Spring Ball

Our Most Popular Season! We welcome players, new and experienced, ages 6-15. 

Our goal is to bring the spirit of America's great pastime to everyone in Brookline!

For younger players, practices begin in early April and games begin, weather permitting, in mid-April usually after April vacation and generally runs through late May. For older teams, practices will begin in March and games also begin in mid-April, but because of playoffs will extend the season into June.

As our most popular season, it is important that your child is registered before the deadline, guaranteeing him or her a team. Children registered after the deadline, will be placed on a first come, first served basis if there are spots available.

Your child will be assigned a team based on his or her grade, age, and/or skill level, as described below. In addition, we attempt to keep school friends together in the early years, if possible. If you have a group of children that you would like to keep together with a designated coach, please indicate that in the registration comments.

Beginning in the AA League, team composition becomes more mixed in an effort to balance the teams as much as possible, and this also gives kids a chance to make friends from schools all over Brookline.

Ages 12 and under play on the small diamond, where socialization and skill development are of the greatest importance.

Ages 13+ play on the big diamond (Major League size) and focus on advanced aspects of the game.

As a proud Little League affiliate, we use the League Age system, which designates children by age generally tying to public school system designations. For more information about what LL Age your child is, please use the Little League Age Determination form: Little League Age Determination

T-Ball, Age 6

A great introduction to the game of baseball!

About the Program

• • • Season runs from April to late May/early June
    • Each child receives a t-shirt and hat (you provide helmets, baseball pants and cleats or appropriate exercise shoes)
    • Offered as a weekly clinic on Sunday mornings at Lawrence Playground
    • Teams are organized primarily by school so players can begin learning with their friends
    • Experienced BYB coaches will train new coaches and interested parents in developing skills for beginning ballplayers with emphasis on activity and fun

Single A, Age 7-8

Designed to teach sound fundamentals and a love of the game.

About the Program

• • • Season runs from April to late May/early June
    • Each child receives a t-shirt and hat (you provide helmets, baseball pants and cleats or appropriate exercise shoes)
    • Teams will meet twice each week (90 mins each) on either a Tuesday-Sunday or Wednesday-Sunday schedule
    • Most events are held at Lawrence Field
    • Weekday sessions start at 5:30 PM
    • Sunday start times will vary week to week, between midday and early evening
    • Teams will be organized primarily by school, with an aim to have 1 - 3 schools represented on each team
    • We use an innovative station-based practice format that emphasizes pacing, fundamental learning and fun
    • New players will learn basic skills from the ground up. More experienced players will take their skills to the next level through advanced drill work and skill competitions
    • Games will make use of pitching machines, with rules that have been modified for younger players - we will employ coach pitching as needed
    • We emphasize fun by engaging our players in fast moving, split squad games – limits each side to 5-8 players. No scores or standings, just fun!

Double A, Age 8-9

This is the beginning of competitive baseball, focusing on the development of position and game skills

About the Program

• • Season runs from April to late May
  • Each child receives a t-shirt and hat (you provide helmets, baseball pants and cleats or appropriate exercise shoes)
  • Teams will meet three times a week for practices and games
  •  Field and schedule assignments will be allocated after teams and coaches are determined
  • Scores are kept, and the “real games” are played
  • The season will begin with the use of pitching machines in games, players will also participate in pitching drills and clinics and games will gradually integrate kid-pitch
  • Kids will be placed on teams based on coach evaluations and there is an emphasis on creating balanced teams of kids from different schools

Triple A, Age 9-12

A competitive league where more advanced baseball skills are explored. The goal is to balance out teams across the league - placement is based on evaluations at mandatory tryouts

About the Program

• • Season runs from April to late May
  • Each child receives a t-shirt and hat (you provide helmets, baseball pants and cleats or appropriate exercise shoes)
  • Teams are mixed from across Brookline – many great friendships start here!
    
  • Three practices/games per week, starting in March
  • Field and schedule assignments will be allocated after teams and coaches are determined
  • Coaches focus on specific position play, pitching effectiveness and hitting strategies
  • Scores and standings are kept
  • See Tryouts for Spring Ball for more information about the mandatory tryouts.
    

Majors, Age 10-12

Our most competitive league, with excellent strategic play opportunities for the serious player.  This league features a limited number of team and spots.  Placement is based on evaluations at mandatory tryouts and teams are selected by a coaches draft system, attempting to find parity amoung teams to ensure highly rewarding play.

Every effort will be made to place players that are Age 12 in Majors but only if they are registered by the March deadline and attend Tryouts.

About the Program

• Season runs from mid-April to mid-June
• Each child receives a t-shirt and hat (you provide helmets, baseball pants and cleats or appropriate exercise shoes)
• Teams will have 12 players each, to be drafted by MAJORS coaches
• Teams will have up to 4 practices / games per week, starting in March
• Teams will be comprised predominantly of 12s, 11s and possibly one 10 year old.
• There are standings and playoffs
• Tryouts are mandatory for all players, including players who are returning to Majors for a second or third year. See Tryouts for Spring Ball for more information about the tryouts.

Options for 13+

There are two options for players 13+, one focused on more local play (nearby towns) and the other a more competitive, travel program

Seniors - Age 13-15

• • This program helps players advance to the “Big Diamond” (regulation 90ft field)
  • Teams will play games during the week against other towns and group practices will be held on Sunday mornings
  • A 13-year only team will play on a 50/70 diamond.  More skilled 13s will play with the 14s and 15s on the big diamond.
  • Competitive, developmental, and fun.  An opportunity for our older players to continue to play town ball.

Brookline Bandits - 12U + 14U Teams

• • • For highly skilled players who desire a more competitive, travel baseball program with year-round activities, Brookline Bandits are part of the New England Elite Baseball League
    • Teams are formed in the Fall and / or Spring and will practice over the winter months