Online Registration Questions?
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Our Mission: The Bozeman Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball program, using regulation competitive baseball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Bozeman Baseball is committed to providing our participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play baseball be afforded that opportunity.
Q. Where can I find the Bozeman Baseball Rules for my division?
A. Bozeman Baseball Rules & Expectations (All Divisions)
Q. How do I become a sponsor?
A. Sponsorship is always welcomed by Bozeman Baseball. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor you can fill out this form and send it in with your check, or you can always email us at: [email protected] with any questions. Want to donate using a credit card? You can do so here.
Q. How much is my registration and what does that provide?
A. Registration is $150 per participant for all players. A $10 discount is offered if 2 or more players from the same family participate. Each player is provided with 15 coupon cards that can be sold for $10 each and the money from the proceeds of any sales made are yours to keep, effectively allowing families to off-set 100% of league fees. Un-sold cards do not need to be returned to the league. Additionally, there is a REFUNDABLE $50 Volunteer Fee per player. This fee is refunded in full upon completion of 5 hours of volunteer work for Bozeman Baseball. ex. Coaching, Assistant Coaching, Field Days Setup/Tear Down, Concessions, Tournament Volunteer, Field Maintenance, etc)
The registration fee covers the cost of the player's jersey, hat, field maintenance, team equipment, umpires, along with operating costs such as electricity, trash, and more. Because Bozeman Baseball receives no outside funding, the organization must be self-sufficient and relies heavily on the generosity of the community through volunteers, fundraising and sponsorship. If you are interested in sponsoring Bozeman Baseball either personally or through your business, please contact us at: [email protected]
Q. What equipment will my child need to participate?
A. Players need to provide their own baseball glove. Baseball cleats and protective cups are also highly recommended. (Cups are required for catchers) Helmets, balls, heart guards for pitchers, catchers equipment, and bats are provided for team use by BOZEMAN BASEBALL. If you are interested in purchasing a bat, you can find a general sizing guide HERE. Bat rules changed starting in January of 2018 and bats not meeting the specification will no longer be approved for use in any USA Baseball games, tournaments, etc. (Babe Ruth, Little League, Cal Ripken, PONY, etc.) Look for the USABat Sticker to make sure it meets the current standards:
Q. Why does Bozeman Baseball give Coupon Cards to players to sell?
A. Coupon Cards can be sold for $10 each and are provided as a way of allowing players/parents to offset up to 100% of the cost of participation in Bozeman Baseball. Unsold coupon cards do not need to be returned, they are yours to keep as part of the registration fee.
Q. What size bat should my player purchase?
A. Bat size is largely personal preference, however a general guide can be found here based on age/size/weight:
Q. How do I know which age group my child will play in?
A. Our recreational league is an AGE BASED league. Bozeman Baseball follows the national guideline that determines the player’s ‘baseball’ age each season, as required by our national organization (Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken) and our insurance that runs through them...
A player’s ‘baseball age’ is determined by how old they are on April 30th each year.
Our league divisions are as follows:
Age 7 - Farm
Age 8 - Minors
Age 9-10 - AAA
Age 11-12 - Majors
Age 13-15 - Babe Ruth
Q. How are the teams chosen?
A. Farm & Minors teams are generally chosen based on the school the player attends. AAA & Majors teams have a player draft, and are selected by coaches based on evaluations provided by all league coaches at our yearly 'Spring Training Camps'. (All players 9-12 participate in these league placement evaluations that allow coaches evaluate player skill levels.) All players who register during the stated registration period make a team.
Q. What about All-Star Teams?
A. VIEW OUR ALL-STAR INFOGRAPHIC HERE
The purpose of the Bozeman Baseball All-Stars program is to provide league players the opportunity to extend their baseball season and advance their skill development & baseball knowledge. The primary goal is to represent Bozeman Baseball and the Bozeman Community with class and sportsmanship, while competing for state and regional championships in each of our league divisions (AAA, Majors, Babe Ruth). Bozeman Baseball aims to field at least one competitive team each year at each state/regional track in the age groups of 9U-14U. Participation is open to all interested Bozeman Baseball league players and players are selected through a skills-based tryout process.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Bozeman Baseball will assist in facilitating the creation of additional competitive teams when available coaching/ player numbers allow. We'll field more teams if we can!
More information on All-Star Teams is provided at the Bozeman Baseball Expo and on our website throughout the season.
