youth sports leagues

The Ann Arbor YMCA offers non-competitive sports leagues for youth. We believe your child should have the opportunity to try as many new sports as possible during their early years, and we strive to offer a wide range of activities to involve your son or daughter in. With the help of volunteer parents and coaches, we teach basic skills as well as the concepts of teamwork, cooperation and sportsmanship. We stress participation by ensuring each child receives equal playing time so that all participants enjoy a positive experience in our programs.

Each season we will post team rosters and schedules online, allowing you to keep up to date with everything that’s going on. Also be sure to check out our new ‘Sports Center’ bulletin board at the entrance to the gym for more updates. If you would like to view a league schedule, please click on the online registration link.

Youth Flag Football League (September – October)
YMCA Flag Football is an instructional program designed for youngsters new to the sport of football as well as those not quite ready for tackle football who want to learn how to play the sport, brush up on the rules, tactics, and skills, improve their game and most importantly, HAVE FUN! Each team is coached by volunteer parents and community members and our focus is on football education, participation, and sportsmanship. Each team will have one evening practice and one game a week and all children receive a t-shirt uniform.

Youth Basketball League (October – February)
Each year we offer two Youth Basketball Leagues: our Fall League runs October through December and our Winter League runs January through February. Each eight-week instructional program teaches children the fundamentals of basketball within a league structure. Volunteer coaches and referees use fun games and activities as teaching tools so that all players develop their skills. It is our hope that this program will increase your child’s excitement for the sport of basketball, while giving them confidence in their own abilities and helping them develop a positive attitude towards physical activity. Each team will have one evening practice and one game a week & all children receive a t-shirt uniform.

Youth Futsal League - 5 v 5 Indoor Soccer (March – April)
Futsal® (Five-a-Side Soccer) is the fastest growing indoor sport worldwide, and it started at the YMCA! Futsal® has its origins in the 1930’s in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Montevideo, Uruguay.  In Uruguay, Argentinian physical education teacher Juan Carlos Ceriani developed an indoor five-a-side version of the game that could be played in youth competitions in local YMCAs. Played on basketball-sized courts, without the use of sidewalls, the game helps children develop better skills because of the smaller field and reduced number of players. Children play in small sided practices and games, using age appropriate equipment, and learn that teamwork and sportsmanship come before competitiveness. We guarantee that every player plays at least half a game.  Every Child Plays, Every Child Wins!

Youth Baseball League: T-Ball, Coach Pitch & Machine Pitch Leagues (April – June)
Check out our new Baseball program! This skill development program will teach children the basics of throwing, catching, hitting and base running in a fun environment. Children play in small sided practices and games and learn that teamwork and sportsmanship come before competitiveness. Our volunteer coaches use games and practice activities as teaching tools so that all children will be able to improve their skills regardless of their ability or playing experience.  To apply to be a volunteer baseball coach click here to download an application.

All practices and games are held at Elbel Field, Hill Street, Ann Arbor.

Equipment & Uniform
All children should bring their own baseball glove, and we recommend all participants wear long sweat pants or baseball pants (no jeans) and rubber cleats or tennis shoes. If your child does not have their own glove, we will have a limited number of gloves available for general use. At their first practice, all players will receive a t-shirt and hat, which they are responsible for maintaining and wearing to each game. Boys who would like to play catcher in the 9-12 year old age group are required to have their own cup.

Team Rosters and Schedules

Rookies American (Ages 5-7):  Team rosters         Game schedules

Rookies National (Ages 5-7):    Team rosters         Game schedules

Winners (Ages 7-9):                  Team rosters         Game schedules

Champions (Ages 9-12):           Team rosters          Game schedules