News

With more than 970 players already slated for the 2024 Spring Season, we’re ready for an exciting way to kick off our 50th year of baseball and softball at OYO!

In our 12 and Under divisions, we still have 30 openings across 27 teams in just five divisions (08U Softball, 10U Softball, Challenger, Tee Ball and Super Major). Four divisions — 12U Softball, Junior Rookie, Rookie and Minor — are “sold out” and accepting names for our wait list.

Meanwhile, in our 13 and Older divisions, we still have 15 openings across 12 teams. Rosters will officially be released the week of April 22.

We are continuing our popular “Fill The Uniform” campaign to help complete all our rosters. These spots will go fast! In fact, while 39 teams still have an open roster spot, nearly 50 teams are full and unable to add any additional players. Here’s the breakdown by division of teams needing an extra player (or two) this spring (as of 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18):

As with any offer, the “Fill The Uniform” promotion to recruit a friend to OYO comes with specific terms:

• New player registration must be received starting April 16 (past registrations are not eligible)
• There must be an open roster spot on your team (we will not move players already assigned to make room for requests)
• If a team requested is at maximum capacity, then the player registered will be assigned to the team with the least number of players in the division

Register today to secure a roster spot for your ballplayer for 2024 Spring Season! Tell your friends, classmates and neighbors there’s still space for them this spring. Register online today, and join a team for practice this week!

This list of eligible teams for the “Fill the Uniform” promotion will be updated by 8 a.m. each morning to reflect players assigned to teams during the previous 24 hours.

OYO Fans,

With much anticipation and excitement, we’re ready to truly kick off our 50th year of baseball and softball on Opening Day and the thrills of taking the field to “Play Ball!”

On Saturday, April 13, our ballplayers and families will take part in our Opening Day festivities for our 22024 Spring Season! 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).

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! And remember, shortly after the parade and festivities conclude, our annual Photo Day will begin so be sure the cleats, favorite bat and full uniform attire are ready to go after the parade!

Game Times | Every team will play one game (and one team in 08U Softball, 12U Softball and Super Major each will play a doubleheader). The season opens with a Challenger and Tee Ball game at 11:00 a.m. before we usher in a full slate of games at Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tee Ball games on Field 1 and 14 will play on a slightly different schedule. Lastly, all Tee Ball games should follow a one hour time limit and all divisions will utilize a 1 hour 45 minute hard stop rule throughout the day. 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, home of OYO, at any time.

Weather Considerations | As with any scheduled activity at OYO, please call the OYO WeatherLine at 317.767.5170 for the latest updates on the parade and game schedule for the day. As needed, we will begin updating the weatherline before 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13.

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. | OYO Photo Day begins (see complete schedule for your team’s assignment)
• 11:00 a.m. | Opening Day Festivities and Activities Begin
• 11:00 a.m. | Games begin for Tee Ball and Challenger, as scheduled (reference team’s schedule in LeagueApps)
• 12:00 p.m. | New slate of games begin (1 hour time limit for Tee Ball, 1 hour and 45 minute hard stop for all other divisions)
• 2:00 p.m. | New slate of games begin (1 hour time limit for Tee Ball, 1 hour and 45 minute hard stop for all other divisions)
• 4:00 p.m. | New slate of games begin (1 hour time limit for Tee Ball, 1 hour and 45 minute hard stop for all other divisions)

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

OYO is excited to announce the release of our 2024 Spring Season game schedule for all divisions with players age 12 and younger. (Team assignments and schedules for Junior Baseball, 14U/16U Softball and Senior Baseball will be released in late April as the seasons for both divisions begin with practices on Saturday, May 4.)

The OYO Scheduling Committee has worked tirelessly with our league VPs, commissioners and coaches to finalize the schedule for the upcoming season involving nearly 600 regular season games across 34 weeknights and Saturdays. Unless a glaring error is uncovered (such as a field conflict or a team scheduled for two games at same time), the game schedules are final as nearly all fields are utilized in every game slot.

