Do's and Don'ts

Hey kids,  Bayshore now has 2 weeks in the books in the season and everyone looks to be having a great time.  It is however time to do a little bit of a recap of the do's and don'ts of the league.

Reffing:
Don't:

• Don't wonder off in the middle of the game to try to pick up members of the opposite sex. We appreciate your drive but that's what MacDinton's is for.
• Don't talk or text on your phone. Please pay attention when you ref. The number one complaint we hear about refs is when refs are just not paying attention. You want refs to pay attention in games that you play so you should pay attention when you ref.
• Don't congregate as a group. Besides not paying attention, when there are too many people standing around "reffing" it can make it unclear to the teams playing who the actual ref is. It happens more often than it should where 3 or more people are reffing 1st or third and on a close play there may be a couple of different calls made. If you ref 2nd base, sorry, you are on your own. Friends gathering out there just get in the way of outfielders

Do:

• Download an app. If you have an iphone or android phone you can dowload an app that helps keep track of balls, strikes, fouls outs, innings scores and even game time. The iphone app is called iRef - Kickball and the android app is called Kickball Ref Pro. They are both 99 cents and they are both worth it. If you are on your phone during a game, it should be for using one of these apps only. 
• Read the rulebook. Kickball rules aren't terribly complicated. What's best is that they are available for free online. WAKA's website has the Kickball Rules and a Rules FAQ and everyone should read both documents. This is especially true for anyone who has come over from another league as different leagues have slightly different rules. There is nothing more entertaining than arguing a call with someone who is quoting a rule from another league. Keep in mind that in our league, since we have the luxury of extra time on the fields we play 6 innings, not 5. 
• Be on time for games. This one should be a no brainer but in addition to yourself being on time, its also good to try to get the game started on time and get the game pace picked up if its taking too long. Our lights automatically turn off at 9:30pm so if the early games gets delayed and pushes back the late game, its possible that the late game might have to be cut off. Be responsible and respectful. 

On Field Stuff:

Don't:

• Don't bring glass botttles. Glass bottles are a big big no no. If your team brings them, they may be confiscated and your team could face a forfeit.
• Don't bring exposed cases of beer or leave cans on the ground. We shouldn't see any alcoholic beverage containers on the field.
• Don't leave cigarette butts in the grass. This is a bigger problem for some teams than others. If you must smoke while playing, don't throw your cigarettes in the grass. Remember that the fields are primarily used by the Police Athletic League program's children during the day and they try to teach the kids that smoking is bad. Don't be a bad example for the kids by littering their field. 
• Don't go streaking. OK so maybe even bringing this up is asking for trouble but there is a good reason for mentioning it. I guess you might think its a good idea but keep in mind that sometimes the PAL building is rented out for kid's birthday parties. You don't really want to spend the rest of your life being court ordered to introduce yourself to your neighbors and warn them about yourself, do you?
• Don't pee in the bushes. Gentleman, we know you that the good Lord has blessed you with equipment that allows you to go wherever you want, but that doesn't mean you should. The concession stand building has perfectly fine working bathrooms with real running water and we have a port-a-pottie for those of you near field B so you don't have to walk far. 

Do:

• Pour your sports beverages into non-see-through solo cups. We realize you can work up a thirst playing kickball and most of you quench that thirst by drinking a lot of apple juice or interesting new flavors  and colors of Gatorade. Just keep it in the solo cups. We don't want to be showing off our favorite adult sports beverage brands to the neighbors. 
• Pick up your trash. Every season we have some difficulties with this with some new teams and players. Remember that it is a privilege to be allowed to use the PAL Fields. Leave the fields at least as clean as you left them. Keep a box of trash bags in the trunk of your car, just in case. 
• Be Respectful.  Fields in this town are hard to get and we've been very fortunate to have a great relationship with PAL. Always keep in mind that the field is used by kids everyday after school and during the day over the Summer months.
• Pick up bases. If you team plays the late game and loses, make sure to pick up all of the bases, cones and ball and bring them back to the bleacher area. Don't forget the pitcher's strip. Many a strip have fallen victim to an undiscriminating lawn mower blade because someone forgot to pick it up the night before. 
• Help people remember the rules. We don't need you to be a NARC but this is a community so help your other communities to remember the do's and don'ts so they don't do something stupid that gets the rest of us in trouble. 

At the Bar:

Don'ts:

• Don't get into fights. This should be pretty self explanatory but if you were at the bar around 11:30 or midnight or so last week you saw a pretty epic battle royale between a couple of dudes(non kickballers thankfully). They were probably arguing about which one's girlfriend makes the dumbest looking duckface on her facebook profile pic but MacDinton's security is pretty professional and doesn't mess around.
• Don't drink and drive. This is generally pretty sound advice even if not on a kickball night. Yes, kickballers do get DUIs, don't let it happen to you. Designate a driver, take a cab, stay at a friend's or move within walking distance of MacDinton's. 

Do's:

• Tip your servers. The staff at MacDinton's does a great job. Thursday nights are pretty hectic and they are running around like crazy behind the bar. Dollar beer night makes for a cheap night of drinking so try to tip based on the service, not just a percentage of your tab. If you are smart you will develop a favorite bartender who will eventually spot you in a crowd and take care of you quickly.
• Meet other teams. This may be the best thing you can do overall so don't just limit it to your bar experience. In some sports leagues you meet only the people on your own team. With WAKA Kickball you have an opportunity to meet a ton of people from all different teams. Don't be shy, say hello. If you want to talk trash on the field, that's ok, just follow it up by sharing a beer and some friendly conversation at MacDinton's afterwards. 

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