ATTENTION ALL ALL LEVELS REGISTRATIONS - OUR ROSTERS ARE FULL. We look forward to a great 2023!
2023 Coaches' Meeting for ALL levels' coaches: TeeBall, Rookies, Minors, Majors, and Babe Ruth - March 1, 6 pm- 8 pm Location TBA. We will review guidelines, using the Sports Engine App, confirm certifications, distribute equipment, select practice times and preferred fields, and attempt to assign players to our TeeBall teams.
2023 Evaluations for Rookies, Minors, Majors, and Babe Ruth - March 6, 7, and possibly 8, 6 pm -7:30 pm Location TBA. On these three nights, players registered for the Rookie, Minor, Major, and Babe Ruth divisions are scheduled to attend one or all workouts where they perform baseball-related drills and activities, so coaches can make informed decisions when assembling their teams.
2023 Coaches' Draft Night is March 15, 6-8 pm Location TBA Coaches at the Rookies, Minors, Majors, and Babe Ruth Levels meet on this night to select their teams' players based on their notes from their attendance at the Evaluations Nights. TeeBall Coaches do not need to attend this night but are welcome if they'd like to see how coaches at the upper levels select their teams.
REGISTRATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING 2023 SEASON IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN!
If you have any questions, please email our Player & Coach Agent.
Your PYJSBA Registration Session is available NOW! It will allow you to complete contact information, sign up for participation, and submit payment via credit card, check, or Venmo.
What Does My Player's Registration Fee Cover?
Our mission is to provide ALL players at every level registered with PYJSBA a safe, healthy, and fun environment, where our Cal Ripken-certified coaches teach players the fundamental skills and finer aspects of baseball with the added possibility of post-season play.
We aim to offer one to two practices and/or games per week for each team and level with games and/or practices occurring on weeknights and games at all levels on Saturdays. Sundays will always remain a practice option for coaches. Some teams may be able to offer more while others may have to offer less.
Registration fees pay for your players' hats and jerseys and contribute toward the costs associated with field maintenance, equipment, umpires, concessions, and league fees.
All players will need to provide their own grey baseball pants, mitt, and helmet. PYJSBA provides each team with its own catcher's gear and catcher's mitt, a team bat, balls, etc.
We hope to have a community table set up for parents to donate and/or purchase gently used equipment on Opening Day!
New:
What's in the Works?
Pinelands Youth Jersey Shore Baseball is a non-profit-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting the game of baseball for the youth of Little Egg Harbor and surrounding towns. We utilize fields within the town that are maintained by us, Little Egg Harbor Township, and Ocean County.
Our mission is to provide a safe, healthy, and fun environment, where our Cal Ripken-certified coaches teach players the fundamental skills and finer aspects of baseball!
THE OFF-SEASON
The season kicks off with "Open Clinics!"
Included with each registration, for Minors through Babe Ruth, ages 9 through 15, Pinelands Youth Jersey Shore Baseball plans to offer an “Open Gym Night” for paid registrants to prepare for evaluations and practices. Our focus is to instruct proper mechanics and the many aspects of baseball in a safe and welcoming environment to the maximum ability afforded within a pre-determined, indoor space.
Space is limited and determined by registrations. All paid registrants ages 9 through 15 that are interested and participate in the 4-6 week experience are encouraged to indicate this during the registration process. Because space will be limited, priority will be determined by age, working from oldest to youngest.
Details regarding dates, times, and locations are posted in the Sports Engine App.
*Tee Ball (ages 4-6) and Rookies (ages 7-8) are not yet ready for this activity as our focus with Tee Ball and Rookies is a little different, and our approach begins in March with team-related activities when they can be outdoors.
EVALUATIONS
Once players are registered, reminders are posted in the Sports Engine App about attending Evaluations on TBA at 6pm. The venue is to be determined. On this date, players registered for the Rookie, Minor, Major, and Babe Ruth divisions will be scheduled to attend a workout where they perform baseball-related drills and activities.
