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The following list of players have been selected to play in the National League for the 2012 season at the 9/10 and 11/12 age groups. National League coaches will be contacting selected players later this week.

1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15,
16, 19, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 42,
43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 56, 59,
61, 63, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10,
13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 38,
39, 41, 43, 46, 47, 49, 50,
52, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 62

If your son's tryout number is not on this list, he should attend the American League evaluations on Saturday.

Due to the various Dizzy Dean statements regarding bat rules and restrictions and the upcoming merger of the Wills Park and Webb Bridge baseball programs. It has been decided that the new Alpharetta Youth Baseball program will follow the bat rules/restrictions outlined below effective August 1st 2012.

This will allow parents and coaches more time to transition into the new rules regarding approved bats for play within the Alpharetta Youth Baseball program.

PLEASE NOTE: these bat rules and restrictions are only valid within the Alpharetta youth baseball program and may not apply to out of park games, travel games/tournaments, or other games outside of the Alpharetta baseball program.

• For ages 5-12,
  Players will be required to use bats that are certified with the "BPF 1.15" label, bats without this label will not be allowed. There will be no regulation on the difference between weight and length. "Big Barrel" bats (defined as any bat barrel greater than 2.25 inches in diameter) are also allowed except in the 8u and younger age groups.
• For ages 13-14,
  Players will be required to use bats that are certified with the "BPF 1.15" label or a drop 3 BBCOR certified bat. Bats without one of these labels will not be allowed. The diameter of the bat shall not be larger than 2 5/8 barrel.
• For ages 15 and above,
  Will be required to use a certified drop 3 BBCOR certified bat, bats without the BBCOR label will not be allowed. The diameter of the bat shall not be larger than 2 5/8 barrel.
  Any bats that meet the specifications as described and are clearly marked with the BPF 1.15 or BBCOR labels will be allowed within the Alpharetta youth baseball program. These bat specifications will be effective August 1st. 2012.

Other Restrictions:

• Bats that are broken, cracked, dented or deface the ball are not allowed.
• No devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the handle to become flush with the knob are allowed.
• Molded grips and Choke up knobs are not allowed.

The Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association (AYBA) will celebrate its inaugural season in 2012. The Association recently announced their Spring 2012 schedule. Key dates include:

Select Baseball (formerly National Division) Tryouts for 9/10's and 11/12's - January 21st from 12pm - 3pm and January 22nd from 1:30pm - 4:30pm

Select Baseball provides an opportunity for a higher level of play. It is an intermediate step between traditional recreation baseball and travel baseball. There will be four teams in the 9/10's and four teams in the 11/12's, which will play an interlocking schedule with Roswell's Select Team program. This is a tryout - not everyone will make a Select Team. Players must be registered in order to tryout and must participate in at least one of the tryout days. Players are encouraged to attend both tryout days. All players that do not tryout for or make a Select Team will be drafted onto an American Division team, our more traditional recreation program.

Recreation evaluations for 7's, 8's, 9/10's, 11/12's and 13-15's - Saturday, January 28th from 12pm - 2:30pm.

Recreation evaluations for 16-18's - Thursday, February 9th . Time TBD.

Clinic for the 4/5s and the 6s - The two youngest age groups use a clinic style of evaluation in instead of a traditional draft. The objective is to spread the varying skill levels across teams and get the learning and teaching part in sync from day one. This has been very effective and the parents have provided positive feedback on our clinics. Clinics will be held on Saturday, February 11th from 12:30- 2pm, Saturday, February 18th from 12:30-2pm or Sunday, February 19th from 1:30-3pm. Players should try to attend all 3 clinics if possible.

Opening Day for the Inaugural Season of Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association - Saturday, March 3rd. Stay tuned for opening day events!

Spring registration for the inaugural AYBA season is open now.
Go to http://www.alpharettayouthbaseball.org/store/register.htm to register. The deadline for Spring registration is January 13, 2012.

Read the full press release here: 2011-12-20-AYBA-PR.pdf.

Every year, the Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association donates old baseball equipment to youth baseball organizations in need.

This year, the annual tradition took a different turn and served a much larger purpose. Coach Allen Willoughby researched where to make this year's donation. He focused on areas that had been hit by natural disasters over the past year. His research indicated that Ringgold, Georgia, 90 minutes north of Alpharetta, had suffered the largest loss of life and property during the tornados that hit the town in April.

...

Read the full press release here: 2011-Ringgold-PR.pdf.

Spring registration for Wills Park and Webb Bridge - Alpharetta Youth Baseball - will open on November 14th for city of Alpharetta residents and returning players for either park, Webb Bridge or Wills Park. On November 28th, registration will open for all.

What has changed since the merger of Wills Park and Webb Bridge - for the 2012 Spring Season:
• Players age 4/5s and players age 6 will have the ability to choose a park preference either a preference to play and practice at Wills Park or Webb Bridge Park.
• Players 7 and higher will have practices and games at both Webb Bridge Park and Wills Park.

Cost for the 2012 Spring Season as follows:

2012 Spring Baseball
Age Group	Price
4/5	$125
6	$125
7	$135
8	$160
9/10	$200
11/12	$215
13-15	$230
16-18	$230

Evaluations will be in late January, look for more information on the website next month.

City officials hit one out of the park when they unanimously approved the proposed merger of the City's baseball program at Webb Bridge Park (WBP) with the Wills Park Youth Baseball Association (WPYBA). By January 2012, a new 501-C-3 youth athletic association, Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association (AYBA), will be created to partner with the City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department to promote, organize, and execute a comprehensive youth baseball program using fields at both City parks. Members of the Alpharetta Recreation Commission, a citizen advisory board appointed by Mayor Arthur Letchas, and City staff will work with WYBA board members to develop WYBA by-laws, structure, and program plans for 2012 and beyond.

In the past few years, league officials with WYBA and WBP have cooperated on many fronts, sharing field space and playing interlocking schedules. The merger of the two programs will create a unified program and increase the volunteer base and resources, both of which are critical to the success of the program.

Before considering a decision of this magnitude, the Recreation Commission held two public hearings to garner input from citizens involved in the baseball programs at WBP and WPBYA. An overwhelming majority recognized the benefit to the children who will be positively impacted by AYBA, an organization that will focus on sportsmanship and fun while developing players and training coaches. "The consolidation of these programs will enhance the baseball experiences and opportunities for children," states Cheryl Oakes, Alpharetta City Council liaison to the Recreation and Parks Department. She adds, "Since 1974, Wills Park Youth Baseball Association has built a solid reputation as one of the premiere baseball programs in metro Atlanta. I am confident that volunteers from Wills Park and Webb Bridge Park will work together to build a unified baseball program to serve the youth in our community for many years to come."

Bill Lusby, President of WPYBA, notes "Wills Park Youth Baseball is very excited about the potential that lies ahead for the kids of Alpharetta. Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association is the culmination of a dream and the start of a vision as we do our small part as volunteers to enhance the quality of life for the people of Alpharetta. I'm grateful for the support and confidence given this new direction by City of Alpharetta officials and look forward to working hard to make this successful."

Registration information for Spring Youth Baseball will be available in mid-October. For more information on the merger of WYBA and WBP, call 678-297-6162 or email recreation@alpharetta.ga.us.