News
Revised Fall Ball Tournament and Tee Ball Game Schedule Announced
Like everyone, we are disappointed by the lack of weather cooperation the past two weeks to afford our hard-working, resilient, deserving ballplayers a chance to complete the season. They’ve worked hard at practices and games, have had lots of fun with their teammates, and long for the chance to take the field once more this fall. We understand extending the season may not accommodate every family’s schedules and plans, but we truly hope we can all work together to provide one final chance for all teams to take the field and complete their rec league tournament experience or final slate of Tee Ball games on Sunday, October 31.
All these efforts are designed to help teams progress and put themselves in position to be competitive during an exciting and enjoyable season-ending Rec League Tournament.
The Tournament | OYO will operate a single-elimination tournament for all our divisions, except Tee Ball. (Tee Ball has one final game scheduled on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on Fields 1-4.) The tournament is now set for Sunday, October 31. To best accommodate Halloween plans for Sunday evening, we are making a few adjustments to the schedule on Sunday. First, all game times are now 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
LeagueApps Updated | We have added all the rescheduled games into LeagueApps for Sunday, October 31 for all divisions. Please note, we are not adding/rescheduling practices this week to allow time to work on the fields and ensure they are playable for Sunday. Plus, there’s limited daylight left in the evenings for teams to safely gather for practices. However, each team’s head coach is welcome to schedule a batting practice by reserving the batting cages from 5:30-6:15 p.m. or 6:15-7:00 p.m. Please send all batting cage reservation requests to both cherisse80@msn.com and oyocommunications@gmail.com.
Game Times Shortened Slightly | All game times will now be 1 hour, 30 minutes then finish the inning to help ensure the day stays on schedule. This includes all championship games in all divisions, except for Junior Baseball and 14U/16U Softball, which will play a full seven-inning game with no time limit.
Few Important Game Day Details | Please take note of these special circumstances on Tournament Sunday:
- Be Ready to Play as Early as 15 Minutes BEFORE Scheduled Game Time | Teams and ballplayers should arrive to scheduled field at least 30 minutes before your scheduled game in the event we can start your game early to help ensure the day’s schedule remains on schedule and ends in a timely manner for all players, coaches and fans on Halloween evening
- National Anthem | OYO will only play the National Anthem before all 9:30 a.m. games to ensure the day begins on time … but will not be played after 9:30 a.m. (as schedules could be accelerated or delayed based on outcomes)
- Home/Away Designation | All games will require an umpire-supervised method to determine home and away using a coin toss or ball roll between two teams (and the team winning the toss/ball roll can choose Home or Away)
- Hard Stop Announcements | Will not be used at all on Sunday, October 31 as umpires will maintain the game clock
- Two Situations In Which Game Will Use Hard Stop at 1 hour 30 minute Mark | If the home team is batting and ahead or if the inning played is not the last official inning (meaning the five runs per inning rule is in effect) and either team is ahead by more than five runs, then the game should be stopped to help keep the schedule for the day on track
Saturday Matters More Than Ever…We Need Your Help! | To help provide us the best chance possible to recover from any rain that falls at Veterans Memorial Park later this week, we will need all hands on deck on Saturday. We will need to remove all standing water, rake soft playing surfaces and add any infield mix where needed on Saturday to ensure fields are ready to go first thing Sunday morning. Please make plans now to come to the park on Saturday morning. More details will be shared on Friday about our field maintenance plans, including starting time, on Saturday.
The Brackets | At OYO, we are a developmental league first during the regular season. We do not keep standings, and all first round games/tournament brackets were completed through a computerized random draw in LeagueApps. Please access your division’s tournament bracket below (see links for your division’s bracket). 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 roound games are noted on your team’s schedule in LeagueApps.
We wish all teams a memorable ending to their season this Sunday. As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball.
Play Ball!
REVISED BRACKETS FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31
Your Opinion Counts! Complete The OYO Annual Satisfaction Survey Starting October 5
The Oaklandon Youth Organization is committed to providing you a quality baseball and softball experience for your ballplayer and family. To better deliver the value and service you expect, we want to understand your overall experience and identify areas you recognize needing improvement.
We have had a record-setting turnout this season for our Fall Ball program. Starting Tuesday, October 5, we welcome your feedback from all OYO families. This survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Check your email for an invitation from OYO via SurveyMonkey. As with any mass email strategies of this kind, please check your spam filter for an email invitation if you do not see it by EOD on Tuesday, October 5.
The survey will remain open through Friday, October 22. Later this fall, we will recap our learnings and possible improvements for the 2021 season.
We appreciate your consideration for sharing your input and recommendations. Thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball!
8U FTT Bombers Tryouts Continue
One final open tryout will be held on Saturday, October 23 from 10-11:30 a.m. at OYO on Fields 10-11.
LEARN MORE HERE!
Fall Ball Tournament Brackets Released + More Tee Ball Games Scheduled
As we pass the midway point 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 17. Depending on cancellations and delays due to weather, the tournament’s rain date is Sunday, October 24.
Tee Ball Games Added | All Tee Ball teams also have one final game scheduled on Sunday, October 17 at 5 p.m. These games have been added to your team’s schedule in LeagueApps. Following the game, teams will be able to distribute the trophies to each of their players!
The Brackets | At OYO, we are a developmental league first during the regular season. We do not keep standings, and all first round games/tournament brackets were completed through a computerized random draw in LeagueApps. Please access your division’s tournament bracket below (see links for your division’s bracket). 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 roound games are noted on your team’s schedule in LeagueApps.
