2017
Player
Handbook
http://springfieldbaberuth.org
Recreational Baseball for Teenagers
Welcome to the 2017 Springfield Babe Ruth League!
We welcome our returning players, new players, parents and friends to Springfield Babe Ruth (SBRL).
We are proud of our tradition of providing quality baseball for the Springfield Community and look
forward to another wonderful year.
This year, we're about to experiment with a new expansion program for players who want to match the
experience of Springfield Babe Ruth League competition with the rigors of a travel team. We will be
expanding the season for seniors who engage in a special tryout (and agree to pay a separate fee) with
an extra 20 games on the regular 16-game Babe Ruth schedule. The games will be interspersed in the
regular seniors season – we'll break for All-Stars with the best players from the travel team and the
regular seniors squads – and then run on into the summer with additional games in the Northern
Virginia Travel Baseball League (NVTBL). We'll have to see how it goes with sign-ups. The expected fee
will likely be significantly less than what a player would face in an area travel team.
I want to thank all the friends and members of the league for their support last year. SBRL provides
baseball opportunities in both Spring & Fall for players who are league ages 13 to 19.
Our league is run entirely by volunteers. Our current Board of Directors is comprised of 10 members, of
which only two still have league age children. We all work and use our spare time to volunteer.
Organizing practices and games for our teams in the Spring and Fall, including many inter-league games
with neighboring leagues, is a major undertaking. Frankly, we need more help to make the league run
as smoothly as we would like. Please consider joining the Board of Directors.
In order to encourage greater family participation, the Board introduced in 2016 a participation fee of
$50 per family enrolling in SBRL each Spring. The fee will be entirely refunded to families assisting the
league with various jobs throughout the season. These jobs require about 3-4 hours of your time. Those
who do not participate in some capacity will forfeit this fee to the league.
Our ultimate goal is to encourage more involvement in the league. This could be managing a team,
assisting at tryouts and all-star games, or helping maintain our fields, batting cages and bullpens to keep
them in the prime condition that will make us proud to play there and host other leagues. If we cannot
get more involvement, we will at least have the funds needed to hire people to do these jobs because
we just cannot keep up with it all. All families will have equal opportunity to sign up for various jobs that
will be posted on the SBRL website following our 3rd walk-in registration. The web address is:
http://springfieldbaberuth.org
Please get involved and help us make Springfield Babe Ruth League an even better experience for our
players now and in the future.
Shannon Coffey
President, Springfield Babe Ruth
LEAGUE AGE AND ELIGIBILITY:
SBRL has four levels of play: Senior, American,
National and Prep. The Player Agent coordinates
the assignment of players to levels based on age and
skill level, prior participation, membership on a
high school team, and/or performance at a tryout.
League Directors and the Player Agent conduct a
pre-season player auction to assign players to
teams. No one can guarantee a team assignment
prior to the auction.
SBRL will conduct four levels of competition based
on age:
 Senior: All players: ages 16, 17, 18 and 19
 National: All non-high school players: ages 14
and 15.
 American: All high school players: ages 14-15.
 Prep: All players: age 13.
Babe Ruth League eligibility for levels of play are as
follows:
BIRTH DATE
Jan 1, 1997 to April 30, 1998
May 1, 1998 to April 30, 1999
May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2000
May 1, 2000 to April 30, 2001
May 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002
May 1, 2002 to April 30, 2003
May 1, 2003 to April 30, 2004
AGE LEVEL
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
Senior
Senior
Senior
Senior
National/American
National/American
Prep
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS:
The SBRL Board of Directors strongly
recommends physical examinations prior to
tryouts. The parents or guardians of the
participants are responsible to ensure that their
sons or daughters are physically able to
participate in the program. If a player has a special
physical condition that may affect participation
(e.g., diabetes, allergies, and unusual vision
problems), please indicate that on the player
information sheet when you register, and at
tryouts.
SAFETY AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Safety is paramount! Umpires, managers, coaches,
players and spectators should be safety conscious
at all times. Babe Ruth Rules require the wearing
of protective equipment, such as approved
helmets, athletic supporters and protective cups,
by players at practice and games. The league
provides all required safety equipment, except
athletic supporters and protective cups. To
minimize risk, rules on safety equipment are
strictly enforced.
TEAM ASSIGNMENTS AND TRYOUTS:
Guidelines for tryouts and team assignments:
 All registrants must tryout except those in the
following categories:
 Returning 15 year olds who were permanent
members of a team last year.
 Returning 17, 18 or 19 year olds who were
permanent members of a Seniors team last
year.
