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A N N A R B O R P I O N E E R H I G H S C H O O L
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pioneer BaseballBack to Main Page1. Why do we do so much fundraising? 2. What fundraisers do we generally put on? 3. What is the Banner Program? 4. What sort of off-season conditioning program does baseball have? 5. Will my freshman or sophomore have a chance to make Varsity? 6. Are there summer teams organized by Pioneer? 7. What is the difference between the Booster Club and the Dugout Club? 8. How do I find out about last minute schedule changes during the season? 9. Does the baseball program have a web site? 10. When and where does the booster club meet? 11. Are there cuts at every level? 12. What are the players evaluated on during tryouts? 13. What is the procedure for handling a complaint? 14. My son lifts weights for football? Does he need to come to baseball conditioning? 15. What do the Youth Clinics involve? 17. Coaching � how many per team, how are they chosen? 18. How can parents stay involved? 19. When is the season schedule available and where? 20. What if my son has a 7th hour class during baseball? 21. Is baseball mandatory over winter or spring break? 22. What are the grade expectations? Where should I get help if my child is struggling? 23. What does the MHSAA do for us? 24. What conference is Pioneer in? Why do we do so much fundraising?The school district pays for transportation to games, one coach at each level, and umpires. Everything else we need (baseballs, uniforms, practice equipment, safety equipment, tournament fees, mailing costs, etc.) must be paid for by the Baseball Boosters.Back To TopWhat fundraisers do we generally put on?For the past several years, the Baseball Booster Club has sponsored a fall car wash, youth baseball clinics, a bowlathon, and a pancake supper. We try to avoid fundraisers that have the boys out selling things, although players are asked to sell pancake supper tickets. The Banner Program helps bring in support from the community. We also sometimes participate in fundraisers coordinated by the Pioneer Big Booster Club � helping with Super Ball in May, Pioneer football concessions, and Prosperity Corner during U of M home games. Back to TopWhat is the Banner Program?We sell advertising banners to businesses in the area. The banners are displayed at all home games on the Varsity field. They must be put up and taken down each time, because if they were left up, the profit would go to the Pioneer Big Booster club, instead of to the Baseball Boosters. Our banner sponsors are also advertised on our website. Back to TopWhat sort of off-season conditioning program does baseball have?Formal conditioning starts after Thanksgiving...usually two evenings per week. These are strength, agility, and speed training sessions. By MHSAA rules, no specific baseball equipment may be used in large group drills (no gloves, balls, bats, etc.). The coaches may work individually with pitchers and catchers, using equipment, in groups of 3 or less during this period. For more information on high school sports rules and regulations, see the MHSAA website, http://www.mhsaa.com/ Back to TopWill my freshman or sophomore have a chance to make Varsity?Yes. All boys are evaluated against the same criteria � speed, throwing, hitting, baseball knowledge, and grades. Tryouts for each boy are scored and teams are picked according to those scores. Coaches aim to place players on the team where they will see the most playing time, for the good of each player. There is also the possibility of in season �call ups��players being moved up either temporarily or for the duration of the season, depending on team needs. Back to TopAre there summer teams organized by Pioneer?No, however, the Pioneer coaches like to see as many of their players involved in summer leagues as possible. The Varsity coach does what he can to help players find summer teams. Parents are often needed to coach or help coach summer teams. Back to TopWhat is the difference between the Booster Club and the Dugout Club? The Baseball Booster Club tries to serve as a communication link between baseball coaches and families. We publish a web site, a monthly newsletter, sponsor monthly meetings, and regular fundraising efforts to provide the baseball teams with their annual needs. The Dugout Club, formed in 2001, is a separate organization aimed at continuing improvement of our baseball facilities. Their current focus is to build a press box for the baseball and softball fields at Pioneer. The Dugout Club meets monthly at the conclusion of the Booster Club meeting in the Athletic Classrom. All are welcome! Back to TopHow do I find out about last minute schedule changes during the season? The absolute best way is to subscribe to the baseball program�s email announcement service. Send an email to: A2PioneerBaseball-subscribe@yahoogroups.com No subject or body is needed. You will get a reply asking you to confirm that you�d like to join the group. That�s all there is to it. When there is a last minute game