exhibit the desire, knowledge, and skills to participate in FTBA. Travel Director Overall coordination of the Travel Baseball Program Craig Kendall Assistant Travel Director Treasurer Equipment and Field Supplies Director Tournament Director Player & Coach Development Director Scheduling Director Uniform Director Registration Director Volunteer and Concessions Director Tryout Director Assists Travel Director on an as-needed basis with oversight for all other voting member positions. At the discretion of the Travel Director, the Asst. Travel Director may be directed to be solely responsible for certain duties, but is to be involved in all decision making processes. Assistant Travel Director will function as FTBA Risk Management Officer. This position will be considered training for future consideration as Travel Director, but is not an entitlement to that position. Oversees financial assets & expenditures, maintains balance sheet, and maintains financial records. Responsible for Purchase & Distribution of Equipment, Field Chalk, Bases, etc. Responsible for managing and coordinating FTBA hosted tournaments. Including attending MBT s tournament director s meeting in October. Deciding what volunteer opportunities are available at our tournaments, purchasing medals, distributing tournament rules, creating registration on the MBT web site. Responsible for overall player and coach development including providing outside resources, information on current rule and regulation along with equipment regulations and recommendations, and off season training and instructions. Oversees facility scheduling for tryout sessions. Oversees field scheduling for practice, games, clinics, other events. Oversees process for coaches' scheduling meeting MBL Responsible for purchasing and distribution of team jerseys. Also maintains inventory during the off-season, and determines the appropriateness of repairing or discarding jerseys. Manages our relationship with uniform vendor. Responsible for handling and structure of the online registration process for FTBA. Organize community expo booth to promote FTBA in our community. Responsible for staffing of association tournaments and concession stand. Works with our webmaster to track and create opportunities for volunteers to sign-up using online software Responsible for the organization and coordination of yearly player evaluations. Brian Stender Ron Johnson Bill McClure Jessica Berreth Rod Frost Jason Berreth Jade Giesen Kristi Israelson Shawna Kendall Larry Lewis FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 4

5 Fundraising Director At-Large Coordinators Team Coaches Friends of FTBA: Responsible for handling the structure and staffing of our fundraising events. Responsible for corporate sponsorship fundraising efforts. Voting Members of FTBA Duties as assigned by the travel director and/or assistant travel director or can be designated by the FTBA board Responsible for distribution of practice, and game schedules. Responsible for constant development of all athletes on their roster. Responsible for resolving player and/or parent conflicts. Responsible for scheduling weekend tournaments. Offers guidance and direction regarding future developments of FTBA, as well as involvement with coach selection process where applicable. Marijane Cochnauer FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 5

6 General Rules: Year Old Teams: Our association will adhere to the rules established by the Metro Baseball League, which also follows the guidelines set forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Please refer to the rules on the MBL website for the latest information. Any rule changes will be listed there. o Metro Baseball League: o National Federation of State High School Associations: Players in their respective age groups must not reach the next age before May 1st, It is permissible for a player to play up from their designated age division, by petitioning the FTBA board send your request to the current travel director. Pleas explain why your child should play up. Players cannot play down. For example, an 11 year old may play in the 12 year old division, but a 12 year old may NOT play in the 11 year old division. The Metro Baseball League is a community-based program. Players are eligible to participate on teams from the community in which they live with their parent(s) or legal guardian, or their school attendance area. In order to encourage the development and expansion of baseball within the state and to provide for uniformity of competition for the purpose of obtaining these goals, the MBL shall be divided into three competitive levels as herein provided. AAA -The highest competitive level. AA - The intermediate level, primarily intended to provide a uniform competitive experience for communities that are not able to compete at the AAA League level or communities that already have teams at the AAA League level. A - The intermediate level essentially designed to be a developmental league to provide a competitive experience until they are ready to advance to a higher competitive level. Coach / Player Conduct: All players, coaches and spectators are to behave in a manner that reflects the positive fun associated with the game of baseball. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated including: Verbal abuse, arguing judgment calls, physical aggression, profanity, and tantrum-like acts. Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will also be suspended from their team s next game. Further sanctions may be warranted depending upon the behavior. The FTBA Board can impose additional sanctions after a review of the situation. No judgment call may be protested. Only rule interpretations are allowed. Protested games will be completed only when the outcome has significant bearing on the final standings. Misc. General Rules: Each team must supply 1 new game ball for each game. Home team shall keep the official scorebook. Line markings and bases are the responsibility of the home team. All players must be in matching uniforms. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 6

