The document outlines the strategic framework and philosophies of the California Vipers Baseball Club, a 9U travel baseball team. The club's vision is to develop skilled young players and instill values like sportsmanship. Key goals include finalizing sponsorship funding and tournament schedules by specific months. The coaching staff emphasizes fundamentals and positions. Coaches include a former professional player who will provide supplemental training. Players will be recruited through tryouts in Orange County and focused on two field positions each.

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© Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. The California Vipers logo is the
property of the California Vipers Baseball Club.

2. Preface
The California Vipers Baseball Club is a 9U (nine and under) travel baseball team. This recruiting
document will outline the strategic framework, basic philosophies, goals and working principles
of the California Vipers Baseball Club not-for-profit organization.
Our goal is to work with a team of quality youth players (character and baseball skills) residing
throughout Orange County to effectively compete in regional Southern California tournaments
– and in the years to come outside of our own geographic area.
Personally, having been involved in youth baseball for many years as a coach and father with
my own son (in both little league and travel ball), and having played the game for many years in
my own youth, I have found the sport to be truly rewarding in many personal growth areas for
boys of this age and older.
We hope to interest you and your child in learning more about our organization as the first step
in forming a rewarding and lasting relationship for years to come.
Daniel McKean
General Manager
Founder & Director
California Vipers Baseball Club

5. Contents
Strategic Framework
o Vision Statement …………………………… .............................................................. 1
o Mission Statement …………………………………….................................................... 1
o Values ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….2
o Strategies ………………………………………………....................................................... 3
o Goals ……………………………………………………………… ............................................. 5
Coaching Philosophies ………………………………………………….............................................. 7
Coaching Emphasis …………………………………………………….............................................. 13
Staff Resumes …………………………………………………………….............................................. 17
Recruiting Process ………………………………………………………............................................. 21
Projected Annual Financials…………………………………………….......................................... 22
Contact Information………………………………………………………........................................... 22
Appendices
A. Sampling of Southern California Tournaments ……………................................... 23
B. Logos & Uniforms ……………………………………………............................................. 24

7. The California Vipers Baseball Club’s strategic framework for achieving success is designed to
guide the organization through all aspects of its operations. It consists of the following:
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Vision Statement
Year after year, it is our vision to groom the youth involved in the California Vipers Baseball
Club to be regarded as the best and most sought-after baseball players within each player’s
individual residential communities. As the kids mature, instruction will be provided
commensurate to their age and capabilities so that they are advancing their skills faster than
many of their peers of the same age.
Mission Statement
In order to realize our Vision, our Mission must be to exceed the expectations of every family
involved in the organization, which we define as our partners in this endeavor. We will
accomplish this by committing to shared family values and the highest levels of family
satisfaction, with extraordinary emphasis placed on teaching our youth the necessary skills at
an advanced level to be self-confident, successful and highly competitive on and off the playing
field.

9. Values
We understand that the boys to be involved are simply young boys. To that end, it is
imperative we (coaches and parents) instill and practice a core set of basic values that will
shape our actions as a group. Foremost, these include, but are not limited to:
To always keep the kids safe by reducing the risk of serious injury,
1. To be a role model in good sportsmanship and personal character always either in success
or defeat and to develop these same qualities in our youth,
2. To provide a constant and reinforcing stream of positive encouragement as a measure to
build personal confidence in both successful and less than successful times,
3. To measure success not merely by wins and losses, but more importantly by continual
improvement of individual and team play,
4. To manage the fragile emotions of young boys by ensuring each and every player feels good
re: their individual contributions and commitments as part of a team unit, and
5. To understand that these boys are just kids and baseball is ‘a game’ to be played for fun and
at the end of the day, tomorrow is always a new day.

11. Strategies
As mentioned earlier in our Vision Statement, teaching the kids baseball at an elevated level
will drive our organizational strategies. This guiding direction is developed to build upon each
player’s growing talents as young ball players, while nurturing their personal growth as
children.
To recruit the ‘best available’ blossoming talent throughout Orange County, whose families
have common values and goals with the organization,
To teach and instruct, through all available resources, the art of playing baseball so each team
member can be a standout player in their respective residential communities,
To recruit one, possibly two former professional baseball players, to act as the organization’s
key advisors and supplemental training instructors, and
To mold each player according to a primary field position with additional instruction for a
secondary field position in order to strengthen the skills associated with mastering all the
subtleties of the assigned positions (pitcher candidates would get instruction at two field
positions along with pitching.)


