AREA YOUTH SPORTS!

As you may have heard, in support of the nation’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, DICK’S Sporting Goods has temporarily closed all retail locations to foot traffic. And due to this our AYS APPRECIATION WEEKEND EVENT scheduled on April 3rd, 4th & 5th has been POSTPONED to a later date.

However, DICK’S still wanted to offer a hassle free shopping experience for organizations and our participants looking to prepare for the upcoming ball season and be equipped for whenever it can begin. So they are offering this awesome opportunity to do just that!

WHAT: 20% your total purchase offer valid on www.dickssportinggoods.com

WHEN: Valid Thursday, March 26th until 11:59PT

Customers using the 20% offer on Thursday March 26th can have items shipped directly to their residence or elect to pick-up curbside.

Please note: This will not be in place of our 20% off in-store shop event weekend. Once our stores open and it is safe to shop, we will be looking to reschedule with Dick’s.

AYS Volunteer in the Spotlight is Katie Boivin.

Do you have kids involved in AYS? (I know you do but this is for the people )

I have a 10 almost 11 year old Boy Drew.

What sports have you coached?

I’ve coached soccer and basketball and have helped coach baseball.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Livermore Falls, and have always been involved in AYS sports even as a young child.

Youth sports that you played?

I grew up playing soccer, field hockey, basketball, softball, and golf team

What is your career?

I am a Dental Hygienist working at Community Dental

What have you enjoyed most about participating/volunteering with AYS sports?

My family is from this close knit community of Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls, and back then even Fayette (which in the early 90’s had a huge softball team) my dad and several of my aunts and uncles have been on the AYS board, boosters, announced games, refereed, and have coached several teams through the years.

I’ve always loved how AYS keeps the kids active, involved, learning and social with kids their own age. The success of this program lies directly on the volunteers that help. Especially this last year my son has moved to a higher level which I’ve had to take to YouTube to help my coaching skills, I’ve looked up drills, ball handling skills and different plays to put together a play book for the kids. I really enjoy seeing how the kids improve throughout the season, it feels good to see a player who can’t reach the rim score a basket in a game, or dribble a ball down and finally use a fake out move to get open. It takes a whole community to raise a child and that is proven by all the great people that keep AYS a success.

*THANK YOU KATIE FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR AYS PROGRAM. WE APPRECIATE YOU!*

Age: 9

Grade: 4th

Sports he plays: Basketball

Favorite Sport: Bowling

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Hobby or interest outside of AYS sports and school: Skiing

What he likes best about playing AYS sports? That the coaches are nice and every kid gets to play.

Registration for spring sports is extended until 3/23. We still hope to have baseball, softball and teeball start on time. No matter if we have to start at a later date due to the situations happening with Convid-19, we will still offer all of these sports to our youth. We want to make sure once we have the green light to go, that our AYS kids get back into their normal routines and have a place to go and play some sports.

• Cal Ripken Baseball is for kids from 7 - 12 years old. The league has 3 divisions: Rookie (ages 7-8), Minor (9-10) and Major (11-12). May 1st of the current year is the date for determining age. Athletes must supply their own baseball glove, cleats, baseball pants and socks. Registration fee is $60.00.

• Softball is for girls ages 7-12. Girls are broken up by age as of January 1st on any given year and are divided up by 8U (8 and under), 10U & 12U. . Athletes are required to supply their own glove, pants, socks and cleats. Registration fee is $60.00.

• T-Ball is for children 4- 6 years of age. This is for both boys and girls interested in learning the fundamentals of baseball and softball. Athletes must provide their own glove. Registration fee is $40.00.

For more info, visit us at www.ayssports.org. Sign up with debit/credit card online at: http://ayssports.siplay.com.

In accordance with RSU 73’s latest update to cancel all events that bring in the community and to suspend nonessential meetings and in regards to COVID-19, AYS has decided to cancel the final week of the girls basketball season and postpone indoor soccer and indoor field hockey until March 31st, at which time we will reevaluate and hopefully be able to resume.

