About Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club

The Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club is designed to help young

baseball players develop and compete at a high level not only in the

sport of Baseball but academically and socially. Through a uniform

coaching philosophy, team approach and attention to detail-the

Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club hopes to attract not only great

Baseball players but great young men.

Competitive Travel Baseball Teams for 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u and 12u

Utilization of Pro Performance and the Pro Elite Baseball Staff for

indoor training/practice.

Non-profit organization

Here is what to expect from the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club:

1. Organized and defined coaching philosophy that translates from team to

team.

2. Respect and discipline throughout the program.

3. Competitive team practices and tournament schedule.

4. Professional level instruction and development opportunity.

5. Focus on being academically strong and developing as a person.

6. Fair and extensive evaluation/try out process.

7. Informative and fair communication.

8. The opportunity to play and compete with the best players in your age

group.

9. Positive impact on our community.

10. The sense of being part of a program-not just a team.

11. Multiple teams in an age group if necessary.

12. Environment that works with multi-sport athletes and Community Baseball

Leagues.

“I have been working out at Pro Performance since they started at their old location. From high school,

through college, and now to get myself ready for the long Major League season, the facility provides all I

need to perform at my best. When it comes to developing athletes, the experience and knowledge of

the staff is second to none.”

Jedd Gyorko

“Pro Performance gives me all I need to compete at the highest level of baseball. The facility itself is first

class and there really is nothing like it around the region. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and has

all the tools to make players of any age better. They not only can develop athletes physically, but

mentally too. I would recommend Pro Performance to anyone looking to reach their maximum potential

in the game.”

David Carpenter

Morgantown Redbirds Off Season Coaching Staff

Ernie Galusky- Morgantown Redbirds Director

A former all state shortstop at Preston High School and then Davis & Elkins College, Ernie Galusky is the Director of Sports at Pro Performance.

After a career as a four-year starter at Davis & Elkins from 1996-1999, Galusky became the top assistant coach at his alma mater for the 2000 season. From 2001-2003, he served as an assistant baseball coach for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Galusky coached the infielders and hitters at WVU. In 2004 Galusky took over the Morgantown Post 2 American Legion program as well as the baseball and softball programs at Pro Performance. In eight years, his Post 2 teams won three West Virginia American Legion state championships (2004, 2007, 2008) and played in four National Regional Tournaments (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009).

Post 2 was an impressive 255-88-4 under his watch, a winning percentage of .746. Galusky sent more than 30 of his Post 2 players into college baseball in those eight years, as well as three Post 2 alumni into professional baseball (Josh Judy, Jedd Gyorko and Andy Altemus). Galusky also spent two summers in the prestigious Valley League as a coach. In 2002 he was the assistant for the Staunton Braves and then the head coach of the Covington Lumberjacks in 2003. In all, Galusky has coached more than 50 players who have gone on to sign professional baseball contracts. Five of those players have advanced all the way to the Major League level. (Joe Koshansky, Dustin Nippert, Matt Fox, Josh Judy and Jedd Gyorko.)

Galusky was the assistant general manager of the West Virginia Black Bears (a minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates) during their inaugural season in 2015. His duties with the Black Bears included orchestrating the opening of the brand new Monongalia County Ballpark for play in 2015.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Davis & Elkins College and a Master’s degree in Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University. Along with his role at Pro Performance, Galusky is a color commentator for WVU baseball radio broadcasts. He has been involved with youth sports in the area for many years and in 2010, was named one of Monongalia County’s 100 Most Influential People.

Jerry Mahoney

A former All American at Potomac State College, and then standout at West Virginia University in the

1970’s, Jerry Mahoney has been on the Pro Performance baseball staff since the beginning of the

business. Mahoney is well known for his ability to develop hitters. The Shepherdstown native was the

first freshman in West Virginia high school baseball history to be named 1st team All State in 1970 when

he led his single-A school to a state title. An injury in his senior year at WVU denied him any chance to

play professionally, but his passion for baseball has never left. He has spent the past 30 years developing

players in the area and serving as the associate head coach of the Morgantown Post 2 American Legion

program for seven years. His Post 2 teams won three state titles and advanced to four Mid Atlantic

Regionals during this time frame.

Andy Altemus

Andy Altemus will handle all the pitchers as well as assist with the day to day operations with the Morgantown Redbirds. Altemus is the Director of Baseball at Pro Performance, having previously served as lead pitching instructor. Altemus is a former pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. Before pitching professionally, Altemus enjoyed an outstanding college career that started at Potomac State College and ended at West Virginia University.

He was named West Virginia’s pitching MVP during the 2010 season, a campaign in which he set the all-time WVU record for appearances in a single season. Altemus is also a former standout and two-time state champion in the Morgantown Post 2 American Legion program where he compiled a record of 36-5 on the mound in his four years with the program. Altemus earned eight letters in three different sports at Morgantown High School where he was All-State in baseball, All-Conference multiple times, and NCAC Pitcher of the Year in 2006. Altemus graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Athletic Coaching Education in 2011.

