HCYA Baseball Policy and Procedures

HCYA Baseball Statement of Faith

The HCYA Eagles is a Christian organization. Its director, coaches and other leaders believe that:

HCYA does not require that participants agree with all points of its Statement of Faith. Only that all participants recognize and accept that HCYA and its leadership adheres to the Statement of Faith.

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The HCYA Eagles are currently for Junior High and High School level players only. All home-schooled boys between the ages of 11 and 18 on September 1st of the current academic year are eligible and invited to try out for one of our teams that plays in the spring of the same academic year. In other words, a player who turns 19 on September 2, 2007 is eligible to play on the High School varsity team in the spring of 2008. A player who turns 19 on September 1, 2007, or before, is not.

A player who is 17 or older on September 1st of the current academic year is ineligible to play on a sub-varsity team in the spring of that academic year. Thus, a player who turns 17 on September 2nd (or later) can still play on JV, but a player who turns 17 on September 1st (or earlier) cannot.

A player does not have to be a resident of any particular county to play on one of our teams (but see section on "Attendance").

These eligibility rules may be modified from time to time without notice.

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HCYA is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation, legally formed to provide a service to the community, without benefit to itself. As such, HCYA has agreed to comply with the bylaws of the organization, bylaws by which the IRS granted the non-profit benefits. As a corporation, HCYA has officers and other legally responsible individuals who have given us guidelines by which we are able to gain the value of the organization's offerings. Therefore, we have the responsibility to do nothing to endanger that opportunity, or to give the officers of the organization cause for concern. For this reason, appropriate documentation is both necessary and required, and fiscal responsibility includes raising enough money to cover any and all expenses incurred in the baseball operation.

To participate in any Eagles activity (including games, practices, banquets, etc.), a player must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit HCYA annual registration and $15.00 annual fee.
2. Understand and make agreements and arrangements to handle financial responsibilities.
3. Provide HCYA with a copy of the player's birth certificate.
4. Submit a signed Medical Release/Waiver of Liability form.
5. Submit a signed Participation Agreement.
6. Understand and comply with the Code of Dress.
7. Understand and comply with the Code of Conduct.
8. Respect and cooperate with players, coaches, umpires and others in authority.
9. Participate in fundraisers (or agree to offer payment for an opt-out fee).
10. Be current on all fees based upon agreements and payment plans.

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Styles of clothing, hair cutting, or the wearing of external decorative adornments are ever changing. To some people, even Christians, such is believed to be an important means of self expression. To others, they serve to provide association with a certain social group. These choices may be personal preference, or for reasons of ministry, or to just "fit in." Recognizing this, we will not assume to know the reasons for individual choices in this area.

Our dress code, therefore, is not intended to pass judgment upon any style per se. It is intended to publicly present our organization and the individuals and families represented in a manner which will offer the least distraction to our primary mission. If there be any attention drawn to us, we believe that it should not be attention to our unique external appearances, which might impress some, or offend others, but attention to our excellent character, and excellent performance on and off the baseball field.

All players must abide by the following at all Eagles functions:

1. We will dress in such a manner as to not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves.
2. Our standards would be considered traditional, and conservative.
3. Jewelry, earrings, cloth jewelry, or other faddish, non uniform adornment must be left at home.
4. Tattoos or body piercing must be covered.
5. Dyed hair or eccentric hair styles must be avoided.
6. Hair must be above eyebrow and should not touch shirt collar.
7. Face must be clean shaven.
8. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed, no longer than the bottom of the ear.
9. Hair tipping must be in a natural hair color.
10. HCYA Baseball Hats must be worn correctly at all times.
11. Messages, or advertising on clothing should be universally honorable to Christians of all ages.
12. Advertising on any clothing that depicts alcohol, drugs, tobacco, violence, sexual innuendo, profanity, mysticism, occult, gangs, etc. would not be acceptable.
13. All clothing must be worn conservatively and modestly. No droopy drawers (underwear cannot show).
14. Protective cup required for practice and games.

For practice, all players should wear appropriate clothing, including cleats, or spikes, and baseball uniform cap and pants, or approved baseball shorts.
For Games, players should arrive at the field 45 minutes prior to game time in near-full uniform (only cleats should be changed in the dugout). Shirts must be tucked in. All players are to remain in full uniform after the game, and until they are dismissed by the coaches. (Exceptions made for icing arms.)

