Welcome Thanks for attending!

1. Welcome Thanks for attending! Agenda: Program/Schedule Try Outs Communication/How to get Information Expectations/Goals Recruiting Present *Take this opportunity to inform and have our Parents Meeting all at once.*

2. 1988-Present VARSITY **We DO NOT care where they came from Are they Prepared, Disciplined, and Talented?

3. 3 TeamsVarsity: ??JV: ?? (No Seniors)Frosh: ??**Pay to Participate influences #’s**Only ONE Coach at each JV & Frosh level will influence #’s**Professional Decisions could change numbers **(Pitchers/Catchers, etc…) • Varsity: Win NOC • JV: Developmental • Frosh: Developmental

4. Practices • *Gym or Fields behind Dodge or THS • Attempt PROGRAM PRACTICE once a week. • Could practice at 5:30 am/Early on Varsity 6:00 pm a lot • Practice schedule varies weekly. Will distribute it weekly. • Weather can change times. (Use of Lockers very important) • Players will be given time to communicate with you. Before and after practice/games. (Our phone/ cell phone) • Be On Time • In Practice T-Shirts, etc… • Be Flexible and Cooperative. • In Gym, you can not attend. (Will have one that you will be invited to observe) Outside come and watch whenever you can.

5. Practice Schedule • Tuesday May 17th Time in Gym • Varsity: At Falls 2:30 to 5:00 • JV: Home vs. Falls 2:30 to 5:00 • 9th: Home vs. Falls 2:30 to 5:00 • Wednesday May 18th • Varsity: Home vs. Elyria 5:00 to 8:00 • JV: At Elyria 5:00 to 8:00 • 9th: At Elyria 5:00 to 8:00 • Inside : subject to change.

6. Games • Schedule Updated Weekly • Varsity (Dodge) • JV (Dodge or Behind THS, when Varsity Away) • Frosh (Behind THS, Sometimes at Dodge) • Field condition/Future use taken into consideration • In NOC, Varsity is opposite site from JV and Frosh. (Frosh are always playing on secondary field) • Varsity games, then JV games, then frosh games when there is inclement weather. (Pecking order) **They will always be given the opportunity to communicate with you after school.

7. Things they will need to be involved in the Program. • Physical (365 days) **Insurance/costs** • E-MED (For each sport, it needs to be done) • Concussion Awareness Sheet • Agreement of Risk • Pay to Participate Fee Monday March ??? **See AD** • Rules signed • Academically Eligible • Dedication to Long Season (Mostly Inside) **3 Years Ago: 82 days Together= 29 days Outside (23 games, 2 scrimmages, 4 outside practices)

8. Try Out Format • Station #1 BASERUNNING • a. Out of Box through 1st Base 1st time: ___________ 2nd: ____________ • b. Steal 2nd Base: 1st time: ________ 2nd: _________ • c. One Mile Run Time: _____________________ • Comments: • Station #2 HITTING • Day #1 1st 12 strikes: _____________ 2nd 12 strikes: _______________ • Day #2 1st 12 strikes: _____________ 2nd 12 strikes: _______________ • *** 0 pts.= Attempt no contact 1 pt.= foul ball 2 pt.= hit into play Circled if hit hard • Comments: • Station #3 BUNTING • Day #1 1st 4 strikes: ______________ 2nd 4 strikes: ________________ • Day #2 1st 4 strikes: ______________ 2nd 4 strikes: ________________ • *** 0 pt=attempt no contact 1 pt= foul ball or back to pitcher 2pt.= bunted into play • Comments:

9. Try Out cont. • Station # 4 FIELDING • Fielding Groundballs: 1st 8 groundballs: _________ 2nd 8 groundballs: ___________ • (+ or ---) • Comments: • Station # 5 FLYBALLS • Catching Fly balls: 1st 8 fly balls: ____________ 2nd 8 fly balls: _____________ • (+ or ---) • Comments: • Station # 6 ARM STRENGTH • Time of throws: 1st throw: _______ 2nd throw: _______ 3rd throw: __________ • Use of Radar Gun • Average time: __________________ • Comments: • Station # 7 ARM ACCURACY • Throwing to target: 1st 6 throws: ___________ 2nd 6 throws: ___________ • Comments: • Station # 8 Fitness • Sit-ups : _______ Push ups: ______ 10 yd. Start: _______ • Comments: (Evaluators may make observation below):

10. Try Out Dates and Location • 10th, 11th, & 12th Graders • February 24th Time: TBA • 9th Graders • Week of March 3rd • Time & Exact Days: TBA • *May have some Pitchers and Catchers this year. • *They must be prepared from Day#1 • *3 or 4 days to Complete the Process • *75%/25% Try Out Formula

11. How to Prepare • Play during the summer • Weight Room/Conditionings (Since Oct.) • Open Hits/Fields (Since September) • Hit/Throw/Field on their own • Play a Winter Sport • Attendance at these sessions does not guarantee a spot on team. It does help to prepare them for the challenge. Down to decisions, it may come to this.

12. If they make the program “Allow them to be Uncomfortable!” • 1. Fee for Hats, Socks, T-shirt, etc… ($30) • 2. Pay to Participate Fee ($120.00) • 3. We will be together everyday from Date of Try outs till end of May. (Except Sundays ) • 4. Keep Grades in good standing. • 5. We are going to help them be a positive reflection on the THS, Program and Community. • 6. Committed to the “entire” culture of development… person, student, and player.

13. We DO NOT Cut or Not Play them for the following reasons: • 1. We DO NOT like them • 2. We DO NOT like You • 3. They are a Bad Young Person • (Not Good vs. Bad People… just eligible players) • 4. Where they played last year/summer, etc… • Three “truths” that we believe in: • 1. We get great Young Men • 2. They ALL Love Baseball • 3. When WE are together—they all want to work hard for improvement of the team and themselves.

