The Putnam Youth Basketball League believes that our Rec Ball program should be designed for our kids to have fun, and to learn more about the game as they develop. All players in the Rec program are guaranteed equal playing time, (as long as they have shown for practices and there is no disciplinary issues that have been reviewed by the board).

One of the ways we try to keep this fun for the kids is by trying to balance out the talent around the teams on the league. No player in any league wants to look up at the scoreboard and see that they are losing by 25, 30 or more points.

 

The method that the P.Y.B.L. currently uses in 5th/6th & 7th/8th grade divisions in trying to balance out the talent is an old fashioned “Draft”. Players are requested to come down to “Assessments” for evaluation of skills and talents. The scores are kept confidential, and only shared with coaches at “Draft” time. The assessments are NOT tryouts!  All players will be placed on teams.

In the 3rd/4th grade level (typically our largest group), players will also be assessed and teams will be assembled at the discretion of the Rec Coordinator.  The goal is to make balanced teams. 

 

Our goal is to have four to ten "balanced" teams in each division and play "in house" against other PYBL teams.  However, when enrollments are low, we may play against teams from Milwaukie, Clackamas, and/or Gladstone.  Teams will play a minimum of 9 Saturday games with the possibility of up to 5 week night games depending on gym availability. Teams will practice 1-2 nights a week depending on gym availability.

We as a board believe that this is the “Putnam Community”. Players may attend different grade schools, but ultimately will probably attend Putnam High School. We do not try to keep players together from the same grade schools. From experience, kids will make new friends, possibly “Best Friends”, along with parents.

We will not honor requests for players being together on the same teams due to car pool issues, or special requests for specific coaches. This becomes a logistics nightmare for the Leagues Registrar, Coordinator, and other players families who must be moved to other teams to make space, and could possibly open the door to the “Stacking” of teams. We do not want to discourage participation, so if car pooling is needed, please talk to your coach, or we as a board can make the efforts in finding car pooling “Partners” within a team.

As a Parent, please realize that the Board and all Coaches are volunteers. Signing your child up for P.Y.B.L. is a commitment, and it’s your responsibility to make sure your child makes practices and games. We would ask that you please try to keep the number of “Unavailable” days to one during registration.

 

Also all Coaches and board members must attend and be certified by the “Positive Coaching Alliance”. We recommend that all parents learn about the “P.C.A.” and attend at least one of the offered workshops.

 

(updated for 2010/2011 season)