Syosset Baseball Association is pleased to announce the 54th season of baseball will begin with opening day Saturday, April 5 for Divisions 5 years old (T-ball) through 11/12 years old (majors). The Junior and Senior Leagues ages 13 + will have their opening day Sunday, April 6.

All equipment has been distributed to managers along with the new lightweight cloth uniforms with sponsor's names along the shoulder of each jersey as well as hats with an adjustable velcro strip.

The schedule was made available on SBA's website this past week (www.syossetbaseball.org). This needs to be checked periodically for any rescheduling of games by respective managers.

Standings and posted scores again will be made available on the website for Divisions A (9 year olds) through the senior league.

The season for these divisions will culminate in a playoff format towards the end of the season with 1 team in each division being crowned champion.

Important number... In the event of rain or inclement weather, the weather hot-line 827-8757 will be updated to advise of game status, whether a game will or will not be cancelled and any unplayable field conditions that would preclude a game from being played. It is important that you retain this number as managers and coaches will be updated by this number for their game status as well...instead of calling the manager.

There are still a few more days left for the Modell's team week coupons to be used at your local Modell's in East Meadow and Farmingdale. For all applicable purchases made with the coupon, you get 10 percent off your purchase and Modell's gives 5 percent back to our league.

Additionally, the Woodbury Sports coupons are good until mid April.

Those teams playing at our Stillwell Woods Fields are reminded not to block the entrance to the fields used for emergency purposes. The Town of Oyster Bay Public Safety Department patrols these areas and will be issuing tickets and your vehicle will be subject to tow if it is illegally parked and blocking this area. No manager, coach or parent is permitted to drive down to a field to drop off equipment at these fields either.

Our Lewis Lane field has parking restrictions as well. The neighbors in the area have called local police in the past complaining, and thus please obey the parking regulations with curbside parking to ensure that you don't receive a ticket or get towed.

Our 9-year-old to 12-year-old divisions are fielding a Spring Travel team in addition to their commitment to playing on their intramural team. Our objective in providing the spring travel program was to provide a stronger level of competition as was brought to our attention, without diffusing our intramural program of players and competition.

Important note on NY Mets Baseball Academy clinics...The New York Mets Baseball Clinic scheduled to begin the first week in May for the 5-8 year old divisions has been moved to the Berry Hill field instead of the Willits field that is on the registration form, on the website and has been previously communicated. Please make note of this change if you have already signed up or have the form to sign up. Registration is still open and will not be closed off However, the New York Mets Baseball Academy has advised that they will not take people the day of the clinic as walk-ons, thus to ensure that your child that wants to participate in this series of clinics, can participate, please mail your registration form in by April 20. Registration fee is $100 for the 6 weeks of clinics.

As previously communicated, we will be having pictures taken at designated fields, days and times for each team to have a team picture taken as well as individual pictures of your child for that keepsake of their times in Syosset Baseball. As we get closer, we will be forwarding further reminders.

The New York Mets Baseball Academy weeks registration is still going on with first-come, first-served basis of registration for either or both weeks still available. These 2 weeks of instruction, the last 2 weeks of August, is the fifth year that we've been together with them and this year promises to be more exciting as they have added to their staff Darryl Strawberry, Howard Johnson, Sandy Alomar, Sr., and Sandy Alomar, Jr. There are no guarantees that these players will make an appearance at our fields, as it is dependent on their schedules. Sandy Alomar, Sr. has been out to our fields when the team has been in town the past 2 summers.

Registration forms for both the NY Mets Baseball Academy Clinics for the 5-8 year olds as well as the Academy weeks in August can be found on our website www.syossetbaseball.org.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our annual Memorial Weekend All-Star games and picnics. The date is Saturday, May 24th with All-Star games for our 8-year-old divisions through our senior league division. Throughout the day, complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, snacks and drinks will be available to the entire Syosset Baseball Association family of players, parents, friends and relatives watching the games. This is one of 2 major events that we sponsor throughout the year, the other being our year-end Annual Awards dinner.

Our 54th season has over 100 teams and 1,400 players that will be enjoying this season of baseball throughout our town and our fields. Updates via e-mail communication on upcoming events will be shared as well as posted on our website and the local papers.