Cal Ripken Division Season Summary
Spring Recreation League: Our Spring season runs from early April until mid June, with practices beginning in late March, as weather permits. Players are introduced to all aspects of the game, with an emphasis on teaching fundamentals. All ages are based on the player’s age as of April 30.
Fall Ball: We offer an 7 to 8-week fall ball program to all players age 5-12. Players for fall ball play in the division appropriate for their age as of April 30 of the following year.
Program Summary
Piedmont Buddy Ball Division: The Piedmont Buddy Ball program is designed for player’s ages 5-19 who have an intellectual or physical disability. Our Buddy Ball program goal is to enhance confidence and foster a positive recreational environment for Athletes with a cognitive or physical disability. There will be no registration fee for this league. The generosity of some local benefactors will help fund this great addition to Piedmont Baseball & Softball.
Bambino (4 Year Old T-Ball): This is a fun program designed to introduce 4-year-old youngsters to T-ball as well as our Piedmont family. This program promotes parent-involved practices and games running from April through June.
T-Ball (5 and 6 Year Olds): Our program is designed to be both instructional and fun. Its objectives are to teach fundamental baseball skills and promote good sportsmanship and fair play. Through practice and encouragement, you can help your child play to the best of his or her ability. Five and six year olds play in different divisions, with additional skills and opportunities added for the six year olds.
Farm League (7 and 8 Year Olds): All 7 & 8 year olds are encouraged to participate in Farm League where coaches pitch to their own team and kids learn to play a more strategic game. The emphasis is on instruction and fun, but unlike T-Ball, we will keep score, track standings, and hold a post-season tournament. Players hit pitches thrown by a coach from near the mound. Games are played on a diamond with 60-foot bases. Seven and eight year olds play in different divisions. As the season progresses, the opportunity for eight year olds to be exposed to player pitch is introduced.
American League (9 and 10 Year Old): In the American League, players will learn and play baseball with most of the regular rules. Players pitch to one another, batting is continuous and limited stolen bases are allowed in this more competitive environment. Teams are formed with the primary objective of creating parity across all teams while trying to maintain geographic neighborhoods. The team selection is done without a draft. We are always seeking parents interested in coaching their child's team.
National League Evaluations:
To be considered to play in the National League, all 11 and 12 year old players must attend one of two nights of evaluations. The evaluations consists of players participating in a variety of drills, which include running, fielding, throwing and hitting. Coaches from both the East and West divisions of the National League evaluate, or rate, each player during these drills.
Ten year olds may also register for the National League and attend an evaluation to be considered for the National League. NOT ALL 10 YEAR OLDS WILL BE DRAFTED TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE. Any 10 year old who is not drafted is then placed in the American League.
National League Draft:
After the National League evaluations are complete, the coaches come together to “draft” players to create a their team’s roster. Each roster is capped at 12 players.