Posts by Michael DeSanto

Coaches,

Greetings! We hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend, and we hope you are as excited about Opening Day as we are. To help you prepare for the start of the game season next weekend, here is the complete lowdown of what to expect leading up to and on Game Day to kick off our 2026 Spring Season of baseball and softball! Below are a dozen key takeaways, tips, updates and reminders for all coaches in our 12 and Under divisions during the 2026 Spring Season!

Amazing Teamwork on Uniform Distribution | Kudos to our Uniform Co-Chairs Jessica Berg and Joyce Donnelly for working diligently to receive more than 1000 uniforms more than a week before Opening Day for the first time in more than a decade. (For years, we’ve been distributing the uniforms the night before the parade.) What’s more we appreciate nearly all of our coaches working with the Uniform Committee to pick up your uniforms on Saturday. This efficient distribution process is a win-win-win for all — win for the coaches and teams, win for the committee and a win for our players and families!

Opening Day Parade Is Saturday, April 18 | We are confident everyone has seen the details about the Opening Day Parade. However, just in case you haven’t, then you can download all the information here! See you on Saturday morning at Oaklandon Elementary (between 8:15-8:45 a.m.)!

Team Banner at Parade | This is a popular question each spring. Banners are completely optional, but the kids do enjoy them, too! We’ve seen a wide range of banners too. Some are fancy custom-made banners. Some are simple banners hand-drawn or painted. And, others are easily created posterboard-style banners. The fancier the banner, the more it becomes a shared cost for the team, which the Team Parent can collect and manage. This shouldn’t fall on you alone as the team’s head coach!

Communication Is Key! | As they often say, you probably have not communicated enough until you feel you are overcommunicating! In a simple email or text, you can share reflections on the past week and provide updates for the upcoming scheduled activities for the week. It will help your team stay on schedule with you, and you also will learn when a player may be missing or late to a practice or game. What’s more, it keeps everyone involved. So, go forth and communicate with your team!

Have a Team Parent? | We hope so! Team Parents can go a long way in making your season as a coach a lot easier. They help with keeping the players in order in the dugout, purchase treat tickets, assist with little things during the games, can help create a team banner, etc. If you do not have a Team Parent identified, then send a message to your team and recruit one today! You’ll be glad you did…and so will all your players, too!

Treat Tickets Are A Hit! | This is a player favorite, of course! For $1 per treat ticket, a player can visit the concession stand following the game and select an item of choice from the Treat Ticket menu. Sometimes teams buy them as they go, and other times they buy a year’s worth of treat tickets all at once (number of regular season games + two tournament games … but remember Tee Ball does not play a tournament!). Ask a parent — or your Team Parent — to collect funds from the team and purchase/distribute these tickets after each game during the season!

Download the Rules | The latest OYO-specific rules are available on the website. You can download the baseball rules and softball rules and be in the know before your games begin! And, please pay particular attention to the “fair play” rules when constructing your lineups to ensure no player sits a second time before every sits out once (in MB, SM, 10U, 12U) and everyone plays one inning in the infield and one inning in the outfield every game before the game ends and/or time limit is reached.

Everyone Has a Role with the Fields on Game Day | It’s pretty simple, too. Before the game, the HOME team chalks the field. After the game, the VISITORS rake the field around the bases and high-traffic areas. Rakes can be found in the storage sheds closest to your field (located by Fields, 1, 3, 5, 12, 13). Again, the coaches are not expected to do this alone. Ask for help from your parents before and after each game (and practice!). And, as a quick reminder, please do not chalk the grass at any time!

Weatherline Is The Way to Go on Game Days | On game days, OYO will make the call if a game should be played or not. And, if we say fields are playable, then we ask both teams to come out to play the game. After all, when one team opts to not play, then it leaves a willing team without an opponent for the game. So, encourage your families to always check the OYO Weatherline powered by Champion’s Edge (317.767.5170) on game days for the latest updates.

Reminder, Saturday Practices Have Concluded, but Weeknights Continue for Four More Weeks | Saturday, April 11 marked the last Saturday practice for all teams in our 12 and Under divisions. Starting April 18, only games will be played on Saturdays. That said, your standing scheduled weeknight practice remains in effect through Friday, May 15. Starting Monday, May 18, weeknight games will begin and all teams should check their schedules in LeagueApps for details.

