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Dear Prospective Team Parent:

You are receiving this letter because I am recruiting your son to play for the 2006 Roswell Knights 12 Year-Old Travel baseball team. While I will be holding open tryouts, I feel that your son has an excellent chance to make the team based on his ability and my knowledge of the local talent. As you may or may not know, Roswell forms two travel teams beginning at age 12. This team is a newly formed Roswell sponsored team. That being said, the majority of the players are currently playing travel baseball in Roswell or surrounding parks. I fully expect the team to be very competitive within a short period of time. This letter will outline the team plans for the remainder of 2005 and 2006 as well as outline team goals and objectives. I realize there is a lot of information to sort through and that you will have questions. This letter is just a starting point and I am available to answer any questions you may have.

Team Goals:
1. Focus on player development (multi-year process) and teaching kids the “right” way to play the game.
2. To be as competitive as possible.
3. Have fun and create a positive atmosphere for the players and parents. This is not going to be a high-pressure environment. Kids will make mistakes and it’s our job to help them learn from them.
4. Install discipline, structure, respect for teammates/ coaches and individual accountability.

Coaches:
Head Coach –
Playing experience: Youth Travel and Select level baseball player in Maryland, played High School baseball in Maryland.
Coaching Experience: Have been coaching in Roswell for 5 years. Have coached select and travel level baseball as well as Division I football. As a head baseball coach, have coached one championship team and multiple finalists. Currently coaching with the 11 year-old Roswell Kings travel team who play in the NWBA League Select Division. Have served on the Roswell Youth Baseball Association Board for 4 years. Currently serve as the VP of the Select league. Also served on the Roswell Youth Football Association Board for 2 years.

Assistant Coach –
Playing experience: Youth travel player and played in High School. High School Coach was Cam Bonifay, long-time GM of the Pittsburg Pirates and current head of scouting for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Coaching Experience: Has coached football or baseball in Roswell every spring and fall for the past 9 years. Most seasons have coached multiple teams. Has head coached or assisted on 30 teams, 26 of those for baseball and coached and assisted multiple championship teams and finalists up to age 14. Have served on the Roswell Youth Baseball Association Board for 6 years.

Note: We are currently seeking a third coach.

Coaching Philosophy/Objectives:
Player and team development through positive reinforcement using a dedicated and knowledgeable coaching staff. Will use a team first approach with the emphasis on teamwork and how individuals can make the team better. Some of the highlights:
1. Pitching coaches: Players will work in private practice sessions.
2. Batting cage practice and instruction in small group sessions and/or individually.
3. Some of the pitching goals for 2006 include developing off-speed pitches (change-up, knuckle curve, circle change, cutter), pitch location (pitching to the inside and outside of the plate) and an emphasis on throwing strikes. Perfecting pick-off moves and developing a slide step will also be a priority.
4. Batting goals include having an aggressive attitude at the plate, hitting the ball where it is pitched, situational hitting (advancing runners, sacrifices, etc.) and adjusting to off-speed pitches.
5. Defense – perfection through repetition.

These are just some of the coaching points for next year, obviously there are too many to list but I want to give you an idea of the kinds of things the players will be exposed to. We will begin cage sessions and pitching practice this fall/winter depending on when tryouts are. We may also have an occasional team practice.

The type of team we are trying to build starts with being fundamentally sound. A lot of coaches preach it but few actually spend the time necessary to achieve it. I’m big on hustle, team speed, defense, being a “tough out” and throwing strikes. These, I believe, are the keys to being successful on the baseball diamond. I prefer athletic players with versatility and a “can do” attitude. Players must also be mentally tough.

Travel League:
Northwest Baseball Association of Georgia (NWBA). This is the premier travel league in the area and has two divisions. Teams include East Cobb, Roswell, Douglasville, Kennesaw, Wills Park, Oregon Park, Powder Springs, Mt Paran, Sandy Plains, Shaw Park, Ocee Park, East Side and Hobgood. Based on my experience coaching travel baseball this year, our team will do well in this league. The key is the quality of players we are able to secure. Based on my knowledge of the talent level of the players trying out, we should be competitive very quickly. In fact, if recruiting goes well, we have a chance to be one of the top teams in the league. We have a core group that would most likely make the existing Roswell travel team had they tried out and we will be taking between two and four players from the existing team including my son. All players that I am recruiting now are playing travel baseball and in some cases are the top players on their respective teams. I expect that after the group learns to play together (probably 10-15 games) we’ll be pretty solid. The level of play in this travel league is the best in the area and my goal is to be competitive within the league. That being said, I am not trying to be the best team in the state or even the area. I do however expect our team to be in the top tier of area teams within our age group and want a team that can play with anybody and wins when they play well.

