Introduction

Welcome to the TopHand Reds/ TopHand Storm. We are a travel baseball and softball
organization formed to give the youth of Southeastern Virginia further playing opportunities in addition to the local county leagues.  Our belief, that playing in a TopHand program is a privilege, is fundamental to our vision. The ‘life skills’ taught here, in an athletic environment, will help shape the future for everyone. This comes with a responsibility to our community and neighbors. We have tried to be as specific as possible about activities and expectations, both on and off the field. Playing
on a TopHand team will be somewhat different for a player never exposed to this type
of program.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU FULLY READ THIS DOCUMENT.
The expectations for players and parents are very high, both on and off the field. The success of this program depends on a clear understanding of this contract. Remember, our success will breed opportunity for the players today and in the future.

Mission Statement
We exist to positively impact communities by developing athletes and coaches into leaders with character and a passion for excellence, emphasizing the growth of body and mind.

Vision Statement
To build an unprecedented athletic environment that:
1. Presents programs and opportunities which shape character and create role
models;

2. Positively and significantly impacts athletes, coaches, parents, families, officials,
leagues, tournaments and communities;

3. Establishes and sustains a physical venue to develop and demonstrate the principles
of Character, Leadership, Service and Excellence, both in Sports and Life.

Commitment to Team Philosophy

I understand that as a TopHand team, we will be involved in competition, athletic training, team-building events and a character and leadership development program. We will focus on the development of our young men & women from a physical, mental, emotional, relational & spiritual standpoint.
I further understand and agree with the goals of TopHand teams, which are:

1. To provide quality baseball and softball instruction.

2. To workout, train, practice and compete with the proper attitudes, approaching the game with heart, desire, dedication, drive, motivation, intensity and enjoyment.

3. To facilitate an environment conducive to hard work and maximum effort, in the context of fun, seeking to develop good habits and a solid work ethic.

4. To provide a positive “team” experience, emphasizing the importance of unity, encouragement and teamwork.

5. To prepare players for high school and college baseball and softball programs.

6. To prepare the players and coaches for life both on & off the field by;

Emphasizing character and leadership development.
                  Using game experiences to teach life principles.                       Teaching athletes how to be positive role models.
Helping the athletes along their journey to adulthood.

7. To facilitate an environment where the families learn and grow with the athletes.

8. To provide opportunities for the athletes and coaches to reach out to the community.

In order for our team to fulfill the goals stated above, I hereby commit myself to:
1. Maintaining a teachable spirit and flexible attitude…to be a listener and learner.

2. Willingly submit to the leadership entrusted with the responsibility of managing, coaching, instructing and developing this team, by following the policies and goals stated in the TopHand team Code of Character and Conduct.

3. Paying the entire amount of my share of the team expenses and helping to the best of my ability with fundraising if necessary.

4. Making my life available for growth through whatever demands and opportunities this team may bring. I am committed to growing in my abilities, personal character and skills for living.

