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To All Spring OBA Managers & Coaches:

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Mike Pauletich, and I am OBA’s Director of Baseball Operations.  I recently attended a meeting with the School District and the City of Orinda to discuss field issues, and before we launch into the Spring baseball season, there are a few very important field-related guidelines that we all need to be reminded of and adhere to.  It is critically important that we abide not just with the spirit of these guidelines, but the letter of the law as well.  If we selectively choose to ignore them, or plead ignorance, we are in danger of having field limitations imposed, or worse (lose our permits).  The City and OUSD have been very flexible with us, and we would like to preserve our good working relationship by honoring these guidelines. 

The guidelines are as follows:

  1. Del Rey grass fields, backstops  and blacktop OFF LIMITS

The Del Rey grass fields, backstops and blacktop are never to be used before 5PM.  This is our most serious issue.  Dolphin Club has rights to the grass fields and blacktop until 5PM every day.  It is a safety issue that the District and school are very concerned about and will be policing closely.  Practices and game warm-ups can take place only on the Pinto and Mustang fields – NO EXCEPTIONS.

  1. DEL REY & WAGNER BLACKTOPS

NEW POLICY:  When the CLOSED sign is on the OUSD fields, it applies to everyone and to both the field AND the blacktop.  This applies to all parts of the field (infield and outfield), but the new policy includes the blacktop as well. The batting cage may be used, but under no circumstances is anyone to occupy any part of the fields or blacktop when the fields are closed.

  1. NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.

Alcohol has no place at a kids’ sporting events – period.  No only is it against school regulations to have alcohol on the fields at any time, it is also against OBA policies for alcohol to be present an OBA-sponsored event – this applies to both coaches and spectators at the Wagner and Del Rey fields, the Sports Fields, away games, tournaments, other fields, etc.  OBA risks having its permits pulled if parents or others attend games and drink alcohol.  Please remind all parents of this policy at the pre-season team meeting. 

  1. Safety issues
    1. The equipment shed doors need to be locked after games and practices.  Please ensure that all bases, mushrooms and field maintenance equipments is put away if you are the last team to practice each day, and lock the sheds.
    2. The batting cage needs to be locked at all times. We will be welding the locks to chains and extra locks could be kept in the shed.
  2. SCHOOL RESTROOMS ARE OFF LIMITS

Players are not to use the school restrooms, only the Porta Potty.

  1. TRASH ON FIELDS

Clean up the dugouts after practices and games – trash goes in the trash cans.  Del Rey and Wagner Ranch school sites have the trash picked up by the custodians on Monday morning.  The district sends an invoice to Orinda Community Center and Orinda Baseball Association who split the cost. The trash cans should be empty on Friday.  If they are not, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for respecting the concerns of OUSD and the City, and for honoring these guidelines.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.

Best,

Mike Pauletich
OBA Board of Directors
Director of Baseball Operations
(510) 551-3353 (c)