TRYOUT REGISTRATION

Tryout registrations are CLOSED for our U13, U14, and U15 teams.

AGE CUTOFFS

• If you are 16 on April 30, 2013; you are eligible for the Mickey Mantle 16’s
• If you are 15 on April 30, 2013; you are eligible for the Mickey Mantle 15’s
• If you are 14 on April 30, 2013; you are eligible for the Sandy Koufax 14’s
• If you are 13 on April 30, 2013, you are eligible for the Sandy Koufax 13’s

TEAM SIZE / SELECTION

The 13 year old team will have all new players; coming from current 12 year old Little League and Pony programs. There will be new players added to the 14, 15 and 16 year old teams. We will balance the geographic focus of the Bellevue Baseball Club program with the need to be competitive. Team size for the 13 and 14 year old teams will be 13 or 14 players. The team size for the 15, and 16 year old teams will be 14-15 players.

PHILOSOPHY

The overall philosophy is to operate a “select” program baseball experience for players who desire to play baseball in high school and college. Each team will play approximately 45-50 games/year. We expect to be competitive in games and will balance overall team results, unity, and player development including playing time.

Coaches are former college and professional players. Our coaches are paid and are not parents of players they coach.

BACKGROUND

Through age 12, baseball players play through either Little League or Pony League, with some players playing both. These are primarily recreational in nature with teams playing approximately 15-20 games and practicing one day a week during the season.

At age 13 and 14, a select baseball experience is available through a Sandy Koufax team. Please see their website for more information and background: http://www.wsskba.com/. At ages 15 and 16, the select baseball experience is available through a Mickey Mantle team. Please see their website for more information and background; http://eteamz.active.com/mm15mm16seniors/.

BELLEVUE BASEBALL CLUB

Recognizing this need, in 2004, the Bellevue Baseball Club was formed to provide a “select” baseball experience for kids in the Bellevue West geographic area. We have added a new 13 year old team each year. In 2011 we will have teams; representing ages 13, 14, 15 and 16.

The Bellevue Baseball Club is a Limited Liability Corporation with non-profit 501(c)(3) status, and is intended to be long term community asset; providing a select baseball experience to local players. The Board of Directors of the Bellevue Baseball Club at this time consists of John Stanton, and Gregg Bennett.

PLAYER / PARENT COMMITMENT

Select baseball is a significant “step up” over recreational baseball; with the major differences being player/parent commitment and overall cost.

The 2012 – 2013 calendar for the BBC teams is as follows:

• October through February (2 practices/week)
  • Sundays and 1 weekday (indoors) –focus on fitness and fundamental skills
• March/April/Mid-May
  • 13’s and 14’s
    • Travel Tournament early/mid March
    • 2-4 practices or practice games/week
  • 15’s and 16’s
    • No practices, games, meetings, or tournaments
    • Players will be dedicated to respective high school teams
• May through July
  • A total of approximately 25 league games
  • 2-5 tournaments; Approximately 45-50 games total including league
  • 13’s and 14’s will play 2-3 games/week (April – June)
  • 15’s and 16’s will play 4-6 games/week over shorter season

We do not require baseball be the player’s only sport. We recognize good athletes, the type who would be a good baseball player, also may play other sports. We ask players make the commitment to make as many indoor practices as they can and have no other sport conflicts from May through July. We expect during the baseball season, that baseball will be the primary non-school activity.

The club will have access to a dedicated indoor baseball facility in Bellevue which will enable them to work during the off season.

BUDGET / COSTS

The 2012-2013 year budget for four teams will be approximately $110,000. This includes 8-10 paid coaches, uniforms, tournament fees, indoor facilities during the winter, equipment, umpires, league fees, etc. This results in an actual cost of over $2,000 per player. This cost is subsidized by generous sponsorship, thus reducing fees.

The fee schedule for the 2012-2013 season will be $1900 for all players. Additional contributions are encouraged, appreciated, and are tax deductible.

Scholarships are available on an individual basis. Scholarship status is not disclosed to coaches and is not a factor in selection.

COACHES

Each team will have a minimum of 2 dedicated paid coaches. We will strive to have coaching decisions made prior to tryouts.

TEAM / PLAYER SELECTION SCHEDULE

We will work hard to have teams selected by Friday, August 21st, and players will be notified via e-mail. Upon acceptance, each player will be given one week to commit to the team with a non-refundable $625 first payment. If you are unable to commit at that time, the position will be offered to a player on the alternate list; unless there are extenuating circumstances discussed in advance.

Our first indoor practice will be in the first week of October 2012

VOLUNTEERING

We will need help managing the teams; with uniforms, field scheduling, etc.. Volunteers are most appreciated and welcome! After the teams have been selected, we will circulate a volunteer signup opportunity. Parents of players on scholarship should plan on volunteering.

QUESTIONS

Please feel free to contact us at http://bellevuebaseballclub.org/admin/contact-us/