 If a registrant is unable to tryout, notify the
Player Agent as soon as possible. Only the
Player Agent or League President may
exempt a player from trying out.
 The league sets specific dates/times for
tryouts based on weather and availability of
facilities. Tryouts for Prep and National levels
are held in early March and for seniors in late
April. The Player Agent will send post cards
to each player, announcing the tryout
dates/times and will notify players by
telephone or email of rescheduled tryout
dates/times in the event of postponements.
Changes will also be posted on the website
springfieldbaberuth.org
Please address questions about tryouts to the Player
Agent or Vice President.
PLAYER AUCTION:
Managers draft players during a player auction
conducted by the League Director and Player
Agent. Only managers, coaches and league officials
may attend the player auction. No one has the
authority to guarantee a team assignment to any
prospective player. Please inform the Player Agent
of any playing restrictions at registration or
before tryouts.
MANAGERS AND COACHES:
If you would like to manage or coach, sign up at
registration. The SBRL Board of Directors must
review and approve the qualifications of each
manager by a simple majority vote before he or
she is permitted to manage any team. Coaches are
selected by managers after the teams are formed.
Only a manager's children are guaranteed specific
team placement on that manager's team. There is
no provision for coaches' children to be assigned
to specific teams.
RULES OF THE GAME:
Official Baseball Rules as modified by Babe Ruth
Official Playing Rules and local league regulations
govern play. These rules are available on our
website. Team managers will also have copies of
the official rules and regulations and will make
them available to parents who have questions or
concerns. Please direct your questions, concerns
or suggestions to your League Director.
FIELD MAINTENANCE AND PREPARATION:
We assist the County and high school staff with
field maintenance and also provide volunteer
labor for general field maintenance and for the
preparation of fields before league games. We are
also expected to leave the fields in good condition
following play. All players are expected to assist
with field prep prior to games and clean up
after games. Parent volunteers are welcome.
INSURANCE COVERAGE:
The League provides secondary insurance
coverage for players, managers, coaches, directors
and certain volunteers within the limits of a group
policy sanctioned by Babe Ruth, Inc. In general,
this coverage provides for payment of the
difference between the primary insurance
payment and the total costs incurred. Direct all
questions regarding insurance to the SBRL Vice
President or the President.
UMPIRES:
SBRL uses our own SBRL-trained umpires to
whom we pay a competitive fee for each game
umpired. Anyone interested in attending training
to become an SBRL umpire (must be at least 15
years of age) should contact the SBRL Umpire
Coordinator.
REFUND POLICY:
The refund policy reflects the overall needs of
SBRL and provides for a fair and reasonable
refund that can be applied consistently for all
participants. The policy applies to all levels of play
(Prep through Senior Leagues).
 If a player withdraws for any reason, after
registration but prior to the draft/team
selection, the player will receive a full refund
of all fees paid less a $25.00 administrative
processing fee.
 If a player withdraws after the draft/team
placement the refund policy is determined
one of two ways:
 In the case of an injury, a family transfer, or
any other extenuating circumstances
(approved by the Executive Committee of the
Board) the refund will be prorated based on
the number of games played, less a $25.00
administrative fee. Example: A player who is
injured and paid a $200 fee and has played
half of the games will receive a refund of $75
($200/2=$100 less $25)
 If a player quits or withdraws for any other
reason, such as playing for another league,
there will be no refund.
The team manager and the player agent will
coordinate the refund with the treasurer.
SPONSORSHIPS:
SBRL solicits sponsorships for the League to help
defray costs. In return for their generous
contributions, sponsors’ names and logos are
displayed on the Springfield Babe Ruth web site
and will be displayed in next year’s handbook.
Please help us encourage everyone to patronize
and support the League's sponsors. We need
sponsors!!! Please contact the Director for
Sponsors if you would like to be a league sponsor
or know someone who is a candidate for
sponsorship. Since SBRL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization, all sponsorship
donations are tax deductible.
Questions?
If you have spring/fall registration or general
questions: e-mail us at [email protected]
(Karen Markey, vp) or [email protected]
(Myron Struck, registration-sponsors director).
Early Alert on Fall Ball
Springfield Babe Ruth spearheaded the formation
of the Babe Ruth Fall Baseball League in 2007. It has
been very successful and expanded to a Northern
Virginia wide league that includes teams from
McLean, Vienna/Falls Church/Annandale, Greater
Fairfax, Northern Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun,
Manassas, Brentsville and Gainesville/Haymarket.