To view your ballplayer’s regular season game schedule (and remaining practice schedule) for the regular season, follow three simple steps:
(1) Log in to LeagueApps via oyoball.org.
(2) Access your account dashboard.
(3) Click on My Schedule at the bottom of the sidebar along the right side of the screen.

If you have any questions about your game schedule, please contact your team’s coach or division commissioner for more information.

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

With nearly 950 players already slated for the 2024 Spring Season, we’re nearly ready for an exciting way to kick off our 50th year of baseball and softball at OYO!

Now, in our 12 and Under divisions, we still have 43 openings across 35 teams. Junior Rookie and Rookie remain “sold out” and are still accepting names for our wait list. And other divisions are inching very close to maximum capacity, such as 12U Softball with only one opening left (and all remaining divisions are in single digits with the number of roster openings available).

To quickly complete all rosters — and allow new players the chance to partiicpate in as many as five more practices before Opening Day, we’re bringing back the popular “Fill The Uniform” campaign to help complete all our rosters. These spots will go fast! In fact, 40 teams are full and unable to add any additional players. Here’s the breakdown by division of teams needing an extra player (or two) this spring (as of 9:30 a.m. on Sonday, March 31):

As with any offer, the “Fill The Uniform” promotion to recruit a friend to OYO comes with specific terms:

• New player registration must be received starting March 25 (past registrations are not eligible)
• There must be an open roster spot on your team (we will not move players already assigned to make room for requests)
• If a team requested is at maximum capacity, then the player registered will be assigned to the team with the least number of players in the division

Register today to secure a roster spot for your ballplayer for 2024 Spring Season! Tell your friends, classmates and neighbors there’s still space for them this spring. Register online today, and join a team for practice this week!

This list of eligible teams for the “Fill the Uniform” promotion will be updated by 8 a.m. each morning to reflect players assigned to teams during the previous 24 hours.

(Lastly for Junior Baseball and 14U/16U Softball, the open registration period continues and the season begins in early May. That said, roster openings remain limited in those divisions as early registration significantly outpaced past seasons. Come join the fun, register today!)

2024 marks our 50th year of providing baseball and softball experiences to our resilient and magnificent ballplayers and their families. In 1975, our league first welcomed players at fields adjacent to Oaklandon Elementary before relocating in 1995 to Veterans Memorial Park, which has evolved through three comprehensive expansions.

50 Years of OYO is no accident. For five decades, OYO has been a proven example of excellence, greatness and dedication in our community. And our families have jumped in the trenches to make it a very special happy place for all by helping rake the fields to completing park prep day projects; being team parents to helping as assistant coaches; leading all star travel teams to coaching full time travel teams; and helping a player or fan in need to serving as a board member.

So, we’re ready to celebrate the start of our 50th year of baseball and softball during our 2024 Spring Season Opening Day. Check out the flyer below for the full scoop of activities and events planned for the day from parade to carnival-like activities to photo day to equipment sale to ballgames. We’re ready for our 50th year, and we hope you will come join us and help celebrate!

50 Year Milestone Flyer

All but two of our 10 all-star teams (formerly called rec travel teams) now have a great coach secured and are making plans for their rec travel season. We hope your ballplayer will join us for this competitive all-star season in 2024! (And, if you’re interested in learning about the coach openings for the two softball all-star age groups, contact Curtis Dillman today!)

We offer two all-star programs — Bombers for baseball, Red Storm for softball — which offer a more competitive experience for interested ballplayers seeking additional game opportunities on Sundays and after the rec league season ends.

These teams are formed in March and early April based on player participation at tryouts hosted at OYO. So, discover the coach for your child’s age group — and ages are based on the player’s age as of January 1, 2024 (for softball) and April 30, 2024 (for baseball). Bomber Up! Go Storm!

