In an effort to enhance the experience and enjoyment of the players, and to ensure their best developmental alignment, the following changes have been approved for the 2020 season.

Spring Season – Majors Division

The Majors Division consists of two playing levels:

1)      Major 60 – This is played on a 46/60 diamond – a traditional “little league” size field with modified, limited stealing, leading, and pitching rules. This is where the majority of players baseball age 10-12 will play and we expect 8-10 teams in this division

2)      Major 70 – This is an enhanced level of baseball played on a 50/70 or transitional diamond. Rules at the 50/70 level are full baseball rules including leading/stealing, pick-offs, balks, etc. We anticipate 4 teams in the 50/70 division.

This season, as usual, team assignments will be determined via a draft. However, the 50/70 teams will be open to all age levels with no default placement of 12 year olds in the 50/70 division. In previous seasons all baseball 12 year old players were defaulted into the 50/70 level with a limited number of spots open to 11 year old players that were awarded via tryout. Our experience and feedback has been that this creates some developmental mismatches and that 12’s looking for a slightly less competitive experience should be allowed to play at the 46/60 level and that more opportunities should be available for 11’s and some 10’s who are ready to play 50/70. As an organization, our commitment has to be toward placing players at the most developmentally appropriate level so that they have an opportunity to enjoy the game while at the same time improving their skills and ability. We do not want to place players in a situation where they have little chance to be successful.

Please note: A player’s ‘baseball age’ per Cal Ripken rules is his age as of April 30^th.

Summer Season – Teams, Placement, Eligibility, and League Alignment

This Summer, there will be three teams at each age level for Summer Ball play for ages 8U through 12U. The changes are to better align our program with the standard practice for Cal Ripken baseball in determining Summer tournament teams. This also better aligns Summer Travel team rosters for competition in their respective leagues. Finally, this outlines expectations for participation on each team/level.

Cal Ripken Tournament Team:

This team is the “All Star” team nominated and selected by coaches. This is a direct extension of the Spring season and players must have played in the Spring to be eligible in accordance with Cal Ripken Baseball rules. There is not a tryout for the Cal Ripken Tournament team as selection to this team will be based on the players observed performance during the Spring season. This is the team that will compete in any Cal Ripken district, state, and regional tournaments. The Cal Ripken team is a separate roster from the Travel ‘A’ team. If a player is selected to this team, you are not required to play on the Travel ‘A’ team and there is no additional fee for CR tournament participation. If a player accepts his/her selection to this team, 100% tournament game participation is expected as well as all practices designated as tournament team practices. Limited excused absences for practices would be with coach permission only. Play can begin as early as mid-June and run through as late as early August depending on advancement.

Summer Travel ‘A’ Team:

This is the team that will compete in summer league play. This team will be selected by a combination of Spring coach evaluation and open tryout scores. It is likely many of the same players on the CR Tournament team will also be on the Travel ‘A’ team. However, placement on the Travel ‘A’ team does not qualify a player to participate in the CR tournaments. Summer League play typically consists of 1-2 games per week and 1 practice per week. Travel ‘A’ team plays in a highly competitive league and consistent participation is expected for all players. Players on the Travel ‘A’ team will be subject to the Summer Ball registration fee to cover league play and uniforms. Travel ‘A’ teams may participate in tournaments. Tournaments outside of league play may incur an additional player fee. Play typically begins in late June and runs through 1^st week of August.

Summer Travel ‘B’ Team:

If registration numbers allow, a second Summer Travel ‘B’ team will be created. Players will be placed on Travel ‘B’ teams based on Spring coach evaluation and open tryout scores. In some cases, age groups may need to be combined to create a complete team. Travel ‘B’ teams will play a similar schedule to travel A teams with 1-2 games per week and 1 practice per week. This is still very competitive baseball and consistent participation is expected. Players on the Travel ‘B’ team will be subject to the Summer Ball registration fee to cover league play and uniforms. Travel ‘B’ teams may participate in tournaments. Tournaments outside of league play may incur an additional player fee. Play typically begins in late June or early July and runs through 1^st week in August.

Expected Summer League Alignment:

Friendship League – 8U A

Suburban League – 9U A, 10U A

Kingston League – 11U A, 12U A

Kingston League B – 11U B (pending if they play 50/70,) 12U B

South River League – 8U B, 9UB, 10U B (11U B – pending if they play 46/60)

** Summer league alignment subject to change as leagues and teams shift each Summer