PTHS Baseball Players Handbook 2007 Click here to download

School Policies

• As a program, we follow all the school expectations outlined in the school handbook and athletic handbook

Communication with Players and Parents

• Communication on and off the field is important for the team be a cohesive unit.
• The bulletin board outside Coach Nelson’s classroom (M309) will serve as the primary form of communication during the school day. Also listen to the daily bulletin and intercom, especially for immediate changes.
• Players are expected to communicate in a respectable manner to each other and coaches.
• Team captains will be expected to take the lead as the “voice” for all players. All team issues should address by the captains.
• Players should feel free to express concerns and issues with the coaches.
• Health concerns need to be brought up to coaches ASAP. If a player does not inform the coaches of any health concerns, the player is expected to perform at 100%.

Parents

• Email will be the primary form of communication. An email phone list will be established in order to communicate the necessary team information (rainouts, changes in schedule, etc).
• Parents should address all concerns to the Head Coach. Please feel free to email or call with any concerns. Erik Nelson can be reached at:
• Email:  enelson@mail.ptsd.wednet.edu
• School Phone:  379-0777
• Cell Phone:  302-0198
• Coaches are available for talking with parents following games and practices. Please understand that under certain circumstances this may not be possible.
• Please do not talk to coaches during games and practices unless it is an emergency.
• It is greatly appreciated for parents to please address their concerns to the coaches in a timely manner so that issues can be taken care of effectively.

• Each player is expected to set personal goals for both games and practice. These goals will be discussed and evaluated with the coaches.
• Captains will help create team goals with the coaches.
• As a team, we will discuss what are appropriate and obtainable goals.

• Each player must remember that they represent the school and baseball program at all times.
• Players must conduct themselves in an appropriate and respectable manner at all times.
• Players must follow school and athletic conduct rules. Violations will be handled according to the athletic handbook.

Players’ Expenditures

• Each player will be provided with two game jerseys (red for home games and black for away games), game pants, practices pants, and a black belt.
• Players are required to purchase the following:
• PTHS Baseball Hat
• $18 for players and $20 for public.
• Can be purchased at the ASB Office or concession stand during home games.
• Solid Black Socks.
• Black Long Sleeve Undershirt.
• Glove.
• Cleats.
• Athletic Cup.
• Players are encouraged, but not required, to purchase the following:
• PTHS Baseball Pullover Jacket.
• $35 w/team logo and players name.
• We will order these as a team.
• PTHS Baseball Tee Shirt
• Short sleeve - $10
• Long sleeve - $15
• Can be purchased at the ASB Office or concession stand during home games.

Absences/Tardies

• By the second day of practice, players must turn in a typed copy of any days they plan to miss or be late during the season (including Saturdays and Sundays). This will allow the team to make necessary adjustments in planning practice and games.
• Family obligations, funerals, weddings, dentist appointment, doctor appointments, and spring break trips will be acceptable pre-approved absences. The coach will discuss all absences with the player.
• It is important to remember that absences may result in a loss of position and/or playing time.
• Any unexcused absences from a game or practice will not be tolerated. The coaches will deal with infractions. Violations may result in extra conditioning, extra field maintenance, cleaning the clubhouse, or loss of playing time. Penalties will be determined by the coaches and may include input for the team captains.

Team Boosters

• The baseball program has several expenditures in order to run an effective program. The school gives the team $500, which in not even close to enough to run the program. Each year the program has expenditures from equipment to field maintenance. With out the help our Team Boosters this would not be possible. Any time you see one of our Team Boosters, please give them a wholehearted “Thank You”!

Practice Expectations

Varsity Schedule

• Varsity practice will begin at 3:00 pm before daylight savings and 3:15 pm after. Varsity players must be respectful of the JV team and stay out of their way until the Varsity takes the main field at 3:15 pm before daylight savings and 3:30 pm after. Ending time will vary depending on the practice plan for the day. Players can check the practice plan on the bulletin board at school.
• If the field is unplayable, practice will be held in the gym. Times will vary depending on accessibility to the gym. 
• Varsity team and players equipment will be kept in the 3rd Base Dugout.
• Players are expected to be fully dressed and on the field by the start of practice.
• Practice plans might be altered for special circumstances. Additional practice days may be added if necessary.

