While it may not feel like it weather-wise, baseball season is right around the corner. Your friendly neighborhood OBA Board and Committee members have emerged from hibernation, shaken off the icicles, and are hard at work on Opening Day festivities and general planning for the 2007 Spring Season. Response to our new on-line registration system has been very positive. Not only did it make the registration process easier, but it also allowed us to get a jump start on setting up evaluation days, formulating registration lists, and choosing managers and coaches. Tryouts for our Pony Division were just completed, and those two teams have already started practicing! Please check the OBA website for updates on our other division evaluation days and key upcoming dates. 2007 promises to be a great year for OBA baseball. In addition to the two Pony teams mentioned above, we anticipate having eight teams in each Pinto and Mustang, and for the first time ever, six Bronco teams. We also have an outstanding group of managers and coaches who are looking forward to working with your children.
With evaluation days approaching, and Opening Day not too far away, now is a great time to get outside and start throwing the ball around. For most of you it has probably been awhile since the kids have played baseball, and its nice to shake some of the "rust" off of the arms (your's too!). Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate and not drop too much rain on us this spring. You never know, though, so take advantage of every sunny day you can.
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you at Opening Day on March 10, and on the fields throughout the season! As always, please let me know if you feel there is something we should be doing or doing better.
Sincerely,
Rob Weikert, OBA President
| Opening Day is March 10! |
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Mark your calendars! Don't miss OBA's Opening Day March 10 at Wagner Ranch School, sponsored by Orinda Motors! An OBA tradition, Opening Day kicks-off the Spring Baseball season. A fun filled day is planned for the entire family. Players will take their pictures and join their team for the Opening Day ceremony. Have a bite to eat and participate in fun games. At the ceremony, you'll find out who the winners are this year for OBA's player and Manager awards.
Take a moment to check-out OBA's new gear for this year! Get comfy with our new bleacher seat cushion, and check out the new logo on OBA's sweatshirts and t-shirts! Order your OBA apparel by February 8 and you'll be able to pick-up your gear at Opening Day. Download your order form here. And, put your used baseball apparel and equipment to good use. At Opening Day, the Jr. Giants and Baseball for All will be there to collect your used baseball clothing and equipment. Both organizations will distribute collected baseball gear to those in need. Baseball for All, a new organization created by a local Orinda parent, will donate all collected items to the Oakland Boys and Girls Club. So get out all that used gear and bring it to Opening Day!
Our special thanks to Orinda Motors, the sponsor of this year's Opening Day! We look forward to seeing you there!
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| Place your Family or Business Ad in the OBA Directory! |
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Be proud parents and patrons of OBA with a Customized Ad in this year’s Opening Day Program. Wish your slugger and teammates “Good Luck!” in a print ad and make this baseball season a lasting memory!
For businesses, sponsorships and advertising in the OBA Directory are great ways to show your support of OBA and our community!
Don't delay! Ads must be placed by February 17, 2007.
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| OBA Uniform Day is February 8! |
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Purchase all your baseball uniform needs at OBA's Uniform Day on February 8, 2007, 3:30 PM to PM in the Garden Room at the Orinda Community Center. We’ll have the colors and sizes that you will need for the 2007 OBA Spring Baseball season all in one convenient location!
Your player will receive an OBA jersey to wear during the season and an OBA hat. Players can keep the hat, but jerseys must be returned unaltered to OBA at the end of the season.
This year we will have even more inventory and plenty of STAFF to serve you!!! You'll be able to choose from a great selection of pants, socks, belts, ¾ sleeve undershirts, sliding pants, Under Armor, protective wear, bats, gloves and MORE!!
For more information about OBA's Uniform Policy or to download the Uniform Day flyer, go to the OBA Website |
| Pony Baseball Birthdate Change - OBA Transition Policy |
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We announced in a previous OBAToday!, Pony Baseball implemented new birthdates used to determine in which division a child may play. The net effect is that this year, a few children will play a third year in a particular Division.
After consulting with our neighbors in Moraga and Piedmont, OBA decided to offer affected players a one-time opportunity to tryout for the next Division "up" to allow them to potentially continue playing with their same group of friends. For a player to "play up", he/she must tryout and be selected for a team in that Division. If selected, that player is not eligible for post-season play (i.e. Tournament and All Star) in either the Division they play in during the regular season (they are not age-eligible), nor the next Division down (so as not to displace a regular season player).
All affected families were contacted by their Commissioner and we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to the handful of families who have elected this option!
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| Safety First.... |
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Now's a good time to check all of your baseball equipment and replace those items that are either too small, cracked, or simply outdated. Player safety is number one and it's important that your child's equipment be in good condition.
In this past off season, OBA reviewed all of its equipment and purchased new batter's helmets including some with face masks. In addition, OBA has replace many catcher sets and has purchased additional knee savers to help ease the pressure on those still developing knees.
OBA strongly recommends that all athletes wear protective cups. For catchers, athletic cups are mandatory. In addition, mouthguards are highly recommended. Did you know that bad hops are a major source of chipped teeth in children? And, for those players who wear glasses, safety glasses are highly recommended - talk to your optometrist about your options.
Have a safe and fun season!
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PCA for Spring 2007 |
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As we start the 2007 baseball season, let’s plant some PCA seeds in the ELM tree of mastery and dual goal winning. What is the ELM tree?
- E is for Effort Giving your best effort every time
- L is for Learning Continue learning and improving every week, in practice and every game. If you continue to learn, you will get better
- M is for Mistakes Mistakes are part of the learning process and definitely part of baseball
Sometimes, the best lessons are from mistakes. Embrace them, learn from them, and do not let them discourage you from working hard.
By doing this, we are will be acting like a winners, both on and off the baseball field.
Remember our dual goals: winning and teaching life lessons!
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