AAA Program Information

Introduction

Winnipeg South Minor Baseball Association (WSMBA) sponsors AAA level baseball for 3 age groups:

13U, 15U, and 18U.

The mission of our AAA program is to develop the skills of baseball players to a high level of excellence.

We promote strong character both on and off the field. We insist on good sportsmanship and proper behavior. Most importantly, we want everyone to have fun and enjoy AAA baseball - from the players, to the coaches, to the parents, and the fans. We also want our opponents, their fans, and the umpires to enjoy the experience of participating in baseball.  

Commitment and Program Philosophy

Commitment

AAA baseball requires a significant time and financial commitments, depending on each individual team’s performance and tryout time. Once the team is formed, every player is expected to attend all practices and games. Absences could result in a reduction of playing time.

League play of 20 - 28 games, begins in May and continues into July. Also 2 - 3 weekend tournaments and possible exhibition games will be scheduled during the season.** The number and location of tournaments is at the discretion of the individual team.

Commitment from parents of AAA players is also very important. In order for our association to be a success and for our children to maximize their enjoyment of playing AAA baseball, your participation is required.

AAA Program Philosophy

The AAA program firmly believes that:

• The level of effort committed to the program, determines the result one will achieve. Players are expected to work hard to be given their opportunities to practice, participate, and play.
• In order to fully enhance skills and development, players and parents should commit to the expectations of the program with regards to effort and attendance.
• There is a high expectation of respectful conduct of our players, both on and off the field.
• The definition of fair play differs from that of A or AA level baseball. For the WSMBA AAA program, fair play will also differ as age levels advance.
• It is important that Coach’s communicate their play time policy/strategies to parents and players at the beginning of the season.

Community Involvement

The expectation of all AAA players is to lead by example on and off the playing field.  To help foster the leadership role in baseball, we ask that all AAA players volunteer in the baseball community in one of the following ways:**

• Volunteer as a clinician at Winnipeg South pre-season clinics
• Volunteer (in pairs) as a coach’s assistant with a Community Centre 13U, 11U or Grand Slam team at a practice.
• Volunteer at Community Club A/AA Tryouts
• Volunteer as a buddy at a Challenger Baseball Game (15U & 18U players only)
• Any other event as requested by the AAA Committee Chair

When players are participating at a Community Involvement event, they are representing the Winnipeg South AAA Wolves organization and are expected to dress in either full uniform (including jersey & game hat) or in black shorts, jersey & game hat, depending on the event.

Volunteer Bond

The team manager will collect a $300 volunteer bond cheque (dated September 30^th) at the beginning of the season. This bond cheque is payable to Winnipeg South Minor Baseball Association, not to the individual team, and must be handed in with the registration fees. It will be held by the WSMBA Treasurer until the end of the season. Any family that volunteers a minimum of 15 hours will have it destroyed. It is up to the family of the player to determine who is going to work the hours needed to satisfy the bond requirements. Failure to work the minimum hours will result in the complete forfeiture of the bond.

Examples of volunteer work include but are not limited to:

Assisting at tournaments/provincials hosted at Charleswood Place (this includes selling 50/50 tickets, canteen duty, scoring, gate duty), moving equipment, field maintenance, assisting with tryouts/clinics, team management, coaching, WSMBA board membership with ensuing duties.

Scorekeeping, pitch counting, selling 50/50 tickets at league games, regular required duties related to COVID-19**,  or any other activity from which just your team receives a direct financial benefit will not count toward volunteer hours.

Any families with multiple players in the AAA program are required to complete 5 additional volunteer hours and pay an additional $100 on their bond cheque, per player. The volunteer bond is collected by the team manager of the oldest player.

Registration Fee and Other Costs

The Winnipeg South AAA Wolves registration fee is suggested annually by the WS AAA Committee and approved by the WSMBA Board of Directors. The registration fee for those players selected to WS AAA 13U, 15U, and 18U teams in 2021 is $720 per player.

Winnipeg South AAA Wolves Policies

Abuse Policy

WSMBA will conduct child abuse registry checks and a criminal records check for all AAA coaches.  These checks will be good for a period of 3 years.  The checks will be coordinated by the VP High Performance and results reviewed by the WSMBA Executive if required.

Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Policy

WSMBA mandates that any player or coach, regardless of age, shall not participate in any game or practice if that person has consumed alcohol and / or drugs immediately prior or immediately after the activity, is under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs, or is deemed to be under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs immediately prior to, or during the game or practice by any individual in authority. Prescription drugs are included in this policy. If said prescriptions drugs alter of affect the judgment or performance of any player, that player may not participate.

