General Information
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
January 1, 2016
Click the link or scroll down for answers to these Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the general schedule of baseball activities during the year?
- In which division should my child play?
- Can my daughter play Baseball instead of Softball?
- My child is not a "good athlete". Where should he/she play?
- How much playing time will my child get?
- What do I need to do if I want to help coach or manage a team?
- Can my child play in another non-scholastic league (such as AAU or Garden State)?
- How much does it cost to register?
- How is the Registration Fee used?
- What happens if I do not register during the registration window?
- I can not afford the registration fee. Can my child still play in the MBL?
- What is expected of parents/families in terms of program participation?
- How can I sponsor a team?
- How can I advertise on a Home Run Fence, Scoreboard, or Dugout?
- What are the future goals of Montgomery Baseball?
GENERAL LEAGUE INFORMATION
In generally, the calendar is as follows:
- Mid-November: Spring Rec Registration Opens with Early-Bird Discount
- December 31: Last day of Spring Registration Early-Bird Discount
- February: Spring Rec Managers and Coaches contacted; Uniforms and Equipment ordered
- Early-March: Spring Rec Registration Ends
- Mid-March: Coaches clinics, player drafts, players contacted for teams and clinics
- March: Spring Rec Practices and Clinics begin
- Late March/Early April: Parents Night (mandatory for players and parents to attend)
- Early April: Spring "Sunday-only" Travel Season Begins
- Early-April: Opening Day Ceremonies & Parade for Rec Season
- Mid-April: Spring Rec Team Photo Day
- Late-April/Early-May: Travel Team Try-Outs for 8's and Babe Ruth Teams (15's & Up)
- Mid-June: Spring Rec Season Playoffs and Championships
- Mid-June: Spring Travel Season Concludes
- Mid-June - Late-July/Early-August: Summer Travel Baseball Season
- Late-June - Mid-July: John Covino Travel Baseball Tournament (held at the McKnight Complex)
- August: Fall-Ball Recreation Baseball and Softball Registration Begins
- Early-September: Fall-Ball Recreation Baseball and Softball begins
- Late-September/Early-October: Travel Baseball Team Tryouts for 9's - 14's
- Late-October: Fall-Ball Recreation Baseball and Softball Season concludes
In which division should my child play?
Montgomery Baseball aligns players into divisions by birth-age (not grade). Specific birth-date cut-offs can be found on the registration for (see Registration link). In general, the rec baseball divisions are as follows:
- Cougar Cubs: For 4 & 5 year old boys and girls. Emphasis is on fun. Program teaches the very basics of throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting (off of a tee) in a safe, fun, fast-paced setting. Each 60 minute session includes a 30 minute "skills session" followed by a 30 minute "game".
- Instructional Baseball (a.k.a. "I-Ball"): For 5 & 6 year olds. Emphasis is on fun. Batters bat off of a tee (some coaches will pitch to batters later in the season). All batters bat in every inning. All players play in the field every inning. No scores are kept. Games are played on a smaller-dimension (46:60) field, and last about 90 minutes.
- Developmental Baseball (a.k.a. "D-Ball"): For 6 & 7 year olds who have played I-Ball. Emphasis is on fun. Coaches pitch to batters. All players bat and field every inning. There are no strike-outs or walks. Games are played on a smaller-dimension (46:60) field, have a 3-inning minimum, and take about 90 minutes.
