Select Baseball
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The Flower Mound area is known regionally as a hotbed of high school and competitive youth baseball programs. At the heart of the learning process is FMYSA's Select Baseball Program, which fields teams at the AA, AAA, and Major levels in ages 8 through 18. As baseball players develop, some seek a higher level of training and competition. Youth baseball has organized into four key divisions, to facilitate different levels of competition. Those divisions are: A Division: Recreational league teams Our program begins at "kid pitch" age (i.e., 9U). Our teams regularly place high in tournaments. While our coaches have great autonomy between the fences, they are required to maintain certification by a national youth coaching organization, pass a criminal background check, and agree to abide by the FMYSA Select Guidelines. All of this ensures participants and families a fair shake at playing time and participation while enjoying the best volunteer coaching in the area. FMYSA teams practice locally at Town of Flower Mound parks. Most teams use North Texas Interlock for league games, and normally play home games in Flower Mound. |
Coaching Applications |
Select Baseball Tryouts: (All age levels are as of Spring 2013)
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Select Team Guidelines
- Select Team Guidelines
SELECT BASEBALL GUIDELINES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS: (note; references to Select Softball have been removed from this document: Feb 2013)
AGES – 8U – 18U
The premier select club for FMYSA baseball will be the Texas Rattlers, and will begin at the 8U age level. Going forward, no other premier team name will exist. However, current select teams are grandfathered in and are not affected by this change. If a current team desires to be part of the Texas Rattlers club, they can decide to join by submitting a coach’s application and bringing their team to the annual try out process.
Our goal is to build the best talent at all age groups, while at the same time continuing to build our recreational divisions.We want FMYSA teams to be competitive at each age group while having the best possible coaching staffs available in order to grow and educate children as baseball players, athletes, and young men and women.
FMYSA will be accepting Texas Rattler coaching accept applications twice a year (see calendar for dates). After applications are received and coaches interviewed, the premier Rattlers coach will be selected. The number of head coaches in each age group will be determined by the number of players within a given age group that can play at a select level, meaning AA/AAA/Majors. We may have multiple teams in a given age group or category but it will be based on the talent level of the players who tryout. That means there is an opportunity to have 4 or 5 select Rattlers teams at different levels, or only 1 Rattlers team, depending on the number of players and their talent level.
No other new select teams will be added to FMYSA outside the Rattlers club name. Again, this does not apply to existing sanctioned select FMYSA teams – each existing FMYSA sanctioned team is grandfathered in. However, if you would like your team to be part of the Rattlers club you can do so and you will take part in the tryouts for the Rattlers club teams.
This year we will make exceptions on mass tryouts for Rattlers club given the time this is rolled out to our members and coaches. If you are not a Texas Rattlers team coach coach and desire to become one, we will accept applications twice a year (see calendar for dates).
FMYSA Sanctioned Select Teams and Contacts
- FMYSA Sanctioned Select Teams and Contacts
Age
2012-13
Classification
Team
Coach
Phone8U AAA Texas Rattlers Wade Hunt 940-390-1752 8U AA Texas Rattlers John Rankin 214-213-8162 9U AA Texas Rattlers Carlos Benavides 214-317-9938 9U AAA Texas Rattlers Sean Briggs 972-839-9481 9U Major Texas Rattlers Chuck Stanke 972-746-9938 10U AA Texas Rattlers Nick Smith 972-827-6976 10U AA Texas Rattlers Charlie Carr 214-450-7611 10U AAA Texas Rattlers Chuck Berneche 469-628-2344 11U AA Texas Rattlers Steve Kall 214-770-6863 11U AAA Texas Rattlers Gary Wells 214-335-8975 12U AA Texas Rattlers Mark Hall 972-834-2809 12U AAA Texas Rattlers John Ingraham 469-271-6230 12U Major FM Outlaws Mark Lawless 469-569-6976 13U AA Texas Rattlers Rick Kenyon 972-849-7529 13U AA Texas Rattlers Danny Lee 469-233-2694 13U AA Texas Rattlers 13U AAA Texas Rattlers Steve Burgess 469-964-2400 13U AAA Flower Mound Fury Jeff Pearson 972-657-0286 13U Major Flower Mound Stix Ken O'Rear 214-502-3580 13U Major Texas Rattlers Bill Francis 972-816-7097 14U AA Texas Rattlers Bill Rogan 469-499-4486 14U AAA Flower Mound Tigers Chris McBee 214-263-6517 15-18 HS AAA Texas Rattlers Tim Dial 817-300-3360 15U AAA Flower Mound Texans Jeff Neudeck 469-586-2427 18U AAA Texas Rattlers Scott Pelham 214-629-0223 18U AAA FM Diamond Dogs Stan Dennis 214-405-6085
FMYSA Select Baseball
- Financial & Time Commitment
FMYSA Select Baseball requires both financial and physical commitment from players and parents. Most teams begin practice in January, play practice and league games from February into the following November. Some have professional instructors as part of their programs. They normally play numerous tournaments locally and out-of-town. They play tournaments that sometimes start on Thursday evenings and usually end on Sundays (including Sunday mornings and evenings.) For those who don't know, Sunday evening tournament baseball is a GOOD THING.
