YHS PROGRAM 2020 INFORMATION

Program Overview The Yorkville High School baseball program is a highly competitive athletic program. Selection, participation and playing time are not guaranteed. The selection process is conducted by professional, experienced, school board-appointed coaches. There are three teams: freshmen, sophomore, and varsity. Roster sizes vary year to year based on the pool of student-athletes trying out.

YHS Baseball Coaching Staff

Scott Luken Brett Assell Mike Gunter Nick Leonard Head Varsity Coach Asst. Varsity Coach Asst. Varsity Coach Asst. Varsity Coach

Tom Cerven Jim Higgins Jim Radak Zach Busch Head Sophomore Coach Head Freshmen Coach Asst. Coach Asst. Coach

Tryouts/Practice Schedule Baseball tryouts begin on Monday, March 2, and the selection process typically takes between two and four days depending on the number of candidates trying out for each team. Cuts will be made no later than Thursday, March 5 (members of the varsity team will try out upon the completion of the basketball season).

The tryout/practice schedule is based on the availability of the YHS and YMS gymnasiums. As soon as it is available, the schedule will be posted at YHS, at the Academy, and on the baseball website. Please note:

1. The gym schedule for the first week is tentative and may change based on the practice times and results of the boys’ basketball regional playoff games. 2. Regardless of the scheduled practice (gym) time, if there is any day we can go outside, we may practice at a time different than what is posted. Athletes should listen to the school announcements and sign up for Remind notifications for updates/changes to the daily practice schedule and be prepared for practicing outside after school on any given day. 3. During tryouts and until athletic lockers are assigned, students may bring their baseball gear to school and place it in their PE locker or make arrangements IN ADVANCE with Coach Cerven or Mr. Holtzman at the Academy or your PE teacher at YHS to store it during the school day.

Student-Athlete Expectations 1. Complete the online registration (yorkvillehs.8to18.com) and turn in a sports physical to the athletic office prior to the start of tryouts; a candidate may not try out without a physical on file. Physicals are good for 13 months from the date of the exam. 2. Attend all tryouts/practices and be on time or early. 3. Give your best effort. 4. Communicate with your coaches, and ask questions if you don’t understand something. 5. Dress appropriately for tryouts/practices: o athletic/sweat pants; players may wear shorts for running and conditioning o shirts will be tucked in prior to leaving the locker room; no cut-off shirts may be worn o represent Yorkville and/or school colors (red, white, black, gray); no apparel from other high schools o gym or turf shoes and cleats o sweats, jackets, cleats, etc. for outdoor practices o baseball cap (worn correctly) o no jewelry except religious/medical jewelry which must be taped down

What are the coaches looking for? Evaluation of each candidate and selection of players for each team may include the following criteria: o baseball skills (hitting, fielding, throwing, base running, pitching, catching, etc.) o ability to play more than one position o athleticism o willingness to buy in to team concept o baseball knowledge (understanding the game) o intangibles (coachable, attitude, desire, heart, hustle, commitment, work ethic, etc.) o previous playing experience; however, being a member of a previous YHS team does not guarantee selection o academic progress and commitment to maintaining good grades o character and citizenship within the school and the community

If you make the team Student-athletes selected to be members of the YHS baseball program will need to: o be available to practice/play every day Monday through Saturday throughout the season (freshmen and sophomore teams end May 23; varsity through state playoffs). Due to weather, field conditions, and availability of gym space, practice times will vary from right after school to late evening. Please be aware of this when scheduling appointments during the season. Considering a BTW drivers ed course? Sunday is the only day that will not conflict with baseball. o purchase game hats, batting helmet, and game pants from the baseball program no later than Monday, March 9 o pay an athletic participation fee of $80 no later than Monday, March 16 o players will wear red, red/white, or red/black cleats on game days o fully participate in baseball program annual fundraiser

Additional information will be communicated to student-athletes who make the team.