- Rookies Baseball: For 7 & 8 year olds who have played D-Ball. Player development is emphasized. Players will pitch (coaches will assist in the early part of the season or pitching machines might be used). A catcher wears full equipment to learn the position. There is no stealing. All batters bat but only nine players will play on the field at a time (feild positions will be rotated to ensure equal playing time). A team may only bat around once in an inning. Games are played on a smaller-dimension (46:60) field, and last about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Minors Baseball: For 9 & 10 year olds that have played in Rookies division. This division is more competitive and follows the majority of the standard baseball rulebook. Players pitch; there is stealing; an inning ends when there are three outs. A certified umpire is used. Games are played on a smaller-dimension (46:60) field, and last about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Majors Baseball: For 11 & 12 year old players. This division is competitive and follows the entire standard baseball rulebook. This division adds leading, pick-offs, balks, and base stealing. Two certified umpires are used. This is pretty close to "real" baseball. Games are played on a mid-dimension field (50:70) and last about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Babe Ruth: For 13 to 15 year old players. This division is competitive and follows the entire standard baseball rulebook. This age group plays on larger dimension (60:90) field that high schools, colleges, and some professional teams play on with two certified umpires. There are more restrictive bat rules to ensure safety, fairness, and to make the game more like "real baseball".
- Wood-Bat: For 16 to 18 year old players. This division is competitive and follows the entire standard baseball rulebook. This age group plays on larger dimension (60:90) field that high schools, colleges, and some professional teams play on with two certified umpires. All players must use wooden bats, just like the pro's. This is as close to "real baseball" as it gets!
- Softball Grades 1-3: For girls in first through third grade. The program focuses on cultivating a passion for the game, fun, and skill development. Weekly schedule consists of one weekday evening practice and one weekend game on early Saturday mornings against immediately adjacent towns, requiring occasional local travel.
- Softball Grades 4-5: For girls in fourth and fifth grade. The program focuses on cultivating a passion for the game, fun, game strategy, teamwork, and skill development. Weekly schedule consists of one weekday evening practice and one weekend game late Saturday mornings against immediately adjacent towns, requiring occasional local travel.
- Softball Grades 6-8: For girls in grades six through eight. The program focuses on cultivating a passion for the game, fun, game strategy, teamwork, and skill development. Weekly schedule consists of one weekday evening practice and one weekend game late Saturday mornings against immediately adjacent towns, requiring occasional local travel.
Of course! All girls are welcome to play baseball in all divisions of the Montgomery Baseball League.
Don’t let them retire too soon! They could be a late bloomer. Since baseball is a skill-related sport, safety factors on a thrown or hit ball are considered in placing players in a division that is most appropriate for their level of play. To build confidence in player development and to stay involved with the game, it is recommended that players be comfortable hitting and playing all positions in the division that they play in. Rather than be overwhelmed by the pitching level, not playing all positions, or sitting out frequently, we have developed multiple leagues to fit the level of all players.
It depends on the division. We typically limit all team rosters up to 12 players. In all divisions, all players in the lineup bat in the batting order. In the Rookies, Minors, Majors and Babe Ruth divisions, three players would sit out from fielding in each inning (assuming all players show up for a game). For fielding positions, team managers make the decisions on who plays in the field when, how often, and in what positions. However, generally speaking, every player must play in the infield and outfield at least once in each game, and no player can "sit" for more than one inning. Our goal is to have equitable playing time in the field for every player over the course of a 10-16 game scheduled season (plus playoffs).
All managers and coaches are required to attend a Safety Course offered by the Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council via the Township's Recreation Department. All coaches and managers must also successfully complete the Babe Ruth Coaching Certification exam. In addition, all coaches and managers must submit to and pass a criminal background check.
Coaches and managers are encouraged to attend Coaches' Clinics held by Montgomery High School coaches and other experienced MBL personnel to help in player skill-development and how to run an effective team practice. All player-parents are encouraged to attend these Coaches' Clinics - even if you are not officially a team coach - so parents can help out! These Coaches' Clinics are usually held between early February and late March, before the start of the spring rec season.
As long as participation in that other non-scholastic league does not interfere with the Montgomery Baseball League program and the Montgomery program is considered the "primary priority", such arrangements can be accommodated.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The registration fee for our 2017 Spring Rec Program is $95 per player for Cougar Cubs and BR Wood Bat 16-18, $195 per player for I Ball, D Ball and $250 per player for Rookies, Minors, Majors and BR 13-15. But if you register before December 31, 2016, a $25 per player "early bird" discount would apply and reduce the per player cost referenced above.
