The Board of Directors of Homewood Baseball and Softball are so excited for our official OPENING DAY this Saturday, April 20! We have a full slate of activities planned, so please plan your day accordingly. 

Here are a few notes to get you set for the 2024 Spring season. 

CODE OF CONDUCT

Please sign the 2024 Code of Conduct. Our Board is committed to providing a fun, safe and fair environment to play recreational ball in 2024 and will be enforcing Code of Conduct violations strictly. This must be completed by April 19, 2024. 

TEAM PHOTOS

The festivities begin at James Hart School for team photos where parents can enter at Aberdeen side entrance. Please be 15 minutes early, in uniform, with NO CLEATS. If you are late for your team photo, we will need to proceed without you. Only players, coaches and team parents are allowed in the gym.

HBSL LEAGUE PARADE

Please refer to the Parade handout for all information. The parade lineup begins at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 20 at the Irwin Center. Please be extremely careful when dropping off your child. Pick up your child at Izaak Walton Fields after the opening ceremonies. 

OPENING DAY GAME SCHEDULE
Please find your team schedule on the Sports Engine app.  Many teams will not play on Opening Day, so please check your schedule. Download the SportsEngine app from your app store to stay up to date with your games and team information. 

VOLUNTEER DUTY DEPOSIT

If you would like to earn back your Volunteer Duty Deposit by working 3 games arriving 30 minutes prior to game time, you MUST reach out to Angie Brandt by May 1. Angie can be reached at angieb@homewoodplayball.com. The VDD covers concession stand and umpire volunteer duties. It does NOT cover pre season or your team’s in season field clean ups, and you cannot buy out from field clean ups. This is a necessary part of being a part of a volunteer league. 

We cannot wait to see you down at Izaak Walton Fields as we kick off our 2024 Spring season! Have a wonderful weekend and PLAY BALL!

Angie Brandt, President Homewood Baseball and Softball League

Opening Day Parade
Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 11:00 am

• Line up begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Irwin Center. Look for signs! Please do not drop off on Ridge Rd. for safety reasons.

• Parade will proceed East on Ridge Road to the Izaak Walton Baseball Fields.
• Opening Ceremonies to follow immediately.
• Please check with your team parent for line-up instructions.
• RIDGE ROAD WILL CLOSE AT 10:30 a.m. BETWEEN HIGHLAND AND GOTTSCHALK
AVENUES.
• USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN DROPPING OFF YOUR CHILD FOR THE PARADE.
• It is very chaotic at the closing of our Opening Ceremonies. Parents, please confirm
with your child’s coaches where you will be meeting after the ceremony.
• Candy is allowed to be tossed during the parade, but please remind your child toss gently and to be mindful of picking up wrappers, etc.

Any questions? Please contact Heather Fox
815-953-0181 /heatherf@homewoodplayball.com

Parents/guardians:
This season the photographer has provided a link to preorder picture packets. This eliminates your completing a hard copy order form with credit card info or check.

Prepay online | 2024 HOMEWOOD BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL (prepaysystems.com)

Paper forms will be available at Picture Day if you prefer to pay with cash or a
check.

SATURDAY, April 20th

LOCATION: James Hart School at 18205 Aberdeen in Homewood
To help us with Picture Day, we are asking parents/guardians to follow these
guidelines:

• Please arrive 10-15 minutes before picture time with your player dressed in
• full uniform (no cleats please). Teams should congregate on front lawn on Aberdeen side of James Hart. Teams will be called in order.
• If you have not preordered online please have the picture envelope completed prior to being photographed, with the correct change enclosed.

Additional forms will be available on Picture Day; however, plan to arrive early so that they can be filled out prior to your picture time.

• Parents may stand in the picture line, but are not allowed to enter the gym.

ONLY MANAGERS, COACHES AND TEAM PARENTS WILL BE
ALLOWED TO ENTER THE GYM! PLEASE NO FOOD OR
DRINKS WHILE WAITING IN LINE.

• Your team parent will advise where to enter and exit the school.
• Please be on time. We do not want any child that wishes to be photographed to miss their time!

Thanks for your cooperation!
Angie Brandt
President Homewood Baseball and Softball League

Mandatory Preseason Clean Ups at Izaak Walton

Saturday 4/6/2024 & Saturday 4/13/2024

8:00am - 12:00pm

Each family must contribute one hour per player

Please sign in under your player's league and team.

HBSL is again proud to be sponsored by DICK'S Sporting Goods who has provided our league with a 20 percent off coupon valid Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 8 at their Tinley Park location.  The coupon can be accessed HERE. 

Please support our sponsors by shopping at DICK'S this weekend!

Registration is open TODAY for our Spring 2024 Season. Opening Day is Saturday, April 20, 2024. 

SIGN UP TODAY TO PLAY AT IZAAK WALTON!

Homewood Baseball and Softball is one of the premier youth sports organizations in the Chicago Area.  Established in 1951, our volunteer organization has grown to one of the largest Baseball, Softball, and T-ball organizations in Illinois.  Each year, nearly 1,000 kids from Homewood and beyond learn, play, compete, make friends, and make lifelong memories playing in one of our 10+ divisions of in-house baseball, softball, or t-ball.  

Our ballpark is nestled amongst the cottonwood trees in a forest-like setting inside the beautiful Izaak Walton Preserve.  Featuring three manicured fields, a batting cage and a full service concession stand, our park is the jewel of the Chicago suburbs and a wonderful place to play or watch youth sports.

Our leagues are open to all children, regardless of residency.  We rely on all of our parents and volunteers to run our leagues and maintain our park.  

Additionally we sponsor several travel teams which compete in  leagues and tournaments across the region, and we roster all-star teams each July to compete in tournaments and possibly play towards Babe Ruth or Cal Ripken national tournaments.