Several years ago BYBA lowered the minimum age and switched to a new small-sided format for the Rookie division!
The goals of the small-sided format are: more active fielding, more at-bats, more base running, more inclusion, more community... more fun!
Your player will be on a team with around 15 other players and 4 coaches (maybe you!). Players will range from 5 to 6 years of age.
When two teams meet on game day, each team will split into two squads and oppose the other team’s squads in two concurrent small sided games. Double the short stop! Double the first base! Double the fun!
Practice and games are combined into a single weekly 90 min time slot.
Players will continue to get the team experience complete with unique team names and uniforms, but gain the benefits of increased baseball activity to build a more solid foundation for later divisions.
We’ve been watching the positive impact of these changes for the last few years and it’s been amazing!
Frequently asked Questions and Answers
Trust us, you can do it!
There are really just two pre-requisites: patience and a willingness to learn. We’ll teach you all the rest, and remember, THESE ARE ONLY 5 AND 6 YEAR OLDS!
The beauty of the new format is you are not in this alone. In fact, we NEED between 4 coaches per team of 12 players. It’s just once a week for 8 weeks and it’s OK to miss a few games and practices (practices and games are combined into a single weekly 90 minute time slot).
Now is the time! Not only do we need you NOW, not only do the kids need you NOW, but this age is the best time to get in the ground floor of youth sports coaching. Almost everyone else is also starting from zero just like you! And if you do have some coaching experience, well, it’s like a moral obligation to come share that with your fellow Rookie coaches.
This is a volunteer role, but there isn’t a better place to watch the game than out on the field with your kid. Plus your kid will remember for the rest of their life “oh yeah! my parent coached my baseball team when I was growing up.”