TEAM ORIENTATION FOR PLAYERS AND PARENTS
All American Baseball Academy has been developing talented players for twenty five years. We have over 450 alumni who have either been drafted, signed as free agents and played professional or college baseball. Some have even become college coaches.
Our staff is proud have two National Pitching Associate Coaches with Tom House Sports. We are personally trained and certified by Tom and have worked with him since 2014. Tom is considered to be the father of modern day pitching mechanics and has worked with the best overhand rotational athletes in the country like Hall of Famers, Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Super Bowl Quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Drew Brees and too many more to list here. Our training allows us to use the same protocols designed for the superstars, individualized for our young aspiring athletes.
With a very limited amount of time to prepare for the upcoming season, it is a challenge to get all players and parents together for a pre-season meeting, so this orientation handout is meant to serve as a summary guide to a number of Academy policies and procedures that apply to all players and parents. We have high expectations when it comes to player development and our program has risen to the demand for the latest scientifically developed, medically defendable protocols designed to reduce risk and help our players meet or exceed their goals.
To keep it as simple as possible, we are primarily focused on the process. The outcome comes second. Our goal is to help every player learn from their experience and get better throughout the season. This allows everyone to get playing time and an opportunity to understand what they need to work on to improve. Baseball is a game of failure and failure is the best teacher as long as you learn why you failed and what you need to do to get better. Failure is the fuel of champions. Practices are very important. We ask that you get to practice early so that we can start as a team, on time. If you are late, please join the group as quickly as possible.
PRACTICES:
Our practices are basically the classroom. The games are an exam covering how well you performed what you have practiced. Our biggest obstacle is time. We are always observing our players. Our coaches are making note of everything they see. Our methods and techniques may not be what you are used to in local recreational or school baseball.
Everyone loves to win but losing is a big part of the game. After a win or a loss some coaches will have the entire team meet near the field and go over all the things that went right and wrong. Players are not usually very receptive to criticism after a game. We keep it brief. In some cases, we might have the entire team do some sprints to aid in the removal of lactic acid from their muscles and aid in recovery. Don’t assume it’s a punishment. It’s about the process of how to “prepare, compete and repair.” If we have something important that needs to be communicated it can usually be covered quickly off to the side so that players and parents can prepare for the next game or travel. In depth analysis, if needed, is much better discussed at the next practice.
PARENTS:
Are encouraged to be supportive of all players on the team.
To any parents who have always felt comfortable talking or communicating with their children while they are on the field. We understand, however, we insist that any comments be encouraging, 100% supportive and in no way instructional. They have enough to think about. Give them the space they need to perform.
We also request that parents do not coach from the stands or the sidelines. Please do not communicate with your player on the field or in the dugout.
Please do not deliver drinks to your players in the dugout. In fact, there is absolutely no reason for a parent to be anywhere near the dugout unless they are summoned for an emergency.
We encourage supportive cheering.
Please do not criticize umpires or opposing coaches or players. We do not yell at any players on the field. The only people designated to communicate with the umpires are the members of the coaching staff and we are not bashful, but we effort to be respectful.
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TEAM MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AT ALL GAMES - ONE HOUR BEFORE START TIME. ALWAYS BRING BOTH METAL AND WOOD BATS WITH YOU TO ALL EVENTS. Extra Help is always available for those who wish to schedule private lessons. Current Members do not have to try out again for next season. If you are interested in continuing with us let us know ASAP to reserve a roster spot. You can send us an email at: aabastars@gmail.com Much preparation goes into every season for Academy teams. It starts with you providing us with the information and documents we request in a timely manner. We have to submit rosters to tournament organizers and every player must be able to provide provide us with a "copy" of their birth certificate. You may email a copy of your birth certificate - send it to: aabastars@gmail.com
We organize an email and text list for communication during the season. Please read the information below and follow the directions to insure, that we have great communication this season. Please check all of your email addresses to be sure they are set up correctly and that you are receiving them. If they are not coming through, please also check your spam folders. Sometimes emails are hard to read when submitted. Emails will be sent to all the email addresses you provided based on legibility. If you wish to add an email address please send us the name, the email address, as well as the associated mobile number. We will be using emails as well as text messages when possible, for quick communication, when necessary.
EMAIL TEST: We ask that you please respond to initial emails by simply typing your name (That way we know who exactly it is from) and "got it." If you are a parent and you are reading this, then please ask your player if he is also receiving our emails? We want players to "read" the emails themselves. It's important that they accept this responsibility as part of their full commitment to the team experience. Sometimes text messages do not work so check email as well. TEXT TEST: Due to a lack of apps capable of handling group texts, we will be using emails until another workable option is available. SCHEDULES FOR TEAM TOURNAMENTS: Will be listed on your respective team page. They can be found under the "Team All American” Teams Tab" on the All American Baseball Academy website. Each week, when we receive the schedule for the tournament, we will post a link to follow for locations, times, etc. under the listing for the tournament. We encourage you to search the locations before the tournament to give yourself enough time to know where you are going and how to get there. If you are using cell phone gps remember sometimes it's easy to lose a signal.
We will update a link under every tournament as soon as we get them. This usually happens about three to five days before each event. If we get it sooner, we will post it ASAP. This is important...PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US TO ASK US IF WE HAVE THE SCHEDULE YET? WE WILL POST IT WITHIN MINUTES OF WHEN WE GET IT! We want you to have it ASAP.
Also Please, do not contact the tournament organizers to ask questions. We are your contact source. We will provide you with the name and contact info for the coaches of your team so that in an emergency you can contact them. Every weekend our teams are traveling in numerous locations and states, so contacting your coach will be the most direct way to communicate.
DIRECTIONS TO LOCATIONS:
TEAM PRACTICES: Team practices are important. Playing games for another team while we are practicing is simply a lost opportunity for you to exceed your expectations. More baseball is not necessarily the best thing, especially if you are re-enforcing bad habits. You are working with highly trained professional coaches who know how to make you better. We have a list of skills and drills which will be covered in our practices. You don't want to miss them. Team practices will be updated weekly. Uniforms will be given to new team members in the first week of practices. Please make certain the contact information in your team agreement is completed and returned ASAP. Ask your family members who you want to be included on the list whether they received an email or text. If not then have them have them send us an email at: aabastars@gmail.com.
You may email a copy of your birth certificate - send it to: aabastars@gmail.com
IMPORTANT!
Coaches: Coach Sam Wernick - 267-334-4444 Coach Eric Sonntag - 267-961-0266
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP: It's important for "everyone" to understand that all members of our program are here for a reason. Everyone has a dream. Our players are selected to join us based on: their athletic ability; their desire to succeed; their character; other intangibles; as well as their ability to overcome adversity. Your job as a player or parent is to support every member of the team and their family members. Your job is to be supportive, not critical. Since 1998, we have had hundreds of extremely talented players come through our programs and the prodigious list on our alumni page is a testament to our success as an organization. They all started as beginners and the support from the Academy staff and family is the common denominator that helped them succeed. Baseball is a game of failure. That's why it's so important that we all acknowledge the successes achieved along the way. When a player fails, they know it. They certainly do not need to be reminded. Failure is an opportunity to learn. Those who learn quickly and make adjustments, are the most likely to succeed. We put our players first and we expect you to do the same. We will accept nothing less.
We have been successfully developing players since before many of our current members were born. We are proud of the fact that many of the baseball facilities in southeastern Pennsylvania are staffed with our alumni. The Academy has established a national reputation for developing great student athletes, pro players and coaches. One of the reasons for this is because we continually challenge ourselves to learn how to do our jobs better by collaborating with the most highly respected, innovative sources in the country.
We are not satisfied with old school thinking. Conventional wisdom (that which you hear so often that you accept it as truth) is not enough to satisfy our high standards. We seek medically and scientifically defendable training techniques with proven results that are confirmed by an Independent Review Board. We work with some of the most highly respected organizations in the United States like the National Pitching Association (NPA) and the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI). We are also Orthopaedicare Partners with the Rothman Institute at Jefferson Hospital.
We have two certified NPA Associate Coaches on staff to offer the National Pitching protocols.
Our participants are exceeding results produced on a national level. This is the program presented on "HBO Sports" and "60 Minutes". It was also referred to in the movie "Million Dollar Arm." All American Baseball Academy has two NPA (National Pitching Association), Associate Coaches on staff. Both Josh Wernick and Sam Wernick and they are also Certified Bio-mechanics Specialists. (Only 5% of the top coaches and trainers in the United States have this certification. If you are serious about your development you need to learn about this program as soon as possible. Ask us for information on this program any time.
