Changes in 2008

Uniforms:  BYB provides a t-shirt & hat which the player will keep when the season ends.  Players provide and wear gray baseball pants for all games.  This applies to all leagues.  Players also provide their own socks and shoes.  Full uniforms are required to play in games.

Mustang Girls:  Games will have players pitching the entire game (no pitching machine).

Concessions:  We may discontinue asking parents to volunteer in the concessions stand.  Please stay posted for further developments as we get closer to the start of the season. 

  Team Selection & Practices

All players who register for BYB will be placed on a team, via draft by the coaches. Coaches will contact each player soon after the draft with team and practice information.  Draft dates are:  Mustang Boys, Bronco, Pony – March 15^th; Jr. Girls – March 20^th; Pinto Girls, Pinto Boys, Mustang Girls – April 19^th.  (only coaches attend the draft)

Team practices may begin immediately after the drafts, at the coach’s discretion.  Most BYB teams practice 2-3 times per week until games begin.  Each coach determines his/her team’s practice times and location. 

Please bring your player to practices on time and pick him/her up promptly when practices are over.  Coaches are instructed to remain at the practice field until all players are gone and it’s asking a lot for them to remain at the field for an extra period of time because parents are tardy.  If the weather looks questionable (potential rain or lightning) when practice begins, please remain nearby so your player has a ride if practice must end early. 

  Equipment  

Each player must have his/her own glove.  BYB provides bats & helmets.  Players may use their own equipment, provided it meets BYB safety standards.  Pony league players may wear metal spikes.  Metal spikes are NOT allowed in any other BYB league.

Note:  For Bronco & Pony leagues, bat diameter may not exceed 2⅝ inches. 

  Schedules - Games

Games begin in late April, early May, or mid-May, depending on the league.  The regular seasons end in early July.  Coaches will provide players with schedules.

Playoffs & tournaments:  Mustang Girls & Boys, Bronco, Pony & Jr. Girls tournaments begin in early July and end at various times in mid-to-late July.  Check with your coach or the BYB website for more details.

Pony League:  A BYB all-star team plays over Memorial Day at a tournament in Rockford.  The Pony all-star team plays in a post-season tournament with a chance to go to the national Pony tournament.  More information will be distributed by the Pony commissioner & coaches. 

Bronco league:  plays a tournament over Memorial Day weekend. 

  Games Location & Parking

All games are played on the BYB fields at the Boone County Fairgrounds on the northeast corner of Rte. 76 & the Rte. 20 by-pass, just north of Belvidere.

Drop players off at the front of the fields, on the west side by the gate.  Parking is on this side of the fields.

Do not drive or park along the road that runs next to the ball diamonds on the north side.  Pets are not allowed on BYB property. There is no smoking on BYB property.  Bikes, rollerblades and skateboards are not allowed. 

  Playing Time in Games

BYB has rules regarding minimum playing time, to ensure that every player participates in every game.

Pinto & Mustang Leagues:  A player must play a minimum of 3 innings (3 defensive & 2 offensive innings satisfies this rule.

Bronco, Pony & Jr. Girls Leagues:  Each player must play for 9 outs (1½ innings) if he/she finishes an at-bat, or 12 outs (2 innings) if he/she does not bat.  This rule applies to all games, including games shortened by slaughter rule or time limit.  As players get older, the leagues become more competitive and some players may play only the minimum number of innings.  Please take this into consideration before committing your player to the Bronco or Pony League.

For more information about BYB rules, talk to your coach or review the rules on the BYB website. 

  Ice Cream Social

BYB’s annual Ice Cream Social is Sunday, June 8^th at the Fairgrounds.  We have all-star games and food all day long.  This is BYB’s big event of the year and Pam Barr needs volunteers to help her put it all together.  Call Pam at 815- 742-6485 if you can help.

Every team is required to have 2 parents work at the ice cream social.  Please volunteer when your coach makes the request.  Thank you!

  All-Star Games

BYB plays “All-Star Games” on Ice Cream Social day.  All second-year players (determined by age) in each league are eligible to play in these games.  It’s a great opportunity for all players and families to come out for a day of baseball and softball, as well as ice cream and pie!  The game schedule for the day will be announced in early June. 

  Raffle Tickets

Each player purchases 25 raffle tickets at registration.  Raffle tickets may be sold and the stubs turned in at the BYB concessions stand, once games begin.  Raffle winners are drawn at the BYB Ice Cream Social on June 8^th.  You do not have to be present to win. 

  Conduct

All players, coaches and fans should practice good sportsmanship at all times.  Remember, these are children on the fields!  Negative cheering and taunting are not allowed.

Noisemakers (cowbells, horns, etc.) are not permitted at BYB.

Be respectful of the umpires.  They, like the players, are doing their best.  It’s not the major leagues.  Arguing, berating or harassing the umpires will not be tolerated.  Umpires in the Mustang league are 13-15 years old and are current or former BYB players.  They have received training but, like the players, they are learning.  Your son or daughter could be an umpire in a few years.  Please remember, our children are watching our behavior.

Please keep watch over your children who are at BYB but not playing in a game.  Teams warm up in areas around the fields and foul balls are hit out of the field frequently.

Also, we had several problems with vandalism in our bathrooms last season – mostly done by younger siblings of players.  Help keep the grounds clean by putting your trash in the cans provided. 

  BYB Information

BYB is an independent non-profit organization providing baseball and softball programs to over 750 boys and girls in Boone County.

BYB is run by parent coaches and volunteers, with an Executive Board that oversees all league operations.  Board meetings are the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Belvidere Bank main office.  Parents are welcome to offer input and help with the league.  If you are interested in coaching, contact Todd Humphry at 815-544-2254. 

There are many non-coaching roles that parents can fill, also.  We need help with fundraising, ice cream social and other operations.  Talk to Todd or any Board member if you would like to participate.

BYB’s website is:  bybonline.org.  Go there for BYB information including team schedules and standings, BYB rules and the list of board members and league commissioners.

 

If you have any questions about BYB, please ask your coach or any board member, or email BYB at:  byb@bybonline.org   

 

We hope everyone has a great season and we look forward to seeing all of you out at the fields!