North Sydney Leagues

NORTH SYDNEY LEAGUES BASEBALL CLUB

JUNIOR PLAYERS INFORMATION PACKAGE

SUMMER SEASON 2014/2015

North Sydney Leagues Baseball Club – Junior’s Info Pack Page 1 -

North Sydney Leagues Baseball Club

Email:

New & Previously Registered Players

You need to

Complete registration on-line

Pay the appropriate fees when you register

Purchase a North Sydney Juniors or Aussie T-Ball Baseball uniform

If you are a previous player and your uniform is too small, or if he/she is moving up to under 8’s from Aussie T-Ball, you can buy a new uniform at the Try Baseball days advertised on the Club websiteor afterwards by contactingthe Uniform Coordinator.

Fees

Fees for the season (including GST) are:

Club Terminology / U7 Aussie T-ball / U8 – U9
Teeball / U10
Zooka / U11
Live ball / U12
Live Ball / U13 - U14
Live ball / U15 – U16
Live Ball
New Pathway Terminology / Tee Ball / Tee Ball / Little League Minors / Little League Minors / Little League Majors / Junior League / Senior League
Base Rego / $125.00 / $175.00 / $195.00 / $195.00 / $195.00 / $195.00 / $195.00
Incl. Fees / $130.49 / $182.70 / $203.58 / $203.58 / $203.58 / $203.58 / $203.58

The season will commence on Saturday, 6thSeptember 2014and endsat the end of March 2015. The Finals series commences mid-March 2015. There are no games played during most of the summer school holidays. Please check the Club website / Juniors page for the dates of all games. Games are played on Saturday mornings, usually at the same time each week, which helps with planning other Saturday activities.

There have been some changes to the age groupings by Baseball NSW in the 2014/15 season with the introduction of the new NSW Players Pathway. This does affect the age group that players will be placed into for some but for most, players will be playing in the age group that is one progressed from the one they played in the previous season. All Clubs are affected by this. Below is the comparison of the old and new age groupings.

Born / Age Group / New offering (Norths) / Old Offering / Type of ball / Play up options / Play Down Options
1999 & 2000 / U15 & U16 / Senior League / Baseball / Live
2001 & 2002 / U13 & U14 / Junior League / Baseball / Live / Senior League
2003 * / U12 / Little League Majors / Baseball U13 / Live / Junior League / LL Minor Pitching
2004 / U11 / Little League Minors – Pitching / Baseball U11 / Live / LL Majors
2005 / U10 / Little League Minors– Zooka / Zooka U10 / Machine / LL Minor Pitching
LL Majors
2006 / U9 / Tee Ball / T-ball U9 / T-Ball / LL Minor Pitching
2007 / U8 / Tee Ball
(non-competitive) / T-ball U8 / T-Ball / LL Minor Zooka
2008 / U7 / Aussie Tee Ball / Aussie Tee ball / T-Ball / Aussie T-ball
2009 / U6 / Aussie Tee Ball / Aussie Tee ball / T-Ball / Aussie T-ball
2010 / U5 / Aussie Tee Ball / None / T-Ball / Aussie T-ball

Little League Majors – dispensation for players DOB after 1 May 2002 to play in LL Majors Club Comp

Calculation of Ages

The cut-off date for the calculation of ages is 31 December.

It is possible for children to play up or down one/two years depending on their ability, team numbers and the League rules. Please see the table above for options that would be considered and let us know if you want to pursue such a request upon registration.

General Outline of Junior Baseball

Under 7’s - Aussie T-Ball

Aussie T-Ball is a modified version of baseball for young children. The game is a six a side, bat and ball game that is all about being active and having FUN. In addition to games of Aussie T-Ball, kids will participate in a range of game sense activities developing hitting, running, catching and throwing skills. Sessions run for 1 hour every Saturday morning at the same location.

Under 8,’s 9’s (Tee Ball)

No pitching, the ball is hit off a tee. These games usually last between 45 minutes and 1hr 15mins. There is a competition series, playoffs etc. for U9’sonly.There is a weekly training session as well as the Saturday morning game at various locations.

Under 10’s (Zooka)

The batter hits a ball pitched by a machine – a zooka. Games usually last about 90 minutes. There is a competition series, playoffs etc. There is a weekly training session as well as the Saturday morning game at various locations.

Under 11’s, 12’s, 13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 16’s(Live Ball)

Players falling into these age groups play live ball. Game durations are usually about 90 minutes for U11s & U12s and about 2 hours for the older grades. There is a competition series, playoffs etc. There is a weekly training session as well as the Saturday morning game at various locations.

Team Selection (U8s & above)

Teams at Norths Baseball are not graded – in most age groups there is between one and two teams. The registration form has provision for players to indicate their preference for teammates. Wherever possible, we will follow these requests. However teams are restricted to twelve players and requests for placement will be handled on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Players not indicating a preference will be placed wherever possible with children from the same school or suburb.