There were 39 teams in three age categories last
fall, rising 13 year olds, rising 14-15s (juniors) and
rising seniors. There were about 40 teams in three
age categories last fall with 13+ teams in each
division. We look forward to an even better season
each year. The fall league is open to teams from all
leagues in Northern Virginia, including non-Babe
Ruth Leagues. The individual leagues form the teams
and submit them to us for scheduling.
We charter the teams under Babe Ruth for
insurance purposes, but this does not prevent teams
from other leagues from registering with us. There
are no drafts. We structure divisions within each age
category to maintain balanced competition. There are
no tournaments as the focus is on preparing the
players for the level they will play in the following
spring.
Sponsors and Rewards
Be sure to shop at Modell’s during SBRL’s team weeks March 4-25. You will get 15% off your total
purchase and when league members purchase over $500, Modell’s will donate 5% back to the league.
If you forget to pick up a coupon at registration or misplace it, you can still get your discount by
mentioning SBRL at check-out. For more information stop by our check-in table at registration.
Please support our sponsor, Hard Times Café in Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD BABE RUTH LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 2017
POSITION
NAME
PHONE #
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Shannon Coffey
Karen Markey
Eva Coffey
Kim Amatucci
703-451-8325
703-231-5349
703-451-8325
703-865-5062
Equipment & Uniforms
Fall Baseball Coordinator
Fields Director
League Director 13-15
League Director 16-19
Player Agent
Registration Director
Scheduler
Sponsors Director
Tournaments Director
Training Director
Travel Team Director
Umpire Coordinator
Bill Amatucci
Karen Markey
Dave Stelter
Alex Markey
Frank Lee
Open
Myron Struck
Karen Markey
Myron Struck
William Cumming
Open
Bill Amatucci
Karen Markey
202-538-5513
703-231-5349
571-331-7782
703-585-0120
703-690-9015
703-866-4708
703-231-5349
703-866-4708
703-913-5727
202-538-5513
703-231-5349
2017 Spring Schedule
Date
14-Jan
Day
Saturday
Registration 2
Time
10 AM – 2 PM
Place
Irving
21-Jan
Saturday
Registration 3
10 AM – 2 PM
Irving
2-Feb
Thursday
Board Of Directors Meeting
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
TBD
TBD
Manager's Selection meeting
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
2-Mar
Thursday
Board of Directors Meeting
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
TBD
TBD
Umpire & Managers Local Rules
Meeting
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Lake Braddock
12-Mar
19-Mar
Raindate
Activity
15U Tryouts
Sunday
Prep Last Name A-J
1 PM – 3 PM
Prep Last Name K-Z
14-15 Year Olds
2:30 PM - 4:30
PM
4 PM – 6 PM
TBD
TBD
TBD
National Draft
7 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
TBD
Prep Draft
7 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
6-Apr
Thursday
Board of Directors Meeting
7:30 PM-9 PM
Lake Braddock
18-Apr
Tuesday
Prep and National Division Opening Day
6-May
7-May
Raindate
Saturday
Senior Tryouts:
All Senior Players
3 PM - 4:30 PM
Senior Draft
7:30 PM – 10 PM
Lake Braddock
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
7:30 PM – 9 PM
Lake Braddock
TBD
TBD
4-May
Thursday
Board Of Directors Meeting
13-May
Saturday
Senior Division Opening Day
1-Jun
Thursday
Board Of Directors Meeting
9-Jun
Friday
Last Day, Prep & National Divisions Regular Season
23-Jun
Friday
Last Day, American & Seniors Divisions Regular Season
July 7-10
Friday -
District All-Star Tournaments
Monday
Finances:
2015/16 Player Income vs Expenses
Average
INCOME
Amount
Registration
Spring & Fall
Late Fees Collected
Sponsor & Donation & Part Fee
$ 33,503.50
$ 145.67
$
$
3.48
$
15.29
$
Income Total
Spring & Fall
Per Player
800.00
3,516.08
$ 37,819.58
$ 164.43
Umpires-reimbursements
$ 17,730.00
$
77.09
Equipment & Uniforms
$ 13,954.53
$
60.67
League fees and Ins.
$
$
10.63
Field Maintenance & Supplies
$
$
3.22
All Stars & Tournament
$
1,171.46
$
5.09
Administrative
$
2,017.51
$
8.77
EXPENSES
Expense Total
2,445.00
741.24
$ 38,059.74
$
(240.16)
$ 165.48
$
(1.04)
Spring #
Fall #
Total #
119
63
182
Milano's
Fundraiser
This winter
Support Springfield
youth baseball
Sponsored by SPRINGFIELD BABE RUTH
Come and join your 'teammates' for a
night of pizza and fun
More information soon!