Orono Baseball Association

Welcome to OBA.  All players will be supplied with a shirt/jersey and a hat.

2010 Baseball Age Rules

2010 Tournament/Travel leagues are generally planned to be similar to 2009.  Players age 12-15 can sign up for evaluations to play in a travel league and tournaments.  These teams do require a high level of commitment.  Players age 10-12 can sign up for evaluations to play on a tournament team, and will play in the OBA in-house league during the week. Current plans are to field a second tournament team at every age level where an adequate number of players meeting a minimum skill level sign up as determined by the OBA Board Coaches Committee.

Note:  Tournament teams are different than the in-house program.  The goal of the in-house program is to give all players similar playing time.  The tournament teams are selected based on ability and playing time is granted accordingly.

A player whose birthday is after the standard April 30th deadline can chose to try out to "play up" for the same age leveal as the other players in their school grade.  For example, a player who turns 13 after the April 30th deadline, but is elgible to be in the 8th grade in the coming school year can choose to try out for the 13 year old travel team.  However, if that player does not make the team designated for tryout, he cannot return to the lower age Travel or A Tournament team unless the Coaches Board determines that an inadequate number of players are signed up for the lower age team. 

Ages/Grades:  4, 5 and 6-year-old boys and girls, currently in pre-school, kindergarten and 1st grade in their first or second year of baseball.

Schedule:  This program is scheduled for every Tuesday and Thursday in May and June. 

Program:  The basic aim of T-ball is to introduce beginners in the game of baseball to the fundamental skills and rules of the game. No scores will be recorded or standings kept. We do expect to play the players at normal baseball positions and teach them how to hit, catch and throw as well as what constitutes an out or a safe hit and what counts as a run.

Cost:  $110 ($135 after 4/1)

Ages/Grades:  7 and 8-year-old players, 2nd graders and 6 year olds currently in 1st grade if they have played previously. 

Schedule:  This program is scheduled for every Tuesday and Thursday in May and June. 

Program:  The basic aim of coach pitch is to teach the players the fundamental skills and rules of the game. The coach will pitch to each of the batters on his own team. Scores will be kept, but no records of the standings are kept. This league is well suited for the beginner or the player who has had experience at T-ball or one year of instructional ball. We will stress teamwork and good sportsmanship no matter the result of the game.

Cost:  $125 ($150 after 4/1)

Ages/Grades:  8, 9, and 10-year-old players who are currently in 3rd and 4th grade. 

Schedule:  This program is scheduled for weeknights, and potentially some weekends, in May and June with a season ending tournament.

Program:   The basic aim of machine pitch is to allow more hitting and defensive plays while building on the fundamental skills and rules of the game. Machines do the pitching. In this league, outs are recorded and standings are kept.  Player evaluations occur in April so that teams of equal skill levels can be achieved.  We are unable to have players select coaches or team mates.

Cost:  $185 ($210 after 4/1)

Ages/Grades:  11 and 12 year olds currently in 5th and 6th grade and 10 year olds on tournament teams.

Schedule:  This program starts with practices in mid-April and is scheduled for weeknights and weekends in May and June with a season ending tournament in the first half of July.

Program:  Players begin pitching in this league. The leagues follow rules essentially the same as the more familiar Little League that is played nationally.

Cost:   $200 ($225 after 4/1)

Ages/Groups:  13 and 14 year olds currently in 7th and 8th grade, but not on the Metro team for their age, plus 12 year olds on tournament teams.

Schedule:  This program starts with practices in mid-April and is scheduled for weeknights and weekends in May and June with a season ending tournament in the first half of July.  Additionally, we anticipate adding an in-house tournament the weekend of June 4-6 with teams from Wayzata.

Program:  In-House league for older players played on a field with 75 foot bases.

Cost:  $225 ($250 after 4/1)

NOTE:  The fees below are in addition to the in-house program fees above (unless otherwise noted for the 15 Year Old Metro Team).  This amount will be refunded by the OBA if the player does not qualify for a travel team.

Note:  Tournament schedule subject to change. Tournaments are played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

10-11 TRAVEL

10-11 TRAVEL

• Ages/Grades:  10-11 Year olds
• Schedule for 10AA: May 21 - Wayzata, June 11 – Shakopee, June 25 – Apple Valley
• Schedule for 10A:  June 4 - Lakeville, June 11 - Wayzata, June 25 - Apple Valley
• Schedule for 11AA:  May 21 - Wayzata, June 11 - Burnsville, June 18 - Prior Lake
• Schedule for 11A:  May 21 - West St. Paul, June 4 - Wayzata, June 11 - Eagan
• Program:  Tournament teams will be determined by an evaluation process, so the players who end up there should start by registering under the Kid Pitch level of play.  A heavy level of commitment is demanded.  Tournament teams play on an in-house team and then play additional tournaments.
• Cost:  $150

12 TRAVEL

• Ages/Grades:  12 Year Olds.
• Schedule for 12AA-Team 1:  May 21 - St. Louis Park, June 4 - OBL In-House, June 11 - Burnsville, June 18 - Shakopee, June 18 – Apple Valley
• Schedule for 12AA-Team 2:  May 21 - St. Louis Park, June 4 - OBL In-House, June 11- Burnsville, June 18 - Shakopee
• Program:  Tournament teams will be determined by an evaluation process, so the players who end up there should start by registering under the OBL level of play.  A heavy level of commitment is demanded.  Tournament teams play on an in-house team and then play additional tournaments.
• Cost:  $150

13-14 TRAVEL

Ages/Groups:  12-14 Year olds.

Schedule:  TBD

Program:  Metro and Tournament teams will be determined by an evaluation process, so the players who end up there should start by registering under the OBL level of play.  Metro league travels to other communities to play their games.  A heavy level of commitment is demanded.  Tournament teams play on an in-house team and then play additional tournaments.

Cost:  $150

15 METRO TEAM

Ages/Grades:  15 Year olds

Schedule:  TBD

Program:  Metro team is determined by an evaluation process and travels to other communities to play their games and tournaments.  A heavy level of commitment is demanded.

Cost:  $375