Travel Baseball Information

Current Vice President of Travel Baseball – Joe Youngberg [email protected]

Welcome to Travel Baseball.  The mission of the Glen Rock Little League is to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, loyalty, honesty, courage and respect so that they may be finer, stronger and happier children and will grow up to be good, honorable, healthy adults.

The GRLL intends to achieve its mission by providing supervised competitive athletic games. The development of the children is primary and the attainment of exceptional athletic skill or the winning of games is of secondary importance.

The GRLL Travel Baseball Program provides a higher level of competition beyond the Recreation programs (“REC”) for those players willing to commit to working hard and improving their skills. The primary focus of the Travel program is on player development and education, not just on winning. Particular emphasis is placed on developing position-specific skills. Our goal is to increase the competitive level of play to give players the opportunity to go beyond the basic skill sets and prepare players for success at the Middle School and High School levels.

All Travel teams are subject to oversight by the GRLL. The Vice President of Travel will have full responsibility for running and enforcing the travel program and its policies.

Travel teams will be formed for ages 8 through 13 (and potentially 14-18). The number of teams at each age level will be determined by:

• Number of players at qualified level of play
• Availability of Manager / Coach Volunteers
• Available # of spots in appropriate Leagues / Tournaments
• Availability of fields

The Travel program is not intended to be for everyone. It is intended for those players who have had success at the REC level. While we want to encourage and accommodate participation for as many children as possible, the GRLL must keep the level of play higher than the recreation program. We must keep the safety of the players in mind, and not allow any player to participate in the travel program who would put themselves or others at risk of injury due to insufficient skills.

Unfortunately, due to the competitiveness and restricted size of teams, some players WILL be disappointed if they are not chosen to be part of a team.  Before trying out for a team, it is important for parents to explain to their player that there is a chance they will not be chosen. Every parent should take this into consideration before allowing their player to try out.

For most, there is always next year, when the players are a bit older and when you feel they are better able to handle the situation. Of course, those who do not play Travel Baseball are strongly urged and encouraged to continue to play recreational baseball with their friends and consider trying out again next year.

The 8U Division is the first age at which the players will be participating in a higher level of competitive play. It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible.  In general, 8U players have very little experience in competitive baseball.  Moreover, most of the players in the 8U Divisions are relatively unknown to the coaching staff.  Therefor it may be necessary to conduct a skills evaluation on registered players for this division before the start of the Developmental Baseball Program (“Spring Training”).

Although players are to be randomly assigned to the 8U teams, the skill evaluations coupled with the general knowledge and experience of the coach who has observed the players in the spring, will be used to ‘evenly split the teams’ prior to the summer season.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

• In order to register for the 8U Division, a player’s League Age shall be eight (8) according to the Age Chart.

Note: At the discretion of the VP of Travel a seven year old (7 yo) player may be authorized to play in the 8U Division on rare occasions.  This decision must be based on the maturity level of the player, the skill level of the player, and if the player would be able to safely compete and benefit from this level of baseball.   

• In general, the 8U Division will begin a Developmental Baseball Program (Practice) during the Spring Season. This is commonly considered a “Spring Training” type program, where practices would occur once or twice a week to accustom the players to a higher level of competitive baseball.
• The VP of Travel Baseball may host a “skills evaluation” for 8U Division players in order to gain an idea of the skill level of each player. Teams will be made up in a manner described in the Article VI Section 6.05(a) of this Policy.
• A player who does not possess minimum level of skills needed to participate on a travel team may be asked to not play, but rather work on their skills and try again for the 9U Division.
• Once the team(s) is selected, the manager(s) will be responsible to schedule and facilitate practices with the team(s).
• The 8U Division is encouraged to play scrimmages during the Spring Season, but will begin playing games during the Summer Season. The team may participate in the Fall Season if it so wishes, with approval from the VP of Travel Baseball.
• As a general rule throughout the age groups in the GRLL, all players who play travel baseball MUST be registered and play atleast 50% of the recreational games assigned. Failure to do so may result in the player being ineligible to play.

Current 8U Team –

The current 8U Team is being managed by Coach Ryan McNair.  The team has opted to participate in the spring 2018 Baseball Season in lieu of a “spring training curriculum” and will begin playing games near the end of March.

