WEST SPRINGFIELD SPARTANS BASEBALL 6100 Rolling Road Springfield, VA 22152 Jason Olms, Head Coach The following paperwork must be submitted before or on the first day of tryouts: 1. Completed VHSL Physical Form 2. Completed FCPS Emergency Care Form 3. Concussion Ed On-line Course Completed by Player and Parent 4. Copy of 1st Semester Report Card 5. Signed Tryout Information Form (this form) by Player and Parent ** Forms can be downloaded at http://www.westspringfield.rschoolteams.com/ General Tryout Information 1. All freshmen and any sophomores not on the JV or Varsity WSHS rosters last year, will begin with JV tryouts. Any athlete on either the JV or Varsity roster during the previous season, and all other juniors and seniors, will begin with Varsity tryouts. 2. Be prepared for indoors and/or outdoors; baseball attire; spikes and turf shoes. 3. Bring all of your own baseball equipment with you. Each athlete is responsible for his own equipment during tryouts; the school is not responsible for lost or stolen equipment. 4. Every effort will be made to give athletes the fairest possible tryout. We cannot control the weather. Our first scrimmage is less than 2 weeks from the first day of tryouts so teams must be selected in a timely fashion in order to prepare for the start of the season. There is always the unfortunate possibility that tryouts will be held exclusively indoors. What we are looking for during tryouts 1. Team selection is not an exact science; it is a subjective process involving tangible and intangible measurements. Evaluation of athletes involves hitting, pitching, speed, baserunning ability, arm strength/accuracy, footwork, glove work, athleticism, practice habits, potential, and character. 2. Skills, practice habits, athleticism, and potential are more important than the position chosen as an athlete’s primary position. More often than not, the athlete’s primary position before high school will not be the athlete’s primary position in high school. Our coaching staff will evaluate how each athlete’s skill set might fit into a role in the program and we will determine each athlete’s primary and secondary positions. Final Rosters 1. The JV roster will typically carry around 20-25 students. We are primarily concerned with player development at this level. Athletes are selected based on how they project as future Varsity players and JV is used to prepare them for the Varsity level. However, playing time must also be earned at the JV level. 2. The Varsity roster will also typically carry around 20-25 students. We are focused on winning games and competing for championships at this level. We will select the players that best fit together to accomplish these goals. Commitment Expected of Each Athlete 1. We practice or play 6 days a week. Sundays are always off. Attendance at all team functions is required during the season. The baseball program does not ask students to sacrifice other interests in the off-season; therefore, we expect the same commitment in season. Potential conflicts should be reported to the head coach and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. There is very little flexibility on this issue. 2. Practice times vary during the season, but as a general rule, Varsity will practice from 3:15 – 6:00pm and JV will practice from 6:00-8:30pm on weekdays. On Saturdays, the Varsity and JV will lift, condition, and/or practice from 8:00 – 11:00am. 3. We are expecting our players to be first-class citizens, first-class students, and first-class ballplayers. If athletes can’t commit to all three, then baseball must be dropped. Playing Time and On-field Issues 1. We compete to win at WSHS; athletes are not guaranteed playing time. For some athletes and parents, this will be the first occasion of which you have had to compete for a role on the team and the opportunity to play. This is one of the biggest adjustments that athletes and parents must make. 2. Dealing with pressure and high expectations are an inherent part of high school athletics and a part of being a high school athlete. Competing for championships in front of large crowds is intense and emotional. Athletes must be able to perform under these conditions and our coaches will put pressure on our athletes during practice to prepare them for championship opportunities. Not all athletes thrive under these conditions, but this is an integral part of what goes into high level competition. 3. The only people permitted on or around the field during practices are athletes, coaches, and invited guests. Parents must watch practice from a distance and refrain from any communication with players before or during games in order to minimize distractions. 4. Playing time, positions, lineup, coaching decisions, other players, or any other on-field issues will not be discussed with parents. Athletes are encouraged to speak with our coaches if they have any issues or concerns; however, our coaching staff will not speak with parents concerning these particular issues listed above. I have read and understand the Tryout Information Form Parent/Guardian Name (Print)____________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________________________ Athlete Name (Print)____________________________________________________ Athlete Signature___