QUESTION: WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT TRYOUTS AND REGISTRATION?
Tryouts Registration must be completed in advance of Tryouts with our online registration system. The non-refundable Tryouts fee is $45 until August 7th,2022. The fee raises to $60 from August 8th, 2022 until August 13th, 2022. The entire Tryouts process spans two weeks. After the initial Tryouts weekend, the AAA Head Coach will have a pool of 15 to 18 players as outlined in our Policies and Procedures document. This pool of players will have an additional workout (Callback) that is arranged by the Head Coach before the AAA team is selected. AA coaches may also have a second workout for team selection purposes.
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION FEE?
In addition to the Tryouts Fee stated above, when a player is selected to a team the season fee is $375. We require full payment as soon as your player is placed on a team, this can be paid via our website via credit card, check, or cash. There will be a session in Late January/Early February as well where volunteering fees are collected and Uniform sizing also takes place at this time.
QUESTION: HOW MUCH DOES TRAVELING BASEBALL COST AND WHAT OTHER COMMITMENTS ARE THERE?
The total league fee for the 2023 season will be;
(9U-14U) $375 (Uniform is included in this price)
plus additional costs associated with fundraising, volunteering and tournaments.
Fundraising: Will be determined by the SLPBA Board before the end of 2022 on possible fundraising.
Volunteering: Some families will opt to pay a $150 volunteering waiver that will be used to hire workers. These families will not have to put in volunteering time. For all other families, we will collect a $150 volunteering check that will be refunded at the conclusion of their volunteering duty. This money will only be deposited if the family is unable to fulfill their volunteering requirement which usually entails working about 6 hours at events such as a Tournament, Tryouts, Field work, etc.
Tournaments: Typically, coaches collect tournament fees directly from parents and these costs vary depending upon the number of tournaments a team enters. There are lodging costs associated with out of town tournaments so be prepared for that as well. Most weekend tournament entry fees usually run about $35 per player. Most teams play 3 or 4 weekend tournaments including one that will be played out of town. State Tournaments take place in July and teams who qualify will typically attend these (1-2 extra tournaments).
QUESTION: WHAT DOES THE $375 FEE COVER?
The primary expenses for SLPBA are for baseballs, umpires, equipment, pre-season workouts, and league fees. There are numerous other costs associated with this program such as field fees to the City of Blaine, accounting, and insurance just to name a few.
QUESTION: WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE UNIFORM PACKAGE IN 2023?
The Uniform package in 2023 includes the following; 1x Hat, 2x Jerseys, 1x Baseball pants, 1x Baseball Socks, 1x Belt
QUESTION: HOW LONG DOES THE TRAVELING BASEBALL SEASON LAST?
Pre-Season workouts typically start indoors in February although some coaches may have some optional winter practices. Outdoor practice starts in April, weather permitting, and regular season games begin at the end of April and are done by early July. Playoffs and state tournaments can extend the season through the end of July. Please plan any summer vacations after the end of the season.
QUESTION: HOW MUCH TIME AND COMMITMENT SHOULD WE EXPECT TRAVELING BASEBALL TO TAKE UP?
Teams play 14 to 16 regular season games (mostly on weekdays) and participate in 3 to 5 weekend tournaments. Games usually start between 6:00 and 6:30 unless they are on a lit field, in which case the start time might be later. Coaches usually require players to arrive 45 minutes to an hour early for games. Half of the regular season games will be home and half will be away against other local communities’ traveling teams. As an example, one of our teams played a total of 35 games (16 regular season, 1 playoff game, and 18 games from four tournaments). They had about 25 regular practices and 10 optional practices over 4½ months including their association scheduled indoor practices in March and April. With teams being selected in the fall, some coaches may choose to hold some optional indoor practices or batting practice sessions during the off season to help keep players in baseball shape.
QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PLAYING TRAVELING BASEBALL?
Our goal is to help each player reach their maximum potential through solid coaching and strong competition. All the teams that you will play against during the regular season are from other communities’ traveling programs. We believe that competing at this level provides one of the biggest benefits for our players. Players also receive 10 to 16 indoor practice sessions at various locations the Winter and Early Spring. These sessions give your player a head start on their 2023 season.
QUESTION: HOW ARE COACHES SELECTED?
Coaches are selected through an application process with the Board. The Board will select the best candidates for coaching positions prior to Tryouts. It is the belief of the SLPBA Board that consistency is important for players. Therefore, if we have a coach who has done a good job and has received positive reviews from families, SLPBA will attempt to retain that coach for the following season.
QUESTION: HOW ARE TEAMS SELECTED?
Spring Lake Park Baseball Association holds Tryouts in August along with Callbacks. Players will be evaluated by an independent group of evaluators and based upon their Tryouts performance they will be placed in a callback pool. After the callback the AAA Coach will then name the team and review with the Tryout Committee. If Numbers allow at a particular age we will then interview and name a AA coach and have a 2nd callback for the AA team.
Please note that Tryouts are not perfect but we do our best to assess and place players correctly. Our most difficult decisions come down to those last few kids. While we don’t enjoy doing it, the cuts that we make are necessary to retain the players that are most ready to play baseball at the highest levels.
QUESTION: WHEN IS REGISTRATION?
Registration will be available on this website in late July.
QUESTION: WHAT AGE DO I REGISTER MY PLAYER FOR?
We must follow GSBL age requirements as described below; the birthday cutoff date is May 1st, 2023:
9U minimum age: Must be at least 8 by May 1st
9U Must be 9 (or younger) on May 1st
10U Must be 10 (or younger) on May 1st
11U Must be 11 (or younger) on May 1st
12U Must be 12 (or younger) on May 1st
13U Must be 13 (or younger) on May 1st
14U Must be 14 (or younger) on May 1st
15U Must be 15 (or younger) on May 1st
Exceptions/Clarifications:
Players will be evaluated for the age level for which they are registered. Players may play up to their grade level. Players are not allowed to be rostered on any other team from May 1 through the last game of the travel season (except for 15 year old player participating on Spring Lake Park high school teams).
QUESTION: WHEN AND WHERE ARE TRYOUTS THIS YEAR?
All tryouts for 9U-14U players are held in late summer. Tryouts will be held at the various fields around the City of Blaine. Watch the website for your exact time and location.