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Knights Handbook
Please click link above to download our 2009 Handbook
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Purpose Statement
Atlanta South Christian, Inc. is an organization of Christian, home schooling families prayerfully established to encourage and support the teaching of Christian ethics and the building of Christian character through participation in Christ-centered extracurricular activities related to athletics.
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Statement of Faith
WE believe:
1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.
2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.
4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age to convict men, regenerate the unbelieving sinner, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for Godly living and service.
5. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained.
6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus, become children of God.
7. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment.
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Tax Exempt Status
Atlanta South Christian, Inc. has been officially recognized by the State of Georgia as a non-profit organization. We are a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization according the Internal Revenue Service. Members are encouraged to consider contributing and to solicit corporate contributions.
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Eligibility Requirements
Following are the requirements for a family to participate in Atlanta South Christian
Baseball:
They must be in compliance with the Georgia Homeschooling Law. In addition, although the Georgia law does not require persons over the age of 16 to be enrolled in school, they are also not eligible to play high school sports if they are not currently enrolled in an academic educational program. Atlanta South Christian adheres to that same principle. Therefore, we require the same educational program for all our players that the Georgia law requires for students between the 7th and 16th birthdays. If a player chooses not to participate in an academic educational program adherent to Georgia code, in this case, home school, he also may not participate in Atlanta South Christian Knights baseball. Georgia law stipulates, “A basic academic educational program that includes, but is not limited to, reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science.” Georgia Code Ann. § 20-2-690(c) (4) and according to GHEA. A copy of the player’s Intent to Home School as filed with the player’s BOE must be submitted with the player’s application.
They must sign the statement of faith.
They must sign the release and indemnity agreement.
They must pay the fees associated with the baseball program.
They must be willing to abide by all the rules discussed in this handbook.
The player and at least one parent/guardian must sign the code of conduct.
The age eligibility of the player will be determined by his birth date as per league rules. This date will not supercede the HWSA rules.
Note: By the rules of the Homeschool World Series Association (HWSA) no player shall have more than 5 years of varsity eligibility.
A player is considered ineligible for Knights baseball if any of the following have occurred prior to the beginning of the season:
1 – The player has graduated from or completed his home school training
2 – The player reaches age 20 before Sept. 1st of the school year
3 – The player is actively enrolled in full-time college
The Varsity coach has the option of only filling 12 roster positions at tryouts if he deems there to be only 12 with the skill level of a varsity player. The 13th position could then be filled at a later time by any new players just moving into the area or by those who may not have heard about the tryout if they can demonstrate a varsity level skill.
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Fees
There are vast arrays of expenses that we incur throughout the year to conduct the Atlanta South Christian Knights’ baseball program. These include, but are not limited to: Office supplies, player secondary health insurance, officers’ liability insurance, coaches’ and players’ liability insurance, uniforms, equipment, baseballs, umpire fees and tournament entry fees. It is our desire to be a good steward of what the Lord entrusts into our care. We believe in quality, but do not desire, or attempt, to be reckless in our spending. A previous year financial report is available upon request.
Refer to the fee schedule for current year fees.
All fees to participate with the Knights must be paid in full by Feb 1st.
No uniforms will be issued until all fees are paid. All Varsity and Jr. Varsity uniforms are the property of Atlanta South Christian Knights.
NOTE: If it becomes a burden for a family to meet the February 1st due dates, they are to contact the Treasurer, regarding the circumstances contributing to the burden. The officers will then be advised. They will, in turn, offer suggestions to the affected family as to how this can be resolved. If a workable agreement between the family and Atlanta South Christian, Inc. cannot be reached, all monies paid by the family (this does not include fundraiser money) minus the registration fee will then be refunded, and the player(s) will then be excused from the team.
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Try Outs
The coaching staff will announce the exact dates of tryouts. However, these will be held during the first two weeks of January. Players should attend tryouts dressed in baseball pants and tee shirts or baseball sleeves. They should also be prepared to exhibit skills in fielding, running, hitting, catching and throwing. Being on the Varsity or JV team in a previous year does not guarantee a position on that same team for the current year. Every young man must try out each year.
Players must complete the Player Application form and pay registration and deposit fees before they will be allowed to try out for any Knights team.
The Atlanta South Christian Knights Varsity and JV baseball teams play competitive baseball with high school substitution rules. Unlike Rec Programs, there is not a guarantee of playing time or position. The leadership has decided to limit the number of players on each team to 13. This in no way indicates that we expect the coaches to give each player equal playing time. Other Knights teams playing time will be dictated by league rules.
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Practices and Games
Practice will begin immediately following January tryouts. This could include classroom work.
Attendance is mandatory, with the player only being excused by the parents calling the player’s respective head coach or assistant coach to convey the reason for the absence. We realize that there are many activities in the lives of home school families. For a young man or boy to be a contributing member of a Knights’ team, he must make practice a top priority. Though it is permissible for a player to participate on another team during the season, it is expected and shall be enforced by the coach or Board that any detrimental conflict or negative effect on the Knights baseball team would require the player’s resignation from the other team. Knights’ practices, games and performance must clearly be the higher priority.
It is expected that team members will promote team unity and respect for the coaches’ authority. Players are encouraged to work hard in developing the highest skill level possible in order to earn positions, as well as keep those positions. Just as important is the development of positive Christ-like and sportsmanship attitudes.
Players are expected to maintain the field and the cleanliness of the dugouts. These areas should be made to look better when we leave than when we arrive.