Q. How do I find out when my child's games are?
A. As soon as possible after the season begins, the schedules will be posted on the web site along with team rosters. See the "Calendar" area of the website, where you can select your player's team and view the schedule.
Q. I am interested in coaching my son/daughter’s team, how do I become a coach?
A. You can be considered by selecting from a variety of volunteer options during the registration process. If you have questions about coaching you can also email the league at: [email protected]
Q. How do I find out about rainouts/cancellations?
A. Spring weather in Bozeman is difficult to forecast. The league does its best to make a decision by 3pm and updates everyone via Email and/or Facebook accordingly. Please follow Bozeman Baseball on Facebook if you do not already. If you haven't received word via Email or your coach does not explicitly say games are off, then games are on until further notice.
Q. What is the End-of-Season tournament - Tournament of Champions (TOC)?
A. Teams will be seeded based on their final regular season results. Each division will then play a single elimination tournament, with the championship game being played on the final day of the tournament.
Q. What is the legal bat size/dimension for Bozeman Baseball?
A. This depends on the age group/league. The current rules can be found HERE.
Q. What age groups play at Bozeman Baseball?
A. Bozeman Baseball offers 5 age groups, from Farm to Babe Ruth.
Leagues are as follows:
Farm: 7
Minors: (Coach & Player Pitch By 3rd Week Of Season) 8
AAA: 9 - 10 (All Player Pitch)
Majors: 11 - 12
Babe Ruth: 13 - 15
Common questions by Division:
Farm
Q. How long does the season run?
A. The season generally runs from Mid-April through Mid-June. Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.
Q. How many games & practices a week?
A. This tends to depend on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week, M-F.
Q. Tryouts?
A. There are no tryouts/player evaluations at the Farm Division. All players who register can participate and will be assigned a team by the league commissioners, generally grouping teams by school when possible.
Q. Pitching?
A. Pitching in the Farm Division is “coach/machine pitch”.
Minors
Q. How long does the season run?
A. The season generally runs from Mid-April through Mid-June. Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.
Q. How many games & practices a week?
A. This tends to depend on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week. Mostly M-F with the potential for an occasional Saturday game.
Q. Tryouts?
A. There are no tryouts/player evaluations at the Minors Division. All players who register can participate and will be assigned a team by the league commissioners, generally grouping teams by school when possible.
Q. Pitching?
A. Pitching in the Minors Division begins with coach pitch transitioning to player pitch towards the mid-point of the season as skill improvement allows.
AAA
Q. How long does the season run?
A. Player evaluations begin at the start of April. The season generally runs from Early-April through Mid-June. Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.
Q. How many games & practices a week?
A. This tends to depend on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week M-S. A handful of Saturday games may be scheduled.
Q. Tryouts?
A. All players ages 9-10 participate in a player evaluation day(s). Players have the opportunity to run, throw, hit, and field for a number of league coaches. These coach evaluations are averaged and a composite score is calculated and ultimately is used by AAA coaches to select players via draft. All players who register will participate and be drafted to a AAA team.
Q. Pitching?
A. Pitching in the AAA League is 100% player-pitch.
Majors
Q. How long does the season run?
A. Player evaluations begin at the start of April. The season generally runs from Early-April through Mid-June. Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.
Q. How many games & practices a week?
A. This tends to depend on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-5 practices or games per week. A handful of Saturday games will be scheduled.
Q. Tryouts?
A. All players ages 11-12 participate in a player evaluation day(s). Players have the opportunity to run, throw, hit, and field for a number of league coaches. These coach evaluations are averaged and a composite score is calculated and ultimately is used by AAA coaches to select players via draft. All players who register will participate and be drafted to a Majors team.
Q. Pitching?
A. Pitching in the Majors League is 100% player pitch.
Babe Ruth
Q. How long does the season run?
A. Practices begin in early April. The season generally runs from Early April through Mid-June. At the Babe Ruth level, our teams compete against BR teams from Livingston, Belgrade, Manhattan, etc...and some out of town travel is required. Belgrade generally takes the lead on scheduling and the schedule and results/standings are available on their website: www.belgradebaseball.org/schedules.htm .
Q. How many games & practices a week?
A. This tends to depend on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week M-S.
Q. Tryouts?
A. There are no tryouts for Babe Ruth baseball, players are assigned as evenly as possible by league commissioners.
Q. Rules/Pitching?
A. Pitching & General Rules in the Babe Ruth League are the same as Legion, High School, College, & Major Leagues. 60’ 6” Distance...Metal cleats are also allowed in this division.