OBA will be continuing with the structure of a two-day evaluation for travel baseball. 

Due to the pandemic affecting the winter sports seasons, we will be hosting two dates for Session 1 for most players to choose from. We hope this fosters some flexibility for families and ensures every player can make one of the sessions. 

Session 1 evaluations will be Sunday, March 7th, 2021 OR Sunday, March 14th at the Maple Grove Dome. Travel players ages 10-14 will choose ONE of those two dates to attend. The same evaluators will be at both dates. Session 1 for 9yo's will only be offered on Sunday, March 7th. Session 1 for 15yo's will only be offered on Sunday, March 14th. 

Sign-up is required for capacity-monitoring. Please RSVP via link below. Every 10-14yo player must be signed up for a Session 1 date by Sunday, February 28.

Session 2 evaluations will be held at the Long Lake Dome on Monday, March 15th and Tuesday, March 16th. One date per age group.

Both Sessions 1 AND 2 will be required for all Travel & Tournament Players ages 10-14.  Ten-year olds that will only be playing In-House/Major League and all 9-year olds are exempt from Session 2.

Any player that is unable to attend evaluations must inform the OBA President prior to March 6. Guidelines regarding players that are unable to attend evaluations are listed in our Travel and Tournament Handbook.

COVID guidelines will be sent out closer to evaluation dates with final times.

Session 1 Dates & Times

Please check-in at least 15 minutes before your assigned time on your selected date. Evaluations will be drop-off only - please drop your player at the curb and send them in for check-in. We will have volunteers waiting at the door to assist the players with check-in. 

*RSVP by February 28 for your preferred date: https://oronobaseball.wufoo.com/forms/oba-session-1-evaluations-rsvp/

Sunday, March 7 at Maple Grove Dome
8 - 9am: 10 year-olds (4th graders)
9 - 10am: 11 year-olds (5th graders)
10 - 11am: 12 year-olds (6th graders)
11 - 12pm: 13 year-olds (7th graders)
12 - 1pm: 14 year-olds (8th graders)
1 - 2pm: 9 year-olds (3rd graders) - this is only Session 1 option for 9s!

OR

March 14 at Maple Grove Dome
8 - 9am: 10 year-olds (4th graders)
9 - 10am: 11 year-olds (5th graders)
10 - 11am: 12 year-olds (6th graders)
11 - 12pm: 13 year-olds (7th graders)
12 - 1pm: 14 year-olds (8th graders)
1 - 2pm: 15 year-olds (9th graders)  - this is only Session 1 option for 15s!

 

Session 2 Dates & Times 

Please check-in at least 15 minutes before your assigned time. Evaluations will be drop-off only - please drop your player at the door and send them in for check-in. We will have volunteers waiting at the door to assist the players with check-in. 

Monday, March 15 at Long Lake Dome
6:00 - 7:00pm: 10 year-old Tournament Team players only
7:00 – 8:00pm: 12 year-olds
8:00 - 9:00pm:  14 year-olds

Tuesday, March 16th at Long Lake Dome
6:00 - 7:00pm: 11 year-olds
7:00 – 8:00pm: 13 year-olds
 

Evaluation Details

Session 1 will again be evaluated by external baseball personnel. OBA will provide volunteers to help execute the evaluations, but those volunteers will not evaluate players. Volunteers will not help during their own player's time slot. Session 1 stations will include:

• Infield Defense - Players will be evaluated on glove work, footwork, arm strength and accuracy.
• Outfield Defense - Evaluations will include form, footwork, throwing accuracy and arm strength.
• Pitching - Players will have 6-7 pitches to warm-up, then will throw 7-8 pitches for evaluators. Players will be evaluated on mechanics, arm speed, poise and accuracy.
• Hitting (front toss) - Players will receive 8 pitches from a volunteer throwing front toss. Players will be evaluated on stance, load, bat speed and contact.
• Hitting (machine) - Players will receive 6-7 pitches from a pitching machine. Players will be evaluated on mechanics, bat speed and contact.

Session 2 will be evaluated by OBA-provided evaluators. These evaluators will not have a direct relation to any of the players. Session 2 stations will include:

• Defensive Specialty Station (player to choose 1 of the 3 below):
  1. Catching - evaluation to include positioning, blocking and throwing.
  2. Infield - evaluation to focus on ability to catch thrown ball, footwork, quickness of release and accuracy of throws.
  3. Outfield - evaluation will focus on footwork, long toss arm strength and long toss accuracy.
• Live Hitting - Players will see 7-8 pitches from a volunteer throwing live. Players will be evaluated on mechanics, bat path and exit velocity.
• Bunting - Players will have 6-7 pitches from a machine. Players will be evaluated on bunting form, contact and control
• Quickness shuttle station - Players will have 2 chances to complete a quickness shuttle station with the best time being recorded.

Travel & Tournament Teams will be announced the evening of Friday, March 19 and posted on the Travel Teams page.