OVERVIEW
Summer
2016
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Your team
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OVERVIEW
junior giants PROGRAM OVERVIEW Entering its 23rd year, Junior Giants is a free, noncompetitive and coed baseball program. Over 25,000 youth across California, Nevada and Oregon participate annually. The program offers e quipment, uniforms, program incentives and coaches training. Junior Giants wants to help you lead, succeed and have fun!
Anyone can play!
JUNIOR GIANTS IS MORE THAN JUST BASEBALL! PROGRAMS INCLUDE: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: • Four Bases of Character Development • Junior Giants Baseball Cards • Junior Giants Base Bands
HEALTH: • Healthy Habits Poster • Romo’s Routine on DVD
EDUCATION: • Round the Bases Reading Program • Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship Program
BULLYING PREVENTION: • Strike Out Bullying Pledge • Strike Out Bullying Contest
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FOUR BASES OF
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
CONFIDENCE 2ND BASE
TEAMWORK
Joe Panik INFIELDER
Brandon Belt INFIELDER
3rd BASE
leadership
home
integrity
Matt Duffy INFIELDER
Buster Posey CATCHER
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WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION
1ST BASE
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION
WEEK 1
welcome TO JUNIOR GIANTS!
AT BAT THIS WEEK: o Read this Player & Parent Handbook to receive a Giants bookmark. Do this
and you’ve already read to 1st base in the Round the Bases Reading Program!
This summer you will follow the 8-week schedule and learn about each Word of the Week. Be a dedicated teammate all season long by attending every practice and game. You don’t want to miss out on each week’s fun activities!
JUNIOR GIANTS LEAGUE SCHEDULE WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION WEEK 2 HEALTH WEEK 3 CONFIDENCE WEEK 4 EDUCATION WEEK 5 TEAMWORK WEEK 6 LEADERSHIP WEEK 7 STRIKE OUT BULLYING WEEK 8 INTEGRITY
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JUNIOR GIANTS baseball cards COLLECT ALL 9 CARDS! Do you represent what it means to be a Junior Giant?
the end of the season!
How do you earn the cards? Each week you attend your practices and games, your coach will help you learn about the Word of the Week, complete each program and earn your Junior Giants Baseball Cards. If you miss a game or practice, be sure to come back the following week and ask your coach or team parent if they can review what you missed so you can earn your card!
YOU CAN EARN THE FOLLOWING JUNIOR GIANTS BASEBALL CARDS: 1. STARTER CARD WITH CHECKLIST 2. HEALTH 3. CONFIDENCE 4. EDUCATION 5. TEAMWORK 6. LEADERSHIP 7. STRIKE OUT BULLYING 8. INTEGRITY 9. SEASON REVIEW CARD
BRANDON CRAWFORD INFIELDER
Get ready for Health Week!
ON DECK NEXT WEEK:
Track your healthy eating and exercise habits for one week on your Healthy Habits Poster. Return your tracking sheet to your coach to earn a Giants water bottle!
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WEEK 2: HEALTH
Throughout the season you will have the chance to collect Junior Giants Baseball Cards. If you gather all 9 cards you will earn a Brandon Crawford bobblehead as your award at
WEEK 2
word of the week: health
AT BAT THIS WEEK: WEEK 2: HEALTH
o Track your healthy eating and exercise on your Healthy Habits Poster for
a week to receive a Giants water bottle!
be a healty junior giant!
5 A DAY It’s important for you to get at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
SNACK SMART Snacking on nutritious foods will keep your energy level high and your mind alert! Check out the list below for some healthy snack ideas.
HEALTHY SNACKS Bananas Carrots Apple wedges Pretzels Yogurt Almonds
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Orange slices String cheese
Grapes Whole grain crackers ANGEL PAGAN OUTFIELDER
GREGOR BLANCO OUTFIELDER
TIME TO PLAY • Everyone needs physical activity to stay fit. Set a goal of 30 minutes of physical activity a day! • Make sure to always warm up before your practice or game. • Get your heart pumping by doing jumping jacks or relay races with your team.
HEALTHY HABITS POSTER Remember to put your Healthy Habits Poster up in your room and learn some fun health tips. Track your healthy eating and physical activity for one week and return your tracking sheet to your coach to earn a Giants water bottle!
CHRIS HESTON PITCHER
WEEK 3: CONFIDENCE
SODA-FREE SUMMER Challenge yourself to keep your body hydrated and not drink soda this summer! Aim to drink at least five glasses of water every day - especially before, during and after practice.