Montgomery Baseball League (MBL) is a 100% volunteer 501C3 non-profit organization. MBL receives no financial subsidy from either Montgomery or Rocky Hill townships. Rec registration fees cover the expenses incurred to put a player on the field during the spring rec season. Those expenses include uniforms (hat, shirt, pants, and socks, which players get to keep), insurance, charter fees, trophies, umpire fees, and a portion of the costs required to maintain the McKnight Complex (e.g., maintenance, casualty and property insurance, utilities, and general upkeep of the concession stand and bathroom facilities). The generosity of our team sponsors, advertisers, and donors help offset those expenses not covered by our registration fees.
Note: Travel teams and Fall Ball teams have separate registration fees for each player that cover the expense incurred by those teams for their seasons.
Note: Travel teams and Fall Ball teams have separate registration fees for each player that cover the expense incurred by those teams for their seasons.
Parents are encouraged to register their child for Spring Rec Baseball season during our open registration window (typically from late-November through early-March). If you miss this window, Montgomery Baseball League will make every effort to accommodate your registration, but we cannot guarantee your child a spot on a team. It is very important to try to register during the registration window so that we can set up evenly balanced teams.
Yes. Every child who wants to play in a Montgomery Baseball program will be allowed regardless of any family economic hardship. Please contact the current MBL President (see MBL Board link for contact info) if your family, or someone you know, requires assistance. Such matters are kept in absolute confidence. You will still be required to submit a registration form.
We are a 100% volunteer 501C3 non-profit organization. We receive no financial support from Montgomery or Rocky Hill townships. In order to remain self-sustaining, all families are expected to volunteer up to 6 hours of their time to the program in some volunteer capacity. That could be in addition to volunteering as a manager or coach, includes working at our concession stand during the season, assisting in merchandise sales or other fundraising activities, or volunteering on one of our operating committees. Without our wonderful volunteers, our baseball programs would become cost prohibitive to maintain. In addition, parents are expected to attend the mandatory Parents Night (usually in late-March / early-April) where we outline the entire baseball program.
Lastly, and most importantly, all parents and families are strongly encouraged to attend all games (your child knows when you are missing!) Support the team, the team manager, and volunteer coaching staff in any way that you can. Respect umpires' decisions. Demonstrate good sportsmanship in the stands by cheering on all players from both teams (remembers, our rec teams are made up of your neighbors and child's schoolmates). Spend time practicing basic baseball skills with your child (have a catch!). Help make this an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
SPONSORS & ADVERTISERS
On the Rec Registration form, please indicate the Sponsor name as you would like it on the shirt. We will match it to the team. Please contact the VP of Marketing for more information (see MBL Board" link for contact info).
On the Rec Registration form, please indicate the name or your organization, and we will assist you in having your corporate logo (from you letterhead) developed. Please contact the VP of Marketing for more information (see "MBL Board" link for contact info).
The all-volunteer Board of Directors of Montgomery Baseball League (MBL) continues to work hard to maintain high-quality recreational and travel youth-baseball programs for children of all skills, experiences, and abilities - ages 4 through 18 - at our professional-quality sports complex. Our programs promote healthy physical activity, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.
MBL continues to provide free and low-cost age-appropriate training opportunities for all registered players so they may continue to improve their skills through partnerships with area providers. While Montgomery High School and Middle School coaches are anxious to help us to feed their programs, MBL continues to emphasize fun and healthy competition for all players involved.
Besides the general care-and-feeding of our baseball programs and its participants, MBL has a few short term goals that we are considering, such as adding lights to more of our fields, improving our batting cages and concession stand facilities, constructing indoor batting cages and pitching tunnels, and more!
Without strong fund raising, sponsorships, advertisers, and tax-deductible charitable donations from you, your employers (via corporate matching funds), and the support of local businesses, we would not be able to accomplish them. Thank you!!!
We sincerely thank you for your support and hope your children and you will have the best baseball experience ever!