30 Teams Still Have Room for One More Player | Encourage your teams to help fill the last uniform on your roster. Three divisions have no openings (10U, 12U, MB). In the other divisions, select teams have only one opening as follows:

• 08U Softball | Bulldogs, Purple Aces
• Challenger | Reds
• Tee Ball | All teams (except Bats and Redwings which are at capacity)
• Junior Rookie | Blue Jays, Cubs, Orioles, Rays, Tigers, White Sox
• Rookie | Angels, Athletics, Braves, Mariners
• Super Major | Angels, Diamondbacks, Pirates, White Sox

Thank You! | As always, we truly appreciate all you do for OYO’s ballplayers and families! Without your incredible volunteerism and commitment, we would not be able to provide a memorable and quality experience for all our ballplayers and families. Thank you for making a difference, and thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball!

Play Ball!

Super Major Fans:

In recent weeks, you made one of the best decisions you could possibly make for your family. You registered your b fallplayer for the Super Major division. And I am truly grateful and appreciative of your family for choosing OYO for your baseball experience.

Now, what if you made a similar decision for your ballplayer about this summer? What if your ballplayer decided to participate in the 12U Bombers Tryouts tomorrow (Sunday, April 12) or next Sunday (April 19) for the chance to be an all-star ballplayer, too?

Look, I know this can sound daunting. And sure there is a time commitment. In turn, though, the experiences, competitive game environment, player development and lasting friendships are absolutely amazing and worth it.

And, let me add in the amazing chance you will have to play for Coach Kevin Branigan. And, I mean amazing! Kevin has coached at OYO for several years now and he is a true adopter and role model of The OYO Way through wins and defeats along with successes and challenges. He teaches our baseball players the fundamentals of the game and character on and off the field. If you do not give your ballplayer a chance to be a Bombers player, then you are not giving your son the chance to fully and truly experience all OYO can offer him in 2026.

What’s more, Coach Branigan is seeking to add between 4-6 more players to round out the roster for the 2026 All-Star season. So long as your ballplayer is either 11- or 12 years old as of April 30, 2026, they are eligible.

After all, I would never recommend you do something I did not embrace for my own children. My oldest child was a Bombers ballplayer for nine years, including being a part of a very memorable 12U Bombers All-Star team. Was he the best on the team? Easily, the answer is no. Yet, over the years, he played with players who were more talented and athletic – and still has lasting friendships from those all-star teammates to this day. This opportunity is more than just more competitive games and competing for championships, it’s an opportunity to shape their future as ballplayers and individuals, too.

All I am asking is give it a thought between now and tomorrow (or next Sunday). Maybe even attend the tryout at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday or next Sunday (and arrive by 12:10 p.m.) to experience the opportunity. Then, from there, determine if it is right for you and your ballplayer if they are invited to join the team. Give your baseball player a special gift this spring — a chance to raise his game to the next level. You never know where it may lead him!

Now, can we expect to see you at tryouts on Sunday?

Bomber Up!
Michael DeSanto

Greetings! We hope you have enjoyed a wonderful start to your 2026 Spring Season. We are writing to announce the game schedules are set for all divisions for this season. The OYO Scheduling Committee has worked tirelessly to finalize the schedule involving nearly 800 regular season games.

Before providing instructions on how to access game schedules, here are several important reminders involving your ballplayer’s game schedule:

• In some instances for divisions that play doubleheaders — which is all divisions except Tee Ball and Junior Rookie — your team may be scheduled for a “split doubleheader”, where a team plays one game, sits out one game, then plays again
• There are no rec league games scheduled on Saturday, May 23 or Monday, May 25 in conjunction with Memorial Day weekend
• Last day of the regular season for all tournament-eligible divisions is Saturday, June 6 and Challenger/Tee Ball’s last set of games are played on Saturday, June 20
• All divisions (except Challenger/Tee Ball) will participate in an end-of-season Rec League Tournament from June 8-20 (tournament schedule to be released by Friday, May 22)
• Weeknight practices continue for all teams during the weeks of April 20, April 27, May 4 and May 11
• All practices and games for Junior Baseball and 14U/16U Softball will begin on Saturday, May 9 — and the schedule will be released in late April
• Please check the OYO website for details about the OYO Rainout Policy

To view your ballplayer’s regular season game schedule (and remaining practice schedule) for the regular season, you can check it out on the LeagueApps mobile app or follow these three simple steps when visiting LeagueApps website:
(1) Log in to LeagueApps via oyoball.org
(2) Select Manage Parent Account (in upper right corner)
(3) Click on My Schedule at the bottom of the sidebar along the right side of the screen

As always, we truly appreciate you choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball. We look forward to a memorable season for your ballplayer and welcoming you and your family to the park for more quality practices and many exciting games.