The cost for Select Baseball is higher than that for Recreation Baseball, and varies by team. Each coach determines what uniforms the team will wear, what tournaments they will enter, whether or not to play an NTI league schedule, team equipment, use of indoor facilities, and other things that affect the total cost. Each parent pays an FMYSA registration fee to the league, and then all other expenses are handled by the coach.
Before you tryout for a team, we advise you to consult with the prospective coach to see if the team's level of expected commitment (time and money) is compatible with your family's ability or willingness to meet that commitment.
Select baseball is NOT and equal play program, although our guidelines prescribe minimum playing requirements that encourage coaches to play all players to participate in every game and over the course of every tournament. We encourage coaches to provide a memorable experience and to provide each player with quality game time experience.
- How many teams are there?
FMYSA has about 30 sanctioned select teams as of 2009. That number varies from season to season.
The number of teams FMYSA sanctions is based on the following criteria:
* quality and history of the coaches that apply
* past success of these coaches
* past success of that age group's All-Star teams
* current number of "sanctioned" teams in that age group
* field space availability
* general level of parent / player interest- How can my child get on a Select team?
Please review the list of select teams to see what teams exist at your age group, and when they will be holding tryouts. If they do not have tryouts scheduled, contact the coach and ask about the process.
Most teams hold tryouts twice a year, in early August and November. Some teams may not hold a tryout because they either are not looking for any players, or are only looking for one or two players. A call or email to the coach can help you understand the process. If you have difficulties or further questions, feel free to reach out to the VP of Select Baseball at any time.
Select Baseball Guidelines
- 1. Purpose
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To offer a quality, competitive, select baseball program sanctioned by FMYSA and available to FMYSA baseball participants.
- 2. FMYSA Select Program & Team Organization
The FMYSA Board of Directors is the final authority regarding sanctioned select baseball matters.
The FMYSA Select Baseball Committee (FMYSA-SBC) is responsible for overseeing the select baseball program. Currently, that committee is comprised of the President of FMYSA, the Vice President of Town Baseball, the Vice President of Select Baseball, the Executive Vice President, and the Treasurer / Secretary. Contact information is available on the FMYSA website (www.fmysa.com).
FMYSA authorizes official sanctioned select baseball teams for any of the following designated age classifications to include Rattler and other select teams given sufficient interest and talent levels in each classification: 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, and 14U. The FMYSA Board of Directors may grant approval to sanction select teams in other age groups.
Playing Time and Team Rosters: FMYSA recreational rules requiring minimum playing time requirements are waived. However, all select baseball team coaches are expected to abide by the following sanctioned select baseball minimum participation requirements for defensive innings:
Level Overall NTI Schedule Each Tournament AA 50% 50% AAA 50% Average 2 innings per game Major 50% Average 2 innings per game Each team shall have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 players. The VP of Select Baseball must approve rosters carrying below 10 or above 12 players.
- 3. Coaching Applications, Responsibilities and Conduct
Head coaches, assistant coaches, and all game-day coaches of sanctioned select teams are volunteer positions. Head coaches may choose their own assistant coaches. There can be only one designated head coach of each team.
Any person considered for a head coaching position shall notify the Select Baseball Director in writing through the process on the FMYSA website. Coaches will be selected in July and October for the following season. After reviewing applications, the Select Baseball Committee shall nominate a head coach for each sanctioned select team, subject to approval by the FMYSA Board of Directors.
