Here the Board of Directors can view, answer etc questions from other board members or parents, coaches and players.

Why hasn't the website been updated? When can you view the board minutes and 2006 schedule?

Why does select get first choice on the baseall fields and why do we have to play games out at the township when there aren't any games being played on Cal Ripken fields. We were put on the Township fields and no one was playing at Waterworks on the Cal Ripken fields.
What is up with the BBQ stand? This makes the traffic worse. Not only do we contend with bike trail but also players and a bbq stand.:-?

Why hasn't this site been updated. I thought that this was supposed to be a source of information for the parents. It has not been updated in the slightest. I realize that the administration are not paid and do give their time for little in return. However, this should be updated at least bi-weekly if not daily. The season is approaching in less than a week and it appears that it has not been updated since the end of 2006. Completly unacceptable.

Why can't you people get it together? The main page of the web site is still the same as it was at the end of last season and there have been not updates to the meeting minutes. Half of the team rosters are not updated. You wonder why people complain and you can not even update a website with any accuracy.

We just received the schedule for our son's T-ball games. This was not posted until one week before the first game. Why are all the games at Waterworks? Why aren't there any games in the township? Also, why are most of the games at 5:30? When both parents work, this is extremely difficult to get our child to the games. Especially, when we were told games would be on Saturdays. We live in the township and the there has been absolutely nothing on this end of town! Next year, we will consider changing to the West Chester leagues....they are closer and much more organized. What a disappointment.
:-(

Trust me...FYBA is much more organized than some other local leagues...plus...they put the kids first..IMAGINE THAT! Good lord parents...all of the complaining on here...why don't you people offer to help to make the changes you want to see? How does your complaining help your child? Reminds me of the non-voters who complain about the president...stop whining and offer to help!

I am appalled at the umpiring I witnessed yesterday. We played a team that had a player ejected without any warning. This umpire was obviously on one of his normal power trips. This child was yelled at and berated by the umpire in front of his peers and the parents. This man needs to check his attitude and realize that these kids are just that kids. There was no malicious intent and the catcher was no even standing near the plate when this child supposedly came in to home plate charging the catcher. He then proceeded to warn the other teams coach several times for nothing. Our coach was clearly in the wrong and nothing was said to him. I have witnessed many times this umpires work and I am told he is the head of umpiring. If that is the case then I assume that he is training the other umpires. I hope he doesn't teach them how to humiliate children. That is what happened to this child. This man needs to go.

I read the comment above and had to put my two cents worth in. I couldn't agree more. This man might be a fine person however, his umpiring ability and the ability to follow rules and enforce them in a manner acceptable to working with children is appalling. I have witnessed this man on his power trips several times. That is what it seems to me. I have complained to no avail and have been told that he is the only one who will do that job. Fine...then do your job well. He is not there to criticize managers, only to umpire a fair game. The former he does consistently....the latter not once have I witnessed that. I urge FYBA to reconsider this man's position. It only makes the organization look bad. Along with updating your website, same things from 2007. I assume accountability means nothing here.

The umpires get paid for their work right? Then why don't they know the rules? Please hire umpires who can settle a dispute on the field by knowing the rules. Almost every game a situation comes up where the coaches get into an argument and the umpires are like "deer in headlights" and cannot make a ruling simply because they DO NOT KNOW! Hell, give me $60 and I could do that!! The league needs to take this a tad more serious about who they hire. :(

I was wondering if any consideration was given to making the 5/6 (girls and boys) t-ball leagues start with three coach pitches then the tee. I have seen this before and it gives the kids exposure to pitching at a young age. Most games end early and there would be plenty of time for this. I love FYBA and wish this rule would change as it is the only one I don't like.

Well, another year is coming up and undoubtedly we will hear the same old promises and changes that will be done this year from the board members. After reading the above entries in this column, one would think that something would REALLY be done to change things. One thing I would like to mention that needs addressed in the worst way is the ability to have the common sense to call off a game during a thunderstorm. We DON'T WAIT UNTIL 10 MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME! Especially when it has been raining all day, the weather channel is showing nothing but thunderstorms for the next two days! AND you don't rain out on a field in Waterworks Park and re-schedule the game for 15 minutes later in the Township! That puts our parents AND kids in harms way trying to race around in bad weather like that to get to a game because of the LACK OF COMMON SENSE!

