PARK CENTER PIRATES

BASEBALL

2017 TEAM PLAYBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PARK CENTER BASEBALL CORE ELEMENTS 2
• Team Purpose Statement
• Program Theme
• Core Values

PLAYER EXPECTATIONS 4
• Loyalty • Drugs and Alcohol
• Character • Profanity
• Respect • School Policies
• Social Media • Classroom Expectations

SEASON COMMITMENT 7
• Practice Expectations
• Practice Attire
• Competition and Game Expectations
• Training Room

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 8
• Lettering
• Playing Time
• Travel Policy
• Uniforms
• Game Schedule
• Practice Schedule

SEASON GOALS 10

COACHING STAFF 11

PARENT PARTNERSHIP 14

HOW TO STAY IN THE LOOP 15

CONTACT INFORMATION 16

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PARK CENTER BASEBALL CORE ELEMENTS
Park Center Senior High’s mission is to inspire and prepare all students with the confidence, courage and
competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning.

TEAM PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Park Center Baseball Program exists to provide a full integration of life skills into the game of baseball.
We will instill great work habits through academic primacy, teaching the game of baseball, developing
baseball skills and performing in baseball competitions. We will actively foster mentoring relationships
between coaches and players, pursue team building strategies and community service activities, and will
“Play Humble and Kind” under the model and leadership of our coaching staff.

PROGRAM THEME
In the spirit of Tim McGraw, our program’s theme is “Play Humble and Kind.”

Don't expect a free ride from no one When those dreams you're dreamin come to you
Don't hold a grudge or a chip and here's why When the work you put in is realized
Bitterness keeps you from flying Let yourself feel the pride but
Always stay humble and kind Always stay humble and kind

We will seek to learn more about the depth of what it means to “Play Humble and Kind” in all situations. We
will be a team that “Plays Humbly” and be one that truly cares about all things to show a championship spirit.
We will always play as if we are the underdog, anticipate the other team is better. We will hustle,
compete, and earn every win.

We will hustle on and off the field, with infielders getting on the field in five seconds or less and outfielders
getting on the field in nine seconds or less. We will pick up our teammates, both their equipment and their
spirits. We will always sprint to first base, whether it be by hit, walk, or hit by pitch. Our hustle will make our
teammates want to hustle so that we all play the game at “212 degrees.” It begins with the premise, "At 211
degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you
can power a train. Just one extra degree makes all the difference."

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CORE VALUES
Our core values are centered around the Five Cs: Camaraderie, Character, Courage, Compete and
Consistency.

Camaraderie
Great teams strive to build camaraderie. Its members “Talent wins games, but teamwork,
develop a sense of responsibility through fellowship. We
camaraderie and intelligence win
will discover how to infuse camaraderie throughout our
team culture to promote a sense of collective direction. championships.” — Michael Jordan

We want a team where the players are more wrapped up

in others than themselves. For the more wrapped up you
are in your own world, the less successful you are.
Camaraderie is the answer to this question – will you
look forward to coming back here in ten years to see
your teammates?
“Camaraderie is the secret that makes
common people achieve uncommon
results.” — Ifeanyi Onuoha, author of
“Overcoming the Challenges of Life”

Camaraderie, coupled with character and courage, create

emotion and tears when players leave or when the season
ends, a la Mariano Rivera being pulled from the mound by his
BROTHERS AT BAT
Yankees teammates in his final outing after nineteen seasons
in MLB. Our goal is to create a “Brotherhood” environment that The True Story of an Amazing All-
lives beyond high school. Brother Baseball Team

Character The Acerra family had sixteen children, including

The Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Our team
standards governing character are rooted in these values and
are our only team standards. This includes players, parents,
and coaches, and exists as guidelines for life as well.
Compete
“Champions are not the ones who always win races –
champions are the ones who get out there and try. And try
harder the next time. And even harder the next time.
'Champion' is a state of mind. They are devoted. They
compete to best themselves as much if not more than they
compete to best others.” - Simon Sinek, author and
motivational speaker
twelve ball-playing boys. It was the 1930s, and
many families had lots of kids. But only one had
enough to field a baseball team . . . with three on
the bench!
The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother
team in baseball history. They loved the game,
but more importantly, they cared for and
supported each other and stayed together as a
team. Nothing life threw their way could stop
them.

