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About Connie Mack Program

Published by Ed Valentine
Nov 15, 2018

PROGRAM STRUCTURE - SUMMER

Bux-Mont Connie Mack sponsors play in 4-5 leagues every year.

A League – Our highest level, this division is comprised mainly of 15 and 16 year olds along with the potential for a highly skilled 14 year old or even a 13 year old in a rare instance. The "A" team typically plays a 20 to 22 game regular season schedule. League standings determine the teams that qualify to participate in an end of the year tournament to crown the League Champion and to qualify for the State Tournament. Harleysville was crowned the Bux-Mont League Champion in 1999, 2003 and 2011, Bux-Mont League Runner Up in 2004, State Champion in 1982, 1998, 2006 and 2015 and State Runner Up in 1999 and 2007. The goal of the "A" team is to compete for the Bux-Mont and Pennsylvania State Championship.

B1 League – This league, similar to “A", offers a high level of competition as well. The age group is basically the same as the "A" league with a higher number of 14 year olds or possibly a highly skilled 13 year old. B1 teams play an 18 to 20 game regular season schedule. Standings determine which teams qualify to participate in an end of year tournament to crown a League Champion. Harleysville was crowned the Bux-Mont League Champion in 2008 and Bux-Mont League Runner Up in 2014. The goal of the "B1" team is to qualify for the end-of-season Bux-Mont "B1" Tournament playoffs.

B League – This league is also comprised of 13-16 year olds with mainly 14-16 year olds. Teams play a 16 to 20 game regular season schedule. Standings are kept within the "B" league but only serve to facilitate year-end tournament seeding. Organizations have the option of combining teams for the tournament if they field more than one team in the league. The winner of the year-end tournament is crowned Bux-Mont League Champion. Harleysville was crowned Bux-Mont League Runner Up in 2012 and 2014. The primary goal of the "B" team is to provide the players with a competitive baseball experience with a focus on player skill development and knowledge of the game.

C1 League – This league is comprised of mostly highly skilled 13 year olds, (with the potential for up to a maximum of four 14 year olds), who are considered to have successfully transitioned to the full-sized baseball field and are seeking a higher level of competition. As with the B1 League, standings determine which teams qualify for an end of year tournament that results in the crowning of a Bux-Mont League Champion. The goal of the "C1" team is to qualify for the end-of-season Bux-Mont "C1" Tournament playoffs.

C League– This league is set up to facilitate a transition from the smaller baseball field to the full-sized regulation field. The league is comprised of 13 and up to a maximum of four 14 year olds. Teams typically play a 15 to 18 game regular season schedule. BuxMont league holds an end of year tournament for all C teams. Standings are kept within the "C" league but only serve to facilitate year-end tournament seeding. Organizations have the option of combining teams for the tournament if they field more than one team in the league. The winner of the year-end tournament is crowned League Champion. Harleysville was crowned Bux-Mont League Champion in 2005 and 2011. The primary goal of the "C" team is to provide the players with a competitive baseball experience with a focus on player skill development and knowledge of the game.

TEAM SELECTION CRITERIA

There are several factors that go into determining to which team a player is selected or assigned. The following guidelines generally apply:

A Team - Player selection is based both on merit and the needs of assembling a complete and highly competitive team whose goal includes qualifying for both the end of year Bux-Mont Tournament and Pennsylvania State Tournament. Harleysville typically carries a roster of 11-12 players on the “A" team who are selected by the HBB approved "A" Head Coach (often in consultation with the members of the Connie Mack Committee) as the best qualified players to provide coverage for all positions on the baseball field. There have been occasions, however, where capable players have not been selected for the "A" team due to an overabundance of players at one or two field positions. There have been occasions when a "lesser skilled" player is selected for the “A" team due to the player's ability to play a specific position that the "more capable" player is unable to play. While talent and skill is certainly important, the “A" level requires players that know how to play certain positions in the field. Playing time is a secondary consideration as a 14 year old may have the talent to play at the "A" level but may not see the playing time to which they are accustomed. If we feel that this may be the case – we will often decide to keep a highly skilled younger player on a B1 team so they will be able to play a greater number of innings as they continue their development.

B1 Team - This is a team primarily comprised of future "A" level players. Similar to the “A" team, selection is based on merit and is made by the HBB approved "B1" Head Coach (often in consultation with the members of the Connie Mack Committee). Selection criteria is the same as the "A" team with the added consideration of selecting players that, based on individual skill level, will likely play at the "A" level the following season. Most, (but not all), highly skilled 16 year olds that are not selected for the "A" team will be selected to play “B1" as well.

B Team - The “B" level is an intermediate level within the Connie Mack league structure. All 15 year olds in the program are required to play at this level if they have not been selected to play at the “B1" or “A" team level. Usually this level is made up of mainly 14, 15 and 16 year olds. If there are enough players to form more than one team, players will be split as evenly as possible (by ability) between the squads.

C1 Team - The “C1" level is primarily for highly skilled 13 year olds that are accustomed to playing baseball at a higher competitive level. All 13 year olds will be evaluated for selection to this team. Selection is based upon merit and is made by the HBB approved "C1" Head Coach (often in consultation with the members of the Connie Mack Committee). A “C1" Team is permitted to roster up to four (4) 14 year olds. Highly skilled 14 year olds who are not yet prepared to play at the “B1" or “A" level will be considered for the “C1" team level.

