Coach Shuman's Welcome Letter...

Hello Parents and Players,

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We want to welcome you and your family to the 2026 edition of our Wildcat Baseball Program. Being part of our Baseball Program will involve a commitment to hard work, dedication, and discipline. We hope your son will experience much success and excitement playing baseball for Valdosta High School Wildcats. Playing baseball for the Valdosta High Wildcats is an honor and privilege we take very seriously with great pride! We will expect your son to never do anything that will bring embarrassment to him, our school, or baseball program. We have many team rules and responsibilities that we will follow, our main rule is to, Do Right.

 

The following are some of the rules and regulations we will follow:

 

• Players are expected to always be on time.  Tardiness will result in disciplinary measures.

• The use of Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol are strictly prohibited and will be subject to school athletic department policy as well as disciplinary actions from our Baseball Staff.

• Sunflower seeds, tobacco products, candy, or junk snacks will not be allowed at our facility without permission from our coaching staff.

• We will maintain our facility in a championship style we can all be proud of. All players and coaches will be required to assist with the maintenance of our field, dugouts, indoor cages, and participate in all of our fundraising activities.

• We expect players to present a neat appearance at all times. Players are expected to be clean-shaven and have a neat appearance while representing our school and program, (the coaching staff will determine if adjustments need to be made). Players are not to wear a hat in the school or in eating establishments we may visit. Jewelry will not be allowed at any practice, games, or weight training activities.

• Being a part of Wildcat Baseball involves a year-round commitment to the program, it is not just another part time responsibility. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a gentlemanly manner at school and around the community. Players are to understand, that the offenses at school and away from school are subject to disciplinary measures by the Baseball Program.

• Under no certain terms will bullying or disrespect to another student, a teacher, or coach be tolerated. Consequences for such action will be handled by our coaching staff and/or our school administrators.

• If a player is suspended or assigned to an Alternate School, he will be required to follow the school policy on when he can participate and whatever penalty the coaching staff applies. This could be anything from conditioning, suspension, or removal from the team.

• There are very few reasons why a missed practice or workout should be excused.  If your son has to miss practice or training activities, the player is to inform the coaching staff ahead of time. This can be done in person, by a call, or text message (a call maybe requested). Players are also expected to be at school every day.

• Our preseason practices will begin with 4 on 1’s, Fall Semester, dates and times tba. Beginning in January, practices will begin, we will have practices on Sat.’s as well as holidays, there will be very few reasons an absence will be excused.

• ALL of our Wildcat Baseball Players will be strongly encouraged to be in our Strength and Conditioning class 4th block. If for some reason your schedule does not fit, Strength and Conditioning activities will be added to their practice day.

• If a player is involved with another sport, he will not be required to attend any baseball activities until that sport has ended. Players will have a dress code for every practice; players will be required to wear Wildcat attire only each and every day. Practices will be very structured, mandatory, intense, and at times very long. It will be imperative your son does not miss any baseball practices, meetings, or activities.

• Parents are encouraged to a part of our Baseball Program. This can be done by joining our Baseball Dugout Club, participating in all Fundraising, attending practices, and games. Parents nor visitors will not be allowed on the field or batting cage area during practices or games.

 

We want to urge you to support your child and our entire baseball program. We do however want your support to be positive reinforcement. Remember, any negative comments about our program will, in the long run, only hurt your son and our team. There will always be plenty of negative talk from others so we need to present a united front. We want to create a family atmosphere and we encourage you to become involved.

 

Our philosophy is to give everyone an opportunity to earn playing time. The coaches will determine playing time, what team they will play on, and how much they will play. Playing time will be based largely on the talent and ability level, those who work hard, and are coachable each and every day. Our door is always open to discuss ways to improve your son’s baseball ability, playing time will not be discussed.

 

  

  Sincerely,

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  Coach Bart Shuman