Earlier this month, at the RPYBSL (Roselle Park Youth Baseball & Softball League) general meeting, it was determined that the League’s Opening Day would be on Saturday, April 19, 2014 with the following week – April 26th – as a rain date. The delay is due to the significant snowfall along with the cold weather that has affected the preparations needed to have the fields ready in time for the end of March.
This allows a small window of opportunity to have families still interested to sign up their children. Draft Day, when all the coaches meet to pick their teams for the 2014 season, will be scheduled soon and it will be then that registration will end. As of March 4th, the League had 183 families with 265 players registered.
The delay also allows for those interested in sponsoring teams to contact the League ASAP since uniforms with a sponsor’s name printed on the shirts. Sponsors can also choose to have signs displayed on the fields. More information can be found in the RPYBSL sponsor application form (link).
Girls who are between the age 5-16 as of January 1, 2014 are eligible to register for softball and boys between the age 5-15 can register for baseball. Registration for 5 and 6-year-olds is $50/player and registration for all other eligible ages is $100/player. The maximum total fee charged per family/household with multiple players is $200.
In the past, baseball teams (boys) do not play other towns but RPYBSL are in discussions with Kenilworth to possibly have 1-2 Senior Boys teams participate in that division. Softball teams (girls) do play against other towns like Elizabeth and Kenilworth. An average of 15 games are played during a season.
Families are asked to volunteer at least eight (8) hours during the season – four (4) hours for a single parent/guardian household – by working in the concession stands during games, performing field work on the weekends, as well as other opportunities as they arise. Families can submit a separate check (called a ‘work bond’) in the amount of $100 which will not be cashed and returned to them as long as and as soon as their hours are completed during the season or they can opt-out of having to volunteer at a cost of $125; this option is only available at registration. If a family cannot complete their hours, the work bond check will be cashed and they will be subject to a $50 fee if/when they register the following year.
Registration forms are on the RPYBSL web site (link) and can be mailed to the address on the form or through other arrangements by contacting Tracy Scott at (908) 875-9222.
April 19th, depending on the weather, will see the Roselle Park Youth Baseball & Softball League commence with a parade that will start at the Roselle Park Middle School at around 12:45 p.m. and proceed to Wolf & Adase Fields on West Webster Avenue. Games will commence at 2 p.m.