PROTECT YOURSELF Stay safe and healthy! Always remember to fasten your seatbelt, apply sunscreen and wear your helmet. Keep a clean smile by brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. SPREAD KINDNESS. NOT GERMS. Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of illness. Wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds. If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, hand sanitizer is a great alternative.
GEORGE KONTOS PITCHER
JAVIER LOPEZ PITCHER
ON DECK NEXT WEEK:
Continue reading and encourage your team to read with you!
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WEEK 3
word of the week: confidence
AT BAT THIS WEEK: o Wear your Confidence Base Band.
WEEK 3: CONFIDENCE
HOW CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE CONFIDENCE ON AND OFF OF THE FIELD?
1ST BASE: CONFIDENCE • Focus on giving 100%. Never give up! • Don’t let the fear of mistakes stop you. Learn from them. • Have faith in yourself, your abilities and your team, both on and off the field. • Ask questions! Questions are a great way to get the information you need to be successful.
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WEEK 4: EDUCATION
“A confident baseball player believes in him or herself and in their team. Together and with confidence you can accomplish anything.” – Brandon Belt
ON DECK NEXT WEEK: Challenge yourself to read to the next base in the Round the Bases Reading Program!
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WEEK 4
word of the week: education DENARD SPAN OUTFIELDER
AT BAT THIS WEEK: o Turn in your Round the Bases Reading Scorecard to earn your next reading prize! Make your way to home plate and see how much you can read this summer! Use the inserted scorecard to track your reading levels. As a bonus, read to younger family members or friends to include them in the fun!
WEEK 4: EDUCATION
GIANTS FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOKS: Buster Posey: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Brandon Crawford: Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
Joe Panik: A Catcher with a Glass Arm by Matt Christopher
Matt Cain: Children Make Awful Pets by Peter Brown
ROUND THE BASES READING PROGRAM READING LEVELS & PRIZES FIRST BASE | Read the Player & Parent Handbook to receive a Giants bookmark. SECOND BASE | Read for 240 minutes to receive a Giants folder. THIRD BASE | Read for 480 minutes to receive a Giants pencil and pencil case. HOME RUN! | Read for 720 minutes to receive a Giants notebook. If your ENTIRE TEAM reaches the Home Run level, you are eligible to attend the Junior Giants Festival! (Please note that T-ball teams will receive a backpack instead of an invitation to the Festival.)
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RETURN YOUR SCORECARD TO YOUR COACH BY JULY 16
HARMON & SUE BURNS SCHOLARSHIP The Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship program is named in honor of the late Giants owners Harmon and Sue Burns. Both Harmon and Sue were generous supporters of the Giants Community Fund and Sue was a highly dedicated member of the Education Committee and the Board of Directors.
WEEK 5: TEAMWORK
ENTERING 8TH GRADE?
apply by JULY 17
If so, you’re eligible to apply! Each year, 10 Harmon & Sue Burns Scholars are selected to receive special support during high school and a $5,000 scholarship after graduation. You don’t have to be an A+ student to be a Harmon & Sue Burns Scholar. Scholars are selected on the basis of leadership, character, academic potential and Junior Giants involvement. Harmon & Sue Burns Scholars are honored at an on-field ceremony at AT&T Park and receive a personalized jersey when they graduate from high school. Ask your coach, team parent or Commissioner how to apply to be a Harmon & Sue Burns Scholar this season! Special thanks to the Burns Family Foundation who generously underwrites the cost of the Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship program each year and to Franklin Templeton Investments for their donation to support the Road the College Workshop and Education Day.
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WEEK 5 AT BAT THIS WEEK: o
word of the week: teamwork Wear your Teamwork Base Band.
WEEK 5: TEAMWORK
WHAT DOES BEING PART OF A TEAM MEAN TO YOU AS A PLAYER?
2ND BASE: TEAMWORK • When we work together, we achieve more. • Never let the game come between you and your friends. • Tell your teammates what they are doing well. • Recognize that everyone has an important role on the team.
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WEEK 6: LEADERSHIP
“On a team, each player contributes their strengths and works together with their teammates to achieve a common goal.” – Joe Panik
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WEEK 6 AT BAT THIS WEEK:
word of the week: leadership o Wear your Leadership Base Band.
WEEK 6: LEADERSHIP
WHEN WAS A TIME YOU WERE A LEADER FOR OTHERS?
