BOYS' YOUTH BASEBALL
Welcome to the Recreation Department’s Baseball Program program!
Program Information
Several different baseball options exist for South Hadley Recreation participants. Please review each to decide which is best for your child:
Grade 1/2 Baseball: Children must be in grades one or two at the time of registration and will be split up by gender. Players will receive a team hat and a tee-shirt and should purchase grey baseball pants separately. The goal of this program is to introduce the boys to the concept of playing on a team and to learn the basic gross motor skills involved in baseball in a fun and positive environment. Players will be placed on teams and the coach will contact you regarding practice times. Teams will meet 1-2 times a week with the season beginning in mid-late April and running through the end of June. Teams will primarily play at the Beachgrounds field. The cost is $25.
This division is coach pitch with the emphasis on creating positive batting experiences. Players must have a small glove and wear sneakers or cleats to all games and practices.
Grade 3-4 Rec Baseball: Children must be currently enrolled in grades 3-4 to be eligible for participation in this in-town division. Grade 4 students that would like a more competitive experience are eligible to tryout for the Grade 4 Tri Town travel team. Play will be a combination of coach pitch and kid pitch. Each player will receive a team hat and tee shirt and they must purchase gray baseball pants separately. Teams will meet 2-3 times per week and play will begin in mid-April and will end in late June. Teams will primarily play at the Plains School field. The cost is $30.
Grade 5/6 Baseball: Children must be currently enrolled in grades 5-6 to be eligible for participation in this kid pitch division. This division has a moderate level of play and has rules designed specifically for this division. Teams will meet 2-4 times per week and will begin play in mid-April and will end in late June. Each player will receive a team hat and tee shirt and must purchase gray baseball pants separately. This league will either play in town or in a travel league depending on the amount of signups. The cost is $50.
Tri Town 12-14 Koufax: This league is our recreation level offering for players currently enrolled in grades 7-9. They cannot turn 15 before May 1, 2009. South Hadley will compete against teams such as Wilbraham, Monson and Ludlow on a 90 foot diamond. The level of play is moderate. The season will begin in late April and will run through early July. Players will meet 2-5 times per week. Each player will receive a team shirt and hat and will be responsible to provide grey baseball pants. For more information about the league, visit the leagues website at users.crocker.com/~mmagiera. The cost is $75.
Tryouts for the grade 5-8 travel teams take place in the fall prior to the season. Teams for 2010 will tryout in October. Registrations will begin Monday, September 14 and will end Friday, September 25th.
Mickey Mantle (14-16): South Hadley will enter teams into the Tri County Mickey Mantle league. This is a competitive summer baseball league that has high school Players cannot turn 17 before May 1, 2009. Last year, South Hadley had an “A” and “B” level team. The tryouts will be held later this spring at South Hadley High. These teams are run by the Summer Baseball Association. Cost: tba.
American Legion: The American Legion is South Hadley’s competitive High School Varsity summer baseball program. Tryouts will be held later this spring. Players must be born on or after January 1, 1990. This team is run by the Summer Baseball Association Cost: tba.
Connie Mack: The Summer Baseball Association is going to offer a Connie Mack team this summer if there is interest. Connie Mack has a similar age group to Legion; however, the level of play is not a high. More information will follow later this spring.
Baseball Association: Parents that are interested in furthering baseball in South Hadley are invited to join the South Hadley Baseball Association which provides for high school aged programs (Mickey Mantle and Legion) as well as funding for field projects (Landers and Beachgrounds irrigation), additional practice equipment and other baseball related items.
Youth baseball requirements: Each player is responsible to bring a glove with them to every game and practice. They are also responsible to wear a pair of sneakers and/or cleats. Cleats are expected for players in grades 5 and up and need to be molded rubber. Metal cleats are only permitted to be worn in the NEYSA Koufax, Mantle and Legion Divisions. Some divisions will provide your son with a complete team uniform (hat, shirt and pants) while others may require you to purchase a pair of gray softball pants and/or a baseball hat.
Cancellations: Your coach should contact you if your game or practice is cancelled due to poor weather. If the Recreation Department decides to cancel anything on a given day, they will make that announcement on the cancellation hotline at 538-5005. Please do not call the regular office line for this information.
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