T Ball South Division Director

T Ball South Division Director

LCYO is still looking for a Division Director for T Ball South.
Time commitment during the season is about 3-5 hours per week.
Strong organization and leadership skills are ideal. This position is charged with the season long overall management for the T Ball South division. They will be the main conduit of communication and information between the league and the division team managers.

The ideal candidate would be a coach in T Ball South, but coaches with kids in other LCYO divisions and parents of LCYO kids who are not coaches are invited to inquire.
This is a key position and the Managers, Coaches and Team Parents in the TBall South Division will suffer a lack of communication and leadership this season if no one volunteers.

This position is a full board position with voting rights. If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in helping to shape our league, then here’s your chance.

Please contact Michael McCrory at basebaldirector@lcyo.org if you have any questions or interest.

LCYO Spring 2012 Coaches Meetings

LCYO Spring 2012 Coaches Meetings

Anybody that is considering being a Manager or Asst Coach for the Spring 2012 season is encouraged to attend.

TBall North and South – TBD

For more information Contact:

Tony Caruso - tballnorthdirector@lcyo.org

Pinto South

Tuesday Jan 3rd^th 7 – 9 pm at Stagecoach Park

For more information Contact:

Dave Beacham - PintoSouthDirector@lcyo.org

Pinto North - TBD

For more information Contact:

Michael McCrory - baseballdirector@lcyo.org

Mustang (American and National)

Monday Dec 12th 7:30 – 9:30 pm at Stagecoach Park

For more information Contact:

John Maryon - MustangSouthDirector@lcyo.org or

Matt Ginn - mustangnorthdirector@lcyo.org

Bronco (American and National)

Wednesday Dec 14th 7:30 – 9:30 pm at Stagecoach Park

For more information Contact:

Blake Pierson - Broncodirector@lcyo.org

Pony – TBD

For more information Contact:

Brett Monia - ponydirector@lcyo.org

Spring 2012 Baseball Player Evaluation Dates:

Spring 2012 Baseball Player Evaluation Dates:

TBall – No Player Evaluation

Pinto South

Saturday Jan 14^th 9-12:15 at LaCosta Meadows Elementary School (LCM)

Last Name Starting with:

A – I: 9 to10:15

J - Q: 10 to 11:15

R - Z: 11 to 12:15

Pinto North

Saturday Jan 14^th 12:30-3:45 at LaCosta Meadows Elementary School (LCM)

Last Name Starting with:

A – I: 12:30 to 1:45

J – Q: 1:30 to 2:45

R – Z: 2:30 to 3:45

Mustang (American and National)

Saturday Jan 7^th 9 am – 3:45 pm at Stagecoach Park Field 3 (SC3)

Last Name Starting with:

A - E 9:00 to 10:30

F - K 10:15 to 11:45

L - O 11:30 to 1:15

P - S 1:00 to 2:30

T - Z 2:15 to 3:45

Bronco (American and National)

Sunday Jan 8^th 9 am – 3:45 pm at Aviara Park Baseball Field (AvPk)

Last Name Starting with:

A - E 9:00 to 10:30

F - K 10:15 to 11:45

L - O 11:30 to 1:15

P - S 1:00 to 2:30

T - Z 2:15 to 3:45

Pony

Saturday Jan 14^th 9:00 – 12 noon at Zone 5 (Z5)

Last Name Starting with:

A – I: 9 to10:00

J - Q: 10 to 11:00

R - Z: 11 to 12:00

For questions regarding player evaluations please contact your Division Director. There is a listing of Directors and emails address on the website

Holiday Baseball Camps

Holiday Baseball Camps

The professional baseball coaches listed below have agreed to generously donate their time to help the league run free clinics for our coaches and kids in the Spring 2012 season. LCYO appreciates their professional expertise and willingness to support our program.

Listed below are dates of their holiday break camps. If you're considering a baseball camp for your child these may be good options. Please contact the coaches directly for more information.

