·         John Kopeck

·         Sean Dowers

·         Tom Billman

·         Bill Bowlin

Dawg philosophy:

It is our desire that by being a part of this team that your son will become both a better baseball player and more importantly a better individual. We will win and lose with dignity while learning the game of baseball. It is ok to fail as long as your BEST effort is put forth. Everything the coaching staff does is for the development and personal character of the boys that are on this team. Coaches will always make decisions with the benefit of the TEAM as the #1 PRIORITY.

What to expect:

·         Dawgs will play approximately 50 games.   The number of games is inclusive of 7-10 tournaments (estimated).   The number of tournament games will vary by level of success.

o    17 league games

o    5-8 local tournaments; greater Cincinnati, Dayton and surrounding area

o    2 out of town tournaments (Columbus OH State Championship – June and World Series – July)

·         Dawgs will practice during regular season play

·         Dawgs Training Camp activities

o    Fall Baseball

§   Games (8) and practices (3-6)

o    October thru December:

  o    January:

§   One scheduled indoor practice at Moeller High School beginning Sunday January 24^th.   7 out of the next 8 Sundays (no Super Bowl Sunday practice).   Mandatory attendance unless excused absence.   12-2 pm.  

o    February:

§   Indoor practice continues at Moeller

o    March:

§   Indoor practice continues at Moeller (final one 3/14)

§   Additional indoor practices TBD

§   Scrimmage(s) TBD

§   Outside practices begin at Leyman Field 3/16 weather permitting.   Dawgs will have a “standing time” on Tuesday night and Saturday.

§   3/20 Season begins- 1^st tournament

Dawg Player Guidelines:

·         Every player on this team has very good baseball talent and most

players are interchangeable at many positions

·         Your son is expected to do their best at all times

·         There will be no throwing of helmets, bats or equipment or excessive displays of anger or pouting.   Crying will not be tolerated.   Baseball is a game a failure.   We as a coaching staff will do everything we can do to help the boys understand that.

·         No taunting, trash talking or gloating over a team’s misfortune will be tolerated

·         We will treat teammates with respect.   Dawgs will respect each other and help teammates get better.   Player to player derogatory comments

of any type will simply not be tolerated.

·         Dawgs will always hustle and run both on and off the baseball field

·         Arrive at practices on time and all games 1 hour prior to game time.   Players arriving habitually late may be assessed playing time at the coaches’ discretion.

  Dawg Parent – Coach Guidelines:

·         Missing a practice or game- Please notify Coach John at least ONE DAY prior.   Email or phone call is acceptable.   Realize that we are only carrying 11 players.

·         Need to turn in a player contract (late September), medical release, wallet size photo and a copy of birth certificate

·         Please keep in mind that this level of play is competitive.   There is no guarantee that all players will receive equal playing time throughout the course of the season.  

o    That being said all 11 players will be pitchers and all 11 players will have multiple positions

·         All players, parents and coaches are expected to conduct themselves in a positive and professional manner when interacting at games and practices

·         Be patient as the lineup will change from time to time. Be positive as there will be shifts.   You may not agree with the positioning of your son but you are expected to keep a positive attitude during the games with other parents and coaches. Any distractions by disgruntled parents will be addressed in a proactive and timely manner away from the players.

·         Parents are asked not to be a distraction to your son by correcting them from the sidelines and /or screaming at them. Trust that the coaching staff will teach, coach and discipline your son appropriately while on the field.   Decisions to take a player off the field of play and out of the game will be a coach’s decision only.

·         Input from parents is appreciated provided it is in the best interest of the team and it is conveyed in a positive manner. No discussion of personal issues before or after game.   PLEASE DO NOT USE EMAIL for this forum.   FEEL FREE to discuss any issue with any or all of the coaching staff.   Understand that a response by 1 coach is effectively a response by all 4 coaches as a unit.

·         Parents are not allowed in the dugout unless invited. Players must stay in the dugout during the course of the game. Wandering out of the dugout will only lead to distraction and potential poor behavior.

Dawgs Player Motivation Program:

·         “Give a Dawg a Bone Program”

§   Players get Dawg Bones (for their helmet) for extraordinary events in both individual and team performances

·         Examples:

o    Perfect batting during game (i.e. 3 for 3)

o    Making awesome play in the field

o    Hitting a home run

o    Discretionary items like first official practice as a team

o    Winning a tournament

o    Pitching a no hitter

o    Hustle

o    Attentiveness

o    Team player attributes such as picking a player up, cheering, encouragement, etc.

§   What this program is not

·         The intent is to be generous but fair with the Dawg Bones.   I don’t want to create a situation where one player has 50 bones while another only has 3!

Dawgs Communications:

·         Website: http://lakotadiamonddawgs-2.com/index.php

·         Email

§   Coach John’s home email is best: kope1@fuse.net, office is: John.Kopeck@RaymondJames.com.   Coach Sean: Sean@Nationsohio.com.  Coach Tom: billman@fuse.net.   Coach Bill: wbowlin@cinci.rr.com.

§   Email will be used extensively so please “stay tuned in” to it

·         OneCall Phone Messaging Service

§   Active after new phone numbers inputted (ASAP)

§   Will send a test message when the system is ready

  SWOL – AABC 2010 Structure and 2010 Goals

·         National League (12 teams) American League (18 teams) and Continental League (12 teams)

·         Each player shows improvement during the season.   Development of the players is our #1 focus, not wins.

·         Win 70% of our games in 2010

·         Win 2+ tournaments

·         Return to the National League in 2011 at 12u

·         Go to Cooperstown NY in 2011 at 12u-   http://cooperstowndreampark.com/

10U Diamond Dawg Team Beliefs

·       Thank you for being a part of this organization.   We will always do our best for your son.  

·         We will do our best to prepare our team to win every baseball game. However it will not be at the expense of a young player’s health, safety or positive self image.

·         We as coaches, win or lose, when the game is over want our Dawg parents, the other team’s parents and anyone else watching the game to say…”that is a well coached team”.   This means we have given the kids the best instruction, keys/basics to the game and they are fundamentally strong and solid to succeed at baseball!

·         We WILL be a successful team.