HOPEDALE YOUTH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 174

Hopedale, MA 01747

Dear Parents,

 Please take the time to review this guide, which gives an overview of several important aspects of the Hopedale Youth Baseball program.  Please discuss these matters with your son(s) and/or daughter(s) as appropriate.  

 Hopedale Youth Baseball is entirely a volunteer organization.  The experience of the boys and girls participating in the program is directly related to volunteer contributions made by parents and families.  All families are asked, to the best of their ability, to commit to give back to the program and community by making at least minimal volunteer contributions to the program.  These contributions may be simple one time contributions like providing concession stand coverage or assisting with field upkeep, or more involved commitments such as serving as a weekly concession stand coordinator, coaching, or assisting in planning and running major events like our end of the season family day event.   Please let a head coach or board member know if you’d like to be involved – we appreciate and encourage your involvement!

 Please note the following:

 OBJECTIVES:  We strive to provide a baseball experience which:

·        Is a fun activity.

·        Provides an opportunity for everyone to participate.

·        Teaches baseball fundamentals and skills.

·        Promotes physical fitness and social interaction.

·        Supports and teaches good sportsmanship and respect for others.

·        Places importance on player safety.

 

CONDUCT: All individuals, including coaches and parents, are expected to show good sportsmanship and be as supportive as possible.  Children should be praised for making a good effort, being good teammates, and for challenging themselves to grow through their participation.  

 

            Opponents should always be treated respectfully. The use of abusive or offensive language to opponents will not be tolerated. Coaches are expected to address children who laugh, make fun, or make negative comments toward other children. At the end of the game both teams line up and shake hands. 'Good game' or some other like praise should be used. Instruct players not to use negative comments such as 'bad game.'

 

            HYBA has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol or illicit drug use, public intoxication or physical violence of any type, by any person, at any Hopedale Youth Baseball game, practice or event.

 

SCHEDULE: Weeknight games start promptly at 5:30PM except for Wee and TBall games, which begin at 6:00PM. Several games are also scheduled on Sunday (or Saturday) afternoons. Please refer to the schedule for specific dates and times. Parents of Junior league age players and older are asked to have your son or daughter at the field in advance of game time so that he or she can appropriately warm up before play begins.  This will help prevent injury and will support success on the field.

           

            If weather or field conditions clearly prohibit play, games will be called in advance upon agreement of the two coaches or the league coordinator.  When conditions are potentially changeable or not known, the umpire and coaches will make the decision to proceed at game time.  Rained out games are rescheduled if at all possible.

 

GENERAL RULES: With the exception of certain league specific rules, HYBA generally follows the rules of Little League Baseball.

           

ROSTERS: Team rosters are determined through a selection process of all eligible players. All new players will be rated at an evaluation while coaches will evaluate players returning to a league.  Competitive parity is a primary objective in team selection.

 

PARTICIPATION: Coaches are expected to make every effort to provide all players with an opportunity to participate as much as possible and allot playing time as equally as possible. At the major league level, position play is more restricted than senior league as players begin to develop specific skills associated with certain positions and moving players around is not as prevalent as in the younger leagues. In all leagues free substitution and continuous batting orders are utilized.

 

COACHING:  Parents are encouraged to provide feedback and maintain open communication with coaches.  It is especially helpful for coaches to be informed of medical concerns or strategies that may work best in working with your son or daughter.  Coaches will need to coordinate volunteer efforts for the team and will need to schedule parents to help cover the concession stand, prepare and repair the fields on selected Sunday mornings, and assist with a number of other tasks.  Your contributions are very much appreciated and extremely important to maintaining the programs available through HYBA.

 

SAFETY: All league provided batting helmets in junior league and older are equipped with cage masks.  Use of cage helmets is mandatory in junior, senior and major leagues.

 

      The league makes available at every game a safety jacket (to lessen risk of injury to the chest, and heart) if players wish to wear them. Parents wishing their son or daughter to use of jacket should inform the coach that the player is to wear the protective jacket.

     

      Parents should provide adequate water/drinks to maintain hydration during activities.  This is especially important during warm weather.  During cold weather players should be dressed appropriately to maintain warmth and decrease risk of injury. Food should not be consumed on the bench or field during games or practices.

 

      Players should not wear jewelry during games.  The League maintains first aid essentials at the Concession Stand as well as ice and ice packs. It is advisable for a parent to be present during baseball games and practices should the need arise to respond to an injury or medical emergency. 

 

ALL-STAR TEAMS: One of the coach’s responsibilities is to vote for players for summer

            all-star teams. Coaches are not allowed to vote for any player on his or her own team.  We anticipate fielding at least 6 all-star teams for 9-12 year old players during the summer.

            All-Star teams play from June through early August and represent a significant time commitment.  Please let your son or daughter’s head coach know if for any reason (e.g. family will be away for summer) you would like your son or daughter to not be considered for an all-star team.