Courage
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus defines courage as "when you
know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and
see it through no matter what." If Atticus can show the kind of
courage it took to go through all that he did, we can certainly
show courage in all the small things we encounter this year.

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Consistency
We can show camaraderie and perfect love to
each other, but without consistency, people
forget. We can display character and walk the
narrow path, but without consistency, it’s like
we weren’t there at all. We can compete on
Tuesday, but we must be consistent in all
aspects of our efforts … we need to exert
maximum and consistent effort. We can show
courage and do great things, but without
consistency, the world only sees the little
things you missed. We must show
Camaraderie, Character, Compete and
Courage . . . Consistently.
PLAYER
EXPECTATIONS
Do not get involved with or do anything that
would ever reflect negatively on you, your
family, or compromise the integrity of the
athletes or coaches of our team. This includes
non-school hours. Everything you do
reflects our team, school and community.
Any violation of this policy can result in
suspension or expulsion from the team.
LOYALTY
You are expected to be loyal to your team and
to your coaches at all times. Understand the
importance of being a part of the Park Center
family.
CHARACTER
The true reflection of a man comes when he is
behind closed doors and out of the public’s
eye. Take pride in being a morally strong
person. Be a leader by positive example. A
man’s reputation is important, but his
character is his true worth.
BEYOND THEIR CONTROL
Four players who might have been Hall of Famers if
not for an unavoidable calamity
Dwight Evans — 1981 Strike
Sabermetricians love the candidacy of
Dwight Evans, whose advanced stats rank
better than many Hall of Fame outfielders.
To traditionalists, though, Evans might
simply look like a very good player who
never won anything aside from a slew of
Gold Glove Awards. This might have
changed in 1981, when he led the
American League with twenty-two home
runs in a season that lost six weeks of games in the middle
because of a strike.
Tony Conigliaro — Beaned by Jack Hamilton
Tony Conigliaro had 104 home runs and
was just twenty-two years old when he
took a Jack Hamilton bean ball to the face
on August 18, 1967. After missing all of
1968, he returned to hit 56 home runs for
the Boston Red Sox over the next two
seasons. But he grew timid at the plate
and, by age thirty, his career was over.
Jimmy Key — 1994 Strike
Jimmy Key might have one of the better
Hall of Fame cases no one talks about,
receiving just three votes out of 506 cast in
2004. Something that might have helped his
cause: his breakout 1994 season not
ending in August when all players went on
strike. Had the rest of the season played
out, it’s conceivable Key’s league-leading
seventeen wins would have grown to twenty or twenty-two, enough
to supplant David Cone for the American League Cy Young Award.
Wally Pipp — Losing His Spot to Lou Gehrig
Sure, Wally Pipp would have had a longshot
Hall of Fame candidacy regardless of his
luck, hitting .283 between 1913 and 1924.
But when he took sick for a day in 1925 and
lost his job as New York Yankees first
baseman to Lou Gehrig, Pipp forever
became a punch line. Now, if a player has
this experience, they’ve been Wally Pipped.
There will never be a Hall of Fame plaque
for that.
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RESPECT
Trust that all decisions made by the coaching staff are in the
best interest of the team. One of the goals of the coaching staff
is to make this team the best it can possibly be. No coach will SHE LOVED BASEBALL
compromise the success of the team for an individual.
The Effa Manley Story