Tournaments – There are a number of quality local tournaments and I will most likely enter us into tournaments with the following thought process:
a. 1 tournament where we are the clear favorite
b. 2 tournaments where we will be pushed and see top area/regional competition
c. 2 tournaments that we are capable of winning but will have to play well.

I don’t like to lose or win games big, although I’ll take the latter. I will schedule games and tournaments where the kids will be able to get better by playing good/ comparable competition but at the same time have a good chance of realizing some success. We will win some tournaments.

Home Field:
Roswell Area Park Field 4 (RAP 4) will be our home field. We will share the field with only two other Roswell teams so field availability is not a problem. We also have access to a secure batting cage at the field. The field has infield grass and is lighted. The dimensions are 255’ down the lines and 270’ to center field. Base paths will be 70’ and the pitching mound will be 50’ from home plate.

Team Costs:
I believe Roswell charges $150-$200 per player. This covers field costs, team insurance and umpires. We will be responsible for uniforms and other costs including NWBA league dues, tournament fees, indoor cage time and other miscellaneous expenses. The uniforms will consist of baseball bags, pants (2), Home and Away Jersey, fitted hat (2), socks (2) and individual helmets. Items such as team banner, jackets and other uniform items will be discussed once the team is selected. Our color scheme will be blue, black and white.

We will need to raise funds, as most travel teams do. We do have some leads from corporate sponsors and have some funds already committed. All budget and fundraising items will be discussed at the first team meeting. I don’t anticipate raising funds to present a problem or be all consuming.



Games/practice schedule:
Team Meetings - One of the advantages of playing in Roswell is that we will have a set schedule. I plan on having three meetings per week including games. This will be different during tournament weeks. Once the season gets underway, we may practice Tuesdays and Thursdays and then play a game on Saturday. The Saturday game may be a double header. Also, we may play Thursday night and Saturday or if we have no games, practice on Saturday. Either way, during a normal week we will meet three times. I feel this is reasonable and I don’t expect practice to extend past 8:00. I will have more info on this once I talk with the two other travel teams sharing the field.

Number of Games: We’ll play a full NWBA league schedule and a number of tournaments. My guess is we’ll play in 4-6 tournaments, with two of those involving out of town travel. Total number of games will probably be between 50-60. This is preliminary and will be further discussed after tryouts. I will seek parent input and am open to suggestions.

Cooperstown: The current 12 year-old Knights travel team has blazed the trail and secured a coupon to play at Cooperstown. You need this coupon handed down from team to team within your park to go. This is the premier tournament in the country and is an experience the whole family will remember. It is only offered to 12 year-olds. The decision on whether or not to go will be made as a team. I will support it and would like to do it but it is too big of a commitment in many ways for me to make that decision without input. We most likely will discuss and then vote. If we go to Cooperstown, we may lessen our regular season tournament load.

Roswell Affiliation:
The team is the Roswell Junior Knights and is affiliated with Centennial High School. We will try and put as many kids from the Centennial school district as possible on the team. However, I am not subject to roster restrictions and will select the best 11 kids in an effort to field the most competitive team possible. I know several of the kids, including my son, attend Fellowship Christian Academy and therefore the affiliation to either Roswell high school is irrelevant.

Tryouts:
Tryouts will be in October. I will know more as we get through this season. They will most likely consist of 2-3 days of tryouts. This is an open tryout and we are obligated to take the best 11 players. I feel your son has the ability to make the team but I will not guarantee spots prior to tryouts. If anyone wants to get together over the summer or early in the fall, I will make myself available to the extent my schedule allows.

Fall Ball:
The plan right now is not to form a fall team. My son and many of the potential players play football. This could change but for right now, that’s the plan. For those of you that do want to play baseball this fall, let me know and I should be able to place you on a team or give you some options for the fall only.

Statistics/Report Cards/Web Site:
Players will be given report cards early in the season and at mid-season telling them what they are doing well and what they need to improve on. In addition, I will keep detailed stats throughout the year and will distribute when appropriate. The team will also have a web site that will have all scheduling, upcoming events and stats.


