SUMMERSIDE | As announced at the 2019 Summerside Area Baseball Associations Annual General Meeting, a motion was passed to review and modify our on-field programs plan for our “Blastball” & “Pony” introductory divisions.
“Our entire Board of Directors felt that it just wasn’t clicking. We wanted to emphasize the importance of our introductory levels and figure out how we could make the programs better, night in and night out” – Tanner Doiron, President & General Manager, SABA
After striking a major sponsorship deal a few months ago with local car dealership business, Township Chevrolet, It was one of the key goals in contract talks that SABA wanted to increase its number of staff on the field for summer programs in 2019. SABA is pleased to announce that with the partnership with Township, it is able to give the kids a minimum of three (3) Staff on the field at all times which increases from the previous two (2) staff members in recent years.
“We are also going to be looking at bringing in some special guests with a high level of experience in sport throughout the year to talk to the kids and have some FUN. All in
all this is great news for both our Programs & Development Departments that are headed up by Ian Lobban and Shawn Adams” noted Doiron.
HERE IS THE MODIFIED PLAN FOR SABA’s “Blastball” AND “Pony”. PROGRAMS FOR THE 2019 SEASON:
General Information
The SABA Blastball and Pony Programs are tailored around Baseball Canada’s Rally Cap Program adding a local flair from our coaches and instructors. It is intended to enhance players’ first and/or early experience with the game. The program helps teach players the FUNdamentals of baseball (emphasis on fun) in a fun and safe environment. Players will be given the opportunity to perform different tasks/drills in order to gain valuable skills at various levels of achievement. The program is designed for young baseball players.
“Blastball”: Blastball is a program offered to ages 4 to 6 and runs Monday & Wednesday evenings at the PCH Field, Queen Elizabeth Park.
“Pony”: Pony is a program offered to ages 7-9 and runs Tuesday & Thursday evenings at Queen Elizabeth Park.
Goals
1. Create a fun environment where young baseball players are actively engaged together in the game of baseball.
2. Develop fundamental motor skills, teach baseball skills, and basic rules to our players.
3. Experience success with an emphasis on good sportsmanship.
4. Promote increased self-esteem and confidence among the participants.
Overall Success Plans:
Using the Rally Cap Practice Plans in the attached link, the intention of SABA and its programs staff is to develop the young players where confidence and enhanced skill has been improved from the first day until the last. Although it’s possible that not all drills will be carried out over the course of the program, the emphasis will be put on the basics of baseball and where required, increase the complexity of the drills if the players show an aptitude, passion and skill level that warrants it. It is important to understand that even MLB players practice the basics or fundamentals every day throughout their season as muscle memory and situational plays occur regularly for them in games.
A Glance of what our programs focus on: https://www.baseball.ca/uploads/files/Practiplans%20White%20and%20Grey%20Pages%20from%20Complete_Rally_Cap_Mini-book_5-5x7_2019-compressed-2.pdf
Our Team:
Our Director of Programs has a strong knowledge in baseball and has coached and/or played at all levels. His major concern is ensuring that the players are having fun and developing at their own speed. He will oversee all drills and assess areas of success as well as required improvement in the players as well as the effectiveness of the drills. He will constantly be approachable throughout the sessions and the program should the players or parents have compliments or concerns. It is important to note that the program cannot individually tailor itself to each child, however, identifying the skill level of the player, can separate like-minded players into different groups if warranted.
He will be available to provide feedback after each session and the program and will be honest and fair in their overall assessment of the player(s).
Furthermore, our Technical Coordinator and Program Assistants will also be current or previous baseball players with experience in practice drills and most importantly patience and understanding of the players behaviours and skill level. Consistency with the drills is fundamental in teaching children baseball and our workers will adhere to that. Smiling, laughing and showing they are having fun goes a long way for the players to mirror their instructors and the game. They will report to the Director of Programs at the end of each session and provide strengths and weaknesses in the drills and players performances that day.
As a group, we are dedicated to ensuring that the program is an overall positive experience for the players and never ever let negativity or strong criticism be the norm. All assessments or feedback, should it be required, will always be positive and constructive.
Responsibility and Safety:
Our team promise to provide a responsible and safe environment for the players and their parents. Respect for all is vitally important. Zero tolerance will be strictly adhered to when it comes to verbal or physical abuse from the instructors, players or parents. SABA hopes and expects that their instructors will heed patience, understanding and proper demeanor at all times. Should there be an injury to any player that requires attention, all drills will be paused until that player has been properly attended to and can continue or has been safely removed from the field. In the event of a serious injury or event requiring medical attention or evacuation, SABA has a medical evacuation plan in place should it be necessary.
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To Learn More About Summerside Area Baseball Association:
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