Team Information

This section contains important information for the leagues and the teams that comprise them. The league information is presented first. Within each league section are links to the teams. Use the navigation bars to the left to move to the your league and team.

	The Springfield Babe Ruth League has four levels of play: Senior, Major, International and Prep. The date for determining a player’s age is May 1. For example, players who are 13 before May 1 of the current year are league age 13 for the coming season. Due to the change of league age date from August 1, to May 1, we have allowed players who are 13 in May, June or July to be considered league age 13 for the 2006 season. This applies also to the other ages. We may not follow this rule in the future and may go strictly by the league date of May 1. This will be considered at Board of Directors meetings in the Spring, 2006. All 13-year old players are drafted to teams in the Prep League. Highly skilled and some skilled players, ages 14 and 15, are drafted to teams in the Major League. Skilled and promising players, ages 14 and 15, are assigned to teams in the International League. Players of ages 16, 17, 18, and 19 are drafted to Senior League teams. It is possible that 19 years will not be allowed to play in 2007, since Babe Ruth has cut their league age back to 18 again.
	Tryouts
	Almost everyone who signs up to play SBRL baseball will be required to attend a tryout. At registration, players names are written on the front of a tryout card. That card is mailed to the player approximately two weeks prior to the tryouts and will indicate the date, time, and place for the player to report. Consult the Important Dates page for tryout dates. Players should arrive about 15 minutes prior to the indicated time. Those 15, 17, and 18-year old players that were on a team the previous year, and that are staying on that team, do not tryout. If any of these players choose to return to the draft, they are expected to attend tryouts. Any player who is a member of a high school junior varsity or varsity baseball team will not be allowed to tryout.
	Tryout Process
	The player agent will divide the number of players so that each session has approximately the same attendance. When players arrive at tryouts, they must check in with the player agent. The agent will verify any missing information and assign a number to each player. This number corresponds to a preprinted list that each manager had previously received. This list contains the player’s name, height, weight, positions played, and experience. The volunteers try their best to complete each session within the assigned hour. This is, however, not always possible. Even with the best efforts, some sessions may start late. Each player will get a full tryout time. During this one hour session, each player will be asked to display the following skills: Hitting skills will be demonstrated with five pitches for each player. A pitching machine is used during the batting session. On the last swing, the player will run at full speed to first base. Each player will get two or three balls hit to him/her at shortstop. Each ball is to be fielded and thrown to first base. Each player will get two or three fly balls hit to him/her in the outfield. Each ball is to be fielded and thrown to a cutoff player. A pitching machine is used for the outfield session. Each player who wants to tryout for pitcher and/or catcher will be asked to stay at the tryouts for extra time. All others are free to leave after the hitting and fielding. Each pitcher will warm up before trying out and will then be asked to throw approximately eight pitches from a mound (if available) to a catcher in full equipment. Curves may be thrown at the pitcher’s option. They are not required. The catchers will be asked to throw to second base in simulated steal situations several times during their tryout. The catchers are encouraged to bring their own equipment if they have it.
	Player Advice
	Players should do their best at all times. Often the weather is cold and damp, and some players may want to just finish quickly. It is really important that the managers get a good look at the players’ abilities. It is important to remember that 13 year-old players are NOT trying to make a team. All 13 year-old players invited to tryouts are guaranteed to be on a team. The purpose of tryouts is for the managers to observe the players so that they can draft balanced and competitive teams for the league. Only 13 year-olds attend the prep tryouts. If a player cannot attend at the assigned time, please contact the player agent immediately. He will make every attempt to reschedule at a more convenient time. There is only one tryout for each league, so he cannot give you a different date. Do not assume that tryouts will be canceled due to weather. Tryouts have been held in parking lots in prior years. The agent will make every attempt to complete the tryouts as scheduled. Call the league hot line or, if in doubt, show up. While SBRL provides basic equipment, most players want their own. Players must have their own glove and shoes. Metal cleats are allowed at all age levels. Metal or wood bats can be used.