7 Playoffs All teams will make the playoffs. For all "AAA" Teams, the playoffs will start in early July. For all "AA" and "A" Teams, the playoffs will start second week July. The top teams from each region will be placed in a single elimination playoff. All the remaining teams will be placed in a 2nd single elimination playoff. For all Teams, seeding for the MBL playoffs will be determined based on the league standings at end of season. Any games played after the effective date listed on the mbl.bz website will not count toward the playoff standings. Games will be played at the home field of the high seed. The coach of the high seed will be responsible for scheduling the field, contacting the other coach and supplying all pertinent information, and scheduling the umpire. Specific Rules: Year Old Teams: v Field Dimensions o The following base lengths shall apply: 10 year olds feet 11 year olds feet (recommended distance is 65.0 feet) 12 year olds feet (recommended distance is 75.0 feet) 13 year olds feet (recommended distance is 80 feet) year olds - 90 feet o The following pitching distances shall apply: 10 year olds - 46 feet 11 year olds -46 feet 12 year olds feet (recommended distance is 52 feet) 13 year olds feet (recommended distance is 54 feet) year olds - 60 feet 6 inches v Equipment o Shoes: year olds will use molded cleats or tennis shoes. NO METAL SPIKES ALLOWED! year olds will be allowed to use metal spikes. o MBL Bat Rules For the 2016 MBL/MBT season all big barrel bats in the year old age group must have the NEW USSSA Approved 1.15 BPF stamp on its taper, Babe Ruth Approved 1.15 BPF stamp or BBCOR stamp. For small barrel bats (2 1/4"), you can use all of the above stamps or you can also use bats that have the old USSSA approved mark. 15 year olds must use a BBCOR marked bat (Batted Ball Coefficient or Restitution). For more information see link below FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 7

8 Age Max. Barrel Diameter Max Weight Differential 10-13's 2 1/4" Unlimited 10-13's 2 1/2" Minus 's 2 5/8" Minus 's 2 3/4" Minus 10 14's 2 3/4" Minus 5 15's 2 5/8" Minus 3 v Courtesy runners o year olds: The last player to be put out will be allowed to run for the current catcher any time. The player that is run for must catch the next innings. Exception: A courtesy runner (the last player to be put out) will be allowed for an injured player. o year olds: A courtesy runner will be allowed for the current catcher anytime. The player that is run for must catch the next inning. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners until all players have participated. If all players have participated, then the courtesy runner will be the last player that made an out. v Continuous Batting o year olds: Continuous batting and free substitution will be used in All Metro Baseball old games. This rule applies to the AAA, AA, and A leagues. o year olds: Teams will play 9-man baseball with the option of a DH. There will be no option of playing with continuous batting. v Pitching Restrictions o year olds: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 3 innings per game and a maximum of 6 innings per week. o 13 year olds: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 4 innings per game and a maximum of 8 innings per week. o year olds: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 14 innings within a 72-hour period. Note: Definition - A week consists of Sunday through Saturday. One pitch in an inning constitutes an inning pitched. v Curve balls will NOT be allowed in the year old divisions. 1 st offense - Dead ball, 2 nd offense - Dead ball and pitch is called a ball, 3 rd offense - Pitcher may not pitch for remainder of game v Leading Off 10 year olds: A player may lead off after the ball crosses the plate. 11 year olds: A player may lead off after the ball leaves the pitchers hand. 12 year olds: A player may lead off and steal at any time. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 8

9 v Dropped Third Strike: In the year old division, the batter may NOT advance to first base on a dropped third strike. v Re-Entry Rules for Year Old Teams Only Starting Players: Any of the starting players may withdraw and re-enter once, including a player who was the designated hitter, provided that player occupies the same batting position whenever they are in the lineup. A substitute who is withdrawn may not reenter. Exception: Replacement of injured players and/or courtesy runners. If an active player sustains an injury that requires them to leave the game and their team has used all of its available substitute players, the coach may substitute for the injured player with the first player on the bench who had previously lost their eligibility via the re-entry rule. A courtesy runner (the last player to be put out if there are no other legal substitutes) will be allowed for the catcher. v Game Length year olds: Completed games are FINAL after 6 innings. Extra innings will be allowed based on weather conditions and sunlight year olds: Completed games are FINAL after 7 innings. Extra innings will be allowed based on weather conditions and sunlight. Ties will stand after curfew or darkness. Do not risk injury due to darkness. To insure the playing of the full six innings, hustle between half innings and retrieve all foul balls in a timely manner. The 10 run rule will take effect after 4 1/2 innings. Games called for any reason in mid-inning will revert to the score at the end of the last completed inning. v Rain Out Game Length year olds Games started but stopped due to weather conditions are official after 3 1/2 or 4 innings year olds Games started but stopped due to weather conditions are official after 4 1/2 or 5 innings. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 9

