Registration

Fall Registration is open!

T-Ball Division
Ages 4-6 (as of 4/30/23)

Cal Ripken "Rookie" Division
(Coach pitch)
Ages 6-8 (as of 4/30/23)

Cal Ripken “Minor” Division
(Player pitch)
Ages 8-10 (as of 4/30/23)

Assessments (date TBA) will be held for this division. If you cannot attend the assessment, input from past coaches/assessments will be utilized to determine draft selections.

Ultimately, division managers will decide who is selected for each division. Not all 8s will be selected into the Minors division. Not all 10s will be selected into the Majors division.

Cal Ripken “Major” Division
Ages 10-12 (as of 4/30/23)

Assessments (date TBA) will be held for this division. If you cannot attend the assessment, input from past coaches/assessments will be utilized to determine draft selections. Ultimately, division managers will decide who is selected for each division. Not all 8s will be selected into the Minors division. Not all 10s will be selected into the Majors division.

Babe Ruth Baseball
Ages 13-16 (as of 4/30/23)

Baseball Division Contacts

Equipment Needed

Please see rules and regulations for each division for more details on the specific equipment permitted/recommended.

T-Ball

Team shirt/jersey and hat provided
pants are encouraged but not required
“USA Baseball Tee Ball” bat
Glove required
Personal helmet (face cage) / bat encouraged

Cal Ripken

Team shirt/jersey, hat and socks provided
Pants are available for those needing them (while supplies last) (new players or players who have outgrown prior seasons’ pair)
Metal cleats are prohibited
Glove required
Personal helmet encouraged (face cage required through age 10)
Personal bat encouraged
Bats must be “USA Baseball” / 2 ⅝” barrel max (no BBCOR bats)

Babe Ruth

Only team shirt and hat provided
Glove required
Personal bat encouraged
Bats must be “USA Baseball” or “BBCOR .50” 2 ⅝” barrel
Metal cleats are allowed

Important Dates

Game and Practice Commitments

Tee Ball

1 combined game/practice per week (Saturday mornings)
Typically 1 hour and 15 minutes
Primary game/practice location: Municipal Athletic Complex
Practice locations and dates/times are chosen by the coach at the start of the season

Cal Ripken Baseball

2 games per week (one weekend game and one weekday game)
1 practice per week (at coaches discretion)
Primary game/practice location: Municipal Athletic Complex
Practice locations and dates/times are chosen by the coach at the start of the season

Babe Ruth Baseball

2 games per week (one weekend game and one weekday game)
Weekday games start after school activities (7:30)
1 practice per week (at coaches discretion)
Primary game/practice location: Municipal Athletic Complex
Practice locations and dates/times are chosen by the coach at the start of the season

Details on field locations can be found here.

Coaching

All HVBSA teams are staffed by volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, and team parents. The success of our league is largely dependent on the generosity and commitment of our volunteers. Per Hopewell Township and Babe Ruth League requirements, all coaches must complete background checks and training. If you are interested in being a head coach or an assistant coach, please email one of the division coordinators above.

Rules and Regulations

Parent Volunteer Requirements

Parent Volunteering Responsibilities

HVBSA is a parent-run, volunteer-supported non-profit organization and we rely on the time and talents of our parent volunteers.

All parents are required to serve in a volunteer role during the season.

How to volunteer:

Gameday volunteer responsibilities include:

Pre-game field prep (raking, lining fields, etc)
Post-game field prep (raking, tarps, etc)
Scoreboard operator (if applicable)
Dugout parent (for younger players)
Empty and change out trash bag after game (if needed)

In addition to gameday responsibilities, there are other volunteer opportunities that are needed to fill throughout the season.

Snack Bar volunteering
Participate in a Fields Clean Up Day at the beginning and end of each season
Volunteer at Opening Day or other HVBSA community events
Volunteer a particular skill or trade of yours that could benefit and help the organization. (contractor, electrician, plumber, landscaper, etc.)

For more information on ways to volunteer, email pacepurdy@yahoo.com

Softball Ages and Divisions

A Division (“8U”)
Ages: 6-8 (as of Jan 1, 2023)
2014, 2015, 2016 Birth Years

(Description to come.)

AA Division (“10U”)
Ages: 9-10 (as of Jan 1, 2023)
2012, 2013 Birth Years

(Description to come.)

Majors Division (“12U”)
Ages: 11-12 (as of Jan 1, 2023)
2010, 2011 Birth Years

(Description to come.)

Seniors Division (“14U”)
Ages: 13-14 (as of Jan 1, 2023)
2008, 2009 Birth Years

(Description to come.)

Softball Division Contacts

Equipment Needed

Please see rules and regulations for each division for more details on the specific equipment permitted/recommended.

Team shirt/jersey and socks provided
Softball pants are available for those needing them (new players and those who have outgrown and/or outworn prior seasons’ pair)
Girls typically have their own glove, helmet and bat
- We have a limited supply of helmets and bats available to use for the season for those who do not have their own.
Bats must be marked as "Official Softball Bat" or "Official Fastpitch Bat"
Players must wear a fielding mask while playing an infield position (including pitcher), and we strongly recommend wearing one while playing all positions.
Metal cleats are prohibited for A, AA, Majors divisions.

Important Dates

Game and Practice Commitments

Typically one weeknight per week (practice or game) and a Saturday game
Some weeks, teams will play two weeknights and there may be an occasional Sunday game at the older levels, depending on scheduling needs
More details on HVBSA local field locations can be found here.
Exact Schedules (practice/game locations, dates and times) will be established in March, based on coach and field availability.

Coaching

Rules and Regulations

Please click on the links below:

Player Code of Conduct
Bat Guidelines
Softball Division Rules

Key Softball Rules at each level

A Division (“8U”)
- No score is kept
- Coach pitch, or use tee if necessary (batter cannot strike out)
- Batter can be retired on a fielded out (catch, force out, etc)
- No stealing

AA Division (“10U”)
- Player pitch from 35’, until 4 balls on batter. Coach pitch to finish batter, player pitch resumes with next batter
- Steals permitted of third base only. Runners can leave base after ball crosses home plate

Majors Division (“12U”)
- Player pitch from 40’
- Steals permitted of all bases, including home. Runners can leave base after ball crosses home plate
- Batted ball is live and runners can advance until ball returns to pitcher in circle

Seniors Division (“14U”)
- Player pitch from 43’
- Steals permitted of all bases, including home. Runners can leave base after ball is released from pitcher’s hand
- Dropped third strike, Infield Fly in effect

Parent Volunteer Requirements

Parent Volunteering Responsibilities

HVBSA is a parent-run, volunteer-supported non-profit organization and we rely on the time and talents of our parent volunteers.

All parents are required to serve in a volunteer role during the season.

How to volunteer:

Gameday volunteer responsibilities include:

Pre-game field prep (raking, lining fields, etc)
Post-game field prep (raking, tarps, etc)
Scoreboard operator (if applicable)
Dugout parent (for younger players)
Empty and change out trash bag after game (if needed)

In addition to gameday responsibilities, there are other volunteer opportunities that are needed to fill throughout the season.

Snack Bar volunteering
Participate in a Fields Clean Up Day at the beginning and end of each season
Volunteer at Opening Day or other HVBSA community events
Volunteer a particular skill or trade of yours that could benefit and help the organization. (contractor, electrician, plumber, landscaper, etc.)

For more information on ways to volunteer, email pacepurdy@yahoo.com