Indoor Soccer and Indoor Field hockey, once resumed will continue with the same number of sessions as scheduled but days and times may vary. Spring sports (baseball, softball and tee ball) are unaffected at this time as they are not scheduled to start for a few more weeks. We are planning to carry on with these programs as scheduled.

We are very disappointed to have to have to halt our current sports programs but we feel it is in the best interest of our community to assist in limiting the potential spread of the coronavirus and keep those that are at high risk safe. We are simply placing our youth and our communities’ health and safety first.

We plan on monitoring the situation very closely as all this continues to unfold and AYS will do everything we can to stay in line with latest recommended health guidelines. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and hope you all will understand our decision.

In the meantime we encourage everyone to stay safe and remain hopeful that we will be able to get back to normal as soon as possible.

If you have any questions with regards to basketball, soccer, or field hockey, we refer you to the commissioners of those sports. @Heather Williams-basketball @Jennahh WM Rocque- soccer @Ashley Draper -field hockey

With the national news, local news, and social media so heavily focused on thecoronavirus and a confirmed presumptive positive case in Maine, we at AYS, are encouraging people not to panic but just to be aware and be educated on the virus. Please just take a few minutes to read up on symptoms, hand washing, and risk factors.

We are currently preparing to finish the remainder of the basketball season, indoor soccer and indoor field hockey as scheduled. Our #1 concern is the health and safety of our athletes and community so let’s do our part to limit exposure. We ask that you help us by keeping sick athletes, with a cough or other contagious symptoms at home, even if that means having to miss a game or practice due to illness. We are asking that all athletes to WASH THEIR HANDS before entering the gym and to sanitize frequently. If you have family members or friends that are in the higher risk groups including advanced age, compromised immune system, pre-existing and cardiopulmonary issues (such as COPD, smoker, diabetes, high blood pressure) please encourage them to take the proper precautions which may mean avoiding large crowds where illness can be more easily transmitted.

While the chances of getting seriously ill are low for us and our younger population let’s make sure we do our part in protecting those people that have increased risk factors. If we all work together, we can all get through this healthy. We appreciate your cooperation, and support through this time so we can continue with all our current sports.

• Cal Ripken Baseball is for kids from 7 - 12 years old. The league has 3 divisions: Rookie (ages 7-8), Minor (9-10) and Major (11-12). May 1st of the current year is the date for determining age. Athletes must supply their own baseball glove, cleats, baseball pants and socks. Registration fee is $60.00.

• Softball is for girls ages 7-12. Girls are broken up by age as of January 1st on any given year and are divided up by 8U (8 and under), 10U & 12U. . Athletes are required to supply their own glove, pants, socks and cleats. Registration fee is $60.00.

• T-Ball is for children 4- 6 years of age. This is for both boys and girls interested in learning the fundamentals of baseball and softball. Athletes must provide their own glove. Registration fee is $40.00.

For more info, visit us at www.ayssports.org. Sign up with debit/credit card online at: http://ayssports.siplay.com.

Excellent job to all our Girls In house teams with week 2 of our AYS Penny War Fundraiser!!

This week the Lynx clawed and scratched their way to being the top team in Siege of Cat's Eyes! And were able to move up 1 spot in the Team Standings making them currently 2nd place team! Huskies continue to be TOP DOG! The Cougars & Bulldogs continue to hiss and growl; warning they arent to far behind!

One more weeks to go. Will the Huskies continue to be number 1?! Or will the other teams come ready to WIN!? Stay tuned to next weeks; Battle of the Best: Cats vs Dogs!

Age:13

Grade:8th

Sports she plays: softball and basketball

Favorite sport: basketball

Favorite sports team: Lakers

Favorite School Subject: math

Favorite hobby: painting

What she likes about playing in AYS sports: I don't have to tryout and worry about making the team.

Amazing job to all our Girls In House teams with the first week of AYS Penny Wars!! Below is the team standings after week 1. Two more weeks to go!! Will the dogs continue to slobber their way to the top or will the cats be LOOKING to take the top spot?? Maybe the little birds will come in from behind and fly into 1st place?? Stay tuned to next weeks; Siege of the Cat's Eyes!