10 Attendance: All coaches and teams will adhere to the attendance policy: Any unexcused absences from practice will require the athlete to sit for 2 innings during the next scheduled game. Any unexcused absences from a game will require the athlete to sit out for 3 innings of the next scheduled game. All unexcused absences from practice, game, or tournament will be reported to the Travel Director by the team head coach. They will include the time, date, and reason for absence. At the discretion of the Travel Director, these absences may be deemed excused and the athlete will be allowed to participate without restrictions. Multiple absences and their impending restrictions will be at the discretion of the FTBA Board. In the event that there are not enough players available for a game, players with these restrictions will be allowed to participate, and the head coach will determine the next available opportunity for them to satisfy the restriction requirements. Remember: The development of an athlete s skill and game-situation preparation are in direct proportion to the amount of time that they spend working with their teammates and coaches in those situations. Bats: All athletes should be prepared to furnish their own bats. They should conform to the bats size regulations previously defined in the Age Specific Rules. See mbl.bz website for specifics. No bats will be furnished to the teams. Behavior: The conduct of our players and coaches is a direct reflection on our program. Please remember that winning is not the most important thing, but wanting to win is. All infractions reported to the Metro baseball League will carry restrictions and/or sanctions to the individuals involved. These restrictions or sanctions will be determined by the FTBA Board. Annually, all parents and players agree to the FTBA Code of Conduct upon registration. A copy can be printed for your reference from the FTBA website. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 10

11 Birth Date Cutoff: The FTBA follows the guidelines of the Metro Baseball League, who have established a date of birth cutoff date of May 1st for each age bracket. In some cases this may not allow a player to try out for a team composed of the kids that are in his grade at school. Each player/parent can choose to try out for an older age group if they so desire, however players who are not selected for a roster spot within the age group they are trying out for, will not be given the opportunity to drop back to the group mandated by the Metro Baseball League after the team selections have been made. No exceptions or special consideration will be extended to athletes who have been on a roster in past seasons, nor will the coaching staffs be responsible for encouraging a particular player/parent to try out for a particular group. All such requests to play up a level need to be approved prior to signing up by the Travel Director and FTBA Board Players in their respective age groups must not reach the next age before May 1st, Due to the lack of field availability and the growing number of younger registrants, FTBA instituted a minimum age requirement for all players. Any player born after August 31, 2007, will not be able to register and tryout in The following are the MBL age requirements by team: 10 year-olds: Born between May 1, 2005 August 31, 2007 (Please note: Player needs to be at least in 3rd grade for the school year) 11 year-olds: Born between May 1, 2004 April 30, year-olds: Born between May 1, 2003 April 30, year-olds: Born between May 1, 2002 April 30, year-olds: Born between May 1, 2001 April 30, year-olds: Born between May 1, 2000 April 30, 2001 Blood Policy: A player or coach who is bleeding or who has an open wound shall be prohibited from participating in the game until appropriate treatment has been administered. If medical care or treatment cannot be administered in a reasonable amount of time, the individual will have to leave the game. (The length of time considered reasonable shall be in the umpire's judgment.) Once the bleeding has been stopped, the player or coach may reenter the game. If there is a substantial amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before that individual may participate. Coach Removal: Removal of a team coach is a very serious situation and must be dealt with in a fair and open manner. Coaches may be removed for the following reasons: Failure to perform duties. Conduct detrimental to the player, the team, the organization, and/or the parents. Abusive behavior, whether physical or psychological, towards players, parents, opposing players, coaches, spectators, umpires, volunteers, or league officials. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 11

12 Any coach removed from league or tournament games will automatically receive a one game suspension. A suspension means that a coach cannot attend the game either as a coach or a spectator. If a coach is removed a second time during the season, he will receive a minimum two game suspension AND will be placed under restrictions by the FTBA Board. Ultimately, the FTBA board will decide on the coach s future involvement in the program. Coach Selection: Anyone who desires to be a head coach or assistant coach must fill out and submit a coaching application. Interviews, if applicable, for head coach positions and those new to FTBA will be held in February 2016 with coach selection committee members, and/or the Travel and Assistant Travel Director. Primary selection criteria include past baseball coaching and playing experience, personal coaching and human development philosophies, organizational skills, strong moral and ethical characteristics, support of FTBA policies/procedures, and the applicant's commitment to devote several hundred hours to the program during the season. Coaches' responsibilities begin with coach meetings, and assisting with tryouts and they end in August with equipment check-in, season reviews, and recommendations/feedback. If chosen as a coach, a background check will be conducted according to the FTBA guidelines. Head coach candidates are evaluated and ranked by the coach selection committee and the Travel Director and Asst. Travel Director. A head coach is selected based on their ranking and if they have a child qualifying for that team via the tryout/evaluation process. At the discretion of the coach selection committee, a named head coach does not need to have a child on a team to be selected as its coach. If there are no applicants/options for head coach at a specific age level during team selections, the team will be selected by taking the 12 players in order of evaluation scores. The team will be posted without a head coach and the parents informed of the situation. FTBA will work with the parents to try and find a suitable head coach. If a head coach cannot be found in 10 days the team will be disbanded and each players registration returned minus the published administration fee. In an effort to provide consistent direction to our athletes and to remove the any sense of impropriety during the scheduling of games, practices and tournaments, a coach may be only selected as a head or assistant coach for one team during a given summer season. A named head or assistant coach may help coach another team during the season but cannot be a named head or assistant coach for that second team with the exception for team who have a limited number of coaches available. The Travel and/or Assistant Travel Director on a case-by-case basis will evaluate each situation. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 12