Effa always loved

SOCIAL MEDIA baseball. As a
young woman, she
As you begin participation in another Pirates Baseball season,
would go to Yankee
the athletic department of Park Center Middle and Senior High Stadium just to see
Schools wants to make sure you are aware of our social Babe Ruth’s mighty
networking guidelines. Park Center Senior High and the swing. But she
athletic department recognize and support student-athletes’ never dreamed she would someday own a
rights to freedom of speech, expression, and association, baseball team. Or be the first—and only—woman
including the use of social networks. In this context, however, ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
each student-athlete must remember that playing and
From her childhood in Philadelphia to her
competing for Park Center Senior High is a privilege. As a
groundbreaking role as business manager and
student-athlete, you represent the Park Center Senior High owner of the Newark Eagles, Effa Manley always
Pirates and the communities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn fought for what was right. And she always swung
Center, and Osseo and you are expected to portray yourself, for the fences.
your team, and the Osseo School District in a positive manner
at all times.

Below you will find our social networking guidelines which provide the following guidelines for social
networking site usage:

• Everything you post is public information – any text or photo placed online is completely out of your
control the moment it is placed online – even if you limit access to your site. Information (including
pictures, videos, and comments) may be accessible even after you remove it. Once you post a photo
or comment on a social networking site, that photo or comment becomes the property of the site and
may be searchable even after you remove it.
• What you post may affect your future. Many employers and college admissions officers review social
networking sites as part of their overall evaluation of an applicant. Carefully consider how you want
people to perceive you before you give them a chance to misinterpret your information (including
pictures, videos, comments, and posters).
• Similar to comments made in person, the Park Center Senior High Athletic Department will not
tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online, such as:
o Derogatory language or remarks that may harm my teammates or coaches; other Park
Center student athletes, teachers, or coaches; and student-athletes, coaches, or
representatives of other schools, including comments that may disrespect my opponents.
o Incriminating photos or statements depicting violence; hazing; sexual harassment; full or
partial nudity; inappropriate gestures; vandalism, stalking; underage drinking, selling,
possessing, or using controlled substances; or any other inappropriate behaviors.
o Creating a serious danger to the safety of another person or making a credible threat of
serious physical or emotional injury to another person.
o Indicating knowledge of an unreported school or team violation regardless if the violation was
unintentional or intentional.

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THE “BEST BASEBALL
PLAYER IN THE WORLD”
ISN’T IN MLB . . . YET
Shohei Ohtani is Babe Ruth come back to life a
century later in Japan. In leading Hokkaido
Nippon Ham to the Japan Series title last
October as a starting pitcher and an
outfielder/designated hitter, the Fighters won by
virtue of both his power right-handed pitching
and lethal left-handed swing.
He also is on deck to become the next Japanese
sensation to star in the major leagues.
That's the reality.
It's nothing to hang his head about. Because
soon Ohtani steps in to bat, facing himself.
At the plate is the man who crushed 22 homers
and hit .322 with 18 doubles, 67 RBI and seven
steals in 323 at-bats last season.
On the mound is the man who went 10-4 with a
1.86 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 140 innings.
The bad news both for Ohtani and for this
month's World Baseball Classic is that the man
who many believe is the world's best baseball
player is on the shelf with an ankle injury. It is a
blow to the WBC, which would have benefited
immensely from his participation, and it is a blow
to Ohtani himself because so many major
league scouts and executives are jockeying for
position to evaluate him, get close to him and
woo him.
In short, do not have a false sense of security about your rights
to freedom of speech. Understand that freedom of speech is
not unlimited. The on-line social network sites are NOT a place
where you can say and do whatever you want without
repercussions. The information you post on a social
networking site is considered public information. Protect
yourself by maintaining a self-image of which you can be proud
for years to come.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
It is impossible to be at your mental and physical best if you
use drugs or alcohol. Both reduce your chances to become as
physically fit as you need to be. To be the best baseball player
you can be, you need the mental advantage of knowing you
are doing everything possible to enhance your team’s chances
of being successful. Don't use drugs or alcohol.
PROFANITY
The Pirates are a first-class team which seeks to exemplify
leadership qualities. There will be no cursing. High emotions
are not an excuse for the use of poor language.
SCHOOL POLICIES
All policies as outlined by the Park Center Student Handbook
apply to our program. We are leaders of the community as well
as the student body. Team members are subject to all
standards and regulations of Park Center Senior High. We will
adhere to these policies and set the standard on this campus.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
Conduct yourself as a leader and show respect to your teachers.
A “thank you” and a handshake at the end of a class period
should be the norm for baseball players. You are responsible for
your behavior and academic performance, not your coach, so
take charge of this part of your life as well. Players who have
problems in this area will not represent the team.
Our goal is to win Osseo Area School District 279
recognition academically as well as athletically. To do
that, our goal is to have a team GPA of 3.5. While we’re
doing wonderful things athletically, our team GPA is far
from 3.5. To help us reach this goal, the coaches at each
level will receive administrative grade reports on a weekly
basis in season, and a bi-weekly basis out of season.
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SEASON COMMITMENT
Baseball players are expected to attend all required activities, such as practices, games, team-building
activities, etc. The game schedule and spring calendar appear in the Park Center athletic calendar and on
our team webpage. All who are involved in the baseball program are making a sizable time commitment to
pursue excellence. One of the commitments from the coaching staff will be a high level of professionalism in
honoring the above schedule and ensuring practices are completed at the listed times. When bad weather
strikes, we ask for your flexibility in terms of time and transportation. We will do everything we can to
communicate with you promptly.

