News

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• Login and search for OAKLANDON YOUTH ORGANIZATION either by name or VY542 and then click Enroll
• New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card

Oaklandon Youth Organization (OYO) is an all-volunteer youth baseball and softball organization providing recreational leagues for children, regardless of ability, in a “fair play” atmosphere.  And, the OYO Board of Directors believes every child with a desire to learn and play baseball and softball should be provided with an opportunity to play.

In 2023, we offer three compelling offerings for families based on your needs. Payment plans are embedded in the registration process and are available for any family to use. A new scholarship program subsidized by Dick’s Sporting Goods is available to families who qualify. And, for those families who don’t meet the Every Kid Sports program by Dick’s Sporting Goods, our traditional scholarship program is available. Learn more about these programs via OYO’s website.

If you need assistance for the 2023 Spring Season, then select the program that best meets your needs and let’s secure your ballplayer’s participation in our rec program this spring!

• Oversee all all-star travel baseball and softball tournament programs and activities
• Partner with Vice President of Travel Baseball, Travel Baseball Commissioners, Vice President of Travel Softball and Travel Softball Commissioners to maximize team recruitment for tournaments
• Manage all facets of the annual David Manlove Memorial Tournament (early June)
• Manage all facets of the annual Bill Sturm Memorial Tournament (July)
• Provide guidance for full-time travel program for coordinating and managing successful tournaments independently
• Responsibilities include overseeing (but not directly performing such duties) with the help of other OYO Board Members to market the event, field inquiries from interested teams, collect registrations, ensure payments are made, finalize rules, develop schedules, select trophies, recruit umpires, communicate to participating teams and execute event

• Attend and participate in monthly board meetings
• Serve Advisor on Duty (AOD) shifts during spring and fall seasons
• Represent the very best of OYO at all times
• Fulfill duties of chairperson role and keep appropriate executive board members informed

• Corporate Package Recruitment | Renew existing and secure new sponsors, as needed, for “amenity” sponsorships, such as naming rights to walkways, storage sheds, garage barns, golf carts, etc.
• Team Sponsorship Recruitment | Renew existing and secure new sponsors, as needed, for all spring and fall rec league teams
• Sponsor Marketing Oversight | Manage the production of all signs and website content to ensure proper recognition for all sponsors

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 2023 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 Underwood Baseball, which begin January 6-8, 2023, for all 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?
To find the day/time for your ballplayer’s workouts, please check out the grid on our website for the details.

Where is Underwood Baseball located?
The facility’s address is 6782 Hawthorn Park Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46220. For some quick tips, turn south at Mays Chemical Company and follow the main road to the very back and Underwood Baseball is in the very back on the left side.

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.

How will the sessions be facilitated?
All our sessions will be hosted by Dan Underwood, a proven baseball and softball trainer and also serves as the 2023 13U FTT Oaklandon Bombers head coach. 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!

Thank You Brittany Anderson!
Junior Rookie Commissioner | 2018-19
Vice President, Travel | 2019-20
President | 2020-22

Over the past two years, OYO has had the pleasure to know, value and appreciate the very individual who believed in each of us, cheered for our success and made us feel as if we are an integral part of the OYO family. That’s what makes Brittany Anderson so genuine and true.

You learned about her roots playing youth softball under her father’s coaching in Lafayette, you connected with her high school experience as a softball star for Lawrence Central High School, you embraced her passion for youth baseball and softball players everywhere and you discovered how much she cherishes her parents, husband and three children.

Since arriving on the scene as a coach in 2017, Brittany was destined for greatness and OYO would be the beneficiary of her amazing impact. She accepted our invitation to join the OYO board in 2018, which enabled her to share her talents to help OYO experience significant improvement and growth in every aspect of our program. During her five years on the board, she grew our Junior Rookie program participation before joining the executive board to head up our travel program which more than doubled in the number of teams and players during her tenure. Shortly thereafter, she answered the call to serve as president. What’s more, she accomplished so much with such quiet confidence and amazing grace, which were always accompanied by an infectious smile, a kind word, fierce support, a listening ear and an honest style.

More significantly, Brittany always cared for OYO and the experiences we could provide our players and families from the day she arrived. And she did so while making countless sacrifices because she truly valued OYO’s ballplayers, families and volunteers. And it showed through here remarkable compassion and empathy day after day, week after week.

