Montgomery Baseball (NJ)

2015 Spring Recreational Baseball Registration is now OPEN!

 Open to all boys and girls who reside in Montgomery, Rocky Hill and NOW Princeton*!
 

*Princeton residents ages 4 - 12 are eligible to play Montgomery Baseball under the Cal Ripken Charter.

*Princeton residents ages 13-18 are covered by the West Windsor Baseball Babe Ruth Charter and therefore are not permitted to play in Montgomery. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions, please send an email to paulcocuzzo@gmail.com for player ages 4 to 12 years old; jecarver@verizon.net for player ages 13 years old and up 

 Montgomery Baseball's 2015 Spring Recreational Registration is for all players, ages 4 to 18 from Pre-K and up! 

We are pleased to announce exciting NEW changes to our lineup of programs for 2015!

• • • Johnny Rooney, OHES Physical Education teacher/owner of JR Hit-n-Run will head up our Pre-K division - the Cougar Cubs - for players 4-5 years old starting Kindergarten in the Fall of 2015
  • • We will continue to have our successful I-Ball, D-Ball, Rookie programs - divisions for players in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade
  • • We will continue to have our 3^rd/4^th grade division - Minors - which is kid pitch, adds base stealing and includes a certified umpire
  • • We will continue to have our 5^th/6^th grade division - Majors - which is on our two intermediate 50/70 fields, adds leading, pick-offs, balks, base stealing and includes two certified umpires. We are adding this season inter-league games against rec teams from Hillsborough Baseball League
  • • We will continue to have our Babe Ruth 13 Prep and Babe Ruth 14-15program for players in 7th through 9th grade (13 to 15 year olds); this program will continue to play against teams from Hillsborough Baseball League and offers some scheduling flexibility to allow MHS and UMS athletes the opportunity to play MBL recreational baseball with their friends without conflicting with the school programs
  • • We are excited to add a NEW Babe Ruth 16-18 (16 to 18 year olds) division which will play "Sunday only" in a Wood Bat format; Games will be played at the McKnight Complex and at some local neighboring district team locations. Regular season games will be played on Sundays so as not to conflict with High School Baseball. Come out and play on one of the best 60/90 baseball fields in New Jersey! 

In addition to our recreational leagues, we have many fun events in store for our players this season: 

• • • Opening Day Ceremony Activities
  • • New this year, "Prime Time Saturday's" at the McKnight Complex featuring DJ Music and Fun on selected Saturday's by our very own Joe Bassford, VES Physical Education teacher
  • • Applebee’s Family Pancake Breakfast
  • • Montgomery High School (MHS) home games hosted at our McKnight Complex
  • • MBL Night Out at the Somerset Patriots Game
  • • MBL Free Outdoor Movie Night at our McKnight Complex 
  • • Championship Day Festivities
  • • Free Clinic and Training Options, including partnership programs with MHS Varsity Baseball Coach Pete Mueller and OHES Physical Education teacher Johnny Rooney of JR Hit-n-Run Academy
  • • And we have so much in store for our players, their families and our community this year!

Please share this important update with your friends/neighbors who might not be on our community email distribution list!

THANK YOU!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY


The 2015 Cougar Cards get you great discounts at more than a dozen popular local merchants (and generous/loyal sponsors of Montgomery Baseball!).  It also helps raise money for Montgomery's 12U Travel Baseball teams so that they can participate in the annual week-long summer tournament in Cooperstown, NY (near the Baseball Hall of Fame), where they will complete against teams from around the country and even around the globe!  Cards are only $10.  Email Karen Katramados at kkatramados@yahoo.com for details (please put "Cougar Cards" in the Subject Line of the email). Get yours today!!!

  

Montgomery Baseball League has some exiting plans for the 2015 season!.  Check out this Press Release announcing MBL's expanded partnership with OHES Physical Education Teacher and owner or JR's Hit & Run ports Academy, Johnny Rooney.  Also, check out this Press Release announcing MBL's expanded partnership and events with MHS Varsity Baseball, Coach Pete Mueller, and Coach Steve Perone!  Check back here often for more exciting events and details!   It's going to be a great year!

Below are some of the exciting events that MBL has planned for the 2015 season. 
Click on "Calendar" on the left nav-bar to see the complete schedule of events.

