Please see below for Feb 28 update from Johnny Montanez:

Dear Parents, 

I hope that everyone is enjoying the change in weather and longer daylight hours. I wanted to send out a message to everyone in the baseball community to answer a few questions and provide you with clarity from the source. 

1. When is my child getting off of the waitlist?

We are working very hard to expand the baseball program to include as many participants as possible.  We have grown this year from 16 to 20 Coach-pitch teams, 8 to 12 Minors teams, 4 to 8 Majors teams.  It is more than just adding one extra child to a roster.  We have had to redesign schedules and lobby for more field space.  Before we give anyone information about rosters, practice, or coaches we want to have all of the facts in front of us.  Once we have information we can support with some assurance, we will let you know.  Emails have been sent notifying you about your waitlist status.  If you have not received an email, then hold tight as we are going down the waitlist order.  

2. My child was on the waitlist and now he/she is off, please place him with his friends and Coach John Smith.

We just did everything we could to provide a spot for your child to play and now you are making friend requests.  It is clearly stated on the website that we do not take friend requests.  We do our best to place kids in the same schools or school zones together.  We are still not taking friend requests.  

3. Hi, Johnny.  Please consider having my son/daughter play up because he/she is really good.

Many families have personal requests that are catered to their family’s aspirations, but these requests do not always align with what is best for the betterment and stability of the program, and not always for the child in question.  We are doing our best to place the program and the community first.  If the season gets going and it is clear that your child should play up, we will reach out and have a conversation about what is best for that boy/girl. 

4. When are the rosters being released?

The Majors coaches have completed their evaluations and they will select draft eligible players on Sunday, March 3.  Once the rosters have been completed and all kids have been drafted, we will release those teams no later than 3/17/24.  All players who came out for the Majors will have a chance to play in the Majors.

Minors teams are almost completed because we are including 45 kids from the waitlist and have expanded rosters to 13 players and created 4 new teams to accommodate everyone. You should expect these rosters by 3/17/24.  

Coach Pitch has been very difficult as we had 84 kids on the waitlist that we had to add to the already 160 kids 16 teams.  To accommodate everyone we have expanded to 20 teams in this division as well.  You should expect these rosters by 3/24/24. 

T-ball‘s delay is that everyone wants the same practice time, but grouping almost one hundred 5 & 6 year-olds together will be more of a playdate than a practice.  We are working to increase the number of coaches at these practices, as well as the number of fields, so that in either scenario we can work with these young kids in small groups and teach them some baseball. 

We are close to getting all kids from the waitlist to a roster.  PLEASE understand that the waitlist can be avoided with on-time registration.  We are working to accommodate your child and are asking that families have patience and be reasonable.  

5. When are the Practices, Games, etc?

We tend to replicate the previous seasons schedule (ex. t-ball Saturdays 2-4 at OG School) but with the increase of field request, increase of teams, trying our best to get qualified coaches, umpires, uniforms and all the little things that come with the season, we will have to release this when the town can give us a more accurate answer of field space.  The town has been great to us at the OGRCC, but they need to verify our requests and that takes some time. 

As a father of three and a household with two working parents, I understand the demands of the family schedule.  Multiple activities, different schools, etc cause a variety of challenges.  We know.  Schedules and practice times will be released when they are as confirmed and accurate as possible.  And by the way, weather in the Northeast is finicky in the spring and there will be frequent time, day, field adjustments due to certain fields being unplayable.  Buckle up!  It is going to be great!  

6. Johnny, I just want to make sure that my child is playing the best competition, can you assure me of that?

No, no I can not.  We offer different levels of baseball in our program but Spring Cal Ripken is to build community while playing baseball in an enjoyable fashion with other kids from your town, but in many cases other schools.  Our goal is to include as many kids in town to play with and against their friends.  Some are very good and ready for multiple levels of play, others are unsure of their ability because they have yet to be taught how to play, but truthfully, most are in the middle.  By creating an environment of positivity, inclusivity, confidence, and community EVERY family will see growth in their child.  Please note, this is ONLY possible because of the many people who give their time to coach.  Thank you all of you who continue to go above and beyond for the success of our program and community.

 Again, I am excited to be a part of the OGRCC as my family has been a member since 2012.  It has been a great place for my kids to find their way down many avenues.  I hope that you and your child are excited to have a great spring!  AND, if you have baseball knowledge and can make time to coach, we can always use some positive adult role models.  I am prepared to help you learn how to be a great coach and will provide practice plans, etc…you just have to be ready to learn.  🙂 

 Johnny Montanez
johnny@myogrcc.org

We are excited to announce the Coaches’ Clinics for the Spring 2024.  Dates and times are below.  Field assignments will be sent week-of based on field conditions.  If fields are unavailable due to weather, we will have the clinic on Thursday of the same week (same time) at the YWCA: