CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR COACHES & TEAM MANAGERS REGARDING TEAM CHECK-IN, FRIENDS & FAMILY PASS, & AWARDS

Due to COVID and Social Distancing regulations, TEAM CHECK-IN will look a lot different this year.

FIRST, IT WILL BE SCHEDULED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (in 15 minute increments, see below for details). (For WEEK TWO teams appointments will be in 10 minute increments.)

SECOND, IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT D-BAT LEWISVILLE (1500 Fairway Dr. Lewisville, TX 75957).

THIRD, the Home Run Derby Skills Challenge (for 2 players) will be take place immediately following scheduled Check-In time and will take place at D-BAT Lewisville. As an example: Your Team Check-In Time is 8:00 AM to 8:10 AM. That same team is automatically scheduled/slotted for the Home Run Derby from 8:10 AM to 8:20 AM (and if flows this way all day).

Come organized and prepared and it will go quickly!

What is Required PRIOR to Check-In:

• All players who will be playing on your team during the Wilson AAYBA Texas World Series must be listed on your official online AAYBA World Series roster and each of those players' guardians must have the online roster waiver completed before the following cut off dates: (A COVID WAIVER WAS ADDED AND IS REQUIRED.) {NOTE: Players do not need to be present for check-in.}

• Week One - Rosters and Waivers Must be Completed by June 10th, 2020.
• Week Two - Rosters and Waivers Must be Completed by June 17th, 2020.
• There are NO EXCEPTIONS. If a player is not on your roster by these dates they may not play in the Wilson AAYBA Texas World Series Tournament.

Please note that Tournament Directors (same policy as the last two years) will be randomly be checking rosters throughout the week (each day, at all venues).

What is Required AT Team Check-In:
To keep the process moving efficiently, please approach the Check-In Table with all of the teams paperwork ready, and please have all paperwork fully organized.

1. A copy of each player's birth certificate MUST be given to the tournament staff at Check-In (we will destroy these copies at the conclusion of the tournament). All teams must present "copies" of birth certificates for each player on your official World Series. Be aware that if an age challenge or roster challenge occurs, you will be responsible to present an original birth certificate on site. Failure to do so will result in the player being deemed ineligible. It is the Coaches responsibility to produce the original B/C if protested.
2. Proof of insurance listing AAYBA as an additional insured.
3. A liability waiver form for each player must have been completed online in advance (as referenced above by the respective date for tournament play). You must then have the parents sign the printed version and bring that to team check-in (do NOT mail in advance, bring signed waivers to team check-in). Any player without a completed waiver will be ineligible to participate in the tournament. These Forms WILL NOT be provided at check-in. Make sure all players are registered in advance and have completed the waiver and are in the system by the cutoff dates listed above. Again, you must complete the Liability Waiver Form online, by the dates referenced above, and then have the parents sign the form and bring that form to team check-in.
4. Your team's "Friends and Family" admission fee. This fee must be paid as a single payment per team and must be paid in cash (NO CHECKS) or may be paid by Credit Card. Credit card transactions will be accepted for TEAM PAYMENTS ONLY AND WILL BE ACCESSED A CONVENIENCE FEE OF $2 per rostered player.
5. The Emergency Contact and Hotel Information Form will be completed electronically at team check-in.

Where is Team Check-In:

Team Check-In will happen at:
D-BAT Lewisville
1500 Fairway Dr.
Lewisville, TX 75957

When is Team Check-In:

Team Check-In is: SCHEDULED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY THIS YEAR, APPOINTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WEEK TWO TEAMS HAVE BEEN SPREAD OUT OVER SEVERAL HOURS ON SATURDAY June 20th (8AM-5PM) TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCOMMODATE ALL TEAMS. FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO THE SIGN UP GENIUS PAGE TO PICK THE TIME THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU:
(Please NOTE: WEEK TWO TEAMS will be able to acces the Sign Up Genius beginning Monday June 15th, 2020. The current link is only vaild for Week One Teams. Do NOT sign up inside of Week One.) Things have gone so smoothly for the Week One group, we are able to condense to 10-Minute appointments and allow everyone to be OFF for FATHERS DAY!

