News and Announcements

The OYO Board of Directors is excited to announce a special recognition program to honor the spirit of leadership and service that helps make OYO such a special place—The Jim DeSalle Leadership Award.

This award is presented twice each year — once in the Spring and once in the Fall — to celebrate coaches and umpires who lead by example and reflect the values of the OYO Way: Development. Respect. Life Lessons. Fairness. Character.

The award is named in memory of Jim DeSalle, a longtime supporter of youth sports and a passionate advocate for community involvement. Jim’s dedication as a coach for his son and an umpire to many along with his steady presence and his commitment to building up those around him left a lasting impression on the OYO community.

To Lead Like Jim means to show up, to give back and to lead with humility, kindness and purpose — on and off the field.

• Nomination Deadline | Wednesday, September 30
• Recipients Announced | October 13 Board Meeting
• Eligible Nominees | Coaches and Umpires (nominated by umpires, coaches and board members) currently involved in the 2026 Fall Ball season
• Nomination Form | LEAD LIKE JIM DESALLE NOMINATION FORM

We hope you’ll help us celebrate those who give generously of their time, guide with integrity, and lead the way Jim did—with heart and community spirit.

The OYO Concession Stand experience is well known for providing exceptional and consistent service, selection, speed and stability. In turn, we recognize the Concession Stand operation is a true asset to OYO as the accolades, praise and feedback we reiterate the positive experience all our ballplayers and fans enjoy at the ballpark.

The Concession Stand’s success is not by accident or luck either. For the past 15 years, OYO has been blessed to have to leadership and vision to fully transform the Concession Stand experience. This is direct result of the tremendous commitment, dedication and impact of Jeff Sparks. We truly appreciate and value the difference he has made in providing a quality service for our league.

As many of you know, Jeff doubles up as both our Concessions Manager and Facilities and Grounds Manager. When seasons are in full swing, this can result in daunting 60-plus hour weeks that pull him in multiple directions, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Jeff has indicated his intentions to continue as Facilities and Grounds Manager, but turn over the reins for the Concession Stand.

As a result, we are now hiring a paid Concessions Manager for the 2027 year and beyond.

We recognize our best concessions managers have always come from within. As a member of our OYO family, if you are interested in managing the Concession Stand operation, we want to hear from you! What’s more, we also can provide interested applicants a “job shadow” opportunity in the Concession Stand this fall on game day(s).

For more details about this opportunity and how to submit your application and cover letter, please review the following links/documents:

• Application Form
• Job Description

For more information or details, please contact the OYO Board via email.

Make a difference at OYO by sharing your time and talents with more than 2000 ballplayers and 1500 families, who call OYO home for their baseball and softball experience every spring, summer and fall!

Even though, our 2026 seasons are still in full swing, it’s never too early to look ahead. We’re less than three weeks away from our 2027 Elections at OYO — where we elect our new board, which begins its term on November 1, 2026. And, once again, the task is just as daunting as ever.

We have received a remarkable response rate from current board volunteers who will continue their service in 2026-27. However, we are preparing for the upcoming elections in mid-September began with a slate needing 40 positions filled to complete the board — and we still have as many as 17 vacancies.

Want to get involved now? There are many known opportunities!
If you are looking to get a head start on your volunteer service on the board, here are the following openings as of September 9. So, simply send an email to learn more:

Now back to recruiting for the 2027 OYO Board Term!
So, more than ever, we’re seeking volunteers to eventually join OYO’s 52-position, 70-member Board of Directors — making it one of the largest youth sports all-volunteer board of directors in Central Indiana. If you enjoy giving back to the community and teaming up with friends from throughout OYO to create memorable experiences, then the 2026 OYO Board of Directors will be the place to be.

What’s the reward of being an OYO Board Member?
Being a board member is an honor and a privilege at OYO. We are fortunate to have a very diverse board. We have board members who have been involved for nearly 25 years and some as recent as last fall. We have board member representation from baseball and softball. We have some many from the rec league and some from the travel program, too. We have a nice balance between moms and dads, aunts and uncles and we also have a blend of those with children participating in the league and those who don’t and just enjoy giving back to a program that supported their family over the years.

