Bobcat Youth League Frequently Asked Questions
1. What gear does my player need?
a. All players should have their own baseball glove. All players in our league are required to have gray baseball pants. No shorts will be permitted during game play. Players in minors, major, and senior leagues should wear cleats and a protective athletic cup. Cleats are optional for t-ball and lob ball. Players may choose to have their own bats, helmets, and other gear. The league does however supply each team with helmets, bats and catcher’s gear. Each player will receive a hat and jersey from the league.
2. When will I find out who my child’s coach is and what team they are on?
a. Coaching in the BYL is a fully volunteered position. Head coaches are carefully considered and determined by the league commissioner to fit the needs of the league’s players. Coaches will be notified in early March and have a coaches meeting and team draft mid-March. They can then begin contacting families regarding practice and team plans immediately after this meeting. All families should hear from their coaches by the end of March/first of April. We will also try to have the website updated with teams shortly after this meeting.
3. When will practices start?
a. Practices may begin anytime April 1 and after. T-Ball and Lob Ball may not begin until weather permits (coach’s discretion). Practices may be held during your team’s assigned time at Hathaway Field. Open grass parks and fields around Butler and at the elementary may be used or practices. Senior league will practice at the extra field at the high school. Practices may not happen on the fields behind Butler Elementary as they are undergoing construction. Coaches will determine your team’s practice schedule. Practices are necessary for a team sport. If your player is not present at practices, your coach may choose to not play your player in future games.
4. When will games start and end?
a. Games will start on opening day- Saturday April 29th. (Senior league may start sooner) Regular season games are generally played through mid-June. Minors, Majors, and Senior will all have a post season tourney that players are expected to be at. Attendance and being on time for games is mandatory unless previously excused by the coach. Your coach may choose to not play a player if they are not on time or in attendance.
5. What happens on Opening Day?
a. Well, it’s a big, all day party! This year opening day is April 29th (weather permitting). We will start the day with a parade through town. Open Day ceremonies and first pitches are thrown out, prizes are given away, fun games are played by players and coaches, senior league will have a Home Run Derby at Hathaway Park, Picture Day will take place, pies will be thrown in faces, and much, much more. Historically this has been a wonderful day of community for our league. The kids have a great time spending the day as an entire league at the ball field. T-ball, lob, minors, and majors will all play games this day as well.
6. Where will we play games at?
a. T-Ball games will all be played at Hathaway Park behind the Butler Public Library. Lob ball, minors, and majors will play at home as well as travel to Riverdale (St. Joe), Hamilton, Jackson Township (rural Auburn), and Garrett. Senior league will travel to Riverdale (St. Joe), Hamilton, Jackson Township (rural Auburn), Garrett, Huntertown, and Kendallville. The fields behind Butler Elementary are currently under construction and may or may not be ready for 2017 play depending on the weather. Occasionally other communities will invite our league or we will invite them to play extra games. The addition of these games will be shared with families as they become available.
7. What days will we play games on?
a. Games are routinely played league wide Monday through Saturday and vary in regards to the day of the week.
8. Could my child be removed from league activities due to behavior?
a. Players not behaving according to the league’s expectation or their coach’s rules may be excused from a practice, game, or league function.
9. Can I help with my child’s team or the league as a whole?
a. The entire league is run by volunteers. No one person has a paid position. Anyone is welcome to volunteer within the league. All volunteers should register themselves through the website under the volunteer section. Anyone wanting to work directly with the children or anyone who may be in the dugouts must be registered and is subject to background checks.
10. I have children who are not registered within the league. Can they be in the dugout, participate in practices/games, or be “bat boy” for a team?
a. Absolutely not! Per our insurance mandate, only registered players and registered adults may be in the dugouts, on the field, and helping during practice.
11. I see teens working around the field during games. How do I get my teen involved?
a. The league hires children age 13 and up to help in the concession stand and press box. Anyone wanting to become involved in this should contact the league through email or Facebook or see Ben or Nicole. We need teens with excellent communication skills, strong math skills, promptness, and reliability. We can’t always use everyone but if we know you are interested, we know we can ask! In the past, this has been an excellent opportunity for teens to get volunteer hours for school requirements. We are happy to supply proof of volunteerism at the end of the season.
12. Does BYL do All Stars?
a. BYL does offer the opportunity for All Stars for Lob, Minors, and Majors dependent on interest year to year. Coaches must first be available to coach, players committed to more play, and coaches agreeing an All Star team is deserved for their level. If all of these are met, BYL uses a rating system based on a player’s proven performance throughout the season. Each coach completes a rating of all eligible players. Rating sheets are turned into the commissioner for review with the coaches and the All Star team is decided. Players are required to play within (and not above) their age division for All Stars- 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under. Teams generally consist of 11-12 players. Once a player has committed to the All Star team they must fulfill their commitment or they will not be considered for future All Star teams.
13. If I have a concern with something, who should I contact?
a. If this is a matter your coach cannot handle, you should contact a board member or the commissioner for further assistance/advice.