Parents,

Our Board continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is affecting our community and families. First priority is to stay safe but just wanted to update everyone with the recent order from the governor. We will continue to ban all baseball activities through April 24th unless a different order is issued by the governor.

How does this affect Fondy Youth Baseball?

1) No baseball activities will take place until at least April 25th

2) We are unable to put up batting cage netting due to restrictions in place

3) MLB Pitch/Hit/Run competition scheduled for April 25th is postponed.

4) Picture Day scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd is postponed.

5) If the governor's orders are lifted on April 25th we hope to have coaches contact players immediately and we can start practices. Our season calendar will then be based on when we can start and we hope to be able to start games in May.

6) Because of the altered calendar we have not instituted a late fee for registration online as teams have yet to be created. If you know someone that still might be interested in registering, they are certainly still able to do so online.

What Now?

We encourage parents to get outside and play catch with players and work on individual hitting and throwing skills. There are many things that can be done at home and this time can be quite useful to help players improve. Many drills can be done inside or without any equipment. YouTube is a great resource and you can click on the following link for ideas. These links are always available on our website under resources for coaches. https://www.fdlyouthbaseball.com/playerdevelopment There are drills that fit all ages. Improve your knowledge as parents and coaches. Encourage each player to use their gym/recess time at home to learn and improve baseball skills. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Stay Healthy and Baseball Season is hopefully around the corner.

All registration info can be found below.  Please click on informational flyer below to get all information and then please click on red bar  below to register online.  In-person registration dates have passed.  Please read through all information on flyer and below to get updated on new changes.

1) Bat rules change for the 2020 season.  See below explanation on bat rules but all bats must have the "USA Baseball" stamp on them to be legal for 2020 season.

2) All players will be required to wear grey pants to be eligible to play in games.  A small ribbon or braid  of a different color along the side of pants will be allowed.

3) Any player will without the league issued hat will not be able to play or will have to play without a hat.  Players may NOT wear Brewer hats or travel baseball hats for example.

4) Season Calendar- TBD

Saturday, May 9th-  Youth Baseball Camp at High School

Playoffs- July 13-July 16 on regular scheduled league nights.  Playoffs will not be played on the weekend this year.

Saturday, July 25th- FYB/Dock Spiders Night at the Ballpark vs. Wisconsin Woodchucks at 6:35pm

Fall Baseball League- will likely begin the week of August 17th and play until end of September for likely 8 game schedule.  Look for registration earlier in June.

1) Please see change in bat rules as explained below. 

2) In 2020, all players will be required to wear baseball pants and the primary color must be gray.  Pants may have a colored braid down the side but that is all.  If pants are not gray, the player is considered to be in an illegal uniform and will not be allowed to play.

3) In 2020, all players will be required to wear the issued hat given to them by Fondy Youth Baseball for Rec leagues.  No player may wear any other hat on the field such as a Fondy travel baseball hat or Brewers hat.  Any player without the proper hat can play without a hat at their own risk or not play.

4) Players will receive a dri-fit jersey this year rather than a cotton shirt.

THE RULES WILL BE DIFFERENT FOR THE SUMMER OF 2020.  ONLY BATS WITH THE USA STAMP ON THEM WILL BE ALLOWED IN 2020. This makes almost all bats produced prior to last year illegal to use in 2020.  This is following a new national standard that is being adopted for youth baseball.  If you want to buy a new bat this year and be able to use it next year, we recommend you make sure it has the USA stamp on it.

There are two types of bat standards produced right now.  One is certified by USA Baseball and the other is certified by USSSA Baseball.  These are different certifications.  Only bats with the "USA Baseball" stamp will be allowed in 2020.

6th grade and younger

Any bat with the "USA Baseball" stamp on it will be legal

7th/8th grade League

Any bat with "USA Baseball" stamp on it and is no more than a -5 drop can be used or a -3 BBCOR bat could be used

9th-12th Grade League

Only -3 BBCOR bats are allowed

Thanks to the FDL Area Foundation for the donation of $16,975 to replace the broken scoreboard on Joe Braun Field at the Fondy Youth Baseball Complex with a brand new scoreboard.  This kind of generosity does not go unnoticed and will be a great upgrade on our premier field for our high school teams and 7th-12th graders that play on it.

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.