THE ONE CONSTANT BATTER UP! - Westerville Youth Baseball & Softball League
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Spring 2023 BATTER UP! Volume 28, Issue 1 Westerville Youth Baseball & Softball League THE ONE CONSTANT… Registration Opens January 31 Practices Begin (b/u final # teams) Green Hat (& older) Week of April 10 Coach-Pitch/Tee-Ball Week of April 17 Season Ends July 9 With the new year comes a new WYBSL season and we’re ready to get the ball rolling! Most would agree, recent times have brought much change and many challenges. Communities and families are working harder than ever to navigate these times, especially for the sake of children which the WYBSL can assist with. In our favorite baseball movie, James Earl Jones speaks of the role our sport plays in our history and as a remedy to what ails us. The WYBSL has been a proud “constant” in Westerville for 72 years as an all volunteer, non-profit organization serving our youth and their families. Baseball and softball help teach our youth the value of sportsmanship, teamwork and respect while providing development of athletic skills for players age 4-18. Thanks to our partnership with the City of Westerville and Westerville City Schools, we also play on arguably some of the best recreational league fields in the area and where parents, players and siblings can spend quality family time together! In 2023, we will continue to invest in field, equipment and other program improvements including the return of tournament teams in Red Hat softball and baseball. These teams will play in a limited number of local “rec” tournaments in July. Please read on to find all the information you’ll need to register your young player(s) for the spring/summer leagues. As Terence Mann so eloquently stated, if you build it, “people will come” and now we’re ready for you to join us for another great season! See you at the fields! Ken Sahlin, Editor Weather Website Email Hotline Twitter www.wybsl.org wybsl@wybsl.org (614) 523-6220 @WYBSLalerts
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 2 SPRING OVERVIEW IMPORTANT DATES LEAGUES - The WYBSL offers 10 leagues in tee-ball, Activity Date baseball and softball. Practices start in mid-April; games begin in May. The regular season ends at the end of On-line Registration OPEN @ 1/31 June. In all leagues, except tee-ball, post-season league tournaments begin in late June. Each player receives a www.wybsl.org team shirt and cap or softball visor if desired. The Regular Registration, Scholarship & 3/20 league supplies all fields, balls, batting and catcher 2 of 17“Play with a Friend” (Tee-Ball & equipment. Players supply gloves, shoes, socks and Softball Coach-Pitch) deadline baseball pants or shorts (depending on the league). PLAYING AGES & FEES - As a result of proactive steps Withdrawal w/full refund deadline 3/31 to mitigate the impact of inflation last year and in 2023, (see p. 8) there will be NO increase in league fees this year! See p.3 for a complete list of fees by league. Play-Up & Skill Assessments 4/8 Rain Date: 4/15 (see pp. 4 & 7 for Playing age is determined by age on 4/30/23. Fees more info) include a league registration fee and a $24 Fields Fund fee. In exchange for the Fields Fund fee, each player Practices Begin* Wk of: receives 12 - $2 raffle tickets which they may sell to Green Hat & older leagues 4/10 defray the costs or simply put their parent’s name on Coach-Pitch & Tee-Ball 4/17 * Based on weather and final # teams them for entry in our All Star Saturday raffle. * pending assessments REGISTRATION - Registration will once again be done Final Withdrawal deadline (see p. 8) 4/30 through the online application on our website (www.wybsl.org) and begins January 31st. Games Begin** Week of: CALENDAR - Please reference the league calendar on Coach-Pitch & older leagues 5/8 page 4 for league deadlines, schedules and events. Be Tee-Ball league 5/15 sure to check our website for updates throughout the season. Spring/Summer Season Ends 7/9 NEW IN 2023 RED/BLUE HAT SOFTBALL - after testing last fall, new WYBSL UNIVERSITY playing ages for Red (11-13) and Blue Hat (14-17) are in place this Spring. Volunteer coaches are essential to our program. and “WYBSL U” is an important for new coaches SUMMER TOURNAMENT TEAMS - assuming sufficient and especially head coaches in our Tee-Ball and commitment and availability, the WYBSL hopes to field a Coach-Pitch leagues. team in Red Hat Softball and Baseball to play “local” recreational league tournaments. Tournament play is Recognizing many such volunteers anticipated to occur in July with tryouts in late May/early may not have experience or want to June. More information will be available in May. improve their skills, this program will help coaches in areas such as: COACH-PITCH BASEBALL - as done in the fall, we will • League rules be consolidating the “A” & “B” leagues into one coach- • Pre-season preparation pitch league for players age 7 & 8 as of 4/30/23. • Planning & conducting practices • Coaching games PITCH LIMIT UPDATES - in our continued efforts to • Communicating with parents ensure player safety and development, new pitch limits are in place in both softball and baseball (see p.5). This spring, “class” will be April 16th (time & location TBA) with lunch also being provided. We BLACK/BLUE HAT BASEBALL METAL CLEATS - the hope you’ll volunteer as a coach in these important WYBSL has decided to ALLOW metal cleats in the Black & entry level leagues and become a graduate of Blue hat baseball leagues in 2023 while it continues to WYBSL U! evaluate the portable mounds installed last spring.
