Posts by Michael DeSanto

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season capped off with a pleasant New Year’s celebration with family and friends. Now that 2025 has finally arrived, OYO is ready to kick off our programs for the year, too! And this starts with the Winter Workouts you registered your ballplayer for this winter.

To get you ready for the workouts at the Indiana Grind Academy, which begin tomorrow — January 4, 2025 — for most age groups, here are some FAQs. Of course, if you have any additional questions or need something more, less or different before the workouts begin, then just let us know.

What time is your ballplayer’s weekly workout session?
Below is the summary of workout times for each baseball and softball age group.

BASEBALL

SOFTBALL

Where is the Indiana Grind Academy located?
The host facility is located in Beech Grove, less than a mile from the I-465/Emerson Avenue exit. The facility’s address is 5602 Elmwood Ave Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46203. For some quick tips, here are some notes:

• After exiting the interstate, turn right to go to first stoplight at Elmwood Avenue
• Turn right on Elmwood Avenue and drive past Royal Pin Expo Bowl and Great Times Family Fun Park (on your right), then past Public Storage (also on the right)
• Turn left into business complex
• Indiana Grind Academy is located in last row of buildings and first door closest to main road (Elmwood Avenue)

How should players dress for the workouts?
Players should wear clothers they would normally wear to a team practice. We recommend baseball/softball pants or sweat pants and a couple layers on top. Depending on the time of day, the facility can be a little chilly but as it warms up, your ballplayer may be more comfortable wearing a layer or two less.

What equipment does my ballplayer need and what should they wear?
We are asking every player to have their own helmet, bat and glove. In addition, your ballplayers should wear indoor practice attire and tennis shoes or turf shoes. No cleats are permitted.

How will the sessions be facilitated?
All our sessions will be hosted by veteran OYO coaches. All sessions will be customized for each age group, and individual volunteer instructors will help players execute the drills being taught at the workouts.

Got Questions?
If you have any questions or need additional feedback or insight, then please email us and we’ll be sure to provide the information or support you and your ballplayer need!

Thank You!
As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball. We particularly appreciate your participation in our Winter Workout program!

To make the Winter Workouts a successful program for all participating players, we need help from parents and coaches who are willing to volunteer to facilitate the workout sessions. Our Winter Workout committee is doing all the hard work behind the scenes. We’ve secured the facility, we’re managing the registrations, we’re ensuring all the equipment needed is onsite and we’re establishing practice plans for each weekend’s workouts.

Now, we just need at least two adults to help lead the Winter Workouts for each age group. If you’ve coached at OYO previously, then that is a plus. If you enjoy running stations and can help create a fun, productive atmosphere for the players during these 75-minute sessions each Saturday (or Friday for some age groups), then we need you!

Please note, the first two coach volunteers who commit to leading all scheduled workouts for their respective age group will receive one free Winter Workout registration for their ballplayer. Don’t delay, act today to ensure all our sessions are well-structured with amazing coaches.

The Winter Workout schedules are as follows:

• Baseball | Junior Rookie and Rookie — Saturdays, 2:00-3:15 p.m. (February 8-March 8)
• Baseball | Minor — Saturdays, 5:45-7:00 p.m. (January 4-March 8)
• Baseball | Super Major and Junior Baseball — Saturdays, 2:00-3:15 p.m. (January 4-February 1) THEN Fridays either 6:30-7:45 p.m. or 7:45-9:00 p.m. (February 7-March 7)
• Softball | 08U Softball — Saturdays, 3:15-4:30 p.m. (February 8-March 8)
• Softball | 10U Softball — Saturdays, 4:30-5:45 p.m. (January 4-March 8)
• Softball | 12U Softball and 14U/16U Softball — Saturdays, 3:15-4:30 p.m. (January 4-February 1) THEN Fridays either 6:30-7:45 p.m. or 7:45-9:00 p.m. (February 7-March 7)

Ready to be a Winter Workouts coach/facilitator? Contact one of our respective vice presidents to learn more!