13 Code of Conduct: The Code of Conduct form for both players and parent s part of the registration. No player will be allowed to participate in our tryout process without this form being completed. A separate Code of Conduct form will be available for coach applicants and will be part of their coach application. Commitment: Traveling baseball requires a significant time commitment from players, coaches and parents, from March through July, and possibly into early August. Every player's presence is important and he/she is expected to attend all practices, league games, and tournament games. Unexcused absences will result in a reduction of playing time. Commitment from our parents is as important as that from the players. In order for our association to be a success and for our children to maximize their joy of playing traveling baseball, we need your help in running these events. Volunteer your time to our fundraising efforts as part of your commitment to traveling baseball. Drug and Alcohol Policy: The FTBA mandates that all players/coaches/parents participating in an FTBA scheduled activity (practice/scrimmage/game) should refrain from the use of alcohol and/or a controlled substance. It shall be a violation of this policy for a player/coach, while participating in an FTBA scheduled activity, to use a beverage containing alcohol, or use or consume, have in possession, buy, sell, or give away any controlled substance. Once a violation has been brought to the Board s attention and a decision has been made, the player/coach will be informed of his ineligibility by a written letter from the Travel Director. First Violation: Upon notification to the Board, the player/coach shall lose eligibility for the next two consecutive games or two weeks of a sport season in which the player/coach is participating, whichever is greater. No exception is permitted. Second Violation: The player/coach shall lose eligibility in traveling baseball for that sport season. No exception is permitted. A second violation will be reported to the FTBA and may be subsequent grounds for removal as a coach in all of their sports activities. Accumulative Penalties: Penalties shall be accumulative beginning with and continuing throughout the player's/coach's participation in any and all FTBA activities. Equipment Abuse: Under no circumstances will the abuse of equipment be tolerated. Umpires and coaches are instructed that each instance of equipment abuse will result in that player sitting on the bench for a period of no less than 2 innings. At the umpire's or coach's discretion, one warning may be given. If the abuse of the equipment results in any damage to the equipment, that player and/or his parents will be held responsible for reimbursing the cost of replacement. Most importantly, parents and coaches are reminded that much of our equipment is handed down each year. They must show respect for the equipment that was given to them or their team. Each piece of FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 13

14 equipment that is damaged or destroyed requires additional fundraising efforts or possible increase in registration fees for the players who will follow them. Parent Survey and Suggestions: There will be a Season Survey distributed after the completion of our season. All other suggestions for the improvement of our program can be given, in writing, to your coaching staff, or be submitted via to the Travel Director using the link provided in the Board section of the Travel Baseball website. Fees Registration: The annual registration fee established for the 2016 Season is as follows. $330 Registration (included in the fee is a $40 non-refundable administration fee) There is a $20 cancellation fee if a player withdraws their registration before tryouts are held. Any registration accepted after the published registration period is subject to a $75 Late Registration fee. No Exception. Each age group is registered for 3 tournaments that the FTBA pays for from your registration fee. Additional tournament costs will be split equally among the players of that team. Also as a reminder, when parents and other spectators travel to tournaments, be prepared to pay an entry fee to see the ball games. The surrounding community baseball organizations use these events as a fundraising effort, and to offset fixed costs for the facilities. Please help them further their efforts for the athletes. Risk Management Policies: FTBA has a great deal of concern about the safety of and preventing the abuse of children. As a non-profit organization, we are interested in the well being of children; FTBA believes you are entitled to know how our organization is addressing these critical issues. It is important to know the defensive measures we will be employing to protect children in our care, as well as the FTBA volunteers from these serious problems. FTBA will not tolerate the abuse of any child. We make an active and, we believe, effective effort to prevent child abuse in our programs. We will now attempt to screen our volunteers by requesting that each volunteer complete a FTBA Background Check Application, which is processed through the BCA (Bureau of Criminal Affairs). We will take any allegations of abuse made by children and others very seriously, and refer all allegations to local child protection authorities for investigation. We will fully cooperate in those investigations. A nonprofit youth athletic association has the right, by statue, to request its workers, including volunteers, to submit to a criminal background check performed by the State's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Minnesota Statues Section 299C C.62 establishes a procedure for a "children's service provider" to have a background check performed by the FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 14

