New Baseball Parents Guide

So, you’re interested in or have already signed up for your first season of Mt. Laurel Baseball…what now?  We recommend that you read this page to help introduce you to the life of a Mount Laurel Baseball parent. 

First, a little about us.  Mount Laurel Baseball, located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is a Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken Baseball affiliate.  Mount Laurel Baseball provides a quality baseball program for the youth of Mount Laurel Township with a major emphasis on teaching teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play in an atmosphere of fun and fellowship. We provide recreational baseball programs for ages 5 to 18 along with tournament / travel baseball programs for ages 7 to 16.  Mount Laurel Baseball is managed by a board that is comprised of 13 volunteers.  To learn more about our board, please visit this page.

What is the difference between Recreational and Tournament/Travel Baseball?

Recreational Baseball

Recreational, or Rec baseball is the cornerstone of youth baseball.  It is where local kids of all skill levels come together to learn fundamentals, build skills, and play in a friendly, yet competitive environment.    

Rec baseball has two seasons each calendar year, Spring baseball and Fall baseball.  Each season will have a separate registration period.  Practices and games will be played in Mount Laurel at Hillside (Tball/Instructional), Triplex, or Quadplex fields.  Games and practices occur during weeknights and weekends.

Spring baseball traditionally has more players registered which creates a more competitive season.  Players must play Spring Rec Baseball to be eligible to play on a Mount Laurel Baseball Travel Team.

Fall ball is a great opportunity to hone skills in a structured baseball environment and is considered the start of the “new” baseball season.  Which means, in most cases, players will play in the division they would be eligible for in the next Spring Baseball season.

Divisions

Mount Laurel Baseball currently offers seven divisions of recreational baseball.  The divisions use the age guidelines determined by Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball (Age Chart).

1.      Babe Ruth – Ages 13-16; Player Pitch

2.      Majors – Ages 10-12; Player Pitch

3.      Minors – Ages 8-9; Player Pitch

4.      Rookie – Ages 6-8; Player and Coach Pitch sub-divisions determined by skill

5.      Tball – Ages 5-6

6.      Instructional – Ages 4-5

7.      Challenger Program For Children with Disabilities (Spring only) – Ages 4 -18

Travel/Tournament Baseball

Travel or Tournament Baseball is a higher-level of baseball that requires a financial and time commitment from players and parents.  Travel / Tournament teams do not have a registration but instead, players must try out.  Mount Laurel Baseball will try to field at least two travel teams for each age group if the player counts can support two teams.  The teams will be determined on skill and are often referred to as an A (district) and B (tournament) teams.   

Travel baseball practices are usually held during the week in Mount Laurel at Triplex or Quadplex fields but may occasionally be held at neighboring towns fields in the form of a scrimmage.  Games are played based on tournament locations and schedules.  Examples of tournaments travel teams have played include Cherry Hill, Maple Shade, Delran, and Marlton.   Travel coaches will select tournament participation based on scheduling availability.   Tournament season usually starts in early May and runs through July.  Travel teams often schedule practices beyond tournament season to ensure skills stay sharp. 

Travel Tournament Teams:

·         7u (Coach Pitch)

·         8u

·         9u

·         10u

·         11u

·         12u

·         13u

·         14u

·         15u

·         16u

What equipment do I need to buy?

Equipment needs can vary between Rec and Travel Ball.  This section will focus primarily on the needs for Rec ball.  Travel coaches will provide a list of necessary equipment (bat eligibility are determined by tournament rules). 

Needed Equipment:

·         Baseball pants (gray is recommended)

·         Glove

·         USA certified BAT (Approved Bats List)

·         Batting Helmet

·         Baseball cleats (no metal spikes)

Optional/Recommended Equipment:

·         Batting gloves

·         Baseball bag

·         Extra socks

·         Baseball belt

Can I be a coach or volunteer?

Yes, our program is built and run by volunteers.  We do require coaches to take a short clinic and submit to a background check to ensure player safety.  You do not have to have any prior baseball or coaching experience, just the desire to help our players learn and have fun. 

If coaching is not your thing but you still want to volunteer, we have other opportunities that include running the concession stands, working with the Challenger Program, running the scoreboard during the game, and/or keeping the scorebook for games. 

If you’re interested in some for of volunteering, please include the details in your registration or contact us via email:  [email protected]