Beavercreek Youth Softball Association
"Fostering teamwork, good sportsmanship, and community spirit."


2010 BYSA Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the BYSA? Tell me briefly about it.

The Beavercreek Youth Softball Association (BYSA) was formed in 1983 to promote recreational slow-pitch softball primarily for the youth of Beavercreek. Youth from neighboring communities are allowed to play on a space available basis. Teams are co-ed; i.e., boys and girls play on the same team. There are seven youth leagues: the Minor League for Kindergarteners, the Rookie League for 1st and 2nd graders, the Junior League for 3rd and 4th graders, the Pre-Teen League for 5th and 6th graders, the Teen League for 7th and 8th graders, the Majors League for 9th and 10th graders, and the Seniors League for 11th and 12th graders. In 2009, there were over 1300 participants spread across 95 teams in these 7 leagues. In 2000, a separate league for college students was added; this league has been very popular and in 2009 we had 26 teams, the max number we can handle; this league will be offered again in 2010.  All together, in 2009 we had 121 teams, 1700 participants and we played nearly 800 games.

2. What is the cost for 2010 and how do I register my child(ren)?

If you register your child(ren) before April 17, 2010, use the table below to determine your cost. If you sign-up on or after April 17, add in a $5 late fee per family.

    TOTAL REGISTRATION FEE (If received by April 17, 2010)

    No. of Children (players):

    1

    2

    3

    4+

    Total Fee Due:

    $60

    $110

    $150

    $165

Registration forms are passed out to the elementary and middle school students and for the Junior High and High Schools students, forms are made available through the Athletic Director’s Office. Forms are available on line by clicking here, and are also are available at the Library and City Hall.

3. How are teams formed?

We use different methods to form league teams.  These methods have been developed over time and overall have proven to be very effective.  They are not perfect, but we do not profess perfection or total balance in teams, although that is a goal we strive for.  For Kindergarten through the Pre-Teen leagues, teams in the BYSA are formed based on a combination of school attended, neighborhood, age/current grade, and play-withs.  Furthermore, we try to assure that teams in these leagues are made up of an equal number of boys and girls to extent possible.  Starting with the Major League (9th and 10th grade), we allow players to form a nucleus of players they want to be with and we supplement those groups with individual sign-ups.  For the Senior League (11th and 12th grade) teams, we encourage players to form their own teams as much as possible and we supplement those teams with individual sign-up as needed.  In the College League, the students must form their own teams; i.e., there are no individual sign-ups.  For the Teen, Major, Senior, and College leagues, we maintain the co-ed flavor by requiring each team have at least 4 girls on defense at any one time. In all leagues, everyone present is put in the batting line-up.

4. When does practice and league play start and when is the season over?

Practices should start the week of May 10th for the Minor and Rookie Leagues, and possibly the Junior League, depending on when the Coaches ' meetings are held. Practices for older leagues likely won't start until the week of May 17th.  Actual dates will be posted in late April or early May on the BYSA website. League play starts the week of May 24th.  Some teams may not start their first game until the following week, so its important to watch the website schedule and stay in contact with the team coach.  The season ends at different times for different leagues; for example, we have targeted July 23rd for the end date for the Teen, Major, and Senior Leagues. The remaining leagues are targeted for completion by July 29th.  Exact start and end dates will be published in the 2010 Schedule on the website.  College League play starts June 13th and the target end date is July 18th.

5. When can I expect to find out which team my child is on?

At the coaches’ meeting, we will pass out their rosters.  These meetings are expected to take place between May 4th and May 14th for the Minor, Rookie, Junior, Pre-teen, and Teen Leagues and the following week for the Major and Senior Leagues.  You should expect a call from the coach the within a few days of the applicable coaches’ meeting.  If you haven’t heard from a coach by that date, please call 426-4610 or the coordinator for the league your child is in (per the BYSA Contacts info on the website), and ask what team your child is on.

6. What is the play-with policy?

BYSA understands the importance of the kids playing with their friends and have adopted a play-with policy.  Only one play-with request is guaranteed but there must be a reciprocal play-with request.  You can request other play-withs, but you must designate your primary play-with.  Coaches may also be requested.  Siblings on the same team are allowed their own play-withs.  If you are late registering, play-with requests may not be honored.

7. I have two children playing—one is in the 3rd grade and one is in the 2nd grade.  Is there any way they can play on the same team to save me trips?

Yes, the 2nd grader may “play up”; i.e. he/she may play on the older child’s Junior League team.  Any player may always play up, but rarely, if ever, are allowed to play down.  The decision to “play up” is left up to the parent who should consider such things as size, ability, and can the child play up without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed.  The parents know this better than any commissioner; therefore, the parents’ wishes are the deciding factor.  We average about 12 “play ups’ each year, mostly in the Minor and Rookie Leagues.