• Vice President of Baseball | Aaron Campbell | aar1280@outlook.com or 317.446.9905
• Vice President of Softball | Mario Covarrubias | mcovar3@gmail.com or 463.237.8704

Thank you for time and consideration!

Is your ballplayer missing being on the field and enjoying their baseball and softball experience yet? At OYO, we certainly are! Don’t let the offseason keep your ballplayer from doing what he or she enjoys most…playing baseball or softball! OYO has just the right solution — and in a brand new location!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM | Every winter, we welcome all baseball and softball players to come join us indoors to knock off that winter rust with our Winter Workouts program!

DAY | Nearly all sessions will be held on Saturdays with one exception — starting February 7, the workouts for players ages 11 and older will be held on Friday evenings

DATES| Saturday, January 4 thru Saturday, March 8 (regular season practices will begin March 10)

SESSIONS | 10 weekly sessions running 75 minutes each (for players ages 9 and older) and and 5 weekly sessions for running 75 minutes each (for players age 8 and younger)

FEE | $100 per ballplayer (for ages 9 and older) and $55 per ballplayer (for ages 8 and younger)

PARTICIPANTS | Winter Workouts are open to past OYO players, prospective OYO players and ballplayers in the community just looking for a chance to get some off-season practice in before the spring season starts. It is not a requirement for participants to play in OYO’s 2025 Spring Season — any interested ballplayer may participate.

LOCATION | The Grind Academy, 5602 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 201, Indianapolis 46203 (near Royal Pin Expo Bowl in Beech Grove)

FACILITATION | Each workout session plan will be developed and executed by veteran OYO rec league and all-star coaches. The workouts for all baseball and softball age groups will focus on hitting and fielding and, where applicable, pitching and catching.

MAXIMUM CAPACITY | Although the workouts don’t start until early January, the number of roster openings in each division is limited to only the first 25 players who register. Once we reach capacity, we will add all interested players to a wait list. Don’t delay, register today!

LEARN MORE | Check out the full schedule here for winter workout sessions!

REGISTER | Visit LeagueApps today to register your ballplayer for the Winter Workouts!

Thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Congratulations to all 2024-25 OYO Board Members! Effective November 1, 2024, the newly elected board members assumed their official roles to continue the tradition of serving all OYO families in 2025 and beyond. This unprecedented group of 60+ board volunteers will work tirelessly to uphold The OYO Way and continue to grow our program to serve more than 1900 ballplayers from 1550 families each year.

Looking ahead, we still have four open board positions in 2025. These positions include:

• All-Star Tournament Chairperson (can be exanded into co-chair role)
• Grounds Co-Chairperson

Make a difference in 2025 and be a part of the OYO Board of Directors! Learn more today by emailing the OYO President for details.

In preparation for the 2024 Fall Ball Rec League Tournament, here are some important and timely reminders, updates and info to improve your experience on Tournament Sunday.

The Tournament | OYO operates a single-elimination tournament for all our divisions, except Tee Ball. The tournament runs all day on Sunday, October 6. If needed, the rain dates for the tournament are October 12-13. (Tee Ball should refer to its existing game schedule and participation trophies will be presented to each team following its game.)

The Brackets | The 2024 Fall Ball Tournament brackets are consolidated into a single file and this is a shared Google document, which we will do our best to keep up to date on Tournament Sunday.

Tournament-Specific Rules | Here’s a summary of all tournament-specific rules that are particularly relevant for the rec league tournament. For the full slate of OYO house rules, you also can access those here.

Home and Away  | One of the most frequently asked questions is the Home and Away assignments. For all games, this is facilitated by the umpire during the pre-game coaches’ meeting with either a coin flip or ball roll.

Positive Experiences | We want to encourage all our families, coaches and players to end the season on a high note. Please remember, coaches coach, players play, umpires umpire and fans cheer. The more positive each facet of our league can be during the game, the more we can create a memorable experience for all our ballplayers. Please check out The OYO Way and the OYO Code of Conduct.

