Welcome to an exciting new season of Rider Baseball. This year promises to be a great experience for everyone involved. We would like to take time to thank you for allowing us to teach your child valuable life lessons through the game of baseball. As a parent of a player in our program, we have some expectations of you that will assure that this experience will be positive. This handout is provided to assist you in support of your son as a member of the baseball program.

Please provide support and encouragement for your son: The game of baseball forces players to deal with success and failure often in a few short moments. This can be an emotional rollercoaster for players, coaches, and parents. When the team is having difficulties, please remain positive to everyone involved. One of our main focuses is sportsmanship and we want to model it consistently. As well, your positive influence can help provide your child confidence, which if of the utmost importance in athletics.

Know the difference between support and interference: Supporting words help build a team’s confidence. Please be sure to allow the coaches to do the instructing and strategizing. There needs to be only one voice coaching the players to avoid confusion. While you may or may not agree with every decision being made, understand that they are made with team’s best interest in mind. For the most part, coaches are placing what they believe to be the best team on the field, and are attempting to win games. There are times when a coach rightfully will adjust a line-up or strategy. While there can be endless arguing relative to which player is better suited to play a position, or is better suited to hit 1st or 3rd, the coach makes these decisions in good faith for various reasons. Supporting these decisions is important to the success of the team as a whole, and is very much appreciated.

Understand why he plays baseball: Learn exactly what it is that drives your son to give the time and effort required to be a member of this program. What are your reasons for having him play? Do they match? If they don’t, you must allow the players motivations for participating to supersede your own. We’ve all experienced a parent that is trying to relive old sports glories through their child. Supporting your child includes allowing him to relish success and learn from failure.

Be respectful to coaches and umpires: Students learn how to behave from what we model for them. When adults act in an unsportsmanlike manner, or , show disrespect to coaches or umpires, their children think this is acceptable. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. One “heated” comment can undermine an entire season’s worth of effort. Again, you don’t have to agree with every decision or call made, but you do need to be respectful and remember why we are here.

Be a fan: Come to every event that you can possibly attend. Encourage every player on the team regardless of the situation. Take pride in our successes and support us in our failures. Allow coaches to coach, umpires to umpire, and players to play. Make it a great experience for us all!

Please remember that your role as a parent is extremely important to your sons growth as a student, person, and athlete. Please make it a habit of modeling the behaviors you would like you son to possess. We as coaches promise to do the same.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not address them at the field before, during, or after games, rather, please call or email in order to schedule a time that is appropriate and convenient. You can contact the head coach in the following ways:

Thank You

Bob Withrow
Email: bob_withrow@pasd.wednet.edu
School Phone: 565-1793 (7:50 – 3:00)
Cell Phone: 477-1933 (anytime)
Home Phone: 452-9899 (until 9:00pm)