8. What are game times?  And where are they played?

Games are played Monday through Friday at Rotary Park at the Lefty McFadden Youth softball fields (diamonds 5 through 8).  Game times are at 6:00 PM, 7:20 PM, 8:40 PM, and 9:50 PM (for the Teen, Major and Senior Leagues).  Also, there may be Wednesday and Friday night games at 8:30 PM and 9:45 PM on adult diamonds 1 and 2.  BYSA does not schedule regular or make-up season games on the weekends.  College League games are played on Sundays starting at 4:45 PM.

9. Can you tell me what night my child will play?

The Minor League will play the vast majority of its games on Wednesday nights at 6:00 PM and 7:20 PM (if needed) on diamonds 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12.  The Minor league may also have other game days/times as well.  The other leagues may have games scheduled on any weeknight.  The schedule depends mainly on how many teams are in each league and that will not be known until mid-May.

10. How many games can we expect to play each week?  When will the schedule be available?

The schedule will not be available until the third or fourth week of May.  Our goal is to schedule each team for at least a 12 game season.  Therefore, you should expect your child to play about 1.5 times a week for the first 6 weeks of the season.  For the remainder of the season, the Minors and Rookies will play about 2 games a week and they end their season with a picnic.  For the Junior through Senior Leagues, over the last 2 weeks, these teams play a tournament, and the frequency of games will most likely increase.

11. If my child is unable or unwilling to play after they have registered, can I expect a refund?

If the request is made prior to May 21, there is a full refund.  If the request is made just before the start of the regular season because the child no longer wants to play, you will be refunded your registration fee minus $15 to pay for the player’s shirt (player gets to keep the shirt).  There is no refund after the season begins.  If the child has been injured or is sick and is unable to play just prior to start of the season, then a full refund will be made (proof may be requested).  If the injury/sickness occurs after the season starts, then a full refund may be made; the BYSA Head Commissioner will decide the refund amount.  Call 426-4610 if you want to request a refund.

12. Do you allow any “handpicked teams” for the Minor through the Senior Leagues?

For the Minor through Teen Leagues, team members sign up individually and are assigned teams based on the criteria found in “how teams are formed” FAQ above.  Because our philosophy is to group players on a team by school, age/grade, and play-withs, it sometimes works out that some teams are stronger than others.  Other teams may start out as equal, but because of injuries, extended vacations, etc, they may be weaker than other teams.  To offset these variables, we have a regular season followed by a tournament for the Junior through Senior Leagues and we use the W-L results of the season to classify teams as strong teams (Gold Division) and not as strong teams (Silver Division).  These two divisions then play their respective tournaments.  This provides competitive play within each division and leads to closer and more exciting games.

13. How do we know if a game is rained out?

Your coach or his/her assistant should call you.  They have been provided a rain-out number to call in case of inclement or threatening weather.  We will try to update the web page provided we have sufficient lead time, but in many cases there will not be the time.  Over the years, it seems that rainouts happen right at game times.

14. What equipment will my child need?

BYSA provides each player with a shirt.  For the Minor, Rookie, and Junior Leagues, all players are also provided a cap.  BYSA also loans each coach an equipment bag that contains softballs, a couple of bats, catchers mask and chest protector.  For game play, BYSA also provides batting helmets.  Your child will need to provide their own glove.  Players may wear shorts or pants, their own hat, and may use their own personal bats (as long as diameter of the barrel end of the bat does not exceed 2.25 inches.  Shoes can either be tennis/gym type shoes or soccer/athletic turf shoes (cleats).  Metal spikes are not allowed.

15. My child has a handicap. Can he/she play?

Please contact the BYSA Head Commissioner to discuss your specific situation and we will attempt to honor the request.  In most cases we can find a way to make this work, as we have done several times in the past.

16. I would like to sponsor my child(ren)’s team(s).  What do I need to do?

We are always in need of sponsors.  Please click here for information regarding being a BYSA sponsor, or contact Steve Robinson at 429-4994 or steve@beavercreeksoftball.com.  Sponsorships help keep the individual costs down and also provide the sponsoring company a great advertising opportunity for a relatively low cost.

17. I’m concerned we might be late arriving for 6:00 PM games because of dinner, or we need to provide treats for the team after their game.  Is there a concession stand available?

Yes, there is a concession stand located in the center of diamonds 5, 6, 7, and 8 that provides hot foods such as grilled chicken, hot dogs, and pretzels for those rushing to the game from work.  The concession stand also carries a full assortment of snack goodies for the younger crowd.  If you need to provide team snacks, you can come to the concession stand and purchase tokens worth $1.00 that you can pass out to team members (or anyone) and they in turn redeem them for a snack of their choice.  This is very popular with the kids.  Prices are very reasonable and profits are used to help keep individual costs down, to purchase new equipment, and to make improvements to the diamonds.  There will also be a limited concession stand at diamonds 11 and 12 where drinks and snacks will be available and the $1 tokens will also be sold there.

For more information contact Bob Darden at Bob@beavercreeksoftball.com or by phone at 426-4610.