Standards & Expectations

Player Expectations

As a program we have rules in place for players that are not negotiable. We expect each player to abide by these expectations  

  • HAVE SOME FEEL - General awareness of life and game situations. 
  • BE A GOOD PERSON ON AND OFF THE FIELD 
  • HAVE EVERYTHING READY BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE DUGOUT  
  • HAVE PROPER BODY LANGUAGE AT ALL TIMES   
  • SHIRTS ARE TO BE TUCKED IN, HAT AND HELMET WORN PROPERLY   
  • BE A GOOD TEAMMATE AT ALL TIMES 
  • DO NOT DISRESPECT THE UMPIRES  
  • SHOW UP ON TIME  
  • BE WILLING TO LEARN AND ADAPT  
  • ACCOUNTABILITY IS PARAMOUNT 
  • ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USAGE IN THE DUGOUT OR AT PRACTICE (EMERGENCIES ONLY)  
  • TREAT YOUR PARENTS WITH RESPECT  
  • PLAY HARD AND PLAY THE RIGHT WAY AT ALL TIMES 

Parent Expectations

As a program we have expectations in place for parents as well as players, which are also not negotiable. We expect each parent/guardian to abide by these expectations.  

  • FOLLOW THE MATHENY PHILOPSOPHY
  • ENCOURAGEMENT IS ACCEPTED, YELLING INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE STANDS IS NOT. 
  • NO PARENTS IN THE DUGOUT, IN THE PRACTICE AREA OR CAGES  
  • DO NOT ADDRESS US WITH ISSUES/CONCERNS AT GAMES OR PRACTICES – set up a time with us to talk. 
  • DO NOT MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOUR PLAYER WHEN THINGS GO POORLY. 

Note to all parents: Your behavior can seriously affect your athlete both within our organization and with potential coaches. We reserve the right to remove you and your athlete from our organization if problems are continuously presented.  

Playing Time

On 14u and under teams, there are plenty of chances to develop and learn in game. We need to be competitive - expectations, consequences and some level of pressure is imperative for development. Playing time is also earned.

For 15u and older teams we plan on being extremely competitive. At the end of the day, we will play the players who best represent our program. There are no guarantees - in this program you get what you earn. 

We ask our players to truly reflect on the work they show us before second-guessing why they are not getting the playing time they feel they deserve.  

If there is a problem with playing time, we 100% need to hear it from the player first. Complaining about playing time is always a poison to teams and other players. We are going to teach our players to address it like men; as they would need to when they get to college.   

Reasons why playing time may be limited:  Lack of focus when playing, bad attitude, disrespectful to coaches and teammates, not playing the game the right way, disrespectful to other teams, coaches, umpires etc., breaking team rules, bad body language, poor effort, skill level. 

Academics

We reserve the right to make it mandatory for players to miss out on practice and games if we get reports that their grades are suffering or their behavior in school is unsatisfactory. We will expect players who have had academic or behavior issues in the past to give us progress reports or teachers notes upon request. Each case will be based on the individual, but we would like to see all of our players receiving A’s and B’s with high effort and no behavior issues.  We expect that our players do their best and respect your teachers and classmates just as they do on the field with NEB-NH.   

Recruiting

Many of our players will begin getting recruited around the ages of 16 or 17. Some higher caliber players earlier. We have a great network and are happy to help answer a lot of the questions that come with the process. We understand that it can be overwhelming at times and will do our best to guide each athlete and their families in the right direction. This means giving honest feedback on talent evaluation and what we feel is the best route for each athlete.   

We are not going to address this process with anyone under the age of 15 unless it is brought up by college coach or professional scout. Our players need to focus on getting better and having fun, the process should not be rushed.  

Commitment

If this is not a commitment the player and his family are willing to make, or there is a major problem with some of the topics we have outlined, then please come talk to us so we can see what steps we can take to move forward.  

Contracts are on a year to year basis. We have the right to remove a player from our team without a refund for character problems or consistent breaking our rules and expectations. This goes for the parents as well. We cannot afford to have our culture compromised for the good of the organization.  

We as a program believe we can positively influence these player’s lives but it is going to take a full effort from both our side of the organization and yours. Special things can happen when everyone is on board and moving forward in the same direction.