Pre-Tournament Coaches’ Meeting Recap | Be the Coach That Is Impossible to Forget!

Once again, we appreciate all the coaches, assistant coaches and board members who attended the seasonal pre-tournament Coaches’ Meeting last night at OYO. We appreciate all you have done to make our 19th Annual Fall Ball season a remarkable success on and off the field. Your commitment, collaboration and compassion have been instrumental in creating meaningful moments for all our ballplayers and fans! Following the meeting, multiple coaches asked if I would provide a recap of the information we shared. Below is a rapid-fire 10-point summary.

 

OPENING COMMENTS AT MEETING
Quote | A truly amazing coach is hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget.
Action | Will you be the coach that is impossible to forget or the one they are ready to forget?
While The OYO Way and Code of Conduct are the backbone to our experience, it is important to emphasize “Why” it is important, too. At OYO, even though less fanfare is given to the golden circle of our offering, here’s a snapshot of the OYO Why, How and What…

  • WHY | To provide valuable life lessons through teamwork and responsibility
  • HOW | Through strong role models leading by example as fans, players, coaches and volunteers
  • WHAT | Delivering high-quality, fundamentally sound and competitive baseball and softball experiences


REVIEW THE OYO WAY AND CODE OF CONDUCT WITH YOUR TEAM
Visit our website to access and review The OYO Way and the Code of Conduct. And remember, the head coach is responsible for the team’s players and fans as much as they are himself/herself on game days. So, take a moment at practice this week to cover these important guidelines or capture them in an email to your team. What’s more, per the OYO Code of Conduct, any individual who is ejected must sit out the team’s next game — and be reinstated by the league. Let’s work together to keep everyone in good standing, as we have all season long!

 

BE A GOOD SPORT, DON’T STALL
As discussed at the meeting, the OYO umpire(s) assigned to your field will manage the game clock throughout the day for all games. As a result, if there is 10 minutes or less left on the game clock and the umpire determines one team is stalling, they reserve the right to pause the clock until such actions are complete. Let’s represent the very best of OYO and demonstrate great sportsmanship all game long!

 

UMPIRE TAKEAWAYS
As covered at the meeting in July and again tonight, the games are much more enjoyable, pleasant and memorable, when coaches and umpires are cordial and respectful to each other. So, here are six important takeaways from the meeting about umpire coverage on Sunday:

  • Be respectful to the umpires, and they will be respectful in turn
  • Two umpires on field for most games
  • Know the rules for baseball and softball to avoid unnecessary delays
  • Games can start as much as 20 minutes early, so be ready to go early
  • All Home/Away designations handled during pre-game meeting with umpire(s)
  • More eyes watching the game, so leaving base early, balks, illegal pitches, etc. to be called more regularly


NOTEWORTHY RULES SUMMARY
Here are a few highlights from the meeting about key rules related to Tournament Sunday:

  • 1 hour 45 min time limit for all games – even championship — but finish inning!
  • Unlimited runs allowed in only the official last inning (not last inning played)
  • California rule for tiebreakers or after time limit has been reached
  • Six players makes you game eligible, no outs taken at any time
  • No Subs Allowed | If team is found using an illegal player, immediate forfeit
  • If time has expired and home team is ahead, it’s ballgame
  • Player starts game – then leaves for any non-injury issue – team must take out when that player’s spot comes around in the order


PROTEST PROCEDURE
1. Judgment calls cannot be protested, only rules interpretation
2. Protests must be accompanied by $100 – and if a game is under protest, a protest committee will convene onsite to review matter and determine the outcome before play resumes

  • Protest must be issued to umpire before next pitch is thrown\Game clock does not stop
  • Win protest – refunded $100 deposit
  • Lose protest – $100 is donated to The 24 Group


TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | READY FOR GAME DAY!
Check out our annual Fall Ball Tournament Central for individual division tournament brackets and an abridged version of all tournament-specific rules customized for each division. The single-elimination tournament is set for Sunday, October 4. Tee Ball teams also will play their final regular season games on October 4, and those games are already scheduled in LeagueApps and will be played on Field 14. Please note, we also have consolidated all the brackets into one working file which will be updated throughout the day on Sunday. Keep up with your division’s bracket on Sunday here!


EQUIPMENT RETURN | PLEASE RETURN BAG ON SUNDAY!
After your last game, please drop off your team equipment bag, ball bucket and/or batting tee near the three-garage barn. At most times, an Equipment Committee team member will be present to assist you with the return. In those moments when no one is present, please leave the contents by the side door of the three garage barn close to Field 2. Also, please assist the return process by removing all personal items and contents, including scorebook. Your support and cooperation can save OYO thousands of dollars annually.


CLOSING COMMENTS AT MEETING
Don’t let a trophy be the driving force behind your dedication and commitment to your players on Sunday. Envision the impact you can have when you consider the long game, as captured in the following message titled, “I Am a Coach”:
I am a coach because of the kids and the passion I have for the sport itself. There is no other feeling quite like helping young athletes further develop their natural persistence, determination, discipline, dedication, resiliency, work ethic, heart, leadership skills, connection with and respect for others, not only in competition, but in life.


GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS!
We wish much luck and lots of memories to each and every one of our 74 teams on Sunday. Thank you for all your amazing contributions to your team and OYO this fall!


GOT QUESTIONS?
If you need something more, less or different, contact any OYO board member, especially your respective sport vice president or commissioner, before the tournament!