Parents,

Yesterday, August 25th,  Fondy Youth Baseball was notified by the FDL School District that we must make changes to our Fall Baseball Season.  Under the advisement of the FDL County Health Dept and their determination to move back to Phase 1, the school district is limiting us to gatherings of 10 or less.  The present order is in effect until October 1st.

What does this mean immediately?

1. All youth baseball games are postponed.  We are unsure at this time if the county moved back to Phase 2 earlier if we might be able to resume a season prior to October 1st.  Our board has begun to look at any and all possible options for fall baseball games
2. Teams will be allowed to practice but we will have to follow school district guidelines.  I will share those with coaches when I receive them.

What next?

Our board will continue to look at options just like we have all summer to provide baseball opportunities during these difficult times.  We hope the season is not over but we certainly have to pause it at this time.  Our hope is that the COVID numbers will decrease and the county will re-evaluate in two weeks and possibly move us back to phase 2 where we could resume our season.  We will continue to communicate with player families and coaches.

We appreciate your understanding as we continue to work through these steps.

Ryan Haus

Fondy Youth Baseball- President

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.