DIVISION INFO

Puyallup Babe Ruth & Cal Ripken Division Information

Age cut-off:

For example, if your player will be 10 as of April 30th, you will register them in the Minors Division.

Practices: You can expect to have at least 2 practices per week starting in March and going until regular season games start. Once games start, practice is usually at least once per week.

Games: Practices for Tball, Coach Pitch, Rookies, Minors, and Majors starts in early March and games begin in late March or early April and will run to the first weekend in June. You can expect at least 2 games per week either on weeknights or weekends. Rookies, Minors and Majors can expect at least 12 games (Depending on the number of teams in each division.) It could be more than this depending on how your team does in the End of Season Tournament. Practices for Babe Ruth will begin shortly after the Babe Ruth skills evaluations. We wait for high school baseball try outs to be over before having the Babe Ruth skills evaluation so that any player who did not make a high school team still has a place to play baseball. Because of this, our Babe Ruth division plays longer into the summer than our other divisions and because we schedule games with teams outside the league for more competition.

End of Season Tournament: We hold a double elimination tournament at the end of the season for the Rookies, Minors and Majors divisions. The top two teams from each division in the tournament will play on Championship Day to determine the winner. Coach Pitch will send the top two teams from Regular Season to Championship Day for a 4 inning play-off. Babe Ruth also has an end of season tournament, it happens later than the other divisions.

All Star Team: An All Star Team is chosen for each age group (8,9,10,11,12,13,14, & 15) These teams play after the regular season. For more information please see the All Star page.

Coaches: All of our coaches are certified through Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball and must pass a national background check every two years.

Uniforms: All players (except Tball & Coach Pitch) receive a full uniform; pants, jersey, belt, & hat. Tball players receive a shirt and hat. Coach Pitch receives pants, shirt, & hat.

Umpires: The Minors, Majors, & Babe Ruth divisions have paid professional umpires. The Rookies division has volunteer umpires that consist of coaches from other divisions, board members, and some paid teenage baseball players.

Due to the evaluation and draft process, it is possible that your child could play up or down a division. On evaluation day, each player is scored by a group of evaluators and observed by the coaches. The scores are then tallied and an overall score is given to the player. Based on that score, it is possible that your player could play up or down one division. This process ensures that your player is placed where his/her skills will most benefit their team and put them in the best possible position to have a great season! Babe Ruth will NOT play down to Majors. Only 6 year olds could play down to Coach Pitch if they try out for Rookies and we feel they are not ready.

*Note: If you would like your child to play up a division, you must contact the league president prior to evaluations at [email protected]. Each request will be decided based upon the best interest of the child and the league.

Co-ed T-Ball Division - Ages 4 & 5 (first year playing) & 6 (by request only):

Provides basic fundamentals of the game and introduces players to the concept of team play. This is a non-competitive division where players hit off a batting tee which is adjusted to a height that allows the batter to swing level. All players present for the game will bat in order and alternate positions in the field (no sitting). The primary goal is to begin to instruct young players in the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive team environment while having fun. Scores are not officially recorded.

Safety balls are used in practice and games.
1 hour and 50 minute game time to have as much fun as you can.
Managers/Coaches are in the field of play to help/instruct players.
Defensive inning is over when the entire lineup has had an at-bat.
Games and practices are at Wildwood Elementary in Puyallup.

Coach Pitch - Ages 5 (with one previous year of experience) & 6:

Coach pitch is one step up from Tball and prepares players for our Rookies Division by teaching even more of the fundamentals of baseball. Coaches will pitch to their own teams and scores are recorded.

6 innings or 1hr 50 min time limit
Batter gets 6 pitches. There are no swinging or called strikes, batter is out after 6 pitches if ball is not put into play. The at-bat continues if the 6th pitch (or subsequent pitches) are fouled off.
4 outfielders and full infield. Players will play both infield and outfield innings with one inning max on the bench per game.
Coaches bat the bench, all players bat the entire game.
Defensive inning is over when 3 outs or 5 runs is recorded.
Practices and games will be held at Wildwood Elementary.

Rookies Division - Ages 7-8:

Players move up from coach pitch to a pitching machine. By controlling the pitches with a pitching machine, there is more action at the plate and in the field. Fear of being hit by a pitched ball is diminished. It makes the game safer and improves the playing confidence and ability of all participants. Rookies division provides players with a better understanding and concept of the game. Basic skills are refined and stressed, kids generally play multiple positions. Scores are officially recorded.

Pitching machine is set to 40mph
Batter gets 3 swinging strikes or 6 pitches total before being called out. At-bat continues if 6th pitch (or subsequent pitches) are fouled off.
10 defensive players are utilized.
Coaches bat the bench, all players bat the entire game.
Each player will play at least two defensive innings.
Games are at Shaw Road Elem., Practices could be at Shaw Road Elem., Wildwood Elem., or Waller Road Elem.

Minors Division - Ages 9-10:

Live pitching is in effect at this level. Players become more familiar with new positions, plays are now being made on a consistent basis & strategies are being introduced. Scores are officially recorded in this division.

A pitch count is utilized to protect young pitchers arms.
Regular infield/outfield.
Coaches bat the bench, every player bats the entire game
Each player will play at least 2 defensive innings.
Professional Umpire association hired for each game.
Games are mostly at Puyallup High School softball field, some games are at Elks field and Heritage on South Hill. Practices could be at PHS, Heritage, Waller Road elem., or Diamond Sports.

Majors Division - Ages 11-12:

Skill level increases and players are challenged with a variety of skill levels and abilities. This division is considered advance play. Skill level is much higher than that of Minors. Play is faster and pitching becomes more consistent and accurate. Strategy becomes an integral part of the game.

Pitch count is in affect for pitchers.
50ft pitching mound, 70ft bases
Lead-off and steal
Balks
Coaches bat the bench, every player bats entire game
Each player plays at least 2 defensive innings
Professional Umpire association hired for each game.
Games and practices are primarily held at Elks field. Occasionally games/practices are held at Heritage park on South Hill. Some practices will be at Diamond Sports.

Babe Ruth Division - Ages 13-15:

This division will continue to focus on building the skills of the player through the instruction of fundamental baseball. Many of our players also play for their Middle School and Junior High teams, so there is flexibility with this program.

Games played on a 90' diamond.
Games held at St John of the Woods Catholic Church.
Professional umpires hired for all games.
"Real Baseball Begins"

Registration/Fundraising Fees:

Co-ed Tball: $170

Coach Pitch: $190

Rookies: $290

Minors: $320

Majors: $320

Babe Ruth: $385

**The above fees include the mandatory fundraising packet. More information about mandatory fundraising can be found under the "Fundraising" tab above.**