SYBSL

Salado Youth Baseball and Softball League (SYBSL) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers that has been providing the youth in the Salado, Texas and surrounding areas an opportunity to play softball and baseball at a variety of skill levels since 1971. The league handles boys and girls ages 3 –16. We currently hold one season per year every spring and recently joined the Little League Affiliate Program.

Seasons and Games

The league currently plays one season per year each spring. Registration typically opens in December and Closes the last week of January. Practices will start in February and the season will run from March until July depending on the team's ability to win in the playoffs.

Facility Regulations

COACH, PLAYER, PARENT & SPECTATOR BEHAVIOR 

  • Inappropriate behavior, poor sportsmanship, cursing, vulgarity, or obscene gestures are not permitted by any individual and may result in ejection/removal from any and all SYBSA properties. 
  • Any individual found in violation will receive disciplinary action or be removed from the league. 
  •  1. First Offense: 1 Game Suspension from the entire SYBSA complex 
  •  2. Second Offense: Indefinite suspension for the remainder of the season from the SYBSA Complex.(must not trespass the complex)
  • Any individual ejected from a game will receive an automatic one game suspension and may receive further discipline depending on the situation. Each situation will be reviewed by the SYB&SL Bboard to determine if further action is required. 
  •  Zero Tolerance Policy for Heckling and Uncalled-for Remarks Towards Umpires The Salado Youth Baseball and Softball Association (SYBSA) enforces a strict zero tolerance policy regarding heckling umpires or making uncalled-for remarks. Such behavior is considered unsportsmanlike and detrimental to the integrity of the game. 
  •  Policy: Any player, coach, or spectator found heckling umpires or making uncalled-for remarks will face immediate removal from the SYBSA Sports Complex. 
  • This rule is applicable at all times, including during games, practices, and other events held at the complex. 
  • Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from the league. Our commitment to maintaining a respectful and positive environment for all participants is paramount. 
  • Pertaining to Umpires: Zero tolerance - Immediate removal from facility for uncalled remarks made towards umpires (unsportsmanlike conduct). Refer to offense 1 & 2 (above).  

Field Maintenance

SYBSA has contracted an organization to maintain all SYBSA fields. It is very important the fields are maintained correctly and this organization maintains them to the standards that are required. We kindly request all teams leave field maintenance to the resource(s) assigned unless specifically requested by a board member. During the regular season, home team coaches and their staff are expected to prep the fields prior to the game to include chalking the fields and raking them. If there are any major field defects noticed, please email us at saladoyouthebaseball@gmail.com so that we can correct these issues promptly.

Registration and Uniforms

Registrations will be conducted online through our TeamSideline Portal. Registration opens the first week of December and typically closes the last week in January with an additional week of Late Registration. Late registrants will incur a $25 late registration fee. Uniform shirts and hats will be provided with registration. Pants, Gloves, Socks, Belts, Cleats, Bats and any additional baseball equipment will need to be provided by the player.

Umpires

At Salado Little League, all games at age groups above Pre-Tee Ball will be officiated by paid umpires. Umpires have full authority over the game and are entitled to respect from managers, coaches, players, parents, and spectators at all times. Any misconduct by a manager, coach, player, parent, or visitor that results in an ejection is at the sole discretion of the umpire. Once ejected, the individual must immediately leave the park. Failure to comply will result in local law enforcement being called to escort the person off the premises. If a manager or coach is ejected, they may be prohibited from participating in future games. The Salado Little League Board of Directors may also suspend anyone who verbally or physically abuses an umpire or league official, in accordance with the Salado Little League No Tolerance policy.

Q: What can I do if I have a complaint about an umpire?

A: First, gain an understanding of what constitutes an ‘arguable’ offense by an umpire. Like it or not, judgment calls (fair/foul, safe/out, strike/ball) are not open for interpretation or argument. Lack of umpire's knowledge of rules of the game, general ‘laziness’ in the field of play, and poor/bad attitudes towards managers/coaches/parents/players are all issues of which we would like to be made aware so we can address with the umpires. To file an official complaint, you may send an email to saladoyouthbaseball@gmail.com. We can ONLY take action when we have actionable data on which to act, so please be as detailed as possible in your report including the date, time, field location, team names, and the particulars of the incident or issues.

Q: What do players need?

Players will need a glove, baseball/softball cleats (Pre-T can wear tennis shoes), helmet and baseball/softball pants. The baseball/softball pant color is typically set by the coaches at the beginning of the season. Players will also need a Baseball bat that is a USA Baseball approved bat for Boys leagues. Girls leagues can be guided by the little league guidance found here: https://www.littleleague.org/playing-rules/bat-rules/#softball

Additionally, players can use batting gloves if they would like. 

Required training for coaches, umpires, board members and other volunteers

All SYBSA Head coaches, assistant coaches, umpires, board members and volunteers directly involved with the gameplay/practice on the field are required by Little League Baseball and SYBSA to complete the annual Abuse Awareness Training. Additionally, all coaches (head and assistant) are required to take Little League's Diamond Leader Training program. Additional trainings are available through the Little League Training Portal but are not required. 


At the start of each season, all persons listed above will be required to take and pass the Annual Abuse Awareness Training Course prior to having their first practice or direct involvement with any team or game. Coaches (head and assistant) will also be required to complete the Diamond Leader Training Course as well. Upon successful completion of the Course(s), all persons listed above will need to email the certificate to saladoyouthbaseball@gmail.com so that the certificate can be held on file and uploaded to the individual's TeamSideline Account. Failure to comply with completing these courses may result in suspension and/or removal from being in a coaching/umpire/board member/volunteer role. 

Coaches Requirement to post scores

After the end of the game, either head coach or their assistant coaches will be required to post the final score of the game through the TeamSideline app or report the score to any of the board members. The final scores and team rankings will be posted onto the TeamSideline website to be publicly available to anyone that views the SYSBA Website.

Lightning Protocol

We recommend you monitor the weather prior to your practices, whether they are at the SYBSA facility or not. While not required, it is recommended to have a parent monitor the weather during practices for any severe weather that may arise.  Inclement weather can show up out of nowhere. 

 If lightning is observed within 10 miles of the outdoor practice facility you are at, you need to immediately clear the field and take shelter and you should not return until 30 minutes after the last strike within a 10 mile radius and all indications are clear that lightning has left the 10 mile safety area. 

 If lightning occurs during games, whether visually observed or detected via device within 10 miles, the Board Member on Duty may communicate with the field umpires to suspend play. Umpires may choose to suspend play at any time prior to receiving direction from a Board Member on Duty if lightning is observed. Once fields are cleared due to lightning, they will remain closed for at least 30 minutes and games may not begin until the Board Member on Duty has notified the umpires that play may resume. Please remember to err on the side of caution with lightning. 

Background Check Requirement

All volunteers must complete a volunteer registration form and also provide personal details and consent to a background check. Background checks are non-negotiable and will be conducted by SYBSA regardless of previous background checks done by other entities. Background Checks are conducted through J. D. Palatine. Various information is taken into consideration for the volunteer position being requested. Ultimately, it is up to the discretion of the Board of Directors to determine who is approved or denied from serving as a volunteer. The safety and security of our players and other volunteers is of the upmost importance. Criminal history is usually the primary reason for denial of volunteer requests.