Bat rules for 2011

Originally dated November 19. Pat Quinn will update everyone at the baseball meeting on January 17.

There continues to be a lot of Questions about what bats are legal next season, Rule changes, Timelines, Age groups affected etc. Here are listed links to many different organizations websites on 2011/2010 rule changes on Bats.

Everything you wanted to know about the new Bat Rule changes
o Baseball America has produced an excellent special edition Bat Guide magazine for Retailers/Customers to help understand what is going on with all the new Bat rules and changes. Below is a link that should answer all your questions on BBCOR, BESR, testing, timelines, new rules and regulations that are in place for 2011/2012.

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BatGuide/

What High School bats should I purchase (BBCOR or BESR)?
o The new BBCOR rule goes into effect 1/1/2012 for High School players. Beginning January, 2011, high school players can still use approved BESR bats. BESR Bats are much hotter than BBCOR bats. High school players and coaches will want the hottest bats offered that are legal for play as long as possible. Early reports from the field on BBCOR bats is that the bats are dramatically less lively. Major colleges across the country have been able to demo products and the feedback is that the bats are similar to wood bats. These changes will affect the game with less Home runs.

What about used BESR Bats?
o Should I continue to buy Used bats? Keep in mind that all BESR bats will NOT be grandfathered in for game play so purchase used BESR bats accordingly as these will become Batting cage or practice bats starting 1/1/12 for High School players. This is a NCAA and NFHS rule change not the Vendors or Retailers.


Please see the updated attached “Legal BESR/ABI Bats for play” list provided by the NFHS below for the 2010/2011 season.

http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=4155


Easton Fall Launch Updates
Easton does not currently have any approved BESR bats or BBCOR bats out on the market. They have their new line of bats being delivered to retailers now that meet the new BESR and BBCOR standards.

Easton is experiencing shipping delays on SR & HS fall launch bats. Here is a current shipping schedule as of today.

o Easton Omen, Surge, Rival SR (Big Barrel) & High School & College BBCOR Bats –current report from Easton is mid December.

o Easton Omen Comp (-3) High School and College BBCOR bat will ship in January.

o Surge & Rival SR (Big Barrel) & High School (BESR) bats will start shipping next week. These are not approved for college play in 2011 or for high school play in 2012.

11/8 Booster Meeting Canceled

The booster meeting for tonight has been canceled. We will meet again on December 13 in room B106 at the high school. At that time we will be discussing player pack sales incentives, planning for the annual baseball player/parent meeting on Martin Luther King Day, and preparing for the upcoming season. Please mark your calendars and be part of the group.

Booster Club Meeting on Wednesday, October 13th

We will have our next Booster Meeting on 10/13/10 at the High School. The meeting will take place in B106 @ 6:30 PM. We hope to see a lot of parents there to help make their son's high school baseball experience a great one! In order to keep our momentum going we need the all the parents to help out and show their support!! Please mark your calendars for this Wednesday night... lets get together, meet each other, and support our kids and baseball program!!

Varsity field to get new scoreboard

The dreams of a new scoreboard on the varsity field will finally come true. The booster club voted last night to purchase a board from Fair-Play Scoreboards (http://www.fair-play.com/products/baseball-scoreboards/ba-7120-2/). The board will be a major improvement over the very small board that is currently on the varsity field. Thank you to all the players and parents that worked hard to sell Twins tickets. With your efforts we have been able to make this dream a reality!!

9th Grade Field Improvements Near Completion

The 9th grade field improvements are nearly complete. The grass basepaths were installed just over two weeks ago and the sod is taking nicely. The grass along the backstop and near the enterances was installed last week and with the cool and wet weather also look good. The home plate area was raised about 6 inches and will drain nicely. More ag-lime will be added to the infield and the mound will be re-done in the next week or so. Thanks to everyone that has helped with this project. It looks great and will be a fantastic playing surface.

Booster Club Meeting September 13th

We will have our first 'in school' Booster Meeting on 9/13/10 at the High School. As it has been in the past... the meeting will take place in B106 @ 6:30 PM. It would be fantastic to get the same kind of showing that we were getting last year... lot's of parents trying to make a difference in their son's baseball experience!! We have a great group of freshman players coming into the program... and it will be a good chance for their parents to be welcomed into our group! In order to keep our momentum going... we need the younger players parents to help show support!! Please mark your calendars for this night... lets get together, meet each other and see where this program is going to take us!!

The Booster Club looks forward to seeing you on the 13th of September!!

Freshman Field Improvements

Jeff Ruhl and other parents are working to improve the freshman baseball field. They are trimming the edges, replacing the 1st and 3rd base paths with sod (to match the varsity field), raising home plate, improving the mound, and making it a great playing surface. Thank you Jeff for leading this effort!!

Any parent that would like to help with the project is welcome and encouraged to do so. Please contact Kraig Garmaker (kgarmaker@oldcastlebe.com) if you are interested in helping.

Salt Deliver Day is August 14!!

Salt delivery day is August 14th. Everyone is needed to help to make delivery go quickly and smoothly. Kraig Garmaker is coordinating trucks, trailers, and volunteers. Please email Kraig (kgarmaker@oldcastlebe.com) to confirm your attendance and if you are bringing a truck or truck and trailer. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Booster Meeting on August 9th

There will be a booster meeting on August 9th at 6:30 PM at John Stong's house (2333 155th Lane NW). We will be discussing fund raising, the off season, and catch up after a busy summer schedule. Please join us for the meeting