Big Fly School of Baseball Holiday Camps

505 Corporate Drive

Escondido, CA 92029

Dec 19-23, Dec 26-30, Jan 2-6

Costs:

1 Day Camp $75

5 Day Camp ½ Day $180

5 Day Camp $250

760-480-4487

www.BigFlyAthletics.com, email Butch Smith at BigFly@cox.net

Ryan Lehr Winter Baseball Camps in Rancho Santa Fe

Field of Dreams, Rancho Santa Fe

Dec 19-21, Dec 26-28

Cost $175

Contact Ryan to register at rlehrball7@gmail.com

619-846-8368

University of San Diego Winter Baseball Break Camp

Aviara Community Park

Dec 19-22

Dec 27-30

Ages 6-13

Cost $200

www.collegebaseballcamps.com/USD (3rd and 5th camps listed)

Contact Brad Marcelino to register bradmarcelino@sandiego.edu

Mustang Winter Baseball Clinic by Jack McDowell

San Dieguito Academy High School

Dec 19-22

Ages 9-13

Cost $200

Contact Jack McDowell to register at stickjack111@yahoo.com

All proceeds benefit Mustang Baseball, www.mustangmcdowell.com

T Ball South Division Director

T Ball South Division Director

LCYO is looking for a Division Director for T Ball South. Time commitment during the season is less than 5 hours per week.

Strong organization and leadership skills are ideal. This position is charged with the season long overall management for the T Ball South division. They will be the main conduit of communication and information between the league and the division team managers.

The ideal candidate would be a coach in T Ball South, but coaches with kids in other LCYO divisions and parents of LCYO kids who are not coaches are invited to inquire.

Please contact Michael McCrory at basebaldirector@lcyo.org if you have any questions or interest.

PONY Bat changes for the Spring 2012 season

PONY Bat changes for the Spring 2012 season

PONY has made some changes to its bat policy but it will have little effect on LCYO players.

Tee Ball – maximum circumference of 2 ¼”.

LCYO local rules already dictate the all players must use bats specifically manufactured for “Tee Ball Play” and that no bat may exceed a maximum circumference of 2 ¼”.

Pinto – maximum circumference of 2 ¼”.

LCYO local rules have long dictated no bat used in Pinto may exceed a maximum circumference of 2 ¼”. This rule remains in effect for 2012 with the additional provision that Effective January 1, 2012, all newly manufactured non-wood bats must be stamped “approved for play in PONY Baseball” and stamped with “BPF 1.15” and the year manufactured.

Mustang – maximum circumference of 2 5/8”.

LCYO local rules had already been adapted to dictate a bat with a maximum circumference of 2 5/8”. This rule remains in effect for 2012.

Bronco – maximum circumference of 2 5/8”.

LCYO local rules had already been adapted to dictate a bat with a maximum circumference of 2 5/8”. This rule remains in effect for 2012.

Pony – maximum circumference of 2 5/8”.

LCYO local rules had already been adapted to dictate a bat with a maximum circumference of 2 5/8”. This rule remains in effect for 2012.

Effective January 1, 2012, all minus (-) 3 bats must be BBCOR certified.

Colt– maximum circumference of 2 5/8”.

LCYO local rules had already been adapted to dictate a bat with a maximum circumference of 2 5/8”. This rule remains in effect for 2012.

Effective January 1, 2012, all minus (-) 3 bats must be BBCOR certified

Fields are open

As of 8 am, all games on all field are on today.

Play is at coaches discretion. Consideration for player safety and damage to the field should be given. Do not play if there is standing water on the infield or if the ground is so soft that players leave deep footprints.

According to the latest weather report we have 10-15% chance of rain until 2 pm when it changes to a 100% chance.

Nov 13 baseball cancelled

All Games on all fields are cancelled tomorrow 13 Nov due to the rain

LCYO Baseball Parents and Coaches Town Hall Meeting

LCYO Baseball Parents and Coaches Town Hall Meeting

The LaCosta Youth Organization will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting at the Dove Library on Tuesday 15 November

The meeting will have two sessions, one for coaches and the other for parents

The Coaches meeting will run from 6-7 pm.

Anyone considering coaching (new or returning) in the Spring 2012 season is encouraged to attend.

We’ll discuss plans for the coming season including support for new coaches, plans for clinics, PCA and outline the format change and coaching selection process for Mustang and Bronco divisions.

The Parents meeting will run 7:30-8:30 pm.

