Mission Statement

As a club we aim to:

• Provide an environment that creates opportunities for enjoyment, is supportive, tolerant and inclusive for our players, coaches,
  administrators and volunteers, and challenges everyone to reach their full
  potential and ultimate goals. An environment that:
  • Encourages and supports the education, guidance
    and development of players, coaches and officials.
  • Enhances the participants’ self-esteem, physical
    mobility, and embodies the spirit of teamwork and community. 
  • Creates a positive playing atmosphere that
    facilitates the development of strong, resilient, coachable players with a
    passion for baseball.
  • Delivers a socially inclusive family atmosphere that
    feels safe and is free of harassment for all participants.
• Produce stronger and happier children who will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy members of our community.
• Challenge players towards perfection of physical skills and at the same time show them how much fun the game can be.
• Encourage players learn to play the game of baseball and continuously improve their skill levels and playing ability and be the best player that they can be.
• Provide healthful activity and training under good leadership within a fun and supportive environment.
• Foster an attitude of enthusiasm and maximum effort.
• Develop the strength and profile of our club while growing the sport of baseball.
• Run an efficient club and keep costs to
  participate in club baseball as low as possible.
• Raise the profile of baseball in Australia to help encourage participation and growth in the sport.
• Continue to be proud of the club’s long-standing commitment and contribution to the community.
• Maintain and improve our baseball facilities.
• Recognise the achievements of the past, maintain the achievements of the present and plan for the achievements of the future.
• Offer people of all ages and ability the
  opportunity to participate in baseball.
• Maintain a culture of sportsmanship, respect and tolerance.

What the club expects from you

Coaches/Managers

• Castle Hill Baseball adopts the Baseball Australia Code of Conduct for all coaches and Managers.
• Focus on developing coachable children in a way that is fun, encourages participation and creates lifelong memories.
• Remember winning is a bonus, effort and hard work gets results, respect the game.  
• Encourage teamwork and remind everyone that we play for the name on the front not the name on the back.
• Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
• Never ridicule or yell at a player for making a mistake or not coming first.
• Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
• Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
• Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience. All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
• Avoid over-playing the talented players; everyone deserves equal playing opportunities to help them develop, be challenged and enjoy the game.
• Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
• Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport; this includes opponents, coaches, officials, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
• Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
• Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest coaching practices and principles for growth and development of players.
• Ask for help from the club’s committee if you need anything to make your role easier.

Players

• Work equally hard for yourself and your team.
• Play to enjoy the game and improve your baseball skills, not just to please parents and coaches.
• Learn the rules of baseball and always play by them. This will also help you understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.
• Never argue with an umpire or official. If you have a problem, discuss it with your coach and allow them to take the necessary action. Understand that they are doing their best and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.
• Strive to play to the best of your ability at all times, both at practice and during the games. Put in the effort at training to gain the results in the game.
• Respect the time and efforts put in by your coaches, officials and teammates. They deserve your support and full commitment.
• Baseball is a team game. Encourage your teammates, even when they make mistakes. Remember every player makes errors and
  has off days. Never ridicule opponents or teammates.
• Respect your opponents and appreciate their good play. Without opposition you would not be able to play the game of baseball.
• Accept that at times you may be required to take a turn on the bench. When you are on the bench always encourage your team and be prepared to play, you are still part of the game.
• Respect the equipment provided for your use. Baseball equipment is expensive and should be used responsibly. Abuse of equipment such as throwing helmets or bats will not be tolerated.
• Dress and act like a baseball player at all times. Remember you are all ambassadors for our sport. Caps forward, belts on and shirts tucked in during training and games.
• Arrive on time for practices, meetings and games.
• Let your manager/coach know your availability for training and games well ahead of time.
• Treat all players, coaches, umpires, parents, and spectators with dignity and respect, as you would like to be treated, using appropriate language in appropriate tones when interacting with them.
• Seek to become the best athlete you can be by practicing appropriately, trying your hardest on the field, and concentrating on the play of the game.  Learn to take your coaches feedback and corrections as a compliment, if they take the time to
  give feedback it is because they believe in your potential.
• Win and lose graciously, demonstrating good sportsmanship throughout games and practices.
• Be honest and always take responsibility for your actions and results.
• Encourage and assist your teammates, giving encouragement and support in success and struggle.
• Support and cheer for all players and enjoy the skill and competition and do not intimidate or ridicule the other team or its fans. Recognise and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team.

Spectators

• Cheer good results but also cheer good effort, baseball is a sport where failure is commonplace.
• Remember it is the coach’s job to coach. Don’t give directions/instructions to players, it is confusing and quite often likely
  to be contradictory to the coaching staff’s direction.
• Remember that children participate in sport for their own enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning and losing. Wins will come through effort and enjoyment.
• Encourage children to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition. Remember that children learn best by example.
• Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
• Respect officials’ decisions and teach children to do likewise.
• Show appreciation for volunteers, coaches, officials and administrators.
• Support our sponsors as they help keep the cost to play lower.

Juniors coaches and umpires

• We encourage our junior players to engage in other roles in the sport as they get older, more confident, and more experienced. This gives them a chance to give back to the sport but also to
  gain a new appreciation for what it takes to coach and/or umpire and helps make them better baseballers and members of the community.

What you can expect from the club

Players

• A safe and enjoyable playing environment.
• Support from your teammates and spectators.
• Equal time and playing all positions as you first develop your baseball skills. As you become a more experienced player looking to play representative baseball you may focus on specific coaching and skill development as you focus on your ideally suited position.
• Support and encouragement to play at the highest level you aspire to reach.

Parents and supporters

• Qualified and skilled coaching.
• A fun supportive team environment.
• Club merchandise available for sale so you can show your support.
• The opportunity to more actively participate in the club in any number of volunteer roles.
• Open and honest feedback to any questions you may have about the sport and your child’s participation and development.

Umpires

• A safe respectful environment.
• Support to develop your skills and experience.
• Support to attain accreditation.

Coaches

• Support for all new and existing coaches including teaching the necessary and basic skills in order to develop our players across all levels and abilities.
• Support to attain your coaching accreditation for the level you are coaching.
• Mentorship from our more experienced coaches.

Managers

• Timely information from the committee.
• Help from your team’s parents when required eg scoring, ground preparation, canteen duties.

Scorers

• Training and support to score at the level you require.
• Support to attain accreditation.
• Mentorship from our more experienced scorers.

Everyone

• An avenue to ask questions and discuss any concerns, and to be able to speak to your coach directly. If you feel that your question or concern has not been adequately addressed, then please discuss with the appropriate committee member.
• A fun, family/community focused environment.
• Great food and drinks from the canteen.