Spring Baseball- League Levels and General Information
MYBS spring in-town baseball program is focused on creating a fun, inclusive experience for all players at every age and skill level. Our programs are offered to children in Grades 1 through 8. The spring season runs from late April to early June. The leagues are:
Players are taught the basics of baseball with coaches pitching and every player participating in the field. Practice/games are twice a week. The first 45 minutes is dedicated to instruction, the last 45 minutes is a game (generally two innings.) No score is kept, outs are recorded, and every player gets a chance to hit each inning. Players are assigned to teams randomly.
Players move from the tee to coaches pitching and, by mid-season, players getting a chance to pitch for the first time with the coach. Practice/games are twice a week, no score is kept, and outs are recorded. An inning is 3 outs or each player getting a chance to bat--whichever happens first. The emphasis is still on teaching fundamentals and helping each player develop confidence. Coordinators will assign players randomly, but will do their best to balance teams. On occasion there will be a scrimmage or two against Dover Sherborn's baseball program.
This is a significant transition year, team standings (with wins and losses) are kept, kids pitch and catch, there are 10 players in the field, and balls and strikes are called. The schedule will include games against Medfield and Dover-Sherborn teams. All teams qualify for the playoffs and winners get a chance to play on Championship Day! Coaches and coordinators will work together to assign players to teams.
All 4th graders play AAA -- no tryouts are required. 5th graders interested in trying out for Majors (see below) should sign up for Majors during registration. MYBS will not know the number of 5th graders eligible to play in Majors until registration closes and tryouts are held in early Spring. If your 5th grade child is not interested in trying out for Majors, please select AAA during registration. Coaches and coordinators will work together to assign players to teams after the Majors tryout process has completed. The schedule will include games against Medfield and Dover-Sherborn teams.
For 5th graders: Tryouts are used as the primary determination of being selected to a Majors team. The emphasis will be on the tryouts (see homepage for date and time). Coordinators and coaches will also consider prior year Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons if necessary. A lot can change from the previous seasons, so the tryout evaluations are the most useful. Independent evaluators will be used to rate players, likely coaches from older grades w/ no children trying out. 5th & 6th grade coaches will be running the stations and organizing the activities at the tryout. The season will include games against Medfield and Dover-Sherborn teams.
The final number of slots for 5th graders is determined by the number of Majors teams, the number of 6th graders registered, and player ability to compete at the majors level. Historically there have been 4 teams with 11-12 players. We will not know the actual number of spots available until registration has closed.
For 6th graders - All 6th graders make Majors.
The Majors adhere to all Little League Baseball rules. Players are selected for teams using the MYBS Uniform Draft Policy (see link at the bottom of the page.)
7th & 8th Graders - Spring Babe Ruth is a travel league run by Medway baseball. Home games will be played at the High School or at Memorial School. Players are selected for teams by the Grade Coordinators and will be reviewed with coaches to ensure the teams are balanced.
Babe Ruth Bat Rules:
http://www.baberuthleague.org/bat-rules.aspx
The bat may not exceed 34" in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 5/8" in diameter. All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed. Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed.
The league may incorporate an "all wood bat" week/weekend during the regular season. Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.