We are so excited for the 2026 OYO Spring Season! In anticipation of uniform distribution this weekend, we have been reviewing the uniform orders and noticed all Tee Ball teams will have 11 jerseys instead of the anticipated allotment of 10. Our mistake is another family’s gain — in fact, 15 families could benefit!

So, just when we thought we were sold out in Tee Ball, we now have openings on every team (except TB-Redwings, which already has 11 players)! This means all remaining 15 teams – including your team — has one more roster spot available! So, there is still time — and space — for your friend to register and play this spring! And if they act soon enough, maybe they can join your team, too!

All remaining openings will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. So tell your friends to act quickly! Please note, any prior registration will not be reassigned. We appreciate your understanding and support!

Don’t delay, register today! Thank you for choosing OYO this spring!

Play Ball!

With much anticipation and excitement, we’re ready to truly kick off our 2026 Spring Season of baseball and softball and the thrills of taking the field to “Play Ball!” on Opening Day.

On Saturday, April 18, our ballplayers and families will take part in our Opening Day festivities! To help you begin making plans, here are some of the details you should note (and all are subject to change):

Arrival for Parade | Coaches should arrive by 8 a.m. and players/families may begin arriving at Oaklandon Elementary (6702 Oaklandon Road) at 8:15 a.m. Families are encouraged to park in the south parking lot of the church lot across the street and walk their player to their designated team meeting spot (download map).

If the Weather Is Questionable, Check the OYO Weatherline | The weather outside is delightful with sunny skies and nearly 80-degree temperatures today (April 16). It is picture-perfect weather for baseball and softball. But, as they say, it is spring in Indiana! Just like with any outdoor activity, we are at the mercy of what Mother Nature brings. We have monitored the forecast for Saturday daily, even hourly, for most of this week. And, a big change is coming. The one constant is rain. Forecasts have steadily shown a 90%-100% chance of rain on Saturday, but when the rain will commence varies from report to report. We will provide a complete update about the Opening Day Parade and/or scheduled games for Saturday, April 18 no later than 7:30 a.m. via the OYO Weatherline (317.767.5170). 

Parade and Festivities | The parade will begin at 9 a.m. followed by brief announcements, presentations and ceremonial first pitches at OYO. All players will walk to OYO with the support of a police escort managing traffic to ensure a safe and positive experience, including timely closures of Oaklandon Road and Pendleton Pike for safe crossings.

Attire for Walking in the Parade | Players are encouraged to dress warm and wear tennis shoes (not cleats) for the parade. They also should be in uniform!

Game Times | Every team will play one game (and one team in 10U Softball, Minor and Super Major each will play a doubleheader). The season opens with a full slate of games at 10:30 a.m./11 a.m. with the last slate of games beginning at 5:15 p.m./6 p.m.  Please review your schedule in LeagueApps for game times and field assignments.

Drop-off Procedures | Parents should drop their child off in front of the school between 8:15-8:45 a.m. Here are some helpful tips to consider:

• No parking at the school is allowed.
• Parking across the street in the south lot of the church is available.
• Lawrence Police will be available to direct you where to park.

Once a ballplayer connects with his/her team, then the parent has three options:

• Proceed to OYO/Veterans Memorial Park to await for their child(ren).
• Walk south on Oaklandon Road to find a spot to cheer on all the teams, players and coaches participating in the parade.
• Join your ballplayer and his/her team and walk the route!

What to Bring | Children should wear their uniforms and coaches/team parents who have purchased a team banner should also bring it for the parade. (Remember, team banners are optional so not all teams will have one.)

What NOT To Bring | We are asking all players and families to leave any horns and noisemakers at home to make this a pleasant and safe experience for all players and their families. Also, please leave at home your favorite dogs and pets since these not allowed as part of the parade or at Veterans Memorial Park — the home of OYO — at any time.

Got Questions? | Please ask for help from any OYO Board Member. Our board members will be wearing red shirts and pullovers this year.

Concessions will be open! | Be sure to stop by either of our concession stands throughout the day! Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Respect Our Monuments | Please ask your ballplayers and children to not climb or play on the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir monument near Field 1 at the front of the park at any time during the season. Please respect our veterans and the monument placed in their honor.