Age:10

Grade:5

Sports he plays: football and basketball

Favorite sport:football

Favorite sports team:Celtics and Patriots

Favorite Player: Jayson Tatum

Why he likes sports: it can keep me active and healthy and being able to play with my friends

����This weekend starts our PENNY WAR FUNDRAISER! ����

All Girls In House Basketball teams will have a jar to collect money in. They will be on the table next to concessions. We hope all athletes will participant and make this a fun little competition.

The boys in house teams all did amazing with this and it was awesome to see them coming in, looking at the jars and getting excited for their teams.

The team who raises the most will have a pizza party thrown for them at My Dad's Place! WHO'S TEAM WILL IT BE? WILL IT BE A DOG, A CAT or a BIRD!?

And Do you think the girl teams can out do the boys teams!? I cant wait to see..

Attn: AYS Players, Coaches and Families,

As a sponsor of our league, Dick's Sporting Goods wants to recognize your commitment and dedication to youth sports by extending an exclusive invitation to a special three-day League Appreciation Weekend at the Augusta Dick’s Sporting Goods store on April 3rd, 4th & 5th .

On this weekend you will receive 20% off ENTIRE PURCHASE. Discount will be good on all of your baseball/softball needs including, gloves, cleats, batting gloves, baseball/softball pants, baseball/softball apparel, batting helmets, batting gloves, bat bags, eye black, and more! The offer is valid on anything in store with just a few exclusions as noted on flyer and at the discretion of the store. GREAT SAVINGS on all of your baseball, softball & tee ball needs for the upcoming season!

In addition to the 20% savings, you can receive additional savings per item using the other available coupon during this event. That’s 35% off apparel, 30% off gloves, bats & more! Share the offer above with all friends and family! Just tell them to make sure they use the AYS coupons at the checkout counter.

We hope that you will take advantage of this special team shopping event, so you can enjoy Dick’s Sporting Goods best baseball/softball gear at a great savings! EVERY SEASON STARTS AT DICK’S SPORTING GOODS!

Here is an idea of what Dick’s Sporting Goods carries:

PLAYER CHECKLIST:

- Glove

- Pants

- Cleats

- Water Bottle

- Socks

- Belt

- Batting Helmet

- Bat (League appropriate)

****Bats and Helmets are provided by the league, this is just suggested and a great deal if you’d like to get your own!***

Thank you, Charlene Nelson, Jenna Rocque & Heather Williams ~ 2020 AYS Spring Ball Commissioners

**Note: This special offer for our league is only valid for the weekend of our event.**

AYS takes pride in keeping registration fees as low as possible for our communities’ youth, however there comes a time when the current fees need to increase. Due to increase costs and demand of umpiring, league fees and the need to start purchasing more updated equipment/uniforms, we have to increase our spring sports registrations fee.

We have avoided raising our prices for as long as possible, for the past 6 years baseball and tee ball stayed at the same fee and softball had only increased $10 during that time. Unfortunately, we can no longer prolong the inevitable. Our new registration fees for the upcoming spring season are Cal-Ripken Baseball $60.00, Franklin County Youth Softball $60.00 and Little Sluggers Tee Ball $40.00.

We wish to thank you for your valued support and participation in our AYS Program and know that you will understand the necessity for this registration fee increase.

A simple breakdown of each spring sport can be viewed at the AYS website. It can be found under documents, Click on sport under Where my Registration Fee goes?

With that being said, we are happy to announce that SPRING REGISTRATIONS are now open for the upcoming Baseball, Softball & Tee Ball Season. Visit www.ayssports.siplay.com to register online or come by and see us; to register in person on Saturdays during Girls Basketball games, 10am to 1pm at the AYS Complex located at 25 Cedar Street in Livermore Falls!

WE ARE SO READY FOR SPRING AND TO PLAY SOME BALL

GIRLS BASKETBALL GAMES�� start this weekend!! It will also be team and individual�� picture day��, Saturday! Make sure your athlete comes in on schedule times wearing their team jersey and a SMILE!! Order Form below! Photographers will have some on hand!

⚽️��ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER!��⚽️

INDOOR SOCCER: Division #1 is FULL!! Division #2 has ONLY 3 spots left!

INDOOR FIELD HOCKEY: 12 spots remain