When selecting team head coaches, the Select Baseball Committee and Board of Directors shall consider the following criteria:
• Knowledge of the game
• Ability to effectively teach baseball to age-specific players
• Coaching experience and coaching success
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents
• Amount and quality of past support provided to FMYSA
• Ability to complete NYSCA Certification and background check
• Any previous written complaints or commendations from other coaches, parents, umpires, or other league members
• Any other pertinent information regarding the individual's qualifications to serve in this capacityIn addition to coaching their respective sanctioned select teams, head coaches are required to assist the FMYSA Recreational Baseball Leagues during league registration, league coaches meetings, draft evaluations, camps, clinics, tournaments, etc. All select baseball coaches MUST help, or send team representatives to help, with the various coaches clinics, pitching clinics, and the spring recreational league skills evaluation.
It is required that each select team create and maintain a website for indoctrination and communication purposes. Minimum website information should include: Level of play (AA, AAA, Major), estimated dates for beginning and ending a season, expectation of time for practices and tournaments, and intentions to play out-of-town tournaments.
Conduct: All head coaches are required to be members in good standing of FMYSA's approved accredited coaching certification program (NYSCA), and pass an annual background check as administered by an approved FMYSA contractor. Assistant coaches may, at the request of FMYSA, be required to pass annual background checks and/or pass certification.
All coaches, including assistant coaches, represent FMYSA at all times. They are responsible for the well being of each team member. All coaches will demonstrate proper demeanor while serving as an FMYSA representative. Failure to do so may result in probation and possible removal from the privilege of being on the field during games. The FMYSA Board of Directors reserves the right to remove any coach from the team for cause.
- 4. Players, Residency Rules, Player Removal
Any player, league age 8 or above, may try out for any FMYSA sanctioned select baseball team. Players may play up one age classification. Interested players should be reminded of the commitment required to participate at this level.
Selected players will make seasonal commitments (Jan-Aug or Aug-Nov). Coaches should refrain from choosing players who, regardless of reason, are unable to commit to participation requirements, as well as a majority of the scheduled events. While a member of a sanctioned team, players shall not participate on any other baseball team without written authorization from the sanctioned team's head coach. Players who are on any age group league-sanctioned select team roster are not eligible to participate as a guest player, or as a roster player, in any FMYSA recreational league game of any age group.
Residency Rules: Teams sanctioned by FMYSA will adhere to the following residency requirements, in addition to any external league residency requirements (e.g., NTI). Teams may carry the following number of players who DO NOT reside in the Marcus HS, Flower Mound HS or Lewisville HS feeder areas*:
AA AAA** Major** 9U 3 3 3 10U 3 3 3 11U 3 3 4 12U 3 4 4 13U 4 4 5 14U 4 4 5 *Residency is determined by school registration address.
**Team playing level depends on how the team registered with USSSA.Player Removal: The Head Coach may remove a player from a team for cause with approval of the Select Baseball Committee. The head coach must consult with the VP of Select Baseball before initiating removal of a player for cause.
FMYSA does NOT consider the following as causes for removing a player during a spring/summer or fall season:
• Player performance on the field
• Retooling for tournament season
• Retooling for a National ChampionshipFMYSA COULD consider the following as causes for removing a player during a spring/summer or fall season:
• Player's family unable to fulfill team time commitments
• Chronic behavior and/or attitude problems by the player or the player's parent(s). Such behavior problems should be documented in email to the VP of Select Baseball.- 5. Try-Outs and Recruitment
Sanctioned teams' official try-outs will be coordinated and operated, in most cases, by the respective head coach. FMYSA will provide each team with equitable field time to conduct tryouts. Coaches may rent facilities or fields on their own for team tryouts if needed beyond league-issued fields, or in case of bad weather. Coaches will hold try-outs in an attempt to give all participants a fair and equal opportunity to make the team. Newly formed sanctioned teams are required to hold open tryouts. Returning teams may conduct open tryouts depending on needs. Players from the previous season are not guaranteed positions and may be asked to try out like any other player.
RECRUITMENT PROTOCOL between FMYSA sanctioned teams is as follows:
• AAA/Major coach may initiate contact with AA or Rec Players/Parents
• AA coaches may initiate contact with Rec Players/Parents
• No horizontal recruiting, i.e., AAA recruiting from other FMYSA AAA teamsDuring the baseball season, head coaches are allowed to add players as needed to the team. If the player being added to a team is on the roster of another FMYSA select or recreation baseball team, the VP of Select Baseball, VP of Recreation Baseball (if player is currently on a rec team) and both head coaches must be in agreement to add the player prior to the player practicing or playing with the new team.
