Whitefish Bay Jr. Dukes Baseball Club

Operating Manual

 

Mission Statement

The Whitefish Bay Jr. Dukes Baseball Club (herein known as Jr. Dukes Baseball) will promote the sport of baseball in the Village of Whitefish Bay by providing opportunities to play baseball in tournament form for all players’ grades 3 through 8.  To be eligible to play for the Whitefish Bay Jr. Dukes Baseball Club, you must either live in Whitefish Bay or attend school in Whitefish Bay.  For players in third through sixth grade, you must also participate in Whitefish Bay Little League. As of July 2012, if you are currently a member of a Jr. Dukes team, you will be grandfathered in to the selection process, provided your involvement is continuous.  These opportunities are designed to help develop the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of our players by participation in the sport of baseball. The primary focus being that each player has the possibility to improve his/her skill development and knowledge while enjoying the competitive spirit of the game.

 

About the Club

Whitefish Bay Jr. Dukes Baseball Club is a 501C-3 nonprofit organization.  The club believes that Jr. Dukes Baseball participants should have an opportunity to develop into students of the game as well as great athletes. Formally, this is done by:

 

·         Establishing and fostering an environment where they can learn, succeed and develop as a team.

·         Holding high expectations for the players in the manners of good sportsmanship, poise and commitment to the team.

·         High expectations of the Jr. Dukes Baseball coaches, the parents and their commitment to developing our teams and program.

 

The Jr. Dukes Baseball Program

The Jr. Dukes Baseball program provides kids an opportunity to participate in a baseball program that has a higher level of skill and competition. This program would not be successful without the help of Whitefish Bay Little League and its facilities.  Jr. Dukes Baseball will work alongside Whitefish Bay Little League and is designed to limit conflict with Little League games or practices, while enhancing the playing experience of those who seek a higher level of competition. The program’s efforts focus on the development of players for a successful high school program. Based on this objective, the Board of Directors supports and works directly with the Whitefish Bay High School baseball programs and the coaches.

 

3^rd to 6^th grade teams will participate in four tournaments during the season.  The 7^th and 8^th grade teams will play in six tournaments during the season.  Due to their age and in preparation of their participation in high school baseball, the 7^th and 8^th grade teams may participate in more tournaments with the prior approval of the president of Jr. Dukes Baseball.  The maximum number of tournaments the 7^th and 8^th grade teams would be allowed to play is eight.  If they chose to participate in additional tournaments, those teams will be responsible for the scheduling and any tournament fees associated with those additional tournaments.  The club will pay up to $425 per each of the eight tournaments.

 

In addition to tournament participation, the 7^th and 8^th grade teams will also participate in the Wisconsin State Youth Baseball League which consists of primarily community-based teams.  Each team will play approximately 18 league games.

 

In an effort to enhance the skill development of the 7^th and 8^th grade players, a paid professional will assist the coaches during practices.

 

Players playing for other select or club baseball teams are prohibited from playing for the WFB Jr Dukes Baseball Club due to potential conflicts and commitment to respective programs.

 

There is more emphasis on winning in a more competitive atmosphere with the Jr. Dukes Baseball program. Equal participation during games will not be a part of this program. Effort is made to provide “meaningful” playing time for each player in each tournament, although this is not guaranteed. All players will contribute to the team’s performance (via practice or games) and will be treated with respect. Since Jr. Dukes Baseball is over-and-above little league play, separate fees apply to those who play, including uniform fees, tournament fees, insurance, facility rental and equipment.

 

Team Selection

Team tryouts will occur each year in August (or as denoted by the Jr. Dukes Baseball Board of Directors).  Players need to tryout each year.  Previous year play does not automatically qualify you for the current year’s team.