Note: Teacher meetings or test taking should occur outside of the practice schedule. Calendars are
provided for your planning. Baseball players should not schedule appointments or other activities
during practice. Please try to avoid making vacation or travel plans during seasonal activities,
including competition season.

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
1. Players are expected to show a great attitude and effort at all practices. Be ready to go!
2. Always be early.
3. All players should be at every practice wearing the appropriate attire.
4. If you must miss, call the head coach or assistant coach before practice. This communication should
come from players, not from parents. Text or email is acceptable only as a follow-up to a phone call.
5. If you are injured and cannot practice, you still need to be at practice with your position coach to
learn.
6. If you do not report to the trainer you will be expected to practice.

PRACTICE ATTIRE
We will wear a hat, appropriately colored top (green/yellow/black/gray/white), baseball pants (white or gray),
green or yellow socks, green/black/yellow belt, and cleats every day.

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COMPETITION AND GAME EXPECTATIONS
Initial placement on a certain level (varsity, junior varsity, 9th grade team) does not guarantee your spot for
the entire season. Readiness, academics, character and attitude will determine participation. Baseball
players are expected to attend all practices and games which are placed on the baseball calendar.

TRAINING ROOM
If you believe you have an injury, you should always report to the athletic trainer according to the following
timelines:

• Non-School Days – 45 minutes before practice

• School Days – School nurse (school hours) or Trainer (after 2pm)

If a player suspects they have sustained an injury during practice, they should not leave until they
have consulted with the trainer. The athletic training department at Park Center can connect you
with specialists should you desire additional medical care. For sports injuries, athletes are best
served best if they consult the trainer prior to consulting a family doctor. More information can be
found in the Athletic Training Room Guidelines posted in the training room.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LETTERING
All varsity baseball players who finish the season in good standing will receive their varsity letter. The
definition of a varsity player is someone who dresses for the varsity contests and makes a valuable
contribution to the varsity team during the season. Letters will be awarded at the program banquet.

PLAYING TIME
Playing time is an awarded privilege, not a right. Athletes are played because:
• They exhibit high character on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
• They get the job done better than someone else.
• They add the most value to the team.
• They understand their role on the team.
• Their priority is to make the team better.
• They do the things that are required plus more.
• They make plays in practices and games.

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TRAVEL POLICY
The school district will provide transportation for participants to all conference, nonconference and
Minnesota State High School League tournament-sponsored events in the seven-county metropolitan area.

