2020 TRAVEL BASEBALL REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for the competitive (non-recreational) baseball teams that will be representing WBSI & Watchung Little League in the 2020 Spring & Summer Seasons.

Please go here to register and click on the “It’s Registration Time” banner:    http://warrenbaseballsoftball.com/

Please note that this is NOT registration for the Spring Rec season. 

TRYOUTS

• Tryouts will be held Oct 21, 22 and 23rd.  

• Each age group will have 2 days of tryouts.  Every player must attend at minimum 1 day of tryouts.  However, we encourage players to attend both days of tryouts as the player’s highest scores will be utilized.  

• It is not mandatory to attend both days.

Tryouts date for each age group are:

• 10-21 & 10-22

  • 8U 5-7pm 
  • 9U 6-8pm  
  • 10U 7-9pm
     
• 10-24
  • 11u - 7-9pm

More information will be given as we get closer to the dates.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

• Player's eligible age is determined by the player’s age as of April 30th, 2020.  For example, if your son or daughter is 8 and turns 9 after April 30, 2020, they will be placed in the 8U evaluations and on an 8U team.  Regardless of ability, players are only eligible to participate in the age group for which they qualify. The only 2 exceptions to this are:

  • If there is a need for players at an older age group to complete a roster and form a team

  • 7U players may tryout for 8U, because we do not offer a 7U spring program. If a 7U player makes the 8U team, he/she must play 8U again the following year.  

• Participation in the Travel Tryouts is mandatory for all players who wish to be placed on a Travel team.  The only exception is a player who is in attendance, but is injured and cannot participate.

• Players are required to register, and actively participate (75% or more) in the 2020 Spring Recreation Season to play Travel baseball.

• Previous participation in the Travel Program is not a prerequisite for participation in the 2020 Travel Program nor does it guarantee the player a roster spot.

COMMITMENT:

• The Travel baseball program is a competitive-level program which requires commitment from both the player, and the player's family.  Teams may participate in holiday tournaments throughout the Spring and Summer season (i.e. - Memorial Day, 4th of July), and depending on the league or tournaments that the team participates in, may have multiple games in a weekend, or in one day.

  • 9U and older - These teams are intended to be combined spring and summer teams unless otherwise communicated by the coaches.  Players must make the commitment to play thru the summer, unless the coaching staff communicates that the team is only a spring team. 

    • This rule is intentionally flexible so as to allow coaches and players judgement in determining what is best for each team.  If you do not intend to play in the summer, this MUST be noted in your registration. Any player who drops from the team without prior agreement with the coaching staff may be barred from future travel program participation.

  • 8U - This team is formed as a spring team.  Evaluations for the 8U Summer Travel team will be held in May.  7U players may tryout for the 8U Spring Travel team, because we do not offer a 7U spring program. If a 7U player makes the 8U team, he/she must play 8U again the following year.  

  • 7U - This team is a summer only team.  Evaluations for the 7U Summer Travel team will occur in May.  

• Frequent schedule changes are to be expected due to weather and changing dates in leagues and tournaments, so players and parents must plan to be flexible.  Prompt and regular attendance is a must for all Travel players. Parents must plan summer vacations to avoid conflict with practices and games.

• Participation in another spring sport is not prohibited, however, priority must be given to the Travel baseball program.

• Due to the time commitment required, players will not be permitted to join a  Travel Team if they play on a ‘club’ team during the same period.

• The coaches for each age group will decide if the team will participate in the Cal Ripken District Tournament, held at the end of June.  Any team advancing to the state tournament will be expected to participate, which is held in early July.

TEAM FORMATION

• Travel teams will be formed at each age group depending on the number of players, the skill level of the players, and the availability of Coaches and Managers.   The teams will be organized by color – Blue and Gray.

• Teams are limited to 11 or 12 players, the decision to take 11 vs 12 is at the coach's discretion.

• Not all players may make a travel team, though every effort will be made to accommodate the maximum number of players into the travel program.

• Tryouts will be conducted by hired professional independent baseball evaluators along with league volunteers.  Players will be placed on a team based on the tryouts and input from league coaches and prior year’s statistics if necessary.    

FEES

• The fees for travel baseball will cover winter training (~ $200-300), uniforms (~$50-$75) and league/tournament fees (~$500 and variable based on which leagues and tournaments the team enters). In addition, some Travel teams in the older age groups may also elect to participate in out of state, high-profile tournaments (e.g. Cooperstown, Ripken Experience, Sports at the Beach, Hershey, etc) that may require additional fees and which may involve multiple-day travel.

AGE GROUPS

• 8U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2011 - April 30th, 2013

• 9U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2010 - April 30th, 2011

• 10U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2009 - April 30th, 2010

• 11U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2008 - April 30th, 2009

• 12U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2007 - April 30th, 2008

• 13U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2006 - April 30th, 2007

• 14U:  Players with birthdays between May 1st, 2005 - April 30th, 2006

QUESTIONS 

If you have any questions, please contact Shiva Sekhar (shiva.sekhar@gmail.com) and Mike Ohlson (soulturnaround@gmail.com)

WBSI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization offering baseball and softball leagues for children ages 4-15. Our coaches teach the fundamentals, while promoting fun, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and a love of the game. We are based in Warren, New Jersey.

In addition to our spring recreation season, WBSI provides opportunities for our players to participate in spring & summer travel baseball and softball, fall baseball, fall travel softball, and winter skill development clinics.

WBSI is a charter member of Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball League since the 1990s and a member of the Middle Atlantic Region Babe Ruth League, Northern New Jersey, District 12.

We rely on the support and contributions of volunteers and sponsors to make WBSI one of the best youth leagues in the area. There are many ways to get involved: as a coach, assistant coach, team parent, and sponsor. We all share a common thread – we do it for the kids!