 

A standardized number rating system is used to select teams. Players are rated by a team of evaluators (typically coaches, Jr. Dukes Baseball Board members and potentially other volunteers). Rating results, combined with coach’s feedback and previous season’s player evaluation form will determine team selection. Not every player that tries out for a team will be selected to participate. It is the goal of Jr. Dukes Baseball to maximize participation of area youth by fielding as many quality teams as reasonably possible without compromising the competitiveness within any group. This is accomplished by the Jr. Dukes Baseball Board:

 

·         Forming one baseball team comprised of the top players within that age/grade level;

·         Assessing the relative talent of the remaining interested players in that group for the purpose of determining if a second team is a viable option;

·         Seeking volunteers and making solicitations, if a second team is an option, for a coaching staff of the second team;

·         Assisting the managers, where necessary, with the final roster selections of the teams while keeping in mind the overall goals of the Jr. Dukes Baseball.

 

For all Jr. Duke Baseball Club teams, rosters will be determined with the philosophy of having an “A” and if necessary a “B” team.

 

Jr. Dukes Baseball will field teams with a minimum of 11 players and the Board reserves the right to increase or include taxi (practice) squad players at each grade for the baseball division.

 

The Board reserves the right to adjust or amend rosters as needed at any time due to unforeseen circumstances. Situations of players moving up or down a grade level of play will be evaluated and determined by the discretion of the Jr. Dukes Baseball Board.

 

 Expectations of Players

·         Read the “Nine Rules of Baseball” on the website

·         All players are expected to attend all practices and games. If you are going to be late or miss a practice, let your coach know with as much advanced notice as possible.

·         Be on time! This means at the diamond and ready to start at the designated time for practice and for games.

·         Provide coaches with your full attention and respect.

·         Treat others with dignity and respect on and off the field.

·         A player must always respect the umpires “call”. It will be the coach’s roll to talk with the umpire on questionable calls. A Jr. Dukes Baseball player may never make a derogatory comment to an umpire, opposing team player or their coaches/fans.

·         Baseball is a challenging sport and long season with many highs and lows. We expect each player to work at maintaining poise and embrace the team with a positive attitude. If a player/parent question or become confused about your role on the team, let your coach know and he/she will talk to you on an individual basis.

·         Have fun, and show good sportsmanship! Support your fellow teammates and other Jr. Dukes Baseball teams. Remember, we all play on the same team, represent yourself, your team and village with pride.

 

Expectations of Parents

·         Support all the players (not just your own child) and coaches.

·         Respect the umpires and their calls.

·         Represent Jr. Dukes Baseball and Whitefish Bay in a positive manner at each tournament game.

·         Pay the annual participation fee for each child participating in the Jr. Dukes Baseball program. If a parent has financial difficulty paying the annual participation fee, the parent is directed to confidentially contact one of the Jr. Dukes Baseball Board members. The Board can set up the fees to be paid in installments if needed.

·         Parents will bring to the coach’s attention any medical condition or issues that may impact the player’s ability during the season.

 

Coaches

Quality of baseball coaching is one of the most critical components of a successful club baseball program. Head coaches must be able to work with youth players and have an appropriate level of knowledge and expertise for the age and ability level of the team they are coaching. Demonstrated past experience in coaching and playing will be strongly considered. The Board will assign one head coach to each team. The head coach will select assistant coaches based upon the Board’s approval. Like the players, coaches selected in the previous year, do not automatically qualify to coach the current year. Coaches must re-apply and will be evaluated every year along with any new potential candidates.

 

Expectations of Coaches

·         Provide Leadership

·         Improve the overall skills and talent of each player on the team

·         Instill a mentality within the players that focuses on playing the game with the following mindset:

1.    100% effort every time they step on the field

2.    Team first

3.    Self discipline

4.    Responsibility

5.    Self confidence

6.    Respect for teammates, coaches, parents, opponents, umpires

7.    Toughness

8.    That doing your best is a huge success and really fun

·         Provide a positive learning experience, not necessarily a winning experience

·         Be a positive and mature role model for the players

·         Give ALL players the opportunity to improve

·         Exhibit diligence, enthusiasm, honesty, and a love for the game

·         Represent Whitefish Bay in the baseball community

·         Maintain open and timely communication with players, parents, and the Jr. Dukes Baseball Board

·         Take care of the equipment provided for your team

·         Conduct a parent meeting at the beginning of the season

·         Run challenging, well-organized practice sessions

·         Attend mandatory coaches’ meetings/clinics