SUMMER BASEBALL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Ages 8-14 Travel Summer Baseball
Needham Baseball provides a highly competitive summer travel baseball program for players in the 8U - 14U age groups. These teams are for dedicated baseball players. The program stresses skill development and competition.
Travel Season
The summer starts in late June and extends in to August. Teams that make the playoffs could play in to the middle of August.
Player Expectations
Players will be expected to attend practices, regular season games, playoffs and possible tournaments. Except for tournaments and playoffs, the teams typically do not play on weekends during the summer. The high level of commitment is necessary to be able to field teams and make our program successful.
Travel Teams
Teams at 8U will be playing the Friendship League. The Friendship League does not have tiers and our teams will be as balanced as possible. Friendship League teams typically play two games per week and all teams qualify for playoffs.
Teams from 9U through 12U will compete in the Suburban Youth Baseball League. There will be an “A” team and a “B” team at each age level. Teams at the age levels may play at least one weekend tournament. If reguistarion numbers are sufficeint, we will field more than two teams at each level. For example, in 2022, Needham fielded three teams at boths 8s and 9s.
League placement and the number of team at the 13U- 14U will depend on registration numbers.
Cost
8U: $215
9U-14U: $250
Team Selection
8U: All players will attend an evaluation in the spring. This combined with feedback from spring coaches will be used to create balanced teams.
9U-11U:There will be a evaluation in the spring for players who wish to be considered for the A teams. This combined with feedback from spring coaches and past evaluation data will be used to determine the A team roster.
12U: Teams will be selected based on feedback from spring coaches as well as past tryout and evaluation data. There won't be a formal tryout for these age groups.
13U & 14U:Number of teams and roster sizes will depend on registration numbers. Please note that the age classification at these levels may differ from the Little League Age Chart below. If there aren't enough players to field a team at an age level, registration fee will be refunded.
Coaches
Any spring coaches who want to be considered to manage a summer team should contact the Director of Summer Baseball. All Needham Summer coaches are required to attend Positive Coaches Alliance (PCA) workshops and must be approved by the Board of Directors.
For questions, please contact summer director Victor Saratella