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 3 LEAGUE AGES / FEES REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY We’ll assure a place for every family who lives, League Baseball Softball Registration Fee works or attends school within the boundaries of the Westerville City School District and Co-Ed Tee-Ball 4-6 — $85 applies by the regular registration deadline. Coach-Pitch 7-8 7-8 $97 3 of 17 We will accept other applications at any time on a space available basis. In all past seasons, Green Hat 9-10 9-10 $102 we have placed 100% of all applications received by the regular registration deadline Red Hat 11-12 11-13 $108 date of March 20th. Blue Hat 13-14 13-17 $113 All players who did not play in the WYBSL during 2022 must provide a birth certificate Black Hat * 15-18 — $118 copy that can be uploaded via our online application. Player age as of 4/30/23. * To play at age 18, a player must be a full-time SCHOLARSHIPS high school student at the beginning of the playing season. FIELDS FUND FEE Each player must add a $24 Fields Fund fee to the above registration amount. Players will receive twelve $2 raffle tickets which they can sell to defray the cost. Our Fields Fund goes to maintaining, The WYBSL would like to thank Dick’s Sporting improving and building new fields! Goods, Lake Shore Cryotronics and Westerville Local 3480 Firefighters for their generous FAMILY PLAN support that helps fund our scholarship program (Calculated from the highest to lowest registration fee) to help assure that more eligible players (who reside within the Westerville City School First two players @ Full Fee + Fields Fund Fee District) can participate in our league, All other players @ Fields Funds Fee only regardless of financial circumstances. LATE REGISTRATION Depending on the individual situation, this program may allow deferred payments and/or AFTER MARCH 20, 2023 full or partial fee grants to provide assistance Additional $30 per player. with Registration and Fields Fund fees, up to $118 per year per child. VOLUNTEER IN 2023 Full information and the scholarship application Coaches and Staff are needed at all age can be found within our online registration. levels! Use the online application to volunteer or contact Lauren Swihart PLEASE NOTE, all scholarship applications (secy@wybsl.org) must be submitted by March 20th for consideration.