SUMMARY | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• 8:00 a.m. | Coaches and/or Team Parent Arrive at Oaklandon Elementary school and go to designated team spot in the parking lot (area will be marked)
• 8:15-8:45 a.m. | All players should arrive at Oaklandon Elementary
• 9:00 a.m. | Parade begins
• 9:50 a.m. | Parade concludes at Veterans Memorial Park and Ceremony begins
• 10:15 a.m. | Opening Day Ceremony concludes
• 10:30 a.m. | Opening Day Festivities and Activities Begin
• 10:30 a.m. | Challenger Game kicks off the season
• 11:00 a.m. | Rec League Games in all other divisions commence
• 7:00-7:15 p.m. | Opening Day game schedule concludes

Thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball!

With more than 1050 players across 95 teams slated to take the field, we’re charging ahead for a truly robust and genuinely amazing 2026 Spring Season! And in most divisions, we still have a some openings. So, spread the word to your friends…don’t delay, register today!

12 & Under Divisions

In our 12 and Under divisions, we have less than 34 openings on 34 teams in most divisions. At this time, 50 teams this spring are at maximum capacity, and three divisions have already formed a wait list.

(For select players in two “sold out” divisions, there is still a possibility for some players to “level up” and play this spring…10-year-old baseball players are candidates to level up to Super Major and 12-year-old softball players can do the same in 14U/16U Softball.)

Meanwhile, to allow new young baseball players the chance to participate in as many practices as the weather will allow this spring, we’re bringing back the popular “Fill The Uniform” campaign to help complete the rosters. These spots will go fast! Here’s the breakdown by division of teams needing one (or in a few instances, two) final player this spring:

13 & Older Divisions

Similarly, in our divisions serving our teenage ballplayers, we still have limited openings in 14U/16U Softball and Junior Baseball.

One of the great things about OYO is we design our divisions to accommodate a handful of players who may decide to register a little later than most. This process utilizes years of data and registration patterns.

However, every once in a while history doesn’t repeat itself and additional registrations do not flow in as fast as anticipated. Then, teams are left with rosters at less than full capacity and could pose a challenge on game days if there’s a player or two who are absent.

As of March 24, across our 84 teams in nine divisions serving our 12 and Under ballplayers, there are only two teams with a need of two more players to ensure all rosters are fairly even in total numbers. This total number will decline with each passing day. With practices beginning this week, this is the perfect time to invite new players to register and join a team.

So, you’re encouraged to go recruit a teammate for your team (as listed below)! All new ballplayers will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Players can REGISTER HERE! The teams remaining with two roster openings are:

• 08U – Wildcats
• CH – Reds

Please note, while offering this exclusive recruit-a-teammate offer for your team, we are unable to accommodate any changes involving already-rostered ballplayers. This offer applies to only new registrations starting March 17.

If you have any questions or need something more, less or different, please contact the OYO Board via email, and a board member will be in touch as soon as we are able. As always, thank you for choosing OYO this spring!

As we prepare for the start of the 2026 Spring Season, we’re encouraging all head coaches and assistant coaches to make the necessary investment for the season ahead. Various OYO committees and leaders are going the extra mile to coordinate value-add sessions and seamless processes to maximize your experience and be respectful of your time. Below are four important events involving all head coaches (and in some instances, the assistant coaches, too).

COACH INCENTIVE IS ESTABLISHED FOR 2026 SPRING SEASON

A coach is eligible to receive one-fifth of the league’s registration fee for completing each one of the following five milestones — contingent on the successful return of the team equipment provided at the start of the season. So, if all five requirements are completed (and the equipment bag is returned), then the coach receives 100%. Payment will be issued in the form of a player registration credit to be used within the next 12 months for Fall 2026, Winter Workouts 2027 or Spring 2027. The criteria in 2026 is as follows:

1. Attend Coaches’ Meeting on Thursday March 5
2. Attend Coaches’ Clinic on Sunday, March 22
3. Attend Tournament Coaches’ Meeting on Tuesday, June 2 (date subject to change)
4. Complete Player Evaluations in LeagueApps by Tuesday, June 2 (dates subject to change)
5. Return Team Equipment Bag by Saturday, June 20

TEAM INTRODUCTION | CONTACT TEAMS DIRECTLY

All rosters were released on the evening of Tuesday, March 3. The roster release also included each team’s weeknight and Saturday practice time and field assignment. Within two days of the rosters being released, all coaches should have sent an introductory email to the families on their roster and answer any questions your team’s families may have.