WSMBA prohibits the use of tobacco, cannabis, or vape products in any form by all players and coaches during practice and games and all times while wearing a Winnipeg South AAA Wolves uniform.

Parents are reminded it is illegal in Manitoba to consume alcohol or smoke on or nearby the playing field. This includes any area designated for use by the fans.

Codes of Conduct

All AAA players, coaches, parents, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will serve as a positive example to others.  Players, Parents, and Coaches are required to sign a Code of Conduct that applies to them.  The signed Codes will be kept by the Team Manager.

Fair Play Policy

The intention of our Fair Play Policy is to provide a guideline for Coaches on how to treat players fairly so that players receive a reasonable amount of playing time for development, over the course of the baseball season.  WSMBA AAA Program believes that fair play holds a different meaning as age levels advance.

• 13U - We consider our 13U team to be in a development stage of baseball, however it should be understood that even at this level, the AAA program brings together the best players within the WSMBA catchment area.  With that in mind, our 13U Fair Play Policy is as follows:
  • During 90% of the regular season, all players will play within 10% of the average innings played of the team. Coaches will calculate players’ innings played during the course of regular season play. If players miss games and/or practices, the coaching staff is not obligated to give players additional playing time for personal time missed; their play time may be affected at their next attended game; this will not be calculated against their 10% average innings played.
  • Not all players will play all positions, however the goal will be for every player to play an outfield position and an infield position, during the course of regular season play. All players will have opportunities to pitch during regular season play and/or during tournaments. The positional play will be assessed by the coaches, and decisions made based on not only player ability, but also player confidence.
  • Batting order will be at the discretion of the coach.
  • During postseason play, some players may see less playing time, at the Coach’s discretion, with the focus on winning the game. However, all players will play in postseason games.
• 15U & 18U - At the more advanced 15U & 18U age levels:
  • Fair Play does not mean that all players will receive an equal amount of playing time, however they will be given equal opportunities to earn their playing time.
  • Not all players on a team will play every position. Players will play positions to the strength of the team, where the coaching staff believes that players will contribute and develop their skills for the best of the team. The Coach’s objective is to develop all players.
  • Batting order will be at the discretion of the coach.
  • During postseason play, some players may see less playing time, at the Coach’s discretion, with the focus on winning the game.
• All age levels:
  • Head coaches will convey their policies regarding playing times at an initial parent meeting.
  • It is acceptable for a coach to use playing time as a consequence of inappropriate behavior including disrespect of teammates, coaches, officials and fans, and lack of effort at practices.
  • There may be instances, during some game situations where players won’t play. Coaches will provide additional opportunities in future games to those players whose playing time was adversely affected.
  • In the event that teams advance to Western or National Championship play, roster additions are generally made to enhance the overall strength of the team. Players and parents should be aware that roster additions may play more time than some original team members.

Social Media and Photos Policy

Winnipeg South Minor Baseball Association reserves the right to use any picture taken during camps, tryouts, and during the season/post-season play for instructional purposes, advertising, or posting on our website and social media outlets. Should individual players or parents have concerns with photos possibly being used of themselves or their player, please contact the AAA Committee Chair.

While we encourage positive promotion of the Winnipeg South AAA Wolves teams, coaches, and organization through social media, please be advised that our Social Media Policy is consistent with that of Baseball Manitoba with regards to conduct and discipline.  This policy can be found on the Baseball Manitoba website at: http://www.baseballmanitoba.ca/sites/default/files/2014%20Social%20Media%20%20Policy.pdf

We encourage our AAA families to follow and participate on our Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter pages at wpgsouthaaa

Bat Requirements

As of 2020, wood bats are now optional at the 15U and 18U levels.  As per Baseball Manitoba: On Sunday, November 3, 2019 at the Semi-Annual General Meeting in Brandon the Board of Director’s of Baseball Manitoba Ratified a Motion that will allow the use of BBCOR Certified Metal Bats at 15U AAA and 18U (all categories, A, AA and AAA) in competition in 2020. Baseball Manitoba believes that Wood bats should still be used as a training aid and/or in competition, if the batter’s skill level allows.  Baseball Manitoba’s 15U, 16U and 17U Male Provincial Team Programs will continue to promote the use of Wood bats, as the National and WCBA events will be played with wood bats and these players are striving to compete for Baseball Canada’s National Team.  For more information go to: https://www.baseballmanitoba.ca/node/748