Team needs:
I will need the following:

1. Treasurer
2. Travel coordinator – just out of town stuff
3. Fundraising coordinator
4. Web administrator – I believe filled


Where kids play/ coaches decisions:
My philosophy is to put the team first. I will field a team and a line-up that gives the team the best opportunity to win. In league games or late in close games, the best defensive 9 players will be on the field. Everyone will hit in almost every game and there will be plenty of opportunities to compete for spots. Everyone will play a lot of defense but some kids will play more. We won’t have 11 infielders. I highly recommend that wherever your son plays, you focus on him being the best at that position. That is the attitude we will take. I really believe that the players need to be in one or two positions. We will start with open competition and I encourage you to speak with me about what my plans are for your son. I will give you an honest assessment after tryouts of where your son stands and what my plans are for him. That being said, everyone on this team will be a contributor. I’m far from being right all of the time and will ask other coaches’ opinions and listen to your thoughts as well. I have an open door policy. I’m open to almost anything but will always put the team first.

In closing, from my coaching experience and from all the travel coaches I’ve talked to, getting a good group of people and kids together is really the key and most difficult ingredient to a successful team. That will factor into the selections. If your goal is to teach your son about teamwork, hustle, teammates, respect, how to be a better player and hard work, that’s a big part of what we’re teaching. If your son wants to play in high school or beyond, this is a staff with a lot of experience as players and coaches, not too mention guys that can connect with kids. References on the coaching staff are available if needed. My contact information is as follows:



That’s really all I have at this point, feel free contact me with any questions. Thanks.


Head Coach – Roswell Knights

10 Commandments of Baseball

1. Hustle. Nobody ever became a ballplayer by walking after a ball.
2. You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the bat off your shoulder.
3. An outfielder that throws in back of a runner is locking the barn after the horse is stolen.
4. Win as a team, lose as a team. Respect your teammates.
5. When you start to slide, slide. Hesitation is the opponent’s teammate.
6. Do not make excuses on bad hops. Anybody can field the good ones.
7. Always run them out. You never can tell.
8. Do not quit.
9. A pitcher who hasn't control hasn't anything.
10. Hustle. Play every play like it’s your last. Someday it will be.

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Originally posted by bballman


Tryouts:
Tryouts will be in October.

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Originally posted by bballman

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Will use a team first approach with the emphasis on teamwork and how individuals can make the team better.

....

10 Commandments of Baseball

1. Hustle. Nobody ever became a ballplayer by walking after a ball.
2. You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the bat off your shoulder.
3. An outfielder that throws in back of a runner is locking the barn after the horse is stolen.
4. Win as a team, lose as a team. Respect your teammates.
5. When you start to slide, slide. Hesitation is the opponent’s teammate.
6. Do not make excuses on bad hops. Anybody can field the good ones.
7. Always run them out. You never can tell.
8. Do not quit.
9. A pitcher who hasn't control hasn't anything.
10. Hustle. Play every play like it’s your last. Someday it will be.

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Originally posted by turntwo

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Originally posted by bballman

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Will use a team first approach with the emphasis on teamwork and how individuals can make the team better.

....

10 Commandments of Baseball

1. Hustle. Nobody ever became a ballplayer by walking after a ball.
2. You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the bat off your shoulder.
3. An outfielder that throws in back of a runner is locking the barn after the horse is stolen.
4. Win as a team, lose as a team. Respect your teammates.
5. When you start to slide, slide. Hesitation is the opponent’s teammate.
6. Do not make excuses on bad hops. Anybody can field the good ones.
7. Always run them out. You never can tell.
8. Do not quit.
9. A pitcher who hasn't control hasn't anything.
10. Hustle. Play every play like it’s your last. Someday it will be.

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Parents, nowadays, wouldn't put their kid on this team, with this whole "team first" malarkey. They want Johnny to SHINE and be THE stud.

Never seen that 10 Commandments. I like that.

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Originally posted by CaCO3Girl
And isn't that half the problem with today's teams? Instead of BUILDING a team they are seeing which team let's their kid shine most so that next summer they can brag they were on X team, you know while they are team shopping.

The only thing I can say to that is...if your kid is the best runner, best fielder, best hitter on the team...you are on the WRONG team!

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Originally posted by turntwo

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[i]

The only thing I can say to that is...if your kid is the best runner, best fielder, best hitter on the team...you are on the WRONG team!

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A step further... If you're kid is one of the top 3 on the team, it's time to find a better team!

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Originally posted by HITANDRUN

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Originally posted by turntwo

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[i]

The only thing I can say to that is...if your kid is the best runner, best fielder, best hitter on the team...you are on the WRONG team!

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A step further... If you're kid is one of the top 3 on the team, it's time to find a better team!

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I can't say I agree with this, if your son is one of the top 3 but the coach knows what he is doing and you are playing to top competition and your son is improving and you and him like the players and parents why would you not stay?

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