15 Bureau. The Act does provide that the applicant shall not be required to pay the cost of the background checks. In other words, it is an expense that the organization will have to absorb. The assistant Travel Director will function as the Risk Management Officer for FTBA. The Risk Management Officer will distribute and collect the Disclosure Statements and perform the necessary background checks. Prior to being appointed, the Risk Manager Candidate shall complete and sign a Disclosure Statement that will be used for a background check as described below. All candidates for positions as FTBA Board members, Coaches, and Assistant Coaches shall complete a written or online Disclosure Statement to the appointed Risk Management Officer prior to beginning their work with the FTBA Participants. The Risk Management Officer shall also have Disclosure Statements completed and signed by any other FTBA Voting Member or volunteer he/she deems necessary due to the person s access to the FTBA Participants. If a coach candidate or current FTBA Volunteer refuses to complete and sign a Disclosure Statement, the person's candidacy shall be rejected or he/she shall be dismissed from any position he/she then holds with FTBA. The Risk Management Officer will perform background checks, on all candidates at least once every two years. Updated Disclosure Statements will be required every two years. Under NO circumstances can a team practice, play, or meet with a Coach or Assistant Coach who has not had a background check. In the event an FTBA Voting Member receives a complaint of physical or sexual abuse of an FTBA Participant, the Risk Management Officer shall report the complaint to the FTBA board and the local child protection authorities, and to the FTBA Participant's parent(s)/guardian(s). After a physical or sexual abuse complaint concerning an FTBA Volunteer has been formally lodged with the local child protection authorities, the Risk Management Officer shall inform the alleged offender in writing that he/she is suspended immediately from all activities within the organization until the complaint is dismissed or is withdrawn. Decisions by the Risk Management Officer are final. Games and Practices: Practices will begin shortly after the team selection (usually indoor practice for the first two weeks of April) League play begins in May and continues through July, with approximately weekday league games, plus 3 regular season tournaments played on weekends. Post season tournament play (state and national events) is by invitation and depends upon success in qualifying tournaments during the season. Inclement Weather: In case of inclement weather, the coach will determine if there will be a practice. At games, the home team's coach is responsible for determining whether the game will be started. In the event that a field is unplayable due to weather, the home team coach must notify the other coach as soon as the decision is made. This should be done no later than 3:45pm. Once play begins, the umpire is responsible for determining whether play should be halted. In all cases, unless you receive a call from your team's coach, you should appear at the site of the game or practice as scheduled. Weather conditions can vary widely even over short distances, so our FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 15

16 policy is to make the decision at the field site. Games and practices will be suspended when lightning is visible. If you (parent/guardian) are not able to be present during an event, be sure that your child knows another parent who will be present and with whom he/she can take shelter if bad weather suddenly threatens. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 16

17 Information and Eligibility: Payments Policy: Registration fee accounts are due in full at time of registration. Registration fee accounts that are not paid in full will be deemed UNPAID, unless previous arrangements have been authorized by the Travel Director, and are subject to cancellation by the FTBA. Accounts that are UNPAID are subject to special conditions that include future payment by Cash, Cashier s Check, Money Order, and Credit Card. Registration Refund policy Refunds requested before evaluations/tryouts will be refunded a 100% of the registration fee minus a $20 processing fee. Any player not selected for a team will have 100% of the registration fee refunded minus the stated administration fee. No refunds will be granted after evaluations/tryouts and/or teams have been formed*. In cases of highly unusual or extenuating circumstances, a waiver of the refund policy may be granted at the sole discretion of the FTBA Board. The request must come in writing to the Registration or Travel Director and in no event shall the board be obligated to waive the refund policy. Uniform fees for ordered merchandise will not be returned for any withdrawing player, regardless of the reason. *Medical Exception to this policy: In the event that the player is medically unable to participate, a note from a Doctor indicating that the participant cannot participate is required. a. If a player is injured prior to any team event, then they can receive a 100% medical refund minus administration fee. b. If a player has participated in a practice, but no games, then they can receive a 50% medical refund minus administration fee. c. If a player has participated in at least one game then there is no refund. Background Check Policy: FTBA requires all Managers, Coaches, Asst. Coaches, Voting Members, Volunteers, or Hired Workers who provide regular service to the organization and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with players and teams to submit a formal BCA Background Check form to the FTBA Risk Management Officer (RMO). The background check application must be maintained by the RMO for all personnel named above, for a minimum of the duration of the applicant s service to the FTBA for that year. The background check will be required of all personnel named above prior to assuming his/her duties for the current season. Neither FTBA, nor any team within the FTBA will permit any person to participate in any manner, whose background reveals a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or against a minor. If FTBA or FYAA becomes aware of information, by any means whatsoever, that any personnel named above has been convicted of or pled guilty to any crime involving or against a minor the FTBA will be required to confirm the accuracy of the information. Upon confirmation of a conviction for, or guilty plea to, a crime against or involving a minor, FTBA shall not permit the individual to participate in any manner. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 17