Manly Warringah Junior Baseball League

The Club plays in a competition known as the Manly/Warringah District Baseball Association, which includes Dragons Killara, Forest at Terrey Hills, Manly Seasiders, Warringah, Pittwater, and North Sydney teams.

Games are at the same time each week and for 14/15 are expected to be as follows:

Age Group / Division / Game Time
U15 & U16 / Senior League / 10.30 #
U13 & U14 / Junior League / 8.15 #
U12 / Little League Majors (live ball) / 8.30
U11 / Little League Minors Pitching / 10.30
U10 / Little League Minors Zooka / 8.30
U9 / Tee Ball / 10.30
U8 / Tee Ball (uncompetitive) / 8.30
U5 - U7 / Aussie Tee Ball / Intra Club – 9.30 – 10.30

# Game times updated by MWJBL on 31st August, 2014

Representative Opportunities

Details to try out for representative teams (i.e. the district rep sides) will be available shortly on the Manly-Warringah web site With the change in the Baseball NSW Player Pathways, this website has not yet been updated – so please keep an eye out for changes. Under the new Pathways, players who want to trial for a rep team must be playing in their true age group and not playing up or down an age group.

Be aware that there is an additional commitment required for players successfully reaching a rep team. Limits are also placed on pitchers who play at rep level, both in training and the game schedule. Selection for rep teams will be towards the end of the calendar year.

Venues for Games

Home fields for North Sydney are Bicentennial Reserve Field and Flat Rock in Willoughby. Other venues in the Manly Warringah competition include French’s Forest, North Curl Curl, North Narrabeen, Warriewood, North Cromer and Killara.

Parent Involvement – Please Lend a Hand

The Club is a voluntary organisation, run by parents for the benefit of the players. The Club looks to the parent group to provide such services as coaching, managing, umpiring, and administration. At various times during the year, support will be sought from parents to assist with fundraising and presentation day. We have expanded the number of committee positions in order to improve the running of the club and allow more people to share in the organisation and minimize the amount of time any individual needs to spend. Please strongly consider volunteering your time and talents for the following committee and/or team positions:

Team CoachesTeam Managers

Umpires Scorers

Committee MemberWebsite Administrator

Aussie T-Ball (which cannot run without parents leading the activities)

THE CLUB NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Coaches’ Role (for U8s & above)

As with any volunteer organisation, the support of all parents is essential, particularly for Coaches and Managers. To assist coaches, Manly/Warringah Association does host Level ‘1’ Coaching Courses. Attending a coaching course is highly recommended and is necessary to become accredited which is now mandatory for coaches from 13/14. It will give you the skills and confidence to coach a team properly. If you are already an accredited coach, there is no need to repeat a course taken in previous years, unless it is more than 5 years since you last attained accreditation. Datesand times of clinics will be advised via email and on the Club website.

The team Coach will arrange a regular training session during the week at a time most suitable to their commitments. Requests by players for particular times and days should be referred to the Coach. Training will be held at Bicentennial Reserve Field or Flat Rock Main Diamond, Willoughby. Most training sessions will last at least 1 hour. When dropping your child off please ensure the Coach or another adult is present. Please collect your child promptly after training.

Managers’ Role

This role is one of liaison between the team and the Committee and to support the Coach at training and games (also note Managers responsibilities under Umpiring and Scoring). The smooth running of any team will be dependent on the ability of this person to relay messages and information both up and down the ladder when required.

Umpiring and Scoring (for U8s & above)

The Manager will be seeking the assistance of parents to act as the Home Plate Umpire for home games and a field Umpire for away games. Attendance of an Umpiring Course is strongly recommended. The Manly/Warringah Association will provide clinics and these will be paid for by the Club. A Scorer is also needed at all games except Aussie T-Ball Under 7’s. These tasks are not onerous and clinics for these functions will be offered. Dates and times of clinics will be put up on the Club website.

Committee Members

Committee members guide the running of the club and help with the organisation for a whole raft of activities including Try Baseball day, fundraising activities, the annual Presentation Day, Club Photo Day, grounds inspections, uniform sales, and integration with the Manly Warringah League etc. The committee is completely run by volunteers who also have busy lives, so any additional volunteers are ALWAYS WELCOME – even if your contribution is small. Many hands make light work. Please let any member of the Club know if you are interested in helping in this capacity.

2014/15 North Sydney Junior Baseball Committee

Details of all committee members is contained on the Juniors webpage with dates of all Committee meetings listed in the Club Calendar.

Rule Book and Fixtures Book

The Rules and Fixtures book is provided by the Manly/Warringah Association and will be distributed as soon as we receive them and usually at the Managers/Coaches Information evening with the kit. Coaches should ensure that any queries on rules are raised with the Committee and clarified.