Follow the link below!

Week Two Coach-Team Manager Check-in

Remember, Team Check-In also INCLUDES the Home Run Derby Skills Challenge, so make sure you bring your two (2) Home Run Hitters! (This is a scheduled event, by appointment only, no walk-ups. HRD participants must accompany their Team Check-In. See Home Run Derby section on this apge for complete details.) PLEASE NOTE: Other Team Members Are Allowed to Come Watch & Cheer on Their Teammates! The Pro Shop will be open featuring Special Deals for the AAYBA!

Check-In Time slots are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, so get signed up ASAP!

Friends and Family Pass:

The "Per Person" Gate Fee is Gone: Admission for the Wilson AAYBA Texas World Series is $70 per rostered player. (This is different from the $40 per adult that we previously charged and represents a substantial savings to your families). The admissions fee per rostered player covers anybody traveling with the team, parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbors, etc. The admissions fee is required for all players playing in the Wilson AAYBA Texas World Series regardless of number of games played, etc. The Tournament Director and the Site Directors, will be checking rosters daily at all locations. All admissions fees must be paid prior to the start of the tournament, and any failure to do so will result in (i) the unpaid player(s) being removed from the tournament, (ii) the current/upcoming game being forfeited, and (iii) the coach/manager suspended for the 3 games. A second violation suspends the team from the tournament.

Awards:

AWARDS - Wilson AAYBA Texas World Series

Individual RING Awards for rostered players will be given to the 1^st and 2^nd place teams in each level of play (Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, etc.). There are no awards for consolation winners.

1^st and 2^nd place Awards will be given to the Head Coach in each level of play (Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, etc.). There are no awards for consolation winners.

Due to COVID and Social Distancing regulations, we will not be able to have our traditional "Opening Day Events and Activities" this summer. This is a one-year issue caused by COVID and we will bring it back bigger and better in 2021!

WE ARE HOWEVER, THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS (D-BAT Lewisville and Wilson), ABLE TO PROVIDE the "Home Run Derby Skills Challenge!"

The HRD Skills Challenge will be held at D-Bat Lewisville this summer. It will be in conjunction with your TEAM CHECK-IN. Teams will be allowed two (2) players (vs. the normal 1 player) to participate. See details/rules below:

Winning Players Receive a $100 Gift Card from D-BAT Lewisville (for use in their ProShop)! Winners also receive a $25 online discount from Wilson Sports TEAM SHOP website (which offers excellent deals)! (There will be one (1) winning player for each of the eight (8) age groups in the World Series.)

RULES:

• Two (2) players from each Registered Team can compete immediately after their Scheduled Team Check-In time. These are SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS that immediately follow the team check-in, so the two (2) participating players must accompany their coach to the Team Check-In in order to participate. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE WALK-UPS. All participants must be inconjunction with their scheduled Team Check-In Appointments.
• The competition will be held using the Hit Trax System (machine throws pitches, no coach pitchers). Homeruns, and distances of homeruns are automatically calculated.
• DeMarini CF Zen bats will be available for use if desired by HRD participants. (Participants may also use their own bats, not shaved or illegal bats please.)
• There are no pre-registrations for this event this summer. Two (2) players accompany the coach to the Team Check-In, then participate in the HRD immediately following the Team Check-In Process. NOTE: Teammates will be allowed to watch and cheer on their team represetatives in the HRD!
• The winning players will be announced during the Coaches Meeting. (Winning players/teams will be identified and awards will be brought to the winning players during one of their pool play games.)
  1. There will be ONE winner from each age group (8 total winners)
  2. Awards are:
     1. $100 Gift Card from D-BAT Lewisville for use in their ProShop
     2. $25 online discount from Wilson for use on their Team Shop website

RULE DETAILS: (added 6/9/20 1:15PM)

1. Globe Life Field (Arlington) will be the HitTrax System ball park that all participants will use. This will ensure field dimensions remain consistent player/player through each age group.
2. (5) warm-up swings will be permitted to determine timing and pitching machine settings.
3. Following warm-ups - participant will be given (7) outs to record as many HR's as they can hit. An "out" will be defined as any batted ball that does not result in a HR as registered by the HitTrax unit. A "swing and miss" from the machine is not a batted ball and will not be treated as an out. All other "contact" (i.e., foul ball, foul tip, ground ball, fly ball, etc) that does not result in a HR is an out.
4. Once all (7) outs have been recorded, the Max Distance of any 1 swing recorded by the HitTrax unit will be documented and used as necessary for Tie Breaker purposes.

FIELD SETTINGS: (added 6/9/20 1:15PM)

• 7U - use 8U Field (w/ boost set to 3)
• 8U - use 8U Field (w/ boost set to 2)
• 9U - use 10U Field (boost set to 2)
• 10U - use 10U Field (w/ boost set to 1)
• 11U - use 12U Field (w/ boost set to 2)
• 12U - use 12U field (w/ boost set to 1)
• 13U - use 13U field (w/ boost set to 2)
• 14U - use 13U field (w/ boost set to 1)

Week One - Home Run Derby Winners were announced on the Coaches Zoom Meeting this evening!
Here they are:
7U Division: John Parsons, Academy Select - Cruz (6)
9U Division: Kalen Brown, Texas Rattlers - Brown (15)
11U Division: Konarh Gupta, Marucci Elite - Hill (22)
13U Division: Jonathon Frey, Keller Knights (22)

Flower Mound Youth Sports Association in Conjunction with the American Amateur Youth Baseball Alliance (AAYBA) and the Wilson AAYBA Texas World Series

PROTOCOLS FOR GAME PLAY

Date: June 5, 2020

To: ALL TEAMS, COACHES, PLAYERS, PARENTS & FANS

We are pleased to announce that per the Texas Governor's new executive order, a Path Forward for a return to YOUTH SPORTS GAME PLAY was recently authorized!

This is pursuant to Governor Abbott's New Executive Order. (Social Distancing for spectators will still be recommended; see details below.)

PROTOCOLS GAME PLAY:

1. COACHES/PLAYERS/PARENTS/FANS MUST READ, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO THE PROTOCOLS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD SERIES. FURTHERMORE, WE RECOMMEND THOSE IN ATTENDANCE FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED CDC GUIDELINES.

2. PARENTS AND FANS (SPECTATORS). Each field will have designated areas where Parents and Fans, are restricted from entering. Parents and fans are recommended to ensure social distancing is maintained. (Family units may sit together.)
   1. NO PARENTS OR FANS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE ANY WARM-UP AREA, DUGOUT, OR ON THE FIELD OF PLAY. These areas are restricted to Coaches and Players only.
   2. There will be NO grouping of the team outside of the field of play for typical "post-game" meetings, or shared snacks, etc.
   3. Teams are strongly encouraged to leave immediately after their game and sportsmanship greeting has concluded to allow for the next teams to have ample warm-up time on the game field.
   4. Signs will be posted reminding Parents and Fans of Social Distancing recommendations.
   5. Parents should supervise and facilitate the arrival and departure of their player. If the parent or parents remain to watch the game, they are asked to practice social distancing guidelines and remain 6 feet apart and spread out in the common area around the outside of the ballfield. Bleachers may be pursuant to suggested social distancing guidelines. (A family unit may sit together.)
   6. Siblings should NOT be brought to the ballfields if it can be avoided. We realize there are a lot of single parent homes and that this is not possible for many. If you need to bring a sibling with you, please feel free to do so; just make sure they stay with you, under your control and ensure they practice the same social distancing as recommended that all spectators follow. If staying at the ballfields, ensure the social distancing recommendations are followed. NO BIKES, SKATEBOARDS, etc. for siblings to use. Siblings must stay with the family unit and follow the social distancing recommendations at this time.