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 4 CALENDAR JANUARY APRIL (continued) Tue 31st Online Registration Opens SKILL ASSESSMENTS (continued) www.wybsl.org Baseball - Huber Village Green Hat (9-10) FEBRUARY Last Name / Time Last Name / Time A-D / 10:00A M-P / 1:00P E-H / 11:00A Q-Z / 2:00P Sat 25th Walk-in Registration/Open House 4 of 17 I-L / 12:00P Time/Location TBA Sat 8th Red Hat (11-12) A-H / 11:30A S-Z / 1:30P I-R / 12:30P MARCH Baseball - Highlands Park Blue Hat (13-14) - 9:00A Regular Registration, Scholarship & Black Hat (15-18) - 10:00A Mon 20th “Play with a Friend” deadline (Tee-Ball & Softball Coach-Pitch) Baseball & Softball League Drafts Rain date: week of 17th Fri 31st Deadline for Withdrawal w/Full Refund Week of Green Hat & Older League Players 10th Notified of Team Assignment APRIL After completion of drafts Green Hat & Older League Practices Begin Week of Baseball & Softball Coaches Meetings Green/Red/Blue/Black Hat Leagues Rain date: Week of 17th 3rd Sun 16 “WYBSL-U” for Tee-Ball & Coach Pitch Head PLAY-UP ASSESSMENTS Coaches; Location/Time TBA Rain date: 4/15 Tee-Ball & Coach-Pitch Coaches Mtg’s Softball - Huber Village Week of Coach-Pitch Play-ups for 6 y/o's: 8:30A 17th Tee-Ball & Coach-Pitch League Players Green Hat Play-ups for 8 y/o's: 9:00A Notified of Team Assignments Red Hat Play-ups for 10 y/o's: 11:00A Sat 8th Blue Hat Play-ups for 13 y/o's: 12:00P Tee-Ball & Coach-Pitch Practices Begin Baseball - Huber Village Sun 30th Final Deadline for Refunds Green Hat Play-ups for 8 y/o's: 10:00A Red Hat Play-ups for 10 y/o's: 11:30A MAY Coach-Pitch Play-ups for 6 y/o's: 10:30A Week of 8th Coach-Pitch & Older League Play Begins Baseball - Highlands Park Blue Hat Play-ups for 12 y/o's: 9:00A Sat 6th Team Photo Day (rain date: 5/13) SKILL ASSESSMENTS Week of 15th Tee-Ball League Play Begins Rain date: 4/15 JUNE Softball - Huber Village Green Hat (9-10) Post Season Tournaments Begin Last Name / Time Week of 19th (except Tee-Ball) Sat 8th A-M / 9:00A N-Z / 10:00A Fri 23rd Last Day to Turn in Raffle Tickets Red Hat (11-12) - 11:00A Blue Hat (13-15) - 12:00P JULY Sat 1st All Star Saturday (see p. 13) Tue 4th Independence Day Parade Look for Fall Ball registration information in Sun 9th Spring/Summer Season Ends mid-June! Sat 15th Fall Ball Registration Open House 12P-2P; Location TBA
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 5 LEAGUE OVERVIEW We offer young boys and girls the opportunity to spend many years in our program. Although skills and competition increase as players advance, the focus at all levels is on learning and fun. Continuous batting orders are used and all players must play a minimum number of innings in the field. Although we base our rules on National Federation of High School standards, there are modifications for each league to provide a careful evolution and recreational focus as summarized below: Co-Ed No scores or standings are kept, ten players5bat each inning regardless of outs and ten defensive of 17 Tee-Ball players with coaches in the field for instruction. Players placed in different field positions each inning. Coach- Coaches pitch to their own team, scores and standings are kept but not emphasized, batters receive Pitch up to 7 pitches, there are no walks. Ten fielders are used with coaches teaching from the field. Fielders must play 3 defensive innings and must play both infield and outfield. Green Players are pitching, bunting and stealing (see specific rules). Coaches pitch once 4 “balls” are called. Hat Baseball teams play with 9 players in the field and pitch count limits are in place. Red Competition increases but focus on instruction continues. Stealing of all bases is allowed and dropped Hat 3rd strike is introduced. In baseball, field size increases, limited balk rules & pitch counts are added. Blue Generally a middle school age league, certified OHSAA umpires are used, pitchers can pitch complete Hat games subject to pitch count. In baseball, field size increases and lead-offs are allowed. Black For baseball, generally high school young men playing on “major league” field size. Hat Baseball Overview By League Baselines Pitch Dist. Innings Ages Days Balls