As we prepare for team practices, please be aware of the following:
ATTIRE: Important! Before we go any further...PLEASE DO NOT show up at the field or dugout wearing flip flops or Slippers. When someone drops a bat on an exposed foot in a flip flop it could cause an injury serious enough to end your season. We know how incredibly cool they are, but please leave them at home. If practice needs to be moved indoors and all you have are cleats and flip flops you will not be able to work inside. Remember....some fields will be turf and no cleats are allowed. Always bring sneakers with you.
Players are to wear Academy hats, tee shirts and baseball pants to outdoor practices. Players are to wear their Academy tee shirts and shorts to indoor practices. Academy hats are to be worn at all games and practices. All players need to always bring a pair of sneakers with them in the event that practice needs to be moved indoors due to weather or field scheduling conflicts. If you lose your hat, you must purchase a new hat ($30.00). (NO EXCUSES!) We advise you to write your name in your hat. If you are a catcher, you must have your catching equipment with you at all games and practices...(including your personal under garment protective gear.) NO EXCUSES!
BATS AND FOOTWEAR: Please bring both metal and wood bats to all games. That way we as a team can accommodate any situation that may arise. Bring metal cleats and turf shoes or sneakers to all games as we may be playing on either grass or turf. If we are prepared, we have no problems.
HYDRATION: is your responsibility! Bring water to all games and practices, indoors and outdoors. Some venues do not allow us to bring in water coolers. Some venues actually provide water coolers in the dugout. But seriously, have you ever enjoyed water from a cooler in a dugout? We have to have all of our bases covered when it comes to hydration. We advise you to bring either plastic bottles of water, sports drinks or a small personal water cooler to adequately hydrate yourself while practicing at the field or playing games. If it's hotter than usual, bring more than usual. It is suggested that you start drinking fluids well before a practice or game.
PARENTS: - Do not make visits to the dugout during practices or games to deliver drinks. College Coaches don't want guys who have to have their mommy bring them a Powerade in the 3rd inning. Please have your player prepare for these situations in advance. Take responsibility! If you fill a water cooler with ice and water you should be fine. 5 bottles of water per game would be safe.
FOOD: It's okay to have a light snack such as a power bar or a piece of fruit between games. We strongly discourage parents from bringing in fast food from local sources as they will make you sluggish after consuming them. What you drink and what you eat is the fuel you need to perform like an athlete. TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
ADDITIONAL FEES: UPFRONT NOTICE!!! Many event organizers have informed us to expect that at some point, we will be attending tournaments where you will be required to pay for parking, possibly a gate fee per person or both. The tournament providers have a right to collect these fees to offset some of their costs. The Academy is not responsible for these fees, so please be prepared to pay these fees when requested. Credit cards and checks will not be accepted, so please bring enough cash to cover these costs. Anyone arguing with tournament personnel with be asked to leave the premises.
DEPARTMENT OF FAILURE MANAGEMENT: Baseball is a game of failure! If you find yourself struggling, and you recognize that you need help. Get extra help. Failure is feedback and everybody fails. Champions learn from their failure. Your greatest obstacle is time. Don't waste time being upset or feeling sorry for yourself. Use your time to become a better you! FAIL>> FAST>> FORWARD>>
PRIVATE LESSONS: are available year round. We are here to help. If there are any problems or issues, come to us to discuss it
Our Job Is To Inf, Instruct and Inspire. 1. Positive mental and emotional management is one of the pillars of what we teach. Control your emotions. Be a consistent example of mental stability. Show them how to respond when things do not go our way. They will be able to get the most out of their skills when they are mentally in control. Failure is the fuel of champions. Every failure is an opportunity to learn if you use the right approach. Baseball is a game that provides an infinite amount of failure. Those who acknowledge their results, good or bad and move forward to make corrections or reinforce positive adjustments, create successful careers with many opportunities. 2. Players need to practice their sport on their own time. Greatness is an obsession. They will always have more time away from the team to get better than they will while with them. Help them develop great routines and develop good training habits. Help them learn to take their development into their own hands. We teach our players to become their own best coaches. We are providing scientifically researched and medically defendable training protocols to make you the healthiest athlete you can be while meeting or exceeding your expectations. There is a reason why our alumni come back to train with us after setting new records in their college programs. The results speak for themselves. 