14. Each young man that gets cut can come and see me. • Will talk about THEM and not another player. • Discuss improvements and attributes. • Will explain and answer them Respectfully and Informatively. • Does not necessarily mean they are not skilled, it just means at this time other players are more skilled.

15. CommunicationHow to get Information • 1. Check with your Son (Don’t email/call me, for practice times; ask him) • 2.Look at weekly schedule. • 3. www.highschoolsports.net • 4. Check the web-site • 5. Subscribe to Twitter Acct. (@baseballTBURG) and (@TwinsburgTigers) • 6. Check Brochure for communication info. • 7. E-mail me. (Time constraints) • *As I tell our young men, “You may not always hear what you want, but I will always be honest with You.”

16. How NOT to get Information Look at Cleveland Live/Yappi, etc… Discuss Personnel with Summer/Fall Coaches Talk to other Parents or Players Listen to Rumors Make Assumptions based on the Emotion of the game *We know what we do and why we are doing it. You may not agree with it but we have reasons for all that we do. Decisions never please everyone or it would not have been a decision. With Leadership comes decision-making.

17. What is stressed to help beyond the NOW: “Allow them to be Uncomfortable!” 1. Advantage for the Future ** Employers want team players, fulfill a Role, do what needs to be done, when needs to be done. (Reader’s Digest & Coach Matheny) 2. Role Model for Young People ** No access to College and Pro Players. Who does the communities’ young people look up to? 3. Represents the Community not an Institution ** Where you are from Everyone knows, not what Institution your you represent. (The uniform, the bus, supporters Spirit wear) **That goes for Parents/Fans/Coaches also** (Cheer not instruct/complain/disrespect officials)

18. Expectations Players Parents Be Supportive of Son, Players, and Program. Be Positive Allow US to Coach THEM before, during and directlyafter the game. Increasing problem here at THS. (Hoops/Football/Last Year) They won’t tell you but I am. (Conflicting messages) Refer to brochure. • STUDENT first! • It’s NOT about YOU. TEAM • Do what is asked, at the rate it is asked to be done. • Be Disciplined, Work Hard, Be Committed daily. • Understand it is a game of FAILURE.

19. Playing Time NOT equal (Roles are important in Baseball) There is NO guarantee of AB’s, Innings, etc… 3. Even some Pros play more than others (Team) Roles can change nightly. **If your Son needs something explained, have them see the Coach. You and I are discussing it, it never seems to settle the discrepancy, we are meeting because we already see things differently. Decisions are made and the discussion will not change it. **If our Staff can help You, that is a different discussion.

20. Goals 1.) Work with a purpose daily 2.) Compete daily 3.) Carry ourselves with class & pride 4.) Have a successful season 5.) Win NOC 6.) Get to Regionals 7.) Play in Columbus

21. Our season 1.) The only guarantee is that your son will get our Best Effort Daily. There is no Playing Time guarantees. 2.) Your Son’s high school experience is important. But so are the goals of the Team… 3.) Life lessons: - life is not always equal or fair - how to handle failure - how we are responsible to others - how we are responsible to ourselves - work and persistence - understand and be committed to something bigger then Ourselves!!

22. 4.) If player/you can not understand the philosophy of how we conduct the program. Then this program is probably not for your son. (Breeds negativity) 5.) You and I will see things differently and that’s okay. Just do not make your son (-) with your views. You love your son and want the best for him. Yelling instructions is not Love./Allowing Him to Grow Is! 6.)You spend a lot of money on their development. Sometimes this leads to a desire for instant gratification. 7.) Our promise is “ We will try to do what is right for your son while we are concerned with our commitment to the team. “

23. Recruiting • Refer to web-site **handouts available • Names go on scouting lists • Send out emails • $$ (Not like revenue sports) • Communication with me is important • Summer exposure very important • Separate yourself from them during games. (With me it is expected – do it during summer.) • ( I have seen this cost some young men in the past. They are recruiting the Family also!)

24. Recruiter Test • Leadership Ability • *How do you handle the game? • *How does your team mates respond to you? • *Have you developed relationships? • *Have you developed common work habits? • Relationship with Parents • *Showing of Respect • *Interactions with Parents during conversation • *Can you separate yourself from them or do you need constant direction • Eye Contact Test • Can you look someone in the EYE? • Can you maintain Eye Contact during a conversation? • Conversation without Cell Phones, without ahum…

25. Present A. Baseball (HS) - $120.00 B. Spring Sports: Monday, March ???, 2014 (Try out dates…) C. We encourage you to make payments online through EZ PAY. Simply click the Online Payment link found on the district’s homepage at www.twinsburg.k12.oh.us and follow the prompts. There is a $2 vendor service charge for each EZ PAY transaction. D. Paid participation does not guarantee that a student-athlete will play. The control and determination of playing time will remain the responsibility of the coaching staff.

26. Communication • Son to his Coach/Coach to Player (Son) • E-mail : djones@twinsburg.k12.oh.us • School phone #330-486-2400 • My Twitter account: (@baseballTBURG) • THS Twitter account: (@TwinsburgTigers) • Web address - Go to: Twinsburg Athletics on School website. Twinsburg Baseball • A.D. info. 330-486-2480 • A.D. E-Mail: MMASLONA@twinsburg.k12.oh.us

29. THANK YOU • I am privileged to be an Educator and Coach here at Twinsburg High School. My adult life has been here and has been extremely rewarding due to the commitment of this District, Community, Parents, Athletes and Students to being successful. I appreciate all the individuals that have been supportive and I hope for the continued support in the future. Our young men are worth the effort and time to help them be successful adults. • THANK YOU!!

30. Off-season Attendance