Umpires 2 2 IP/Game IP/Wk Co-Ed 45’ n/a 4 4-6 TuWTh RIF1 Volunteer n/a n/a Tee-Ball Coach-Pitch 60' 46' 6 7-8 MWF RIF5 Volunteer n/a n/a Green Hat 60' 46' 6 9-10 MWF League Trained 55 pitches 100 pitches Red Hat 70’ 50’ 6 11-12 TuWTh League Trained 65 pitches 120 pitches Blue Hat 80’ 54’ 7 13-14 MWF League Certified 75 pitches 140 pitches Black Hat 90’ 60’6” 7 15-18 TuWTh League Certified 85 pitches 150 pitches Softball Overview By League Pitch Dist. Innings Ages Days Balls Umpires IP/Wk2 Baselines 2 IP/Game Coach-Pitch 50’ 30’ 6 7-8 MWF 11” RIF1 Volunteer n/a n/a Green Hat 60' 35’ 6 9-10 MWF 11” Trained 2 n/a Red Hat 60’ 40’ 6 11-13 TuWTh 12” Trained 3 n/a Blue Hat 60’ 46’ 7 14-17 MWF 12” Certified 4 n/a 1 Reduced Injury Factor Ball 2 Innings Pitched Limits
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 7 SKILL ASSESSMENTS PLAYING UP Skill assessments are only conducted for certain A player’s “Playing Age” is his/her age on 4/30/23 leagues. and we urge parents and guardians to consider that children play in the normal league for their age. • Blue Hat Softball: these assessments help league staff balance team selection. We realize that skills develop faster for some and the17WYBSL provides a way for boys and girls to 7 of • Green/Red Hat Softball: assessments are used “play-up”. To do so, parents must complete a for coaches to draft teams. Play-up Application with their registration and pay the appropriate fees for that age level. Players • Green/Red/Blue/Black Baseball: assessments must also attend a mandatory play-up are used for coaches to draft teams. assessment. Players who cannot attend their skill assessment Players may play-up one age year – NOT one are assigned to teams using a “blind draw”, or league. For example, a six year old may request to “age and alphabet” assignment, or by Staff. play Coach-Pitch instead of Tee-Ball – a five year old cannot. In summary, play-up eligibility is: Skill assessments are not mandatory, but highly encouraged in order to balance team formation. • For SOFTBALL Playing Ages of 6, 8, 10 or 13 Please see the calendar on p. 4 for times and • For BASEBALL Playing Ages of 6, 8, 10, or 12 locations for each league. Players will be considered in the chronological order in which their registration(s) are received and space PLEASE NOTE, INTERSCHOLASTIC must be open after regular registration ends. PLAYERS are prohibited from participating in WYBSL activities (excluding Photo Day) until Players must either: the school season is complete. • Have played in the same WYBSL higher age division before (2022 Fall or Spring), or This includes all types of WYBSL assessments, • Attend a mandatory play-up assessment session practices and clinics. Affected players will be on April 8th. Make-up dates, times and assigned to teams by draw or by Staff. locations are listed on the calendar on p.4. The WYBSL staff must agree that the player is “CALL-UP” PLAYERS able to safely and competitively play at the requested level. A “Call-Up” player is one that is asked to play a game, in the next higher division when a team may be short If the player does not meet the above criteria, the players on a given day (e.g. a 10-year-old Green Hat parents will be contacted and given the option of player filling in on a Red Hat team). Call-up players are playing at the normal age level, if space is used in Green Hat and older baseball and softball available. leagues. If parents are not completely confident of Head Coaches in these leagues will be asked to their daughter or son’s ability to play-up, we identify potential players on their current roster that are recommend not applying. capable of being a Call-Up player and would have an interest in becoming a Call-Up player. Upon the The WYBSL reserves the right to evaluate a play-up parent’s completion of league permission and release participant at any time, before or during the forms, the player will be added to the call list. season, and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all participants. Please note, “play-down” Forms and additional requirements and restrictions requests to a younger level can not be honored. regarding call-up players are available on our website.
