Loveland High School Baseball – Parents & Players Meeting Highlights

February 15, 2007

Coach Bakersky opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. 

Tryouts:

Tryouts begin Tuesday, February 20, 2007.  They will be held Tuesday and Wednesday with cuts on Thursday.  An athletic physical is required with packet, athletic fees, and a clearance card before you can tryout.

Slogan:

Last year’s slogan was “Victory.”  This year’s slogan is “Victory Begins in the Heart.”

Introduction of  Coaches:

Coach Adam Bakersky, Head Varsity Coach

Coach Dominic East, Assistant Varsity Coach

Coach Brian Obendorf, Head Junior Varsity Coach

Coach Cole Evans, Junior Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Al Bierman, Head C  Team Coach

Coach Beau Leyba, C Team Assistant Coach

Coach Dillan Harteg, C Team Assistant Coach

Coach Ski commented that this year they will expect more discipline and hustle and will push more.  He believes we have a lot more talent than we think.

Board/Booster Club:

Coach Ski reported that a LHS Baseball Board and Booster Club has been organized and has been meeting since August.  Board members were introduced.  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and to volunteer their time to fundraising efforts to assist the Board.  The meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at the Coldwell Banker office located on the southeast corner of 29^th Street and Garfield.  In addition, Tom Wil-Cip has developed a great website with information and phone numbers of all coaches.  The website address is:  lovelandhighschoolbaseball.com.  Please utilize this website!

Players’ Code or Ethics:

A Code of Ethics was handed out and must be signed by players and turned in order to tryout.  Eligibility remains an important issue.  Grades must be kept up.  A study hall will be provided for players during practice times for those who need it.

Absentee/Late Policy:

A new absentee and late policy was handed out.  Strict guidelines have been implemented regarding late arrivals or absences from practices without notification and with notification.  You must call or email a coach to report an absence or if you will be late! 

Please see next page for specifics.  This is very important!  Role will be taken at every practice.

(Click on “Contact Us” on Website for a listing of coaches’ phone numbers and email addresses.)  

Absentee/Late Policy Continued:

Absent from a practice and do not phone or email a coach:

• Player will sit out the next 2 games

Absent from practice with contacting a coach:

• If designated as a starter, will not start the next game.
• If designated a non-starter, will not play the next game.
• The exception to the rule is having a doctor’s note.

Late to practice at any time:

• If designated a starter, will not start the next game.
• If designated a non-starter, will not play the next game.
• The exception to the rule is having a note from teacher.

Emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Practice Schedule:

A practice schedule for February was handed out.  Due to the snow, practice schedules are somewhat challenging.  We will be using the compound/cage, small gym, and large gym at various times.  Make sure you check the schedule!   There is no guarantee as to when we will have access to practice or play on the fields due to the snow.  We may have many game cancellations which could possibly require us to play as much as 5 games a week later in the season for make-ups.

Qdoba Fundraiser:

Fundraising is key to the program!  Each player will be responsible for $120 in fundraising efforts for the team.  Qdoba coupons have bee made available to sell.  Each player will be responsible for selling 12 coupons at a cost of $10 each for a total of $120.  Proceeds of $9 per coupon go to the team which will be used to pay coaches’ salaries.

Please see Kim Baca to pick up your coupons.  She was present at the meeting and will be available at tryouts on Tuesday.  Each player must sign a contract indicating how many coupon sheets they have received.  In addition, they agree that all monies and unsold coupons must be returned to Kim by February 28, 2007.  The player/parents will be responsible for the full $120 at that time, whether they sell the coupons or write a check for the discrepancy. 

Other Fund Raising Opportunities:

In addition, there are several merchants who have offered to donate funds to our program when their services are used. They are:  Bliss Ball, Meals Made Easy, Service First Financial, and Weld County Garage.

We also have a banner program.  A volunteer is needed to take over and head up this important fund raising effort.

Parent’s Contract (Code of Conduct):

A contract was also handed out to all parents which must be signed and returned.  The contract details expectations regarding behavior at games and proper protocol for addressing concerns and problems with the coaches.  Parents are encouraged to be in attendance and support their player and all players.  Parents will be expected to transport their player to and from any weekend games in addition to transporting their player home from any games held in Loveland and Fort Collins.

Closing Comments:

Numbers are low, particularly with upperclassmen with 6 Seniors and 4 Juniors.  Lower classmen numbers are good and 38 incoming freshmen for next year have indicated an interest in joining the program.  Work ethic and hustle at the C level will be a primary indicator of playing time as well as discipline, desire, and heart.