We’ll update the community on the status and plans for of the league, detail the plans and process for the new majors/minors format for the Mustang / Bronco divisions and hold a question / answer session.

This will be our only community meeting before the Spring season, if you have any interest or questions please plan to attend.

Baseball Bats and Pony Rules

We’ve been told that PONY (the national baseball assoc that LCYO is affiliated with) is considering changing its rules to a more restrictive bat policy.

A change may or may not happen for the Spring 2012 season but if you want to be sure that your child’s bat is legal for the Spring 2012 season then I’d suggest you hold off on buying any new bat until we hear what PONY will recommend.

I will update this post ASAP, but we don’t expect to have any news until the 3^rd week of November.

20 September 2011

Dear LCYO Parents,

Recently Jon Stearn, in his Fall President’s letter announced that the league would be changing the way we form teams and compete at the Mustang (9-10) and Bronco (11-12) levels for the Spring 2012 season. I’d like to follow up and expanded upon that topic in an effort to make sure there is an understanding of the change and why our board has voted to make it before registration opens next month.

Concept:

· To split the league at the Mustang and Bronco levels into a two tier format; One purely recreational division and another division playing a more competitive level of Baseball.

· The Competitive Division would be populated with our elite level players. Kids that have made a major commitment to develop their baseball skills and typically play the sport year around. They likely play both in LCYO and on another competitive Club, Travel or Tournament team. We estimate that this group represents approximately 30% of all registered players.

· The Recreational Division will be comprised of kids that enjoy playing baseball in a positive community based program but aren’t interested in playing the game at advanced competitive levels or are new to the sport and would benefit from playing against a like peer group that allows them to advance their skills and enjoy the lessons and benefits of playing team sports against players at their ability and interest level. We estimated that this group will represent approximately 70% of all registered players.

Purpose:

· To improve the baseball experience for all by allowing kids that are of a like or similar ability and interest level to play with and against each other.

· To try and keep more overall players playing baseball longer; allowing the children from our community the opportunity and encouragement to continue their athletic enjoyment and life learning experiences afforded though team sport.

· It’s believed that this change may encourage more children to continue playing baseball longer.

· The more experienced, completive level players are more likely to stay in the league because they will be better challenged by the higher overall level of play and heightened competitive environment.

· The more recreational or developmental level players may be encouraged to continue in the sport and advance their passion, skills and confidence because they’ll be playing with more like level players.

· The recreational league players will also have increased opportunity with more reps at bat and without the elite players eating up the Pitching, Catching, SS and 1^st base positions he will have more opportunity to play and learn key and challenging positions in the field.

Why:

· We are observing a changing environment in youth sports that stretches beyond our league and sport.

· The gap of ability, enthusiasm and frequency of play between our lowest and highest level players appears to be growing.

· It’s submitted that this gap is pushing players at both levels (elite and developmental) out of the game and/or our league.

· The recreational level kids are quitting the sport in frustration and the elite kids are choosing to play club or travel ball exclusive of the community league.

· We see this model in other leagues and sports.

· Carlsbad Lightning Soccer would a good example of this model. They offer the kids from our community an opportunity to play either Recreational or Competitive soccer.

The hard fact is we are seeing a very significant drop off in the number of kids playing in our league at age 9 and above.

In the spring 2011 season LCYO fielded the follow number of teams per age group

TeeBall (5-6) 22 teams

Pinto (7-8) 28 teams

Mustang (9-10) 22 teams

Bronco (11-12) 12 teams

Pony (13-14) 4 teams

The numbers for Teeball and Pinto have been steady or growing over the past five years. The number of kids playing at Mustang and beyond have been dropping and fast. As recently as the Spring 2010 Season LCYO fielded 24 Mustang, 16 Bronco and 8 Pony Teams.

The numbers are telling, kids at all levels of ability and interest have been exiting the league in increasing numbers starting at age 9 and accelerating as the age increases.

It’s hard for me to believe that we are maximizing our community value as a organization when more than 60% of the kids playing at 8 will be finished playing community baseball with their schoolmates and neighborhood friends at the age of 10.