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 8 TEAM SELECTION Team selection is a very time-consuming task for In Green and Red Hat Softball and Green, your League administrators. Regardless of the Red, Blue and Black Hat Baseball leagues, age group involved in all leagues, the first players players are selected in a “skill assessment” and to be assigned are: “draft” procedure. If a player is new to a league or wishes to play on a different team than last • Sons/Daughters of Head and Asst. Coaches 8 of s17 pring, he/she should go to the Skill • Returning players in the same league as last Assessment Session listed for the appropriate year, unless they ask to be reassigned league in the WYBSL calendar on page 4. • Siblings in the same league are automatically Coaches then participate in a Player Draft. At placed on the same team, unless otherwise the end of this draft, any players who could not requested attend their skill assessment session are assigned to teams using a “blind draw” or “age We also balance the playing ages on each team, and alphabet” assignment (except in Green/ so that no team has a disproportionate number Red Softball which is done by staff). of older or younger players (but no continuing team is penalized because all potential returning In Blue Hat Softball, players should attend players wish to return to their team) the appropriate Skill Assessment (see calendar on page 4). These are used to help the league Requests for specific coaches or “car pooling” staff assign girls to teams by balancing skill groups unfortunately cannot be honored. level, age, pitchers, catchers and “play with a friend” requests. In Co-Ed Tee-Ball & Softball Coach-Pitch, teams are selected by General Managers based “Play With A Friend Requests” (Tee-Ball & upon “play with a friend” requests and Coach-Pitch Softball): In order to be put on a neighborhood. team with one friend or be paired with another coach, both players must list each other as 1st In Baseball Coach-Pitch leagues, remaining Friend Requests on their registration. We will players are assigned to teams by General not necessarily honor requests of more than Managers. Players are grouped together by one person who lists the same friend and will neighborhood, although some teams might be not allow “chaining”, where one player lists one composed of multiple neighborhoods and some friend who lists another friend and so on. neighborhoods may be divided. Lastly, requests must be made by March 20th to be guaranteed. REFUNDS We understand unforeseen circumstances may arise that might cause a player to withdraw from the league. In order to request a refund, a parent or guardian must SEND AN E-MAIL to WYBSL@WYBSL.ORG reporting the player’s name, league, date and reason for withdrawal. If the withdrawal is reported by March 31, a full refund will be given. If reported by April 30, a $25 processing fee will be charged. If reported on/after May 1, there shall be no refund.
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 9 WHEN DO WE PRACTICE & PLAY MAKE-UP GAMES Practices Games Make-up games are scheduled Start Mid-April Early May throughout the season as needed. Schedules will be 9 of 17 posted on the league website Days See p.5 by league See p.5 by league generally on Friday mornings. Games are traditionally Frequency 2 weeknights & 2 weeknights per week. scheduled on Saturdays Saturday each week Make-up games on (starting @ 10a) & Sundays before games begin weekends as needed. (after 12p). Time(s) Weeknights: Weeknights: 6:15p/6:30p 5:30p-7p or 7p - Saturdays: vary 8:30p Sundays: after Noon Saturdays: vary WEATHER HOTLINE: 614-523-6220 MAKE-UP WEEKS The hotline is updated for GAMES & EVENTS ONLY. The “make-up week” is Friday Weeknights: by 4:30p | Saturdays: 8a Sundays: 11a thru Thursday. For example, a Field changes are sometimes necessary & posted (even for non-weather). Thursday rain-out will be made up 2-3 days later on Saturday/ Generally, there will not be further updates on weekdays. On weekends, if Sunday. A Friday rain-out will time allows, alerts regarding later games may be made. be made-up 8-9 days later on the following Saturday/ Updates also available on Twitter (@WYBSLalerts) & Facebook. Sunday. WHY WYBSL TEE-BALL? WYBSL’s Co-Ed Tee-ball program offers Practices Separately scheduled practices for better superior value, convenience and more skill development. continuity than other programs. It all starts with a sense of community – we Games 12 game schedule; emphasis on skills and are an all volunteer, non-profit sportsmanship. No standings or stats. organization. All fees go directly to a Coaches Parent volunteers who complete program with over 70 years of tradition mandatory Concussion Training and and service to the Westerville Background checks. Community. Fees $85 (plus Field Fund Fee) As Westerville’s officially recognized youth tee-ball organization – our Fields Huber Village Park & Towers Park w/ full partnership with the City of Westerville Amenities restroom & concession services provides access to the newest and best (pending guidelines). facilities right here in our community. Equipment Jersey, Hat/Visor & participation award for all players. League supplies bats & balls.