*Tee-Ball players DO NOT attend this event. Again, Tee Ball (ages 4-6) are not yet ready for this activity as our focus with Tee Ball is a little different, and our approach begins in March with team-related activities when they can be outdoors.
Our aim is to gain a sense of skill and interest level of each player to do our best to create the most dynamic environment possible for each player. On "Draft Night," a coaches-only event, coaches come together to draft players and formulate teams.
PRESEASON
Once teams are established, coaches soon reach out to parents to arrange lines of communication using our Sports Engine Mobile App and establish a practice schedule. By the middle of March, coaches will post schedules with times and locations for parents. Coaches will also hand out uniforms when they come in and can be properly distributed to coaches.
OPENING DAY
We will open our season in Early April at the Little Egg Harbor Sports Complex with ALL players from every division, Tee-Ball through Babe Ruth, dressed in their uniforms to celebrate the game of baseball with music, opening day activities, and more!
THE SEASON
The fun continues with games for Tee-Ball, ages 4-6, and Rookie, ages 7-8, until early June. Minor, ages 9-10, and Major, 11-12, may play through the end of June. Babe Ruth, ages 13-15, may run through July and possibly early fall.
DIVISIONS BY AGE & REGISTRATION FEES
$10 Early Bird Discount November through New Year's Day!
$25 Late Fee for Registrations Received After the 5th of February.
Tee Ball - $150
Designed for Co-ed Ballplayers ages 4-6 to learn hitting and fielding fundamentals in a supportive team environment. Young athletes hit the ball from a batting tee which is height-adjusted for a level swing, batting in order through the line-up for the entire game. The primary goal is to begin instructing young players in the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive team environment. This includes a $50 "Volunteer Rebate," which is fully refundable after fulfilling your "Volunteer Task."
Only Girls Softball 7, 8, & 9 - $60
Girls Softball 7, 8, & 9 AND Rookies - $170
Girls Softball 7, 8, & 9 AND Minors - $185
Designed for Female Softball players ages 7 through 9 to learn hitting and fielding fundamentals in a supportive team environment. Children younger than 7, must register for tee ball. The primary goal is to begin instructing young players in the fundamentals of softball in a supportive team environment. It is encouraged and acceptable to register for both Softball and Baseball. There is no "Volunteer Rebate" required for all softball registrations.
Only Girls Softball 10, 11, & 12 - $80
Softball 10, 11, & 12 AND Minors - $195
Softball 10, 11, & 12 AND Majors - $215
Designed for Female Softball players ages 10-12. Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. In-season play is dependent upon the level of participation and skill that participants reach. It is encouraged and acceptable to register for both Softball and Baseball. There is no "Volunteer Rebate" required for all softball registrations.
Rookie - $160
Designed for Co-ed Ballplayers ages 7-8, this division uses a pitching machine or Coach to allow for more hittable balls at the plate and more action in the field. Fear of actually being hit by a pitched ball is diminished. It makes the game safer and improves the playing confidence and ability of all participants. This includes a $50 "Volunteer Rebate," which is fully refundable after fulfilling your "Volunteer Task."
Minors - $175
Designed for Co-ed Ballplayers ages 9-10. Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. In most regions, there may be the possibility for participants to experience their first post-season tournament competition that could lead to the 10-Year-Old World Series. Post-season play is dependent upon the level of play that participants reach. If the possibility for post-season play occurs, evaluations are held to assemble the most competitive players possible within our charter. This includes a $50 "Volunteer Rebate," which is fully refundable after fulfilling your "Volunteer Task."
Majors - $205
Designed for the most experienced level of Cal Ripken Baseball Co-Ed ages 11 and 12. Cal Ripken Baseball is played under the Official Baseball Rules but implements some special rules as necessary for the development and welfare of this young age group. This includes a $50 "Volunteer Rebate," which is fully refundable after fulfilling your "Volunteer Task."
We register our Major Teams for the Major 70 format.
