Frequently Asked Questions Rather than participating in the league specified by the program, can my child play up to an older age group or down to a younger age group? No. Our rules do not allow a participant to deviate from their age group without Board of Directors approval, except in the case of a 6 year old playing up in the Pinto League which will be allowed with the approval of the Baseball/Softball Commissioner.
Does my child have to attend a try-out session? Yes. In order for a participant to be an eligible candidate for the league draft, he/she must 1) be registered 2) have paid the registration fees of have an approved waiver, 3) have attended a try-out session. The only exceptions to the try-out requirement are when the participants return for their 2nd year of eligibility on the team or when the participant will be drafted as a priority draft selection.
Do all participants in the program receive a trophy? No. All participants in the Shetland and Pinto Leagues will receive a trophy. Participants in the other leagues will receive trophies if the team finishes first or second in the regular season in their division or first or second in the end of season tournament.
How many practices and games are required per week? In the Spring session a maximum of 3 team meetings per calendar week including games in Shetland league. A maximum of 4 team meetings per calendar week including games for Pinto League and above. A calendar week runs from Monday through Sunday.
In the Fall session a maximum of 3 team meetings before the first game. Once the season begins, all teams will be restricted to 2 team meetings, including games, per week. A calendar week runs from Monday through Sunday.
Can I have my child removed from a team when a problem exists between a coach and a parent or between a coach and a child? If the following conditions are met: 1) the official request provided by the program (exception request) is completed and submitted prior to try-outs. 2) The request is due to problems encountered with the Team Manager or Priority Assistant and is not an attempt to manipulate the draft or team structure. 3) The parents making the request understand that if a player is released from the team, then the player must attend try-outs and is eligible for draft by any other team in the league. The released player cannot be selected as a Priority on another team.
Can I request that my child not be drafted by a specific Team Manager or Priority Assistant? Yes, as long as the following conditions are met: 1) the official request provided by the program (exception request) is completed and submitted prior to try-outs. 2) The request is due to problems encountered with the Team Manager or Priority Assistant and is not an attempt to manipulate the draft or team structure. 3) No more than one team Manager or Priority Assistant can be specified in the request and only one request per season can be submitted by any one player.
If I encounter a problem with the program, who should I contact? The League Commissioner for your child's league is responsible for assisting you with any problems you may encounter. However, if your problem is specifically about uniforms, fundraising, umpires, or special events, please feel free to contact the Director of that particular area you are having problems with or the President or Vice President of the OHYSA. You may use our website www.leaguelineup.com/ohysa for more information.
How are the rules developed in the OHYSA? During the Fall Association meetings, rule proposals are submitted and discussed with the general association membership. These rules are then presented to the Board of Directors for final determination. If you wish to become more involved and have a say in how the program is run then you should become an association member.
As a non-coaching parent, is any participation required of me by this program? Yes, as a parent in this program, we do ask that you assist your team with field maintenance, concession duty and fund-raising activities. The more participation by everyone involved provides for a stronger and more productive program.
If my child is hurt while playing in the program is there accident insurance to cover their injuries? Yes, we provide an accident insurance program through PONY Baseball, Inc. This program is second to your own insurance and becomes primary in case your child is uninsured.
What is a "Priority" Draft selection and how many are teams allowed? "Priority" draft selections are to be used solely as a method of allowing team managers and priority assistant coaches to draft their own children and to keep siblings on the same team for the benefit of the parents. Under no circumstances will a priority draft selection be allowed as a "free pick" of any eligible candidate. In order for a team manager to exercise a priority draft selection of a priority assistant coach's child, that team manager must present a priority assistant approval form to the league commissioner for that league, prior to the league draft. The priority assistant must sign the form and abide by the requirements set forth on the form to be eligible for a priority draft selection. No team may have more than 2 "priority " draft selections on the team roster during a given season (excluding sibling type priorities). A player taken as a priority draft selection shall remain a priority draft selection on that team for the duration of the 2 years of eligibility in that particular league. The only exception would be if that player quits during their second year of eligibility. A team manager must exercise a "priority" draft selection of his/her children and the child of his/her Priority Assistant Coach and/or the brothers/sisters of a player already a member of the team. A team manager is not required to select a priority assistant coach, however, if one is selected then they must be declared at the player draft. A priority draft selection of the team manager's children or the children of the priority assistant, shall begin in round 2 of the draft whereas the selection of brother/sisters (siblings) type priorities shall begin in round 5 of the draft.