18 The applicant, by submitting a formal BCA Background Check agrees to release and to hold harmless from liability FTBA, the officers, employees and volunteers thereof, or any other person or organization that might provide information. Regardless of previous appointments, FTBA is not obligated to appoint the applicant to a volunteer position. If appointed, the applicant agrees that, prior to the expiration of his/her term; they may be subject to suspension by the Voting Members of the FTBA for violations of the FTBA policies or principals. Non-Discriminatory Policy: FTBA will not discriminate against any person, player, or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Youth Concussion Policy: In accordance with state laws, FTBA requires all coaches to be trained in concussion information, how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and procedures to be followed for youth athletes to return to play after an incident. In an effort to comply with the state law FTBA is requiring all coaches to complete a free online information training session offered through the CDC. At the end of the training a certificate of completion is issued under the trainees name. This certificate will be retained by the FTBA Risk Management Officer and is valid for a period of three years. Additional information and links to the online training course can be found on our website. Levels of Play: FTBA was established with a primary purpose to teach youth the fundamentals of baseball in a competitive environment. Beneath this umbrella, FTBA believes that players should be learning and playing the game in a way that is both fun and leads to a lifetime interest in the sport. As a youth sports organization, FTBA recognizes that the opinions of how to manage a team can span a wide spectrum. It also understands that both players and parents can be negatively impacted if the expectations for any given coach, player and/or team are not met. Since these expectations can be different for everyone, FTBA has created the following best practices guidelines for levels of play that will be used to communicate to all parties involved what the expectations should be for each team. We believe that these clearly communicated expectations will further assist parents, players and coaches in the enjoyment of their season. Each team in our program is placed into one of three categories: 1) Competitive, 2) Fair Play League/ Competitive Tournament and 3) Fair Play. These categories will provide coach, players and parents the guidelines necessary to understand how the team will be run in the areas of player participation (innings), number of positions played, batting order, number of pitchers developed, approach to league and tournament games and more. Competitive Play: A team participating under the category of Competitive Play will be managed by coaches in a manner that best prepares the athletes for their next level of baseball. A competitive team coach will approach each league and tournament game in a manner that gives his/her team the best opportunity to win. However, all parties involved must understand the coaches need to strategize based on in game scenarios and upcoming game plans. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 18

19 Player Participation: The Metro Baseball League and the majority of tournaments that FTBA teams participate in do not provide player participation minimums. Thus for competitive team play, a coach will substitute non-starters into the game as needed based on that particular coach s coaching strategies. However, it should be expected that each player will play a minimum of three innings in the field (exceptions: game shortened due to rule, discipline and attendance issues as defined in our handbook, player injury and player availability for the entire game ) Player Position Rotation: Players will not be openly rotated from position to position in games or practices but instead will be designated to 2 to 3 non-pitching positions that best help the team. Position players will practice and play games at these 2 to 3 designated positions as determined by the coaches which include 1) OF, 2) Catcher, 3) First Base, 4) Second Base, 5) Short Stop, 6) Third Base. Batting Line-up: In some scenarios, league or tournament rules may require a team bat only 9 players (or 10 if an Extra Hitter is an option). In those cases, the coach will set what he/she believes is the best starting batting line-up for the team. In cases where there are no rule requirements on a batting order, FTBA teams shall bat all players available for the game. Pitchers: Each competitive team shall develop and use in games a minimum of 5 players that fill the role of pitcher. It is up to the competitive teams coach to determine if the team has more than 5 pitchers to develop and use based on talent, depth, number of games, etc. Starting Line-up: Coaches will adjust the line-up throughout the season so each player on the team will have opportunities to start the game both offensively and defensively. Designated Hitter: In some cases game rules allow for the use of designated hitter. FTBA requires that coaches only use the DH in cases where injury or special circumstances warrant such a decision. Note: If a parent(s) does not wish for their son to participate at this level of play, they should notify FTBA in writing at least 1 week prior to tryouts of the upcoming season. Fair Play League/Competitive Play Tournament: A team participating under the category of Fair Play League/Competitive Play will be managed by coaches using a combination of both the competitive and the fair play guidelines. League play- coaches will manage in a manner that is similar to that of the guidelines of Fair Play listed below during each of the 16 Metro Baseball League regular season games. Tournament play - coaches will manage in a manner that is similar to that of the guidelines of Competitive Play listed above in any weekend tournament games, MBL league tournament games or post season tournament games with the exception listed below. Teams participating at this level should have a minimum of 6 pitchers being developed Players will learn and rotate to a variety of different positions in both the infield and outfield during practices and league games. If game rules allow, all players present at a tournament game shall be in the batting line-up and shall play at least 3 innings (exception: game shortened due to rule, discipline and attendance issues as defined in our handbook, player injury, player availability for entire game) Note: If a parent(s) does not wish for their son to participate at this level or higher, they should notify FTBA in writing at least 1 week prior to tryouts of the upcoming season. Fair Play: A team participating under Fair Play will be run in a manner that allows all participants to receive as best as possible equal to fair play. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 19