C Team – 13 and 14 year olds either not desiring or not selected for the “C1" team will play at the “C" level. If there are enough players to form more than one team, players will be split as evenly as possible (by ability) between the squads.

The above listed criteria are all guidelines. The only hard and fast rules are that we take the best players that make up the best team for the "A" level, that all 15 year olds must play at the B level or higher, and that there is a maximum of four 14 year olds permitted on either a C or C1 team. Everything else is based on the "Needs of the Program" and what the Harleysville Connie Mack Baseball organization feels will be best for the development of every individual player. For example, 13 year olds play at the "C1" or "C" level. On occasion, we have had to have a 13 year old play at the "B" level because the "C" teams had an ample number of players, while the "B" teams were short certain position players, i.e. pitching. We have had other situations where players did not advance to the next level with some of their peers. While we certainly understand the desire to play with one's friends, the bottom line is that the player must have the skills to compete at that level. Baseball is a hard game and we try our very best to put players where they have the ability to succeed. We never want to see a player overmatched at the plate or unable to contribute to his or her team defensively.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM ALL PLAYERS

As with any organization, we expect certain things from ALL Connie Mack Baseball players:

Responsibility

  • Know your practice and game schedule – Don't rely on your parents or teammates to notify you of games and practices.
  • Inform your Coach when you will be late or will not be there for a practice or game.
  • Know your assignments and responsibilities on the field.

Respect

  • For your Coaches and Umpires.
  • For your Teammates and Fans – always put the team first.
  • For your Opponents – be a good sportsman.
  • For the Game (play it the right way) and your Equipment.

Effort / Focus

  • Hard work during practice leads to success on the field – master the fundamentals.
  • Understand the task at hand – know the game situation.
  • Play hard and hustle– give 100% effort always and learn from adversity and mistakes.

 

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM PARENTS

Parents are a key component to our success as an organization and their actions can either add or detract from a team's season. As such, we expect the following from the parents of our players:

Facilitate Open Communication

While we ask that the players assume sole responsibility for communicating with their Coach – we appreciate your assistance in facilitating this connection. While players are certainly capable of communicating, the idea of calling or e-mailing a Coach can be uncomfortable for some. Your encouragement in this area is appreciated.

If there are issues that you would like to discuss with your son or daughter's Coach – please do it discretely and at an appropriate time. Please refrain from having these discussions in the presence of other players and parents.

Support

  • Support for your son and/or daughter.
  • Support and encouragement for all players on the team.
  • Support for your son and/or daughter's coaching staff.
  • Keep things positive.
  • Keep things in perspective - at the end of the day it is just a game.

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PROGRAM STRUCTURE - SPRING AND FALL

CONNIE MACK SPRING BASEBALL LEAGUE _____________________________________

Bux-Mont Connie Mack offers a Spring Baseball League which starts in early April and runs through the end of May. The Spring League generally offers play at the 'C', 'B', and 'B1' level. A Spring team will play anywhere from 12 to 16 games. Games are played on Saturday and Sunday and practices are held during the week. There are no playoffs or standings in the Spring. The purpose of the Spring League is for players to develop their skills while preparing for Summer play. As a result, the competitive level of play in the Spring is typically a notch below what a player will experience in the Summer.

Harleysville Baseball adopts the Bux-Mont philosophy and approaches Spring as a developmental opportunity for players who are looking to prepare for participation in the Summer League while sharpening their individual baseball skills. There are no player evaluations for the Spring League. Instead, players are drafted by a group of experienced Connie Mack Baseball coaches based on age and skill level. First year 13 year olds are automatically drafted to the 'C' level. The 'B1' level is designed for players who the League has identified as “higher-skilled" and who are being considered and evaluated for possible play at the Summer 'B1' or 'A' level. All other players are drafted to the 'B' level.

CONNIE MACK FALL BASEBALL LEAGUE ___________________________________

Bux-Mont Connie Mack offers a Fall Baseball League which starts in early September and runs through the end of October. The Fall League generally offers play at the 'C', 'B', and 'A' level. A Fall team will play anywhere from 12 to 16 games. Games are played on Saturday and Sunday and practices are held during the week. There are no playoffs or standings in the Fall. The purpose of the Fall League is for players who are interested in developing their skills for next season and/or preparing for Jr. High and High School baseball tryouts. As a result, the competitive level of play in the Fall is typically a notch below what a player will experience in the Summer.

Harleysville Baseball adopts the Bux-Mont philosophy and approaches “Fall Ball" as a developmental opportunity for players who are interested in developing their skills for next season and/or preparing for Jr. High and High School baseball tryouts. There are no player evaluations for the Fall League. Instead, players are drafted by a group of experienced Connie Mack Baseball coaches based on age and skill level. First year 12 and 13 year olds are automatically drafted to the 'C' level. The 'A' level is designed for players who the League has identified as “higher-skilled" and who are being considered and evaluated for possible play at the Summer 'B1' or 'A' level. All other players are drafted to the 'B' level.