Player Code of Character & Conduct

The following Code of Character & Conduct has been established to help each team member develop into the positive person they can be. It is not our expectation that any team member would have already attained these traits. However, it is our desire that team members would strive to grow in each of these areas of character and leadership during their time with the
TopHand program. It is expected that you will put forth your best effort to apply these principles to your athletic training and competition, as well as your everyday life.
CHARACTER AND PROPER CONDUCT
 Actions speak louder than words
 Hustle at all times during games and practice.
 Work Hard. Put forth 100% effort all of the time. Do your “work” with all your heart, strength and mind. Practice makes permanent. Preparation produces results.
 Stay focused. Keep your head in the game. Pay attention during practice and games.
 Have fun. Enjoy the process. Keep a sense of humor, but know when to be serious.
Remember, Sports are a game.
 Take pride in how you play the game, how you approach the game, how you wear your uniform, etc. Have “Class” in all that you do. Play sharp, look sharp, be organized, be neat and clean.
 You’ve got to have heart, desire, drive, motivation, dedication, and intensity.
 Play the game with energy and quickness. Have a little “spring and bounce” to your game.
 Be confident, not cocky. Remember, pride comes before the fall. There is much strength in humility.
 Be a positive role model and example. Remember, others are looking at you, so influence them in a positive way.
 Use proper communication both on and off the field. Develop communication skills whenever you can.
 Be Respectful of: Umpires, Coaches, Teammates, Opposing Team Members, Parents and the game itself.
 You must agree to submit willingly to the leadership of this team, even when you do not agree with their decisions.
 Overcome adversity. Deal with the circumstances you are dealt. Develop the courage to persevere. Never give up or quit.
 Demonstrate self-control. Strive to improve on this in the heat of competition. If you disagree with the officiating, make an error, or strikeout, maintain self-control. There are certain things you cannot control; however, you can control your effort, attitude and behavior.
Don’t complain about anything!
Your strong reaction to something could offend someone. Be sensitive to others’ feelings.
Keep your remarks to yourself regarding such things as:
− Umpire calls − The weather − Field & facility conditions
− Coaches’ decisions − Game circumstances
− Teammates − Opposing team members
If you have a complaint or problem with someone, go to that person directly and work it out. Do not let things build up. If you have concerns regarding the team and how it’s being run, bring them to one of the coaches or to the coaching staff.
 Be positive, not negative, critical or judgmental.
 Be a team player, not an individual.
 Focus on stats for the good of the team, not yourself. Do what it takes for your team to win, not to boost your own stats and ego.
 Don’t talk proudly about yourself and your accomplishments. There is no “I” in “Team”!!!
 You will be expected to participate with the team as much as possible during all sports and non-sports functions, including special team-building events and team meetings, unless approved by your team leadership.
 Encourage your teammates and your opponents.
 Expect errors, mistakes and failure, but don’t be satisfied with it – strive for perfection and excellence. Remember baseball and life are difficult “games” to master. It’s a process and nobody is perfect. Extend yourself some grace in failure, don’t let it get you down or discouraged. Get right back up and be ready to go after the next one, competitively and with the proper intensity!
 Try to reduce the amount of “physical” errors during a game and set a goal to make even fewer “mental” errors. This is a good goal for life, too.
 Seek to improve as a player and person. Be a Learner. Try to learn something every day, in every game, at every practice session and in every circumstance – win or lose, good or bad, easy or difficult.
 Demonstrate class at the end of a game in both victory and defeat; shake hands, look the opposing team members in their eyes, and keep your head up high because of the effort you put forth.
 Safety needs to be a top priority: All injuries, illnesses and emergencies must be reported IMMEDIATELY to the coaching staff.
 Stay alert, use common sense, and make good decisions and choices.

INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT
The following behaviors will not be tolerated; disciplinary action will be taken:
 Attitude problems.
 Back-Talking a coach or parent.
 Crude, profane or vulgar language.
 Throwing of equipment in a display of anger or frustration; outward expressions or demonstrations of anger or frustration.
 Outward displays of displeasure with the officials. Questioning umpires in a clearly visible and inappropriate manner (verbal and non-verbal).
 Trash-talking and outward acts of pride directed towards the opposing team.
 Critical, judgmental, or negative talk directed toward teammates.
 Leaving the dugout or bench area. (Remain in the dugout or in the bench area during games, unless there is an emergency or you receive permission from one of the coaches).
 Horseplay, messing around or silly antics.
 Any type of cyber bullying
All athletes must understand that they have a responsibility to act accordingly on and off the field
Consequences for the above actions and attitudes include:
 Sent home early from practice.
 Not permitted to participate in a drill or practice station (i.e. batting practice, infield workout, etc.).
 Some form of extra physical fitness exercise (i.e. running foul poles, push-ups, etc.).
 Removal from a game.
 Suspended from playing in up-coming games.
 Removal from the competition site.
 Removal from the program
These policies regarding character and conduct in the TopHand program has been established for your protection, well-being, and character/leadership development. In light of these principles, the final decision regarding any issue resides with your team leadership. The coaching staff’s decision is final. Team members who willfully and repeatedly disregard these policies and the leadership of the team may be temporarily suspended from games and
other team activities or dismissed from the team. If you are dismissed from the team for a Code of Character and Conduct violation, you will be responsible for any additional costs, and NO refunds will be given.