20 To the best of a coaches ability, all players will play the same number of innings per game give or take 1 inning from the player with the most innings played to the player with the least innings played (exception: game shortened due to rule, discipline and attendance issues as defined in our handbook, player injury, player availability for entire game). Players will learn and rotate to a variety of different positions in both the infield and outfield during all practices, league and tournament games. The batting line-up should rotate so that each player has the opportunity to bat in different sections of the batting line-up (from positions 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12) throughout the season. Players should also rotate semi-regularly from game to game amongst these positions within each section. However, it is reasonable that some players may bat more often in certain sections of the line-up than others. Fair Play teams should provide training and real game opportunities for 100% of the roster that wishes to pitch. These opportunities do not have to be equal in number of innings available amongst all players but opportunities should be provided when appropriate. Fair Play teams should approach each league game and tournament game with the same philosophy. Coaches and teams will manage and play each game with an attempt to win but this goal should not come at the expense of the guidelines listed for Fair Play teams. Note: If a parent(s) does not wish for their son to participate at the Competitive or Fair Play/Comp level, they will be placed at this level if FTBA receives notification at least one week prior to tryouts The following grid provides coaches, parents, and players with team guidelines and expectations for the FTBA traveling baseball season. Please refer to the descriptions listed above to properly understand the management philosophy of any particular team. Age Group AAA AA A 10 and Under Fair Play / Comp Fair Play Fair Play Age Group AAA AA A 11 Fair Play / Comp Fair Play / Comp Fair Play Age Group AAA AA A 12 Fair Play / Comp Fair Play / Comp Fair Play Age Group AAA AA A 13 Fair Play / Comp Fair Play / Comp Fair Play Age Group AAA AA 15/14 A 14 Competitive Competitive Fair Play Age Group AAA AA 15/14 A 15 Competitive Competitive Fair Play FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 20

21 Parent s Responsibilities and Right s Parent s Responsibilities: Your child's participation in the traveling baseball program will require a significant contribution of your time and effort. Parents can contribute many things to support their child, team, and the program. Compliment and encourage. Let the coaches handle coaching and criticism. Coordinate your efforts to help your child's development with the recommendations of the coaches. Support your coaches. Remember that they are responsible for many children in addition to yours and have probably been responsible for the athletic achievements of many athletes before this season. Don't compare your child to other players. Be honest with yourself and your child about his abilities. Regard each player on the team as your own. Keep negative comments to yourself. Express concerns only to the coach and in a straightforward, fair, and objective manner. Teach your child to have fun and enjoy competition. Don't tell him that winning does not count because it does, and he knows it. Instead, help him to develop a healthy competitive attitude toward winning and losing. Follow the "Parents' Code of Conduct" supported and distributed by FTBA. Demonstrate good sportsmanship and proper behavior. Don't criticize officials, coaches, or other parents or players. Ensure the good sportsmanship and proper behavior of your child and your guests. Get your child to, and pick them up from, practices and games on time. Inform the coach in advance whenever your child will miss or be late for a practice or a game. Provide a copy of your child's birth certificate to FTBA at the pre-season parents meeting. Volunteer to assist the coach whenever possible. Parent s Rights Include: Have your child treated fairly and with respect. Have your child practice and play in a safe and healthy environment. Have your child coached by effective and qualified adult leadership. Have your child engage in practice and playing activities that increase his skills and enjoyment of the sport. To be fully informed by the coaches with respect to schedules, team philosophies, team rules, and your child's strengths and weaknesses Participation in Tryouts: A player must participate in all scheduled tryout sessions (as posted on the FTBA website) unless the Travel Director and/or Assistant Travel Director grant an excused absence. All requests must be presented in writing. Extenuating and unusual circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis but are not guaranteed of an excused absence. FTBA will do everything possible to accommodate school functions but the player is still ultimately responsible for attending the tryout session. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each tryout session. A player who is absent from tryouts without being excused may be disqualified. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 21