Pat Sherald

Pat Sherald will be working with the Morgantown Redbirds catchers and helping with team workouts. Pat brings an extensive baseball background to the Pro Elite Staff that includes collegiate coaching stops at Lamar University in Texas and West Virginia University. At West Virginia he coached multiple Major Leaguers and countless professional players. He served as the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach for the Mountaineers and worked predominantly with the catchers. While at WVU, he oversaw the Mountaineers in the top 5 nationally in hitting three different times. Sherald was also largely responsible for the development of catcher, Tobias Streich, who became WVU’s highest draft pick in 12 seasons when he was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball first year draft by the Minnesota Twins.

Sherald began his playing career at Frederick Community College (Md.), where he lettered from 1998-99. As a catcher he earned all-Conference and all-Tournament honors, helped FCC advance to the Division II World Series and finish the season ranked fourth nationally. A two-year letterman for Lamar from 2000-01, Sherald earned academic all-Southland Conference honors at catcher while earning two degrees, a bachelor's and master’s degree in kinesiology. Sherald is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Player-Parent-Coach Expectations

The Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club expects to align itself with great players, parents and coaches.

To develop a great reputation and provide a fun and developmental experience the Morgantown

Redbirds Baseball Club will be very clear on the expectation of each player, parent and coach. The

Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club wants players, parents and coaches to focus on what they can

control.

Player Expectations:

1. Hustle and play/practice hard at all times.

2. Be coachable and open to new ideas.

3. Embrace the idea of playing the position(s) that is best for the team.

4. Be a great teammate and have a “team first” attitude.

5. Never wear a Morgantown Redbirds hat the wrong way (backwards or sideways)

6. Speak respectfully to coaches, teammates, umpires, fans, tournament officials, parents etc.

7. Never argue with or show up an umpire, coach, parent or teammate.

8. Never throw equipment.

9. Wear the Morgantown Redbirds uniform the right way—all the time (before, during and after

games/practices). Shirt/jersey always tucked in, hair/bangs tucked under hat, pants/belt properly

fastened, hat straight.

10. Conduct yourself in respectful manner socially and athletically.

11. Show appreciation to coaches, umpires, tournament officials and parents after each tournament.

12. Never miss a Morgantown Redbirds practice/game to play for another team unless approved by the

coaching staff.

13. Strive to maintain and exceed a 3.0 GPA in school.

14. Take care of business at school and never get expelled.

15. Never use drugs or alcohol.

16. Win with class, lose with dignity—learn from every experience.

17. Find ways to represent yourself and the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club in a positive way.

18. Accept and learn from adverse situations. Be humble and get better instead of having a poor attitude.

19. Understand and embrace the process of development-don’t ever stop giving your best effort, physically or

mentally.

Coach Expectations:

1. Coach every player equally and without bias or favoritism.

2. Coach within the guidelines of the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club philosophy.

3. Prepare your players for success on and off the field.

4. Teach character, class, dignity and discipline. See the “big picture”

5. Be respectful of your players/parents and never intentionally embarrass them.

6. Coach to develop individual players, the team, the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club and to win.

7. Be honest with players/parents about their current role on the team and their future potential.

8. Never discuss a player with anyone other than him, his parents or the director of the Morgantown

Redbirds Baseball Club.

9. Never use profanity. Be willing to be held responsible for your actions and/or words.

10. Pass a background check.

11. Never engage in a public confrontation with a player, coach, parent, umpire, fan or tournament official.

12. Hold players accountable for their effort at practice/games, attitude and conduct on/off the field.

13. Be held accountable for the way your team represents the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club.

14. Work hard at practice to develop the team and manage games in a way that gives your team the best

chance to be successful.

15. Communicate effectively with players, parents and the director of the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball

Club.

16. Take pride in being a Morgantown Redbirds coach, a mentor to young men, a role model and positive

person in the community.

Parent Expectations:

1. Conduct yourself in a positive way. Never bring embarrassment to your child, coaches or the

Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club.

2. Never verbally root against other teams/coaches/players or argue with umpires.

3. Talk to the coaching staff only about your player and never about other players on the team.

4. Request a private meeting with the coaching staff/Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club Director if you

have concerns/questions/issues.

5. Maintain a positive attitude with your player/coaching staff.

6. Never blame coaches, teammates or umpires for results on the field to your player in the car or at home.

7. Let the coaching staff coach your player. Do not shout coaching tips from the bleachers during

games/practices. Players should not be looking into the bleachers for you to give them instruction during

games/practices.

