PURPOSE STATEMENT

Greater Gwinnett Christian (GGC) is an organization of Christian home schooling families prayerfully established to encourage and support the teaching of Christian ethics and the budding of Christian character through participation in Christ-centered extracurricular activities related to athletics.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

WE BELIEVE:

The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and constitutes completed and final revelation. Nothing has been added to it and it is the only source of divine truth. The Bible, in its original autograph, is without error in whole or part, including theological concepts as well as geographical and historical detail (2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 22:18-19).

God has existed from all eternity in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was God come in human flesh, being fully God and fully man, except without sin (John 1: 1-18).

 All men are in violation of God's righteous requirements and His holy character, both by nature and act; and are therefore under His wrath and just condemnation. The central purpose of the coming of Jesus Christ was to pay the penalty of man's sin through His substitution death on the cross - the successful accomplishment of which was attested to by His subsequent visible bodily resurrection (Romans 3:10, 23; Romans 6:23).

 Salvation is offered as a gift, free to the sinner. This gift must be responded to in individual faith, not trusting in any personal works, but the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

TAX EXEMPT STATUS

GGC has been officially recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt non-profit organization. While the membership and program fees are not tax deductible, contributions made to GGC are. Members are encouraged to consider contributing and to solicit corporate contributions.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Following are the requirements for a family to participate in GGC baseball:

They must be in compliance with the Georgia Home schooling Law. (A copy is included in this handbook.) In addition, although the Georgia law does not require persons over the age of 16 to be enrolled in school, they are also not eligible to play high school sports if they are not enrolled in an academic educational program. The GGC adheres to that same principle. Therefore, GGC requires the same educational program for all its players that the Georgia law requires for students between the 6th and 16th birthdays. If a player chooses not to participate in an academic educational program adherent to Georgia code, he also may not participate in GGC Barons baseball. Georgia law stipulates, "A basic academic educational program that includes, but is not limited to, reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science." Georgia Code Ann. 20-2-690(c)(4).

• They must sign the statement of faith.
• They must sign the release and indemnity agreement.
• They must pay the GGC annual fee, as well as the baseball fee.
• They must be willing to abide by all the rules discussed in this handbook.
• The player must sign and adhere to the code of conduct.
• The player must be at least 11 years of age.

A player is considered ineligible for GGC baseball if any of the following have occurred prior to the beginning of the season:

1) The player has graduated from or completed his home school training
2) The player has reached age 19 before September 1st of the school year
3) The player is actively enrolled in full-time college
4) The player is employed for more than 20 hours per week.

FEES

There are several fees listed on the baseball registration form.  The first one is the GGC annual family membership fee of $25, which covers administrative costs of the organization. This is a family membership, regardless of the number of children. This fee covers all sports under GGC, which currently include basketball, baseball, and softball. The GGC membership fee must be paid at registration.

The last fee is the baseball fee, which is determined year to year based on that season's expenses. Fall and spring fees are separate.   If, at the end of the season, the expenses were less than estimated, the overage will roll over to the next season's program. No refunds will be given.

No one will be allowed to practice following tryouts unless the first installment of the fee has been paid. No one will be given a uniform until the second installment has been paid. No one will be allowed to play the first game unless all fees have been paid.

TRYOUTS

Tryout dates will be announced by the Coach.  Players should attend tryouts dressed in baseball pants and tee shirts or baseball sleeves. They should also be prepared to exhibit skills in fielding, running, hitting, catching and throwing.

Because it is the desire of the baseball organization to give players reasonable playing time and adequate training, the leadership has decided to limit the number of players on each team to 18.  Any exceptions to this will be determined by the baseball athletic director and coordinator.

PRACTICES AND GAMES

Practice will begin the week following tryouts and will be scheduled by the Coach. Practices will be at WPI Baseball Academy until weather permits moving to the field. When practices begin, the coaches will tell players what the practice attire will be.

It is very important that players attend every practice. If a player must miss a practice, he should let the coach know in advance. It is also the player's responsibility to find out from the coach after the practice when and where the next practice will be, in case a change was made.

The coach feels it is important to develop discipline in individual players. This carries over into many areas, one of which is punctuality. The current policy states that any player who is even one second late according to the coach's watch will run the number of laps designated by the coach. Being on time means being on the field, completely dressed with shirt tucked in, not driving into the parking lot or walking up to the field tucking in a shirt. If there is a legitimate reason a player cannot get to practice or a game on time, that player should call the coach in advance. Additional requirements are given in the code of conduct, which is included in this handbook.

It should be understood that playing time will not be equal for all players. Barons compete with middle, JV and high school baseball teams and are, therefore, competitive.  This is a different philosophy from most park and recreation teams.  It is expected that team members and their families will promote team unity and respect for the coach's authority. Players are encouraged to work hard in developing the highest skill level possible in order to earn positions, as well as keep those positions. Just as important is the development of positive sportsmanship and Christ-like attitudes.