So, why not you?
Dating back to our records from as early as 2002, more than 325 individuals have volunteered their time and talents as board members to help ensure our ballplayers and families could truly enjoy their OYO experience each season. These are not just board colleagues, but friends outside of OYO, too. Being a board member is fun and rewarding, too. Each board member finds great satisfaction in rolling up their sleeves and jumping in the trenches to work with fellow board members who work tirelessly for the children and families of OYO. More importantly, we are just everyday moms and dads — like you — who have a ballplayer or two playing at OYO.

So, why not now?
Just simply email the OYO President to express your interest in learning more about joining the OYO Board of Directors. Then, we’ll work with you to pair you with the role or need that best fits your interests. The chart below highlights the overall composition of the new board of directors organizational structure.

Elections for the 2027 OYO Board of Directors is Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Jenn Park.
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 servant leadership efforts in 2027 and beyond. Rest assured, more than 2000 ballplayers and 1500 families will greatly appreciate the difference you make.

Join the Board!

Coaches (and Board Members):

Greetings! Opening Day for our 2026 Fall Ball Season is upon us! The pre-season practices have been productive and instructional and all our coaches (YOU!) have done an excellent job preparing and developing your ballplayers! We are blessed to have you as coaches. Thank you for all you do for the players and fans on your team!

Looking ahead, we hope you are as excited about Opening Day as we are. With the glorious weather (finally!) coming our way on Sunday, it is shaping up to be a memorable day for all! Here are 13 helpful tips and reminders of what to expect leading up to and on Game Day this weekend!

1. UNIFORMS TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY
At this time, we have received confirmation we are on schedule to receive all uniforms for all teams on Friday. We are truly appreciative of our uniform partner and the amazing work and effort they put forth to fulfill customized orders for 74 teams involving nearly 900 jerseys in less than four weeks.

So, let’s make plans now to distribute the uniforms!

We will hand out your team’s uniforms to you (or a designated representative from your team) on Friday, August 21 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the three-garage barn. Please make plans to pick up the uniforms or have an assistant coach, team parent or reliable member of your team come during that time!

MUST READ…Along with the uniforms, you will receive a size summary for each player based on registrations so please distribute uniforms according to the sizes the family requested. All the names shaded in yellow will indicate players registered after  the uniform order was submitted on July 29. As a result, we are unable to guarantee uniform jersey size. Please work with the extra jerseys and distribute as best as you can proportionately. We will not be able to print replacement jerseys for players due to the short span of our season.

2. GAME BALLS FOR TEE BALL TEAMS TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON FRIDAY, TOO

Tee Ball coaches also will receive a box of a dozen Tee Balls for use on game days. Each Sunday, every Tee Ball coach should bring 1-2 new game balls and their tee to the game. At the end of the season, the game balls can be added to the bucket when you return it on Sunday, October 4. (For all other divisions, the umpire brings the game balls to the field for your game.)

3. SCOREBOOKS ALSO TO BE DISTRIBUTED ON FRIDAY

All coaches in divisions where there are competitive games (Junior Rookie on up) also will receive a scorebook with their uniform box on Friday evening. In other words, Tee Ball teams do not receive scorebooks.

4. HARD STOP RULE ON GAME DAYS

As a quick reminder, OYO follows a hard stop rule for all our regular season games during the Fall Ball season. The clock starts immediately after the national anthem and announcements end. Then, 1 hour and 45 minutes later, games are called via an announcement over the PA system by one of the OYO Advisors on Duty (AOD). Please note, Tee Ball games should not last 1 hour 45 minutes and rarely will Junior Rookie, 08U Softball or Rookie require the entire time limit too. If games are completed sooner than when the hard stop is announced that is perfectly acceptable.

For those wondering, during the tournament on October 4, when the time limit is reached the inning will be played out to completion. OYO is a developmental league focused on player development and providing players opportunities to experience different aspects of the game each and every time they take the field. As a result, we do not keep standings — and our rec league tournament brackets are formed through a blind computerized draw in September. Nonetheless, if wins and losses are being tracked by your team, then any game stopped mid-inning as a result of the time limit should revert back to the previous inning for a “final score”.

5. WEEKNIGHT PRACTICES CONTINUE ALL SEASON

Your team will retain its weeknight practice time all season. Keep in mind though, as the season progresses, daylight hours will diminish. During the week, all fields are assigned so we are not able to reschedule rainout practices.

6. TREAT TICKETS ARE A HIT! SUPPORT OYO CONCESSIONS STANDS

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 + one tournament game). Ask a parent — or your Team Parent — to collect funds from the team and purchase/distribute these tickets after each game during the season!