Reminder for Coaches … Mandatory Meeting on October 10 | The mandatory Pre-Tournament Coaches’ Meeting is set for Sunday, October 10 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 October 10 and a great start to their tournament experience on October 17.
As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball.
Play Ball!
BRACKETS
Softball Hitting and Pitching Clinic Set for September 25
OYO and Champion’s Edge have teamed up to bring an exclusive softball clinic to OYO for all 8U, 10U and 12U-age ballplayers. Led by Champion’s Edge veteran hitting and pitching instructors, we encourage all OYO softball players to participate in this special session to sharpen their hitting fundamentals and discover new pitching mechanics.
SCHEDULE | On Saturday, September 25, this customized event will offer three options for age-eligible players:
- 08U Softball | Hitting Only | $20 | 11 a.m.-Noon
- 10U/12U Softball | Hitting Only | $20 | Noon-1 p.m.
- 10U/12U Softball | Hitting & Pitching | $30 | Noon-2 p.m.
LOCATION | All clinic sessions will be held at OYO | Veterans’s Memorial Park on Fields 6-9.
DETAILS | Please reference the softball clinic flyer for details.
REGISTRATION | All registrations must be completed online at least one day before this scheduled clinic. Please register your ballplayer(s) via OYO’s website before September 24.
As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for softball!
Play Ball!
The OYO Board of Directors
www.oyoball.org
Smile! Fall Ball Photo Day Set for September 18
Ready, Set, Smile! Team and individual pictures for our 2021 Fall Ball Season will take on a new format and a new look and feel that mirrors the format used in the Spring 2021 Season. The first-ever OYO Fall Ball Photo Day is set for Saturday, September 18, 2021, so mark your calendars! Please reference the attached schedule below for your team’s scheduled photo shoot time on Saturday, September 18.
OYO is revamping how we manage our team and individual photos to better accommodate COVID-19 safety guidelines and spacing as well as create a better overall experience for all our ballplayers and families. We have worked with H&R Photography to have one dedicated Team Photo Dayfor all our teams this fall.
This Photo Day will involve both team photos and player individual photos. We’ve designed the Photo Day experience so teams will be scheduled on ballfields this year, using Fields 1 and 4 and Fields 7 and 8. The schedule can be accessed using the link below. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your time slot to keep us on schedule. With the help of OYO players and parents, coaches, and board, we continue to make picture day a smooth adventure for all.
And, if needed, the rain date is set for Friday, September 25.
Lastly, up until the Wednedsay, September 15, 2021, orders may be placed online. On behalf of H&R Photography, thank you for making our newly-styled OYO Photo Day another successful experience. See you at the ballpark!
Ready, Set, Smile!
The OYO Board of Directors
BE IN THE KNOW ON GAME DAYS | THE OYO WEATHERLINE BY CHAMPION’S EDGE
At OYO, for all official weather-related announcements on game days, we utilize the OYO Weatherline by Champion’s Edge to communicate important cancellation information. The Weatherline is used exclusively for game days during the rec league season. It is not used for rec league practice decisions.
All practice decisions are left to the coaches. Please check with your coach to determine if you are or are not having practice when the weather is questionable (and fields are not closed by the league).
The OYO Weatherline by Champion’s Edge can be checked by calling 317.767.5170. We do our best to update the Weatherline approximately one hour before the first scheduled games.
Here is one very important clarification: If we cancel a full slate of activities scheduled for the park, then no activity should take place on the fields, including ad hoc practices, travel games, etc.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
New 12U FTT Softball Team Formed; Tryouts Set for September 17-18
- Friday, September 17 | 8:00-9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 18 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- If a player cannot attend one of these scheduled tryouts, then they should email the coach by noon on Friday, September 17 to schedule an alternate time
ACTION REQUIRED | Parents for each interested ballplayer must register for a tryout by completing a pre-tryout survey and seelcting the tryout time of their choice. A player only needs to attend one tryout.
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early
- Dressed for tryouts wearing appropriate softball attire
- Do not wear any clothing or hats affiliating you with any past travel team (exception: helmets with team logos are permitted)
2022 12U Full-Time Travel Flyer
Important Game Day Reminder for All Players, Fans, Coaches, Umpires and Volunteers
Reminder to Check OYO Weatherline by Champion’s Edge on Every Game Day!
We are so unbelievably sad for the kids scheduled to play on field 5 on Opening Day. We struggle to make that field playable after a heavy rain because it holds so much water. Looking back to the past week, Veterans Memorial Park received a lot of rain Thursday and then again on Friday evening during our uniform distribution process before another round of torrential rain on Saturday afternoon. Yet, we understand many other parts of our nearby community were dry and sunny. Nonetheless three consecutive days of short, but strong downpours, put us in a bind to make Field 5 playable for Sunday’s games.
We sent a text before 8 a.m. on Sunday morning and updated the OYO Weatherline sponsored by Champion’s Edge twice before 10 a.m. as those would be the most consistent and fastest ways to communicate with everyone, reminding them to check the OYO Weatherline by Champion’s Edge (317.767.5170) for field and game updates. Knowing now not everyone has opted to receive texts, we will expand these efforts to also include sending email updates to check the OYO Weatherline for the latest updates, too.
These decisions are never easy, and we know so many people are affected by them. Sometimes they are last-minute decisions. Please know the care of 13 fields is very time consuming and is done by volunteers. We do our very best to ready them all, but sometimes the field conditions are not able to recover in time.
In the future, if there has been rain recently at the park, we will update the weather line with field closures, even if it is a bright sunny day. Please accept our apologies about yesterday’s cancellations, and know we are actively working to make sure as many games can be played as possible on quality ball fields. We are also hoping for no more rain to wash out our fun!