YHS BASEBALL PROGRAM
2012 INFORMATION
Program Overview
The Yorkville High School baseball program is a highly competitive athletic program. Selection,
participation and playing time are not guaranteed. The selection process is conducted by
professional, experienced, school board-appointed coaches. There are three teams: freshmen,
sophomore, and varsity. Roster sizes typically range from 16 to 22 players for each team.
YHS Baseball Coaching Staff
Scott Luken
Head Varsity Coach
sluken@y115.org
Mike Gunter
Asst. Varsity Coach
Ralph Mispagel
Asst. Varsity Coach
Tony Garcia
Head Sophomore Coach
agarcia@y115.org
Tom Regnier
Head Freshmen Coach
tregnier@y115.org
Daniel Ulrich
Asst. Freshmen Coach
Tryouts/Practice Schedule
Baseball tryouts will begin on Monday, February 27. The selection process typically takes
between two and five days depending on the number of candidates trying out for each team.
Cuts and team selections will be made no later than Saturday, March 3 with the possible
exception of the varsity team which may be delayed until members of the basketball team have
the opportunity to try out upon the completion of the basketball season.
The tryout/practice schedule (use of the gymnasiums) will be announced by February 17. We
will hand out a schedule at the open gyms on Sunday, February 19 and 26. The schedule will
also be posted on the baseball bulletin board at YHS, and it will be posted on the school’s
athletic website. Please note: regardless of the tryout/practice schedule, if there is any day we
can go outside, we will practice right after school. Listen to the school announcements for
updates/changes to the practice schedule.
During tryouts, students may bring their baseball gear to school and place it in their PE locker or
make arrangements with Coach Regnier at the Academy or Coach Garcia at YHS to store it
during the school day.
Expectations for tryouts:
1. All paperwork including a sports physical must be completed and on file in the YHS
athletic office before a candidate may try out.
2. Attend all tryouts/practices and be on time or early.
3. Give your best effort.
4. Communicate with your coaches, and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
5. Dress appropriately for tryouts/practices:
a. athletic/sweat pants; players may wear shorts for running and conditioning
b. shirts will be tucked in prior to leaving the locker room
c. no cut-off shirts may be worn
d. no apparel from other high schools may be worn
e. gym or turf shoes and cleats
f. sweats, jackets, etc. for outdoor practices
g. baseball caps (worn correctly)
h. no jewelry of any kind with the exception of religious jewelry (which must be
taped down)
What are the coaches looking for?
Evaluation of each candidate and selection of players for each team may include the following
criteria:
 hitting
 fielding
 throwing
 base running
 pitching
 catching
 ability to play more than one position
 athleticism
 willingness to buy in to team concept
 baseball knowledge
 intangibles (coachable, attitude, desire, heart, hustle, commitment, work ethic, etc.)
 previous playing experience; however, being the member of a previous YHS team
does not guarantee selection.
 commitment to maintaining good grades
 character and citizenship (within the school and the community)
If you make the team:
Student-athletes selected to be members of the YHS baseball program will need to:
 pay an athletic participation fee of $80 by Monday, March 12
 purchase a game hat from the baseball program for $20 by Tuesday, March 13
 be available to practice/play every day Monday through Saturday from February 27 until
the season ends (freshmen and sophomores end May 19; varsity through state playoffs).
Due to weather, field conditions, and availability of gym space, practice times will vary
from right after school to late evening. Please be aware of this when scheduling
appointments during the season.
Additional information will be communicated to student-athletes who make the team.
Spring Season
YHS baseball competes in the Northern Illinois Big Twelve Conference with three-game series
against divisional opponents DeKalb, Kaneland, Morris, Rochelle, and Sycamore scheduled on
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. Rainouts and non-conference games are
scheduled on the other weekdays and on Saturdays. Teams are scheduled to play no more than
35 regular season contests during the season with transportation to all away games provided by
the school. There is a single-elimination IHSA playoff for the varsity team after the regular
season is complete. The complete spring game schedules and other baseball program
information can be found on the school’s athletic website.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has very specific rules regarding participation on nonschool teams during the high school baseball season. During the spring baseball season, players
may not participate on any non-school team. The IHSA defines participation as “engaging in any
team activity, including but not limited to drills, physical practice sessions, player evaluations,
team meetings, etc.” There is a specific exclusion that allows students to try out for a nonschool summer team “provided the tryout is exclusively a demonstration of skills with no
practice or instruction involved.” Details and additional information can be found at
www.ihsa.org (click on IHSA Policies).
Summer Season
The YHS baseball program also plays a full slate of games in the summer. Players who
participated on a spring team may sign up to play on one of two IHSA-sanctioned YHS summer
teams: one for freshmen (next year’s sophomores) and one for sophomores and juniors (next
year’s juniors and seniors). The summer teams play a five-week season of games during the
months of June and July with doubleheaders starting in the afternoon or early evening on most
weeknights. Because games are scheduled almost every weeknight, few practices are held, and
coaches understand that athletes may also be participating in other sports and summer
activities.
Freshmen should consider scheduling summertime driver’s education classes in the morning or
midday so as to avoid conflicts with afternoon and evening games. Transportation to and from
summer games is the responsibility of the athlete. Carpools can be arranged to away games.
Participating in summer ball does not guarantee a spot on one of next year’s spring teams, but
it gives players an opportunity to continue to develop their skills while playing a competitive
schedule.
If you have any questions concerning the Yorkville High School Baseball Program, please contact
Coach Luken at sluken@y115.org or for more information visit www.leaguelineup.com/yorkville .
2012 YHS BASEBALL PROGRAM IMPORTANT DATES
Sun, February 12
Open Gyms
All levels
Tue, February 14
YHS Basketball Concessions
Varsity
Sun, February 19
Open Gyms
All levels
Sun, February 26
Open Gyms
All levels
Mon, February 27
Tryouts begin
All levels
TBD
Shoe vendor (cleats/turf shoes)
All levels
TBD
Team Apparel/Spirit Wear orders due
All levels
Sat, March 3
Uniforms distributed
All levels
Sun, March 4
YYBSA player evaluations
Varsity
TBD
Parent/player meeting
All levels and parents/guardians
Sat, March 10
YHS Sports Boosters Event
All parents/guardians
Sun, March 11
YYBSA player evaluations
Varsity
Sun, March 11
Last day to order baseball pullover
All levels
Mon, March 12
Last day to pay $80 athletic fee
All levels
Tue, March 13
Last day to purchase game hat
All levels
Wed, March 14
Picture Day
All levels
Tue, March 20
Season opener
All levels
TBD
Baseball program fundraiser
All levels
Mon, April 9
Northern Illinois Big 12 conference opener All levels
Fri, April 12
Weekend road trip to Peoria area
Varsity
Fri, May 18
Senior Night
Varsity
Sat, May 19
Season ends
Freshmen and Sophomores
Sat, May 19
Summer Ball registration due
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors
Tue, May 22
IHSA Regionals begin
Varsity
TBD
Baseball Awards Night
All levels
Mon, June 4
Summer conditioning begins
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors
Mon, June 11
Youth camps begin
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors
Mon, June 11
Summer Ball first game
Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors
TBD
Summer camp for incoming freshmen
Sophomores and Juniors