13. Goals: the organization would have the following annual goals:
 March ─ Annual sponsorship funding concluded, additional funding needs analyzed and
pursued,
 April ─ Summer weekend tournament schedule selection completed (six tournaments
for 18 to 30 games),
 May ─ Active summer team roster completed, uniforms ordered as needed,
 May ─ Individual player practices begin (or sooner) at youth baseball training centers
prior to start of official team practices in June,
 June ─ Commencement of team practices immediately upon conclusion of Spring Little
League, Pony League, TOC and All Star seasons,
 June ─ Approximately two tournaments played throughout June,
 July ─ Two more tournaments played throughout July,
 August ─ Two additional tournaments played throughout August,
 August ─ Fall/Winter tournament schedule reviewed and organized (as the next age
bracket team to coincide with the start of the new tournament season beginning in
September and after other FALL sports, e.g., soccer, football), and in lieu of Winter
baseball leagues with the goal to play four more tournaments (12 to 20 additional
games) before Spring league play restarts; Active Fall team roster completed,
 August ― Review options to play in Winter competitive leagues, e.g., AAU, SOCBA or
CCYB (with temporary ‘league only’ team roster based on team player availability due to
other Fall sports).

15. COACHING PHILOSOPHIES
The following outlines our core coaching philosophies as a means to guide the organization
with its instruction to the players.
Field Positions
It is the California Vipers Baseball Club’s philosophy that when boys start to come of age, they
are naturally more likely to excel at assigned positions. Given baseball is truly a complex sport
with many subtleties to master at each and every position, our working process will be to
position the young athletes at a maximum of two field positions, with the exception of our
pitchers who will get instruction at three field positions – the third being pitcher.
This is not to say as the boys continue to mature and their capabilities to understand the game
expands in the years to come that they will not be able to master additional field positions. In
fact, we expect each and every player to be able to play additional positions in the future.
We are taking this approach for several reasons:
We realize that through each child’s own league play, they may be given the opportunity to
play many different positions. This is excellent for a basic understanding of the game.
However, as we instruct your child in travel ball, we want to focus on only two positions for
each child so they can more easily understand, master, and execute successfully at a high level
all the responsibilities of the assigned position.

17. Different field positions require different skills. By limiting the number of field positions to each
player, it will allow the coaches to isolate drills for each field position according to player. This
approach will develop the skills necessary to be highly successful and competitive on an
individual basis, while building a higher degree of self-esteem and personal confidence with the
child.
Player Playing Time
Playing time will be divided as equitably as possible. It is our vision to have a changing starting
lineup for each game and substitute as necessary according to needed adjustments as the game
dictates. We do not envision free rotation (field substitution) in a game to ensure all players
play in the field or bat each game. We DO envision all players will have the opportunity to play
in the starting lineup at least two games per tournament if not more. This approach is based on
establishing a rhythm for each player and for each game – and to give all players in the starting
lineup the opportunity to challenge themselves in their assigned positions as well as overcome
personal and team adversity as it arises.
A typical starting lineup may include nine (9) field positions and an EH (extra hitter) for a total
of 10 spots in the lineup. This may leave a relief pitcher, catcher and/or a fielder or two on the
bench. Substitutions may occur as will be the case frequently in the following ways:

18.  Middle inning relief / closing pitcher replaces starting pitcher,
 Substitute catcher warms up pitcher for each inning as starting lineup catcher gets gear
on; as well as warms up relief pitcher before his entry into the game,
 Substitute catcher relieves over heated, exhausted starting catcher,
 Pinch hitter, and
 Base runner substitutions for pitcher and catcher (as this is allowed per tournament play
to keep these two position kids cooled down), and substitution in times of a starting
lineup fielder for base stealing and scoring purposes.
Therefore, it is quite foreseeable all team members will have a critical role in each and every
game regardless of whether they are in the starting lineup. It will be the coaching staff’s
responsibility to ensure each child knows in advance of the game what his role will be and to
make certain each child feels good about the role they are about to undertake.
Pitching
Annually, we will be seeking six (6) core pitchers with whom we can give professional
instruction. With a pitching staff of six pitchers, this will allow us to meet any foreseen pitching
needs both in starting rotation and in relief. If another child shows promise/talent at pitching
and is not considered as part of the core group, we will actively work with the player to develop
his skills and use the player in game situations as needed.

