About OAYL
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Orwigsburg Area Youth League (OAYL) is a T-Ball organization open to boys & girls residing in the greater Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain School District area. The intent of OAYL is to introduce the game of baseball to area youth by teaching the very basics of the sport and the importance of good sportsmanship, all while making sure it is done while having fun!
Our league predominantly consists of 5 & 6 year old boys & girls. We generally do accept some older 4 year olds provided a parent is willing to be at least an Assistant Coach. We also accept 7 year olds who may not be quite yet ready for pitched leagues. For more info, please see "Age Eligibility Chart"under Handouts / Info link or contact a league representative.
It is important to note that OAYL T-Ball is a completely independent organization. Although we are generally considered a feeder program to Orwigsburg Little League and Orwigsburg Areas Girls Softball, we are NOT affiliated with either. We also have NO geographical residency requirements, although almost all of our activities take place in Orwigsburg Borough.
What to expect
Updated 02/12/16
Every coach is different, so each coach might have their own special ways of managing their teams. But, generally speaking, all your child will need to bring to practices are:
· Glove
· Water Bottle/Drink
SHOES – Baseball cleats are not required, but they are permissible. NO METAL SPIKES are allowed, however. Some kids will wear their soccer shoes. Others just wear old playground shoes. DO NOT have them wear brand-new school sneakers – the infield dirt tends to discolor sneakers when the ground is wet.
HELMETS & BATS – The league has many batting helmets and bats of various sizes and of decent quality for your child to use, so you will NOT need to bring your own. However, some kids will bring their own helmets & bats, and that's fine.
UNIFORMS – Uniforms will be distributed just before games start (around late April). Our uniforms consist of a shirt and a hat (true for both players and coaches). We do NOT supply baseball pants or socks. Kids can wear whatever they desire on their legs – baseball pants, shorts, sweat pants, etc. If you are going to purchase new baseball pants, we suggest a gray color.
FACILITIES – We have no running water, but we will have a portable toilet onsite for practices and games. The Concession Stand will only be open during games, selling mostly chips, snacks, candy and cold beverages. Occasionally there will be pizza slices for purchase.
FIELD OF PLAY – Only coaches who are cleared by the league are permitted on the field during practices and games. Each player MUST wear a heart-guard chest protector whenever they are on the field. These are provided by the League. No player is permitted to swing a bat outside the fenced area/field of play.
WHATEVER YOU BRING – PUT YOUR NAME ON IT, especially hats, gloves, water bottles, and anything you want back if lost.
EXPECT TO HAVE FUN!!!
2019 Season Schedule (updated 6/1/19) - not updated for 2023 season as of 01/09/2023
Our season schedule is as follows:
April 29 – Practices Begin (field & weather dependent)
May 27, Memorial Day Parade, 8a – generally no games are held Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-27), but all teams are invited to march in the Orwigsburg Memorial Day Parade.
May 28 – Games Begin - schedules are uploaded on calendar.
June 2 - Opening Day Festivities, 1pm Postponed to June 9, 1PM
June 10 - Team Photo's as follows:
5:00 - Stein's Farm Market
5:15 - DH Moore
5:45 - Professional School Photography
6:00 - St. Clair & Associates
6:15 - Thomas Pharmacy
June 30th – Closing Ceremonies/Player Recognition Day (trophies & movie) Hamburg Strand, Doors open at 12:30 PM (Toy Story 4).
Practices and games are generally limited to 1 hour in duration.
Once practices begin, each team will generally practice twice a week.
Once games begin, practices will likely end. Each team will generally play 2-3 times per week.
Coaches Wanted!!
Updated 03/21/2018
As you can imagine, we are a high-turnover league. As such, we are ALWAYS looking for parents willing to coach. If you are interested, GREAT!!!! But before you can, you will need to be cleared by the League.
ALL assistant and head coaches and volunteers MUST provide copies of the appropriate background clearances in accordance with State law.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND CLEARANCES
Per PA Act 153 of 2014, as of July 1 2015, all volunteers must submit copies of the following clearances to OAYL (oayltball@hotmail.com):
Child Abuse History Clearance (PA Department of Human Services)
Criminal History Record Check (Pennsylvania State Police)
FBI Clearance (only required if NOT a continuous resident of PA for last 10 years)
All those planning to help coach in any capacity will need to have these clearances. The good news is that the application fees for volunteers has been waived by the Commonwealth for the state clearances (the FBI clearance fee is NOT waived however). Copies of the clearances MUST be submitted to OAYL by either emailing them to oayltball@hotmail.com, mailing them to our PO Box, or dropping them off at registration.
For more information on the required clearances (and perhaps updated links), please visit the PA Department of Human Services website.
YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE OR GAMES WITHOUT THE REQUIRED CLEARANCES.
OAYL will notify you when you have been accepted to participate.
All verified and accepted coaches will receive a uniform shirt and hat for wear during the games. To offset the coach uniforms costs (~$20 for shirt & hat), we ask that you reuse yours from last year if possible. If you need a new coach shirt and/or hat, we request a $5 donation per uniform. This is a request, and is NOT MANDATORY. You can include this donation with your online registration payment.
