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Parents

New to Baseball or Softball - Read THIS

What to expect:

When does the season(s) start?

Spring season starts:  ~ first week of April

Spring season ends:  ~beginning of June 

Fall season starts:  ~second week of August

Fall season ends: ~mid October

****season length depends on weather as rain can lengthen the season*****

Practices

Practices start once teams are formed.  Practices are typically one week night from approximately 6pm-8pm and one 2 hour time slot on Saturdays.  Practices stop once games begin.  Practice locations, times/days are set based on the team your child is assigned/drafted to.  Practice locations are Stafford County parks that contain baseball and softball fields.

Game Schedule

Game schedules are released approximately 2 weeks after teams are formed and practices have began.  Games during the week are played at various field locations and typically begin at 6pm.  Games on Saturdays can begin as early at 9am.  There will be no more than 3 events during a 7 day period (week).  Games are played at Stafford County parks that contain baseball and softball fields.

 

what is the "AA" Division?

The "AA" division is a county-wide geographic division with the Cal Ripken leagues to provide an opportunity for players with highly developed skills to potentially advance to district, state and national levels of competition.  The "AA" division may be available for spring and fall seasons depending on registration enrollment.  The "AA" division may be subdivided into separate leagues for AA Rookies, AA Minors and AA Major League teams and will play a cross-county regular season schedule.  The "AA" Cal Ripken league may be scheduled to play against each other in their respective divisions as well as other Cal Ripken league teams outside SBL during regular seasons.  Players shall be selected through tryouts each year.  Players not selected for this division will be placed in the corresponding "A" league drafts.  As indicated above "AA" provides a higher level of play for players with highly developed skills.  However, we encourage anyone who wants to tryout to attend the open tryout date (when published).  Every child within their respective age group has the same opportunity to tryout.  There is no harm in trying out and many parents are often surprised when their child rises to that level of play.  As the statement reads, "if not selected for AA, you are placed in the A draft pool just as you would if you didn't attend the AA tryouts."  Your child has nothing to lose and if selected, your child plays in the higher division.  Any questions, please reach out to your respective division commissioner.

EQUIPMENT LIST FOR SOFTBALL / BASEBALL

8U (Softball ONLY)

  • Batting helmet with Facemask                  
  • Official Softball Bat or Official Fastpitch Bat (No Other Bats Allowed)
  • Softball Glove
  • TPU/MCS Molded Cleats (Plastic) (No Metal Cleats)
  • Fielding Mask (Protective Head Gear)
  • Water Bottle

10U, 12U (Softball ONLY)

  • Batting helmet with Facemask                                  
  • Official Softball Bat or Official Fastpitch Bat (No Other Bats Allowed)
  • Softball Glove
  • TPU/MCS Molded Cleats (Plastic) (No Metal Cleats)
  • Fielding Mask (Protective Head Gear)
  • Water Bottle

14U, 16U, 18U(Softball ONLY)

  • Batting helmet with Facemask                  
  • Official Softball Bat or Official Fastpitch Bat (No Other Bats Allowed)
  • Softball Glove
  •  Metal or TPU/MCS Molded Cleats (Plastic)
  • Fielding Mask (Protective Head Gear)
  • Water Bottle

 

BASEBALL

QUICK BALL – (4-6 YEAR OLDS)

  •  Baseball glove
  • TPU/MCS molded cleats (Plastic)
  • Water bottle

Rookies. Minors, Majors (Cal Ripken)

  • Batting Helmet
  • USA Stamped 2 5/8” MAXIMUM BARREL ONLY (NO BBCOR, USSSA, Bats)
  • Baseball Glove
  • TPU/MCS Molded Cleats (Plastic) (No Metal Cleats)
  • Athletic Protective Cup
  • Water Bottle

Prep (13 year old) Babe Ruth

  • Batting Helmet
  • USA Stamped 2 5/8” Maximum Barrel or BBCOR .50 (NO USSSA Bats)
  • Baseball Glove
  • Metal Cleats are permitted.
  • Athletic Protective Cup
  • Water Bottle

Babe Ruth (14 -18 years old)

  • Batting Helmet
  • ALL BATS MUST BE BBCOR .50 NO GREATER THAN -3
  • Baseball Glove
  • Metal Cleats are permitted.
  • Athletic Protective Cup
  • Water Bottle