Youth Baseball League (April-June)
■ GENERAL INFORMATION – YOUTH T-BALL AND BASEBALL LEAGUE
YMCA T-Ball & Baseball is an instructional league for 5-12 year olds which focuses on skill development, teamwork and fun! A combined practice and game takes place one night a week for each age group. YMCA Baseball League runs April 22 through June 10, 2013. Your child will be placed in a league based on his/her age as of April 22, 2013.
T-Ball (Kindergarten-1st Grade):
T-Ball is intended for players who are new to the sport of baseball in Kindergarten & 1st grade, as well as any 2nd graders who not comfortable with a coach pitching to them. A 40 minute practice is followed by a 50 minute game.
Meets: Mondays, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Mitchell Field, Fuller Street, Ann Arbor
Coach Pitch Baseball is offered to children in grades 2 & 3, as well as any players in 1st grade who have successfully mastered hitting the ball off the tee. A 40 minute practice is followed by a 3-inning or 60 minute game.
Meets: Mondays, 6:15-8:00 p.m., Mitchell Field, Fuller Street, Ann Arbor
Instructional Machine Pitch (4th-6th Grade):
Machine Pitch Baseball is open to children in grades 4-6. A 45 minute practice is followed by a 5-inning, or 75 minute game. This age group uses a pitching machine under game-like conditions with a regulation baseball. The consistency of the machine pitch allows your child's batting skills to rapidly improve and his or her self-confidence to build.
Meets: Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Mitchell Field, Fuller Street, Ann Arbor
Baseball is a sport that requires a lot of repetition to improve skills. Playing at home with your child will help to reinforce what they learn at practice each week. You can download a useful ‘Play at Home’ information sheet here.
■ TEAM ROSTERS
Team rosters and coach assignments will be published online at www.annarborymca.org on Friday, April 19. We will register approximately 10 players per team based on age and experience. Players who register before April 12 may request up to three teammates during registration. We will accommodate teammate and coach requests as much as possible on a first come, first-served basis.
■ REGISTRATION, FEES & REFUNDS
Early Bird Registration: March 11–April 12. YMCA members: $55, Community Members: $110
Late registration: April 13–19. YMCA members: $65, Community Members: $120
Places are limited so sign up early! Refunds will only be issued if a player cancels before the last day of registration. Through the generous contributions of our donors, the Ann Arbor YMCA is able to provide financial scholarships that enable all members of the community to enjoy YMCA programs, regardless of income. Applications for financial assistance are available on our website or at our membership desk.
The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, April 12.
■ UNIFORM
All children should bring their own baseball glove. We recommend that all participants wear long sweat pants or baseball pants (no jeans) and rubber cleats or tennis shoes. If your child does not have his or her 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 cap, which they are responsible for maintaining and wearing to each game. Boys who wish to play catcher in the 9–12 year old age group are required to have their own athletic cup.
■ BECOME A Y VOLUNTEER COACH!
Y youth sports teams are coached by one or two trained YMCA volunteer coaches, many of whom are parents or community members. If you like to work with children and enjoy helping them learn and succeed, we need you! If you are interested in coaching, you need to be at least 16 years of age and to attend a Y coach’s workshop prior to the start of the season. Our workshops introduce volunteers like you to the YMCA’s character values and youth development philosophy. Our workshops also give you the practical skills necessary to teach and lead youth sports teams. No formal coaching experience is necessary; all we ask is that you are committed to helping young people build positive self-images and develop a passion for an active lifestyle. Coaches training will take place on Wednesday, April 17 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jordan Keen at (734) 661-8016 or email jkeen@annarborymca.org.
To apply as a Volunteer Coach, please complete our online Volunteer application.