It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible. Players at the 9U Division are still rather inexperienced baseball players, and the focus of 9U Division baseball should still be on player development and skill building; however, some focus on competitiveness should begin to be introduced.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

• Try-outs or Skill Evaluations for the 9U level may be held for team selection following Article VI § 6.03b(i) and Article VI §6.04(c) of the Travel Baseball Policy.
• The VP of Travel will make a determination if the 9U Division will be in the Team A/Team B format, or evenly split. This decision should be made keeping the best interests of the Division (as a whole) in mind.
• Team selection shall be conducted in a manner described in the Travel Baseball Policy.
• When a team(s) is selected, the manager will be responsible to schedule and facilitate practices with the team(s).
• The 9U Division will begin with an optional “winter workout” regiment to prepare for the Spring Season. Winter Workouts may begin any time after team selection has taken place, at the discretion of the Team Manager.  The cost will be borne on each team.
• The 9U Division will then play the Spring Season, followed by the Summer Season, and have the option to continue into the Fall Season, if desired.
• 9U Division teams may begin to play in local tournaments, with the permission of the VP of Travel.

A player who does not possess minimum level of skills needed to participate on a travel team may be asked to not play, but rather work on their skills and try again for 10U Division.

Current 9U Team

The 9U Division has been split to two evenly talented teams for the 2018 season, Team Black and Team Red.  Coach Joe Youngberg is Managing Team Black, while Coach Ron Colonna is Managing Team Red.

It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible.  Players of 10U-13U Divisions are more experienced players, most of which have two full seasons of travel baseball experience.  Focus will remain on player development at these Divisions; however, by the very nature of the age group the level of competitiveness is exponentially greater than in junior Divisions.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

• The 10U, 11U, 12U and 13U Divisions (hereafter referred to as the Senior Divisions) will host a try-out for interested players in September or October of each year following Article VI Section 6.03b(i) of the Travel Baseball Policy.
• All players who register to play in the Senior Divisions are required to try-out for a team, unless a try-out is deemed not necessary, per policy.
• Each player that tries out may be required to pay a ‘tryout fee’ which will defray the costs of the facility and any third party evaluators, if necessary.
• Teams will be selected in a manner pursuant in the Article VI Section 6.04(a) of the Travel Baseball Policy.
• The GRLL expects its players to commit to both the Spring and the Summer Seasons in the Senior Divisions.
• Following the Spring Season, the Team “A” Manager may (with the approval of the VP of Travel) ask a player who is struggling at an ‘A Level’ to consider playing on Team “B”.
• In the event that a roster spot becomes available on an “A” Level Team, the vacancy will be filled in a manner prescribed in Article VI Section 6.06 of the Travel Baseball Policy.
• Senior Divisions will begin with an optional “winter workout” regiment to prepare for the Spring Season.
• All Divisions will play the Spring Season, followed by the Summer Season, and have the option to continue into the Fall Season, if desired.
• Managers will be encouraged to play in local tournaments, if so desired, with the permission from the VP of Travel.

Players who do not possess the minimum required skills to play baseball, will not be permitted to play on a travel baseball team.

Current 10U Team

The 10U Division is being managed by Coach Roman Vacarri.  10U has already begun practicing to prepare for the upcoming spring season.

It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible.  Players of 10U-13U Divisions are more experienced players, most of which have two full seasons of travel baseball experience.  Focus will remain on player development at these Divisions; however, by the very nature of the age group the level of competitiveness is exponentially greater than in junior Divisions.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

1)            The 10U, 11U, 12U and 13U Divisions (hereafter referred to as the Senior Divisions) will host a try-out for interested players in September or October of each year following Article VI Section 6.03b(i) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

2)            All players who register to play in the Senior Divisions are required to try-out for a team, unless a try-out is deemed not necessary, per policy.

3)            Each player that tries out may be required to pay a ‘tryout fee’ which will defray the costs of the facility and any third party evaluators, if necessary.

4)            Teams will be selected in a manner pursuant in the Article VI Section 6.04(a) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

5)            The GRLL expects its players to commit to both the Spring and the Summer Seasons in the Senior Divisions.

6)            Following the Spring Season, the Team “A” Manager may (with the approval of the VP of Travel) ask a player who is struggling at an ‘A Level’ to consider playing on Team “B”.

7)            In the event that a roster spot becomes available on an “A” Level Team, the vacancy will be filled in a manner prescribed in Article VI Section 6.06 of the Travel Baseball Policy.

8)            Senior Divisions will begin with an optional “winter workout” regiment to prepare for the Spring Season.

9)            All Divisions will play the Spring Season, followed by the Summer Season, and have the option to continue into the Fall Season, if desired.

10)          Managers will be encouraged to play in local tournaments, if so desired, with the permission from the VP of Travel.

11)          Players who do not possess the minimum required skills to play baseball, will not be permitted to play on a travel baseball team.