Insurance

Via our registration with NSW Baseball, limited insurance cover is provided to players. It is ‘disaster’ insurance that pays limited amounts for serious permanent injury. It does not provide cover for non-permanent damage. Parents should obtain their own medical insurance if they want comprehensive cover.

Uniforms

The uniform consists of baseball cap, top, pants, belt and socks. For U8's and above, the top is ‘on loan’ to each player for the season, and then returned to the Club at the end of the season. The club keeps a stock of caps, pants with belt and socks and these can be purchased on Try Baseball days or by contacting the Uniform Coordinator. Everyone must wear the correct and complete uniform as part of representing North Sydney. Baseball rules state that players not correctly attired can be removed from a game.

For U7s and younger Aussie T-Ball players, the top is individual to this level and is required to be purchased as well as a cap. Baseball pants and socks are optional to purchase.

Footwear can be sneakers, football/soccer boots (with soft sprigs), or baseball shoes. Under 16’s may wear cleats. No metal studs for players younger than Under 14.

Gloves

-Playing gloves will be provided to all who register for Aussie T-Ball as part of the registration fee (See attachment for more information on Aussie T-Ball)

-All other players need to purchase their own gloves.Please talk to your coach or a committee member for advice on what to purchase.

The purchase price of uniforms is set out below.

New purchase
Caps / $10
Socks / $10
Aussie T-ball tops / $25
Pants with belt / $45

Privacy

The club is aware of the provisions of the Privacy Act and advises you that we are required to provide your child’s registration details (name, date of birth, address) to the Manly Warringah Junior Baseball League Inc. and to NSW Baseball. We also intend to issue team lists with these details to each team member. Please advise the Registrar at the time of registration if you do not wish to have your child’s details disclosed. Your details will not be disclosed to third parties other than as set out above.

Child Protection Issues

All persons involved with the operations of teams (usually, but not limited to, coaches and managers) are obliged to furnish appropriate declarations under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act. The form is available on the website and is required to be completed before the season starts and sent to the Club’s Child Protection Officer.

What’s Next?

Once all the registrations are processed (end August), you will be advised by email of your team. The team then needs to provide details of a Coach and Manager. When nominated, your Coach should contact you concerning training times. If you have not heard from your Coach within a week of receiving your team list, please contact him or her (or the Club registrar at ).

Annual General Meeting

You will be notified of the date and time of the AGM for the voting of the 2014/2015 Junior Baseball Committee. You will be entitled to vote if your child is a registered player and if you are a registered member of North Sydney Leagues Club (the Constitution of our club is posted on our web-site The North Sydney Leagues Baseball Club operates as an interclub of the North Sydney Leagues Club. All players’ parents are encouraged to support by becoming North’s members.

WHAT IS AUSSIE T-BALL

Aussie T-Ball is nationally recognised by the Australian BaseballFederation and affiliated

State Associations, the Australian Sports Major

League Baseballasbaseball'sjunior entry

point programto introducechildren to thegame of baseball.

The Aussie T-Ball philosophy adopts a ‘game sense’ approach to physical activity. Players develop skillsthrough fun, game-like activities (by ’playing the game’ rather than through traditional skills and drills).

Every registered Aussie T-Ball participant will receive a participant pack as part of their membership and capitation fee. As a guide, the pack for the 2012-13 season contained the following:

• 10.5 inch Wilson Glove and Ball / • Aussie T-Ball “Baseball” drawstring bag
• Aussie T-Ball/Fielders Choice Water bottle / • Aussie T-Ball Luggage Tag
• Aussie T-Ball Velcro Catch Set and Ball / • Aussie T-Ball Pencil Case
• ABL Kids Club Membership Details
(FREE season pass and other discounts and benefits) / • Aussie T-Ball Ruler
• Fielders Choice $5 Gift Voucher
• Aussie T-Ball Player Pathway Brochure / • 12 Pencils & Baseball Eraser

North Sydney Leagues Junior Baseball Club (NSLJBC) has introduced Aussie T-Ball as the entry point for new or returning players 5-7 years of age. Players can register either through the club (online at or at Try Baseball days), or on the Aussie T-Ball website at where they can select to join the North Sydney Club.

Aussie T-Ball sessions will take place every Saturday morning 9.30am – 10.30am at Bicentennial Reserve, Willoughby, commencing in October. The season runs for 11 weeks.

NB: 7 year olds can also choose to join NSLJBC and participate in the Manly Warringah Junior Baseball League (MWJBL) competition with games played from Willoughby to Northern Beaches. Alternatively you can register with Aussie T-Ball and learn the skills of the game as per the information above. Players are not eligible for the Aussie T-Ball pack if they register as part of the U8s MWJBL competition.

For more information on Aussie T-Ball, please contact our Aussie T-BallCo-ordinator: