Handbook

Our belief at Bourne Youth Baseball and Bourne Babe Ruth is to provide a well-balanced, and fun opportunity for all players, regardless of their ability. We work hard throughout the year preparing our fields and recruiting the best possible volunteer coaches to work with all of our athletes. We believe that every child who wishes to take part be able to play the great game of baseball. Our leagues provide every possible resource available to us to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our athletes. We believe that youth sports play a great role in the overall molding of a young student athlete, and we strive to ensure that learning fundamentals, along with the social aspect, are considered top priorities. Winning is always fun, but the overall experience of being part of a team and an organization will always be our number one goal. We hope that everyone has an enjoyable experience while playing Bourne Youth Baseball, and Bourne Babe Ruth.

See you all at the field.

The Bourne Youth Baseball/Bourne Babe Ruth Board of Directors

The Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball program, using regulation competitive baseball and softball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Babe Ruth League, Inc., is committed to providing our participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that opportunity.

Bourne Youth Baseball has invested a large amount of money in the sound systems at our fields. Each system averages a cost of over $2,000.00. We are very proud of what we have accomplished. We have some of the finest equipment and intend to take very good care of it.

We do have rules regarding the operation of the sound systems:

While everyone attending a game is requested to assist in helping to pick up after themselves, there are some basic responsibilities that the teams are required to take care of:

The league provides dumpsters for the trash. These responsibilities are not difficult, especially if everybody pitches in and helps. We have some of the finest fields on Cape Cod. Be proud of what we have and let’s take care of them.

CHAIN OF COMMAND

Every well-run organization has a chain of command in order to assist with problems that may occur during the season.

For Bourne Youth Baseball, it starts with the team manager. If a player or parent has a problem, we would ask that this be brought to the manager first. If this problem cannot be resolved then the next level will be the league’s division coordinator. The coordinator is a member of the board of directors. If the problem still cannot be resolved, then it should be brought to the attention of the league president and the entire board of directors.

For Bourne Babe Ruth, this is essentially the same as BYB with one difference. Bourne Babe Ruth has a Player Agent. If a player or parent has a problem that cannot be resolved with the Manager first, then the next level is the Player Agent instead of the coordinator. The Player Agent is essentially the player’s lawyer before the board of directors if needed. The Player Agent is a member of the board of directors. While the Player Agent’s decisions are generally final, if the problem still exists and cannot be resolved then it should be brought to the attention of the league president and the entire board of directors.

ZERO TOLERANCE

While Bourne Youth Baseball / Bourne Babe Ruth have no opinion of alcohol use and smoking in general, we require that all people present at any game or our parade, at any of our fields refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or marijuana, or other drug use. The code of conduct is in full force for our games and practices. In addition, Babe Ruth League, Inc. has its own reference in its rules and regulations regarding tobacco use under Local League and Tournament Rules All Divisions.

The Town of Bourne has dictated that drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or marijuana, or other drug use will not be tolerated at any town field. In addition, should any persons involved with any team participate in any of these acts at one of the fields, you may be dismissed from the team.

We will provide a proper environment for the children at all of our games and practices.

TRYOUTS

Bourne Youth Baseball currently has over 600 baseball players enrolled within our system. We make every effort to have a fair tryout for every player. Our goal is to place each and every player on a team that will teach and improve their skills. To do this, we must have tryouts to assess the player’s ability to catch, field, bat and run. Each age group is assigned a time so they can tryout with their age group. Times are posted on our website at www.BYB.org, a copy given upon registration, noted at the local schools and also placed in the Bourne Enterprise. We ask that your child is at their designated try out time so we, as a league, can place all of our players, by ability, on a team for the start of the season.

Players may not play in a higher age group unless he/she is one of the top 6 ranked players for that team – only exception being no age specific kids are being cut.

COACHES AND THE COACHES’ CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Starting with the 2009 Baseball Season, anyone who has an interest in coaching within the Bourne Youth Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball system will be required to complete a coach’s certification program. This Certification program is sanctioned by the Cal Ripken League which BYB falls under. In any given year, BYB may have up to 100 coaches coaching the league’s teams. For this reason, we as a league strive to provide knowledgeable coaches for the teaching, interacting and guidance of our participants.

This course is done on line through the Cal Ripken web site. The cost is $19.95, (paid by the person who wants to become certified) and is done at your own pace. This course must be completed by April 1st to become eligible and to be considered for a coaching position in the upcoming season.

Coaches who complete the Level 1 course with a score of 80% or better will receive the Babe Ruth League/Ripken Baseball Coaching Certification Program Level 1 certification for baseball and will be able to print a certificate of completion and wallet card from the web site.

The web site is http://www.ripkencoaching.org for more information please visit this web site or contact Bourne Youth Baseball.

OPENING DAY PARADE

Bourne Youth Baseball kicks off every season with an opening Day Parade. All the BYB players march down Main Street, Buzzards Bay from the Gazebo at the train bridge to the Community Center. At the Community Center we have an official opening of the season. Ceremonies include the singing of our National Anthem, a ceremonial first pitch, when possible, a flyover from Otis AFB, a hot dog and drink for the players.