All I can say is most of the people who run the league are volunteers, If you don't like the way things are done, donate your time and change them.

I was told by a board member that the head of umpires does receive a minimal compensation for his efforts. That, to me, is a paid position. A job done to earn money should be done right. Obviously FYBA condones the fact that he berates and humiliates children because he is still the head of umpiring. This is why we have gone elsewhere this year. Empty promises and if you are not a member of their little clique...good luck getting accepted.

I to was at that game and witnessed what was done to that child that was ejected, I was appalled by the way that the SO CALLED HEAD OF UMPIRES Yelled at the player, then at the coach who was the kids father I think , was yelled at for no reason that I could see Except for trying to calm down the child who left the field crying not knowing what he did wrong, and probably scared to death. What was said to the umpire if anything? I thought bulling went out a long time ago.

I just wanted to reply to the person that wrote this:

"All I can say is most of the people who run the league are volunteers, If you don't like the way things are done, donate your time and change them. "

The "volunteers" as you call them don't step down to let anyone come in to try to fix things. Only when "good" people like Steve Gunnell leaves the organization (like many others have and will continue to do so until something gets fixed) it will not change. I saw Steve myself try to do things to make things better but was up against too many "obstacles"! As far as donating time. I AM ONE OF THOSE THAT DONATE A LOT OF MY TIME COACHING THESE KIDS, if I didn't care for them, I wouldn't be voicing my opinion on here to open "some peoples eyes"!!!!!!!

I to was at the game being talked about, we must not have seen the same game. do you realize that this manager was on probation before fall ball even started? because of his past rants and raves on the field. when a manager is warned to stop not once but 3 times this seems like a lot to me, or was I the only one who seen that? and yes it is league policy to remove any player from a game who makes illegal contact with another player, that is why there is a slide to avoid contact rule. seems like the umpire knows the rule about this but not the manager. the problems with people outside the fence is thay do not hear what is being said to that umpire, or past problems with this manager. gee, why was he on probation? this blog is a joke just people complaining without all the information, and unwilling to put any time in being a board member, manager or even a coach, how about trying to umpire? I did not think so I will just stick to being a parent and let somebody else do all the work, wait that what all you are doing.

this blog needs removed it just gives gutless people a chance to vent and stomp there feet when they do not get there way, it harbors resentment and bad feelings

In response to Anonymous(posted 2/17@6:27PM)and In response to Anonymous(posted 2/17@6:29PM)

I know the manager in question and I have never witnessed any rants on the field. That being said.. I have been to alot of games where he has coached and he has shown nothing but sportsman like conduct and he teaches the players about the game. In my opinion, youth sports needs more dedicated coaches like him. Also, it is not the umpires job to monitor the managers or coach's past or future behavior. It is the umpires job to call a fair game. This has never happened in my opinion with the umpire in question at the aforementioned game. He is rude and condescending to EVERYONE. You can't even ask what the count is without him making some snide remark. Also, he needs to realize that he is umpiring 9 and 10 year olds. These kids are not professionals who know every rule. A good umpire would explain the rule and not humiliate a child because of a rule infraction. I am left with a sad feeling for this particular umpire. If he enjoys berating and humiliating young boys then he truly has bigger issues. He should step down for everyone's sake.
Secondly, this blog should not be removed. I have complained to the board on one occasion and was dismissed. Also, It was made clear that I did'nt know what I was talking about. I know kids and I knew what I was talking about. This board is an opportunity for those who have issues to voice their concerns with out retribution. The only frusteration is that nothin seems to change. It might be venting and feet stomping to some but to others it is a form of release to an unresolved issue. I feel here that at least I can get my issues off my chest with out retribution.
Also, a question, what is the director of players position designed to do. What about a player/parent advocate. Someone to be the parent's voice. Not a bad idea IMO.