1. Transportation will be financially supported

by the school district at a predetermined
level for all other games or events.
Additional funding sources will come from
participants, parents, booster clubs, etc.
2. Games, events, contests, meets,
scrimmages, etc. beyond those funded by
the district are discouraged. No costs –
including salaries, lodging, meals and
transportation – will be incurred by the
school district for participation at any
approved national competition or other
activities scheduled beyond those authorized by the school district.
3. Whenever possible, practices and scrimmages should be held on school district or community
property. Requests by organizers for transportation for practices and scrimmages at an away site
must be approved by the activities director. No team or organization will have more than two
instances of district-provided transportation for practices and scrimmages.
4. All extracurricular seasons will end with their respective section and/or state tournament
competitions. For a team, club, or activity to compete beyond the state level, the activities director
and building administration must approve the competition prior to the official beginning of the activity
season.
5. Participants will be expected to ride district-sponsored transportation to and from away events,
contests, and competitions. With approval by the organizer, a student may ride with a parent to or
from an away event, contest, or competition. For a student to ride with a person other than a parent
or guardian, a release form must be signed by the student and parent or guardian with the date and
description of the event, and approved and signed by the organizer and activities director.

Note: Transportation is not provided to games played at Noble Sports Park. Players must arrange
transportation to and from Noble Sports Park and report to the field at the time designated by the coach.

UNIFORMS
Uniforms are to be worn according to the game calendar. Changes in uniforms will be determined by the
coaches and/or the captains. Any changes in uniform will be made at least 24 hours prior to the wearing of a
uniform outfit and ALL team members will be notified of the change. Uniforms may only be used for games
or competitions (not practices or social events). If a piece of the uniform is lost or stolen, players are
responsible for replacing the item. They will pay the full price of the original item plus any shipping or
reordering charges.

If a player quits or is removed from the squad, he will be expected to return all uniform items owned
by the school within one week. Any items not returned will be charged to his account with the school.

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GAME SCHEDULE
The game schedule for the varsity, junior varsity and 9th grade teams can be found on the Park Center
athletic calendar and on www.parkcenterbaseball.com.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Because of the volatility of spring weather in Minnesota, games and practices will be in a constant state of
change and flux. The weekly practice schedule will be posted on www.parkcenterbaseball.com. We will
notify players of changes to the schedule via email.

SEASON GOALS
• Maintain the work ethic in the weight room established by coaches with 100% attendance and
meeting marks established on workout sheet
• Promote shoulder/arm strength and health by using J-Bands and medicine ball exercises
• 100% attendance at all practices
• Continuous Improvement every day
• Establish unity in our program through “The Brotherhood”
• Have FUN!

RESULT SPECIFIC GOALS

• Earn the Osseo School District All-State Academic Team recognition
• Increase program wins year-over-year
• Varsity wins the District Championship

Game strategies for success (Offense)

Focus on Quality At-Bats (“QAB”s) instead of hits.

QAB criteria

1. Hit
2. BB/HBP/Catcher’s Interference
3. Sac Fly
4. Sac Bunt
5. Advance Lead Runner Via Out or Error
6. Squared Line Drive
7. 8-Pitch AB
8. Suicide Squeeze
9. Putting ball in play with two strikes (lower level only)

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 Team QAB Goals

Varsity: 17 per game, Junior Varsity: 19 per game, 9th Grade: 21 per game
1. Earn 9 “Freebies” – BB, HBP, SB, E, 2-Strike Hit
2. Score more runs than runners left on base
3. Win more innings than the opponent

Game strategies for success (Defense):

Focus on “Quality” Pitching Categories

• Throw Strikes, Get Outs

• Play Hard, Get Off the Field Quickly
• Do not give up a big inning (3 runs or more)
• 2 errors or less in the field
• 3 walks/HBP or less on the mound
• Allow less than 6 runs per game
• Win 75% of games decided by two runs or less
• Focus 1 pitch @ a time

COACHING STAFF
NATHAN JOHNSON, HEAD COACH
Coach Johnson grew up playing baseball in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. After high school, he attended and
played baseball at Anoka Ramsey Community College where he earned his AA degree. Coach Johnson
then earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Concordia University in St. Paul.

