Welcome to the 2024 Rookie Season!
We are looking forward to a fun and exciting season of recreational baseball in Yampa Valley!
Rookie baseball is for players of all skill levels. The goal is to teach the game of baseball while developing individual skills and a love for the game.
At this stage players begin to understand more position play with a continued strong emphasis on coach participation. Baseballs will be pitched from machine. Players will also play on a 50' diamond. Score is kept and league standings will determine the playoff bracket.
Ages: 7 – 8 years old
Player birthdates 5/1/15 - 4/30/17
League Dates: Practices can begin May 22; Game/practice schedule will run May 30 – July 31, all weather permitting.
Practice Day/Time TBD by Coach, 1 practice/week, planning for 1 game/week.
Games Schedule will be released 2 weeks prior to season start.
Program Cost: $150
Player Evaluation
A player evaluation event will be held in May when the fields are dry enough. All players 7 and older must sign up for a 5 minute time-slot (sign-up link will be sent out 2 weeks prior), where they will take part in an evaluation of throwing, catching, and hitting. Registered coaches are present and use the evaluations as a basis to form competitive and balanced teams. Please don't miss this date as it will make sure teams are drafted fairly and allow for a competitive season.
Player evaluation will include:
- 5 fly balls and throw to 2nd base
- 5 ground balls and throw to 1st base
- 5 hits off a pitching machine, on the 5th hit, run the bases to 3rd
NOTE: Please keep an eye out for an email from USSSA Baseball. There is an insurance waiver that you need to sign. Thank you
Please find below some helpful information to set your player up for success:
League Goals
- Have fun!
- Teach the game of baseball
- Develop individual skills
- Share and encourage a love for the game
Next steps for the league
- Families will be notified of teams and the first week's schedule by mid May.
- All play will be at Emerald Fields, 900 Pamela Lane, Steamboat Springs, CO.
- Please remember you can check for rainouts throughout the season, etc. on https://www.yampabaseball.org or by joining our Facebook Page -Yampa Valley Youth Baseball. We also encourage you to sign up to receive text notification. You will receive an email closer to the season with that option.
- Please also be on the lookout for an email from USSSA. As the national association, they also hold our league insurance. You will receive an email asking you to sign off on their waiver. Please do so. This is the only thing you need to do on their website.
Uniform suggestions
- Glove - What size glove should I buy?
- Shirt - provided by league
- Pants - baseball pants, white/grey will be decided by coach
- Belt - baseball belt, color to match uniform
- Shoes - baseball cleats suggested
- Helmet - recommended to purchase own, but team will have plenty available
- Bat - recommended to purchase own, but team will have plenty available
- What size bat should I buy?
- Ball - Standard Baseball
Here’s how we teach the basics
Please let us know if you have any further questions at [email protected] or call Nich at 805-550-7664.
Thank you and here's to a great season!