As the spring season is about to begin, so is our all-star program. As parents of a ballplayer between the ages of 6-12 and in either baseball or softball, who might be seeking even a more competitive experience throughout the season, then the all-star program is right for you.

ABOUT REC TRAVEL PROGRAM

At OYO, we offer a wide range of programs to help players of all levels of skill, interest and passion experience more baseball and softball.  As a registered family, you’re already intended to participate in our primary and most popular program — Spring Ball recreational league.  However, we also offer a travel program for all our rec league baseball and softball players who are seeking even more baseball and softball development and competitive game opportunities against teams from across Central Indiana. From experience, we know when families hear “all star” or “rec travel” the misconceptions quickly follow. We’d like to set the record straight on our travel program before you and your ballplayer miss out on a tremendous opportunity this spring and summer.

BACKGROUND

Our baseball travel program is named the Oaklandon Bombers. Our softball travel program is named the Oaklandon Red Storm. And we offer two different levels — full-time travel (FTT) and all-stars. The full-time travel teams were selected last August and are all set for the 2024 season.

Our All Star squads are comprised of players from our rec league, just as other youth program across Central Indiana do to form their teams. These teams practice or play games on Sundays during the recreational league season before coming together to play in local tournaments against similar clubs from other regional youth baseball and softball programs in June and July. A typical All Star Bombers/Red Storm regular season runs from April through July in which the team will participate in 4 to 5 tournaments (again, all in Central Indiana).

Only those players who play in our recreational program can tryout for and be selected to play for the All Star Bombers or Red Storm. These teams do require families to pay an additional fee to participate, and those fees vary from team to team.

TRAVEL TRYOUT PROCESS

Here is how OYO will manage the All Star team tryouts for age groups we’re able to support this season (based on eligible coaching volunteers):

• Only players who were registered at OYO, are eligible to tryout for a Bombers or Red Storm all star team.
• Players must attend a tryout to be eligible for a team. If a player cannot attend the scheduled date(s) and time(s), then they may request an alternate tryout date within two weeks of the posted tryouts for the respective age group.
• OYO will seek to accommodate multiple teams in any age group where the interest from players is supported by qualified and eligible coaching candidates.
• No fees are required to participate in any tryout session.

BOMBERS TRYOUT OVERVIEW | BASEBALL

To be eligible for an All Star age group in Bombers, the player must not be older than the team’s age as of April 30 2024. Attendance is mandatory, unless other arrangements have been made with the team’s coach prior to the tryout to schedule an alternate time. There is no fee to participate in tryouts.

Players should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tryout time and should not wear any hats or uniform apparel affiliating them with any past travel team involvement (at OYO or elsewhere). However, a team-branded batting helmet is acceptable.

A full list of Bombers All Star coaches and tryout schedules and contact info appears below.

RED STORM TRYOUT OVERVIEW | SOFTBALL

To be eligible for an All Star age group in Red Storm, the player must not be older than the team’s age as of January 1, 2024. Attendance is mandatory, unless other arrangements have been made with the team’s coach prior to the tryout to schedule an alternate time. There is no fee to participate in tryouts.

Players should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tryout time and should not wear any hats or uniform apparel affiliating them with any past travel team involvement (at OYO or elsewhere). However, a team-branded batting helmet is acceptable.

A full list of Red Storm All Star coaches and tryout schedules appears below as well as the age groups where tryouts are on hold until a coach can be secured.

2024 marks our 50th year of baseball and softball at OYO, and our league is growing at an unprecedented rate and the league’s engagement is greater than ever. More than ever, it’s important we’re communicating frequently, ensuring transparency and accountability and creating memorable experiences for all our players, families and volunteers.

In a remarkable show of support, volunteerism and leadership, more than 45 members have combined to fill all 51 positions available on the current OYO Board of Directors. However, we can still use more hands on deck to make the year ahead an amazing one for every family who calls OYO home to their baseball and softball experience.