Because fans, as well as players and coaches, represent Jesus Christ and the Atlanta South Christian Knights, it is the desire of the leadership that parents and other fans exemplify Christ-like behavior at all games, regardless of umpire calls or other issues. If it becomes necessary, the coach or board member may ask an abusive fan to leave the area or park if his/her behavior is deemed abusive or disruptive and could cause the umpire to act in a like manner or threaten forfeiture of game.
A schedule will be distributed prior to the start of the season. However the schedule is tentative due to weather and unforeseen circumstances that may arise. You will always be notified as soon as possible when there is a change.
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Coaching
All coaching decisions are made solely by the coaching staff. All spectators are expected to refrain from coaching players during a game in any way.
If a coaching issue or concern occurs during a game, discussion of that issue should take place no sooner than the day after the game (IT SHOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME). Parents should encourage sons to address the coach directly concerning any issues. This teaches them the Biblical method of resolving disputes (Matthew 18:15), as well as the importance of taking initiative, accepting responsibility, and accepting authority.
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Team Captains
Team Captains/Co-Captains will be chosen at the discretion of the coaching staff for Varsity and Junior Varsity. The role of the Captains/Co-Captains will also be determined by the coaches.
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Uniforms and Equipment
Varsity and JV uniforms and all ages’ team equipment are the property of Atlanta South Christian, Inc., and are distributed to players for the Knights season only. Each player is responsible for the care and cleaning of their uniform. The charge of a lost uniform is the cost of a new one regardless of the age of the old one. It is each family’s responsibility to turn in a clean uniform and all team equipment at the end of the season. No uniforms or equipment will be issued until all fees are paid in full.
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It is the desire of the Atlanta South Christian Knights organization that players maintain Christian behavior at all times. We expect all players to abide by the Knight code of conduct. There may be additional team rules established by the coaches. Disciplinary action for broken rules varies from running laps, being suspended for a certain number of games, or being dismissed from the team. The coaches handle the discipline of team members. When a grave breach of these rules occurs, the coach will seek consensus with the entire coaching staff before a suspension or dismissal takes place. The player and player’s parents (or guardians) will be notified of the disciplinary action to be taken. An appeal may be made by a parent, if deemed necessary, to a committee made up of two team coaches, two members of the Board of Directors, and a parent jointly chosen by the affected family and the president. The committee’s decision is final.
Member families are responsible for the behavior of their guests at games. Parents are responsible for any damages caused by their children to a home or away facility. Family members not complying with this policy will be asked to not attend games.
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Knights Code of Conduct
2009 Knights Code of Conduct
This form is part of Player Registration
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Phone Tree and Email
Our two forms of communication will be the phone tree and email. The phone tree will be used when it is crucial that the information be received in a timely manner, i.e. game time change, canceled game, etc. Please make sure that you have included all phone numbers, including cell phones, and pagers so that if we have to get in touch with you after you have left home, we may do so. Instructions as to how it works will be included with the phone tree list when it is distributed.
Email will also be used when time allows. Please make sure that your email is updated and correct on the Player Application.
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Parent Responsibilities and Commitment
INSURANCE
Because of the nature of the game of baseball, it is important that all players be covered by a medical health insurance policy. Insurance information should be shown on the Atlanta South Christian Knights application form in case a player is injured and parents or guardians are not present. As part of the annual per player cost to play, secondary health insurance coverage is included. In addition, liability insurance for players, coaches and officers is a part of the annual fee that is paid through our organization.
Players will be required to sign a medical release form removing Atlanta Christian Knights from all medical liability.
RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
In I Corinthians 6, we are taught not to take our disputes to ungodly judges before unbelievers. Keeping this in mind, parents and players are required to sign the release and indemnity agreement shown on the Atlanta South Christian Application Form. This states that parents give consent for their son to participate in Knights competitions and will indemnify and hold harmless Atlanta South Christian, Inc., officers, coaches and other personnel, against all claims, including claim, suit, or action for personal injury or otherwise.
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Fee Schedule-Spring 2009
Varsity:
Program Cost: $800
Uniform Cost: Extra TBA
Tournaments and Travel: extra
JV:
Program Cost: $600
Uniform Cost: Extra TBA
Tournaments and Travel: extra
Middle School (13-14):
Program Cost: $175*
Uniform Cost: included
Tournaments and Travel:
Elementary/Top (11-12):
Program Cost: $150*
Uniform Cost: included
Tournaments and Travel: none
*Middle School and Elementary teams’ fees are estimated based on recreation league fees. Final cost to be determined once information is provided by the league.
These costs do not include personal equipment, travel, lodging, or meals. Each family should plan accordingly for overnight trips and tournaments.
A non-refundable $50 registration fee and a non-refundable $50 deposit (this deposit will be applied to player’s program cost) must accompany the player’s application. The completed application, registration fees and deposit ($100 total) must be turned in to the Knights organization before any player will be allowed to try out for any Knights team. The $50 registration fee will be waived to all applicants submitting their player application and $50 deposit by October 28, 2008.
The cost to run the Knights program is extensive. In order to help offset some of these costs, please feel free to recruit sponsors per the Knights Sponsor Agreement. For the first $1 to $500 a player raises, 20% of his sponsorship will go towards his program cost. For the next $501 or more, 30% will go towards his Program Cost.
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2009 Player Application
2009 Player Application
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2009 Knights Medical Release Form
2009 Medical Release Form
This form is part of the Registration process.
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