This is a fun day for all and a great way to bring the community together for the day.

TEAM PICTURE DAY

BYB has a designated Team Picture day each season. Pictures will be taken at a designated site and each player’s team will be assigned a time to have their team picture taken. There are several photo options available for players to choose from. The coach will have picture packets and information available before, and on picture day.

BOURNE YOUTH BASEBALL AND BABE RUTH FIELDS

Locations:

Babe Ruth Teams play at Keith Field located in Sagamore. Drive under the Sagamore Bridge on Sandwich Road. Keith Field is on left after the gas station.

National League Teams play at the Pocasset Field on Barlow’s Landing Road just behind the Fire House.

American League Teams play on our field located on Shore Road in Monument Beach. Keep an eye out for the playground signs as this field is set back just off the street in the woods. This field also has a new playground for the younger siblings.

Minor East Teams play on our field located behind the Bourne Community and Veteran’s Building on Main Street, Buzzards Bay.

Minor West Teams play at Clark Field, located on Clark Road in Sagamore Beach. This field is located at the same location as the Clark Road playground and Lacrosse fields.

T-Ball teams: Players will be placed on a team closest to their village, with their games being played at the above mentioned field, within their village. The exception to this is Keith Field. Please indicate the closest field that the player lives near at registration.

T-Ball Players are ages 5, 6, and 7.
Minor and Major players are ages 8 through 12.
Babe Ruth players are 13-15.

TRAVEL TEAMS

Travel teams may be formed at any age group with enough interest in doing so. Tryouts are highly recommended for these teams, but with the board’s permission, trying out may be waived. Tryouts will be open to any player in their own age group, provided that each player trying out has played a minimum of 50% of their regular season games. In the event that tryouts are held at the beginning of the season, positive verification will be required to ensure that each player has played the minimum 50% of their previous regular season games. Players may try out for an older team, but may not play for a younger team. Coaches will pick their teams, usually 12–15 players, and submit the roster to the board for final approval, before announcing their team. Once a player is selected and approved for a team, the player plays on THAT TEAM for the travel season.

If there is not enough interest, there may be age groups without teams. If there is more than enough interest, A “B” team may be formed after the “A” team has been chosen and approved by the board of directors. A player may not be on more than one travel team roster. A player may be called to play on another team if there is a shortage of players, and the player’s original team is not playing at the same time. A player may only play on one team during Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken District, State and World Series tournaments.

Names of travel coaches will be submitted to the board for final approval. The Babe Ruth Coordinator will submit coaches for the 15-, 14-, and 13-year old teams. 12-, and 11-year old team coaches will be approved by the National league coordinator. 10-, and 9-year old team coaches will be approved by the American League coordinator. 8-year-old coaches will be approved by the Minor East coordinator. Even though the coordinators are submitting their recommendations, the Board of Directors has the final vote. Any coach that coaches a district team must be a regular season coach. To coach in any other tournament, they do not have to be a regular season coach. All coaches of any team must be CORI Certified and have an Official Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Coach’s Certificate.

There is an additional fee to play on a travel team. The fee will be determined by the cost of the uniforms and how many tournaments that team will enter.

Each age group that has a travel team will host a tournament in Bourne. Parents of every player will help with the tournament. As a family, they will be required to donate a minimum of 4 hours working on the field, official score keeping and announcing games, or by working in the snack bar. A pre-determined additional fee will be charged to any player whose family does not fulfill their time. NO EXCEPTIONS^.

If a family member is not available during their child’s tournament, they may work a different weekend at a Bourne Tournament.

Travel team players playing time is determined entirely by the coaches. Even though our coaches are asked to try to play everyone the best they can, some players may not play in every game. These are travel teams, representing the Bourne League, and they are trying their best to win. If you truly do not understand why your child is not playing much, then we would recommend you wait until that day’s games are over to approach the coaches. We recommend that you wait 2 hours after that day’s final game to have your discussion with them, and that it take place where the conversation cannot be overheard. DO NOT CONFRONT the coaches in front of other players or parents.

PARENTAL CODE OF CONDUCT

We take the safety and the security of all of our players very seriously. This is why we have adopted the Parental Code of Conduct.

We expect that all fans that choose to watch their son or daughter’s team, do so in a manner of sportsmanship and class. We also expect the same from any guest who may be there with family members, as you will also be responsible to act accordingly while in attendance at either a Bourne Youth Baseball or Bourne Babe Ruth sponsored game or event.

We have a zero tolerance policy for any type of negative behavior. If it appears that a problem may be arising, your child’s coach will have the first task of asking you to quiet down and refrain from this behavior. In the event that the poor behavior doesn’t stop, then the umpire will instruct you to leave the premises immediately. If you refuse to leave, then the umpire(s) will direct both teams into their dugouts and the police will be called to the field. You may be arrested for trespassing. BYB and BBR have permits for the fields for the season, which entitles us to have a person arrested for trespassing if required.

Each offense of the Parental Code of Conduct will be brought before the Board of Directors, and disciplinary action will take place.

At all times the safety and security of our participants will be first and foremost in every decision.