Nathan started coaching at Andover High School when it opened in 2002, where he was the head coach of
the 9th grade A team. After three years, he moved on to become the head coach of the 10th grade Andover
team. After three more years at Andover, Coach Johnson was presented with an opportunity to become an
assistant varsity coach at Park Center in 2009 with longtime friend and mentor Rob Vitense.

Coach Johnson is excited to help lead the Pirates program and continue building lasting relationships with
the players and parents. Once a Pirate, ALWAYS a Pirate.

If Coach Johnson isn’t at a ballpark, you will most likely find him on the golf course and spending time with
family and friends.

KEVIN MANSON, ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH

Coach Manson is in his third season with the Park Center Pirates. Originally from Chicago, Kevin played
collegiately at the University of Illinois where he garnered All-Big Ten Conference honors as a starting pitcher.
Kevin also pitched a season with the Rochester Honkers in 2008. Since relocating to Minneapolis in 2011,
Kevin has stayed close to the game working as a private pitching instructor and coach at the youth level.
During the day, Kevin serves as the Sports & Recreation Coordinator at North Hennepin Community College.

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When not on the field, you can find Kevin near the water or at Target Field. Kevin lives in Arden Hills with his
wife Lisa, son Evan and their black lab, Macey.

TYLER STEIN, ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH

Coach Tyler Stein is in his second season as assistant varsity coach, mostly working with the catchers. Tyler
grew up in Brooklyn Park and was a 2010 graduate from Park Center Senior High, where he played infield
and pitched as a Pirate. He then went on to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, earning a degree in
Electrical Engineering as well as being a walk-on catcher for the UMD Bulldogs.

When not coaching, Tyler continues to play baseball as a catcher for the Coon Rapids Redbirds Amateur
team as well as getting in a few rounds on the golf course.

CRAIG HENRY, ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH

Coach Craig Henry begins his second season with Park Center Baseball, serving as an assistant varsity
coach working with hitters and catchers. Craig attended Centennial High School where he played football,
hockey, and baseball.

Henry attended Augsburg College from 2006 to 2010 where he earned four-year MIAC All-Conference and
two-year ABCA All-West Region honors as a catcher, and was a team captain his junior and senior year.
Craig finished his career with a .378 average, is the career leader in school history in hits (186), doubles
(47), and total bases (272), 3rd in runs scored (121), and 5th in RBI’s (98).

During the day, Henry works for Molin Concrete Products in Lino Lakes and is a private catching and hitting
Instructor with Great Lakes Baseball Academy in Woodbury. When not at the field, you will most likely find him
on the golf course or at his home in Blaine with his wife, Emily, and their son, Liam Thomas.

MATT SAUTER, HEAD JV COACH

Coach Matt Sauter grew up in Crystal and is a graduate of Cooper High School, where he played baseball as
a catcher and an infielder. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a math degree, he
began teaching at Park Center. As he waited for a coaching position to open at PC, Coach Sauter spent two
summers as a youth baseball coach. In the spring of 2012, he found his home with the Park Center Baseball
program, first as an assistant varsity coach, then transitioning to his current position as head JV coach.

Coach Sauter is working to develop his young, but talented, junior varsity team. He welcomes the
opportunity to coach and make ready the next wave of varsity players.

When not coaching, you can find Matt at home in Plymouth working on his house or down in his workshop
doing woodworking. Of course, he spends most of his time chasing around his three-year-old son, Jack and
new addition Josephine.

