SYBSA Mission Statement

The Sharon Youth Baseball and Softball Association is a program of service to youth. Its goal is to provide children with an enjoyable baseball and softball experience, which includes learning the basic skills of the games, teaching and instructing youth in the rules of the game,

 promoting teamwork, and developing skills necessary to play youth baseball and softball safely. The organization aims to instill the values of sportsmanship, community and compe

tition with the core goal of developing and enriching the lives of our youth through their SYBSA experience. Contact us for questions about our or programs.

PRACTICE AND GAME TIMES for BASEBALL:
Grade        Day/Approx. Time
K                 Friday Evenings
1                 Wed Eve. and Sunday afternoon
2                 Tues and Sat afternoon
3                 Mon, Thurs. AND Sat. AM
4                Day and times vary (Mon- Sun).
 

Program Overviews: Spring Baseball

Kindergarten T-Ball - rules and guidelines (pdf)  
Play on FRIDAY EVENINGS
Program Objective: The primary objective of kindergarten T-ball is to teach the program’s youngest players the proper fundamentals of baseball - hitting, base running, throwing, catching, fielding (fly balls and grounders), and positioning. The goal is to establish a foundation of fundamental skills, where, if practiced regularly, will result in increased skill development as a player progresses through the program.

Program Overview: The emphasis of T-ball is to teach and develop the correct fundamental skills of baseball in a safe environment. If the proper fundamentals are not instilled and adhered too at a very young age, players will develop bad habits which will impede the progression of a child’s playing skills as they get older. Skill development is taught by repetitive drills conducted at stations under the supervision of SYBSA approved coaches. Each station focuses on a specific baseball skill such as hitting, base running, throwing, catching, and fielding. For example, the hitting station focuses on the fundamentals of hitting including proper grip, head positioning, batting stance, and swing mechanics (e.g. hips ahead of hands, squish the bug). Skill concepts are demonstrated by coaches and taught to players in small groups to enhance learning. Training and tennis balls are used at each station to prevent injury. Games are NOT played in T-ball. However, a mock game or intra-squad scrimmage might be conducted, under coach supervision, during the final week of the season. T-ball is held at the Ames Street Fields. Parent attendance is mandatory.

First Grade Baseball - rules and guidelines (pdf)
Play on WED. EVENINGS AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON 
Program Objective: The primary objective of first grade baseball is to reinforce and further develop the important fundamental concepts learned in t-ball - hitting, base running, throwing, catching, fielding, and positioning. Additionally, the cognitive aspects of baseball will be introduced and taught via coach controlled games.

Program Overview: Program emphasis is on teaching and developing the basic, fundamental skills of baseball such as the proper way to swing a bat, field and throw a baseball, and run the bases. Game play is also introduced so players can gain a greater understanding of field positioning and situational baseball decision-making (e.g. throwing a baseball to the correct base). Skills are developed through a combination of drill stations, team practices, and coach controlled games – with a greater emphasis on station work and practice time (i.e. games only in the last two weeks of the season). In games, coaches pitch on one knee and tees are sometimes utilized to assist a player to hit. First grade baseball is held at the Deborah Samson Fields. Parent attendance is mandatory.

AA Baseball - rules and guidelines (pdf)
Play on Tuesday evenings and Saturday late morning (Shabbat Team practices on Sundays).
Program Objective: The primary objective of second grade baseball is to reinforce and further develop the important fundamental concepts learned in t-ball and first grade - hitting, base running, throwing, catching, fielding, and positioning. Additionally, the cognitive aspects of baseball will be expanded and reinforced via coach controlled games.

Program Overview: Program emphasis continues to be teaching and developing the basic, fundamental skills of baseball such as the proper way to swing a bat, field and throw a baseball, and run the bases. Game play is expanded so players continue to develop a greater understanding of field positioning and situational baseball decision-making (e.g. throwing a baseball to the correct
base). Skills are developed through a combination of drill stations, team practices, and coach controlled games. In games, player pitching and catching is introduced but is closely supervised and controlled by team coaches. Second grade baseball is held at the Deborah Samson Fields. Parent attendance is mandatory.

AAA Baseball - rules and guidelines (pdf)
Play on Mon/Thurs evening and Sat. Mornings (as early as 8 AM)

Program Objective: The primary objective of third grade baseball is to introduce “live” game play to participants while continuing the development of their fundamental skills.

Program Overview: In third grade, “real” baseball games are played with umpires, rules, and scorekeeping. An abbreviated season of approximately 8-10 games is played. No playoff or championship games are held. Drill station work is conducted during the first week of the season to evaluate players for the purpose of making balanced teams. Team practices are then held for the next 2-3 weeks with games commencing thereafter By the end of third grade, players should be well-grounded in the physical fundamental skills of the game as well as the more cerebral aspects of baseball. As a SYBSA “rite of passage,” third grade coaches have field preparation responsibilities each Saturday morning during the season. Third grade baseball is held at the Deborah Samson Fields.