3RD BASE: LEADERSHIP • Lead by example. • Think of what is best for the team. • Treat others as you want to be treated. • Recognize the efforts of your teammates.
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“Leaders always have a positive attitude, motivate others and give their best in all that they do.” – Matt Duffy
• If you have not done so already, use the entry sheet in the front of this Handbook to artistically express this season’s theme: WE DON’T BULLY, WE ARE JUNIOR GIANTS. Make sure to submit your Strike Out Bullying Contest entry to your coach next week.
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WEEK 7: STRIKE OUT BULLYING
• Do you remember the Strike Out Bullying Pledge you took at the beginning of the season? Continue to wear your Strike Out Bullying sweatband.
ON DECK NEXT WEEK:
WEEK 7
word of the week: strike out bullying
AT BAT THIS WEEK: o Submit your Strike Out Bullying Contest entry to your coach. o Remember to wear your Strike Out Bullying sweatband as a reminder of the
Strike Out Bullying Pledge you took.
WEEK 7: STRIKE OUT BULLYING
STRIKE OUT BULLYING PLEDGE I AM A JUNIOR GIANT. I Pledge to Strike Out Bullying by... • • • • • •
Respecting my teammates, coaches, family and friends. Giving up put-downs. Standing up for what is right. Treating others the way I would like to be treated. Praising people and helping others. Showing my friends that a bully-free life is more fun.
Continue to Strike Out Bullying in your community by reviewing the Strike Out Bullying Pledge you signed in the beginning of the season! Respect starts within you. Join together with all Junior Giants and show that leading a bully-free and peaceful life is more fun.
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SERGIO ROMO PITCHER
STRIKE OUT BULLYING CONTEST The Strike Out Bullying Contest is an opportunity for you to artistically express this season’s theme: WE DON’T BULLY, WE ARE JUNIOR GIANTS. Please refer to your Strike Out Bullying Contest entry form in the front of this Handbook for more information.
WHAT IS BULLYING? Bullying is when one person or a group of people scare or hurt someone else over and over again. Bullying is often done on purpose and it can happen anywhere, such as at school, in the park, on a sports team, or even at home. There are many types of bullying. Bullying can be: • Leaving someone out of group activities on purpose. • Giving someone the “silent treatment.” • Cyberbullying – Using the Internet, social media, text messages and/or e-mail to hurt others. • Making fun of someone for being “different.” • Name-calling, teasing, gossiping and/or spreading rumors. • Threatening and scaring others. • Hitting, punching and shoving.
What can I do if I see someone being bullied? Although you may not be directly involved in the bullying, there may be times when you see others being bullied. And even though it may be easier to stand by and watch, here’s how you can make a difference: 1. 2. 3. 4.
HUNTER PENCE OUTFIELDER
Stand up for the victim. Don’t join in on bullying. Stop the rumors. Tell an adult.
WEEK 8: INTEGRITY
ON DECK NEXT WEEK: Next week is the final week of Junior Giants for this summer! We know you have learned a lot this season. Think about your favorite memory with your team and share that memory with them and your coach next week.
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WEEK 8
word of the week: integrity
AT BAT THIS WEEK: o Wear your Integrity Base Band. o Earn your Integrity and Season Review Cards. o Players that earned all 9 of their Junior Giants Baseball Cards this season
will receive a Brandon Crawford Bobblehead!
HOME: INTEGRITY • Treat family, friends and teammates with respect.
WEEK 8: INTEGRITY
• Make the right choices, even if they are tough ones. • Do the right thing when nobody is watching. • Be honest with yourself. • Stand up for what you think is right, even when others take a different path.
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“Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching. Make sure to have integrity both on and off the field.” – Buster Posey
WILLIE MAC AWARD
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JUNIOR GIANTS WILLIE MAC AWARD Named in honor of San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer Willie McCovey, this award is the Junior Giants version of the annual award given to a Giants player by his teammates. The Junior Giants Willie Mac Award will go to one outstanding Junior Giants player and coach or team parent that best represents their league, as chosen by their league Commissioner.
WILLIE MAC AWARD
A Junior Giants Willie Mac recipient exemplifies Confidence, Integrity, Leadership and Teamwork both on and off the field. Junior Giants Willie Mac Award winners are recognized during a home plate ceremony at AT&T Park on either Junior Giants Day or Coaches Recognition Day. All award winners, and a guest, are invited to a special luncheon after the season’s end.
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