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Unified Sports Program

 Unified Sports Program’s   2009   Select Baseball

USP is a program run for kids in Western MA which encourages special needs youth to interact in the sporting arena with their more typical friends.  Our programs include baseball, basketball, sled hockey, Frisbee golf, flag football and swimming.  USP uses our baseball teams to get the word out to families across the region.  Note the baseball teams are competitive and special needs kids are welcome to tryout but must prove to be more valuable to the team then the players they compete against.  We run a USP baseball program each spring at Westfield State College at which our teams help out. 

Why USP Baseball

USP teams build sound baseball fundamentals, emphasize teamwork and develop strong individual character.  We using cutting edge technology to teach all players the correct way to hit, pitch and field.  Computers and digital video are a major part of our winter practice programs.  This separates our players from our competition when spring rolls around.

Program is led by Steve Berube, who has worked with New England’s lead Red Sox scout in creating digital teaching tools for young players.  Steve has coached for 16 years and his RHAM High School team won the CT state title in 2004.

USP Baseball is committed to playing highly competitive baseball in the J.L. Sullivan League, post-season & regional tournaments.

The rules for these leagues closely follow the high school/college game.  Diamonds are bigger (65ft for Willie Mays , 75ft for Pee Wee Reese), leading and stealing are allowed.  Pitching distances are longer than many other youth leagues in our area (46/52).  This helps us teach our pitchers the proper way to pitch consistently with power and control and helps our hitters learn that you must hit correctly to be able to hit advanced pitching.

2009 Tryouts

We are fielding at least 2 teams in 2009. An under 11 Willie Mays and a under 13 Pee Wee Reese team will be run with the teams practicing together whenever possible.  If we get enough players at each age group to field a second team with parents willing to join our coaching ranks, we will consider adding teams. Younger players may be offered a spot on the older team if we think it would be beneficial to both team and player.   

                                  TRYOUTS   -   Monday 11/24 and Tuesday 11/25, from 5:45 to 7:00pm, at Extra Innings in Agawam. 

Please contact USP with ???  Steve-562-9746,  Rick-860 250 5279,  Eric 885-3454 or Brian-531-4733 or by email to usp@comcast.net

Players will be digitally recorded hitting, pitching and fielding.  We will evaluate these clips & offer spots to players with the most potential.

Note that players are not able to participate on any other organized teams during our regular season.

There is a $5 charge for the tryouts to help defray the cost of the tunnels.  Any extra money will go into pool used to by equipment.

All players will be contacted and either offered a spot on the team or explained what skills they need to work on to improve their game.

Videos of the players will be made available within 2 weeks of the tryouts for those players seeking ways to improve their skills.

Estimated time commitment for USP players

· Practice ~ Indoors December to February every other week,  March-August   ~ 1-2 times a week

· League Games ~ April to mid-June 1-3 games a week at various Western MA communities with most games in Springfield

· Post-season play & Tournaments ~ June-August 2-4 ~ weekends

The Cost

League fees, equipment and uniform costs and the number of tournaments played, will determine costs to each family. The average cost per player for the season should be under $100. This assumes that Fundraising and sponsor support subsidizing team expenses are similar to past years.

USP 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.

Coaches commit to teaching all players the proper fundamentals of the game

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 will 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.