8. Be upbeat and positive when cheering and supporting the Morgantown Redbirds during games.

9. Never question or verbally abuse an umpire during or after a game.

10. Don’t carry your player’s equipment unless they need help.

11. Don’t bring drink/food to the dugout before or during games.

12. Don’t attempt to talk to coaches during games unless it is an emergency.

13. Don’t come onto the field during pregame/game unless a coach requests.

14. Hold your player accountable for his effort and attitude within the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club.

15. Remind your player about the academic and social commitment that is expected of Morgantown Redbirds

players.

Evaluation/Try Out Process

Players will be selected to play in the Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club after a 3 week tryout

process that will be held at Pro Performance. There will be 2 workouts per week for each age

group for a total of 6 evaluations. Players are not required to attend every workout, but it is

recommended.

The workouts will be conducted by the Morgantown Redbirds Off-Season Coaching Staff.

Workouts will consist of repetitions in all phases of baseball as well as live games.

Players will be evaluated based on their baseball skill set, attitude, hustle and potential. The

way a player wears the uniform and presents themselves will be noticed also.

The non-refundable cost to be evaluated/try out will be $100.00.

A player must try out for the Morgantown Redbirds each year.

Players may try out for the team that is an age group above them if they choose.

Decisions on team rosters will be made and communicated by December 28th, 2016 by the

Morgantown Redbirds off season coaching staff.

Players/parents must accept or decline the invitation to play for the Morgantown Redbirds by

January 1st, 2017.

Coaches for each specific team will be selected in January once the teams are assembled.

Off Season Practice

All practices will be planned and executed by the Morgantown Redbirds Off

Season Coaching Staff with assistance from each teams actual coaches.

2 team practices per week with an additional catching workout and pitching

workout for all Redbirds pitchers/catchers.

Practices will be held inside Pro Performance January-March.

All Morgantown Redbirds players will receive a membership to Pro Performance

which grants them access to the batting cages/turf at any time when available.

Cost

Once a player becomes a Morgantown Redbird the cost will be $500.00 to cover

practices January-March. The $500 fee must be paid by the end of March either

in one lump sum or monthly payments.

The Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club hopes to create a scholarship fund for

those that need the assistance as well as working with players that play Middle

School sports and won’t be able to attend all practices.

Uniforms and Tournament fees will hopefully be paid for in full through

fundraising as an organization as well as within each individual team.

The Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club will be set up as a non-profit

organization.

Tournament Play

All Morgantown Redbirds teams will play in the Winter Blast Indoor Tournaments

at Pro Performance in March.

All Morgantown Redbirds teams will play in tournaments hosted by Pro

Performance at Westover Park April-July.

Annual tournament to plan for:

10u—The Ripken Experience Aberdeen, MD

11u—The Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, TN

12u—Cooperstown, NY

The Morgantown Redbirds will routinely play in Tournament Time Tournaments

at the Bridgeport Sports Complex and No Offseason Tournaments in Tarentum,

PA.

Tournament schedules will be discussed and agreed upon by each team and the

Director of the Morgantown Redbirds by the end of February each year.

Tentative Tournament Plan

8u-Winter Blast Indoor Tournaments + 4-6 outdoor tournaments

9u & 10u-Winter Blast Indoor Tournaments + 6-8 outdoor tournaments

11u & 12u- Winter Blast Indoor Tournaments + 10-12 outdoor tournaments

Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Teams will plan on finishing their Spring/Summer

Tournament season by the end of July. It will be recommended to take the month

of August off from playing in tournaments.

Fall Morgantown Redbirds teams will be assemble in August for competition in

September.

Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club Notes

1. Morgantown Redbirds will communicate and work effectively with multi-sport athletes to

ensure they continue to develop in all sports that they desire to play. The Morgantown

Redbirds will honor commitments in other sports as long as a solid plan is in place beforehand

and the Morgantown Redbirds teams are not put at a disadvantage.

2. Roster sizes are planned to be 10-12 players per team.

3. Additional players may be asked to be on the practice squad January-March and be alternates

during the tournament season.

4. Uniforms will consist of a hat and 2 jerseys (red and blue). Players will need to provide pants,

belts, socks and helmet (red). Helmet decals will be provided.

5. The Morgantown Redbirds encourage players to play in their local rec leagues but it is not a

requirement. The Morgantown Redbirds are strong supporters of the Wesmon Youth Baseball

League.

6. The Morgantown Redbirds are open to players from anywhere, you do not have to live in

Morgantown.

7. The Morgantown Redbirds “On Deck Program” will be developed to identify talented 7u players

that will practice and play instructional games in the Summer. The “On Deck Program” will be a

stepping stone for future Redbirds.

8. The Morgantown Redbirds Baseball Club will a partner with Pro Performance. Parents of

Redbirds players will be offered a coupon to Pro Performance that will include a $10 first month

membership/corporate membership rates after the first month and no initiation fee if they

choose. Redbirds teams will receive special rental rates at Pro Performance.

9. Questions need to be directed to Ernie Galusky. erniegalusky@properformancerx.com

“GO REDBIRDS!”