I want to thank everyone who made Opening Day a big success this year. I can not mention everyone by name but you know who you are. Without dedicated people in the organization it would be hard to operate our facility and keep it clean. So thanks very much and remember this is all for the kids of our community.

I would like to thank Victor Doda president of South Baltimore for organizing Arena day at 1st Mariner Bank Arena. I think all the children had a great time playing their games in the afternoon and attending the Blast game at night. Its efforts like this that make youth sports so much fun. So thank you very much it was a great day all around.

To all involved in the Soccer clinic on October 10, 2007. I would like to thank The Crystal Palace USA Soccer Team for giving us the wonderful clinic at 10th Ave. I think the children had a great time and learned quite a bit also. We will continue this partnership well into the future. I would also like to thank all of the people who participated in the fun.

This letter is to let you know what is going on in Anne Arundel County and at BPYAA. The county has started to crack down on a few rules that have been in place for the last couple of years. These rules are being enforced all over the country. These rules are for the safety of our children.

1. All mangers and assistant coaches must take and pass a background check before they are allowed to coach our kids. This means any parent, sibling, relative and/or volunteer that is involved with our children on a county field must take and pass a background check. If your child’s manager and/or coach cannot make it to a game or practice the parent, sibling, relative and/or volunteer that steps up to coach the team, even for one night must have taken and passed a background check. The background check is confidential and the county makes the decision, NOT BPYAA. If you take a background check and there is a problem the county will notify the organization and let the president know that you cannot coach and then they will contact you. This is for the safety of our children. Remember, if you do not take a background check you will not be able to help with the children in anyway on a county field. Again, these are the rules we must follow and they are set by the county NOT BPYAA. We are all trying to help the children and keep them safe at the same time.
2. All managers must also take the county certification course. The course is one night and about three hours long. There are no exceptions. The county will notify you when the class is available and you must attend. If you do not attend then you will not be allowed to manage, coach, and/or help with the children in anyway.
3. Please supply your coaches with a concrete way to get in touch with you. Whether it is a cell, home, office #, or email. It is a tough thing as a coach to make 12 to 15 phone calls and hope that everyone gets the message. We do have a rainout # 410-789-1363. We also have a website you can go to for updates and contact information.
www.bpyaa.org
4. This website is also a way for you to communicate with the organization and for the organization to communicate with you. You can receive information and you can also have your voice heard. By going to the site and posting a message under forums. You can post under an anonymous name if you want. You can also help support our sponsors. We also have monthly meetings that we would like everyone to attend.
5. Good SPORTSMANSHIP should be displayed at all times from the Parents, Coaches and Players. If a parent, coach and/or player is ejected from a game the penalties are as followed:
First ejection: 1 game suspension
Second ejection: 5 game suspension
Third ejection: finished for the season

Thank you,
Mike Payne
BPYAA Sports Commissioner