BERNARD BRINKLEY, ASSISTANT JV COACH

Coach Bernard Brinkley, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, is the proud father of three strong-willed young
women and works as an Operational Excellence consultant in Minneapolis. Coach Brinkley serves as a
board member of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and is an enthusiastic ultra-marathoner. During his

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tenure in Minnesota, Coach Brinkley continued his coaching career for more than six years with the Edina
Baseball Association and currently trains/coaches at Great Lakes Baseball Academy. An athlete and
graduate of the University of Maryland Terrapin, he brings his passion and knowledge of the game.

“I am very proud to be a part of the Pirate family. Our student-athletes give 100% on/off the field and that
makes it a very easy job to lead these young men. I am very lucky to have been blessed with this
opportunity to work with such a great coaching staff and talented athletes.”

TRAVIS YOUNG, HEAD 9TH GRADE COACH

Coach Travis Young begins his third season with Park Center Baseball, serving as the head coach for the
freshman team in 2017. This year, Coach Young is excited to develop, instruct and coach his team to
compete at a high level and groom the future of the Park Center program.

A Clear Lake, Iowa High School and Iowa State University graduate, Young was an outfielder for the Clear
Lake Lions. Coach Young was a utility player for the Cedar Rapids Mudcats in the Eastern Iowa Adult
Baseball League from 2012-2014.

From 2008 to 2010 Young worked with the Vanderbilt University baseball program in Nashville assisting with
youth and high school camps and media relations duties for the program. Following his time at Vanderbilt,
Young worked with the Lipscomb University baseball program as a sports information director and
operations assistant. In addition, Young has scouted and evaluated high school players across the country
while working for Perfect Game and Baseball America.

When not at the field, you will likely find him spending time with his wife Laura and their Boston Terrier. The
couple also enjoys spending the summer nights at the friendly confines of Target Field watching the Twins.

CASEY VAN KREVELEN, ASSISTANT 9TH GRADE COACH

Born and raised in Andover, Minnesota, Coach Casey Van Krevelen played baseball, basketball and football
at Andover High School (Class of ’08). Casey Van Krevelen coaches because he loves the sport and loves
coaching kids the game and how to play it the right way. This is Coach Van Krevelen’s second year of
coaching and his first year at Park Center. He previously was the assistant sophomore coach at Andover
High School. Casey currently lives in Plymouth with his girlfriend. He still plays baseball in the summer for
the Anoka Bucks, an amateur baseball team. Casey also enjoys working out, hanging out with family and
playing with his dogs. One of Casey’s favorite sports memories is beating Anoka High School in football and
going to the state tournament. It still gives him chills thinking about it.

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PARENT PARTNERSHIP
PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES
The team always comes first. We have no stars.

Playing time is an awarded privilege, not a right.

Athletes are played because:

• They exhibit high character on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
• They get the job done better than someone else.
• They add the most value to the team.
• They understand their role on the team.
• Their number one goal is to make the team better.
• They do the things that are required plus more.
• They make plays in practices and games.
• Parent's influence or position makes no difference in any decision within the baseball program.
• Parents should seek to serve the program without expectations for favor for their son’s playing time.
• A team member’s position will be determined by what is best for the team and student-athlete.

If there are any problems that arise, we want to have proper communication channels within the
baseball program.

The following steps should be the standard for resolution of issues:

• Player to Team or Position Coach

• Player to Head Coach
• Parent and Player to Head Coach (with Team Coach)
• Parent and Player to Head Coach and AD

Of course, parents are always welcome to talk to the head coach about non-baseball items: grades,
girlfriend, background, recruiting, etc.

1. Schedule meetings with the coaching staff in advance, in accordance with the chain of command
represented above.
2. Remember our philosophy when evaluating a situation: The team comes first.
3. The door is always open and so is our mind.
4. We attempt to keep short accounts with your son’s challenges. We ask the same of you. Please be
open-minded as we work together to resolve situations which may arise.
5. Meetings should take place a minimum of 24 hours after an incident occurs.
6. Place responsibility on your son whenever possible, help them grow and be a self-advocate. Before
we know it, these young men will be out on their own, so let’s partner together to prepare them.

