Coaches’ Corner | Key Programs and Announcements for OYO Coaches

As we prepare for the start of the 2025 Spring Season, we’re encouraging all head coaches and assistant coaches to make the necessary investment for the season ahead. Various OYO committees and leaders are going the extra mile to coordinate value-add sessions and seamless processes to maximize your experience and be respectful of your time. Below are four important events involving all head coaches (and in two instances, the assistant coaches, too).

 

COACH INCENTIVE IS ESTABLISHED FOR 2025 SPRING SEASON

A coach is eligible to receive one-fifth of the league’s registration fee for completing each one of the following five milestones — contingent on the successful return of the team equipment provided at the start of the season. So, if all five requirements are completed (and the equipment bag is returned), then the coach receives 100%. Payment will be issued in the form of a player registration credit to be used within the next 12 months for Fall 2025, Winter Workouts 2026 or Spring 2026. The criteria in 2025 is as follows:

  1. Attend Coaches’ Meeting on Thursday March 6
  2. Attend Coaches’ Clinic on Sunday, March 9
  3. Participate in Park Prep Day on Saturday, April 5
  4. Attend Tournament Coaches’ Meeting on Tuesday, June 3 (date subject to change)
  5. Complete Player Evaluations in LeagueApps by Tuesday, June 3 (dates subject to change

 

TEAM INTRODUCTION | CONTACT TEAMS WITHIN 48 HOURS OF ROSTERS BEING RELEASED

At this time, we hope to release all rosters by end of day on Tuesday, March 4. The roster release also will include each team’s weeknight and Saturday practice time and field assignment. Within two days of the rosters being released, all coaches should send an introductory email to the families on their roster and answer any questions your team’s families may have.

 

COACHES’ MEETING | THURSDAY, MARCH 6 | 7-8:45 P.M. | JENN PARK

All head coaches and assistant coaches are encouraged to attend. We are committed to maximizing player development and creating a memorable experience for all our ballplayers. So, we strive to create alignment between all our amazing volunteer coaches at OYO. This meeting provides timely content that can have a positive impact on your team this spring — and creates clear and consistent expectations. What’s more, there are some very important new guidelines and protocols for coaches to follow and participation is requested of all head coaches. In addition, all assistant coaches are encouraged to attend and participate this annual coaches meeting, which will be held at Jenn Park (located at 10450 East 63rd Street, Indianapolis, 46236).

 

TEAM EQUIPMENT PICK-UP  | SUNDAY, MARCH 9 | TIMES VARY | OYO

Coaches will be able to pick up its team’s equipment on Sunday, March 9 at OYO at the three-garage barn before attending the Coaches’ Clinic. We encourage coaches to pick up the team equipment in the window provided below and allow 15 minutes to complete the process. You will depart the premises with your team equipment for the season. We recommend the head coach pick up the equipment, but an assistant coach can do it if necessary. Proposed times are as follows:

  • Tee Ball | Between 1-1:45 p.m. (including Challenger)
  • Coach Pitch | Between 2-3 p.m. (Junior Rookie, Rookie, 08U Softball)
  • Kid Pitch | Between 3:15-4:15 p.m. (Minor, Super Major, 10U Softball, 12U Softball)

 

COACHES’ CLINIC | SUNDAY, MARCH 9 | TIMES VARY | BELZER MIDDLE SCHOOL

All head coaches and assistant coaches are encouraged to attend. OYO is preparing for our preseason Coaches’ Clinic to help all our coaches kick off the 2025 Spring Season. These clinics are designed to provide insight on the skills, fundamentals and drills for teams to use at every level. This season, OYO will host three separate clinics — at Belzer Middle School, located at 7555 East 56th Street — as follows:

  • Tee Ball | 2-3 p.m.
  • Coach Pitch | 3:15-4:15 p.m. (Junior Rookie, Rookie, 08U Softball)
  • Kid Pitch | 4:30-5:30 p.m. (Minor, Super Major, 10U Softball, 12U Softball)

These sessions will be customized to each group and facilitated by Mike Klopfenstein, OYO’s Training Chairperson who also is a veteran high school baseball coach. As always, thank you for sharing your time and talent with our young ballplayers. All coaches attending should enter the facility from the only entry point off Richardt Street.

 

PRACTICES BEGIN | WEEK OF MARCH 10 | DAYS AND TIMES VARY | OYO

Weather-permitting, all teams will begin their practice season the week of March 10. All practice decisions are left to the coach. However, there are occasional rare instances where fields are not usable due to weather — and in those instances we will notify the league via email during the practice season only. As a quick refresher, each team will receive one weeknight assignment and one Saturday assignment during the practice season. In 2025, one thing that is new in 2025 involves the length allotted for each team’s practice.

  • Challenger, Tee Ball | 60 minutes | Two teams share fields during each practice slot
  • Junior Rookie | 90 minutes | Two teams share fields during each practice slot
  • Rookie, 08U Softball | 90 minutes | In Rookie only, a few teams will be scheduled to share field space for a weeknight practice
  • Minor, Super Major, 10U Softball, 12U Softball | 2 hours