Final rosters shall be announced prior to in-person league registration. This policy allows players not selected for "Sanctioned" teams to be able to participate in recreation Baseball. In the event of conflicting schedules, the league will make exception for those wanting to sign up for recreational league.
- 6. Guest Players
The spirit of the Guest Player rule is intended to allow short-handed teams the temporary use of other players, normally for league play. It is not intended to exclude regular team members in favor of more highly skilled players. Guest players may only be used when a team is missing players from its beginning of spring or fall season rosters. When the missing player returns, the guest player must relinquish his spot on the team with exception: a guest player may be used for state and national tournaments, even if the missing player returns, if the guest player played in the qualifying tournament. Be careful in tournaments: Incorrect roster moves could jeopardize the guest player's or your team's eligibility for future tournaments.
- 7. Fees
A membership fee will be assessed to all select players before each spring and fall season by FMYSA. The membership fee will include expenses such as field usage fees, insurance, team level equipment, background checks, administration cost and web support. The annual membership fees will be determined by FMYSA's Board of Directors before each season.
Players/parents also are responsible for cost of uniforms, league fees, tournament fees, gate fees, registration fees, and field usage fees above and beyond what FMYSA furnishes for practice and games.
- 8. Fundraising, Refunds, Records Inspection
Teams are permitted to seek new private sponsorships for select baseball teams and solicit existing FMYSA sponsors. A list of FMYSA sponsors is available on the FMYSA website.
In the event a player quits or is dismissed (for cause) from a team, the player or the player's parent(s) are eligible for a pro-rated refund for any parental contribution, less uniform and other fees, if the termination occurs on or before Memorial Day Weekend for the spring season, or October 15 for the fall season. Coaches are expected to "do the right thing" in these situations.
A team's accounts, books and records shall be open to inspection by team members/parents. Coaches should volunteer such information by request. A parent may further request by making a written request to FMYSA. Head coaches are solely responsible for all financial aspects of their sanctioned select baseball team. These fiduciary duties, whether performed by the head coach or a designee, should include: accurate bookkeeping, paying of bills, fund raising and reporting as required. Coaches are required to share any bookkeeping with parents or FMYSA upon request.
- 9. Equipment, Uniforms and Team Names
Select teams fund their own uniforms and equipment. However, any equipment or uniforms supplied by FMYSA shall remain the property of FMYSA. Aside from damage incurred from normal wear, parents will assume financial responsibility for all damage or losses suffered while the property/uniforms were issued to them.
Team colors, team name, uniform fees and uniform selection are the responsibility of the select team coaches. For new teams, the VP of Select Baseball must be notified of and approve team names prior to uniform orders. FMYSA may require affiliation patches on a required spot on game jerseys. If such uniform patches are required, FMYSA will provide such patches to all sanctioned select teams. Select teams have the discretion to affix sponsor names and logos to team-funded uniforms.
Teams are encouraged, but not required, to register in local and state tournaments using the name "Flower Mound" before the team name to further brand the quality of baseball played in the community.
No team other than the designated "TEXAS RATTLERS" shall utilize the "TEXAS RATTLERS" name.
- 10. Agreement
All participants/parents chosen for a sanctioned team shall submit a signed FMYSA Registration Form and full membership fee payment prior to the first game of the year. This normally is done through online or in-person registration.
Any player selected to play for the sanctioned select baseball for a SPRING / SUMMER TEAM shall make a commitment of one full season to the team and coach. Any player selected to play for a FALL team shall make a commitment of one full FALL season to the team and coach.
- 11. Grievances
Handling of all questions, concerns and problems always will be handled first on a team level. The Select Baseball Board encourages the player to approach the head coach to attempt a resolution. If resolution cannot be agreed upon then the parent and coach should attempt to resolve the issue. The final step would be to file a written grievance with FMYSA. The FMYSA Board will try to resolve the issue with all parties' interests in mind.
It is not the intent of the grievance process to manage or address day-to-day handling of teams, practice routine, lineups, playing positions, etc. These types of issues are a coach's decision and must be handled between the coach, player and/or parent(s).
- 12. Amendments
These guidelines may be amended by majority vote of the FMYSA Executive Board of Directors at any general membership meeting provided that meeting notice contains the proposal that the sanctioned Select Baseball Guidelines will be amended. These guidelines are subject to the review and approval of the Flower Mound Youth Sports Association Executive Board.
- Download Printable Select Baseball Guidelines
Complete Select Baseball Guidelines (PDF)