3. GAME PLAY.
   1. Home Plate Meeting. It shall consist of the umpires and the head coach (1) from each team.
   2. Max of 4 coaches per team.
      1. Offense: Normal Base Coach Positions, one (1) at 1B and one (1) at 3B.
         1. Two (2) additional coaches may be outside the dugout.
      2. Two (2) umpires for all ages. Normal positions on the field of play.
      3. Normal baseball rules apply. AAYBA uses NFHS rules.
      4. Protest/Appeals. Any rules protest or appeals request must be made by first seeking time out from the umpire and using the recommended social distancing guidelines. Any protest or appeal MUST be handled in a calm professional manner and must follow tournament rule guidelines. This is a ZERO TOLERANCE policy. Coaches that cannot abide by this protocol will be immediately ejected and asked to leave the ballpark and are subject to tournament rules regarding ejections.
      5. No Post Game Handshake/High Fives between teams. Instead players and coaches will line up "Home Plate to First Base" (for teams on the 1B side) & "Third Base to Second Base" (for teams on the 3B side) to extend their good sportsmanship greetings to each other.
      6. Teams need to leave immediately after game play/sportsmanship greeting has been completed. This requirement is made to ensure all teams have adequate warm-up time and to avoid potential clustering.
      7. Game Start Times. Games will be scheduled with a 30-minute break to allow for teams to exit and enter dugout areas without potential clustering, and to allow for adequate pre-game warm-ups.
      8. Teams Arriving for Games. Teams arriving must wait just outside of the dugout area, or in the designated Warm-Up Areas.
      9. Pre-Game Warm-Ups. Zero pre-game warm-ups may take place in the designated common areas. Warm-ups are RESTRICTED to: 1) Designated Warm-Up Areas, 2) On the Game Field (outfield only).
      10. Dugouts. USE OF DUGOUTS FOR GAME PLAY. Teams are permitted to use the dugouts.

4. AWARDS. Award ceremonies will be modified to include the following:
   1. Players will line up their perspective baselines.
   2. If individual awards are to be presented (1^st on 2^nd place awards), they will be distributed by the head coach (not by tournament staff).
   3. If 1^st and 2^nd place team awards are to be presented, tournament staff shall give to the head coach.

5. DUGOUT CLEANLINESS. Teams are required to clean their dugouts PRIOR to departing after their game.

6. WATER COOLERS. The tournament will NOT be providing water jugs in the dugouts. Coaches and Players are responsible for their own water/PowerAde, Gatorade, etc.

7. TOURNAMENT STAFF & UMPIRE STAFF SCREENING.
   1. Tournament Staff will be monitored by FMYSA for temperature and symptoms, as per CDC guidelines.
   2. Umpires will be monitored by MTUA (UIC's) for temperature and symptoms, as per CDC guidelines.

8. COACHES/PARENTS/FANS
   1. Coaches shall monitor their teams and request that ALL PARENTS/FANS self-monitor pursuant to CDC guidelines.
   2. Parents/Fans shall self-monitor pursuant to CDC guidelines.
   3. We encourage parents, players and coaches to practice good personal hygiene.
   4. We also encourage you to bring and use your own hand-sanitizer, disinfectants, etc.
9. FMYSA/AAYBA will have tournament staff on site to monitor game play protocol.

10. THANK YOU! We are doing all we can to SAFELY PROVIDE BASEBALL this summer to our World Series teams (Players, Coaches and Parents/Fans) because we believe that these activities are important for the children we serve. We also believe and trust that our coaches, players and parents/fans will not attend if sick and will abide by CDC Guidelines and will also abide by the additional safety protocol and social distancing recommendations as set forth in this document.

FMYSA has been working diligently with the AAYBA, the Town of Flower Mound, the City of Highland Village, and both Parks Departments, the TOFM Government, Denton County, our State Representative Tan Parker & the Governors Office to do everything possible to provide a SAFE RETURN for Game Play and your cooperation is paramount to the success of this World Series event.

Best regards,

Tracy G. Black
General Manager, Flower Mound Youth Sports Association

Jeff Nelson
President, Flower Mound Youth Sports Association