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 10 UMPIRES SPORTSMANSHIP Good sportsmanship is held in the highest regard in The WYBSL schedules the WYBSL. It is the responsibility of all of us – over 800 games each especially the examples set by coaches and parents. season using the following classification We expect all players, coaches and fans to respect of Umpires by league the work of our umpires. Understand that our level: 10 of 17 younger and less experienced umpires officiate in the Green and Red Hat leagues and may make Green and Red Hat: mistakes while learning. The Umpire Director schedules WYBSL We need everyone’s help to make sure that the trained and paid WYBSL experience is a great one for all players. umpires. Please direct your “enthusiasm” toward positive encouragement. Blue and Black Hat: OSHAA Certified If you observe negative conduct, excessive umpires are used to officiate all games at this “intensity” or willful violations of the rules on the level. part of anyone – speak to your coach or, if appropriate, email the League (wybsl@wybsl.org). All umpires must complete concussion training. The league will review the basis of your concern in a confidential manner and, if warranted, deal with Tee-Ball and Coach-Pitch: Adult volunteers such conduct fairly, but swiftly. are asked to count pitches, call foul balls and safe/out at bases. Please speak to your coach to help out! SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBILITY Become a “Blue” - Contact Bob Albert at umpires@wybsl.org if you’re interested in umpiring! Upon completion of paid training/evaluation, compensation varies by experience and can be a great first job for high school students age 14 The WYBSL uses social media platforms and above. primarily to communicate league updates in a V timely and consistent fashion. It is also a conduit for parents and participants to ask questions and share feedback with the league. While these platforms are an effective means to communicate, they can also be used in negative ways. Please know that the WYBSL’s conduct and sportsmanship policies also pertain to the use of social media. Lastly, please remember we are all members of the same community participating in a recreational program for our young people. If you have significant concerns with the actions of individuals or league operations, please email us and we’ll be happy to assist!
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Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 12 EQUIPMENT BATS - IMPORTANT! At all levels, the league supplies all team equipment necessary to play the game – One of the most distressing things bases, balls, helmets, bats, batting tee (tee- that a parent or player can be told ball) and catcher’s gear (coach-pitch and is that a personal bat can’t be used older). WYBSL also provides each player with because it is “illegal” – especially a team shirt, a cap in baseball and visor (if 12after of 17 it was just purchased last desired) in softball. Optional items, such as year! In order to avoid costly heart protectors or special masks, are not mistakes, here are some simple required and, if chosen, are the family’s guidelines (generally for safety): responsibility. 1. In ALL softball leagues, bats must be factory Each player must supply a fielder’s glove, marked with the ASA 2004 and USSSA logos as shoes and shorts or baseball pants (at the shown below: Green Hat baseball level and older, baseball pants are required). Your coach may ask that all players wear the same color of shorts or baseball pants. We ask that, if at all possible, you follow the request of the coach. Regarding gloves, we suggest a generic 2. In Tee-Ball, bats must be factory-marked infielder or outfielder glove be your first “USABaseball” or “Tee-Ball” or a softball bat with purchase. Most importantly, make sure it is ASA 2004 and USSSA logos as shown above. Tee- the right size for your player! In older Ball only bats are only legal for play in the Tee- leagues, pitcher’s gloves cannot include white Ball league. or gray. Softball glove panels cannot match the color of the ball. 3. In Coach-Pitch, Green Hat and Red Hat baseball, the bats must be factory-marked For our Tee-Ball and Coach-Pitch leagues, “USABaseball”. gym shoes or baseball/softball shoes are fine. As players grow, we recommend baseball/ 4. In Blue Hat baseball, bats must have a BBCOR softball shoes with molded rubber “cleats.” -3 or USABaseball -5 marking, which must be part Metal spikes are permitted in Blue/Black Hat of the manufacturer of the bat (see below). Baseball only. Please note: pitcher’s can NOT wear meetal spikes while pitching on portable 5. In Black Hat baseball, bats must have a BBCOR mounds. -3 marking, which must be part of the manufacture of the bat. We suggest strongly that parents consider that all boys wear cups for protection as they grow in the program. Catchers at Green Hat and older levels must wear one. BE SURE TO VISIT 6. Wood bats shall not exceed 2 3/4” and be 36” WWW.WYBSL.ORG FOR: or less in length Practices/Game Schedules Standings And remember, the WYBSL provides each team with non-wood bats that meet the above Event Schedules requirements! Announcements League Rules
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 13 ALL STAR GAMES HOME RUN DERBIES Don’t miss our traditional All Star games and Home Run Derbies on July 13 of 17 1st (make-up 7/2) at Huber Village and Highland Parks for Coach-Pitch and older leagues! Schedules and details will be posted on the website prior to the event. PHOTO DAY All teams and individual players are AWARDS encouraged to take part in WYBSL’s Photo All Tee-Ball and Coach-Pitch Day, which will be on players receive a trophy at the Saturday, May 6th. In end of the season. In all leagues, case of rain, photos trophies are awarded to league will be taken on May champions and runners-up, 13th. tournament champions and runners-up. Even if you don’t wish to purchase a photo, your teammates would like a picture of the whole team as a remembrance. Coaches will provide order forms and time for this event. RAFFLE TICKETS After practices start, each player receives a bundle of 12 raffle tickets which were paid for as part of his/her registration. This is WYBSL’s only fundraiser and proceeds go into our Special Fields Fund for maintenance, renovation and construction of facilities and playing fields. Players can sell each ticket for $2 each and keep the proceeds to offset the fee paid to the league or put their name on the tickets. Either way, be sure to turn the tickets in at a concession trailer by June 23rd – and don’t forget to pull the staple out! Winning tickets will be drawn on All-Star Saturday at Huber Village Park and you don’t have to be there to win!