This format features a 50' pitching distance and 70' base paths. Special base running rules are also in effect. There may be the possibility for participants to experience a tournament trail from District competition through the World Series. Post-season play is dependent upon the level of play that participants reach. If the possibility for post-season play occurs, evaluations are held to assemble the most competitive players possible within our charter.
Babe Ruth - $160
Founded in 1951, Babe Ruth Baseball League was created for ballplayers ages 13-15 who wished to continue their baseball playing experience beyond the age of 12. This is where players get their baseball cleats muddy for the first time on standard 90' diamonds under Official Baseball Rules used by Major League Baseball. Babe Ruth practices and home games traditionally occur on Pinelands Regional grounds while away games are played within an hour's driving distance against opponents registered within the Tri-State Elite Baseball League. In this division, there may be the possibility for participants to experience a tournament trail from District competition through the World Series. Post-season play is dependent upon the level of play that participants reach. If the possibility for post-season play occurs, evaluations are held to assemble the most competitive players possible within our charter. There is no "Volunteer Rebate" required for all Babe Ruth registrations as teams practice and play off-complex.
16 -18-year-old players can play with Jersey Shore Baseball and should contact jerseyshorefire@gmail.com for more information.
PYJSBA officially charters our program with the state and Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Organizations to ensure our players receive the opportunity to participate in district and state level All-Stars. All-Star play is a more competitive experience to celebrate the efforts and successes experienced during the rec season of players who wish to engage in an All-Star Experience where the highest skilled players in the district and state compete against one another. There is also a possibility to compete in tournament play against competitive teams from outside of Little Egg Harbor and our immediate surrounding towns.
This opportunity fully depends on the number of registrations PYJSBA receives from season to season AND the skill-level of players. Should All-Stars be a possibility, the main tournament experience is scheduled to begin in mid- to late-June with the potential to continue into late July, depending on each team’s success. Cal Ripken teams from across New Jersey participate annually in this tournament.
All-Star teams are organized as age-grouped teams, 8u, 9u, 10u, 11u, 13u, and Babe Ruth (14/15u). Players that exhibit a superior skill-level above and beyond their age may be considered to “play up” in all-stars; however, this depends on the roster formulation process as PYJSBA aims to formulate the most competitive rosters possible. Players should anticipate participating at their age-level as a “bump up” for all-stars is rare. Players are not permitted to “bump down” for all-stars.
As is long-standing practice, PYJSBA combines with Waretown and South Toms River Cal Ripken leagues to assemble multiple age-grouped All-Star teams. Therefore, it is important to remember that our all-star teams are not comprised of only Little Egg Harbor players.
Depending on the number of players registered, we aim to formulate all-star teams for all eligible and skill-level-appropriate players ages 7 through 15. PYJSBA can only offer this opportunity if we have the necessary numbers to fill the age appropriate teams. If we are successful in the process, and there are a sufficient number of players capable of playing at the required high level, then, additional teams at each age level may be considered.
All-Stars is NOT yet an option for TeeBall.
In order for a given child to participate on an All-Star team, four things MUST be in place.
First, the player must be invited to participate in All-Star Tryouts based on regular season performance, team coaches’, opposing coaches’, and board members’ recommendations. These tryouts occur in late April to mid-May. Again, invitations are determined by team coaches, opposing coaches, and board members.
Second, the player (and the family) have to want to participate. All-Star play is more demanding than our regular season. It involves a significant time and focus commitment for practices and tournament play. It may involve certain expenses if a team advances to regional play. Not all players and families are interested in this, and that is certainly fine; but if a player is going to be considered for an All-Star team, the first question to be asked is: Do we as a family want to do this?
Third, the child must be available for tryouts, practices, and games. Tournaments are scheduled by the state and the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth organizations. As a local league, we have no control over that. If your player is invited to participate, and you think your player would like to be considered for All-Star play, but he or she is going to be unavailable (for example away on vacation) during the tournament itself, or for a significant number of team practices, this is probably not something you should plan to pursue.
