WESAC BASEBALL, SOFTBALL & T-BALL
SPRING/SUMMER 2004



The baseball and softball programs are generally broken into three categories. The fundamentals program, which includes T-Ball, Machine Pitch Minors and Machine Pitch Majors, is run be WESAC.   WESAC determines the playing rules, player eligibility and schedules. Boys and girls play on the same teams in the fundamentals programs.

The so called "kid pitch" programs in baseball and softball are run by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB). These include the 10U, 12U, and 15U levels in baseball and softball, and 18U in baseball. The baseball programs are open to boys and girls though less than 5% of the players are girls. Softball is for girls only. The 10U and 12U baseball programs are divided into "Recreational" and "Classic". The length of the season is the same, running from early May through early July, but the classic teams play about 20 games and have 15 practices while the rec teams have 14 & 10. The classic division is for better players, but the MPRB offers no guidance on how to slot the players. WESAC allows each player to select which level to play. There is also a team decision, and some players who request to play classic can be reassigned to recreational teams if their skills are low.

Also part of the MPRB "kid pitch" program Parade League (described below). There is also a summer machine pitch program for softball and baseball described below.

The third category of play is traveling ball. Information on traveling baseball can be found at www.myba.us while traveling softball is run by the MPRB.

FUNDAMENTALS - WESAC PROGRAMS

T-Ball is a very low key league for children currently (this spring) in kindergarten or those who will enter kindergarten next fall. The league features fun, parental involvement, a trip to the Metrodome, a picnic, and something resembling baseball. Everybody hits & runs and sometimes somebody catches the ball and throws accurately enough to get a runner out. There are coaches positioned at every base and several defensive coaches as well hoping to keep the plays moving in the proper direction. Games are played every Saturday morning and also on either Wednesday or Thursday evening beginning in late April and ending in late June.. WESAC fees are $25

Machine Pitch Minors is for children currently in 1st and 2nd grades. Third graders who might be afraid of playing with a harder ball may play coach pitch. Kindergarteners who can hit a pitched ball and who have a good attention span can also play Machine Pitch Minors. The league, like T-Ball, features fun, parental involvement, a trip to the Metrodome and a picnic. A pitching machine is used to deliver consistent pitches though some coaches prefer to pitch themselves. The game actually resembles baseball in a lot of ways though no score is kept. At the Machine Pitch Minors level, players learn that three outs make an inning (except in the 4th inning) and defense is recognized for its importance in being able to get back up to bat sooner. The rules are designed for every child to have success. If a player can not hit the ball after five pitches, the coach delivers a soft toss from the side that enables the batter to hit the ball. Games are played every Saturday morning and also on either Wednesday or Thursday evening beginning in late April and ending in late June. WESAC fees are $25. Fees include summer Machine Pitch Minors (Wednesdays) or Machine Pitch Majors (Tuesdays) which begin after the 4th of July.

Machine Pitch Majors is for third graders and those second graders who can safely play with a harder ball. 4th graders are also welcome to play Machine Pitch though the boys will be distributed evenly among the teams.

Machine Pitch Majors is fairly low key. No score is kept (officially at least) until the tournament in the last two weeks of the season. Teams are encouraged to have at least one practice per week during the season. Games are played every Tuesday and Friday evening beginning in late April and ending in late June. A summer season of pick up games on Tuesday evenings begins after the fourth of July and continues as long as there is interest. WESAC fees are $35. Fees include summer Machine Pitch or Pee Wee.

KID PITCH - MPRB PROGRAMS

10U Recreational Baseball is for players who were age 9 or 10 on September 1st last fall Also, players who are in 5th grade now and who were 10 on June 1 of last summer are eligible. Younger players may waive up to play, but they can not take a spot away from a player the right age plus they must be at least 8 by last September 1st. The games are played on Monday & Wednesday evenings from early May through early July. There is a post season invitational tournament that runs through the end of July. The 10U Recreational program is designed for players who do not want to, or are unable to, make a significant commitment of time to play in the Classic League. The recreational league is also for players of average or below average talent. WESAC fees are $45. There are 13 games and 10 practices over a ten week period with additional practices before the season starts. Teams also participate in the WESAC Preseason Scrimmage/Tournament the Saturday before the regular season starts.

