Reed-Custer High School Baseball
Objectives of Participation

The baseball program serves as one of the extensions of the classroom, which attempts to meet certain District 255-U student goals through experiential learning opportunities.  The baseball program not only enhances, but also reinforces the learning which occurs within the classroom.  The primary purpose of high school athletics is to have a successful experience for students.  Consequently, not all athletes will have equal playing time, but all athletes should experience to some degree the following purposes of interscholastic sports at RCHS.

1. To provide students with the opportunity to develop their physical talents.
2. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in competitive activities.
3. To provide students with the opportunity to learn new skills beyond those  already acquired in physical education classes.
4. To provide students with the opportunity to exemplify good sportsmanship as a means for learning good citizenship.
5. To provide students with the opportunity to learn from experience that consequences follow the violation of rules.
6. To provide students with the opportunity to experience both winning and losing.
7. To provide students with the opportunity to experience working  as a member of a team in order to achieve a goal.
8. To provide students  with the opportunity to experience self-discipline and sacrifice as a means for achieving a goal.
9. To provide students with the opportunity to experience a feeling of self-worth and to develop self-confidence.
10. To provide students with the opportunity to dedicate themselves to the task of achieving a given goal.
11. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in organized activities with other students whose backgrounds may be dissimilar from their own.
12.  To provide students with the opportunity to experience problem solving and decision making.
13. To provide students with the opportunity to practice the principles of sound  health, safety, and physical fitness.
14. To provide students with the opportunity to develop the ability and desire to use their time effectively.
15. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in competitive experiences in an acceptable manner.
16. To provide students with the opportunity to have a  positive rallying point for the school in order to help them develop school loyalty.

Squad Selection and Playing Time

 Squad selection is a coaching responsibility.  It is our ultimate goal to promote the greatest athletic participation possible, however it might be necessary to limit the size of the squad.  This may occur due to limitations of our facilities, availability of playing and practice time, as well as other factors.  Every coach has the responsibility and authority for selecting his team.  The criteria for selecting the team is developed by the coach and his staff, in conjunction with the policies and philosophies of the athletic department.

Playing time is also a coaching responsibility.  Unlike recreation, or intramural games, equal or guaranteed playing time does not exist.  Coaches are sensitive to the issue of playing time, but must consider obligations to the team as well.

Practices

All practices must be held during the legal calendar dates for that individual sport.  Practices on Sundays and holidays are discouraged, and attendance at such practices cannot be made mandatory.  Practices are where the bulk of student learning takes place and attendance at practices during the  season are, therefore, mandatory.  Absences, other than illness or emergency,  must be cleared ahead of time.  Coaches should be informed of an illness or emergency by use of cell phone, or voice mail, where practical. Penalties may be assessed for missed practice time.

Athletic Uniforms and Equipment

 All uniforms and equipment are the property of Reed-Custer School District 255U.   Proper care is to be given to the uniforms throughout the season.  UNIFORMS ARE TO BE WORN FOR THE ATHLETIC CONTESTS ONLY!!  Equipment/ uniforms not properly returned or maintained will become the responsibility of the athlete and the athlete may be charged the price of a replacement.

Baseball Participation Guidelines

1. Student-athletes are subject to the district discipline policy at any time they are representing Reed-Custer District 255-U.

2. Completed physical forms, random drug test form, record form/insurance waiver  (yellow sheet), eligibility form (green sheet) and residency form (white sheet) must be completed and turned into the office, or coach, by the first day of tryouts.

3. Players must be passing three subjects on a weekly basis and six of eight classes the previous semester in order to participate in athletics at RCHS. The eligibility is sanctioned by the IHSA. 

4. Athletes must be in attendance at least two (2) blocks in a 4 block day to participate in that day’s contest.  Should an absence be more than two (2) blocks in a given day, but is of a professional nature and is school approved, the student may participate in that day’s contest.

5.   A player exhibiting unsatisfactory behavior at a practice/contest, will be dealt with severely.

6.   Any student who is arrested and charged with an act which is a violation of any criminal law, will be suspended from athletic participation until the resolution of the offense, as per the RCHS Code of Conduct.

7. If a student is to ride home with someone other than his/her parent(s), the student MUST give the coach the transportation change request form from his/her parent(s), which includes the name of the person who is to take their child home.  This transportation change request form MUST be signed by a school administrator before giving it to the coach.

Off-Season Expectations

 For better or worse, the days of limiting one’s participation and preparation for a sport to in-season activities only have vanished.  Players and coaches now have more expectations placed upon them and the competition has become quite fierce.  Traveling teams, professional instruction/lessons, and weight training are activities in which many of today’s players engage during their “off-season.”   It is our job as parents and coaches to prioritize these activities and maintain a healthy balance in the student’s life. At Reed-Custer, we encourage athletes to play multiple sports.  We feel this produces a better, more versatile player who will learn more “life lessons.”  This, of course, also requires coaches of the various sports to be on the same page with regard to off-season events and place the  good of the athlete at the forefront.  From a baseball standpoint, the following are expectations for our players which will allow us to better accomplish the goals and objectives  put forth in our mission statement.

Summer Baseball

 It has been our experience that player involvement falls into one of two levels of participation.

1.     Players who wish to be average, or good, high school players  will play on our Comet summer high school team.  This level of involvement consists of a basic schedule of 12-15 doubleheaders, scheduled largely on weekday evenings so as to limit conflicts with other sports.  This is a minimal obligation by the player, but still allows the coaching staff to evaluate available talent for the purpose of establishing a depth chart for the start of the next season.

2.     Students who have aspirations of becoming elite high school players, for the purpose of moving on to play at the collegiate level, should consider a greater involvement and level of competition by playing travel, or American Legion, baseball. This will better allow the individual to hone his skills and be seen by college scouts.  Spots on the rosters of these teams are limited, so players should consider declaring early their intention to play on one of these teams.

Winter Conditioning

Players, not out for a winter sport, should participate in our open gym and weight training program which begins in December and runs through the end of February and the start of the season.

Parent/Coach Relationship

 Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult jobs.  By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to students.  As parents, when your student becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your son.  This begins with clear communication from the coach of your son’s team.

Communications You Should Expect From The Coach

1. Expectations the coach has for your son, as well as all the players on the team.
2. Location and times of all practices and contests.
3. Discipline that results in the denial of your son’s participation.
4. Procedures should your son be injured during practice, or contest.

Communications Coaches Expect From Parents

1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.

 As your student becomes involved in the programs at RCHS, he will experience some of the most rewarding moments of his life.  At times, however, things may not go the way your son wishes.  At these times, a discussion with the coach is encouraged.

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss With Coaches

1. The treatment of your son mentally and physically.
2. Ways to help your son’s performance improve.
3. Concerns about your son’s behavior.

If You Have A Concern To Discuss With A Coach, The Procedure You Should Follow:

1. Call to set up an appointment.
2. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Director of Athletics, Mr. Tarran.
3. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, or after a contest, or practice. This can be an emotional time for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote a satisfactory resolution.

The Next Step

 If the meeting does not provide a satisfactory resolution:

1. Call and set up an appointment with the Director of Athletics to discuss the situation.
2. At this meeting, the appropriate next step can be determined.