Taylor Jr High Athletics – Oct 2 Season II: Boys Volleyball, 7th & 8th Grade Baseball, 7th & 8th Grade Softball and Girls Badminton Season Dates: October 3 – December 14 (2nd Quarter)

Introductions Coaches 8th Baseball – Coach Estilow – 1st season @ Taylor 7th Baseball – Coach Buchannon – 1st season @ Taylor 8th Softball – Coach Platt – 1st season for softball 7th Softball – Coach Mac – 2nd season Girls Badminton – Coach Scott – 5th season Boys Volleyball – Coach Layton - 1st season @ Taylor Athletic Director Scott Jones (Coach Jones) Team Leader Aaron Rogers If you have questions see the team coach first… If you have ANY questions…start with your coach. If that does not work, then come to me. I am privy to all actions by the coaches and teams and can get you an answer. Now, it may not be the answer you are looking for but, it will be an answer. 

Taylor sports Web info How do you find info for your son/daughter and their team? First – go to Taylor main website Second – click “Parents” tab at top of site Third – click “Junior High Athletics” on middle of parent page Fourth – choose topic you are looking for… Watch me… http://www.mpsaz.org/taylor/ If you have ANY questions…start with your coach. If that does not work, then come to me. I am privy to all actions by the coaches and teams and can get you an answer. Now, it may not be the answer you are looking for but, it will be an answer. 

Taylor Jr. high athletics Where SPORTMANSHIP is an EXPECTATION! Please let the ATHLETES play, the COACHES coach, the OFFICIALS judge, the SPECTATORS be POSITIVE!

If that paper is not filled out, they may not participate in tryouts. Before tryouts Before your son or daughter may tryout, a permission slip must be completed. You should have picked this up when you arrived. If that paper is not filled out, they may not participate in tryouts.

Team Tryouts Begin tomorrow, October 3 (in gym or baseball/softball field) Each participant must print out CURRENT grade and give to the Coach. Print this at home…not at office or in library. Tryouts will last three days at a minimum (Oct 5th) All teams will consist of 10-15 players – possibly a few more There will be separate 7th and 8th grade teams for baseball and softball Team lists will be on the bookstore window prior to 1st hour on October 15th (after break).

Tryouts are closed to parents - per district policy IMPORTANT NOTE Tryouts are closed to parents - per district policy

Registration directions When your son or daughter makes the team, you will need to fill out the team packet, it includes: Registration and payment paperwork Emergency contact paper Ride home with parents paper and The Taylor Sports Contract All of these papers must be submitted to be on the team ANY paper or payment not received by Friday, October 19th will eliminate the player from the team. ALL PAPERWORK IS DUE October 19th

ALL paperwork must be turned in with payment by Friday, October 19th Payment directions Payment is due at the same time you register your son or daughter You may do this on-line or in the bookstore w/ cash/check On-line is through the district Jr High Sports link… http://www.mesasports.org/jha/ On-line is easy as your payment is credited immediately ALL paperwork must be turned in with payment by Friday, October 19th

Parent expectation Players must have a ride home! -After tryouts/practice: each player must be picked up within 30 min of the end of the activity -Game days: each player must be picked up within 30 min of game end -Failure to follow this expectation could lead to a player’s removal from the team

Team Practices These will begin Tuesday, October 16th Practice will end, each day, by 6 PM Practice will challenge the player to improve the skills they are bringing with them to the team The objective of practices is to give ALL the players opportunities to improve their skills so Taylor may be competitive in game play – but there is no guaranteed playing time

Pictures and fundraisers When you son/daughter makes the team, pictures will be on Friday, November 2nd – right after school…paperwork will be sent home closer to the date for picture orders Fundraisers – this is new this year. If your coach asks you to help with concessions or some other activity please be open to helping out. Every team will be doing something during the season. More info will come from your coach, at a later date.

Player expectations Players will be at school a minimum of 6 out of 8 classes and have few behavior issues (missed classes will result in missed practices or games) 1 Players will have all fees due, to MPS, paid in full 2 Players will attend every practice and game 3 Players will have a ride home from every practice and game 4 Players will ride the bus to and from away games unless a “Ride Home” permission slip is turned in to the bookstore 5 Players will represent their families and Taylor Jr. High with their best effort, behavior, attitude and sportsmanship – at all practices and games (home or away) 6 Players will maintain a ‘C’ or above in every class to remain eligible to practice and play 7

All of these situations result in a “No Refund” policy follow through If a player does not meet the expectations – as explained - there will be follow-through. Follow-through could include, but is not limited to: Suspension from practice Suspension from games Suspension from travel with the team Removal from the team for the current season and possibly any upcoming season All of these situations result in a “No Refund” policy

Grade checks As I stated earlier all players will present their most current grade, at tryouts, – this is available on the portal. No grades = no team.

Grade expectations After teams are chosen Players will present their portal grade print out every Monday to their coach. Every class must show a ‘C’ grade or better to be eligible to participate in the practices or games that week Any player that does not turn in a current printed copy of their grades will be deemed ineligible to practice or play that week If a student is absent Monday they will be able to turn in the paper Tuesday. If they don’t - they are ineligible for the week. If a player does not have all classes at or above a ‘C’ they will be ineligible for the Tuesday game. If their grade improves they may become eligible for the Thursday game. Grade expectations Every Monday the Athletic Director (AD) will look at each player’s grades. Every class must show a ‘C’ or better in order to be eligible to participate in practices and/or games that week. If a player does not have all classes at or above a ‘C’, they will be ineligible until the grade improves. If the grade improves, they may become eligible for the rest of the week. If a player has any “D’s” they may continue to practice but they may not play in games. If a player has any “F’s” they are required to go to tutoring and miss both practices and games until their grade improves.

Why Weekly grade checks? At the junior high level, we are preparing students for the rigors of high school and high school sports. All high schools now have weekly grade checks. Since many of these players desire to play at the next level, it only makes sense for them to learn the responsibilities that come with playing at the next level. If you have individual questions, please see me after the meeting. At this time I will answer general questions. Who has a question?

Tryouts begin Monday – all players bring your current grade and any equipment you need. DON’T go buy anything until you make the team. Tryouts end on Friday – teams will be posted Monday after break. Practices begin next Tuesday, October 16th - for those who make the team. All paperwork/payments due October 19th. Pictures packets will be given out at a later date. Grades will be checked every Monday by the Athletic Director. Players must maintain a ‘C’ in every class. Tournament games begin on November 27th . Remember, to give your best in all you do! Refer to the Taylor Athletics website for general questions. GO TAYLOR!!!! reminders

Break-up to team Presentations Baseball – stay right here Softball – to my right Badminton – turn around and face the bookstore Boys Volleyball – back right corner If you have individual questions – See me (Coach Jones) after your meeting with your coach. Thank you for coming! GO TAYLOR!