Academy Policies
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Make an effort to attend all practices possible.
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There is a full 3-month commitment in the fall and a 5-month commitment in the spring. There are no refunds. Families can opt out or re-sign up after the season. We will only accept new members during each sign-up period. Payments for the fall will be in August, September, and October.
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Players will wear shirts, hats, belts, socks, and white pants to all academy practices unless an exception is made due to weather.
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If your son signs up and plays in an optional tournament, the dry-fit shirt will have a number on the back and will be used as the uniform for the weekend.
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An additional uniform fee may be required for families choosing to play on the Memorial Falcons tournament team or the Sunday DH league. The coach of existing teams will notify you if we will keep the previous season's uniform or order new uniforms. The price of new uniforms is TBD.
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The fall sign-up deadline is August 15th. The spring sign-up deadline is January 10th.
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Academy players will not receive preferential treatment in middle school or high school. There is no guarantee of team placement or future playing time in the Kinkaid baseball program.
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7th and 8th graders may not use the academy for outside sports credit. To be eligible for the academy, you must be in a Kinkaid sport in the fall and winter.
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Kinkaid sports ALWAYS take priority over the academy.
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If you decide to leave a Memorial Falcons team in season or after the season, you forfeit your roster spot on that team. You must wait until a roster spot opens up to rejoin the team.
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All players will play in the field and bat during tournaments and leagues. Batting order, pitching rotations, and positions played will be determined by the head coach only.
Academy Member Expectations
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EXCEPTIONAL BEHAVIOR
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Follow the core values at all times (Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness)
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EXCEPTIONAL EFFORT
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You are expected to give your all in everything you do on and off the field, especially in the classroom. Hard work is a habit.
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EXCEPTIONAL TEAMMATE
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Teammates do not let each other cut corners.
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Teammates do not let each other complain.
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Teammates do not let each other make excuses.
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Teammates do not let each other act selfishly.
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Teammates do not disrespect each other or the coaches.
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Teammates always represent and honor the name on the front and back of the jersey.
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Teammates do not let each other give up or give in.
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Teammates do not let each other down.
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Parent Role
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Embrace the process and enjoy watching the players compete. We will push them hard on the field and test them mentally and physically, with the main goal of helping them reach their full potential on and off the field.
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Stats can be deceiving. Stats are not the determining factor on who starts, who gets moved up, or who plays a certain position. They are not the determining factor for future playing time at Kinkaid and very rarely involved in college recruiting.
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Parents making derogatory comments about umpires, opposing teams, players, fans, coaches, or other parents will not be tolerated. If you hear this behavior, contact an academy coach.
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Always be positive and supportive of ALL Academy players and coaches.
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Refrain from coaching your son during practices and games unless approved by an academy coach.
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Support his investment in the process & the experience he’s helping create for his teammates more than his baseball accomplishments.
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Lessons learned in every role.
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Your child’s success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of parent you are. A son who is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient, and tries their best is a direct reflection.
Player Goals
Defense:
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Arm strength, accuracy, range, glove, take good angles, consistency. Infielders must be able to throw on the run.
Speed:
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Quick bursts up to 60 yards… short bursts are the most important
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Ideally, below a 7.0 60-yard dash, below a 5.0 in the 40
Offense:
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Consistency, hard contact, and a swing that maximizes your opportunity to hit the ball. Physical strength to hit the ball with enough force to get through the infield and the gaps in the outfield. Ability to put pressure on the defense once on base.
Pitching:
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-A quality strike pitcher can move fastball in and out while keeping the ball down, stays ahead in the count, and has a second pitch with late movement thrown for strikes. Velocity is a plus but not a necessity. Must be able to execute a plan to consistently get hitters out. Mental toughness is a must… ability to minimize the damage.
Intangibles:
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Baseball IQ , great attitude, hard worker, good teammate, mentally tough, coachable, and a positive representative of The Falcon Baseball Academy and The Memorial Falcons. Sweep the shed... this includes the field, dugout, cages, and anywhere else we might go as an Academy member.