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HOW TO STAY IN THE LOOP
ASK YOUR PLAYER!
Coaches will share information with players, and players are responsible for relaying that information to their
parents. If you have questions about upcoming schedules or events, ask your player first!

EMAIL – PARKCENTERBASEBALL@YAHOO.COM
The booster club’s email address is parkcenterbaseball@yahoo.com. We will send messages from this
email address throughout the season. Please make sure we have your current email address(s) on file.

GAME SCHEDULES – WWW.NWSCONFERENCE.ORG

The most up-to-date schedule can be found on the Northwest Suburban Conference website
(www.nwsconference.org). Click on the link to the Park Center HS athletics schedule, then select the team
schedule you would like to view. You can set up a subscription to receive instant notifications via text and/or
email when schedule changes occur.

PARK CENTER BASEBALL WEBSITE – WWW.PARKCENTERBASEBALL.COM

Information about upcoming Park Center Baseball events, booster club information, etc. can be found on our
website (www.parkcenterbaseball.com). We also maintain a game schedule on this site, but weather-related
cancellations and changes are not updated immediately. Refer to the Northwest Suburban Conference
website for the most up-to-date game information.

SOCIAL MEDIA – TWITTER AND FACEBOOK

Follow Park Center Baseball on Twitter (@pcpiratenine) and Facebook (Park Center Baseball Program). If
you do not have a Twitter account, you can sign up to receive tweets via text message to your phone. Text
“follow pcpiratenine” to 40404. You will then receive a text message any time Pirates Baseball posts a tweet.

IMPORTANT DATES
• April 6 Feed My Starving Children
• April 15 Cub Bagging Fundraiser
• April 17 Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 pm at Kelly’s
• May 6 BPAA Opening Day Ceremonies (varsity players to attend)
• May 14 Steak Fry Fundraiser, Osseo American Legion
• May 15 Booster Club Meeting, 7:00 pm at Kelly’s
• May 19 Senior Recognition Day / All Family Picnic
• May 26 Playoffs Begin
• June 4 End-of-Season Banquet
• July 28-30 Hosting MYAS tournament (volunteers needed from all families)

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CONTACT INFORMATION
COACHING STAFF
Coach Position Mobile Phone Email

Nathan Johnson Head Varsity, Infield, 763.229.7600 njohnson021@hotmail.com

Offense & OF
Coordinator, Mental
Game Coach

Matt Sauter Head JV, OF 612.226.6418 msauter@district279.org

Coordinator, Carpenter

Travis Young Head 9th Grade 641.425.4767 youngtr04@gmail.com

Kevin Manson Assistant Varsity, 847.917.1574 kmanson21@gmail.com

Pitching Coordinator

Craig Henry Assistant Varsity, 651.485.7612 craighenry413@gmail.com

Catching Coordinator,
Offense Coach, Mental
Game Coach

Tyler Stein Assistant Varsity, 612.229.1752 tstein@minnetronix.com

Catching Coach

Bernard Brinkley Assistant JV, Infield 612.834.5928 bbrinkleyjr@gmail.com

Coordinator, Base
Running Coach, Mental
Game Coach

Casey Van Krevelen Assistant 9th Grade 763.229.1640 caseyvankrevelen24@yahoo.com

PC DUGOUT BOOSTER CLUB

Board Member Position Email
Jeff Klemm President jeffklemm@gmail.com

Joel Maier Vice President jmaier@bkbm.com

Calli Pederson Treasurer jcallipederson@hotmail.com

Amy Sporre Secretary & Communications Director amy.sporre@businesssidekick.com

PC Dugout Club Email: parkcenterbaseball@yahoo.com

Park Center Baseball Website: www.parkcenterbaseball.com

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