Our board has researched and discussed this change for more than a year. We have spoken in detail and sought out input and advice from other baseball leagues, PONY local and regional officials, past members of our board, coaches from our league and parents from our community. We also have looked at models from other sports (i.e. soccer, basketball). While this move does bring change, we believe that it will create a better playing experience for all of our kids, at all levels of ability and interest, while preserving a community based program.

It’s interesting to note that LCYO has gone through some very significant changes over its 32 year history. For example at our founding the center of our program was a empty church owned field on Alga Parkway. We started by offering the kids from our community a place to play baseball and soccer. As time went on the league added softball and moved away from soccer. For much of its history LCYO was an independent league, not affiliated with PONY or any other national association. The goal was to create an opportunity to allow the children of our community a structure to play sports in a positive and community based non-profit program and today that remains our goal and reason for existing.

It’s time to change and adapt again. It’s worth noting that there are several larger PONY affiliated leagues in the Los Angeles area that have already successfully adapted this model. Based on our discussions with league officers we believe that other North County leagues are likely to make this change in coming seasons and in fact our neighbors at Carlsbad Youth Baseball (CYB) have agreed that changing to this format would be a benefit to the kids in their league as well.

The Officers of CYB and LCYO have worked very closing in examining the benefits and possible pitfalls of this change. This working relationship and shared vision has lead to a partnership and agreement to play a interleague schedule for the Mustang and Bronco Competitive Divisions in the Spring 2012 season.

The Recreational Division will remain an intramural program and LCYO teams will continue playing one another in a format very similar to what the kids have experienced in past seasons.

Alignment and Format:

There will be no change to the team formation or league format at the TeeBall (5-6), Pinto (7-8), Pony (13-14) or Colt (15-16) levels

The Mustang (9-10) and Bronco (11-12) Divisions will each be split into two groups:

Mustang American (Recreational) and Mustang National (Competitive)

Bronco American (Recreational) and Bronco National (Competitive)

The American League (Recreational)

· Teams will play as one division in Bronco and be divided into two sub-divisions (North/South) for Mustang.

· Each will play an full season schedule against one another.

· No Interleague play.

· The American League will continue to play LCYO local rules

All in all the American League will look and operate in a very similar fashion to past seasons.

The National League (Competitive)

· Teams will play an inter-league schedule against other LCYO NL teams and CYB Competitive teams.

· The National League will play modified PONY All Star Tournament Rules.

Player Evaluation and Draft:

· ALL age eligible league players will go through a planned evaluation day.

· Players will be graded and ranked on their performance ability by league appointed non-interested observers.

· This “official” evaluation will be used by the NL Managers along with their own observations and any past experience or knowledge of the players to draft their teams.

· Any registered player is eligible to be drafted by a National League Team unless the players parent specifically opts out at registration and requests that their child only be placed on a Recreational (American League) team.

· All NL Managers are free to pick any league eligible, registered player regardless of actual ranking.

· The National League teams will hold their draft first.

· Each NL team will draft a total of 11 players.

· The American League (recreational) coaches will then draft teams from the remaining player pool.

· The AL draft will go 12rds or until all available players are selected

In short, LCYO will continue to offer an opportunity for your child to play community based baseball with his schoolmate, friends and neighbors.

LCYO will retain it values and goals. We will continue to be a community resource focused on providing the children of the greater LaCosta neighborhood an opportunity to enjoy the sport of baseball and experience the life lessons gained from team sports in a positive environment.

We believe that this is the correct course of action and hope that it will result in more kids playing baseball for a longer period of time.

If your son/daughter is interested in playing baseball in a purely recreational environment our league will continue to provide that opportunity for him or her and place them on a team with players at their interest and ability level.

If your son/daughter is looking for a more advanced, competitive playing experience our league will now offer them a chance to have that, while continuing to play in a community based league with and against their schoolmates, friend and neighbors.

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that LCYO is a community based non-profit organization and is completely volunteer run. Thanks to the efforts and contribution of time from more than 500 coaches, team parents and league administrators we strive to provide a positive environment for the children of LaCosta from aged 5 – 16 to enjoy the benefits and experiences of playing Baseball and Softball.