   BASEBALL COMPLEX OPENING
   McKnight Complex, Reading Blvd, Belle Mead
   Saturday, March 21st from 9:30 AM - Noon
   Many hands make light work, so please join us to help to get our baseball complex game-ready.
   We'll supply the coffee and donuts if you bring work gloves!  Let's "spring" into action!
   Mark your calendar - More details to come

  PARENT/PLAYER MEETING FOR ALL REC FAMILIES
   Montgomery Upper Middle School
   Tuesday, March 24^th @ Times Below by Division
   Get details about the season, meet your coaches, pick up your uniform, buy MBL merchandise,  and more!
        - Cougar Cubs @ 6:30 PM               - iBall & dBall @ 7:00 PM
        - Rookies & Minors @ 7:30 PM         - Majors & Babe Ruth @ 8:00 PM

PRE-SEASON REC NIGHT
Branchburg Sports Complex, 47 Readington Road, Branchburg
Friday, March 27th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get ready for the spring Rec season at this fun, interactive event with Coach Rooney!
Creative baseball drills, laser tag, open maze, and arcade.
Cost:  $25 per player (includes $5 in arcade tokens)

  MBL DISCOUNT DAY
   Dick's Sporting Goods, 530 Nassau Park Blvd, Princeton (ONLY)
   Saturday, March 28th - ALL DAY
   Print and bring this special MBL coupon to Dick's for extra savings on all the gear you need!
   Don't forget to stop by Jersey's Mikes (see below)

  JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS DAY
   3495 Route 1 South, Princeton
   Saturday, March 28th - ALL DAY
   After you get your gear from Dick's (see above), stop by Jersey Mikes for some lunch, dinner, or snack
   Jersey Mikes will donate $1 to MBL with every purchase made using these special MBL Coupons (coming soon)!

OPENING DAY PARADE & CEREMONIES
McKnight Baseball Complex
Saturday, April 18^th from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Enjoy the Parade of Teams, First-Pitch by Mayor Christine Madrid, and lots of fun activities & events!
Mark your calendar - More details to follow
 

APPLEBEE'S PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Applebee's, 315 Route 206, Hillsborough
Saturday, April 25^th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage, and coffee, tea, milk, or juice
(This event will not conflict with any scheduled games or practices)
Cost:  $10 per person
Proceeds go to Montgomery Baseball League

MOTHER'S DAY FLOWER SALE
McKnight Baseball Complex & Thomas Sweet Cafe
Saturday, May 9^th & Sunday, May 10^th - While Supplies Last!
Pick up a dozen colorful tulips for all of the Moms in your life!
The event is always a big hit and we always run out, so get yours early!
Cost:  $10 per dozen
All proceeds go to Montgomery Baseball League

TIGER’S TALE NIGHT
1290 US-206 South, Skillman
Thursday, May 21^st from 11:00 AM till Closing
Print/show this special MBL flyer and Tiger’s Tale will donate 10% of your bill to MBL!

  SOMERSET PATRIOTS BASEBALL NIGHT
  TD Bank Ballpark, 860 E. Main Street, Bridgewater
  Saturday, May 30^th (Gates open at 6:00 PM; Game Time 7:05 PM)
  Come join us for an evening of professional baseball and fireworks!
  Open to all registered MBL players, their friends, and families!
  Pre-game parade for all!  A few lucky players will get to throw out a first pitch!
  Tickets are available Parent Night or through your Rec Coach later this spring
  Cost: $10/Upper Box Seat (Buy 4, get the 5^th ticket FREE!)
  Proceeds go to Montgomery Baseball League

  OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT
  McKnight Baseball Complex - Field H
  Saturday, June 6^th @ 6:00 PM (Movie Starts after Sunset)
  Join us for a fun-filled evening with a baseball-themed movie under the stars
  The Concession Stand will be open and the Bar-B-Que will be grillin'
  This community-wide event is FREE and open to all!
  Take our movie poll at the top of this page and help choose this year's movie!
  Mark your calendar - More details to follow

  REC CHAMPIONSHIP DAY
   McKnight Baseball Complex
   Saturday, June 13th
   WPST and the Kona Ice Truck at all games
   Mark your calendars - More details to follow

  PRIME-TIME SATURDAYS
   McKnight Baseball Complex
   Select Saturdays Throughout the Spring Rec Season
   DJ Joe Bassford will be on hand spinning tunes at the complex
   More details coming soon!

  SAVE THE DATE:  YANKEES vs. METS - SUBWAY SERIES ROAD TRIP!
   Citi Field, Flushing, NY
   Friday, September 18th @ 7:05 PM (Game Time)
   MBL is planning a bus trip to Citi Field to see the NY Yankees take on the NY Mets
   Mark your calendars - Details coming soon!

