Division Information

Bow Ridge offers baseball to boys and girls between the ages of 5 to 18. Our Divisions are set up as follows:

Coach Pitch (Ages 5 & 6)

Machine Pitch (Ages 7 & 8)

Minor (Ages 9 & 10)

Major/National (Ages 11 & 12)

Junior (Ages 13 & 14)

Senior (Ages 15 & 16)

Big League (Ages 17 & 18)

Junior AA (Ages 19 to 21)

Please note that a Players League Age is the age of the player on April 30th.

BASEBALL AGE - BIRTH CHART FOR 2013
	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994
January	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
February	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
March	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
April	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
May		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
June		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
July		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
August		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
September		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
October		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
November		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
December		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18

The following is a brief description of the various levels:

 

COACH PITCH 5 and 6 Year Olds

Coach pitch is a beginning level of ball designed for young ball players. Basic fundamentals of the game, rules, hitting, throwing, catching, base running and team play are introduced at this level. Coaches throw a designated number of pitches to their own players. If the player is unable to hit after the designated number of pitches, a batting T is brought out and players hit off of the T. Outs are not recorded and an inning ends after all of the players have had a turn at bat.

Teams are scheduled for 1 hour every Tuesday and Thursday beginning in May.   These sessions will be split to allow time for skill development followed by a 1 – 2 inning game. 

Players receive a team t-shirts and Bow Ridge baseball hat. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, and glove. An athletic supporter is recommended but not mandatory. Cleats are not recommended for this age group.

Players may request to play on the same team with one other friend as long as both players make the same request on their registration forms. 
 

MACHINE PITCH 7 and 8 Year Olds

Players in this division will play a modified game that will prepare them for the regulation games played at the older levels. In this game players will receive a maximum of 6 pitches via a machine. If a player does not hit after six pitches they shall be called out, with 3 outs per inning. Other than some minor rule changes, (eg. runners cannot advance once an infielder is in control of the ball), the basic rules of Little League will apply. Sliding will be introduced at this level but base stealing will not be permitted.

As well as basic fundamentals and team play, batting will be an important skill taught at this level. It is important for players to feel confident at the plate especially when they start facing pitchers in the older levels. Consistent pitching received from the machine provides hitters real opportunity to develop and on the defensive side, players benefit from the increased action in the field.

Games are scheduled every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm starting in May. As warm-ups are very important in baseball, players should plan to show up about ½ hour prior to the game. Players can also expect to attend practices scheduled on other days as well.

Players will receive a full uniform consisting of pants, belt, jersey and Bow Ridge baseball hat. A $50 deposit will be required to ensure the return of the jersey and the belt. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, and glove. An athletic supporter is mandatory. Cleats are not recommended for this age group.

Players may request to play on the same team with one other friend as long as both players make the same request on their registration forms.

MINOR LEAGUE 9 and 10 Year Olds

At the minor league level, player pitching and base stealing are introduced. All basic Little League Rules will apply. In addition to basic fundamentals and team play, the focus of this division will be on starting to develop young pitchers and catchers. Teams in these division field 9 players each inning and all players are in the batting line-up. All players can expect equal playing time.   The minors is the first level at which we have umpires to call balls and strikes as well as outs.

Games are scheduled for every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm starting in May. As warm-ups are very important in baseball, players should plan to show up about ½ hour prior to the game. Players can also expect to attend practices scheduled on other days as well.

 At the end of the regular season, Bow Ridge sponsors a competitive AAA Allstar team for 9 and 10 year olds. This team participates in a City tournament in July. Winners of this tournament go to the Prairie Championships and compete against other teams from Saskatchewan and Alberta.

All players must attend evaluation sessions. As a house league, the “stacking” of teams is not permitted. The purpose of the evaluations is to try and put together teams of equal strength. Players may request to play on the same team with one other friend as long as both players make the same request on their registration forms (No exceptions). Siblings will automatically be placed on the same teams and players may not request a specific coach.

Note: 10 year olds with advanced skills may be drafted into the Major / National teams if the numbers are such we require additional players to fill those teams. These players should attend the National / Major tryouts if they want the opportunity to make those teams. Until we have finished registration we will not know how many potential spots there are for 10 year olds.

Players will receive a full uniform consisting of pants, belt, jersey and Bow Ridge baseball hat. A $50 deposit will be required to ensure the return of the jersey and the belt. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, athletic supporter and glove. Rubber cleats are optional.
 