Spring Season YHS baseball competes in the Southwest Prairie Conference. After playing each South Division team once in cross-over games in early April, there will be three-game series against North divisional opponents Minooka, Oswego, Oswego East, Plainfield North, and West Aurora scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. Rainouts and non-conference games are scheduled on other weekdays and on Saturdays. Teams may play up to 35 regular- season varsity or “A” contests (JV and “B” games do not count toward the limit) with transportation to all away games provided by the school. There is a single-elimination IHSA playoff for the varsity team after the regular season concludes. The complete spring game schedules can be found on the YHS athletic website.

If you are playing for any other baseball team (travel, tournament, etc.), the High School Association (IHSA) has very specific rules regarding participation on non-school teams during the high school baseball season. Beginning Monday, March 2 and continuing throughout the spring baseball season, players may not participate on any non-school team. The IHSA defines participation as “engaging in any team activity, including but not limited to drills, physical practice sessions, player evaluations, team meetings, etc.” There is a specific exclusion that allows students to try out for a non-school summer team “provided the tryout is exclusively a demonstration of skills with no practice or instruction involved.” Details and additional information can be found at www.ihsa.org (click on IHSA Policies).

Summer Development Opportunities The YHS baseball program offers players multiple opportunities to continue their development in the summer. Participating in summer activities does not guarantee a spot on one of next year’s spring teams, but it allows players to continue to develop their skills while working with the high school coaching staff. Coaches understand that athletes may also be participating in other sports and summer activities. Summer baseball activities include: o Workouts: the YHS weight room, cardio room, outdoor batting cages, etc. will be open and available throughout the summer for players to use o Camps: a variety of camps will be offered for players to work on specific skills o Individual and small group workouts can be arranged with the coaching staff o Assist with youth camps: continue to develop your skills while helping young ball players

Dates, times, and details for summer baseball activities will be announced later this spring.

See the back of this sheet for a list of important dates.

If you have any questions concerning the Yorkville High School Baseball Program, please contact Coach Luken at [email protected] or for more information visit www.leaguelineup.com/yorkville and follow on Twitter @FoxesBaseball

To get text alerts for all things related to the start of the YHS spring baseball season (open gyms, registration, cleat and spirit wear sales, tryout dates, etc.), players and parents can sign up for Preseason 20 Baseball Remind notifications by texting @f2368e to the number 81010.

2020 YHS BASEBALL PROGRAM IMPORTANT DATES

Now Online registration open for baseball (link on website)

Sun, March 1 Online spirit wear sale kickoff (link on website)

Mon, March 2 Online registration for baseball closes and tryouts begin

Tue, March 3 Tryouts continue

Wed, March 4 Tryouts continue

Thu, March 5 Last day to order shoes/jackets from BSN (turn in to your coach)

Fri, March 6 Baseball program fundraiser kickoff MANDATORY for all players at YHS

Mon, March 9 Parent/player informational meeting at 7:30 pm at YMS (enter door 19) Last day to order from BSN online spirit wear sale Last day to purchase player game hat, helmet, pants (pay your coach)

Tue, March 10 Spring Sports Picture Day after school in YHS gym

Mon, March 16 Last day to pay $80 athletic fee (turn in to coach)

Tue, March 17 Freshman and Sophomore Season opener vs. LaSalle-Peru

Wed, March 18 Varsity Season opener vs. LaSalle-Peru in Joliet

Sat, March 21 Varsity Spring Break trip to Alabama (returning Sun, March 29)

Sun, April 5 Meat Mania Fundraiser Raffle Drawing/Party at Mike & Denise’s

Mon, April 6 Southwest Prairie Conference play begins

Thu, May 14 Senior Day vs. Oswego (tentative)

Mon, May 25 IHSA Regionals begin

TBA Baseball Program Dinner/Awards Night for all players and parents

For the latest updates on upcoming events, please check www.leaguelineup.com/yorkville