Because fans, as well as players and coaches, represent Jesus Christ and GGC, it is the desire of the leadership that parents and other fans exemplify Christ-like behavior at all games, regardless of umpire calls or other issues.

The schedule as handed out is tentative due to weather and unforeseen circumstances that arise with some of the teams scheduled to play.  For example, a coach may schedule a game with us and then find out the day before the game that the English teacher has scheduled a field trip and he will not have enough players present.  Situations like this are beyond our control.  You will always be notified as soon as possible when there is a change.

COACHING

All coaching decisions are made by the coach, not the athletic director or coordinator. Therefore, all discussion on coaching issues should be taken up first with the coach. If a problem occurs during a game, discussion concerning it should take place the day after the game. It should never take place immediately after the game.

Parents should encourage their sons to address the coach directly concerning any issues. This teaches them to take initiative, accept responsibility, and accept authority.

UNIFORMS

Uniforms are the property of GGC and are distributed to players for the Barons’ season only. Each player is responsible for the care and cleaning of their uniforms. The charge of a lost uniform is the cost of a new one regardless of the age of the old one. It is the player's responsibility to turn in his uniform(s) at the end of the season.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

It is the desire of the GGC organization that players maintain Christian behavior at all times. The coaches set and enforce appropriate rules regarding behavior. Disciplinary action for broken rules varies from running laps, being suspended for a certain number of games, or, finally, being dismissed from the team. The coaches handle the discipline of team members. When a grave breach of these rules occurs, the coach will seek consensus with the athletic director before a suspension or dismissal takes place. The player and player's parents (or guardians) will be notified of the disciplinary action to be taken. An appeal may be made by a parent, if deemed necessary, to a committee made up of the coach, athletic director and a board member. The committee's decision is final.

Member families are responsible for the behavior of their guests at games. Parents are responsible for any damages caused by their children to a home or away facility. Family members not complying with this policy will be asked to not attend games.

CALLINGPOST

The callingpost serves a very important function. This will be used primarily for emergencies, i.e. when changes are made at the last minute due to weather, etc.

E-MAIL

E-mail messages will be sent on a regular basis containing pertinent information. Please check e-mails daily.

INSURANCE

Because of the nature of the game of baseball, it is important that all players be covered by medical health insurance. Insurance is required and that information should be shown on the GGC application form in case a player is injured and parents or guardians are not present. 

RELEASE AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

In I Corinthians 6, we are taught not to take our disputes to ungodly judges before unbelievers. Keeping this in mind, parents are required to sign the release and indemnity agreement shown on the GGC Application Form. This states that consent is given for their son to participate in GGC competitions and will indemnify and hold harmless GGC, GGC Board Members, officers, coaches and personnel, as well as WPI Baseball Academy, against all claims, including claim, suit, or action for personal injury or otherwise.

PARENTAL NOTICE; COMPETITIVE LEAGUE STATEMENT

GGC teams are not members of recreational, teaching or fun leagues. The Barons are involved in competitive regional, state and national competitions. No guarantee of playing time is implied or promised for any player because they are selected for a team. Coaches have complete discretion on who plays and how much playing time a player receives based on their judgment of circumstances, player readiness, maturity, skill, cooperation, effort and other factors. Parents are requested to be encouraging and supportive of their player and counsel them privately to continue to work hard, improve, not be discouraged, and to be patient.

Greater Gwinnett Christian, Corp.

GGC PARENT, PLAYER AND FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

At all GGC competitive events, parents, players and fans are required to exhibit positive, encouraging behavior toward referees, the opposing team's players, and their fans. Acceptable behavior includes loud, positive cheers and encouraging remarks supporting our players' and coaches' efforts. Derogatory remarks or harassment directed to referees, other players or fans will not be allowed. GGC member families should make guests aware of this policy and be responsible for their cooperation. During games, GGC Board members are requested to remind offending members or fans of this policy. Referees are authorized under GA High School rules to remove any fan or parent from the field or gym for rude or disruptive behavior whether or not they have been warned by a GGC representative. It is GGC's belief that members, players, coaches and fans of a Christian organization involved in a competitive event should not forget who they are or Who they represent when they walk into a gym or onto a ball field. GGC should be known for its competitive teams, encouraging presence, enthusiastic supporters and positive behavior.

PARENTAL NOTICE:  COMPETITIVE LEAGUE STATEMENT

GGC teams are not members of recreational teaching or fun leagues. The Barons are involved in competitive regional, state and national competitions. No guarantee of playing time is implied or promised for any player because they are selected for a team. Coaches have complete discretion in whom they play and how much playing time a player receives based on their judgment of circumstances, player readiness, maturity, skill, cooperation, effort and other factors. Parents are requested to encourage and support their player and counsel them privately to continue to work hard, improve, be patient and be encouraging to others.