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HCYA's goal is to honor God in our presentation of ourselves, our families and our organization at all times. All players, coaches, parents and fans must abide by the following code of conduct when in attendance or participating in any Eagles function:

1. Exhibit controlled, God-honoring communication. Profanity is unacceptable.
2. Treat physical bodies with respect. Illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Use of tobacco products of any kind by players before, during, or after an Eagles function is prohibited.
3. Conduct on and off the field must be exemplary. Drunken or disorderly conduct is unacceptable.
4. To the extent that is possible, all communication should edify. Booing or course jesting of players, teams, coaches, umpires, parents or others will not be tolerated. Prohibitions would include abusive or belittling language.
5. Maintain a wholesome, productive culture. Suggestive or offensive speech, innuendoes, gestures or tasteless jokes would be inappropriate.
6. Grant respect for coaches, parents, umpires, and other players.
7. Players are expected to focus on baseball and keep their head 'in the game' at all times.
8. Players are expected to stow their own gear and the other equipment, plus clean out the dugout of all items and debris after practices and games

These rules apply both on the field and the surrounding areas (bleachers, parking lot, rest rooms, etc.). In addition, coaches have the authority to set additional "event specific" rules of conduct that must be adhered to. If you wish to report or discuss a conduct related problem or action (including those of your own son), please address your comments and/or suggestions to the coach (after the game), or to an HCYA Director.

The provisions of this policy can be modified or added to at the sole discretion of the Director, and all parties are required to adhere to any revised policy.

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A organization of voluntary participants, with the diversity, and strength of opinion, and commitment as characterizes home schooling families is difficult yet critical to manage. The necessary social dynamics to allow us to carry out our central objectives are very easily shaken. While the players almost universally support the coaching decisions, and the activities of the program, parents can create unnecessary problems by acting intentionally or unintentionally to negatively effect unity and orderliness. These actions tend to create offenses which are maintained and increased because they are not biblically handled.

One of the reasons that these actions continue year after year in spite of their damaging effects, is that each of them has a positive corollary behind the action. Following is a list of some such destructive actions set alongside the justifying positive corollary.

It is OK to:	But that is no excuse to:
Razz and banter with teammates.	Use course jesting, and destructive words like, “You suck.”
Question policies, decisions, or actions.	Complain or speak in a non supportive way to your child, or other parents.
Disagree with what you see.	Undermine activities through seditious actions, or attitudes.
Be flexible.	Decide capriciously to miss a scheduled team event.
Have and support multiple interests.	Not keep predetermined commitments.
Become offended by another’s actions.	Publicly acknowledge the offense or to slander the offender.
Encounter trials and misfortune.	Let it effect attitudes, as though some strange thing were happening.
Have financial challenges.	Not keep financial agreements and make others responsible.
Put your family first.	Ignore the team, disregarding appropriate submission to other authorities.

Here are other discouraged activities:

1. Coaching your child from the sidelines. - At this level of play, multiple approaches actually hinder growth and development.
2. Calling coaching activities into question publicly. - Any public criticism of a training activity erodes the confidence of others. Usually, such criticism is rooted in misunderstanding, and wouldn't exist after an explanation by one of the coaches. Rather than start an unfounded problem based upon misunderstanding, and words that can never be taken back, ask any questions privately.
3. Entering the dugout at any time, unless invited by a coach. - Parental presence in the dugout during a game serves to distract your son and other players from the game at hand. We're not talking about important entry into the area, we're addressing attempts to coach or do the work of the coach in the middle of an activity. Also, it is inappropriate for parents to clean up the equipment and the dugout after an activity.
4. Complaining about coaching decisions. - After watching the 2007 World Series, it should be obvious to anyone that managing a Baseball game is the most second guessed job on the planet. There are literally hundreds of different activities, combinations, methods, or match ups possible in any given game. Anything in baseball that didn't work "might have worked" had it been played differently. Anything. That said, our head coach is among the most intelligent baseball people in the sport. He makes many decisions in the course of a game. He makes them all with the intention of producing the best possible outcomes for our team given the strengths and limitations of our abilities, taking into account the added pressure to be as flexible and inclusive with the lineup as HCYA expects.

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Unlike Little League, senior level private and public High School and Junior High baseball programs are neither required nor encouraged to get every player into the game. These same programs require little or no investment on the part of the parents or families of their players. However, HCYA, and the Homeschool situation is different. Homeschooling families must drive long distances, and make substantial time and financial sacrifice to support the team. For this reason, the HCYA coaches are diligent in their efforts to play all players. However, our coaches must also make a diligent effort to win baseball games using those players they think will best get the job done, given the circumstances of the game. What this means is that no matter how hard we might try, playing time cannot be equal.