Social Networking
By signing, I agree to adhere and abide by all rules set forth by the TopHand program in regards to its policies towards social networking. I accept all responsibility for any actions on social networking sites and will accept any penalties for any rules not abided by. These
include but are not limited to:

 Negative comments involving team, teammates, coaches, or opponents
 Swearing and/or abusive language
 Any form of cyber bullying

Parent Code of Conduct
The following policies regarding the conduct of parents are being established in support of the Player Code of Character and Conduct. We need parental support and participation as we seek to develop quality young men and women through the TopHand program. In consideration for your support of this Parent Code of Conduct, you can expect the coaching staff to abide by TopHand team philosophy. Some of these players will soon be in a position to try out for high school teams or they are hoping to play in college somewhere.
They need to understand that playing time, positions played, athletic ability, effort, attitude, development and discipline are all key ingredients in how the coaching staff will determine the roster prior to, and during, any game.

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT & SUPPORT
 Be supportive of, and reinforce all elements of the player Code of Character and Conduct on and off the field.
 Don’t complain about things! You would be surprised as to what trickles down from you to your child. Even though they don’t listen to us many times, that’s only selective listening.
o Umpire calls
o The weather
o Field & facility conditions
o Coaches’ decisions
o Game circumstances
o Coaches on opposing teams
o Playing time
 If you have a complaint or problem with anyone on the coaching staff of this team, go to that person directly and work it out. Do not let things build up.
 If you have concerns regarding the team and how it’s being run, bring them to one of the coaches or to the coaching staff.

INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT
The following behaviors will not be tolerated:
 Allowing a player to leave the dugout or bench to sit with you (except in emergency situations). Send him back to the dugout. Be sure to provide him with ample fluids to sustain him throughout the game.
 Questioning playing time. Get used to this. High School coaches are not receptive to parent interference in the running of their teams.
 Use of crude, profane or vulgar language.
 Outward displays of displeasure with the officials.
 Consumption of alcohol and/or drugs.
 Critical, judgmental, or negative talk directed toward teammates and opposing team members.

CONSEQUENCES FOR THE ABOVE ACTIONS:
Most often, you will be asked by the head coach or someone on the TopHand Board of Directors to stop the inappropriate behavior. In some cases, particularly if you have offended an official or disrespected a coach, you will be requested to leave the field area. If you do not cease from the behavior or refuse to leave the field area when asked, your child may be pulled out of a game, temporarily suspended from participating in future games and
other team activities, or possibly even dismissed from the team. If you are dismissed from the team for a Parent Code of Conduct violation, you will be responsible for any additional costs, and NO refunds will be given.

TopHand Fee

1. Each member of the TopHand program will pay $125 a month to receive
training in a small group setting, team registrations, team insurance, includes tournament fees, coaches fees, baseballs and softballs, 2 camps, live streaming of games and/or practices, video breakdown of team and indiviudal performances, and equipment for one year based on tournaments played.

2. The payments for this contract will be required by the fifth of each month for the year in which the player has committed to play under TopHand. Payments after the 5th will result in a $10 late fee.  Failure to pay the TopHand fee for two consecutive months could result in dismissal from the team and termination of contract.

3. Time and availability are per TopHand’s discretion and will be scheduled on a monthly basis.

Fundraisers
 TopHand will conduct several opportunities for teams and individuals to participate in fundraisers.
 Team fundraisers will be mandatory for each member of that team. All funds raised through team fundraisers will be equally divided into each player’s account.
 Individual fundraisers will be optional and any team member can participate. All funds raised through individual fundraisers will be used to go directly towards that players account.

List of Fundraisers for 2021-2022

9-24-21 Donut Fundraiser
10-1/ 12-19 World's Finest Choc
10-16-21 Fall Pop-Up
11-4-21 Tis The Season
11-1/ 12-19 Build your Team
1-8/ 2-27 Shoe Drive
2-5-22 Steak Dinner
3-25-22 Krispy Kreme
4-4/ 4-29-22 Hitting Pledge-A-Thon
8-5-22 Golf Tournament

Practice Participation

Starting January 2019, Participants will be required to attend at least 5 of the 8 practices or workouts per month.  Failure to attend can result in;

- not playing in upcoming tournament

- dismissal from team

- dismissal from program

*We ask that you communicate with your coaches in advance of any workout you won't be able to attend.  Attendance will be kept each week of every month starting Jan. 1st 2019*

Signature Form

With full understanding of the attached organizational goals and policies, I hereby commit myself to abide by the TopHand rules of conduct and team philosophy, as well as strive to grow in areas of character and leadership development, for the duration of my involvement with the TopHand program.