Participation Agreement

What pitching asks of a body

Throwing a baseball hard is a violent, repetitive motion. Done well and in the right doses it builds an arm. Done badly, or too much, it breaks one down. That is true of every pitcher at every level, and it is true here.

Injuries happen in this sport. The ones I see most are to the elbow and shoulder, and they usually come from volume — too many pitches, too many months, not enough rest — rather than from a single moment. Players also get hit by batted and thrown balls, roll ankles, pull muscles, and trip over things. Indoor facilities have their own hazards: netting, turf, other athletes in the next lane.

What I do about it

Fifteen minutes of every hour goes to the arm itself — shoulder work, elbow care, and how to warm up when no coach is standing there. Workloads are built up on a plan rather than all at once. If something hurts, we stop, and I will tell you so.

I am a pitching coach. I am not a doctor, a physical therapist, or an athletic trainer, and nothing I say is medical advice. If your player is hurt, the right person to see is a doctor.

What I need from you

So that I can coach your player safely, you agree to:

• Tell me about any injury, surgery, medical condition, medication or physical limitation that could affect throwing or training — before the first lesson, and whenever something changes.
• Tell me how much your player is throwing outside our sessions: team practices, games, showcases, other lessons, and travel ball.
• Follow any restriction a doctor has given, and tell me what it is.
• Make sure your player speaks up when something hurts, and back them when they do. Nobody here is rewarded for pitching through pain.
• Provide your own athletic equipment in good condition, including a glove, cleats or turf shoes, and any protective gear your player normally uses.

Assumption of risk

You understand that participation in pitching instruction, strength work, and conditioning involves inherent risks of injury, including serious injury, that cannot be eliminated no matter how carefully sessions are run. Knowing that, you choose to have your player take part.

To the fullest extent the law allows, you agree that MLB-Academy LLC, doing business as Major League Pitching Academy is not responsible for injury, loss or damage arising out of the ordinary risks of the sport, or out of your player's own conduct or the conduct of other participants.

Nothing in this agreement waives any right you cannot waive by law, and nothing here limits responsibility for gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

If something happens during a session

If your player is injured and you are not reachable, you authorize me to call for emergency medical care and to share what I know about the injury with the people providing it. You are responsible for the cost of any medical care your player receives.

Tell me about any allergy or condition emergency responders would need to know about. That information is kept with the rest of your family's record and is not shared with anyone else.

Where sessions happen

Lessons are held at Hitters Chapel in Sellersville or at an outdoor field. Hitters Chapel is an independent business with its own rules, staff and insurance. When you are in their building you are also their guest, and this agreement does not cover their facility or their conduct.

Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and watch. Please stay out of the lane or off the field while a session is running, for everyone's safety.

Cancellations, weather and missed sessions

If you need to cancel, give me as much notice as you can — a text works. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice may still be counted, because the lane was held and paid for.

If weather or a facility closure cancels a session, it is rescheduled at no cost. If I have to cancel, you are not charged.

Memberships run month to month and can be cancelled before the next billing date. Unused sessions in a month do not roll over.

The fine print

This agreement is governed by the laws of Pennsylvania, and any dispute belongs in the courts of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

If any part of this agreement is found unenforceable, the rest still stands.

You are signing on behalf of yourself and, where your player is under 18, as their parent or legal guardian. If anything here is unclear, ask me before you sign it. Call (267) 452-2534 and I will explain it in person.