The substitution rules of senior level baseball almost require that there be some player left on the bench for substitution to avoid a forfeiture of a game due to injury late in the game. There is no shame in participation on any level on a team where you had to earn the right to be there. Every player is an important asset to the team and we rely on consistent attendance and diligence from all players to meet our goals. Please be assured that there will definitely be many play-time opportunities throughout the season. Remember that participation in the HCYA baseball program consists of multiple practice and training opportunities for both the Varsity and the JV teams. Don't make the mistake of minimizing those benefits by making an unhealthy focus on game situations.

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All players are encouraged to attend all practices and coaches are encouraged (but not required) to consider faithful attendance as a factor when weighing the merits of a particular player's playing time. Coaches depend on reliable attendance information in order to prepare organized practices.

The bulk of the scheduled activities for the spring season is currently published on the website. For appropriate planning purposes, please review this schedule as soon as possible, and present a written notice of schedule conflicts, or activities you will miss.

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY CHANGES: Players/parents must notify by email at the earliest possible time if a player will be unable to make the scheduled activity. Email addresses will be provided. Please be sure to be in contact with someone at the field if for any reason you are running late. Leaving a message WILL NOT MEET THIS REQUEST. This is critical due to the senior level lineup and substitution rules.

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Homeschool Christian Youth Association (HCYA) invites Boys Ages 13-18 to their High School Baseball Team Spring Season. Tryouts are ongoing. For more information, contact Cheryl Bates at 281-488-1779.

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The HCYA spring baseball season begins with tryouts early January and continues with regularly scheduled practices 3 or more times a week through mid-Feb. Varsity and JV games begin mid-February and run through May. The HCYA Eagles baseball team schedules games with Houston area private, parochial and public schools. We play 3 games per week on average with JV playing first and Varsity following afterward. We also participate in several Varsity and JV tournaments in and around Houston as well as other areas of Texas. The HCYA Eagles baseball team also participates in the Homeschool World Series Association (HWSA), an organizatio that promotes and coordinated competition among homeschool students from ten states across the country.  HWSA presents opportunities to play in a regional qualifying tournament in April, and earn the right to compete in the Homeschool World Series in Pensacola, Florida in May. The HCYA Eagles were winners of the Homeschool World Series in 2000 and finalists in 2001 and 2002. The Eagles once again qualified for the HWSA Homeschool World Series in 2004 and 2007.

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The HCYA Eagles Baseball team practices at Strawberry Park/Stuckey Field in Pasadena and indoors at the Alta Vista Church gym in Pasadena.

The HCYA Eagles host games at Jack Brooks park in Hitchcock.

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HCYA does not control the communication of game cancellations that comes from the administration of the schools that we play. However, as a rule, if there will be a cancellation, it should happen on the game day before 3:00 PM.

If there is any questionable weather, or a possibility of rain, please call 281-992-1444 ext 2 to get information as soon as it is official.

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Unless otherwise noted, all games will be governed by High School rules according to the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS). Information on rules, and obtaining rule books can be found at www.nfhs.org.

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HCYA baseball program operates on an annual budget of $22-$25,000. The entirety of this money is raised through program fees, and extra fund raising efforts. The charter of HCYA prohibits us from committing resources for which we have no funds. We cannot create a debt for the organization.

We would need to charge approximately $1100 dollars per player to make our 2008 budget. However, we ask for participation levels as follow.

• Pay $600.00 per player for program fees, covering 50% of the operating budget.
• Participate in fundraising activities.
• Pray. The grace of God, and the hard work of a few other individuals make up the balance of the budget.

We are limited only by the money that we are able to raise.

A copy of the 2008 budget will be available.

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Traveling out of town is necessary from time to time. It is also a benefit to develop team unity and camaraderie. We have tournaments throughout the year occasionally requiring overnight stays.

For these occasions, HCYA will publish tournament-specific ground rules. These will include meeting requirements, establishment and enforcement of curfews, meal planning and organization, practice expectations, room assignments where necessary. There will be non optional Sunday chapel opportunities when appropriate.

These expectations of appropriate conduct and behavior will be standard for every event.

Failure to comply will result in an appropriate level of disciplinary action as determined by the directors and coaches.

An itinerary will be distributed prior to each such event.

Travel expenses, accommodations and meals should be covered by each player.

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