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 14 COACHES Without the help of our volunteer coaches, we would not be able to have a successful program. To support new and returning coaches, the league offers resources and programs including a New Coaches Meeting, 14 of 17 NYSCA Certification, Coaching Clinics and League Meetings during the season. Each year, hundreds of dedicated volunteers help the WYBSL operate our program. No matter how little or L a s t l y, c o a c h i n g i s a much time you have available and no matter what challenging responsibility that is acknowledged skills or passion you have – we have place on our by the league. And as safety and security of our roster for you! Some areas of service you might participants is paramount, our league policy is to consider: conduct criminal background checks on ALL coaches and league managers. Additionally, per League Coordinators: Work with the Program Ohio law, ALL coaches must complete concussion Director to ensure communication between the training and Lindsay’s Law requirements. league and coaches is clear and efficient. Coordinate uniform and equipment distribution, ensure schedules are shared in a timely manner, and You can indicate your offer to coach using our generally be a conduit between teams and coaches online registration application! and the league. Concessions: Work with the Concession Director to schedule managers & volunteers and maintain stock in the concession trailers. Ideal for someone who has available time during the day! Field Crew: Help check field conditions on weekends for make-up games. Work with the Fields Director to prepare fields for All Star Saturday and other special events. Equipment Crew: Assist the Equipment Director in organizing inventory, preparing team bags and maintaining field boxes throughout the season! Fall Ball Committee: Volunteers looking to learn and help the league in important operations – and possible greater, future responsibility – are encouraged to explore this opportunity. Help with registration, team selection, scheduling or day-to-day operations throughout the fall season. VOLUNTEER TODAY! Please use the online application or contact Lauren Swihart at secy@wybsl.org to discuss how you can help!
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Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 16 WEATHER POLICY The safety of our players and damage to In the case of practices, Head Coaches are fields should be primary concerns of all responsible for following the weather WYBSL participants. Below is the Weather policy. For all Coach-Pitch and Tee-Ball Policy: games, Head Coaches are jointly responsible for following league policy. Rain - Prior to a scheduled game, only the WYBSL16 of 17 Fields Director (or other WYBSL designee) has the Make-Ups - If a game cannot be played or authority to cancel a game. If timing is possible, completed, the League will reschedule it as the league will announce the day’s field conditions soon as possible, with final confirmation by your on the Weather Hot Line (614) 523-6220 and Umpire Coordinator. Usually, your make-ups for Twitter page @WYBSLalerts. However, if conditions the week will be played on Saturday or Sunday. are marginal, or if rain occurs after one and one- Once scheduled, the make-up game will be half hours before game time, teams should go to played or considered a forfeit. their field. At that point, and throughout the game, the authority to stop play rests with the umpires and WYBSL staff. Games may be resumed at any time within 30 minutes of stoppage, if fields are playable. Lightning/Thunder - If lightning is sighted or thunder is heard, umpires will immediately clear the field and dugouts; if sighted by one umpire in a multiple diamond location, all fields will be cleared. Games may resume no less than 30 minutes after the last lightning sighting or thunder is heard, if fields are playable. Playability - If a game is stopped during play, players and fans should move to shelter or cars and wait for a notice from the umpire or WYBSL staff. The final decision regarding playability rests with the umpires (in a multiple diamond location, umpires may consult each other if field conditions are marginal). WEATHER FORECASTING We don’t do it. Even the TV pros mess it up. A frequent frustration among parents is the changing weather and its effects on our game scheduling and weather hotline. Challenges may occur after Weather Hotline updates. From experience, we’ve learned the weather can be very different in one part of Westerville vs. another. We also don’t try to predict conditions based on forecasts (we always guess wrong). Make-up games are tough, so we always try our best to keep schedules, but are at the mercy of Mother Nature! Based on the above, and knowing families are “moving” towards the fields after the 4:30PM hotline updates, we seldom make hotline changes that can’t be quickly & confidently made. We don’t mean to drag families to games only to see them canceled, but with the uncertainty of weather, it’s sometimes best to leave it to those at the fields to decide whether to play or not. We appreciate your understanding of our efforts to maintain this balance – and, if you’re a weather savant, let us know – we’ve got a spot for you!
