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
Greetings SBYSL Families!!
IT IS HERE!!! Fall 2023 Soccer Registration is NOW OPEN!!!
Before you register, please read below:
What can I expect?
SBYSL is committed to helping players develop and strengthen soccer skills in a fun environment, while also demonstrating sportsmanship, and improving confidence and leadership during friendly competition. SBYSL has worked to create a community feel at the soccer fields!
Who can play?
We welcome players of any skill level from three years old up to high school seniors (birth years 2006 to 2020). We will be offering Co-Ed and Girls’ Leagues this season (dependent on registrations)
What do I need?
All players will need to wear shin guards. Sneakers are fine for the younger players; older players may want to wear soccer cleats. Each player will receive a jersey, shorts, and socks. Jerseys are pre-ordered to ensure arrival before the season so coaches will fit sizes to players. Soccer balls are not required but recommended for practicing at home. Size 3 for ages 3-5; size 4 for up to age 12; size 5 for 13+.
When do we play?
Season starts 9/9/23 and ends on 11/11/23. All age-groups will have games on Saturdays at the fields in Latrobe Park in Locust Point, with our older groups having the opportunity for 1 weeknight game during the season, under the lights on the turf. Three and four year olds typically have the 9 am and 10 am time slots. The five year old and older groups play games between 10 am and 4 pm.
Is there a weekly practice?
Practices are at the discretion of our Volunteer Coaches. Our youngest players (3-5 yr olds) usually do not have weekly practice, Teams (6yrs old +) will typically offer a weekly practice. Last season, several age groups piloted multi-team group practices and received a great amount of positive feedback! Attendance at practice is not mandatory but encouraged as it’s a way to develop skills and socialize with teammates and peers in the age group. Plus, it’s FUN and an extra time to hang with friends (parents and players alike!). With our league growing and field space limited, practices may take place at Latrobe Park, Swan Park, Riverside Park, Federal Hill Park, and Patterson Park.
How do I stay in the know?
Please provide the most often checked email addresses when registering your child, and the emails of any parent/guardian needing to receive communication. For returning players, please UPDATE profiles to include current email addresses and add a second if needed. You can follow us on social media and we will be using the GameChanger App this year to help communicate schedules, game/practice reminders, and any other important info (rain cancellations, picture day, etc.).
We are looking for volunteers to help coach, assist coach, referee or be a part of our committees. If interested please indicate on your child’s registration. The Planning Committee will be hosting an information session on June 8th via Zoom. Sign up on this link: https://forms.gle/mt58ovS4m2fhR7cP6
Online Registration starts today and ends on July 15th via our website, sbysl.com
REGISTER EARLY!!
Registration Fees:
Today until June 30th:
Birth Years 2018 – 2020 = $100
Birth Years 2006 – 2017 = $150
July 1st to July 15th:
Birth Years 2018 – 2020 = $115
Birth Years 2006 – 2017 = $175
For any questions, please reach out to the league at sbysl2005@gmail.com
We are looking forward to seeing all our returning and new players this Fall!
SBYSL Board and Fall Planning Committee
TURF FIELDS RULES AND REGULATIONS
To preserve the quality of the turf and provide a clean andhealthy environment, the following are not allowed on theturf fields:
ALERT PARK STAFF IF ANY CLEAN UP ON FIELD IS NEEDED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!