National League Baseball - rules and guidelines (pdf)
Play varies from week to week (Mon-Sun)
Program Objective: The primary objective of the National League is to provide a competitive league for the majority of Sharon’s little leaguers.

Program Overview: The National League is comprised of all 4th grade players and those 5th, 6th, and age-eligible 7th graders who do not qualify for play in the American League. Depending on participation rates, the National League generally fields about 12-14 balanced teams. Teams are constructed based on mandatory Little League evaluations, qualitative coach input from previous seasons, known performance on summer travel or AAU teams, etc. The season generally begins with team practices and 3-4 exhibition games followed by a regular season of approximately 15 games. Double elimination playoffs are held culminating in a championship game. The National League is governed by Little League rules with certain exceptions and additions. These rules can be obtained from SYBSA upon request. In order to fully develop player skills, positional rotation between outfield and infield is required by National League coaches. Certain exceptions apply for pitchers and catchers. National League games are played at the Deborah Samson Fields.

American League Baseball - rules and guidelines (pdf)
Play varies from week to week (Mon-Sun)
Program Objective: The primary objective of the American League is to provide a premier league for Sharon’s top ranked Little League players.

Program Overview: The American League is comprised of the 50 top-ranked 5th, 6th, and age-eligible 7th graders. Four balanced teams of 12 players are formed. Fourth graders, regardless of skill level, are not eligible to play in the American League. Player rankings are based on a variety of factors including mandatory Little League evaluations, qualitative coach input from previous seasons, known performance on summer travel or AAU teams, etc. The season generally begins with team practices and 3-4 exhibition games followed by a regular season of approximately 15 games. Night games are often played. Double elimination playoffs are held culminating in a championship game that is usually broadcast on local cable television. The American League is governed by Little League rules with certain exceptions and additions. These rules can be obtained from SYBSA upon request. In order to fully develop player skills, positional rotation between outfield and infield is required by American League coaches. Certain exceptions apply for pitchers and catchers. American League games are held at the Deborah Samson Fields.

Senior Travel Rec League (Grades 7-8)

Baseball for these older kids moves to a larger, 90-foot diamond. The 7th grade and the 8th/9th grade travel programs are more competitive leagues of 7th-9th graders requiring travel to other neighboring towns, primarily in the Hockomock league (Norton, Wrentham, Plainville, etc). The 8th and 9th grades play together. The number of teams and players selected will depend on both the number of 7th-9th graders registering for baseball as well as the number of players participating in the tryouts. Not all players trying out are guaranteed a position on the travel roster. The season begins in mid-April and runs through mid-June. Games are 7 innings and are normally played on Saturdays and Sundays. On occasion due to rescheduling, a game could be played on a weeknight or a double-header on the weekend. A high level of communication is expected from all players.

 

Program Overviews: Summer Travel Softball

Summer Travel Softball - rules and guidelines (American Softball Association)
Tryouts for the Sharon Girls Softball teams will be Friday April 10 and Saturday April 11. The 2009 Summer Travel Softball program season starts the middle of June and runs through the last week of July. There are 2 games per week and are played in Sharon and other communities within the Hockomock area. The age groups are U10 (born on or after 1/1/1998), U12 (on or after 1/1/1996) and U14 (on or after 1/1/1994). For more information, please contact .
 

Program Overviews: Summer Travel Baseball

Summer Travel Baseball - rules and guidelines (pdf)
Program Objective: The Summer Travel Leagues offers an experience for kids to play baseball in a more competitive environment than the Town Spring Leagues.

Program Overview: Teams will be coached and players will be utilized during a game as conditions warrant with the objective of putting the team in the best position to win and promoting individual and team development within this context. Development of skills at a variety of infield and outfield positions will be emphasized over the course of the summer season, rather than game by game. During a travel game it should not be expected that defensive positions will be rotated inning by inning, as may be the case in Spring Baseball – as players will gravitate towards certain positions based on performance and ability. For each travel game, the minimum playing time guidelines listed below will be used. Additionally, coaches may use playing time, line up and positions to emphasize the importance of practice attendance, adherence to team rules and timeliness. Each team will have at least 12 Players on the roster. This means that not all kids trying out will make the most competitive team. Team selection is based on the following factors: actual performance during the Spring League; historical performance on previous Summer Travel Teams; formal tryout as evaluated by coaches from other grades; summer camp/vacation schedule.