If after reviewing this you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please contact me. If you’re asking something in the nature of a league wide question, procedure or rule I’ll ask that you post it to the LCYO FACEBOOK page and I’ll answer it there. If you have a specific question regarding your child please email me at baseballdirector@lcyo.org.

I hope that your children enjoy playing in our league!

Regards

Michael McCrory

LCYO Vice President / Director of Baseball

PINTO PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 21 August. All practices are at LaCosta Meadows Elem School

(LCM) LCM1 = field 1, LCM2 = field 2.

9am

LCM1 - Arizona Wildcats, Manager Moran

LCM2 - Stanford Cardinal, Manager Fishbough

LCM2 - Oregon Ducks, Manager Kabo

11am

LCM 1 - UCLA Bruins, Manager Sarem

LCM 2 - Cal Poly SLO Mustangs, Manager Vohnout

LCM 2- UC Irvine Anteaters, Manager Chiarella

1pm

LCM1 - Pepperdine Waves, Manager Pacino

LCM1 - USD Torreros, Manager Greupner

LCM2 - Cal Bears, Manager Grush

LCM2 - Long Beach State Diretbags, Manager Cavanaugh

3pm

LCM1 - UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, Manager Barozzino

LCM 2 - SDSU Aztecs, Manager Beacham

If you have any questions about practice or which team your Son is on please contact LCYO Pinto Director Scott Sarem at pintonorthdirector@lcyo.org

Fall Ball Update

Registration for Fall Ball ends today.

Team rosters will be complete and you should expect to hear from your child's coach sometime mid-week.

There is now a wait list for each division. We hope to get every player on a team roster; at this point the Division Directors are confirming the number of volunteer coaches we have for each division. We have enough field time for all players registered provided that we have enough Managers and Asst Coaches. If you would like to volunteer and have not yet done so, please go to your registration page and sign up as a volunteer, then email the appropriate division director (emails below).

Practice will begin next Sunday 8/21. The first regular season game will be Sunday 9/4.

TeeBall will be playing at El Camino Creek Elem (ECC)

Pinto will be playing at LaCosta Meadows Elem (LCM)

Mustang will be playing at Mission Estancia Elem (ME)

Bronco will be playing at Avira Oaks Middle School (AOM)

Pony will be play at Zone 5 (Z5)

Your team Manager will be able to tell you practice times and will distribute the game schedule once its finalized.

Please contact the following Division Directors if you have any questions:

TeeBall - Tony Caruso; tbnorthdirector@lcyo.org

Pinto - Scott Sarem; pintonorthdirector@lcyo.org

Mustang - Matt Ginn; mustangnorthdirector@lcyo.org

Bronco - Blake Pierson; broncodirector@lcyo.org

Pony - Brett Monia; ponydirector@lcyo.org

I hope your child has a fun season playing baseball!

Regards

Michael McCrory

LCYO Director of Baseball

2011 LCYO Baseball All-Star Teams

Congratulations to all of our 2011 All-Stars!

Click here to take a look at the team rosters

Big Fly Spring & Summer Camps

U10 Knights play in Az Tournament

LCYO Baseball Master Schedule

Click here for the Spring 2011 Baseball Schedule for all divisions

Carlsbad High School 2011 Home Run Derby & Alumni Game

Sunday February 13th

The Home Run Derby is open to all skill levels with gold, silver and bronze tee shirts awarded for first through third place in each division. The entry fee is $20 which includes 10 outs, a commerative tee shirt, a hot dog or donut and a drink, and a raffle ticket.

8U - 8:00 am - 90' Fence

10U - 8:30 am - 130' Fence

12U - 9:00 am - 175' Fence

14U - 9:30 am - 225' Fence

16U - 10:00 am - 275' Fence

18U - 10:30 am - 300' Fence

Open - 11:00 am - Fence

Click here to Register for the Home Run Derby

Alumni Game @ 1:00 - The CHS Winter Varsity Team will take on an Alumni Team. If you’re alumni and want to participate, contact Coach Greene at chsathletics@hotmail.com or Dave Eshelman at info@lancerbaseball.org.

All proceeds go to the Carlsbad Baseball Boosters and will be used to help achieve their mission of enhancing the environment of Carlsbad High School Baseball with emphasis on community, education, sportsmanship and fun!