cancellation or a change, this is your best way of staying informed. You can also call the Athletic Office at Pioneer, 994-2151. Back to TopDoes the baseball program have a web site? Yes! You can go to http://pioneer.aaps.k12.mi.us/Ath/baseball, or go to the Pioneer High School website and look under departments (Athletic). The web site contains tons of helpful information, driving directions, schedules, and game results. Back to TopWhen and where does the booster club meet? This year we are meeting the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Athletic Classroom. We do not meet in December, April, or May. Back to TopAre there cuts at every level? That depends on how many people go out for the team. In general, yes. Teams are selected each year. Returning Varsity players are not guaranteed a spot on Varsity, for example. Back to TopWhat are the players evaluated on during tryouts? Speed (running, throwing), Grades, Baseball knowledge, and Baseball skills (bunting, sliding, hitting, catching, fielding). Back to TopWhat is the procedure for handling a complaint? You should first discuss the problem with your Coach. If you don�t resolve things to your satisfaction, talk with the Varsity Head Coach. Back to TopMy son lifts weights for football? Does he need to come to baseball conditioning? Baseball is a rotational sport. Hitting and throwing are mainly rotational. Football, like basketball, is a translational sport. Thus, baseball conditioning works on other muscle groups virtually untouched by football conditioning. Baseball conditioning also is the beginning of team-building for the season. Back to TopWhat do the Youth Clinics involve? This started as an experiment in 2001. Older elementary and middle school youth paid a small fee to attend an instructional clinic at Pioneer run by the Pioneer coaches and players. The clinics have been both profitable and very well-received. They depend on quite a bit of leg work (advertising, getting flyers out to schools) and a solid turn out from players and parent helpers. It is our hope that this is as much of a �boost Pioneer baseball� event as it is a fundraiser. The clinics may not happen this year due to a lack of available gym time at Pioneer. Back to TopUsually, all week (Monday � Friday). Tryout timing varies. It can be after school or in the evening. The exact time slot is not determined until a week or so before tryouts begin�could be any time between 4 and 10pm. Back to TopCoaching � how many per team, how are they chosen? There is one paid coach per team. Starting in 2004, there will be an additional paid coach that will rotate between the JV and Freshman teams. When a new coach is hired, parents, players, and booster club members are invited to help interview prospective coaches. Back to TopHow can parents stay involved? Come to the games, be positive, help organize snacks between double headers, attend Booster and Dugout Club meetings, let the coaches coach. Make sure your son�s GPA is higher than his batting average, work on the field, help coach a summer team, patronize and thank our sponsors. Back to TopWhen is the season schedule available and where? A tentative schedule is often available at the Pancake Supper. It may or may not be available before that on the web site or at a Booster Meeting. In general, the season is mid-March to mid-June. Varsity and Junior Varsity often play four games per week. Back to TopWhat if my son has a 7th hour class during baseball? He should work with his teacher to make up missed work. He will definitely miss classes due to travel to away games. Back to TopIs baseball mandatory over winter or spring break? Winter break is before baseball season starts. During spring break, there are practices and games at some levels. This is a question for your coach. The baseball season is very short and playing time is limited. If you choose to miss practice or game time, there is no guarantee that another player won�t step up and take the opportunity to play more. Back to TopWhat are the grade expectations? Where should I get help if my child is struggling? The student must have at least a 2.0 in five classes in order to play. Academics come first! Grades from fall and winter determine spring sport eligibility. If your student is struggling, see his teacher or counselor. Back to TopWhat does the MHSAA do for us? The Michigan High School Athletic Association is a voluntary association of high schools and middle schools. The MHSAA provides administration and monitoring for sponsored sports. See their website, http://www.msa.com/ for more information. Back to TopWhat conference is Pioneer in? We are in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which is a league of 8 schools (Adrian, Pioneer, Chelsea, Dexter, Ypsi Lincoln, Saline, Tecumseh, and Temperance-Bedford). The SEC, founded in the 1960�s, sponsors a number of sports giving students the opportunity to play in league championships, receive league awards and recognition, and provides a base for scheduling of games. Back to Top |
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