Uxbridge Baseball Association
Baseball Program
- The Leagues
Baseball Age: Throughout the document, we will reference baseball age. A player’s “baseball age” is the age a player is on effective April 30th of
the subject year, as defined under “Cal-Ripken” guidelines. Please refer to the Cal Ripken Baseball web site for further information.
A Ball (T-Ball):
Players in the league are typically baseball age 5 and 6. The main goal in our T-Ball League is to introduce young players to the basic fundamentals
of baseball in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Instruction focuses on basic baseball skills such as throwing, catching, hitting, fielding, and
team sportsmanship. All batters hit the ball from a batting tee, adjusted to a height that allows each batter to swing level and learn the proper way to
hit a baseball. Every player bats and plays in the field each inning, with most games lasting two to three innings.
Our young players need coaches to help organize, provide guidance to parent assistants, and teach basic instruction to players. We will hold a
coaches clinic prior to start of season with instructions on basic drills to help teach the game and how to run a practice for players of this age. If you
have a child in our T-Ball program, or one just signing up this year, please consider being a coach or assistant coach. Players in T-Ball typically
practice one to two days during the week with structured games on Saturdays. There is no assessment for this league. Details of complete league
rules can be found on the UBA web site.
AA Ball (Rookie League):
Designed primarily for baseball age 7 and 8. There will be assessments for those players who are interested in playing in AAA. Players in our
Rookie League are generally exposed to live pitching for the first time through coach pitch atmosphere. By controlling the pitches with a coach
pitching, there is more action at the plate and in the field. It makes the game safer and improves the playing confidence and ability of all participants.
Scores and won/lost records are downplayed in this league in favor of a focus on furthering our Rookie League players’ basic skill
development. Games are played on a regular youth baseball diamond with 60’ base paths. Players in this league will have practices and games on
both weeknights and weekends, typically two to three days of the week. Details of complete league rules can be found on the UBA web site.
AAA National and American (Minors):
Recommended for baseball age 9 and 10. Our Minors program is an important step in the development of our youth baseball players. There is an
opportunity for those players baseball age 7 and 8 to play in the Minors program. Players continue building and refining their fundamental skills
while they begin to understand game strategy. Players in this league will have practices and games on both weeknights and weekends, typically two
to three days of the week. There is an assessment for this league, all players baseball age 7 through 10 will participate. The assessment for this
league will be to place players in the correct division and/or league and to field balanced teams within the division(s) and leagues(s).
Minors program has two divisions; AAA National and AAA American. The assessment will provide for placement of players in this league to
determine which division each player will be placed into. We believe this will make for a better experience for each player in their development as
well as for the enjoyment of the game to balance skill sets at this age.
The AAA National division is played under the Official Baseball Rules, but may implement some special rules as necessary for the development and
welfare of this age group, such as pitching. Players have the opportunity to take the mound and pitch for the first time. Because many of the players
in this league are new to pitching, we limit the number of walks, steals and runs allowed per inning, and do allow coach pitch as necessary. This
division has Manager umpires for most of the regular season games, but does incorporate league umpires towards the end of the season. Details of
complete league rules can be found on the UBA web site.
The AAA American division is played under the Official Baseball Rules, but may implement some special rules as necessary for the development
and welfare of this age group. Players take the mound and pitch exclusively. We limit the number of runs allowed per inning. This division has
league umpires exclusively for all games and playoffs. Details of complete league rules can be found on the UBA web site.
Majors:
The most experienced level of Cal Ripken Baseball, this league is recommended for baseball age 11 and 12. There is an opportunity for those
players baseball age 10 to play in the Majors program, if there are available player roster spots. Our 70’ league is played under the Official Baseball
Rules, but may implement some special rules as necessary for the development and welfare of this age group. Games are played on a 70 foot
baseball diamond, which has a 50 foot pitching distance. Players are exposed for the first time to new aspects of baseball including leading, pickoffs,
and stealing "on the pitch". There is an assessment for this league in order to field balanced teams within the league. Players in this league will have
practices and games on both weeknights and weekends, typically three to four days of the week. Details of complete league rules can be found on
the UBA web site.
A Ball (T-Ball):
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Baseball age 5 and 6 year olds
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Attempt to limit to 8 players per team
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Quantity of teams within league is defined by the UBA Board
AA Ball (Rookie League):
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Baseball age 7 and 8 year olds
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Attempt to limit 8 to players per team
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Quantity of teams within league is defined by the UBA Board
AAA National (Minors):
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All baseball age 9 years old not in AAA American (see below)
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Assessment of baseball age 7-9 year olds, assessed players that round up necessary teams
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Maximum 10 players per team
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Quantity of teams within league is defined by the UBA Board
AAA American (Minors):
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All baseball age 10 year olds
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Assessment of baseball age 8-9 year olds, top assessed players that round up necessary teams
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Maximum 10 players per team
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Quantity of teams within league is defined by the UBA Board
Majors:
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All baseball age 11 and 12 year olds
Baseball age 10 year olds have the opportunity to play in Majors division, if there are available player roster spots
Maximum 12 players per team
Quantity of teams within league is defined by the UBA Board