7. EVERYONE HAS A ROLE WITH THE FIELDS ON GAME DAYS AND PRACTICE NIGHTS

Even after all the rain we’ve experienced at Veterans Memorial Park, the fields are looking amazing. That’s a testament to all the head coaches working with their teams  — and in tandem with our remarkable grounds crew —  to take care of the fields after each practice and game. Here are a couple quick reminders:

• Before the game, the HOME team chalks the field. But never chalk the grass, only the dirt areas.
• After the game, the VISITORS rake the field around the bases and high-traffic areas. Rakes and brooms can be found hanging outside the dugouts around your fields or in storage sheds

Again, the coaches are not expected to do this alone. Ask for help from your parents before and after each practice and game!

8. UMPIRE FEEDBACK MATTERS!

We want to hear from all our coaches on how our umpires are doing great work and where there may be opportunities for improvement! We hope you will continue to share your feedback via email directly to oyoumpiring@gmail.com.

Coaches should not attempt to instruct umpires during the game. Please leave those moments to the Umpire Committee. Instead, we ask for your feedback so we can best help our umpires improve, clarify rules interpretations, share recommendations with the umpires that will ultimately improve your overall game day experience and provide consistent instruction to the umpires, too!

9. COACH-PITCH DIVISION RULES REMINDERS 

Here are a few rules that are important for JRO, RB and 08U regular season games:

• Coach Pitching | A coach-pitcher must complete the pitch with both feet fully inside or touching the chalk line and the coach-pitcher may not step past the chalk line (circle in RB/08U, line in JRO)
• Coach Pitching | Base coaches are the only offensive coaches on the field allowed to coach (verbally and non-verbally) offensive batters and runners. The coach-pitcher is not allowed to coach runners or the batter once he/she has pitched the ball to the batter until the end of the play and the coach-pitcher has the ball in his/her hand.
• Leaving Base Early | There shall be one (1) warning per team per game, including Tournament.
• Thrown Bat – Warning, Then Out| If a batter throws their bat and hits any person on the field (defensive/offensive player, coach or umpire), the ball is dead and the batter will be called out. This penalty will be enforced only after a team has been given a warning. There shall be only one (1) warning per team per game, including the tournament.

10. KID-PITCH DIVISION RULES REMINDERS

Here are a few rules that are important for MB, SM, JBB, 10U. 12U and 14U/16U regular season games:

• MB & 10U Leaving Base Early | There shall be one (1) warning per team per game.
• 12U & 14U/16U Leaving Base Early | There shall be no warnings issued. Runner is immediately called out.
• Thrown Bat – No Warning, Only Outs | If a batter throws their bat and hits any person on the field (defensive/offensive player, coach or umpire), the ball is dead, and the batter will be called out. There are no warnings issued.
• MB + 10U, 12U, 14U/16U Look Back Rule | There shall be one (1) warning per team per game.
• Head First Slides | These are permitted both advancing to the next base and returning back to the prior base occupied at every level.
• JBB & 14U/16U Metal Cleats | Metal cleats are permitted in these two divisions only. However, in JBB, metal cleats shall not be used on the portable pitching mounds at any time.

11.ACCESS TO OYO-SPECIFIC GAME RULES

• Baseball Rules  |  Softball Rules

12. PHOTO DAY SCHEDULE IS SET!

The schedule for Photo Day is now available. Photo Day is Sunday, August 30. All team photos will be taken before each team’s first game in a centralized location near Field 4. We will be releasing this on Thursday to all families, but as coaches, you get an advanced copy of the Photo Day schedule (see the link below), which includes your team’s photo time as well as the time/field of your first game so you can plan accordingly to ensure you’re ready for the start of the game. All the info related to Photo Day is also online now. Lastly, on Photo Day, please remember all games will follow a 90-minute hard stop game length to better accommodate the team photos.

13. 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!

With much appreciation and gratitude!
Aaron Campbell, OYO Vice President, Baseball
Mario Covarrubias, OYO Vice President, Softball
Anthony DeSanto, OYO Vice President, Game Day Operations
Michael DeSanto, OYO President

The adidas Indy Green Team visited the OYO campus with a group of 17 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The team started the day by walking all 14 fields, as well as the parking lots and entrances, picking up trash and cleaning up the grounds.

