Our baseball program is based on the Cal Ripken League guidelines and is a developmental program for boys ages 7-12 to learn the necessary skills and rules to play the game. The league consists of teams from Mechanic Falls, Minot, Oxford, Otisfield, South Paris, Bethel, Paris, West Paris and Norway.
2021 Season:
We intend to play in the Andy Valley League, with the understanding that we will have to follow any league and state guidelines pertaining to covid-19. Unless guidelines change, we can anticipate that players will need to wear a mask at practices and games. If outdoor gathering size limits do not change, we can anticipate that we will have a maximum allowance of 100 persons at any field (which includes, players, officials, coaches and spectators)
Registration:
For Poland residents only. Minot and Mechanic Falls residents have their own teams and must register in their towns.
Exception: Babe ruth participants are made up of players from Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland.
Baseball Director: Eric Wilson
Eric can be reached @ 321-9466. Email: eric27wilson@gmail.com
Coaching:
If you are interested in coaching at any level, please contact Scott: ssegal@polandtownoffice.org or call # 838-8632
Team Sponsors:
We are looking for sponsors for tee ball, Rookies, Minors and Babe Ruth. If you are interested in sponsoring a team, please contact Scott: ssegal@polandtownoffice.org or call # 838-8632
Tee Ball Sponsor = $125.00
Rookies, Minors and Majors sponsor = $300.00
Babe Ruth Sponsor = $400.00
Name of the business will be printed on the back of the jersey.
Thank you to Northlight Electric for offering to sponsor a major and rookie team.
Practices & Games:
Rookies
Typically 1-2 practices per week
Games on Sundays or Mondays.
Minors
Typically 1-2 practices per week
Games on Wednesdays & Fridays.
Majors
Typically 2 practices per week
Games on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
All-stars: If the State Cal Ripken and Andy Valley participate in all stars, our players will have an opportunity to be nominated. Towards the end of the season, coaches nominate players for various all star age groups. 8 & under, 9 & under, 10 & under, 11 & under and 12 & under. At the All star meeting in mid-June the league coaches determine the all star team.
Anyone from our program who is interested in being nominated for all stars, coaches will make sure to have parents sign a commitment letter, as the all star season runs into the summer months.
**Note:
Baseball is a team sport that requires positioning of players. Coaches are responsible to place players based on safety, skill level and desire. Parents are welcome to give feedback to the coach with the understanding that the coach makes the final decision on player positioning.
Be sure to check out our Sports Recycling program. We have used cleats, gloves, helmets, etc..
Cost:
Option #1 $100- this fee is for those who do not wish to participate in the fundraiser (includes $60 reg. + $40 opt out fee.)
Option#2 $60.00 - this lower fee is for those who will be required to participate in the fundraiser.
Note: The baseball program is expensive to run and all revenues go to support baseball. We do not make a profit operating baseball. Expenses are league dues, uniforms, equipment, officials for certain levels, bathrooms, end of season gatherings, etc...
Fundraiser:
Due to covid-19 restrictions, instead of the usual tagging fundraiser, we will be selling prize calendars. We are looking for local businesses and families to donate prizes for the calendar. Items such as gift certificates, a service, something home made or maybe you have a camp that you would be willing to donate for a week or weekend? If you are willing to donate an item, please email Vanessa: vharlow@polandtownoffice.org
We will need to collect any donations by March 26th
Calendars will go on sale: April 5 thru April 26
Calendar winners drawn: Month of May
Uniform:
The Parks & Recreation department will supply each player with: gray baseball pants, team color jersey and socks.
The players keep the entire uniform!
Equipment:
Your child will need to have a glove, helmet, cleats, and a water bottle for practices & games.The Parks & Recreation Dept. will supply all equipment such as: bats, catchers gear, baseballs, catcher's glove, etc...
Helmets:
We are encouraging players to acquire their own helmets, so players are not sharing helmets...We have some used helmets available if a player needs one. For this upcoming season, we still have some new helmets for sale @ $10.00 each. These helmets were acquired from Olympia Sports and sold originally from $25.00 to $60.00. First come first serve...We do not hold items.
Batting Cages:
We are attempting to obtain some batting cage times either at In the Zone or Ingersol. Once we nail down dates and times, we will notify coaches and players. Unfortunately this year, we are going to have to pass along the cost to players for the batting cages, as our budget will not allow us to cover this cost. More information to follow.
BATS:
Starting in 2018 Babe Ruth Inc, required all programs to use USA labelled bats for baseball Rookies, Minors, Majors and Babe Ruth levels. The reasoning for this is, the aluminum bats that were being designed were becoming unsafe, extremely light and contact with the ball could potentially happen to fast for the defense to protect themselves. The USA bats are designed to slow down the contact of the baseball. If you purchase your own bat, please make sure no one tries to sell you a bat without the USA label... Only USA labelled bats are allowed at practice and games.
Tee Ball is not required to use USA bats.
*6 yr. olds with at least one year of tee ball can be assessed to play at the rookie level. The decision to move any 6 year old up will be based on our numbers and player ability. Requests for a 6 year old to be moved up must be sent to Scott by email: ssegal@polandtownoffice.org
Assessment Date and times: TBD
We will only hold assessments if we have indoor space to accommodate. If we do not hold assessments, the coaches will split into teams if we have enough players to have more than one team at any level.
Tee Ball:
This is a developmental program for girls and boys age 5 or 6 as of April 30, 2021.
We play in a tri-town league with Minot/Hebron (MHAA) and Mechanic Falls.
Practices & Games:
-Practice is planned one day per week (TBD) and games are on Saturdays.
-Practices will not be determined until we have a coaches meeting in early April. However, if you know there are nights your child can not practice, this info is helpful! Season will run week of April 19th thru June 19th.
-Players will receive a hat and t-shirt.
-Players should bring a glove and water bottle
-Cleats are very much optional
-No Fundraiser for Tee Ball.
Intro. to Tee Ball:
-This program is for girls and boys age 4 (No exceptions) by April 30, 2021.
-This programs meet one weeknight per week (TBD) and its focus is on skills and drills to prepare for tee ball.
-Players will receive a hat and t-shirt.
-Players should bring a glove and water bottle
-Cleats are very much optional
-No Fundraiser for Intro. Tee Ball.
-Season will run week of May 3rd thru June 19th
Babe Ruth Baseball
If you have questions regarding this program, please contact Scott Segal @ 9984650
Deadline: March 22, 2021
Cost: $100.00
There will be no fundraiser for babe ruth.
Babe Ruth general information:
This league is designed for boys ages 13-15 (age eligible by April 30, 2021). Participants may want to play to improve skills throughout Middle/ High School ball or because they love the game and were not able to play school ball. This is a casual league that focuses on skill development and healthy competitive play.
The Parks & Recreation department will supply each player with: gray baseball pants, a team color jersey, socks and a hat to keep.
**Note: Cal Ripken does allow girls to play in the baseball league, however we recommend that girls play in our softball league. Please understand that this is a parent/player choice.
Practices & games:
Practices 1-2 per week (TBD)
Games: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
All Registrations:
To register for Poland Parks & Recreation Youth Baseball you must be a Poland resident. Exception: Babe Ruth- Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland
Age eligibility: Must be appropriate age by April 30, 2021.
Registration Begins: February 23, 2021
Registration Ends: March 22, 2021
Season runs: Mid may thru end of June
Payment Options
Pay entire amount via credit card online (3% convenience fee)
or
Choose print out registration form option to pay via check:
Payable to: Town of Poland
(be advised that this option will say that you are not registered until payment has been received, however, do not worry, your registration will be accepted and processed. Balance owed will be posted on your account.