The following is a look behind the scenes of the Park Center Baseball program. The opportunity to engage in athletics provides students a chance to learn values and lessons that stretch beyond the classroom. Through engagement with coaches, peers and community our coaching staff looks to provide develop character and compassion in young adults through baseball. Below is a look at several different ways our staff uses our "classroom" to accomplish these goals.
Program ExpectationsThe players in our program are all held to a high standard regarding their behavior on and off the field. Our team "Playbook" specifies the expectations to all players and parents at the beginning of each season. The main priority of this packet is to stress the importance of growth in our players to players and their families. As coaches, we focus on staying true to our core values of camaraderie, character, courage, competition and consistency. The packet also helps connect parents to the program. Often, parents only receive information their sons tell them. By providing them a copy of our program's expectations and goals, it becomes easier to have conversations with parents about their sons as the season progresses.
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Bullpen - InstructionAs pitching coach, my position requires myself to analyze and help progress the skills of our pitching staff. Recently though the help of an app I discovered through KIN 856 I have begun to record my analysis for my players. This has enable them to go online and review the video along with the dialogue I provide and drawing to help them understand. This type of teaching is not a replacement for face to face interaction, but merely a complement while also being a great resource to look back on whenever needed.
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Field - CompetitionOver the course of the season the coaching staff consistently challenges players through game-like scenarios in practice and tough opponents during games. Athletic competition provides many benefits to those who participate in it. Physical exercise, problem solving, communication, teamwork, perseverance and coping skills are just some of the benefits to particpating in athletics.
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Community ServiceThroughout the season our program participates in several opportunites to help volunteer as a team. This past year we have helped at Feed My Starving Children as well as helping bag groceries at a local store. These activities help good causes, but also give our players a sense of pride, community and intrinsic satisfation. Service also provides a great way for coaches, parents and players to get together and have fun.
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Peer RecognitionAt the end of each season the program hosts an Awards Banquet for the players and families. Here, players are publicly recognized for their achievements on the field (All-Conference and Team Awards) and off the field (All-Academic Awards). These moments of recognition for players help develop confidence and value within their peer group. The awards banquet is also a great way to to end the season as a 'family.'
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Image Attribution
Park Center High School, schools.district279.org/pcsh
Video Attribution
Park Center High School, schools.district279.org/pcsh