Guidelines
As parents of the youth of Hopedale we wish to make the spring and
summer experience of playing baseball and positive and exciting memory.
Please review the HYBA family guidelines to get a better understanding
of our program and it's goals.
As a quick reference to some of the important upcoming events for the
current HYBA season, please check out the this
information page.
Conduct
All adults, both coaches and parents, are expected to show good
sportsmanship. Be as encouraging and supportive. Praise and reward the
effort and attitude not just the result. This is their opportunity to
have fun with baseball. Let them PLAY!
Parents should observe the game from the stands or down the outfield
sidelines. Do not stand behind the backstop or behind the benches.
Please do not coach your son/daughter from the sidelines. There is no
food allowed in the bench area during a game. If you are witness to any
behavior that you feel is inappropriate, please do not hesitate to tell
your coach, league coordinator or contact a board member. All coaches,
coordinators and board members are listed in the Opening Day program
guide.
Coaches
Coaches are selected by the HYBA Board of Directors. They will be the
only adults allowed in the bench area unless a child is injured or needs
assistance. Junior thru Major league team rosters are selected using the
HYBA draft guideline to ensure all teams are fair and balanced. If you
are interested in assisting, please speak to your child’s head coach.
Schedule Start Times
All weekday league games ( except Wee and Tee Ball) will start
promptly at 5:30. Wee and Tee Ball will begin at 6:00 pm. No games are
played on Friday or Saturday, although coaches will usually schedule a
practice session on Saturday's. Sunday's games will start at 1:00, 3:00
and 5:00. The HYBA will make every attempt to make sure that each team
Sunday's schedule is rotated between the various start times. Please
refer to your teams schedule for specific dates and times. For
cancellations and other scheduling policies see scheduling guidelines.
Rainouts
If the game is canceled or postponed due to inclement weather,
the coaches will be responsible to contact each member of their teams.
The decision to cancel or postpone the games will be left up to the
respective coaches. If you do not receive a call, please assume game
will be played.
Equipment
Depending on the league, coaches will either be assigned equipment
for their team or they will use the equipment stored in designated lock
boxes. Please do not lend out equipment for any purpose. Equipment is to
be used for your teams games and practices only. Please regard equipment
as if it were your own. It is the single largest expense of running the
league and we count on the coaches to help keep it in good condition. If
you have equipment which is showing wear and tear please notify the
League Coordinator. If necessary the League Coordinator will repair or
replace.
Baseballs should not be passed out after games. Please retain the
game balls to use for practice. Please turn in all baseballs you have
left at the end of season. These are then used to begin the next seasons
practices.
Safety
Players must wear a batting helmet while batting and running the
bases. Starting in 2002, all batting helmets provided by the HYBA will
have face guard cages for all leagues except Wee and Tee Ball. Since
there is no pitching in either of these leagues, batting helmet cages
are not required. If a parent wishes to have their child use their own
batting helmet that does not contain a protective cage, then this must
be explicitly communicated to the respective head coach of their child's
team.
The league makes available a protective vest for batting. If you want
your child to wear the protective vest please discuss this together with
your child and his/her coach. Coaches are not responsible for enforcing
the use of this protective equipment, the final decision and
enforcement, will be left to the parents and child.
Ice, ice packs and first aid supplies are available at the concession
stand at all times.
Players should bring own water bottles and not drink out of others
water bottles. All boys must wear a protective cup when playing the
catcher position. All male players are encouraged to wear one at all
times.
