Parent / Player Handbook

Please read through the following Family Handbook and Player Expectations. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: info@usascoutbaseball.com

Family & Player Expectations:
Parents and players equally represent USA SCOUT both on the field, off of the field, in the dugout and in the stands. Please be mindful of your behavior and actions in all situations, create a positive image of your team and the organization.  

Expectations:

• At all times, USA Scout players are a direct representation of the organization. Players are expected to come to all practices and games with a positive, professional attitude, which should also carry over into the dugout. Players are expected to be the type of teammate that they would want to be surrounded by.
• Players and parents, of all ages, never know when a higher level coach/scout may be watching. Negative behavior & actions tend to be more memorable and influential than positive behaviors. Most players handle the positive well, but how players handle adverse situations is what matters more.
• One of our main goals at USA SCOUT is to prepare player’s AND their families for baseball at the next level, whether that be middle school, high school, college, or Professional Baseball. In all aspects, we are trying to prepare and educate families on what’s to come and how to best handle situations and communication at these levels. We are in constant communication with coaches and institutions at all levels of baseball and are often asked for player/family recommendations.

Social Media Posting:
Parents and players, please make educated decisions when posting content on social media. Refrain from negative comments, opinions and/or posts about other players, teams and/or organizations. If we find negative postings, removal from the program could be a consequence.

Player Academic Requirements:
Players first priority is academics. Players keep in mind, high school academic requirements do not allow you to participate in sports if you are failing classes. If players are struggling academically, suspension from practices/games could result, in order to allow for more study hours.

Organization Dues:
Dues must be paid on time. If dues are not paid within a reasonable time frame, players will not be eligible to participate in practices, training or games until balance is fulfilled. 
If delinquent payments become a recurring issue, yearly balance will be due immediately before the player can return to practice, training or games. 

Refunds:
Please visit USAScoutBaseball.com under the parent info tab you will find our organization refund policy.

Guest Playing:
Players ARE NOT permitted to guest play for other teams, at any point, throughout the season. If we are made aware that this has happened, the player will be removed from the organization.

Players ARE permitted to pick up for teams within our organization, based on team need for players. This must be approved by their head coach.

ONLY if the event is vital to the players baseball career will there be any exceptions to this rule. The player must first seek approval from Joe Odak or Austin Wagner prior to accepting to pick up with any team.
Umpires:
All teams will experience bad umpires. Please refrain from commenting on bad calls and the strike zone. We do not want to be known as the organization that heckles umpires. Coaches will handle the umpires as needed. 

Coaching and Cheering from the stands:
It is our hope that all parents and other fans attend the games to support our players. Baseball is a fun sport to watch and seeing our athletes and the team compete is an awesome experience to be a part of. Here is what we need to be careful of....

1.) You all have trusted qualified coaches to coach the team and your player. Please let the coaches do the job that they are being paid to do.  Therefore we ask that you refrain from coaching or instructing from the stands.  It is not beneficial to have a player looking into the stands during a game. 
We will be putting enough pressure on them and will provide them with the instruction they need at practice / during the game.  In addition, there are certain coaching game strategies that parents may be unaware of, therefore please refrain from providing input from the stands. 

2.) Positive Encouragement vs Pressure:  We will put enough pressure on the players during the games and at practice. Cheer when they do well, but don't add additional pressure.

Dugout, Before Game Warm Up's, Post Game:
The dugout, cages, and warmups area's will be off limits to parents, siblings, and other guests. This is a time our players need to be locked into the game and the goal of the day. Please be sure they have enough drinks and all necessary equipment before we get started. 
There will always be a post game meeting. Please be sure you're able to stick around for 10-15 minutes after the game.

Extra Reps:
We practice a lot, but it is not enough. As parents, you will play a huge role in getting your player the extra reps they need, or finding an instructor to do so in your place. Be careful with arm use. Extra fielding and hitting reps are what needs to be done outside of practices.

