Greetings Coaches, Players and Parents!
Our 2023 Soccer Season is set to start on Saturday, Sept 9th! We are starting the season with over 600 players – ages 3-17!!! THANK YOU!!!
The Fall 2023 Planning Committee worked very hard to make this season enjoyable for all our players. We have extended the invitation for group practices to all leagues, have 3 girls’ leagues of 4 teams each and we still continue to work with all ages on skills building and fundamentals.
By now you should have heard from a Coach. If not, please contact the league!!
Your Coach has picked up uniforms and should be distributing them to you this week.
NEW for SBYSL this season – the GameChanger App! This is an alternative way for our coaches and parents to stay in constant communication regarding practices, game schedules and unexpected delays or cancellations. If you have not already, please download the App – a link may have been sent via email & might have gone to spam. If you have questions reach out to your coach or the league!
**OPENING DAY – SEPT 9, 2023***
All age groups will play on Saturday. Please note the following:
The Locust Point Festival is also Saturday. The park will be filled with vendors and activities for the kids. Come before your game or stay after and enjoy the festival.
The parking lot at Banner Field is off limits to SBYSL until 12 pm to allow the Vendors for the Locust Point Festival the space to park to unload for the festival.
Expect parking to be limited around the fields. We are suggesting if you live in the area to walk, bike or take public transportation.
COVID-19:
This virus is trying to come back!! SBYSL is committed to the safety of our players and volunteers.
Please, if you or your child are not feeling well, STAY HOME
All Game Days:
Players should arrive 15 minutes prior to game time in full uniform (shirts, shorts, shin guards, socks, and cleats (sneakers for our younger kids), a bottle of water, and ready to play. SBYSL has hired someone to set up our fields in the mornings and to take down in the afternoons. However, we will need our Coaches, Parents and Players to assist in keeping our fields clean by picking up and disposing of all trash after games.
Field Marshalls:
Not sure which field is your playing field? Look for our Field Marshalls. They will be wearing the Yellow Vests and should be able to point you in the right direction.
Parking:
Parking is available along Andre Street (by the tennis courts), on the Parking Lot next to the Banner Field, and Decatur Street (along the street, on school parking lot and limited parking behind school). PLEASE DO NOT park on Latrobe Park Terrace (the small street along the park - the one closest to the fields). The residents have limited parking as it is, so we do not want to take up their parking.
Construction is ongoing at the housing development project on Decatur St. Please use caution when traveling on Decatur Street.
Concessions:
We do not have a food vendor, however we will be reaching out to the Local School PTO's for fundraising opportunities for them.
Bathrooms:
We are expecting the bathrooms at the field house by Banner Field will be open for all our games.
Fields Behind FSK:
This season you will notice some improvements FSK and their PTO have made to benefit their students and staff. We have a message from the school and PTO:
The FSK PTO is working to make improvements to the rear of the school. One of the first elements of that plan was to install eight large, blue umbrellas and a pergola on the "student picnic patio" on the blacktop behind the school. Students and teachers use that space to eat lunch outdoors and for shade during recess. Please be respectful of that space while you are engaged in SBYSL activities on the fields behind FSK. If you use the picnic tables, clean up your trash and take it with you, clean up any spills or food on the tables, and please put the umbrella shades down and close the draw strings so the umbrellas aren't carried off in storms or high winds that may come after your use. With your help, we can ensure a continued partnership with the school that allows us to use that space for our SBYSL families during their game times. Please be aware that picnics and meals are not encouraged as it is still school property and should be used only for very limited time periods before or after your game times. If you see any issues please report them to the FSK PTO at fsk076@gmail.com.
TURF FIELD RULES:
We would like to THANK our LEAGUE SPONSOR - Harris Teeter, Neighborhood Food & Pharmacy for their generous contribution to our league this year.
SBYSL Board and Planning Committee wish to Thank 28Walker for our beautiful storage shed! We are so excited to have a larger space for storage and it looks so professional.
We would also like to Thank our many Community Sponsors for supporting us this year.
And last, but not least - MANY THANKS to the parent volunteers this season. SBYSL truly appreciates our parents taking time from their busy schedules to assist in our league.
Upcoming Events:
Sept 16th – Cleat Swap!!! Have any old, too small, soccer cleats in your closet? Bring them this Saturday (Sept 16th) to the black top behind FSK. Leave a pair, take a pair.
Sept 30th – Picture Day. Separate schedule and photographer information coming soon.
Nov 11th – Season Ends
See you at the fields!!
SBYSL Board
Our Website: sbysl.com
Our FaceBook: The Official South Baltimore Youth Soccer League
Our email: sbysl2005@gmail.com