Folks, please be advised that registration closes at midnight on 2/28/21. It may seem early to some but we need sufficient time to order uniforms and equipment, secure volunteers, develop teams and schedules, etc. Registration requests after 2/28/21 should be sent to brianmcdonald508@gmail.com. HYBSA’s goal is to allow every child who wants to play baseball or softball the opportunity to do so, but decisions to allow late registration will be made on a case by case basis taking into account roster sizes and the availability of uniforms fort that particular age group.

As we head into 2021, Covid-19 continues to impact our approach. The good news is that we developed and implemented sound practices last summer and fall that kept kids safe while providing the kids a positive experience and we will implement similar practices this spring. The bad news is that the March indoor clinics are not an option and our parade / carnival is once again cancelled. That said, as soon as the town fields are opened, we will begin scheduling practices and games will begin in late April. In the meantime, do your best to get your sons and daughters out there playing catch and when you can taking some swings.

People have begun inquiring about which day(s) and times of the week their age groups will be playing. We don’t expect things to be drastically different than years past, but the town is receiving some additional requests given disruptions earlier this year and they have yet to allocate fields to any youth sports for the spring. As always, we will be working with other sports to eliminate conflicts by age group to the extent possible and as soon as we have some clarity, we will get that information out to you. We recognize that most families are managing several moving parts.

We will be back in touch once more information is available. Please spread the word about registration closing to your friends and neighbors.

It’s that time of year again to register for Holliston Youth Baseball and Softball for the spring 2021 season! HYBSA provides opportunities for all Holliston boys and girls from currently enrolled in Kindergarten through 8th grade to participate in baseball and softball programs. The spring season, which typically commences with indoor clinics in March (subject to adjustment due to Covid), starts outdoors sometime in April (depending upon condition of the fields) and continues through approximately the end of the school year, is grade-based and intended to be instructional. Click on the REGISTRATION tab (above in the header bar) to learn more and register your child.

Please find the attached program descriptions for fall baseball and softball with the registration links embedded in them. We delayed the opening of registration purposely while awaiting any changes in state protocols. While we remain in Phase 3, baseball and softball games can be played safely as proven by summer seasons. That said, there is a quick turnaround for registration and with many families holding credits from the spring season, registration is unorthodox.

If you complete the attached link(s), it represents a full commitment to playing even though we are not asking for immediate payment. Instead, we will rectify balances on a case by case basis with families. Credits will posted where they should be and where payments are due, we will require manual payment as the season approaches.

Assuming we stay in our current posture and can play, softball formats are well established but baseball formats will depend on registration numbers. Where we have enough players to run an in-house league we will. Otherwise, we will partner with neighboring towns. The in-house options obviously give us more flexibility around scheduling but either way we will do our best to work around other town sports with the disclaimer that there isn’t always a way to do so perfectly. Let’s hope Covid numbers decrease going forward and we can get kids out on the field in a fun but safe setting.

Click below to learn more and register

Fall Baseball

Fall Softball

Thanks,
Brian McDonald
HYBSA

Consistent with Governor Baker’s announcement that schools are closed for the rest of the year, sadly the 2020 spring season has been cancelled. News about summer and fall seasons will be announced as information becomes available. As previously mentioned, sponsors, uniforms and equipment purchased are all being rolled over to spring 2021. Absent our hearing from you, we will roll your 2020 spring registration over to spring 2021. While doing so is very helpful for logistical purposes, we recognize that the approach isn’t ideal for everyone and we will mail a refund to anyone who would prefer it. If you would like a refund, please write brianmcdonald508@gmail.com. If you roll your registration over and for some reason your son or daughter doesn’t play next spring, we will process a refund then. Thank you for all of your support during a challenging time and please stay healthy and safe.

Hopefully everyone is healthy and safe as we deal with unprecedented times. HYBSA continues to follow state and local advisories and is paying close attention to school schedules and news from the MIAA, with the safety and wellbeing of our children our top priority. Just to confirm, there will be no parade on 5/3 and this year’s raffle has been cancelled. If you have sold tickets, please return the money and explain.

While the outlook isn’t overly optimistic for a spring season, we are preparing for three scenarios.

1. If we get incredibly lucky and the 5/5 school reopen date isn’t extended, we would start the spring season then and could extend the season as late as 6/21. In essence, the season would be the same length, just starting and ending later than usual.
2. If our start date were extended to a date between 5/5 and Memorial Day, we would attempt to play an abbreviated season, again ending on or about 6/21.
3. If closures extend beyond Memorial Day, a spring season is unrealistic.

These plans are general, recognizing that coordination is needed when inter-town play is involved. In some instances, that communication has already taken place and some summer tournaments have already agreed to adjust their timelines.

In terms of registration fees, HYBSA is fortunate to have the financial security to cover the expenses associated with uniforms and equipment already purchased. As a result, nobody will be asked to pay for a season that doesn’t take place. If the season is abbreviated, we will coordinate a prorated refund that represents our decrease in expenses and if the season is cancelled, refunds will occur. The only challenge is manpower, as our treasurer is one person who probably didn’t expect that type of workload when she signed up for the job… Nonetheless, we will figure out how to make it work in an organized fashion.

On a positive note. HYBSA graduates and now high school athletes, Owen McCarron, Max Israel and Lucy Mauro were generous enough to create the attached links as a resource for the kids. The first link covers throwing, hitting and fielding and although the boys are using a baseball, the drills apply to baseball and softball equally. The second video is softball specific as Lucy does a great job covering pitching. These three are great role models and we are very appreciative of their thoughtfulness.

Baseball https://youtu.be/2OpTwzQTifE

Softball https://youtu.be/54PUKVa-oMQ

Thanks again for your patience and understanding as we all wait and see. Thank you to all of you who offered your support in a variety of ways, its greatly appreciated.