Ejections | While we hope we do not experience this on any field, for full transparency, any player, coach or fan who is ejected will be asked to leave the park for the remainder of the day regardless how many more games the team may play.

As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball. And, we wish all our teams “good luck” on Tournament Sunday!

Play Ball!

We are excited to announce our first-ever Trunk or Treat! This event is open to all Spring Season and Fall Ball players — so what a great way to get the old crew from Spring together again or have a little fun with your Fall Ball squad the day before the rec league tournament.

Now, we need your help to make this event a success on Saturday, October 5 from 4-6 p.m.

It all begins with you and your family hosting a trunk and passing out treats to OYO spring and fall ballplayers who come participate in this inaugural event! What’s more, we will award a trophy to the best trunk!

Please sign up to host a trunk by using the link below — and then make plans to arrive at OYO by 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. It’s sure to be a Spooktacular time!

SIGN UP TO HOST A TRUNK AT OYO’S FIRST-EVER TRUNK OR TREAT!

OYO’s ballplayers and families are counting on you to help make OYO a special place in 2025. We’re down to our final open board positions for 2025.

With 31 newly elected board members along with 29 OYO board members renewing for a new term for the 2025 OYO Board of Directors, we’re very close to fulfilling all the duties needed to ensure an amazing year for every OYO ballplayer and family.

Are you ready to step up and join the 2025 OYO Board?

Come make a difference and improve the overall experience for all our ballplayers and families. The positions currently available for the 2024-25 OYO Board of Directors include:

• Game Day Operations | All Star Tournaments Chairperson(s)
• Grounds Management | Grounds Co-Chairperson

* list last updated on 11.14.24 at 10 p.m.

Give back to the community, demonstrate amazing grace and share new ideas to make 2025 a special experience for all! Email the OYO President directly to express your interest! Rest assured, nearly 2000 ballplayers from 1500 families will value the difference you make.

Thank you for your continued consideration and support! We appreciate your family choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball!

As we enter the final two weeks of the regular season, we are most impressed by the development of all our ballplayers, teams and coaches. Everyone has worked so hard this year to make this season fun and memorable, through more in-depth coaching and player development initiatives, too.

All these efforts are designed to help teams progress and put themselves in position to be competitive during an exciting and enjoyable Rec League Tournament.

The Tournament | OYO operates a single-elimination tournament for all our divisions, except Tee Ball. The tournament is set for Sunday, October 6. Depending on cancellations and delays due to weather, the tournament’s rain date is first Saturday, October 12 and, if needed, Sunday, October 13.

Tee Ball Games Previously Scheduled | All Tee Ball teams also have one final game scheduled on Sunday, October 6 throughout the day on Field 14! Check LeagueApps for your game time and be sure to come and play … and capture your ballplayer receiving his/her participation trophy following the game!

The Brackets | At OYO, we are a developmental league first during the regular season. We do not keep standings. So, all first round games/tournament brackets were completed through a random draw in LeagueApps. Please access your division’s tournament bracket below (see links below for your division’s bracket). Please note, umpires will oversee a coin flip or ball roll to determine the “home” team for all games in the tournament. If you have any questions about your bracket, please contact your coach, division commissioner or respective vice president. The brackets can be accessed below and the first round games are noted on your team’s schedule in LeagueApps.

Reminder for Coaches … Mandatory Meeting on Sunday, September 29 at 7:15 p.m. | The mandatory Pre-Tournament Coaches’ Meeting is set for Sunday, September 29 at 7:15 p.m. on Field 2 at OYO. Each team must be represented by the team’s head coach or another designated representative. (Tee Ball teams do not need to attend.)

We wish all teams a memorable ending to their regular season between now and September 19 and a great tournament experience on October 6.

As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball.

Play Ball!
The OYO Board of Directors
www.oyoball.org

Baseball Tournament Brackets

• Junior Rookie
• Rookie
• Minor
• Super Major
• Junior Baseball

Softball Tournament Brackets

• 08U Softball
• 10U Softball
• 12U Softball
• 14U/16U Softball