3. Be realistic. We put players in a position to thrive. When athletes train with us, we assess their weakest links and write training programs designed to address them and accelerate their growth. Generic programs are simply not enough. For players on our teams, we focus on providing them excellent competition so that they can elevate their game to a higher level and we put them in an environment where they can get exposure to college coaches and scouts. In some cases, college coaches have recruited our alumni after watching them play for just a few innings. We teach players how to create opportunities. Many people think you have to be at the biggest, most expensive events on planet earth in order to be recruited to a good school. Over the last 25 years, we can assure you that it is not true. We have had players recruited while playing at satellite field that were 50 miles from the nearest small city. Will you be ready to take advantage of your opportunities? If you have a process like ours and you stick with it, your chances improve dramatically. 4. Don’t allow excuses. They are usually followed by blaming someone or something. Accept outcomes for what they are. They are feedback. Feedback is what you need to learn. If something does not work out the way, you wanted then you have a right to not like the outcome. Give yourself a whole second to process what happened. Then ask yourself what you did or did not do to contribute that outcome. Decide how to address the action to improve. Focus on patterning a better movement or action to correct it. We can help. The majority of players do not know what they look like when they perform. They lack "proprioception." That means they do not understand how their body moves through space. Have someone take videos of you while playing so you can see what you look like. Ultimately, learn what you can control and what you cannot control. 5. Positive self-talk is very beneficial. A positive mental approach starts with understanding that you are comprised of about 35 trillion cells. Those cells could care less about what you think. The neural pathway patterning between your brain, nerves and muscles are what control your movements. Some of the greatest athletes of all time used positive self-talk while performing to allow the brain to stimulate movements that produced positive outcomes. The exact opposite is also true. Negative thinking or conversations or a negative tone in your demeanor can produce negative results. Saying nothing at all may be more productive. 6. Baseball is a hard sport. If you played when you were younger, you can probably remember how difficult it could be. If you never played then go practice with you player and get a sense of what they have to do every day to get better. The growth and evolution of an athlete goes through stages that are very challenging. When players start to hit puberty (ages 13 to 17) and they grow and start to build muscle. This is a frustrating phase because for every inch you grow you are set back about 2 months athletically when it comes to patterning your movements. The same holds true for every 5 pounds of muscle mass you gain. It takes 2 months to repattern your neural pathways to get your body to move correctly. Of course, it takes perfect practice, over and over again to build new pathways. It only takes one perfect repetition to make an adjustment to a movement, but In fact, it takes 1000 perfect repititions to correct a movement. To make it 'autonomic' it takes 10,000 perfect repetitions to program the movement so that you do not even have to think about it. 7. There are many benefits to learning the most efficient mechanics even while moving slowly through the movements. Yes, this also works for some of the greatest athletes. Going through movements in "slow-motion" actually helps neural pathway patterning. It is called PNF and it stands for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. It is a technique that works. Make it part of your process when you practice. Players mature at different rates so do not compare them. As they grow and change size, they become different players. Be supportive of all players and encourage them. Motivate them to keep working at the game they love. Be productive because time goes by quickly. It is hard to say when a player will start to hit puberty, but the player has to be ready to adapt to the process and take advantage of every opportunity. 8. Parents, you need to look for leaders. Place your children in front of those who are great people, who will help instill the same values you are trying to teach them at home. Never underestimate the power of outside voices. But, make sure these people have excellent credentials, experience a proven track record of successfully developing athletes and most importantly, that they understand how to teach and share their knowledge. 9. Youth sports, including baseball, has the potential to become a toxic environment. These are the words of Dr. Tom House..."Baseball is a game of failure, coached by negative people in a misinformation environment." You do not have to be a part of it. We focus on making the developmental experience as enjoyable as possible. Stay away from the nonsense and remain focused on what is important. 10. Parents, please do not ever let sports come between you and your child. The lessons gained from baseball are in fact, life lessons. This becomes clearer as time passes. If your child fails and learns something, then the experience is productive. The outcome is not the process. If you as a parent are upset because of your child's outcome or his team's outcome that is understandable. Winning is fun. Losing is not, but the lesson is the part that propels the elite. Do not let your attitude about their performance cause strain in your relationship. This game is a temporary phase in their life and meant to be enjoyable. Your relationship is forever. Nurture it now to have for life. Your job as a parent is to be supportive of your child and his teammates. Your job is to share unconditional love for them as they grow. |
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
REGARDING ROSTER SPOTS FOR ALL AMERICAN BASEBALL ACADEMY TEAMS.
