LYAA Parent and Player Handbook

LYAA Parent and Player Handbook

Lakes Youth Athletic Association

Baseball and Softball

Parent and Player Handbook

Celebrating Over 50 years of Youth Sports

in Wauconda, Island Lake, Volo, Lake Barrington and Lakemoor

Table of Contents

Lakes Youth Athletic Association 2

Player Code of Conduct 3

Parent/Spectator Code of Conduct 3

Coaches Code of Conduct 4-5

Registration and Fees 6

Player Draft/Selection 6

Uniforms and Awards 7

In House All Stars 7

Travel Teams 7

Fundraising and Sponsorship 8

Parent Participations 8

Disciplinary Actions 9

Frequently Asked Questions 9

Board Information 10

Important Dates 11

Sponsors 12-13

Lakes Youth Athletic Association is a not for profit multisport organization offering baseball and softball opportunities for boys and girls ages 6 – 16. Baseball/Softball board meetings are held the first Monday of the month, and exact times and locations can be found at our website, www.lyaa.org.

Player Code of Conduct

As a participant of Lakes Youth Athletic Baseball or Softball, I agree

1. I will conduct myself at all times and in all places in a manner that creates respect and honor for my team, my sport and my community.
2. I will treat my coaches, teammates, opponents, and officials with respect.
3. I will do my best to be prepared mentally and physically for each game.
4. I will respect all league property, as well as the facilities of our partner associations, such as the Villages of Wauconda, Island Lake, Lakemoor, School District 118 and the facilities I use when traveling to other towns or team practice and play.
5. I will attend, and be on time, for all practices and games, or notify my coach of a conflict.
6. I understand that the use of any illegal drug, tobacco products, alcohol, or foul language or gestures is not allowed on the field of play or at any time that I represent my team or league.
7. I understand that there are penalties for violations of this code of athletic conduct, and may include suspension and dismissal from the league.
8. This code is in effect from the first day of practice, during practices, games, league events, or any other time I represent my team or league.

Parent/Spectator Code of Conduct

In addition to the above Code of Conduct, parents and spectators agree to the following:

1. I understand that LYAA strives to provide a positive environment during all its activities.
2. I will ensure that my player is on time and attends all practices and games, and will notify the coach of a conflict.
3. I will refrain from negative behavior during LYAA events, including, but not limited to, vocal harassment, foul language, excessive yelling or noisemaking.
4. I will respect and support the decisions of all coaches and umpires.
5. I understand that there are penalties for violations of this code of conduct, including suspension of myself or my player from the field and/or the league.

Coaches Standards of Conduct

Coaches will provide a positive environment conducive to teaching the fundamentals of baseball, teamwork, sportsmanship, and responsibility. Coaches are expected to serve as role models by conducting themselves in a responsible, adult manner both on the field and as members of the community.

All coaches are expected to know and adhere to LYAA organizational rules, as appropriate, governing the conduct of league and travel baseball games. Incorporated in the standards are means by which coaches will be measured and corrective action taken in the event of a violation. Therefore, the following Standards of Conduct have been established by the Lakes Youth Athletic Association for compliance by all coaching personnel.

Coaches shall not:

•  Use verbal intimidation towards players, including personal degradation.

•  Use profanity while on the practice or game field.

•  Physically handle the children in and abusive manner.

•  Smoke or use tobacco products while on the practice or game field.

•  Engage in abusive verbal or physical altercations with umpires, coaches, parents, or fans. Any confirmed physical incident will result in an immediate dismissal and forfeiture of fees paid. Any confirmed incident of abusive verbal behavior may result in suspension or dismissal and forfeiture of fees paid.

•  Intimidate umpires or condone intimidation by team parents, fans and players. Any confirmed incident of intimidation may result in suspension or dismissal and forfeiture of any fees paid. Zero Tolerance.

•  Sell or be involved in the sale or use of drugs. Individuals criminally charged with the sale, possession or use of drugs shall be indefinitely suspended. If convicted, the coach will be dismissed from the organization and forfeit any fees paid.