22 Injury or Illness Absence from Tryouts A player who has registered for tryouts and cannot participate due to an injury or illness may be excused, prior to the start of the tryout session, upon delivery of a doctor's note describing the player's limitations to the Travel Director and/or Assistant Travel Director. A player who misses more than 50% of the scheduled tryout sessions due to illness or injury, and provides a doctor's excuse, will be reviewed and evaluated by the Travel Director, Assistant Travel Director and members of the Tryout Committee. They will review these unique situations, and a decision will be rendered based on a variety of factors and input relating to previous experience or precedence, past or present coach input, or many other potential factors relating to past participation in the program. These situations should be avoided whenever possible, and ultimately will be assessed by the FTBA board. Players with an excused absence who cannot participate in the try-out session will be placed in the player selection zone at the level they played the previous season. The head coach will have the option to use one of their selections for this player. The player will not have the option to move up but could potentially be moved down if the excused player is not a coach s selection. Any excused player unable to tryout and has not previously participated in the Farmington Traveling Baseball Program will be placed at the Single A level only if there is an opening available. Player s Clinic: A player s clinic will be held annually. The coaches and or instructors involved will change at the discretion of the FTBA board. Player Evaluation: The tryouts will consist of baseball drills designed to evaluate the player s abilities, attitudes, and positions. A formal tryout guideline has been adopted for use by all of the coaches and evaluators. This guideline can be found in the "2016 Tryout Info/Forms on our web site The evaluation scores will be the primary basis used to select the players for each traveling team. It is FTBA s policy that all individual tryout-rating sheets per player will remain property of FTBA and will not be distributed. There is no exception to this rule. Any FTBA member found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Board. A team of impartial evaluators provided by the FTBA will evaluate every player s baseball skills. The evaluators will be people who are known to possess the knowledge necessary to evaluate a player's skill at a particular level. Player Identification during Tryouts: A number assigned at the tryout sessions will identify each player. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 22

23 A player must not wear clothing from a prior year's traveling team, use any paraphernalia identifying him as a previous traveling player, or wear any article of clothing with his name imprinted on it. Player Removal: Once a team is selected, a coach cannot replace a team member solely because of lack of skills. A player may be released for the following specific reasons: Frequent, flagrant disregard of the player s responsibilities. Continued play in such a manner as to endanger others and/or self. Displaying an uncaring attitude that results in not applying oneself, thus hurting the team s competitive potential. Failure to work within a team environment (placing self-interest before the team s) Before requesting the removal of a player, the coach must discuss the situation with the Travel Director and the player's parent(s) and attempt to correct the situation. The FTBA Board will approve any subsequent action. Player Selection: Players will be placed on a team based upon their own merits. If players have played on a previous year s team, their prior commitment and character may also be considered. Roster selections will be handled by that specific age group and playing level head coach working with the Travel and/or Assistant Travel Director. The FTBA Webmaster is usually in attendance, so we can list the roster on the web site as we move through team selections. The top 6 players are locked and the head coach will complete their 12-player roster by selecting 6 additional players from the players ranked 7 through 18. This process continues until all teams within a specific age group are selected. Head coaches will only see the tryout scores and group rankings for their specific age and playing level. 9 Year Olds on 10AAA: For a 9 year old to be selected for a 10AAA team, they must lock in the top 4 players of the age group or they are not eligible for selection for the AAA team. They are eligible for all AA or A teams at the 10U level. AAA presents multiple social and mental issues at the 10U level they cannot be measured or evaluated through a physical tryout. At the parent meeting FTBA will review the pros and cons of a 9 year old at the AAA level and parents can make their own decision on whether or not to submit their 9-year-old player to be considered for AAA. The number of teams organized at each level will vary depending on the number of players trying out, the number of fields available for each age group and the discretion of the board. The number of players per team will consist of players. Example: If 39 players try out for a particular level; three traveling teams would be formed; 36 players would be selected based off of try out scores/coaches selection. The remaining 3 players would be released and therefore rolled over to the in-house program. If there were 35 players, then two teams of 12 and one team of 11 would be formed with the level of participants per team being based on the a number of factors including breakdown of the tryout scores for an age group and the coaches input if needed. Roster selections will be completed by April 4th. Players who participated in tryouts and were selected will be notified via our web site and/or a call from the coaching staff. FTBA Parent and Player Handbook Page 23