Current 11U Teams

There are two 11U teams in 2018, 11U A and 11U B.  11U A is managed by Coach Rory Tennant.  11U B is managed by Coach Stappenbeck.

It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible.  Players of 10U-13U Divisions are more experienced players, most of which have two full seasons of travel baseball experience.  Focus will remain on player development at these Divisions; however, by the very nature of the age group the level of competitiveness is exponentially greater than in junior Divisions.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

1)            The 10U, 11U, 12U and 13U Divisions (hereafter referred to as the Senior Divisions) will host a try-out for interested players in September or October of each year following Article VI Section 6.03b(i) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

2)            All players who register to play in the Senior Divisions are required to try-out for a team, unless a try-out is deemed not necessary, per policy.

3)            Each player that tries out may be required to pay a ‘tryout fee’ which will defray the costs of the facility and any third party evaluators, if necessary.

4)            Teams will be selected in a manner pursuant in the Article VI Section 6.04(a) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

5)            The GRLL expects its players to commit to both the Spring and the Summer Seasons in the Senior Divisions.

6)            Following the Spring Season, the Team “A” Manager may (with the approval of the VP of Travel) ask a player who is struggling at an ‘A Level’ to consider playing on Team “B”.

7)            In the event that a roster spot becomes available on an “A” Level Team, the vacancy will be filled in a manner prescribed in Article VI Section 6.06 of the Travel Baseball Policy.

8)            Senior Divisions will begin with an optional “winter workout” regiment to prepare for the Spring Season.

9)            All Divisions will play the Spring Season, followed by the Summer Season, and have the option to continue into the Fall Season, if desired.

10)          Managers will be encouraged to play in local tournaments, if so desired, with the permission from the VP of Travel.

11)          Players who do not possess the minimum required skills to play baseball, will not be permitted to play on a travel baseball team.

Current 12U Teams

There is currently one 12U Baseball team.  The 12U Team is managed by Coach Bob Baratta.  The 12U will begin playing in the Spring Season.  The 12U’s season will culminate with the Cooperstown Tournament in July.  The Cooperstown Tournament is often considered the culmination of young players career in the GRLL Travel Program.

It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible.  Players of 10U-13U Divisions are more experienced players, most of which have two full seasons of travel baseball experience.  Focus will remain on player development at these Divisions; however, by the very nature of the age group the level of competitiveness is exponentially greater than in junior Divisions.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

1)            The 10U, 11U, 12U and 13U Divisions (hereafter referred to as the Senior Divisions) will host a try-out for interested players in September or October of each year following Article VI Section 6.03b(i) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

2)            All players who register to play in the Senior Divisions are required to try-out for a team, unless a try-out is deemed not necessary, per policy.

3)            Each player that tries out may be required to pay a ‘tryout fee’ which will defray the costs of the facility and any third party evaluators, if necessary.

4)            Teams will be selected in a manner pursuant in the Article VI Section 6.04(a) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

5)            The GRLL expects its players to commit to both the Spring and the Summer Seasons in the Senior Divisions.

6)            Following the Spring Season, the Team “A” Manager may (with the approval of the VP of Travel) ask a player who is struggling at an ‘A Level’ to consider playing on Team “B”.

7)            In the event that a roster spot becomes available on an “A” Level Team, the vacancy will be filled in a manner prescribed in Article VI Section 6.06 of the Travel Baseball Policy.

8)            Senior Divisions will begin with an optional “winter workout” regiment to prepare for the Spring Season.

9)            All Divisions will play the Spring Season, followed by the Summer Season, and have the option to continue into the Fall Season, if desired.

10)          Managers will be encouraged to play in local tournaments, if so desired, with the permission from the VP of Travel.

11)          Players who do not possess the minimum required skills to play baseball, will not be permitted to play on a travel baseball team.

Current 13U Teams

The 13U Baseball Team is managed by Coach Kevin McCegney.  The 13U baseball team has been practicing to prepare for the spring 2018 Season.

It is the goal of the GRLL to make this the best experience for the players as possible.  The 14U Teams will participate in a league which will allow for a higher level of competition while allowing for a focus on skill development and preparation for high school and collegiate level of baseball.

Rules, Guidelines and Policies:

1)     Similarly to previous division, tryouts may be conducted for the 14U Division following procedures set forth in Article VI Section 6.03b(i) of the Travel Baseball Policy.

2)     Team selection will be conducted in a manner prescribed in Article VI Section 6.04(a) of Travel Baseball Policy.

3)     The 14U Division will begin with an optional “winter workout” regiment to prepare for the Spring Season.  Teams will play the Spring Season, followed by the Summer Season, and have the option to continue into the Fall Season if desired

4)     Managers will be encouraged to play in local tournaments, if so desired, with the permission from the VP of Travel.

