Diamonds Notes

Hello parents,
Contrary to popular belief, I do not eat, breathe and sleep Diamonds Baseball. However, Saturday I think I did since I smelled like a brat even after 2 showers. :)
I just wanted to document a few things based on the discussions of yesterday's parent meeting and some expectations now that we're starting the season. Hopefully I won't get too long winded (good luck with that).
1) MANDATORY practices will be held on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 5-7 PM until we start playing games. If these do not work into your schedule, please call me so we can discuss the issues and come up with a solution that works. School functions such as band concerts, awards ceremonies, church functions, etc will always take precedence over Diamonds. I just ask that if you are going to miss a practice for one of those reasons, you call me ahead of time to let me know. If you don't show up for practice and don't call, I can only assume the absence to be unexcused and that will factor highly into playing time. We will only have 7-8 practices before our first game so it will be imperative that we work hard at making practice. If you're going to be gone on vacation sometime during the summer, please let me know those things as far ahead of time as possible. If you need to reach me, you can e-mail me at this e-mail address, or at kyonan9016@charter.net or you can call me at home 459-9016, work 208-4010, cell 980-4752.
2) Practice for this week will be at Vets Park on Union Avenue. Due to having to attend the scheduling meeting, we will have an abbreviated session from 4-5:30 on Tuesday April 22nd, and a normal practice from 5-7 on Thursday April 24th. Next week we will be able to get permits, so future practice locations will be determined as we go. Please make sure you are on time - straggling in at 5 minutes after just does not work.
3) Optional practices. The following dates and times I will be available for additional instruction and batting practice, etc. If you are missing a weekday practice for any reason, it is suggested that you come to that weekend's session to keep up. These practices will be held in the South High softball area unless otherwise changed.
Saturday April 26th 3-5 PM
Saturday May 10 9-12 AM
Saturday May 17 9-12 AM
Saturday May 24 9-11 AM
4) Practice attire: Please have the boys wear or at least bring along undersleeved garments to protect their arms during this weird weather season. I also recommend sweatshirts etc - you never know when the wind will shift. Also cups are required - no cup - no practice. Players must also wear long pants (sweat or baseball) for practice - shorts will not be allowed. Players should also plan on wearing some sort of cleats to practice. And to foster team unity and show people who we are, Diamonds caps must be worn to practice.
5) From here on out, I may not have time to send an e-mail indicating if practice is cancelled due to weather. Please use the diamonds hotline going forward 467-0252 and press 44 to hear my message about where practice/games are and any cancellations. Do not play with the answering machine by pressing other numbers - it could delete another team's message. I will also try to put any cancellations on my blog on the website, but more likely than not the hotline will be your main source of information. By the way - check out our team picture on the website! Now we look like a team!
6) For games, full uniform attire must be worn. Red jersey, pants, belt, socks, hat. If we decide to wear the other sleeveless jersey you were issued, I will let you know that ahead of time. Do not wear white long sleeved shirts under your jersey. If you do that, you cannot pitch with that on and if its cold, you cannot pitch without a long sleeve undergarment on. Players not in full uniform will not be allowed to play.
7) Make sure players bring water bottles or sports drinks with them to practice and games, especially when its hot. There will be no eating during practices.
8) Game schedule will be determined tomorrow night. I will send it to you on Wednesday and publish it on the website. Home field locations are yet to be determined but will most likely be either Horace Mann, Kuehne Court or Field of Dreams. There should be 7 home games and 7 away games. Our opponents for travel will be from Sheboygan Falls, Kiel, Howards Grove, Oostburg, Port Washington, Kohler, Random Lake, Plymouth (3 teams) and Sheboygan (1 other team besides us). We will meet at a general location in case anyone needs to carpool or needs a ride for their child if they cannot make the away game.
9) If your child gets injured (during baseball or otherwise), please report it to me as soon as possible. Unless its absolutely impossible, I still expect injured players to attend practice to listen and watch what is going on.
10) Playing time is not guaranteed. I've never had a problem and have always played every player on my team every game. However, I will tell you right up front - the kids who come to practice and work harder will play more. As far as playing different positions - I will put the kids in positions where they and the team will succeed. If someone can't grasp the mechanics of pitching, obviously, we'er not going to put them there. If you have any issues with playing time or anything else, please make sure you discuss it with me before it festers into something bigger. I will be up .front with you if you are with me and I prefer talking it out with each other rather than it be discussed behind my back. This summer will be an absolutely positive experience for both you and your child if we work together.
11) I will have rules that the kids will abide by when we're practicing and in games. I will lay that out for them tomorrow at practice.
Well, ok - it did get long winded, but if anyone has any questions about this, please let me know.
Keith