Travel Baseball

NYBL Travel Baseball

The Novi Heat Travel Baseball Club is a division of Novi Youth Baseball League (NYBL). Heat teams build sound baseball fundamentals, emphasize teamwork and develop strong individual character. Heat Baseball is committed to play highly competitive baseball in local Travel team leagues, post-season tournaments, regional tournaments and National World Series events.

2009 Tryouts

• When: Saturday, August 16 and Saturday, August 23 from 9-11am
• Rain Dates: Sunday, August 17 and Sunday, August 24 from 9-11am
  
• Where: Novi Community Sports Park. (8 Mile & Napier)
  

Birth date cut-off
The cut-off date for each age group is May 1st. Example: A player turning 12 years old before May 1st must play on a 12U or higher age team.

Tryout Feedback
The Heat Coaching staff will provide feedback to each player/parent the day of tryouts or within 1-2 days after attending tryouts.

You will receive this feedback in-person or by phone. The Coach will:

1. Offer the player a position on the team or
2. Tell the player that he did not make the team with explanation or
3. Ask the player back for an additional evaluation

Creation of Heat “Red” teams

Additional teams at a given age level may continue, or be formed new, if the following criterion is met:

1. A tryout for the “Black” team is completed and a talented team of players is formed before a 2nd team (Red team) is formed.
2. There is significant turnout at the tryouts where it is clear a 2nd team of talented players could be created to successfully compete at the Travel Baseball level. This decision will depend on the opinions of the “Black” team coaching staff, the Travel Director and select Heat coach advisors.
3. A capable coaching staff is available to instruct a 2nd team if formed.
   
4. There is field availability to support another team.
   
5. The NYBL board approves the coaches for the 2nd team.
   
6. A subsequent tryout for the 2nd team is coordinated through the NYBL Travel Director. These tryouts are open tryouts similar to the “Black” team tryouts and should include Players not chosen during the “Black” team tryouts.
7. Players are not eligible to tryout for the “Red” team unless they first tryout for the “Black” team. The “Black” team coach and NYBL travel Director must approve any exception to this rule.
8. Players that decline a roster position on the “Black” team if offered are ineligible to tryout for the “Red” team unless approved by NYBL travel Director.

Estimated time commitment for heat players

• Practice
  January-February 1-2 times a week
  March-April 2-4 times a week
  May-July 1-2 times a week
  
  
• League Games
  May to mid-July 2-3 times a week
  
  
• Tournaments & post-season play
  May-July 3-5 weekends

The Cost

The number of games and tournaments played, uniform cost and the amount of paid instruction will dominate cost by family. The average cost per player for the season will be about $700. Fund raising and sponsor support may subsidize team expenses.

Heat Baseball Rules

Players will hustle and give 100% effort at all times – at games and at practices.

Players will maintain a positive attitude at all times. A poor attitude could directly affect a player’s playing time.

Players will not leave the dugout area during games without permission.

Players will never throw their glove, bat or helmet.
Players /Coaches/ Parents will never talk derogatory to the opposing team, coaches, parents, teammates or umpires.

Players will arrive at practice on time and be ready to play. Players / Parents will let the coaches know in advance if you can’t make a practice. Players / Parents understand that excessive absences may directly affect playing time.

Players will arrive for games forty-five (45) minutes prior to the start time and be fully dressed (this includes having your entire uniform). Players will make sure they look like baseball players throughout the entire game (keeping jersey tucked in, wearing hat forward / correctly, and keeping cleats tied, etc.).

Players will not play every minute of every game. Your playing time is based on your ability, attitude, performance, and willingness to accept our coaching methods. Your success is dependent on your Discipline, Desire and Dedication to the game.

At the end of every game or practice, Players will help the coaches put away the equipment and carry it to their cars and help make sure the dugout area has been cleaned of all debris.

Parents are asked to enact the “24 hour rule” before coming to any of the coaches to discuss any concerns after a game.

Players will be rostered on a Novi Heat team. Players are only allowed to be rostered on (1) team per year for post season / tournament play.