LAST CHANCE TO
PLAY BALL!
SOUTH ORANGE/MAPLEWOOD BASEBALL REGISTRATION
ONLY 2 REGISTRATION DATES REMAINING!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH, 1:00-4:00 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH, 1:00-4:00 PM
THE BAIRD, SOUTH ORANGE
All first time participants
MUST REGISTER IN PERSON at one of the sessions
listed above and BRING A
COPY OF THEIR BIRTH
CERTIFICATE. Online registration is available to returning
players (those who participated
in South Orange Maplewood
Baseball in Spring 2016). For
additional information, log on
to the league website.
South Orange Maplewood
Baseball is affiliated with the
national Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken
Organization. The program is
open to all residents of South
Orange and Maplewood from
age 5 to 15 (as of April 30,
2017). Players are divided up
according to age to permit each
group to develop at an appropriate pace (details on back). The
fee for each player is $115.
www.sombaseball.org
Village of South Orange
Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs
5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-7754, ext. 1
Township of Maplewood
Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs
574 Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-4202
2017 SOUTH ORANGE MAPLEWOOD CAL RIPKEN/BABE RUTH BASEBALL
In person registration will be taken at The Baird in South Orange on the dates and times listed on the reverse side of this form.
The fee for all baseball programs is $115.00 per child. Members of the South Orange Maplewood Baseball Committee will
be on hand at all registration sessions to answer any questions.
LEAGUE PLACEMENT FOR ALL PLAYERS IS BASED ON THE CHILD’S AGE AS OF APRIL 30, 2017. A child must be 5
years old by April 30, 2017 in order to participate. (Birth Certificates are required at registration for all new program
participants.) All programs meet twice weekly, one weeknight and on Saturday. Weeknight games for the Cal Ripken Majors 70
and Babe Ruth Leagues will be played at 6:00 or 8:00pm. Other leagues will play at 6:00pm. All games are played in
Maplewood and/or South Orange. League descriptions are below. Players ALWAYS have the option to participate at the next
lower level if a parent believes it to be in the child’s best interest. “Playing up” is NOT permitted except where noted. For
complete league/program details, go to www.sombaseball.org.
Cal Ripken T-Ball American League – Age 5. The use of a stationary batting tee helps develop the proper swing and
confidence. Balls are softer and designed for first time players to help build confidence and reduce the risk of injury. This
program includes instruction time and game time. Teams are randomly formed by the Recreation Dept.
Cal Ripken T-Ball National League – Age 6. The use of a stationary batting tee helps develop the proper swing and
confidence. Half way through the season, coaches may pitch to players who are ready. Balls are softer and designed for first
time players. Teams are randomly formed by the Recreation Dept.
Cal Ripken Rookie American League – Age 7. This program is designed for children who have a basic understanding of
simple fielding techniques, and the eye/hand coordination necessary to swing the bat at a pitched ball. Coaches will pitch to their
own team in the beginning of the season. Depending on ability, players will have the opportunity to pitch to their own team in the
second half of the season. Teams are randomly formed by the Recreation Dept.
Cal Ripken Rookie National League – Age 8. This program is designed for children who have a basic understanding of simple
fielding techniques and the eye/hand coordination necessary to swing the bat at a pitched ball. Players will pitch to the
opposing team from the beginning of the season. Teams are randomly formed by the Recreation Dept.
Cal Ripken Minor League – Age 9. All Minor League Players must attend Player Evaluations (see below). Team members are
then selected by individual parent volunteer coaches. Players pitch in the Minor League. After approximately two weeks of
practice, a round robin schedule of league games begins. Please Note: 8 year olds may try out for the Minor League but
are not guaranteed a spot on a Minor League team (see “Player Evaluations”).
Cal Ripken Majors 60 – Ages 10 & 11. All M60 League players must attend Player Evaluations (see below). All 10 year old
and most 11 year old players will play in the Majors 60. Team members are selected by individual parent volunteer coaches.
After approximately two weeks of practice, a round robin schedule of league games begins.
Cal Ripken Majors 70 – Age 12. All M70 League players must attend Player Evaluations (see below). All 12 year olds and a
limited number of 11 year olds will play on a 50/70 field (pitching distance of 50 feet and bases 70 feet apart). This is a “step up”
from the traditional 46/60 format and a great transition game to prepare our players for playing on the “big diamond” (60/90)
when they turn 13. Team members are selected by parent volunteer coaches based on the coaches’ evaluation of each player at
tryouts. After approximately two weeks of practice, a round robin schedule of league games begins. Please Note: 11 year olds
may try out for the Majors 70 League but are not guaranteed a spot on a Majors 70 League team (see “Player
Evaluations” below).
Babe Ruth League – Ages 13 -15. All Babe Ruth players must attend Player Evaluations (see below). Team members are
selected by individual parent volunteer coaches. After approximately two weeks of practice, a round robin schedule of league
games begins.
PLAYER EVALUATIONS
All Cal Ripken Minor League, Majors 60, Majors 70 and Babe Ruth candidates must attend player evaluations, even if they
played last season. Every player will be assigned to a team. The purpose is to evaluate players and ensure that teams are
competitively balanced. Evaluations are scheduled as follows:

Minors (league age 9), Majors 60 and 70 (league ages 10, 11 &12) - Sunday, February 26th, South Orange Middle School
th

Babe Ruth (league ages 13-15) - Tuesday, February 28 , South Orange Middle School
Details, including specific times and make-up dates, will be provided at registration and online.
Please Note: 11 year-old players trying out for the Majors 70 League must attend both the Majors 60 AND Majors 70 League
evaluations. 11 year olds who are not selected for Majors 70 will be drafted to a Majors 60 team. 8 year-old players who want
to try out for the Minor League must attend the Minor League evaluations. 8 year-olds not selected to play in the Minor League
will be assigned to a Rookie National League team.
For program details, scheduling information and updates throughout the baseball season…
www.sombaseball.org