Attire:
It is expected that all players will respect the uniform and name on our jersey.  Hats should be on straight, shirts tucked in, ect.  Please be sure your player looks professional when they arrive at the ballpark. 

Respect, Attitudes, Effort:
Everyone in the program including parents, players, coaches, and fans are expected to respect one another at all times. Players' full attention and effort is expected at all times.

College Recruiting:
USA SCOUT has a full-time DIRECTOR of COLLEGE RECRUITING - Jamie Corr.
Jamie will work with all of our high school players, on an individual basis, and help guide them in achieving their long term baseball goals. High school players should take advantage of all that Jamie has to offer, including his keen eye for player development and his vast array of contacts. Jamie will be one of the best tools in your player’s arsenal. If you have any recruiting questions for Jamie, please reach out to Jamie directly.

Chain of Communication: 
At USA Scout, we value the opinions of our families and are constantly striving to improve upon the wants and needs of our members.  If a parent or player has a question, comment, or concern, please adhere to the following chain of communication:

14U and Above Families:
There will be no coach communication within 24 hours of a game, if concerns are in regards to that game/tournament. This allows for a “cooling off” period and more rational, productive discussion.
Player initiates conversation with the coach, in person.
If not resolved, the family contacts the coach.
Still not resolved, the family contacts their age group director via email (info@usascoutbaseball.com) and a meeting will be scheduled, via phone or in person, with the family, the age group director, and the coach.

13U and Below Families:
There will be no coach communication within 24 hours of a game, if concerns are in regards to that game/tournament. This allows for a “cooling off” period and more rational, productive discussion.
The family contacts the coach directly, via phone call/text with the player on the call.
If not resolved, the family contacts their age group director via email (info@usascoutbaseball.com) and a meeting will be scheduled between the family, the age group director, and the coach.

24 Hour Communication Policy: Please allow 24 hours to pass before attempting to contact your coach after a game, if concerns are in regards to that game/tournament, playing time, etc. This allows for a "cooling off" period and a more rational, productive discussion on both sides.

General Questions:
If you have questions or concerns about the organization, practices, training/workouts, etc., please email info@usascoutbaseball.com and someone will be in contact within 48 hours.

Tryouts and Team Placement:
USA Scout’s main tryout season is during the summer months, at which time we tryout potential players and re-evaluate returning players. We will continue to have tryouts throughout the year in order to fill vacated roster spots and build teams.
Unfortunately tryouts are very short and oftentimes not an exact indicator of actual talent and ability.  We attempt to make the most accurate placements once a player has made it through tryouts and is offered a spot, that spot will be held for 24 hours.  Once a player accepts the roster spot, we must receive a deposit within 24 hours. If the decision is delayed and the roster fills up, the player has the option to accept an open roster spot on another team, assuming there is one available. If there is not another team available, the player can opt to be placed on a waiting list.
If you have any questions or concerns about team placement, please contact your age group director via email at info@usascoutbaseball.com.
We encourage players to put in the work in an attempt to make a better team. It is also in the parents best interest to encourage the same work ethic from your child. At the high school level and beyond, player’s will have to earn their spot, so try to instill that work ethic as early as possible, in preparation for the future.

Practices & Workouts:
In order to develop a player’s full baseball potential, we expect your player to attend as many practices, training and workouts as they possibly can.  At USA SCOUT, we provide players all of the tools they need to develop and move up to the next level.  It is up to the player to take advantage of all that we offer.
If your child is ill or unable to attend a game or practice, please notify the coach in advance.

Tournament Schedules:

Teams are guaranteed 4 tournaments in the Fall and 7-10 in the Spring/Summer depending on the age group. Sometimes we are offered free tournaments and will accept those spots if that particular team is able to play in it. Teams have the option of doing a destination tournament, which is handled and decided upon on an individual team basis. Teams are responsible for all costs, including coaches expenses, if they opt to do a destination tournament.