Baseball

Lennox Youth Baseball Program

Mission Statement

The City of Lennox and Park and Rec Board will work in cooperation with the community to provide local area youth an opportunity to learn and develop the basic mental and physical skills of baseball, ultimately building strong varsity baseball programs. We are committed to fostering a sense of good sportsmanship, teamwork, and the rewards of effort to promote positive social, emotional, and physical development in our players. It is also our goal to help create positive memories that will last a lifetime and transfer to success in all areas of life.

Philosophy and Vision

Our philosophy is to use positive teaching strategies, affirmation, and opportunities for correct repetitive practice to continuously improve our players’ skills. Our goal is to instill strong fundamentals and understanding of game strategy, not to win every game. The wins will come when our players have a chance to solidify their fundamentals and gain confidence in themselves, and this requires a supportive learning environment rather than a judgmental one.

Lennox Park and Rec Board/Sub Committee

Members of the Board and Sub-Committee preside over the needs of the Lennox Youth Baseball Program. Each member volunteers their personal time to ensure correct order of the organization, that fields are maintained, uniforms, shirts, and hats are purchased, equipment is ordered, rules are established, teams are created, and coaches are selected. The Board and Sub-Committee have regular meetings throughout the year to ensure a successful season and continued development of the program.These meetings are open to the public for suggestions.

Standards of Conduct 

We believe that everyone involved in youth baseball intends to do their best job. Nobody puts time into coaching, umpiring, playing, or parenting a player with the intention of doing a poor job. Still, it is a good idea to clearly state what that means to prevent any miscommunication.

Players 

Good sportsmanship in words and in actions should be demonstrated by players at all times. Such behavior as putting down other players, taunting, throwing of bats, or disrespect of coaches or umpires will not be tolerated and may lead to consequences such as suspension from games.

Parents 

The behavior of parents is also critical to player success. It is important that parents support the standard of sportsmanship at games and practices. We ask parents to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all events. This includes respecting the decisions of umpires and coaches and supporting players with positive comments.

Coaches 

As the leader of the team, a coach’s conduct is critically important. Players will watch what coaches do more closely than they listen to what coaches say. Thus, coaches need to follow up their statements about good sportsmanship with behavior that is consistent with the stated beliefs. Coaches should also demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality in discussion with others, considering the impact that their words may have on players. In the case of unsportsmanlike or degrading behavior of a coach, consequences may include a written warning from the Board, suspension from games, or removal from coaching. Once a coach is removed from a team, he or she may not coach again.

It is the goal to provide each player who participates in baseball with the opportunity to learn and excel. In order for this to happen, we need to have volunteers (usually parents) offer to take on the challenge of coaching. We acknowledge that coaching is a difficult job, but most of all, your time and efforts will be recognized and appreciated.

Listed are some coaching responsibilities:

• Be positive. Our intention is to develop our program, not to discourage players by noting only their shortcomings. By emphasizing what players can do well, we encourage them to try for more.

• Create a safe atmosphere. This includes giving basic instruction about safe procedures in batting, throwing, and use of safety equipment. This also includes voluntarily undergoing a background check for all coaches involved in working with players.

• Teach fundamentals and game strategy. This will require you to know the fundamentals and game strategy yourself, particularly the fundamentals that apply to your level, and to plan practices in advance so the most can be made of the time you have. 

• Communicate with parents. Parents are your greatest allies. Nobody wants to see their children succeed more than parents, and they will often help if a player is struggling. At times including parents is just a good idea.

Finally, this message is intended for all involved: remember who you are and what you represent. You represent yourself, your family, your team, Lennox Public Schools, and the entire City of Lennox. Your negative behavior reflects poorly upon all that you represent, just as your positive behavior reflects well. Let us leave a positive impression wherever we go.