5)     Players who do not possess the minimum required skills to play baseball, will not be permitted to play on a travel baseball team.

Registration Deadline / Special Notes:

There is currently no 14U baseball team playing for the GRLL.

Seasons –

In general there are three seasons for Travel Baseball; a Spring Season, a summer season and a fall season.  Generally, the GRLL will open registrations following the fall season for the upcoming year.

Registrations / Team Selection –

After the registration deadline has past, registered players will be invited to a try-out or skill evaluation.  Teams will be selected (as per GRLL policy) based on the results of the skills evaluations or try-outs in mid fall.  Once teams have been selected, coaches will be responsible to contact their teams to schedule practices for the upcoming season.

Minimum Standards to Play Travel Baseball –

The main purpose for having a minimum set of skills to play baseball can be summed up into three words: Safety, Safety, and Safety! Players who do not possess these minimum skills, or who do not have the potential to learn these skills, may pose a risk to him/herself and other players.  They will not be permitted to play travel baseball in the GRLL.

The minimum skill requirements are:

1. Ability to CATCH a baseball;
2. Ability to THROW a baseball with minimal accuracy;
3. Ability to DODGE an object (baseball) if necessary; and,
4. Ability to LISTEN when told to do something.

Players must possess the ability to catch a baseball to avoid injury, they must be able to throw a baseball towards a target within a reasonable distance and speed, and must be able to have a minimal amount of perception and judgment to dodge/get out of the way of an incoming baseball, bat or object in order to protect themselves.  The ability to do what they are told, when they are told is more than just a practice of discipline and respect; it’s a matter of safety.  Players must be able and willing to listen to the coaches when told to do something, for the overall safety of the team and themselves.

Playing Time / Commitment to Team –

The manager for each divisional team has the authority to set their own standard for what their commitment expectations are.  The GBRSA policy is that all players make GRLL the priority of all Travel / Rec / Club Baseball Teams.  The manager has the authority to enforce their standards as per GRLL Policy.

There is no guarantee that a player will play, despite making the team.  The GRLL vests the authority of all line-ups and playability on the Manager and Coaches.  If a parent of a player feels their player is not being played, or is otherwise being treated unfairly, please contact the Vice President of Travel Baseball.

How much does it cost?

The GRLL Travel Baseball Program will (on average) cost a family between $200 – $500 per player, per season.  This cost includes: registration, umpires, uniforms, training/practice space and other expenses.  This does not include tournament fees and reimbursing the GRLL/Coaching Staff for ‘out of pocket’ expenses throughout the season.  These expenses may include baseballs, training equipment, and other misc. items for the team.

Equipment such as athletic supporters, batting gloves, bats, baseball mitts, helmets, and eye black are not included in the fees and are the responsibility of the individual players.

What is the time commitment?

Each team has different schedules from year to year.  Some coaches opt to practice more often, while others practice less than others.  Generally, teams will practice once a week during the winter and early spring training.  Once the spring season begin, teams will practice once per week and play a game once per week.  In the summer season, teams may practice once per week, and play 2-3 games per week.

Where do I go to find a schedule?

The coach for each team should provide your player with an upcoming schedule as soon as it become available.  At this time, coaches do not report their schedules to GRLL.  Reach out to your coach if you have questions regarding the schedule.

Does my player have to play rec if they are playing travel baseball?

Yes, a player is responsible to play recreational baseball in order to qualify to play for travel baseball.  Moreover, players are responsible to participate in at least 50% of all recreational games throughout the rec season.

The GRLL’s policy is that Travel Baseball is an extension of the recreational program, and is designed for players who are looking to play baseball at a more competitive level.

Can my player play a Club Team at the same time as Travel?

Yes, your player may play for a club team while also playing for GBRSA Travel.  The GRLL asked that your player prioritize the GRLL Travel Team over the club team.

I missed the deadline for my player’s age group, what can I do?

Unfortunately there may be very little that can be done when a deadline is missed.  The GRLL recognizes that families may, at times, be very busy and things may ‘slip through the cracks’ or get overlooked.  Deadlines are put in place because there is a considerable amount of planning that goes into the fielding of a travel baseball team, and we have to allow time for that planning to take place.  The GRLL also has to consider the fairness to the other players who registered before the deadline.

If you’ve missed a deadline, and you would still like for your player to be considered for the GBRSA Travel program, please email Vice President Joe Youngberg.  Late Registrations will be considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on the needs of the team/league.  There is no guarantee that a player will be allowed to register after the deadline has passed.