For the upcoming 2018 baseball season, a new bat standard has been introduced for new bats by USA Baseball.  This new standard was created to make aluminum and composite bats perform like wooden bats thus taking some of the “pop” out of the bats.  This is a new standard that is different from the past standard set by the USSSA which we have been using in the past. 

The Fondy Youth Baseball board of directors has had extensive discussions on this topic and has been in discussions with many other communities.  If we entirely adopted the new bat standard then every bat presently owned by players would be instantly illegal.  Our board has decided not to do that and it does not appear that many other communities are going to the new standard exclusively.

Fondy Youth Baseball Leagues will allow the following types of bats for the upcoming league season.

6th grade and younger

1. All 2 ¼” bats that have the USSSA 1.15 stamp on it.  This should include all bats that players presently have. This is what we have allowed in the past.
2. All 2 ¾” bats that have the USSSA 1.15 stamp on it.  These are the big barrel bats that have been illegal in the past but will now be legal in our leagues. This is an expansion of our rules.
3. All 2 5/8” bats that have the USA Baseball stamp.  This is the new bat standard and will be allowed in our leagues but please remember that these are set to perform like wood bats meaning they will have less “pop” so kids will not be able to hit the ball as far.

7th/8th grade

1. Same bat rules as above apply but bats must have no more than a -5 drop.  This means a 30-inch bat must weigh at least 25 ounces, 31-inch bat must weigh at least 26 ounces, 32-inch bat must weigh at least 27 ounces
2. BBCOR (-3 drop) bats are also legal to use in the 7th and 8th grade league-  These bats also are set to function like wooden bats with less “pop” but are required at the high school level.

9th grade and older (high school and Babe Ruth)

1. All bats MUST be BBCOR (-3 drop) to be legal-  This is a WIAA high school rule.

Reminder that these rules are only for our leagues.  We have no control over what other communities will do for tournaments so please discuss with your tournament coach prior to purchasing.

If you have questions please feel free to reach out to Ryan Haus at 920-517-3017 or discuss with Byron at Jack’s Team Sports downtown at 921-4202.

Fondy Youth Baseball continues to set goals to improving the baseball experience in our community and we are looking for help from our player families.  Some of the projects we are setting as goals are below and we need help to make them a reality.  If you have other ideas on how we can make an impact or have ideas on how to help below projects please e-mail Ryan Haus at dochaus@charter.net

1) Lakeside Park Fields-  Detailed information can be found below but these two new fields will make a huge impact and we still need donors

2) Complex Batting Cages-  We would like to put in a cement pad under the batting cages at the complex.  We are looking for a partner in a contractor and cement company to work with Fondy Youth Baseball and we are looking for volunteers for the labor part of it.  Any donated or discounted materials or labor can be honored with a sign at the batting cages and will be listed on this web site.  Ideally we would like to get this done this fall.  Let us know if you know of help or can spur getting this accomplished

3) Complex Beautification- We would really like to have ideas on how to help beautify the complex.  We are looking for those with ideas or landscapers and  gardeners to come up with projects that might help our complex around the fields look better.  Even someone that might build flower boxes would be of great help or someone willing to paint.

As a player family or a community member please help with ideas or volunteering your time as it only makes things better for all.  If you have other ideas, please let us know!

Youth Baseball Families,

It takes a ton of work by wonderful volunteers to conduct all facets of Fondy Youth Baseball.   Our Board of Directors spends a lot of time to offer the best possible baseball experiences for all players and their families.  This volunteer work is done year round with off-season planning and in-season management.

Responsibilities include but certainly are not limited to…

1. Conducting  8 leagues from kindergarten to Babe Ruth with over 400 baseball games
2. Managing 75 teams and over 750 players
3. Maintaining over 18 baseball fields for games and practices
4. Organizing and running concessions
5. Hiring and management of umpires

Members of our Board of Directors are at the fields long before any teams show up and then are last to leave with closing and locking everything up.  Many board members are volunteering more than 5 hours per week to serve your families and provide these opportunities.  League Directors and commissioners are the individuals that a ton of work falls on with each rainout.

Coaches are also a huge part of our volunteer network and we cannot thank the coaches enough that give their time to our youth and teams.

While certainly everything does not always run as smooth as we would like, please understand all the hard work and effort that is being put in.

Please take some time to say thank you to the coaches and Board of Directors that dedicate so much of their time to create baseball memories for our players.

We would specifically like to say thank you to a few board members that are giving so much of their time.

1. Tom Trent-  Tom has become a true leader for youth baseball and served as the chair for registration and picture day and serves as treasurer as well as the league director for the 5th/6th grade league.   Tom also coaches two teams.
2. Rick Gilgenbach- Rick is also volunteering many hours in various capacities.  Rick is managing the 4th street diamonds and mowing the lawn, serves as the co-chair of concessions leading all scheduling, and is the commissioner for all leagues from 4th grade to Babe Ruth.  Rick also coaches a Babe Ruth team
3. Jeff Nickel- Jeff is donating much of his summer off time to organize concessions as the co-chair and is in charge of all ordering, deliveries, etc. and is often working in concessions as a volunteer.
4. Jeff Hlavacka- Jeff spends a ton of his volunteer time as the Director of Umpires essentially managing about 30 umpire employees as well as serving as the commissioner for the kindergarten through 3rd grade leagues.  Jeff also coaches a rec team and a travel team.

Fondy Youth Baseball does not exist without the time commitment from the Board of Directors and our coaches.  The full list of Board of Directors can be seen under the “About Us” tab.  We also rely on the wonderful staff at the FDL Recreation Department.  Please take the time to say Thank You! to all these individuals that make Fondy Youth Baseball happen and give so much of their time.  

Please consider donating!  Naming right are available.

These generous donors are making this possible for our players and community.  Please support these business' and say Thank You

Fond du Lac Area Foundation  $50,000

National Exhange Bank Foundation  $50,000

Eilertson, Inc  $50,000

Eric Everson Family $30,000

Festival Foods $20,000

Compass Surveying $10,000

Agnesian Health Care $10,000

FDL Noon Rotary   $10,000

FDL Morning Kiwanis $5,000

Greg and Judy Amadon  $5,000

Joe Holvick Memorial $5,000

Midwest Overhead Door $2,500

Class of 2020 Travel Baseball Families $1,095

Brenner Tank $1,000

David & Gail Schultz $1000

Canadian National Railroad $500

Silica for Your Home $250

Jim Bond $101

Sarah and Steve Kelnhofer $100

Mercury Marine $100

In Memory of Erma Gantner $25

Grandma Betty $100

We also thank the City of Fond du Lac Leadership as well as the leadership at the Fond du Lac School District and Recreation Department for their help