They also mulched the Field 14 T-Ball dugout area, blew off sidewalks and dugouts, weeded the flower beds around the OYO monument and Fields 4 and 5, and even gave the golf carts a much-needed wash. As luck would have it, a large jersey delivery arrived the same day, so the team jumped in to help count and organize the jerseys as well.

As we prepare for the stretch run of our regular season and the thrills of our annual rec league tournaments, here are some friendly reminders about the OYO Code of Conduct.

With great anticipation, all our coaches, players and fans have now entered the final phases of our Spring Season – the final two weeks of the regular season followed by the OYO Tournament.  The excitement and enthusiasm are on the rise.  This is the time of year where teams can showcase what they have learned on the ballfield but also where coaches and parents can teach many life lessons.

As we approach what will surely be a memorable, exciting tournament, we look forward to lots of cheers and exciting finishes.  We’re also want to remind coaches, players and parents to stay focused on the big picture.  Here’s an important reminder about The OYO Way!

Know Your Part – And Approach It Positively

How we handle ourselves when we interact with umpires — and how we manage our fans when they get excited over a call or play — is critical.  It will make all the difference between positive memories and life lessons that will have these young baseball and softball players continue playing for years to come or that will scare them away from a game they have truly enjoyed during the rec season.

So, what’s your role? Umpires umpire, coaches coach, players play, and fans cheer positively.

Choose Words, Actions Carefully

It is important to remember if a coach or fan demonstrates disrespectful actions toward an umpire or opposing team member, then the coach runs the risk of being ejected by an umpire or the fan being removed by the advisor on duty.  And, yes, coaches are responsible for their fans.  Please work together to make this a memorable experience for the players!

In addition, each family (parents for themselves, their ballplayer and their guests) signed the OYO Code of Conduct at the time of their registration. If necessary, we will enforce the Code of Conduct when the actions of any coach, player or parent do not represent The OYO Way.

We look forward to the sounds of happy ballplayers playing the game of baseball and softball as they take the field at Veterans Memorial Park, the home of OYO, starting this week. With so much excitement and enthusiam building with our ballplayers, coaches and families, this will be a wonderful week to start the season for teams in every division, on every field.

That said, we want to do what we can to make your arrival and navigation around the 14-field, 3-batting cage, 2-concession stand facility and 40-acre premises as easy and smooth as possible.

Before heading to Veterans Memorial Park, take a moment to access and review the park layout map outlining the field assignments around the park.

In addition, make sure you also follow the parking recommendation signage around the entrances on where to best park so you can secure the shortest walk to your field.

Lastly, be sure you know the rules around Veterans Memorial Park, especially the NO PETS ALLOWED (except for service animals). Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Please respect the rules and policies at Veterans Memorial Park by not bringing your pets to practices or games. And please share this information with any family member who may attend your favorite ballplayer’s practice or game on any weeknight or weekend.

As spring weather turns into wonderful summer weather, everyone is eager and excited to come to the ballpark to take in the action. And based on our latest observations, this includes your favorite pets. However, OYO and the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department have specific policies regarding pets at Veterans Memorial Park. As signs around the park indicate, all pets are not permitted even if they are on a leash, unless they are a service animal for any child or adult.

So, effective immediately, if an OYO Advisor on Duty (AOD) observes pets at the ballpark, our volunteer board member will politely remind you of this policy and ask you to depart the premises and find a safe place for your pet before returning to the game. Please note, with the warm temperatures, we emphasize taking your dog home and coming back — and not leaving your dog in a hot car while watching the game.

We also have a variety of important Park Rules, and we ask for your support in abiding by the following Park Rules for the safety and comfort of all players and spectators.

• No alcoholic beverages
• No firearms
• No smoking or tobacco products permitted in park
• No parking in designated areas or in grass areas
• All players must be accompanied by an adult at all times
• No small children on the fields or left unattended by an adult
• No dogs or pets in the park
• No roller blades, skateboards or bike riding allowed
• No hitting hard balls into fence
• No swinging bats outside common playing areas and around batting cages
• Watch and play at your own risk

We apologize for any inconvenience resulting from this policy. Thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

And, most importantly, please share this information with all your visitors who come to the park to cheer on your favorite ballplayer(s) and team(s)!

PARK RULES

At OYO, for all official weather-related announcements on game days, we utilize the OYO Weatherline 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 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.