THE PROGRAM
The Golden Glove Baseball League is managed by the Blue Valley Recreation Commission (BVRC) and Olathe Youth Baseball Incorporated (OYBI). This league is being offered for players and teams who wish to compete at a higher skill level. Teams wishing to play in this league should be considered AA, AAA or Major level with USSSA baseball. The Golden Glove League will offer six age divisions of play for the Spring/Summer of 2024. There will be two divisions of play for players who are 9 & under, 10 & under, 11 & under, 12 & under, 13 & under and 14 & under. The age cutoff date is May 1st.
Golden Glove is not sanctioned by USSSA Baseball, however teams in GG wanting to play in USSSA tournaments or State teams must apply through USSSA Baseball.
REGISTRATION
To participate in the Golden Glove League, coaches must complete a league application form and submit it to the BVRC or OYBI by
January 16, 2024. Deadline for Team Application
Application forms may be picked up at the BVRC Sports Department office (9701 W. 137th Street) or at the OYBI office (Murphy Trophy) 885 S. Parker Street.
You may also download the application form from BRVC website. Included with the application a $100 team fee must be paid.
Teams accepted, will be notified by January 23, 2024. Teams not selected for the league will have their $100 application fee returned.
The remainder of the registration fee will be due, February 13th at BVRC contact Josh Hefley 913-685-6030.
FEE
The fee will be $1,950.00 per team. Teams will not have to pay a sponsor fee or coaches fee and will not be charged a gate fee at games. As part of the team registration fee, all teams will receive team liability and medical insurance. Game balls will also be provided.
TEAM FORMATION
Teams will be formed by age, not by grades. Divisions will be offered for players who are 9 years old & younger, 10 years old & younger, 11 years old & younger, 12 years old & younger, 13 years old & younger and 14 years old & younger. The date to determine eligibility for these divisions will be May 1. There will be no geographical boundary restrictions on the team formation process. Players will only need to meet the age requirements to participate in the league.
Coaches must turn in a roster listing the players who are on their teams to the BVRC/OYBI. This roster should be the same as their online roster with USSSA. The deadline for turning in team rosters will be February 13, 2024. Coaches will be allowed to add players to their roster until May 31st. Teams will be asked to carry a minimum of 11 players on their roster. There is no maximum number of players that a team may carry.
PRACTICES/GAMES
Practice times will be provided to teams during the month of March. Teams will receive two practice times a week during Once the season begins practice times will not be provided by OYB because of all fields will be in use. BV unless there is field availability.
Games will be played at the Blue Valley Recreation Sports Complex, Prairie Center Park Compex in Olathe. The season will begin on April 1 and end the last week of June. The league will play a 16 games schedule with 14 games being guaranteed. The games will be played on both BVRC and OYBI fields. All games will be played Monday through Thursday. The first two rainout games will not be rescheduled. Final standings will be based on the first 14 games that are played.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Good sportsmanship is a top priority within the Golden Glove baseball program for players, coaches, parents and fans. Coaches are asked to be responsible for their teams. However, the BVRC/OYBI staff and umpires have complete authority to enforce good sportsmanship. The Golden Glove League will have strong rules regarding interaction with umpires and ejections from games. If a coach or parent is ejected from a game, they must immediately leave the complex and will be required to serve a one-game suspension. Stricter penalties may be invoked by BVRC/OYBI should the situation warrant.
UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT
Teams will be responsible for providing their own uniforms and playing equipment. The BVRC/OYBI will provide game balls for league games.
SPONSORS
Teams are not required to pay a sponsor fee to BVRC/OYBI.
WEBSITE INFORMATION
For information regarding registration information, schedules, standings and other general information about the Golden Glove League you may visit either of the following websites:
www.bluevalleyrec.org or www.olatheyouthbaseball.com
TIMETABLE
Listed below is a general timetable for the 2024 season:
| January 16th | Deadline for Team Applications |
| January 23rd | Selection of Teams |
| February 13th | Team Registration Fees Due |
| | Coaches Meeting (TBA) |
| March 2 | Practices Begin |
| April 1 | Games Begin |
| Late June | Season Concludes |
INCLEMENT WEATHER INFORMATION
The inclement Weather Line or Hot-LIne for Olathe - 913-393-9076 - 2 hours prior to game time.
for Blue Valley - 913-600-4001
HEAT GUIDELINES
The Golden Glove League has implemented guidelines to deal with extreme heat at all youth baseball/softball games and practices. For specific information on our heat guidelines, please refer to one of our websites. These guidelines are designed to provide participants with a standard for safe play in situations of extreme heat.
The two values that will be taken into account when modifying or canceling games/practices are air temperature and relative humidity. The combination of these two elements reflects the heat index. We will rely on the heat index reading that is updated hourly by the National Weather Service at the Olathe Executive Airport.
QUESTIONS
For more information, please telephone the BVRC Sports Department at 685-6030 or OYBI at 393-9891.