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To: All New & Returning SYO Families
From: Don Dembroski (SYO President)
Re: 2019 Season Update
SYO Mission Statement:
The fundamental belief of the SYO is that every child in the City of Superior with the desire to play baseball or softball be afforded that opportunity. The SYO is committed to teaching fundamental skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. The SYO is committed to providing our participants the best educational, sports experience possible.
First of all, thank you for choosing to participate in the Superior Youth Organization baseball and softball programs in 2019. Whether your child is trying the sport as something new, playing just for fun, or is trying to play and compete at the highest competitive level, we strive to make your experience a positive one this summer.
2019 Updates & Outlook:
Thanks to last year’s successful fundraising event, we are happy to report that we have made some significant repairs to our fences that have been long overdue. Fences were lowered on the two small baseball fields (1 & 2) and Morrie Arnovich/Babe Ruth field (3), eliminating the gaps where balls continuously went under and repairs or additions were made to make our dugouts safer. Most of the work has been completed on Steve Arnovich field (1) and the Morrie Arnovich field (3), and we already have the final touches on Parenteau field (2) scheduled for early spring.
In addition, we also have the site prepared for two new batting cages behind fields 1 & 2 and will have that ready to go this season. In addition we will be pursuing a new cage next to the Women’s field (5) on the south end of the complex and possibly the cage next to the maintenance garage. We appreciate your patience with the batting cage projects as we rely so much on volunteers and faced some additional challenges with unfavorable weather last year.
As we look toward 2019 we will continue to pursue improvements to the complex, including repairing the scoreboard on field 3 and a potential practice infield area next to our new batting cages. Of course there is a lot of additional planning, physical work, and fundraising that must be accomplished to make this happen. We are once again planning to participate in the coupon booklet fundraiser program we did in 2018. Efforts like this allow us to keep registration fees in check. Returning families will notice that rates in 2019 have not changed.
2019 also marks our fourth year using online registration and is the second year we are going 100% paperless. Our online registration will open on or around January 15, 2019 and registrations will close March 31. We also have a discount for families with multiple participants. If you are in need of setting up a payment plan or applying for financial assistance, please follow this link to fill out our online application. https://goo.gl/forms/JWJBry13z1bKaadW2
In addition, you will notice that we have an early bird registration special for those who register before March 16. Registration fees increase from March 16-31. The goal is not to punish families for registering late, but to encourage families to register early, so we can better prepare for the season. The earlier we get everyone registered, the faster we can move forward with determining the number of teams needed in each league, how to organize our softball groups, the number of coaches needed, the number of jerseys and hats to order, league schedules can be built, equipment can be ordered and prepared, player distribution between teams can be more even, and w e can be ready to start - once the fields are open for practice.
Furthermore, you will notice that we are making a change to allow our 12 year olds to participate in either the Majors or Intermediates Division. This change goes along with what most neighboring communities are doing and with what Little League baseball allows as a variation. We will continue exploring our program offerings to provide the best experiences in each division.
Finally, when it comes to the 2019 please consider the rewards of volunteering you time with us this season. Volunteers are the backbone of youth sports and we are always looking for coaches, team managers, and complex improvement help. You know your strengths, areas of expertise, and connections in the community. Please let us know where you can help!
Tentative Calendar of Events 2019
January 27 SYO Annual Meeting & Board Member Elections
February/March TBD Interviews & Approval of SYO paid positions
Online Registration 1/15 - 3/15 early bird discount, 3/16 - 3/31 final registrations
Jan. 15- Mar. 15 Post other SYO paid positions: Instructional & Minors League Coordinators, field maintenance, & Umpire in Chief,
March 1 & 8 SYO Open House & In Person Registration @ SMS (6-8 pm, gyms 1 & 3)
TBD Softball Clinic
Early April Instructional & Minors (coach pitch) Leagues roster determinations & coach selections
Early April Coaching Volunteers, Umpires, Background Checks,
April 7 Tryouts/Draft Minors, Majors, & Tournament Team Tryouts (9-12s) *11 am - 6 pm
April 14 Intermediates, Juniors, & Blues/Reds Evaluations/Tryouts *11 am - 6 pm (no gym)
April 21 Easter
April 28 & 29 SHS Youth Spring Training Camp (8-14)
Mid May Adrenaline Fundraiser Coaches Meeting
May TBA Instructional, Minors (coach/player pitch) League Meet & Greet
May TBA Adrenaline Fundraiser Cards Kickoff (coaches/parents/players)
May TBA Annual SYO Coaches Clinic @ SHS
May 12 Mother’s Day
May TBA 2019 Tentative Start Date (Minors, Majors, Intermediates, & Bantams)
May TBA Adrenaline Fundraiser Cards Blitz & Prizes (1:00 - 3:00)
May 20 2019 Tentative Start Date (Instructional & Minors (coach pitch/machine)
May 27 Memorial Day
May TBA 10U & 12U Softball?
June TBA 8U Softball
June 7-9 SYO/TPR Softball Tournament
June TBA Lakeview Tournament
June 21-23 Superior Showdown Tournament (10, 11, and 13-15 year old divisions)
July 4 4th of July Game
July 5-7 Blues/Reds Tournament
July TBA Reds and Blues Districts
July 22-25 Minors & Majors Playoffs
August TBA Golf Tournament
August TBA 2019 Art Von Tournament (Duluth)
August 3 John Hadley Memorial Softball Tournament
Thanks for choosing to participate in the SYO!
Donald Dembroski
Superior High School Social Studies Teacher
Varsity Baseball Coach
SYO President