COACHES’ MEETING CONDUCTED | THURSDAY, MARCH 5 | JENN PARK

All head coaches and assistant coaches were encouraged to attend. You can download the meeting recap and takeaways here. We are committed to maximizing player development and creating a memorable experience for all our ballplayers. So, we strive to create alignment between all our amazing volunteer coaches at OYO. This meeting provided timely content that can have a positive impact on your team this spring — and creates clear and consistent expectations.

TEAM EQUIPMENT PICK-UP  | SATURDAY, MARCH 14 + SUNDAY, MARCH 15 | OYO

Coaches will be able to pick up its team’s equipment next Saturday or Sunday (March 14-15) at OYO at the three-garage barn before attending the Coaches’ Clinic. We encourage coaches to pick up the team equipment in the window provided below and allow 15 minutes to complete the process. You will depart the premises with your team equipment for the season. We recommend the head coach pick up the equipment, but an assistant coach can do it if necessary. Scheduled windows are as follows:

• Saturday, March 14 | 9-11 a.m.
• Sunday, March 15 | 12-2 p.m.

COACHES’ CLINIC | SUNDAY, MARCH 22 | TIMES VARY | THE BULLPEN AT LEE ROAD PARK

All head coaches and assistant coaches are encouraged to attend. OYO is preparing for our preseason Coaches’ Clinic to help all our coaches kick off the 2026 Spring Season. These clinics are designed to provide insight on the skills, fundamentals and drills for teams to use at every level. This season, OYO will host three separate clinics — at The Bullpen, located at 6200 Lee Road — as follows:

• Tee Ball | 2-3 p.m.
• Coach Pitch | 3:15-4:15 p.m. (Junior Rookie, Rookie, 08U Softball)
• Kid Pitch | 4:30-5:30 p.m. (Minor, Super Major, 10U Softball, 12U Softball)

These sessions will be customized to each group and facilitated by Mike Klopfenstein, OYO’s Training Chairperson who also is a veteran high school baseball coach. As always, thank you for sharing your time and talent with our young ballplayers.

PRACTICES BEGIN | WEEK OF MARCH 16 | DAYS AND TIMES VARY | OYO

Weather-permitting, all teams will begin their practice season the week of March 16. All practice decisions are left to the coach. However, there are occasional rare instances where fields are not usable due to weather — and in those instances we will notify the league via email during the practice season only. As a quick refresher, each team will receive one weeknight assignment and one Saturday assignment during the practice season. Below summarized the length allotted for each team’s practice, particularly for weeknights.

• Challenger | 60 minutes
• Tee Ball | 60 minutes | Two teams share fields during each practice slot
• Junior Rookie | 90 minutes | Two teams share fields during each practice slot
• Rookie, 08U Softball | 90 minutes | In Rookie only, a few teams will be scheduled to share field space for a weeknight practice
• Minor, Super Major, 10U Softball, 12U Softball | 90 minutes

OYO Board Members recently conducted our exclusive Coaches’ Meeting and Orientation for our softball and baseball coaches in preparation of our upcoming season of baseball and softball.

This meeting helps ensure all our coach volunteers are aligned in how they will leverage our organization’s resources and collaborate frequently to maximize the development of all our ballplayers across the league. What’s more, they are prepared to demonstrate great teamwork in providing our young softball and baseball players a memorable on-field experience this spring.

We hope the information attached provides our coaches with the details needed to execute a quality experience for all our ballplayers and their families. If you have any questions about the upcoming season, please contact an OYO Board Member.

As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball this spring. And, we truly appreciate you sharing your talents and volunteering to be a coach this season. Play Ball!

Link to Coaches Meeting Orientation:

• Meeting Presentation
• Key Takeaways
• Field Care Guide
• Must-See Video for Proper Field Maintenance Techniques

Links to Helpful BASEBALL Coaching Resources:

• Rules
• Player Development Framework | Baseball

Links to Helpful SOFTBALL Coaching Resources:

• Rules
• Player Development Framework | Softball

We look forward to an exciting Spring Season of baseball and softball at Veterans Memorial Park, the home of OYO.

To help kick off the season, several OYO Board Members recently conducted an important meeting for new OYO Families. This meeting provided an introduction to OYO’s operations and helped set expectations for the upcoming season. Our families discovered The OYO Way and how it will be carried out throughout the season to maximize the experience our ballplayers and families will enjoy as part of the OYO Family.

We’re now making available two important takeaways from the meeting:

• PRESENTATION | This PDF provides all the details necessary to make plans for all the excitement the season will bring
• KEY TAKEAWAYS | A reference handout for the 2026 Spring Season

If you have any questions about the upcoming season, please contact an OYO Board Member today.

As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball this spring!