Hi Everyone and happy 2013. Its baseball time again. Please have a look at the information below for an orientation to the start of the season and whats coming our way.
Registration: We'll have a registration table set up at ASM Thursday and Friday Jan 31 / Feb 1, and Thursday and Friday Feb 7/8 from 15:45 to 16:30. If you can't make it to ASM to register please make every effort to do so via email by completing the registration and waiver forms and emailing them back to me. Call or email me if you need the forms. If you aren’t able to register at ASM in person or by email it will be possible on the clinic day itself.
- Very important: If you have any requests or limitations with respect to siblings on the same team, requests for team assignments to facilitate carpooling, or practice limitations, please note them on the registration form. I can't guarantee they will be honored but we'll try. First priority will be balanced teams, second siblings, and third driving for families coming from far away. Sorry but requests to be on a team with friends will not be possible.
Cost: 60 Euros. I apologize but due to the cost of everything being more expensive (uniforms, printing refreshments) we’ve had to raise the fee this year. You can pay at ASM registration, or Clinic day registration. If you pay by check it must be made out to American School of Madrid.
The Clinic: The date is Sunday Feb 17. I apologize (again) for intruding on peoples Sunday but due to the holidays and early Semana Santa this year we have to play it this way. The good news is that it will not conflict peoples Saturday activities. If you were in either Senior Kid Pitch or Machine Pitch last year your session will start at 13:00 sharp. Please arrive early especially if you are registering on that day itself. If you were in Tee Ball or Coach Pitch last year please plan on arriving by 14:30. The clinic will last about 1.5 hours per session. We will run the players through some drills and make up the teams that same day.
- Very Important: I am aware that these dates might conflict with school holiday schedules in Feb. If you can't make it to the clinic please let me know in advance so that we can keep it in mind when we make up the teams.
- If the weather is bad on the 17th, the makeup date will be Sunday Feb 24. If you're not sure on the day itself please call me.
- If you're not sure what session to come to call or email me.
Security: VERY VERY IMPORTANT. CLINIC DAY. ASM has increased security measures at the school. As such everyone will be required to print and complete the visitor access form attached here in this mail, and bring it with them on the day of the clinic. If you do not bring this form, you will not be admitted. To be extra clear- NO FORM, NO BASEBALL. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRINT AND BRING THE FORM WITH YOU ON THE CLINIC DAY.
Season: Games will start Saturday March 2nd, and be every Saturday apart from holiday weekends. Game times will more or less be the same as last year, but are not yet determined. Stay tuned….
Practices: When possible we are going to try and schedule group practices this year. This means that there will be a designated time and day for each level- coach pitch, machine pitch, and seniors. These practices are of course recommended but are not mandatory. Understandably some people live further away, and or their schedules do not allow mid week attendance at a baseball practice.
Coaches: We already have some volunteer coaches but we can always use more. Please let me know if you're willing to help out in this regard.
Uniforms: They have been ordered from the US this year and are here. Mostly... As every year it’s been full with problems. This year we will not be accepting size requests and uniforms will be handed out on a best fit basis..
League: Hopefully we'll have enough kids to have the same format as last year. 2 tee ball teams, 4 coach pitch teams, 4 machine pitch teams, 2 senior kid teams. But we’ll have to wait and see….
Snack Shack: We have ordered snacks and they will be of the usual nutritional value. Snack Shack will not be open for business on the day of the clinic. As always food and drinks will not be permitted on the football field or track area.
Facilities: During all baseball events we will be allowed access to only the baseball field and the area near the baseball field. There is a lot of construction going on around the school grounds. As such- kids, siblings, friends, or anyone else must stay in the baseball area. They will not be allowed to go to the playground or any other area of the school. Parents will be asked to be accountable for their kids. Failure to comply will result in ASM withdrawing access for the entire league to its facilities.
Any doubts or questions please let me know. Please help spread the word. Ask the kids to tell their friends and please feel free to forward this email along to anyone you think that might be interested. If you made it this far, thanks and well done. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you all soon.