• JV practice will begin at 2:40 pm. Ending time will vary depending on the practice plan for the day. Players can check the practice plan on the bulletin board at school.
• Some JV players maybe asked to stay past practice in order to work with the Varsity.
• JV team and players equipment will be kept in the 1st Base Dugout.
• JV will have the main field until 3:15 pm before daylight savings and at 3:30 pm after.
• Players are expected to be fully dressed and on the field by the start of practice.
• Practice plans might be altered for special circumstances. Additional practice days may be added if necessary.

Clubhouse

• Choose of lockers are generally on a first come, first serve bases. Veterans may have reserved lockers from the previous years, so rookies should check before taking a locker.
• No Metal Cleats in the Clubhouse!!!
• All trash and dirty clothes must be picked up off the floor at all times.
• Music is only allowed after practice. Captains are in charge of the music. No profanity of any kind or music privileges will be taken away.
• Players will jog/run to and from the clubhouse.

• Players must give 100% each and everyday.
• Players must following the policy of “practice like you will play”.
• Players must be focused and on task at all times.
• Team meetings will take place after the field is taken care of and equipment is put away.
• No player will be allowed to leave until the team meeting takes place.

Field Maintenance and Equipment

• Each player will have a designated duty.
• This will be assigned at the beginning of the season and players will be responsible for their duty throughout the season.
• Each duty will have a back-up player to carry out the duty if the primary player is absent.
• A list will be posted in the clubhouse.
• Varsity players will be in charge of field maintenance. JV players are responsible if they practice on a day that Varsity does not.
• All equipment must be stored in its proper location.
• Maintenance of the field must meet the coaches and team groundskeeper’s standards. Remember this is your field, so take pride in it!

Dress Code

All players must wear the following attire for all practices:

• Pants:
• White w/ black pin strips (each player will be issued practice pants with their uniform).
• Shirts:
• Black, red, white or gray.
• PTHS Baseball logos, limited brand logos or blank.
• Must be tucked in.
• Pullovers/Jackets/Sweatshirts:
• Black, red, white or gray.
• PTHS Baseball logos, limited brand logos or blank.
• Every player must have some type of pullover, jacket or sweatshirt at every practice regardless of weather.
• PTHS Baseball Hat (always turned forward).
• Black socks.
• Black baseball belt (each player will be issued a belt with their uniform). 
• Cleats.
• Athletic Cup.

School Attire

• All players must wear “Townsend Baseball” shirts on days we have home games.

Clubhouse

• Same rules as during practice with the following changes.
• Mood of the players should be focused on the game.
• Music is only allowed after a win.
• Once you step out of the clubhouse, each player should remember that they represent the school and the team.

Away Games

• Players must check bulletin board outside Coach Nelson’s room for leave times and out of class times.
• All players must be completely dress and on the bus by the scheduled time to leave.
• Players must remember their assigned duties and bring the necessary equipment.
• Players must be respectful and appropriate when traveling to and from the games.
• Because baseball and fastpitch travel together, baseball player will sit in the front half of the bus. Baseball players should not talk with fastpitch players. All players should be mentally preparing themselves for the game. 
• Once you step off the bus, each player must be focused on the game.

Before the Game

• Excepted time to be on the field for home games will be posted on the bulletin board outside Coach Nelson’s room and in the clubhouse.
• Players should begin stretching and throwing at least 45 minutes to an hour before game time.
• If there is time before infield/outfield warm-up, players should hit soft-toss with whiffles, take grounders, or take pop flies.
• No joking or clowning around during pre-game preparations, get focused on the game.

During the Game

• All players, starters and reserves, should be into the game at all times.
• No talking to fans or parents during the game.

After Home Games

All players must follow their assigned roles, field maintenance or equipment. No player will be allowed to leave until the team meeting takes place after the field and equipment is taken care of.

Dress Code

All players must wear the following attire for all games:

• Team Jersey and Pants.
  • Red jerseys for Home games.
  • Black jerseys for Away games.
• PTHS Baseball Hat.
• Black long sleeve or short sleeve undershirt.
• Black socks.
• Black baseball belt. 
• Cleats.
• Athletic Cup.
• PTHS Baseball Pullover/Jacket or Black Sweatshirt/Jacket (no other logos except PTHS Baseball or blank)