HRYS Buddy Ball

How Do I Sign Up?
Just follow the link below to the HOYB online form
for volunteer registration:

Online Buddy Registration Page

1. When the link opens, it will prompt you for your
e-mail address. When you fill in your e-mail, the
system will immediately send you a password.
Check your e-mail for the password and type it in
the space on the registration page.

2. Once you fill in your new password, the
registration form will open and you can begin filling
it in.

3. Be sure to indicate that you are signing up as a
Buddy Ball buddy.

4. In the Section that asks you for “certifications”
just fill in “other.”

5. When you’re done registering, print the
registration page and write your password on it, in
case you want to get back into the database to
change anything in the form.

What Happens After I Register to Volunteer?
We will contact you in late March with a reminder
about the training sessions on April 5th and 9th.
Please e-mail Commissioner Shannon Blaisdell at
sblaisdell2008@yahoo.com or Jay McMann at
janajama@verizon.net if you have any additional
questions, comments, or concerns.

Thank you for considering volunteering for Buddy
Ball!!

HRYS BUDDY BALL VOLUNTEERS

Herndon Buddy Ball is starting its sixth year and you have an opportunity to have fun, help a younger player, and
serve your league and community. Buddy Ball is for children with disabilities and special needs, and we are looking
for mature and responsible HRYS players who are 12 yrs. and older to be a “buddy” to one of our players.
Please read the information below about Buddy Ball and how you can volunteer. If you would like to sign up,
follow the instructions for filling out the online form.
Thank you for considering helping the Herndon Buddy Ball League.

-- Shannon Blaisdell, Buddy Ball Commissioner
sblaisdell2008@yahoo.com

What Other Activities are Involved?
Buddy volunteers must attend one of the two training sessions and the preseason
practice. Some buddies will be needed to assist the players during HOYB opening
day ceremonies on April 10th. Buddies also are invited to attend the season kick-off
pizza picnic after the first game on April 18th and our awards presentation and
end-of season celebration on Sunday, June 13th.

How Committed Do I Need To Be?
We realize that you are involved in your own spring season activities and probably
will have various time commitments or scheduling conflicts during the Buddy Ball
season. We strongly encourage our buddies to be involved in other activities. Even
so, we believe that being a buddy is a serious commitment. Our players depend on
you, and we expect you to honor your commitment once you have signed up. We
expect that you would treat Buddy Ball just as you would a house league or all star
team on which you are playing, which means that you must be available for
practices, team events, and at least four of the games during the season. Please sign
up only if you believe that you’ll be able to make and follow through on such a
commitment.

Where, When, and How Long are Buddy Ball Games?
The Buddy Ball season has eight games. The season begins on April 18th. Most games will
be played on Sundays at 2:00 PM at Haley Smith Park (no games on Mother’s Day,
Father’s Day, or during Memorial Day weekend). One game will be on a Saturday evening
May 8th at Bready Park. Buddy Ball games will be three innings long (about 1½ hours).

How Does the Buddy System Work?
We have buddy volunteers from HRYS, HOYB, Babe Ruth, and several area high schools.
For each game, one or two buddies work with the player. Buddies usually work every other
week (more frequently if desired) and serve as substitutes for each other if someone is
absent on his/her scheduled day. Buddies who would like more community service time may
also volunteer to serve more often. You must fill out an availability form so that we can
match your service with your schedule. Most instruction in hitting, base running, fielding, and
throwing takes place during games.