Parents,

Th Fondy Youth Baseball Board has officially canceled the fall baseball season and have worked out arrangements for families to come in and get refunds.  The board is also moving forward with an exciting project to take the underutilized Dave Andrew Field at the main complex and convert it into two youth baseball fields similar to the diamonds at 4th street.  This will allow players and families of more age groups to play on great fields with a better and safer player and family experience.  

Refunds will only be given in person at the following dates and times.  Players in kindergarten through 2nd grade will receive a $25 refund and players in 3rd grade through 12th grade will receive a $45 refund.  If you are able to express generosity, we hope some families will consider donating their refund back to Fondy Youth Baseball to be spent on building the new fields.  If families do not come in to get their refund, we will consider it a donation and will use it for the fields.

REFUND PICK-UP TIMES

Wednesday, October 21st, 5-8pm at FDL Recreation Dept

Thursday, October 22nd, 5-8pm at FDL Recreation Dept

Coaches can also turn in equipment at these times.

NEW FIELD PROJECT DESIGN

Typically, we are able to play 4th grade and older games at the Fourth Street Fields that we lease.  We will have full control of these new fields and they will allow us to play almost all Kindergarten to 3rd grade games on nice fields also.  These fields improve the baseball experience and will be safer for players and fans.  It will also make it more convenient to have bathrooms and concessions available for almost all games.  Total cost of this project will be about $150,000

https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/63ce-2247566/Excel_plan-_Home_plates_nearest_each_other.pdf#_ga=2.149397430.1694196206.1602183430-439825713.1602081640

BASEBALL BAT BUYING INFORMATION

K-2nd Grade

 Bats must have USA Baseball Stamp on bat.   Bat lengths range from 25 inch to 27 inch. Bat weight is measured in weight drop, which varies between brands and models. Recommended bats would have drops of -10 to -12

3rd-6th Grade

Bats must have USA Baseball stamp on bat.  Bat lengths range from 28-29  inches for 3rd and 4th graders and 29-30 inches for 5th and 6th graders.  Weight of bat recommended would be a drop of -10 to -12 

* Weight Drop = Length of bat minus the weight.

Example = 29in., 17oz. bat is a drop 12 or referred to as a -12

7th/8th Grade Bats

Bats must have USA Baseball stamp and be no more than -5 drop or can be a -3 BBCOR bat.  Bat lengths are typically 30-31 inches. 

9th-12th grade Bats

Bats must be -3 BBCOR bats.  Bat lengths are typically 31-32 inches

GLOVE BUYING INFORMATION

The biggest issue seen in player development is parents buying too big of gloves for their child.  Reminder that high school and pro infielders use gloves that are 11.25 or 11.5 inches.  K-2nd grade players should probably only have 10.5 inch gloves No player should probably have a glove greater than 11.5 inches in all our leagues unless they are primarily an outfielder or play first base as those are the only positions that typically use a larger glove.  If a player may need a new glove next year, buy it as soon as possible so they have a chance to break it in prior to next season.

Parents,

Just wanted to remind you of the best and easiest way to be notified if games are canceled due to rain.  The procedure can be found on the back of your schedules and can be found on the web site but the easiest way is to do it right now as you read this.   We will be utilizing a text/email based cancellation program. This service will text you immediately if a game has been canceled ahead of time.  Opt in
your mobile phone by texting:
• MW901 to 84483 to receive Monday/Wednesday Youth Baseball alerts
• TR901 to 84483 to receive Tuesday/Thursday Youth Baseball and Babe Ruth alerts.

I recommend you do both in case you have a practice or make-up game on another night.  After 4pm the decisions on games are made by umpires or by coaches if they do not have umpires.

We also recommend that you download the free sportsengine app and log in.  This will give you immediate alerts to any game changes for things like rescheduled games.

Code of Conduct Reminders; These are set by Fondy Youth Baseball and the Fond du Lac School District and pertain to coaches, players, and all fans.

1. Absolutely no swearing is allowed
2. Smoking or chewing tobacco while at fields or on school property or in presence of kids is absolutely prohibited.  This is in effect at all locations of all games and includes practices as well as travel baseball games in other communities or at tournaments.
3. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at any fields while a game or practice is underway.

• Act Your Age. You are, after all, an adult. Act in a way that makes your family and school proud.
• Don’t Live Your Life Vicariously Through Your Children. High school sports are for them, not you. Your family’s reputation is not determined by how well your children perform on the field of play.
• Let Your Children Talk to the Coach Instead of You Doing It for Them. High school athletes learn how to become more confident, independent and capable—but only when their parents don’t jump in and solve their problems for them. 
• Stay in Your Own Lane. No coaching or officiating from the sidelines. Your role is to be a responsible, supportive parent—not a coach or official.
• Remember, Participating in a High School Sport Is Not About Getting a College Scholarship. According to the NCAA, only about 2 percent of all high school athletes are awarded a sports scholarship, and the total value of the scholarship is only about $18,000.
• Make Sure Your Children Know You Love Watching Them Play. Do not critique your child’s performance on the car ride home. Participating in high school sports is about character development, learning and having fun—not winning and losing.