Batter Up! Spring 2023 Page 17 CONDUCT RULE Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated in the league. Team coaches are responsible for their conduct and the conduct of their players and fans. A coach, player or fan can be ejected from a game and/or removed from the playing field area by order of an umpire, Fall Ball Committee Member or WYBSL Trustee if they violate a league rule of conduct, as follows: A. In a game, no coach may utilize any player(s) not currently assigned to his/her team roster by the League. Violation of this rule will result in automatic permanent suspension of the coach(es) involved. 17altercation B. No coach, player or fan shall ever engage in a physical of 17 with any player, umpire, coach or fan. C. No coach, player or fan shall intentionally violate or refuse to follow any league or game rules. D. No coach, player, umpire or fan shall come to the playing field under the influence of alcohol or an illegal drug; and no coach, player or umpire shall use tobacco products at the playing field during a game or practice. E. No coach, player or fan shall engage in grossly unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, throwing equipment, use of profanity, arguing with an umpire over a call or directing remarks to a player, umpire, coach or fan which are of a degrading or distracting nature. F. Only the Head Coach, or his/her designee in the Head Coach’s absence, may leave his/her designated area to dispute a judgment call by an umpire. This infraction may be penalized by either restriction to the dugout for the remainder of the game or ejecting the Head Coach and/or the offending coach. G. After each game, in the practice of good sportsmanship, all coaches and players shall form two opposing lines and proceed through a modified “handshake line” to maintain State guidelines. No coach or player shall avoid participation in this line or exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct in the line. H. No coach, player, parent or fan shall, at any time, threaten, intimidate, attempt to intimidate, harm or attempt to harm, any umpire, player, coach, WYBSL official or fan. Any person who violates this rule may immediately be banned from all WYBSL sites and activities for a period of time to be determined by the Board of Trustees, up to and including a permanent ban. This rule shall be applied regardless of where and when the offending conduct takes place. If a coach, player or fan is ejected from a game and/or removed from the playing field area for conduct as described above (or in the case of G. above, does not participate as described), the person shall provide a written statement describing his/her version of the events and/or other explanation to the Committee within twenty-four hours of the incident, and may not attend or participate in any practice or game until doing so. The Committee or Program Director shall review the statement and gather any other information from other parties that they deem necessary to determine if a further penalty should be assessed. Such further penalty, if any, shall be assessed before the team’s next scheduled game. Any coach who violates the above guidelines may be immediately removed from his/her position by the Committee. In the event of such an occurrence, each coach would be provided with the opportunity to appear before the Board of Trustees at its next scheduled meeting in order to describe for the Board his/her version of the events which may exist for reinstating the coach. CONCESSION CAPTAINS WANTED The WYBSL operates concession services at Huber Village, Metzger and Towers Park to help busy parents get food and drinks conveniently during scheduled games. Training is provided and duties include opening/closing the trailers, cooking, taking inventory and stocking. A friendly, service oriented personality is required! Concession Captains must be at least 18 years old and start earning $10 per hour. Please contact Concessions Director Stephen Naumann at food@wybsl.org for more information.
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