Finally, if a player is invited to participate, and the player and family want to be considered, and the player will be available, he or she must be selected through an all-star tryout evaluation process run by league coaches and board members in an effort to assemble the most competitive teams possible. Unlike our regular season – which emphasizes inclusion – All-Star rosters are limited by Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball tournament regulations to a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 15. It is also important to remember that there is no mandatory playing time rule for our All-Star teams, so it is possible for a player to be selected and not receive game-play time; however, they will participate in all practices and activities associated with the All-Star team.
The All-Star Team’s Manager, in consultation with the League President, and participating coaches shall determine and or identify the: (a) All-Star Team practice schedule; (b) anticipated overall time commitment (including practices, travel, and games) for players and families; (c) anticipated costs for players and families; and (d) the effect on playing time of missing team practices.
What is the All-Star Program?
All-Star game play begins after the regular season is complete; although, most teams begin practices earlier. All-Star play is team play against the highest skilled players within the town and possibly competitive teams from outside of Little Egg Harbor. The ideal tournament experience begins toward mid- to late June with possible advancement into late July and early August. Cal Ripken teams from across New Jersey participate annually.
Who Can Participate?
Each season, players are invited to try-out by team coaches, opposing coaches, and board members based on age, skill-level, regular season performance, and active enrollment in the spring rec league with Little Egg Harbor, Waretown, and South Toms River Cal Ripken. To be eligible, the player must have remained in good standing within the league, proven willing to practice, and have attended at least 50% of the regular season league games that their team has played. Also, players and their families must be open to the "four things that MUST be in place" detailed above.
How does my player get selected to participate in All-Stars?
In order to be considered for placement on an All-Star team, players must attend All-Star Tryouts and receive an evaluation superior to those in attendance. He or she must be recommended for all-star tryouts by team coaches, opposing coaches, or the PYJSBA Board. Unlike our regular season – which emphasizes inclusion – All-Star rosters are limited by Call Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball tournament regulations to a minimum of 12 players and a maximum of 15 players. Rosters are formulated based on regular season and All-Star Tryout performance and evaluations by Team Managers, league board members, and coaches. Please remember, there is no mandatory playing time rule for our All-Star teams.
If my child is selected to participate in All-Star Tryouts, do they have to attend?
Yes. If an extenuating circumstance occurs that would prevent a player from attending the All-Star Tryout after receiving an invitation to participate, what to do will be communicated within the invitation email.
How Much of a Time Commitment Can I Expect?
All-Star Scheduling is contingent on the success of the team: “The More You Win, The Further You Advance, The More Games You Play.” Typically, the All-Star team’s season begins in mid-June and ends in mid-July, but it can go into the first week of August. Practices may begin as early as April or May. The number of practices depends on the coach, but 1 practice a week during regular season and 2-4 practices a week after the regular season is typical.
Can I Take a Summer Vacation?
Yes, you can take vacation. However, players need to be available for practices and games. Tournaments are scheduled by the state Cal Ripken organization. As a local league, we have no control over that. If you think your child would like to be considered for All-Star play, but he or she is going to be unavailable (for example away on vacation) during tryouts, practices, or the tournament itself, this opportunity is probably not something you should plan to pursue.
Once selected, it is strongly encouraged that All-Star team players defer vacation plans until after Cal Ripken Tournament play concludes in mid- to late July. Some prefer to defer their plans until mid-August. A player's scheduled absence for vacation during All-Star related activity must be taken into consideration when selecting a team, so please communicate these plans.
What are the Costs We Can Expect?
The fees for All-Star play are established by PYJSBA, the state, and Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Organizations. In the past, there has never been a fee for All-Star participation except for personal expenses. We aim to keep this tradition going for now and PYJSBA covers all essential costs: Insurance, Equipment, Uniforms and tournament entry fees. Personal expenses like additional costs for travel are incurred by parents if the team advances to the State and/or Regional tournaments.