19. Professional Baseball Instruction
It is our goal through corporate sponsorship funding to provide each player with professional
baseball instruction. As an organization, we will fund private instruction with former
professional baseball players at area youth baseball training centers. It is our goal to identify a
plan of action for each child to strengthen core competencies as well as work on fundamental
areas of growth as a player. This will be in addition to team practices conducted by the
coaching staff.
Furthermore, through our alliance with these youth baseball training centers, we will seek an
advisory staff of former professional baseball players to help us plan and execute each game
during scheduled tournaments. And, as cooperation can be worked out, we will invite the
advisory staff to individual games to provide on field post-game analysis.
COACHING EMPHASIS
As young ball players, we understand the kids are still learning the game and developing their
skills. Although the players that are to be recruited are considered the ‘better ball players’
within their own age group, repetition of fundamental drills will always be at the forefront of
our coaching. Fundamentals drive success and mastering the basic skills will allow each player
to build a heightened sense of confidence to play the game at a much higher level.

21. Our coaching emphasis for the team will consist of the following key drills and instruction:
 Fielding Fundamentals
 Infield
 Fielding Mechanics
 Position Responsibilities
 Outfield
 Fielding Mechanics
 Position Responsibilities
 Advanced Defensive Drills
 Relays
 Throw Downs & Tagging Techniques
 Base Runner Pick Offs
 1st & 3rd Defense / Offense
 Bunt Defense / Offense


22. Batting
 Recognizing Pitch Locations
 Reading Speed Variations
 Eye / Hand Coordination (Tracking the Ball)
 Proper Swing Mechanics
 Hitting for Power
 Hitting to Opposite Field
 Bunting
 Slashing
 Coaching Signs
 Pitching
 All Age Appropriate Pitches
 Pitch Location
 Reading the Catcher’s Signs
 Pick Offs
 Defensive Base Coverage
It is advised young children progress with learning to throw different types of pitches
at different ages to eliminate the risk of shoulder and elbow injury. Our coaching
staff will adhere to the adopted approach which is nationally accepted by the sports
medicine community.


23. Catching
 Blocking
 Throw Downs
 Calling the Pitch
 Setting Up (Box Location)
 Stance - Ready vs. Relaxed (base runners vs. no base runners)
 Pop Ups
 Fielding the Bunt
 Base Running
 Getting Out the Batters Box
 Maximizing Running Speed (Stride)
 Running (First Step Jump Start)
 Lead Offs
 Base Stealing
 Proper Sliding Mechanics
 Run Downs (Do’s & Don’ts)

24. STAFF RESUMES
 Daniel McKean, General Manager
A former vice president with the world’s largest communications agency and currently a
private entrepreneur, Daniel is the organization’s General Manager overseeing fund
raising, financial management and scouting. He played Division I high school baseball
and on two Colt League regional championship teams in Ohio. As a dad, he has managed
and coached his son starting in Tee-Ball through various levels in Little League. For more
than two years, Daniel has organized, funded and run a summer youth baseball program
in Rancho Santa Margarita.
 Jim Burchit, Manager & Coach
By day a successful regional sales representative and by night a baseball die hard, Jim
is the team’s co-manager and coach. In his younger days, Jim was a former standout
catcher, first baseman and pitcher at such renowned baseball schools as Esperanza
High School, Fullerton Junior College and University of Southern California. For more
than five years, Jim has been coaching youth baseball with Viejo Little League and
travel baseball teams, where his teams have competed for (and won) division titles
and tournament championships. He has also served on the Viejo Little League Board
as a board member.
 Ed Heinsius, Manager & Coach
As an Information Technology (IT) executive, Ed brings the same technical aptitude he
has honed in his professional life to the playing field teaching children the art of
baseball. As the team’s co-manager and coach, he has worked side by side with
Coach Burchit for a number of years, where their synergies and complementary

25. coaching styles have been rewarded with happy ball players and families, as well as,
league and travel ball tournament championships. In his playing days, Ed was a hhly
regarded infielder with area baseball schools, including Irvine High School and Cal
State Fullerton. Ed was also a professional draft prospect of the Minnesota Twins.
 Bryan Burchit, Coach
Bryan is Coach Jim’s younger brother and a Division II College National Champion
catcher. Before reaching the national spotlight with Chico State University at the college
World Series, he played baseball at Troy High School and Rancho Santiago Junior College.
Upon finishing school, Bryan went north of the border to coach in Canada for two years
before returning to Southern California. For the last three years, Bryan has worked with
his brother to coach little league and travel baseball. Professionally, Bryan is a marketing
executive with an athletic apparel company.
 Ryan Jones, Professional Advising Instructor / Scout
Ryan is a former Little League World Series standout and a 13 year veteran of
professional baseball. He was drafted in the second round by the Toronto Blue Jays out
of Irvine High School in 1993. After playing six seasons with the Toronto ball club, Ryan
played with the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego
Padres organizations before retiring this past year. Over the last six years, in the off
season due to his love of baseball, Ryan has been actively teaching youth baseball at All
Star Dugout in Aliso Viejo, where today he helps kids full time in all aspects of baseball
skills. Ryan will serve as one of our organization’s professional advising instructors for
supplemental training programs scheduled for the club’s players. He will also serve as
one of the team’s scouts.

26. RECRUITING PROCESS
The California Vipers Baseball Club’s recruiting process will be to selectively invite Orange
County, Calif. youth baseball players to try out for the club. Birth dates for the boys must fall
between May 1, 1998 and April 30, 1999. Our scouting and recruiting is done throughout
Orange County from area Little Leagues, Pony Leagues and baseball training centers.
Tryouts for the club may be handled through an informal workout session at an area youth
baseball training center (at our expense), or on a ball field of our choosing with the coaching
staff and other members of the team. If any additional tryouts are desired, we will request
them in a timely manner to expedite the process for your family. Please understand all boys
who do try out for the team may not be a good fit for us for the coming tournament season.
However, we do understand boys of this age mature and develop their athletic skills at different
stages in their life, and therefore, we would like to continue scouting your boy (upon your
approval) for seasons to come for a possible future second look and tryout.
If your child is selected to join the club, our coaching staff will ensure he gets the best training
and experience possible at this young age to become a more polished and competitive ball
player.
It is our goal to have a final roster of 12 to 13 boys selected and ready for submission to the
appropriate national amateur baseball governing organizations by the start of each new
Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer tournament season.

27. PROJECTED ANNUAL FINANCIALS
Because we do consider all those that become involved in our organization a partner in
our endeavor, once a family joins the organization, we are willing to be open re: our
projected financing and operating budget. Through private corporate sponsorship and
fund raising, we will always strive to keep family costs down to a minimum.
VI. CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information regarding the California Vipers Baseball Club, please visit our
Website at www.CalVipersBaseball.com or contact:
 Daniel McKean, General Manager
(949) 709-5106 / daniel@CalVipersBaseball.com
 Jim Burchit, Manager & Coach
(714) 390-5646 / jim@CalVipersBaseball.com
 Ed Heinsius, Manager & Coach
(949) 887-7144 / ed@CalVipersBaseball.com

28. Appendix A: Sampling of Southern California USSSA Tournaments
The following represents only a small sampling of available USSSA (United States Specialty
Sports Association) tournaments in Southern California and do not represent the many other
tournaments hosted by other amateur sports bodies such as Super Series Baseball, Triple
Crown Sports, Amateur Athletic Union, South Orange County Baseball Association or California
Competitive Youth Baseball. Please feel free to visit each of these organization websites for
more information.
USSSA Tournament Sampling
 California State Championships
 Memorial Day NIT
 Father’s Day Classic
 Firecracker Classic
 Summer Sizzler
 End of Summer Slam
 Labor Day Classic

29. Appendix B: Uniforms and Logos
Our team colors will be black and yellow. We will have three custom game style jerseys,
uniform pants and caps, in addition to two-color logo batting helmets for all players. As budget
permits, other playing apparel and/or gear may be acquired such as practice tee shirts, etc.

30. California
Baseball Club