•  Provide performance-enhancing compounds or liquids (i.e. including, but not limited to, steroids, protein supplements, weight loss supplements) to participants in the LYAA. Individuals found to have provided performance-enhancing compounds to participants in the organization shall be immediately dismissed and forfeit any fees paid.

•  Appear at, or participate in, a practice or game under the influence of alcohol. This includes the odor on their breath or clothing. Any confirmed incident will automatically result in a coach being dismissed from the league.

•  Respect the privacy and confidentiality of any player’s medical condition by not sharing of any information to other parents, players, or coaches unless deemed necessary for that player’s well being and with the consent of the player and parents.

Coaches Standards of Conduct Continued

Attendance at Practices, League Meetings, and Parent Meetings

•  Head coaches are expected to attend/participate in all scheduled practices and coaches meetings, including open Board Meetings. If a head coach is unable to attend the open Board Meeting, they must arrange for an assistant coach to attend in their absence.

•  All head coaches will conduct a team/parent meeting at the beginning of the year. All head coaches will communicate regularly with the team/parents (a weekly email or informal meeting is recommended). The purpose of this meeting is to inform the parents of the player’s responsibilities, league rules, introduce the players and coaches to the Standards of Conduct, upcoming events and answer any questions.

•  Assistant coaches are expected to attend/participate in all scheduled practices and coaches meetings.

Ejections from Games

•  LYAA will operate under a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY in regards to coach’s conduct toward umpires, players, parents, and fans. Coaches in violation of this policy will be ejected from the games.

•  The ejection of a coach from a game must be reported to a member of the LYAA Board immediately after the game. The Board will review and may conduct a hearing on the ejection.

•  Consequences for ejections:

1. Ejection from a game will automatically result in a one game suspension for the coach that was ejected (not to include the game of ejection).
2. If the ejection is a result of a physical altercation, the coach shall be immediately dismissed from the organization and fees will not be reimbursed.
3. If the offense is a repeat offense, the LYAA Board may take additional disciplinary actions including additional game suspension, dismissal, and no reimbursement of fees.

All violations of the Standards of Conduct must be reported to the Board. The Board shall review the complaint within 72 hours of receipt. A validated complaint may result in a warning or an immediate suspension or dismissal from the league.

The final decision will be the responsibility of the Board. In the event the complaint is against a member of the Board, the remaining members of the Board will render the decision.

Registration and Fees

Registration covers player uniforms as noted, field costs, team equipment, insurance and umpires for in house players. Travel Team fees vary. Players must provide pants, glove and appropriate shoes.

2012 In house Registration Fees

$180 plus $30 Fundraiser Fee (Pony)

$155 plus $30 Fundraiser Fee (Pinto, Mustang and Bronco)

$155 plus $30 Fundraiser Fee (Softball)

Players who have not paid their fees in full prior to opening day may be denied participation

Player Evaluation and Draft

Baseball and Softball

Pinto – Players are placed on teams by the designated player agent. Second year players are usually returned to the same team, unless a change is requested by the parent, or moved to ensure even levels of age and ability throughout the league. Friendship requests will be allowed if we can maintain fair age/experience balance among the teams.

Mustang, Bronco, Pony – All players must attend an evaluation. You will receive an email informing you of your child's evaluation time. In addition, the evaluation times will be posted on the website. Players may request to return to the same team from the prior year. This does not guarantee that all players will return or that the coach will be the same. Players not requesting this option and participating in the evaluation will be placed in the player draft. Players who do not attend the evaluation will be entered in a blind draft and randomly placed on an available team.

Uniforms and Awards

Each paid participant will receive a uniform shirt, hat and socks. At the end of the season, participants who have completed the full season will receive a participation trophy with team and league name.

In House All Stars

Players who complete the entire in house season are eligible for In House All Star play. Players may be selected by their managers to represent their team during an all star game.