At this time of year, it’s not uncommon for parents and players to be considering a new baseball bat, whether as a holiday gift, in advance of winter training, or just to get ready for spring.  MBL realizes that the process of purchasing a new baseball bat can be confusing with different technical standards, the wide variety of materials, and a plethora of confusing rules governing "legal" bat usage.  And with the wide range of prices (from $40 to $400!), making the right choice is important.

The 2015 Baseball Bat Buying Guide can help provide some clarity on the process.  It covers the basic anatomy of the bat, guidelines for selecting the right length and weight for your player, and a simplified explanation of the rules for bats of different specifications across the different age groups.  This is not a substitute for familiarizing yourself with the more comprehensive bat rules which can be found via a link in the attached document, but perhaps this simple one-page view can serve as a shopping guide to help guide you to the best choice.

Thank you to everyone who turned out on Saturday, 1/24, for our Spring Rec Registration Drive at Thomas Sweet Cafe with local pro's Mike Ford (New York Yankees), Josh Prevost (New York Mets), and Jon Prosinski (Philadelphia Phillies)!  We had a great turnout!   Jon, Mike, and Josh were signing baseballs and talking to our young players about their experiences in youth baseball, high school, college, and the pros.  Lots of photos and ear-to-ear smiles from young and old alike!  Best of luck, fellas!  

   

  

Montgomery Baseball League is saddened to report the loss of one of our own:  Jimmy Dunwiddie, 24, passed away on Thursday, November 13^th.  Jimmy, who grew up in Montgomery, was an active baseball player in the MBL from age 5 through 15.  Our thoughts and prayers go out the entire Dunwiddie family, including his father Jim (who served as President of the MBL for several years), his mother Theresa, and his sister Kaitlyn.  Friends are invited to share condolences at http://www.partroyfuneralhome.com/viewobituary.php?uId=1333 .  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Jimmy’s memory to Montgomery Baseball League, PO Box 432, Belle Mead, NJ, 08502 (please make checks payable to “Montgomery Baseball League” and write “In Memory of Jimmy Dunwiddie” in the memo field). 

The McKnight Baseball complex is PRIVATE PROPERTY.  It is not a public facility and is not associated with the Montgomery Township or Somerset County Parks systems.  The management and maintenance of this facility is funded by the Montgomery Baseball League (MBL) through registration fees, advertising, fund raising, and the generous donations of local residents and businesses. 

Use of the McKnight Baseball Complex is limited to individuals registered for current MBL programs and MBL-sponsored events and groups.  MBL reserves the right to permit or deny any individual and/or team access to the McKnight complex, including fields, batting cages, or concession, seating, and parking areas. 

Use of these facilities for private games, lessons, or training without written authorization from MBL is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  Any unauthorized use of these facilities for such purposes is at the risk of the Trainer/Coach AND Trainee(s)/Player(s).  Any damage or injuries resulting from unauthorized use of these facilities will be the sole responsibility of Trainer/Coach.  Violators will be considered to be TRESPASSING and may be PROSECUTED. 

Any questions about this use-policy can be directed to any member of the MBL Board of Directors.  If you see unauthorized use of the McKnight Baseball Complex, please contact a member of the MBL Board of Directors or contact the Montgomery Township Police non-emergency number.  Thank you.

Please watch this 14 minute TED Talk video titled "Changing the Game:  A Parent's Guide to Raising Happy, High-Performing Athletes & Giving Youth Sports Back to Our Kids"

Some key takeaways:

• • The single greatest effect on performance is an athlete’s state of mind
  • Youth sports used to be about children competing against other children; now it is often adults competing against other adults through their children
  • Children play sports because it is fun; winning comes in way down the list
  • Children quit sports when they don’t get to play, and when winning becomes more important than enjoyment
  • 90% of children would rather play on a losing team than sit the bench on a winning team
  • Competition is important, but being competitive comes from putting the needs and priorities of our children first
  • We can all start changing youth sports for the better by learning five simple words (watch to learn what they are)

I hope you will take the time to watch the video and if you enjoy it, please share it. Share it with families that have children in youth sports. Share it with coaches, schools and organizations that are struggling to serve the needs and priorities of our kids in a youth sports world that sometimes does not allow our children to “Play” anymore. Share it with like minded people so that we all realize that we are the silent majority, and that youth sports can and will change. We have the power to change it the right way, and make it about our players first.

FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON WEATHER & FIELD CONDITIONS:

The MBL Weather Hotlineis the primary source of field information:(908)359-4045

Sign up for Text Alerts as a secondary source of field information

Check out the Hourly Weather Forecast for the McKnight Baseball Complex

Free WiFi available at the McKnight Baseball Complex! SSID=MontgomeryBaseballLeague Password=MBLguest