Parents,  The Fondy Youth Baseball Board of Directors voted this week for a significant change in our leagues for this summer where for the first time we will be allowing players in 4K to play in our Kindergarten Tee-Ball League.  Please only take advantage of  this option if your son or daughter is excited to play and you are willing to help them improve their skills over the course of the summer.  These 4K players will play alongside kindergartners and then play in our tee-ball league for 2 years prior to moving to coach pitch after first grade. 

Players must be in 4K NOW or older.

When registering, 4K players should select the school that they will be attending in the fall for Kindergarten and select "K" as their grade.

Click on informational flyer and then register by clicking on red bar.

Here is an outline of the upcoming season for 4K-6th grade leagues.  Put dates on your calendar.

Sunday, March 21st-
Coaches meetings-  All Coaches will receive equipment and team rosters

Week of March 22-29-  Rosters will be posted on website and coaches will be contacting player families to introduce themselves.

April-  Practices may begin.  Hope for nice weather to have the fields ready.

Saturday, April 24th-  Youth Baseball Camp sponsored by FDL High School- Camp Registration form can be found below

Saturday, May 1st- Opening Day-  This will be our picture day where each team will have pictures taken and then play an exhibition game.  We will also be hosting our MLB pitch/hit/run competition. Registration info can be found below.

Week of May 3-6-  Regular season begins
Nights of play
4K/K- Monday and Wednesday Nights
1st Grade- Tuesday and Thursday Nights
2nd Grade- Monday and Wednesday Nights
3rd Grade- Tuesday and Thursday Nights
4th Grade- Monday and Wednesday Nights
5th/6th Grade- Tuesday and Thursday Nights

Week of July 12- July 15-  Last week of season.  Playoffs for 3rd-6th grade and more games for 4K-2nd Grade

Saturday, July 24th-  End of season Party at the FDL Dockspiders game with raffle prizes, etc.  Ticket information will be coming.

Mid-August-  Our Fall League will begin and run through October 1st.

Sunday, March 21st

Kindergarten-1st  grade  11am-12pm

2nd/3rd grade- noon-1pm

5th/6th grade  1pm-2:30pm

4th Grade 2pm-3:30pm

 Sign up for MLB Pitch, Hit and Run Event See Link Below.

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.