At certain levels, travel all star teams are chosen for post season tournament play. These players are chosen by ballot vote by the managers (a manager may not vote for one of his own players). Travel all star teams are issued an additional uniform for tournament play. There is an additional cost to participate in travel all stars.

Travel Teams

LYAA supports travel teams at certain age levels for those players who are looking for a more competitive environment.

Tryouts are held in the August/September timeframe. Details about tryouts are available on the website, or by contacting any board member. There is an additional cost for travel baseball that is determined by each manager. Details can be obtained from the appropriate manager. For more information, see our travel team web page at: www.lyaa.org

Sponsorship and Fundraising

Sponsorship

LYAA solicits team and league sponsorships throughout the area. Individuals or businesses may sponsor a team by making a donation in any amount. Higher levels of sponsorship are available that include signage at one or more of our local fields. Please contact our sponsorship director or any board member for more information.

Fundraising

All participants are required to participate in the discount card fundraiser. In addition, LYAA Baseball/Softball holds events throughout the year to raise funds for field and equipment upgrades. This includes our annual golf outing, Schaumburg Flyers outing as well as proceeds from our concession stands. All proceeds from these fundraisers are funneled directly into LYAA baseball and softball programs and facilities.

Parent Participation

The success of LYAA Baseball/Softball programs is related directly to the participation of parents and volunteers. Our organization is run completely by volunteers, who are not compensated for their time and energy in any way.

In order to ensure the long term success of LYAA, we ask that the parents/guardians of each participant contribute to LYAA each and every season. Parents will be asked to work the concession stands, prepare the fields for play, act as team parents and other miscellaneous tasks. Volunteer participation is a mandatory requirement for all player families.

The Baseball/Softball board is always looking for board and committee members. Attending a monthly board meeting is a great way to meet board members and coaches, and find opportunities for your contribution. The monthly meetings are generally held on the first Monday of the month at the Wauconda Township Hall. Check www.lyaa.org for more information.

Disciplinary Actions

LYAA strives to create a positive environment for all of its activities. In the event that a participant, parent or spectator violates the LYAA code of conduct, the following sanctions will apply:

First Incident – Verbal warning. A player, parent or spectator may be suspended from a game by the game official and must leave the field of play.

Second Incident – Written warning and up to two game suspension. Players that are suspended may not attend practices, games or activities during the suspension period. Parent/spectators that are suspended are not to be within 100 yards of the field during regulation play.

Third incident – The board may remove the player from the league. The player may request a board hearing by contacting any current board member.

Any player suspended or expelled from the league as a disciplinary action forfeits all fees paid for the current season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is there minimum playing time for each player?

A. Minimum playing time rules vary at each level, and between softball and baseball. Travel teams are bound by their league rules. Ask your manager for your league rules.

Q. As a parent, am I obligated to work in the concession stand?

A. LYAA is a volunteer only organization. In order to keep costs down, we require all parents to volunteer in some capacity. It is expected that all families contribute by working concessions as designated during the season (if applicable to your league level).

Q. Can I sponsor my child’s team?

A. Check with the sponsorship director to see if your child’s team needs a team sponsor.

Who’s Who in LYAA Baseball & Softball

President & Director, Baseball Ken Parrish

Director, Softball Rich Machon

Treasurer Jim Krewer

Secretary / Travel Coordinator Ray Winkel

Player Agent, Baseball Dan Yocono

Player Agent, Softball Rich Machon

VP of Pony Ron Mrowiec

VP of Bronco Mike Kehl

VP of Mustang Chris Guidici

VP of Pinto Kurt Vanselow

Fields Directors (Wauconda) Jerry Pyles

Fields Directors (Island Lake) Clint Poynor

Player Development Mark Landvick

PR and Special Events Director TBA

Registration Director Tony Guidici

Softball Travel Coordinator Don Wright

Concession Director Sheri Meyer

Kerry Rejczyk

Equipment Director Ed Kryger

Sponsorship Director Sue Tiesi