2012 REGISTRATION DATES:

January 21 and 22, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
February 4 and 5, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

In-person registration for the 2012 spring baseball programs will be taken at The Baird in South Orange and the Civic House in Maplewood.  Any child who did not play in the South Orange Maplewood Baseball program in Spring 2011 MUST REGISTER IN PERSON AND BRING A COPY OF HIS/HER BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

Returning players have the option of online or in-person registration.  Online registration will be available from January 1 through February 5 at www.thebaird.org.  (Note:  If this is the first time you are registering for a program online, you may need to wait up to 24 hours for your online account to be activated. Convenience fees apply to online registration.  These fees are paid directly to the internet service provider.)

View the attached handout for information about registration, important dates, volunteer opportunities, umpires, league descriptions, and tryouts.

See the next article for the downloadable registration form.

If you are planning to register in person, you can expedite the process by completing this form (BOTH SIDES!) before you arrive at registration.

Be sure to also bring some form of payment and your child's birth certificate (unless he/she participated in SOM Baseball in 2011, in which case we still have a copy of the birth certificate).

T-Ball American?  Rookie National?  Majors 70?

Want to know more about each league - age, skills expected or taught, tryouts, when and where, etc?  Just download the attached handout for all this info in one convenieent document.

We have plenty of openings for coaches - expecially for the younger players.  If you are interested, you need to complete a Volunteer Form and FIRST TIME COACHES must also complete the Coaching Application, consenting to a background check. Both forms can be downloaded using the link just below this article.

If you have any questions, please come to one of the registration sessions - coaches will be on hand to describe the program in detail.

HEAD COACH – The Head Coach has the primary responsibility of dealing with players and parents.  He/she has final decision in all baseball matters. Coaching volunteers are required to attend the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (one time only) or complete the comparable coaches' certification course offered online by the Babe Ruth organization.  The Rutgers course will be offered in South Orange on March 21 for all new coaches.

ASSISTANT COACH – An Assistant Coach has the responsibility of helping the Head Coach. Coaching volunteers are required to attend the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (one time only) or complete the comparable coaches' certification course offered online by the Babe Ruth organization.   The Rutgers course will be offered in South Orange on March 21 for all new coaches.

We are accepting requests to be a team sponsor from individuals and members of our business and professional community for the 2012 season. This is a cost effective way to build brand loyalty by advertising to the local market while supporting the kids and the community.   Team shirts are printed with the company or team name of your choice, and sponsor information and links are included on every page of this site.  Check out the details in the handout. 

Anyone who will be at least 13 years old as of April 30, 2012 is eligible to be an umpire for SOM Baseball Minors, Majors, and Babe Ruth League games.

Completion of “Youth Umpiring 2012” qualifies students for a preference of game assignments and $5 extra per game.

Youth Umpiring 2012

Saturdays, February 4, 11, 18, 25
9:30 am-12:30 pm at The Baird

Umpires who attended in 2011 must attend again in 2012 to receive the preference and the additional $5/game.

ADVANCED CLASS 2010
Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, 27
7:30 - 9:00 pm at The Baird

REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Advance registration is being accepted for both classes at The Baird. The fee is $5.00.

Questions - please contact Chip Nolet at (212) 341-7926 or by email.

The policies below have been adopted by the National Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth organization for 2012:

CAL RIPKEN BASEBALL DIVISION

The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter.  Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed.  Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed. 

13-15 (BABE RUTH) BASEBALL DIVISION

The bat may not exceed 34” in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 5/8” in diameter.  All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed.  Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed.  Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed. 

PENALTY

• If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his “at bat” the bat is simply removed from play and the “at bat” continues.

• A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out.  No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand.  This is an appeal play.  The “at bat” will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter.

• Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game.

Coaches Larry Busichio and Chris Henry will again be offering this popular summer camp during the weeks of June 25-29, July 9-13, and July 16-20.

This camp, for ages 7-14, will not only focus on the basic fundamentals of baseball, but instill the methods to improve and hone a player’s skills. Each camper will be exposed to the following:

• Proper mechanics of throwing a baseball
• Defensive techniques
• Fundamentals of the swing
• Mental Aspect of the “Game”
• Baserunning techniques
• Pitching, Catching, and/or Position Player Fundamentals
• Sportsmanship and Rules

Every player will be analyzed and evaluated during instruction and games.

Please see the handouts for more details and a registration form.

The South Orange Maplewood Baseball Organization is divided into several subcommittees which meet year-round, working with the Recreation Departments, constantly reviewing and improving the baseball program.  New volunteers are always needed.  Please pick an area (or areas) where you would like to participate and contact the committee chair by email or telephone to find out when/where they will be meeting.  ACT NOW!!  Your kids thank you for your help!    
 
BASEBALL SUBCOMMITTEES:

REGISTRATION AND PUBLICITY: Responsible for organizing registration, keeping track of registration names and forms, placing articles in News Record, Gaslight, web site, getting flyers to schools. Contact Les LeAndre at (973) 763-2948.

UMPIRES: Responsible for recruitment, training and scheduling of umpires. Contact Chip Nolet at (973) 761-7531 or pesimach@aol.com.

COACHES: Team assignment, qualifications and training:  
  T-Ball and Rookie Leagues: Matt Lefferts at mcl@fwrv.com or (973) 275-1333. 
      Minor, Major and Babe Ruth Leagues:   Doug Sasfai at dsasfai@verizon.net or (973) 275-0914.

PLAYER & COACHES’ TRAINING: Responsible for planning and scheduling of training and instructional clinics/seminars for development of players and coaches. Contact Doug Sasfai at (973) 275-0914 or dsasfai@verizon.net.

TRYOUTS AND TEAM SELECTION: Responsible for designing the tryouts and subsequent drafts for the Minors, Majors and Babe Ruth divisions and the team formation for the younger divisions. Contact Chris Coreschi.

GAME AND FACILITY SCHEDULES: Responsible for preparing the master schedule for the fields and facilities and scheduling make up games. Contact Steve Coleman at (973) 761-0727 or colepeople@aol.com  or StevenC@pvpassoc.com.

RULES: Responsible for reviewing and publicizing league rules and working to resolve any conflicts that arise. Contact David Leit.

FACILITY MAINTENANCE: Responsible for working with public works and the recreation department to improve the facilities. Also organize Parent work weekends. Contact Bill Fitzsimmons at (973) 378-2517 or billheatherfitzsimmons@yahoo.com.

FUNDRAISING: HELP WANTED.

SUMMER PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Responsible for Summer League calendar, teams, coaches, etc. Contact Bill Krais.