Registration for the 2022 Spring season will open on January 1st 2022.

This page contains answers to commonly asked questions about JCYB and how we operate with regard to our leagues, ages, pricing, and season timeline.  If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us. 

Jan 1:  Online registration opens

Feb 20:  Online registration closes

March 6:  Player draft, 1:30-6 pm (Coaches only)

April 9:  Opening Day

TBD:  Deadline for Allstar coach nominations

TBD:  Picture Day

TBD:  Last day of the regular season

TBD:  Tournament (Closing ceremonies / Family Fun Day)

* Each player is required to participate in our fundraising.  At the time of registration, you will pay for 5 spirit cards ($50), that you can then in return sell for $10 each and recoup your money.  Cards should be handed out the first week of practices.
** League eligibility is determined by child's age as of April 30, 2022

*** Multi Sibling Discount (full price for child #1, $20 off for child #2, $20 off for child #3 and so on)

Payment Plan 

Once again this year we will be offering a payment plan for those looking to break up the cost of registration and fundraising over 3 payments. This option will be available through our online registration as well as having a pay in full option.

Payment 1:  At the initial time of registration

Payment 2: Auto-drafted on 2/28/22

Payment 3: Auto-drafted on 3/28/22

Coaching / Volunteers: 

JCYB is a 100% volunteer organization.  Coaches and Volunteers play a crucial role in the development of our youth and overall success of our league. While baseball experience is always a plus, there are plenty of opportunities to help even with zero experience.  Please consider taking the time to volunteer at JCYB this season.   To register for any role, please fill out an online registration the same way you register a child. 

Manager (Head Coach)  

Anyone wishing to become a Manager (Head Coach) must complete an online Coaching application, be subject to a background check, and be interviewed by the JCYB Board of Directors.  The Manager has the ultimate responsibility for the team and team activities. He/She reports to the League Coordinator. He/She is responsible for the overall development of the team and ensuring every player has a positive experience. He/she is responsible for:

• Attending Coach's clinics, meetings, and player assessments
• Organizing  practices
• Communicating the schedule
• Establishing game line-ups and substitutions
• Field setup (Home team)

Assistant Coach

Anyone wishing to become an assistant coach must complete an online Coaching application and be subject to a background check.  The Assistant coach is there to assist the head coach. Assistant coaches do not make team decisions or create situations that are in conflict with the head coach. They work at the discretion of the head coach. Responsibilities include:

• Assisting with practices
• Performing duties to help the head coach.
• Coaching bases
• Learning the game.
• Filling in for the head coach when necessary.

Team Parent

Anyone wishing to become a team parent must complete an online volunteer application and be subject to a background check. Team Parents play a critical role in supporting JCYB and the team to which their player is assigned. The Team Parent

helps organize the families for a successful season.  Given the depth of responsibilities, you may opt to share the duty

with another parent.  Responsibilities include:

• Attend team parent meeting     
• Organize team pants, belts, and sock colors       
• Organize team snack schedule (if agreed on by team)
• Receive and distribute information regarding team events and fundraising such as...
• Picture day
• JCYB day at the Lexington Legends
• Family fun day
• Closing ceremonies 
• End of the year party (if agreed upon by team)

Major: The most experienced level of Cal Ripken Baseball, primarily made up of 11 and 12-year-old players; however, any 9 or 10-year-old is welcome to come be assessed to play in the Major Division. Cal Ripken Baseball is played under the Official Baseball Rules but implements some special rules as necessary for the development and welfare of this young age group. The game is played on 70ft base paths with a pitching distance of 50ft.  Regulation games consist of six innings or a time limit as defined in the rules.  Leading off and Base stealing is allowed in this division

Minor: This league is primarily for 9 and 10-year-olds playing kid pitch. This division features 60ft base paths and a pitching distance of 46 ft. Among teammates of their own age and experience level, players continue building and refining their fundamental skills while they begin to understand game strategy.  No lead-off or base steal is allowed in this division until the ball has crossed home plate.

Rookie: Also known as "coach pitch", is designed primarily for 7 and 8-year-olds.  The rookie league is an excellent way to continue teaching the fundamentals of the game and building player confidence. It is at this level where players are introduced to live pitching.  In the Rookie division coaches pitch to players from a distance of 35 ft. 

T-Ball: A program for 5 - 6-year-olds to teach the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. All batters will hit the ball from a batting tee which is adjusted to a height that allows the batter to swing level. All players present for the game, bat in order and play defensively. An adult coach is stationed beyond the infielders in order to provide instruction to all defensive players. The primary goal is to begin to instruct young players in the fundamentals of baseball in a supportive team environment.  Scores and standings are kept in the T-Ball division.

Wee Ball:  A purely instructional league.  All players bat and play defense in this division while learning the basic fundamental skills of hitting, fielding, and running the bases in a fun supportive team environment. Wee Ball is limited to 1 game and 1 practice per week.  Scores and standings are not kept in Wee Ball.

Days and times for practices and games

A common question we get a lot.  What night will my child practice and what days are games on? 

Practices: dates and times are left up to coaches who work with the league and their own schedules for available field time.  Most teams in the Rookie, Minor, and Major Divisions will practice/play 3 nights a week.  In TBall, most coaches usually practice/play 2-3 nights a week and Wee Ball is limited to 1 practice and 1 game per week.

Games:  Teams play 1 night during the week (either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday) and 1 game on Saturday morning or early afternoon.  However, with baseball being a spring sport, the weather plays a big part in our scheduling.  Make-up games will be played when possible (including Wednesday and Friday nights).  We try to avoid Sunday afternoons for make-up dates, but it is sometimes unavoidable.  

Playing up

Playing up is only allowed for the Rookie (6-year-olds) and Major Divisions (9/10).  If you choose to have your child accessed to play up a division please make note of it on your registration.  If you wish your child to play up, you must attend assessments.  If your child is not drafted by a rookie or major coach, they will be placed back into the T-Ball or Minor division. 

Equipment & Uniforms

Uniform:  When you register your child the items he/she will receive are 1 Hat and 1 Jersey. What about pants, belts, and socks? When teams are formed the coach or team mom will meet with parents the first practice and decide on sock color, belt color, pant color, etc. Once the decision has been made the coach or team mom will get prices from local shops/stores then decide if they want to do a bulk order. Sometimes you can save a little money on the cost of these items doing it this way. On the other hand sometimes you can get a better deal purchasing yourself. Regardless of how it works out you'll have the information needed to make the purchase.

Equipment:  We want all the kids to be safe on the baseball field so they can enjoy the game. That being said JCYB provides each team with a limited number of batting helmets and catching equipment (if needed). The only required item for your child is a glove.  Other optional items include a bat, cleats, batting gloves, helmet, and bat bag.  If you plan on buying a bat, waiting until the first practice and talking to a coach is always the best option.  New this year, Cal Ripken and JCYB have adopted the new USA Bat Standards effective January 1, 2018.  If you plan to purchase a bat, please educate yourself on these new rules.  We have attached a link for you to further research legal bats.