Hi All
I hope everyone had a good holiday season and that 2014 is off to a good start for you all. We're starting to get things organized for this year's baseball season. There's a lot of information here so please take the time to look through all of the points please. You’ll see there are a few changes from last year especially with respect to security at ASM and the conditions required to be allowed to enter.
Registration: We'll have a registration table set up at ASM Monday and Wednesday Jan 27 / Jan 29, and Monday and Wednesday Feb 3/5 from 15:30 to 16:30. If you can't make it to ASM to register please make every effort to do so via email and emailing them back to me. 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. 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 16. I apologize for intruding on peoples Sunday but due to the holidays and number of conflicting activities on Saturdays we have to play it this way. 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 16th, the makeup date will be Sunday Feb 23. 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 bring the baseball mail with them on the day of the clinic. If you do not bring this, you will not be admitted. To be extra clear- NO MAIL, NO BASEBALL. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRINT AND BRING THE BASEBALL EMAIL WITH YOU ON THE CLINIC DAY.
Season: Games will be every Saturday apart from holiday weekends. Game times will more or less be the same as last year. Start date is 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.
Uniforms: They have been ordered from the US this year and are on their way here. This year we will not be accepting size requests and uniforms will be handed out on a best fit basis..
League: My best guess is we'll have a similar format as last year but with fewer teams. 2 tee ball teams, 4 coach pitch teams, 4 machine pitch teams, 2 senior kid teams is most likely. 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. 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. If you made it this far, thanks and well done. I'm very much looking forward to seeing you all soon.
