Cedarburg Mercs Baseball Program Overview

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The Cedarburg Mercs baseball program, operated by Cedarburg Baseball Inc., focuses on providing opportunities for youth players in Cedarburg, Wisconsin to compete at high levels while emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and integrity. The program aims to facilitate player development and success at the high school level and beyond, distinguishing itself through quality coaching, ample practice time, strong competition, and collaboration with professional instructors. The Mercs serve as the primary feeder program to Cedarburg High School, offering a pathway for players from ages 8 to 18 to participate in baseball.

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Cedarburg Mercs Baseball OVERVIEW CedarburgMercs.com

Cedarburg Mercs Mission Statement T o provide opportunities for children living within the Cedarburg Wisconsin school district or attending Cedarburg Schools (public or private) to compete at the highest levels in youth baseball while using the game as a teaching tool to impart discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, honesty and integrity. Coupled with a renewed focus on player development, our goal is to provide Mercs with the tools necessary to succeed at the high school level and beyond.

Cedarburg Mercs Overview Cedarburg Mercs legal entity is Cedarburg Baseball Inc. (CBI) and it operates as a non-profit organization with tax-except status under rule 501 (c)(3) of the US tax code. CBI has no paid employees but instead relies strictly onvolunteers. CBI Board Members: Brandon Hall, President bhalluwl80@gmail.com Chad King, Past President cking@cjeek.com Bill Kadrich, Past President bill.kadrich@cibmbank.com Andy Sargent, Treasurer sargentandy@yahoo.com Jeff Lator, Secretary catchyalator@gmail.com Darrin Englebert, Director of Coaching darrin.englebert@gmail.com Joel Bublitz, Facilities/Fields joelbublitz@gmail.com Pete Baye, Legion Director psbaye@yahoo.com Kyle Peterson, CHS Head Coach kpeterson@Cedarburg.k12.wi.us Non-Voting member: Steve Sanfilippo, Director of Player Development flip0114sammy@gmail.com

How are we different from the Town Rec Program? Whereas the Town Rec Program focuses on quantity (e.g. number of players registered) we focus on quality (making players better). We endeavor to differentiate ourselves by focusing on the development and improvement of our players via higher quality coaching, more practice time (including offseason indoor training), better competition, collaboration with the CHS coaching staff, and coordination/affiliation with professional instructors. As a result, we are the primary feeder program into the high school. Notably, the Town s baseball facilities do NOT include any full size fields, hence they are only able to accommodate kids up through the 6th grade (U-12). In contrast, with the recent addition of high-school-aged American Legion summer league teams, ball players from the age 8 to 18 can play Cedarburg Merc baseball.

What is a Merc? Mercury Marine was an original sponsor of our baseball program and our namesake back when Cedarburg was the company s corporate headquarters. There is a rich history behind the Merc name, and while we no longer receive any funding from the company, we appreciate the tradition and the uniqueness offered by the continued use of the nickname.

How to Become a Merc Mercs teams are selected each year based on level of interest and the talent pool at each age group. But the goal is to have two teams at each grade or age level. Mercs tryouts typically occur in late July and are done by a third party of college coaches and players Players are assessed and graded on various skills. Coaches have only limited discretion with the team roster. We attempt to accommodate as many kids as possible, but cuts are oftenmade. We prefer an A-team/B-team approach ratherthan splitting up the kids evenly, but we sometimes deviate from that with the youngest age levels. The commitment level required of Mercs players/families of A teams is higher than those expected of kids playing on the B teams. In season, we ask that players prioritize baseball over other sports more often than not.

Grade vs. Age Team Placement Our preference is for grade placement rather than age placement. This allows for kids to play with their friends (we re making the assumption that friends are usually in the same grade) and it makes the transition to high school easier. For reference: U8 => 1st & 2nd Graders (at start of season) U9 => 3rd Graders U10 => 4th Graders U11 => 5th Graders U12 => 6th Graders U13 => 7th Graders U14 => 8th Graders

Games andTournaments A Teams (Ages U10 to U19) Most (but not all) teams will play in a league (WSYBL or Major YBL). 16 to 18 League games during the week. Half home games/half away games. 4 to 8 weekend tournaments (amount is determined by coaches and parent feedback) 1 to 2 practices a week during the season One indoor practice per week from January to April

Games andTournaments B Teams and U8 and U9 blended Teams Scrimmages with other local teams Carefully selected tournaments (several one day tournaments) on the weekend Potentially playing in a league against other communities (coach and parent decision) 1 to 3 practices per week during the season One indoor practice per week from January to April

Player and Family Expectations Ball players: Attend as many games and practices as possible. Remember, your teammates and coaches are relying on you. Be respectful to your teammates,coaches,opponents and umpires. Hustle Have fun Parents: Support our club and your ballplayer by volunteering,sponsoring,fundraising,and practicing with your child athome.

Team Coaches Each head coach candidate is evaluated and selected on specific criteria and goes through an interview process with a CBI board member(s). Background checks conducted by a 3rd party. Assistant Coaches are selected by Head Coach and approved by CBI board. Coaches will be trained in philosophies, fundamentals and techniques to provide consistency within the program. U8-U19 Head Coaches normally parent, non-paid position.

PlayingTime Positions and playing time are at the discretion of the coaches but the following are good rules of thumb: Teams will adhere to a running batting order (i.e. everyone bats) Playing time will mostly be evenly distributed at the younger age levels with the potential for more disparity at the older levels (with a minimum of 3 innings played in the field).

Club Fees All-in, annual expenses range between $500 and $1000 (includes Club Fees and Uniforms). Club Fees are heavily dependent on the number of tournaments and whether or not the team will play in a league. The younger age levels and B teams will typically be towards the bottom or middle of the range. Uniform fees are incremental to the Club Fees and we attempt to adhere to a 2 to 3 year cycle. Groundwork is our secure, online payment system and allows you to pay your team fees eitherupfront or throughout the season using an auto-pay feature. Club fees cover the following: Umpire fees, field supply and maintenance, baseballs and baseball equipment, and club indemnityinsurance. $25 tryout fee

Scholarship Opportunities We strongly believe all kids should be able to play baseball regardless of financial resources. As a result, we offer needs-based scholarships that can offset someor all of your child s fees. Please contact Jim Fitzpatrick (jfitzpat22@gmail.com) with questions.

Fundraisers Proceeds from fundraising initiatives will primarily be reserved for capital improvement opportunities including new or improvedballfields. Previous fundraisers have included a coupon card sale and a TriviaNight. The board is currently evaluating our fund raising needs for the 2020 season and more information will be forthcoming.

Volunteers Volunteers are key to the success of the club. Parents of players are expected to volunteer 4-6 hours per season Typical areas of need include: Coaching Concessions Field Prep Fundraising sales and events