THE ACCEPTANCE OF A ROSTER SPOT IS A SERIOUS COMMITMENT.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT 215-672-7500
IF YOU ARE SELECTED BY THE ACADEMY STAFF YOU WILL BE OFFERED A ROSTER SPOT ON AN AABA STARS TEAM. A ROSTER SPOT IS A LIMITED OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS WITH OUR STAFF AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY ON A STARS TEAM. A GREAT AMOUNT OF ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND EXPENSES ARE INVOLVED BEFORE THE FIRST GAME IS EVEN PLAYED. FOR THESE REASONS AN INITIAL $500.00 NON-REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE REQUIRED TO SECURE A ROSTER SPOT AND THE COMMITMENT IS FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON. YOUR VERBAL APPROVAL, WRITTEN APPROVAL OR YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR IMPLIED INTENT AND FULL ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS. ANY AND ALL FUNDS IN YOUR ACADEMY ACCOUNT OR PAYMENTS THEREAFTER WILL BE APPLIED TO ALL TOTAL OUTSTANDING BALANCES WHICH MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY THE ASSIGNED DEADLINES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SEASON AND UPON FULL PAYMENT THE ROSTER SPOT IS FULLY SECURED AND THERE ARE "NO REFUNDS".
Our goal is to exceed your expectations and that is why it is important for you to understand how we form our teams and the policies we employ to please as many people as possible. These policies are in no way limited to this document. If you have any questions please call us.
Everyone wants to play as much as possible, so we try to form teams with just the right amount of players. If we roster too many players then people complain that there are too many players and they are not getting enough playing time. If we roster to few players we are always at the risk of playing in a tournament and running out of pitching or catching. What happens if a player or two are injured or if they have to attend their sister's wedding or a family function. As you can see this is a daunting task and the Academy has no control over the events that occur in each of our player's or families' lives.
The Academy is a business and we must factor in all of our costs and overhead to assure that our expenses are covered and that our professional coaching staff is paid. When you accept an offer to play for an Academy team you are accepting a "roster spot". A roster spot is a limited opportunity for a season. If you cannot attend any of the Academy events, for any reason, you sacrifice that opportunity and it is not refundable. The administrative responsibilities required to run each team starts many months prior to each season. The limited number of roster spots are determined ahead of time to guarantee that we can meet our obligations. The acceptance of the roster spot is with your understanding that you are agreeing to these terms. Replacing players who cannot participate is extremely difficult especially when it has to be done in a limited amount of time. In most cases the Academy cannot recover the extra expense and time lost to a player's inability to participate. We understand that injuries can and do happen and players are sometimes sidelined, however participation in sports comes with no guarantees and that is why every player and parent must sign a liability waiver. Injuries sometimes occur in the heat of competition. Injuries might occur while playing for school teams. They might occur outside of athletic activities. The bottom line is that a roster spot is a reserved opportunity for each player and whether you use it or not, all expenses for that spot are non-refundable.
Good sportsmanship is the hallmark of the Academy. We expect all players and parents to have respect for the game and respect for each other. Our organization is invited to participate in exclusive events year after year because we have an excellent reputation for respecting the game and the teams we play regardless of some of the actions by others. Over the years we have heard thousands of complaints from players and parents regarding some of the bad behavior they have experienced in their local recreational leagues and it will not be tolerated here. This is an environment where players come to learn from their failures in order to be the best they can be. Bad behavior is simply the result of poor coaching. That coaching applies to players and parents. The price you pay to participate in this unique program affords you the opportunity to participate and take advantage of all the resources we provide. "Every player is expected to be on time and do the right thing." Parents are expected to be 100% supportive of "all" players regardless of wins or losses. At no time is it permissible for a parent to criticize any of the players on the team. Our staff will handle any problems on their own terms and at the appropriate time. If we receive any complaints regarding any player or parent who cannot control his comments or behavior we have the express authority to terminate that player from the program.
If a tournament is rained out or cancelled, for any reason, the academy will make an effort to try to reschedule additional events, however it is very difficult to find last minute opportunities as most events fill months in advance and players and parents usually make other plans on open dates. That alone might prevent any alternate options.
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Fax 267-217-1555