Sure, it is easy to tout the increase in rec league registrations, growth in travel program offerings, improved field conditions and infrastructure, increased survey scores, unprecedented sponsorship revenue, record-setting tournament participation and hundreds of smiling ballplayers roaming the park playing the game they love.

Most significantly, though, Brittany’s single greatest accomplishment can’t be found in spreadsheets, financial ledgers, survey reports or even scorebooks. Brittany has taught us what matters most. Positions are temporary. Ranks and titles are limited. And, the way you treat, listen and care about everyone around you will always be remembered. For this reason alone, Brittany has served OYO in the most extraordinary and exceptional way – and she will always be remembered and appreciated by each and every player and family who chose OYO as their place for baseball and softball.

Rest assured, her efforts and priorities will continue to serve as a blueprint for all of us as we move forward. We will work diligently and tirelessly to embrace her vision for a league to serve ballplayers at every level and from every walk of life. OYO became better and stronger as a direct result of Brittany’s endless care, and her countless acts of volunteerism and leadership will forever be priceless to OYO and, more importantly, to OYO’s ballplayers and families. Thank you, Brittany! And may you and your family be forever blessed!

We’ll still have the chance to connect with Brittany in 2023 and beyond as she will maintain an active presence on the field helping lead one of our truly elite full-time travel Bombers squads as an assistant coach. Best of luck to your 11U Bombers, Brittany! Bomber Up! And, thank you!

Thank You Karen Grese!
Uniform Chairperson | 2010-12
Treasurer | 2012-2016 & 2019-22

The 2023 OYO Board of Directors have rolled up the sleeves and jumped in the trenches to already begin making preparations for next year’s seasons serving all our rec league, rec travel and full-time travel ballplayers. To ensure we continue our success into our 49th Spring Season and 16th Fall Ball Season, we are seeking a few more volunteers!

The OYO Board of Directors is a group of remarkable and incredible people who genuinely enjoy serving the league’s ballplayers and families by sharing their time and talents. If you have ever thought about serving on the OYO Board, we would like to explore these opportunities with you (or others where we can consider co-chair capacities). Our current needs are listed here and detailed “job derscriptions” appear further below on this page:

• • Rec Travel Tournament Chairperson
  • Training Chairperson

If you enjoy giving back to the community and teaming up with friends from throughout OYO to create memorable experiences, then the 2023 OYO Board of Directors is the place to be. What’s more, the OYO Board just happens to be one of the largest youth sports all-volunteer board of directors in Central Indiana.

Just simply email us to let us know you’re interested in joining the 2023 OYO Board of Directors. Then, based on your interest, experience and background, we’ll work with you to pair you with the role or need that best fits your interests.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL OYO BOARD MEMBERS

• • Attend and participate in monthly board meetings (one per quarter in person, remainder virtual)
  • Serve Advisor on Duty (AOD) shifts during spring and fall seasons (approx. five in spring, three in fall)
  • Represent the very best of OYO at all times (including social media engagement, sportsmanship)
  • Fulfill duties of chairperson role and keep appropriate executive board members informed

At this time, the following two board positions are available (and duties listed under each):

REC TRAVEL TOURNAMENT CHAIRPERSON

• Oversee all all-star travel baseball and softball tournament programs and activities
• Partner with Vice President of Travel Baseball, Travel Baseball Commissioners, Vice President of Travel Softball and Travel Softball Commissioners to maximize team recruitment for tournaments
• Manage all facets of the annual David Manlove Memorial Tournament (early June)
• Manage all facets of the annual Bill Sturm Memorial Tournament (July)
• Provide guidance for full-time travel program to help them coordinate and manage successful tournaments independently
• Responsibilities include overseeing (and not directly doing) with the help of other OYO Board Members to market the event, field inquiries from interested teams, collect registrations, ensure payments are made, finalize rules, develop schedules, select trophies, recruit umpires, communicate to participating teams and execute event

TRAINING CHAIRPERSON 

• Responsible for training and development of all players and coaches
• Maintain and update Skills Development Framework materials and resources
• Coordinate and staff onsite player development clinics with external instructors during the season
• Coordinate and staff coaches’ clinics before each spring and fall season
• Oversee and manage the Winter Workout program for baseball and softball participants

Learn more today…

If you have questions, contact Michael DeSanto, President. 

Thank you for your continued support and choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball.

Now, we hope you will answer this call and make OYO the beneficiary of your volunteer service in 2023. Rest assured, more than 1000 families and 1600 ballplayers will greatly appreciate the difference you make.

Step up to the plate and join the board!