MAJOR/NATIONAL (Minors) LEAGUE 11 and 12 Year Olds and possibly 10 Year olds (only if roster spots available on the teams)

The Major / National league are Major and Minor divisions for 11 and 12 year olds.

The Major Division is a competitive division where advanced strategies are taught. Eligible returning players from the Major Division will automatically remain with their previous team and do not need to attend evaluations. At this level we cannot honour any requests to have specific players play with other players or a specific coach.

The National Division is considered a Minor or less competitive Division where basic skills and sportsmanship are stressed. Players aged 11 and 12 not drafted onto a Major team are drafted onto a National Team. Players may specifically request to be drafted to a National team. Players aged 10, not drafted onto a Major Team may be drafted to a National Team providing there are roster spots available and they have sufficient skills. The purpose of the evaluations is to try and put together teams of equal strength, which makes for a much better league.   Players may request to play on the same team with ONE other friend as long as both players make the same request on their registration forms (No exceptions). Siblings will automatically be placed on the same team. Players cannot request a specific coach.

Both divisions can expect to play up to 3 times per week including Saturdays and can expect to have practices called by the coach. Both divisions play an interlocking schedule with other teams in northwest Calgary.

All players must attend evaluation sessions. Players who were drafted onto a major team last year will remain on the same team this year and are not required to attend evaluations but are welcome to show up.

Home games are played at the Foothills Little League Park (located immediately behind Foothills/Burns Stadium), and Cosmopolitan Diamond (located on Bowness Road, east of Shouldice Pool). See Maps for details. The diamond facilities at Foothills are by far the best in the city and we take great pride in maintaining them. We operate a concession at the park and BRLL is currently seeking a Concession Coordinator, if interested please email admin@bowridgebaseball.com. Parents of the players for this age group are required to volunteer to run the concession for the games where their teams are playing at Foothills. The task is fairly easy and does not keep you from enjoying the game. If everyone pitches in, each family will only be required to man the concession 1 - 2 times a season. A small price to pay for the convenience it provides.

At the end of the regular season, Bow Ridge sponsors a competitive Major Allstar team for 11 and 12 year olds. This team participates in a City tournament in July. Winners of this tournament go to the Prairie championships and compete against other teams from Saskatchewan and Alberta. The winner of this competes at a national level for the right to represent Canada at the “Little league World Series”.   This team is put together on a tryout basis and players should be able to commit to play for the month of July.

Players will receive a full uniform consisting of pants, belt, jersey and Bow Ridge baseball hat. A $50 deposit will be required to ensure the return of the jersey and the belt. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, athletic supporter and glove. Rubber cleats are optional but recommended.

For these divisions the league will supply umpires however, there may be circumstances where umpires may have to be solicited from the parent group.

Challenger Ball League

JUNIOR LEAGUE 13 and 14 Year Olds

Players will be drafted onto teams from pre-season evaluations. Players play on a regulation baseball field with 90 foot bases and a pitching distance of 60 foot. This league plays up to 3 interlocking games per week against other city leagues located in District 3. Home games and practices are held at the Sarcee Diamond .

Depending on the number of players registered in Juniors this year, we may tier the teams based on skill level.   The teams would then play in a seeding round to determine their level of competitiveness, to allow the players to be able to play at a level appropriate to their skill level.

Players will receive a full uniform consisting of pants, belt, jersey and Bow Ridge baseball hat. A $50 deposit will be required to ensure the return of the jersey and the belt. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, athletic supporter and glove. Metal or rubber cleats are recommended.

 

SENIOR LEAGUE 15 and 16 Year Olds

Players league age 15 and 16 years old who have advanced skills. Players are drafted from pre- season evaluations. Teams play up to 3 interlocking games per week in a competitive citywide schedule. Games are played throughout District 3 with home games and practices held at the St. Andrew's Diamond

Players will receive a full uniform consisting of pants, belt, jersey and Bow Ridge baseball hat. A $50 deposit will be required to ensure the return of the jersey and the belt. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, athletic supporter and glove. Metal rubber cleats are recommended.
 

BIG LEAGUE 16 and 17 Year Olds

Players league age 17 and 18 years old. The number of teams depends upon player registration and availability of coaches. No evaluations are planned for these teams. Teams play up to 3 interlocking games per week throughout District 3 with home games and practices being held at the St. Andrews Diamond .

Players will receive a full uniform consisting of pants, belt, jersey and Bow Ridge baseball hat. A $50 deposit will be required to ensure the return of the jersey and the belt. Players are required to have their own batting helmet, athletic supporter and glove. Metal or rubber cleats are recommended.