10U Classic Baseball is for the same player group as 10U Recreational baseball. The primary criterion for determining whether a player should select the Classic League as opposed to the Recreational League is the level of commitment that the player can make. Classic teams are required to practice at least three times every two weeks and to participate in two weekend tournaments plus the season ending tournament. Attendance at all practices and games is fully expected, and players missing practices may be dropped from the team. Players who will be away for more than two weeks during the season due to camps or vacations should not participate in the Classic League. Also players with other activities that would cause them to miss three or more practices over the course of the season should not play Classic. There are no formal try outs to play in the Classic League though WESAC recommends that players who would be overmatched should play in the recreational league. Since the Classic league is a competitive league, the weaker players are likely to have much less playing time than the better players. WESAC fees are $45. There are 20 games plus 15 practices over a ten week period, plus preseason practices, the post season tournament and two weekend tournaments. Teams also participate in the WESAC Preseason Scrimmage/Tournament the Saturday before the regular season starts.

10U Softball is a recreational program for girls in the age group above. Fast Pitch rules are used but generally the pitchers are not too dominant in this league.. The games are played on Monday & Wednesday evenings from early May through late June. A summer season begins after the spring season and runs through the end of July. WESAC fees are $45. Fees include summer programs.

10U Machine Pitch Summer Softball is a recreational program for girls in the age group above. In addition, girls a year younger are invited to play. This option is highly recommended over the kid pitch p[program in the summer as the games will be much more fast paced. WESAC fees are free if you play any WESAC program in the spring, $10 if you did not. A good option is for girls to play one of the WESAC machine pitch baseball options in the spring followed by this machine pitch softball in the summer. Softball pitching is too erratic at this age for the girls to really enjoy softball.

12U Recreational Baseball, 12U Classic Baseball, 12U Softball are exactly like the 10U counterparts, but are for players who are two years older. WESAC fees are $45.

Cub MPRB/Minnesota Twins Saturday Parade Stadium League is for 12U players. This league is run by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and serves as a vehicle for 12U players to play in a competitive and instructional environment without incurring the expense and time commitment of traveling baseball. Games are played on Saturdays during June and July. There will be a central try out for this program. Players selected will be placed on teams so that the competitive balance of the league is respected. One feature of the league is that between games on Saturdays, there will be instructional clinics given by local college and professional teams and coaches. Games are mostly played at Parade Stadium. Participation in a weekend tournament may take place some weeks in lieu of a Saturday schedule. Fees are $20 and are paid directly to the MPRB. Additional information is available from Brian Hronski at 612-230-6485

15U Baseball, 15U Softball are like the 12U counterparts, but are for players who are three years older. Baseball does not have classic vs. recreational divisions. WESAC fees are $45.

18U Baseball is like the 15U counterparts, but are for players who are three years older. WESAC does not have an 18U team, but we can help you find another park that does. Fees would be determined by the other program but scholarships from WESAC are available for players who need financial assistance.

TRAVELING BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL

Traveling Baseball is also available for10U age players and older. WESAC does not run its own traveling program, but WESAC does work with both the Minneapolis Youth Baseball Association (MYBA) and Edison Youth Baseball to allow WESAC players the opportunity to try out for traveling teams. Traveling baseball requires a significant commitment of time. There are two practices every week in addition to two games. Participation in 4 or more weekend tournaments is expected. Try outs are held for traveling programs so the level of play is generally better than the Classic League. MYBA holds its try outs in early March while Edison is somewhat later. MYBA plays in the Metro League generally facing teams from the southern and western suburbs. Edison plays in the Gopher State League generally facing teams from the northern and St. Paul suburbs. The season runs from the middle of May through early July and possibly later depending on how far the team progresses in the state tournament. Traveling baseball is available for players 10 & under through 14 & under (age as of 8/31 at the end of the summer) and is a good training ground for those players wanting to play baseball on their high school team.

Traveling Softball is very similar to traveling baseball in terms of both the time commitment and the length of the season.  Softball teams play two double headers per week in addition to the tournaments and practices.   Minneapolis sponsors (usually) a 12 & under, 14 & under and a 16 & under (age as of 12/31 as of the end of the previous calendar year) fast pitch traveling softball team at the B level. The travel involved is generally to the southern and western suburbs, with home games played at the Nieman Complex (Ft. Snelling Fields) or Parade Stadium.  The evaluation process begins with the city sponsored Saturday winter gym running from the end of January through March. Fees, set by the city, are $175.