The registration fee is once again $185 per child for baseball and $150 for T-ball (ages 4 and 5 only). Non-Hoover residents must pay an additional $50 per child to participate. Registration fees are payable by cash or check. There is a family maximum of $525. Each player will receive a uniform, team trophy and team photo. Games begin in March, and continue through the end of May ending before Memorial Day. Play is focused on fundamentals and development with leagues for each age group from 4-14.

Here are some other key dates:

• Jan. 22 – Online registration ends
• Jan. 28 – player evaluations for selected leagues
• Feb. 6-10 – league drafts
• Feb. 11 – Practices begin in most leagues
• Feb. 12 – Clinic for players age 9-12 at 1:30 p.m. Coaches Clinic immediately following.
• Feb. 13 – February Board Meeting
• Feb. 26 – Players Clinic with Coach Rick Davis (1:30 p.m. for ages 6-8; 3:30 p.m. for ages 9-12)
• March 5 – March Board Meeting
• March 12 – Regular season games begin
• March 17 – Spring break begins – no games till March 26
• March 26 – Regular season resumes
• March 31 – Opening Day events; Picture Day
• April 2 – April Board meeting
• April 21 – Barons Day
• April 27-29 -April Bash
• May 5 – Park Day
• May 7 – End of Season Tournaments begin

 The other news from winter is the park’s new bat regulations. Please see previous posts on this website for details. As always, minutes from all previous Board meetings are available at www.quickscores.com/shadesmountainpark (under “Downloadable Files”).

The HF is NOT to be used by non SMP members (i.e., travel teams or travel team players) unless authorized and scheduled by the Park President.

Remember, closing time is 9 p.m. and the last person to use the facility should lock it and not count on Park Ranger having to do so.

1. has a printed stamp evidencing the bat has a BPF* rating of 1.15 or less that is prominently and permanently displayedon the taper;
2. has a BBCOR** mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by NFHS as a legal bat for NFHS sanctioned play and has no more than a minus 3 ounces difference from the length of the bat (which must be at least 29 inches long) or;
3. is a wood bat

* – BPF is a standard developed by NYO physics professor Richard Brandt more than 15 years ago. This standard is based on the laws of physics that measure performance of the bats in lay terms measuring  how a ball “jumps” off the bat compared to how a ball rebounds off a wall at the same speed.

** – BBCOR is a newer standard of measure and replaces the previous BESR standard. BBCOR measures the “bounciness” of the ball and bat, or the “trampoline” effect.

Onsite registration is scheduled for Jan 14 and 21 from 10am to 3pm at Regions Park.

Also, beginning JANUARY 1, 2012, Shades Mountain Community Park WILL ONLY ALLOW the use of Big Barrel baseball bats (2⅝” or 2¾”) and Small Barrel Bats for 14U and below play provided the bat (must meet 1 of the following:) – (1) has a printed stamp evidencing the bat has a BPF* rating of 1.15 or less that is prominently and permanently displayed on the taper; (2) has a BBCOR** mark permanently attached to the bat that is recognized by NFHS as a legal bat for NFHS sanctioned play and has no more than a minus 3 ounces difference from the length of the bat (which bat must be at least 29 inches long) or (3) is a Wood Bat.

This does NOT include Tball.

Penalty: First Offense – If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to above rule until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out and/or ejection from the game. If the umpire discovers that a bat has been used to put a ball in play and before the next legal pitch, the defensive team will have the choice of the result of play or the batter being called out and all runners returning to the base occupied before the pitch. Second Offense – If a team is found in violation of this rule a second time, then the manager will be ejected in addition to the First Offense penalty.

* Bat Performance Factor (BPF) is a standard developed by NYU Physics Professor, Dr. Richard A. Brandt, over 15 years ago. The BPF standard is based on fundamental laws of physics that measure the relative performance of bats which in lay terms, measures how a ball “jumps” off of a bat compared to how a ball rebounds off of a wall at a controlled speed.  A bat rating of BPF 1.15 places an upper limit on a bat’s springiness or “trampoline effect”.

** Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) is the new standard measure of bat performance and replaces the previous BESR standard. For NFHS (high school) play, all bats must be BBCOR certified for the 2012 season. BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio) is no longer considered accurate enough to determine the actual performance of differing bat models. Instead of measuring the speed of the ball after it is batted, BBCOR measures the “bounciness” of the ball and bat, or the “trampoline” effect. According to the NFHS, “the new standard ensures that performances by non-wood bats are more comparable to those of wood bats. It’s also expected to minimize risk, improve play and increase teaching opportunities”. They also state “After working with the NCAA and having access to its research, we’ve concluded it’s in our best interest to make this change. BBCOR includes the BESR standard, so we’re actually expanding upon our current standard, which will be more appropriate for our age and skill level.”

In the meantime we encourage you to share your team’s photos on our FaceBook page at www.facebook.com/#!/shadesmountainpark and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/shadesmtnpark.

If you have any quesitons call 444-7755 or register online at http://www.hooveral.org/Default.asp?ID=1434&pg=Recreation+League

In order to register online you will need to obtain a user id and password at 444-7703 prior to registration. In addition to being able to register online, you will still be able to register at the Hoover Recreation Center.
REGISTRATION FEE is $125 per player (make check payable to City of Hoover). Games are played on Saturdays in December, January, and February. Practices are scheduled on weeknights after 6 p.m. (one practice per week)

Hope everyone is having a great Fall season. Weather is ideal as the MLB playoffs begin today as well.

And….did  you know Mike Hargrove’s nickname was “The Human Rain Delay?” He had one of the most elaborate players routines of any batter. He would drive pitchers crazy with his routine after each pitch. 1: Adjust helmet 2: Adjust batting glove 3: Pull each sleeve on his uniform up and 4: Wipe each hand on his uniform pants.