We are expanding our Marketing Chairperson position into a co-chair role. Are you creative and enjoy storytelling? Then the OYO Marketing Co-Chair role may be right for you! And, you will get to team up with an OYO veteran who can provide perspective and resources to make your role even easier!

And, as we continue to serve an important component of our program — full-time travel and all-star travel — we are seeking a volunteer to support the financial operations of our Red Storm program and serve on the OYO Board of Directors!

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 descriptions” appear further below on this page:

• Deputy Treasurer, Travel Softball (Red Storm)
• Marketing Co-Chairperson

During the past 20 years, nearly 300 individuals have volunteered their time and talents as board members to ensure our ballplayers and families could truly enjoy their OYO experience. We are just everyday moms, dads, coaches, team parents, fans and more who care and work together to make a difference. We hope you will answer this call and make OYO the beneficiary of your volunteer efforts in 2024. Rest assured, more than 1800 ballplayers from 1000 families will value your contributions!

Come Make A Difference! Email us today to share your interest in joining the OYO Board!

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 assigned role and keep appropriate executive board members informed

DEPUTY TREASURER, TRAVEL SOFTBALL (RED STORM)

• Establish team coach and treasurer(s) contact list for all Full-Time Travel and All-Star (Rec Travel) Red Storm teams, including intended start and end dates. (Typically 10-12 teams.)
• Establish team treasurer agreement for fiduciary responsibility on behalf of OYO, as a signed form.
• Enable account access at official banking institution to be set up for the travel team coach, although debit card should remain locked by Deputy Treasurer until travel team treasurer completes account access activities.
• Require receipts to be obtained by team treasurer and reported to the OYO Deputy Treasurer.
• Monitor for missing receipts or excessive spending without two-person verification that may require refreezing of debit card status.
• Maintain ongoing routine communication with all team treasurers to identify areas of support.
• Monitor accounts and submit monthly reports identifying results of review and potential risks to OYO Treasurer and VP of Travel Softball, who will present findings to Executive Board where relevant.

MARKETING CO-CHAIRPERSON

• Oversee, update and maintain the OYO website
• Oversee and lead all brand identity and organizational positioning initiatives
• Provide market research support and oversight for new programs and concepts
• Develop marketing campaigns to support organization’s growth and expansion
• Present communication recommendations to the OYO board
• Support online registration development and structure with basic programming and content additions
• Contribute content and information to regular editions of This Week in OYO (TWIO)
• Assist with special ad hoc projects, as needed

Learn more today…

If you have questions, contact one of the following individuals:

• Katrina Marichal | Treasurer
• Arun Murali | Vice President, Travel Baseball
• Curtis Dillman | Vice President, Travel Softball
• Michael DeSanto | President

 
Thank you for your continued support and choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball. Now, step up to the plate and join the board!

If you missed the popular OYO Shopping Day at Dick’s Sporting Goods in early March, no worries! We’ve partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to identify even more savings for you and your ballplayer.

Download this coupon sheet to take advantage of great discounts on footwear, apparel and equipment. These coupons are good for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year. And, if you are in need of what equipment your ballplayer needs, check out our helpful guide online.

Go shopping today for your needs, and take the field tomorrow ready to play! As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball — and thank you for supporting Dick’s Sporting Goods, too!

OYO Fans and Friends:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy

As I began to gather my thoughts for this letter, I kept coming back to two words – gratitude and appreciation.

I am incredibly grateful for the humbling opportunity to dedicate myself in service to the entire league, including this remarkable OYO family. Similarly, I am truly appreciative for all the selfless and tireless service that countless volunteers have demonstrated. Personally, throughout my two-plus decades at OYO, it is still a blessing to be selected to lead this amazing organization filled with so many wonderful people who put our ballplayers at the core of all we do.

It’s easy to reflect on all the amazing accomplishments we collectively made possible in 2023 – largest combined Spring rec league and full-time travel participation ever, largest Fall Ball registration ever, robust Winter Workout participation, record-setting year of sponsorship support, 99% of all games covered by umpires in an era of declining officiating engagement, more fields than ever and so much more. However, all the excitement, buzz and rage is about the milestones and opportunities ahead!

This Year Is Going To Be Golden, Literally!

2024 marks our 50th year of providing baseball and softball experiences to our resilient and magnificent ballplayers and their families. In 1975, our league first welcomed players at fields adjacent to Oaklandon Elementary before relocating in 1995 to Veterans Memorial Park, which has evolved through three comprehensive expansions.

50 Years of OYO is no accident. For five decades, OYO has been a proven example of excellence, greatness and dedication in our community. And our families have jumped in the trenches to make it a very special happy place for all by helping rake the fields to completing park prep day projects; being team parents to helping as assistant coaches; leading all star travel teams to coaching full time travel teams; and helping a player or fan in need to serving as a board member. Sure the league has encountered unfortunate trials and tribulations that have challenged the league’s tapestry, but the values and commitment from our loyal and dedicated volunteers have helped us overcome those moments with countless thrills and triumphs that truly define OYO today.

Why We Are Ready to Connect with You!

After all, OYO has a fundamental responsibility to impact our ballplayers’ experiences, our community and the game of baseball and softball for all who experience OYO wherever our teams go.

When the OYO Board convened last November, I asked our vast and diverse OYO Board of Directors to invoke “The Golden Circle” from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why and capture their “why” for becoming more involved. Then, in December we dove into the “Hedgehog Concept” from Jim Collins’ Good to Great for additional perspective on “what can OYO be the best at”.

Valuing the OYO Board’s overall focus, our 43 volunteer board members shared their wisdom and insight leading to several powerfully consistent themes. Recognizing the uplifting power of our program, they all point back to The OYO Way – our long-standing pact with OYO families to prioritize player development, establish respect, teach life lessons, emphasize fairness and promote character.

What’s in Store for 2024 and Beyond?

It’s a golden year for all of us who continue to call OYO home for our baseball and softball experience! Our five biggest priorities all year long will include:

• Comprehensive Team Balance Improvements | Sharpen our processes on how we utilize coach feedback and advanced technology resources
• More Support for Coach and Player Development | Utilize support systems and clinics for all coaches to improve the quality of practice drills and concepts
• Travel Baseball and Softball Program Growth | Develop new opportunities for greater consistency and robust growth of our successful Bombers and Red Storm all-star and full-time travel programs
• Increased Transparency and Consistency | Ensure greater accountability from each and every volunteer board member and coach while ensuring fairness for all
• Maximize the OYO Experience | Prioritize how we deliver the best possible experience, especially on the field

But that’s not all! We want to celebrate! And, we will celebrate often! As our exclusive 2024 logo conveys, we’re recognizing our past, present and future! We’ll have special ceremonies on Opening Day, and we’ll offer special events all season long. We’ll mark our 50-day milestones this spring and fall. And we’ll carry forward the ideals and values that have made OYO the most amazing place to play ball in Central Indiana!

My Ask Is Simple.

“Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change.” — Richard Branson

The OYO success story is strong because it is created entirely by volunteers – like you – in every walk of life. We recognize change is never easy, but necessary to adapt and thrive. So, these very individuals – especially you – embrace the opportunities necessary to make important contributions that help OYO not only meet, but also exceed, expectations today and for the future, too!

If you have additional ideas and insights about change and growth, then please consider becoming a volunteer for change. Help drive positive change by participating as a coach, team parent, umpire, board member, grounds caretaker, sponsor, supporter, positive fan, etc. OYO has a place for you!

Thank you for reading this letter. Now, please consider and evaluate what you can personally do at OYO. And, I look forward to seeing you all at the fields soon.

As always, thank you for choosing OYO as your place for baseball and softball! Let’s make our 50th year our best year yet!

Play Ball!
Michael DeSanto
President, OYO Board of Directors
oyopresident1@gmail.com | 317.345.9006 (mobile | text)