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About Travel Ball
The competitive youth baseball travel team concept continues to explode throughout all parts of the country. New teams are being started every day. Travel baseball was organized to give the baseball players of our communities the opportunity to play baseball at a higher, more competitive level and to play year around.
The Arizona Mud Hens Baseball Club finds competitive youth baseball exciting, and feels fortunate to be operating as a team, a community-based organization with strong roots and a bright future. We are not associated with Little League or any recreational league in any way.
It is our intent to teach the necessary fundamentals and provide an environment that will allow a player to excel in his baseball skills throughout his Jr. High and High School years with the hopes of receiving a college/university baseball scholarship when eligible, and that the skills, attitude and values practiced in travel ball will transcend far beyond the playing field.
Team Philosophy
Our program is based upon this premise: Respecting those around you will make you a better team player and us a better team. This includes respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, umpires, and ultimately, respect for parents. We believe this is the first step toward becoming a successful team unit. Our intent is to teach the fundamentals of baseball, while instilling in each player the benefits of hard work, goal setting, self-control, self-confidence and positive thinking. Parents are expected to participate in the program to the extent that they will encourage and assist where needed to ensure that their son's experience is a positive one.
From Head Coach, Ted Schuman:
First, the reason we pulled this club team together was to offer our boys the chance to play a higher level of baseball without living our lives around their tournament schedule. I believe we can play competitive baseball and have a life as well and allow our kids the opportunity to play other sports. I also wanted our boys to play the best kids from around the State of Arizona and beyond who have a love and passion for baseball.
Second, I believe that this age is a perfect time to be a coach. The boys can learn rapidly, they can apply the skills we teach them and most important, they are eager and want to learn.
Third, I believe the "fun" in baseball comes from learning and getting better. We are pushing your kids to be better, to learn the fundamentals, to know the game. This will take time and we have to work hard (an easy word for being tough on them). I know by the end of this year's season in Cooperstown we will have a lot of fun as parents watching and coaching and our kids will enjoy playing ----because they know how.
Fourth, I believe that this is a great time to develop discipline, focus and dedication (limited). We can teach them a great lesson: What it takes to be good. Can there be any better thing for our kids?
Expect us, as coaches, to be hard, but fair; tough but educational; and most of all teachers of baseball and life.
Goals
- Learn ALL of the important baseball fundamentals
- Learn ALL of the rules of baseball
- Learn ALL of the intricacies & delicacies of baseball to appreciate the thinking man’s game
- Provide a learning environment that is positive and enjoyable for players and families.
- Develop a team/program that continues to grow and be a top competitor for years to come.
- Challenge every player to improve his or her baseball skills to the highest degree.
- Give each player confidence that will help them in other areas of their lives.
- Build friendships that will last past baseball.
- Teach the meaning of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Players Behavior
We believe that playing should be fun for all. We also believe that there is a difference between having a good time, and clowning around.
We believe that playing should be rewarding for all. We also believe that there is a difference between earning the reward yourself through hard work, and expecting to receive your reward effortlessly, while everyone else works hard.
There is no favoritism. All positions are earned. Each player will have ample opportunity to prove himself during practices. A player shouldn't have to tell others he's a shortstop or pitcher. He shouldn't have to let others know that he's a clean-up hitter.
We will never tolerate, throwing things, engaging an umpire or any outward display of anger. Oh and don’t forget Tom Hanks rule… “There’s no crying in baseball!”
Parents Behavior
Parents should never have to tell the coaches that their son is 'a Super Star!' Coaches prefer to form their own opinions through observation. If the player is really awesome, it will become obvious to all around him as he practices hard and has the right mental approach to the position. We believe in; "Don't tell us what you can do, show us what you can do!"
Here's some interesting statistics:
- Only 13% of Little Leaguers will move on to High School ball.
- 35% don't move up because of physical inability to play at a higher level.
- 35% don't move up because of poor coaching during their developmental years.
- 30% don't move up because of parents' egos.
Parents are strongly encouraged to avoid confiding in their son that he should really be playing a position other than where the coach is playing him, or that he should really receive more playing time than the coach is giving him. Planting this element of second-guessing, doubt and mistrust in a young boy's mind only hinders his ability to become a true part of a team effort and can, if not corrected early on, reveal itself in outward displays of disrespect for those in authority, something that will not tolerated on the Mud Hens. The coaching staff believes that all players must learn to play the game two ways: (1) On the field. (2) On the bench. Individual success at both positions, are critical to the team's success.
We strongly believe in not only good, but also GREAT sportsmanship. We encourage cheering for our kids, not cheering against the others. (It’s also OK to cheer other teams exceptional plays) We do not permit excluding/isolating kids and will never tolerate players talking behind another team member's back. We don't use foul language and we don't make fun of each other or another Teams players. Respect will be shown to all those in authority regardless, including parents, coaches, and umpires.
One of the surest ways to prevent a player from having ample opportunity to become an important member of a competitive baseball team is for the parents and/or relatives to get in the way. Chronic complainers, sideline coaches, and out of control parents will not be tolerated.
Attitude
Although umpires manage the game, how all the players, parents and coaches conduct themselves on and off of the field cannot be monitored in travel ball. By design, travel ball is totally independent and held together only by the self developed bonds of sportsmanship, good attitude, self-control, love and respect for the game. The bottom line is; you develop a team, teach by example and build your own reputation. It is extremely important that EVERYONE not only understands our code, but also follows it closely. Heightened competition can raise tempers and egos, and unfortunately, if not kept in check, can unravel a team quickly. On a positive note, the examples I have seen of good and bad behavior are no worse in travel ball that I have seen in other leagues. Just because it is more competitive does not mean it cannot be done with class and sportsmanship.
Joining the Team
Joining the team is a process. The applicant and parents will first need to read and understand the Parent & Player Agreement. Your son will have an interview with the Coach’s to make sure he understands the commitment and agrees to it.
Next, he will need to submit a Player Application. When received, the applicant will be notified of the current status. If there is an opening, the applicant will be asked to work out with the team. If the chemistry is right, and the player fills a particular need on the team, and if the parents are supportive and positive, the player will then be asked to become a member of the Arizona Mud Hens Baseball Club.
We take this invitation very seriously as we realize that not only will we be agreeing to take on the responsibility of assisting in the development of a new player, but that the team will be inheriting the parents of the player as well.
All players and parents must execute and return:
1) Player Commitment Statement
2) Parents Commitment Statement
3) Application
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