Youth Baseball
If it is the first year a player will participate in the Grove City Youth Baseball program, please bring the following items with you to registration:
Participant's birth certificate
Proof of Grove City residency (i.e. current utility bill, current check stub, bank statement), if appropriate
Full payment fee
Rules
Please review the right-side menu for the rules for each league.
Spring/Summer 2012
Wednesday, Feb. 1 through Wednesday, Feb. 29*: registration at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tuesday, Feb. 28: extended office hours to 7 p.m.Saturday, March 24: observation at Windsor Park for players in the following leagues:Sunday, April 1 (2 p.m.): Head coaches’ meetingWeek of April 1: Practices startSaturday, May 5: Opening DaySaturday, May 19: Picture Day
* After Wednesday, Feb. 29, late registration will be accepted with placement based on availability;
Location
Please register for youth baseball in the Parks and Recreation office in City Hall, 4035 Broadway.Windsor Park, 4414 Broadway
Sponsorship
For information on sponsoring a youth baseball team, vist the Baseball Sponsorship page .
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you honor participant requests?
It is the philosophy of the City of Grove City Parks and Recreation Department to treat all persons fairly and equally, including offering equal recreational baseball experiences for all leagues and teams. In adhering to this philosophy, there is a maximum of four situations where players may be automatically assigned to a team. These are the head coach’s child, two assistant coaches’ children and the respective sponsor’s child. No other participant requests will be honored. There is no longer a coaches’ draft; players who are not automatically assigned are placed on teams by the Grove City Parks and Recreation Department.
If other commitments will consistently conflict with practices on a specific day or time, please note this on the application. There is no guarantee that scheduling requests will be honored.
Is it possible to exchange uniforms for a different size?
Uniforms are ordered immediately following the draft. Due to the timely nature of uniform ordering, exchanges cannot be honored, (i.e. no team changes). Please double check the size order to be correct; we have sample clothing at sign-ups to assist with sizing. Uniforms will consist of the following: Grove City Parks and Recreation jersey, hat and socks, as well as baseball pants for spring/summer participants. Sponsor names are placed on the back of each jersey. If the customer orders the wrong size, a new jersey can be ordered at the customer's expense. If unsure, order a larger size.
In which league will my child play?
What days will my child play?
All teams practice from the week of April 1 until Opening Day on Saturday, May 5. Once the season begins, only Minor, Major, Pony and Colt leagues have practice (held on Saturdays); T-Ball, Peewee 6, Peewee 7 and Peewee 8 teams play games only. All leagues play two games per week. Practice and game days are subject to change depending on the number of teams in each league. Make-up games are played on Saturday.
T-Ball: Monday/Wednesday/Friday Peewee 6: Tuesday/Thursday Peewee 7: Monday/Wednesday/Friday Peewee 8: Tuesday/Friday with Saturday practice Minor: Monday/Wednesday with Saturday practice Major: Tuesday/Thursday with Saturday practice Pony: Tuesday/Thursday with Saturday practice Colt: Monday/Saturday (practices and games)
How do I know which team my child is on?
Coaches will call all team members shortly after the coaches' meeting on Sunday, April 1.
When does the season start and end?
Teams have their first practices during the week of April 1; coaches receive the practice schedules at their meeting. Practices are scheduled for Monday through Saturday on various nights. Opening Day is Saturday, May 5. The season will end in mid-July (dependent upon weather). Rain-out practices will not be made up. Make-ups for games are scheduled on Saturdays.
When will teams get their pictures taken?
Picture Day for spring baseball participants is Saturday, May 19 at Windsor Field 1. Packets will be distributed by the coaches along with the specific time for the team.
What size bat should we buy?
Please be sure to adhere to the following guidelines when purchasing a bat for your child. These guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of our participants. Bats for T-Ball, Peewee 6, Peewee 7 and Peewee 8 must be labeled “Little League Approved.” Minor and Major league bats must not exceed a barrel size of 2¼ inches. Pony league players must use a bat with no more than a 3-ounce drop (-3). The drop is the difference between the number of inches in the bat’s length and the number of ounces bat’s weight, i.e. a bat 33-inches long and weighing 30 ounces, has a drop equal to (-3).
Coaching | What am I required to do as a coach?
If you would like to participate as a coach in our program, please visit the Grove City Parks and Recreation Department located in City Hall, 4035 Broadway, to fill out a volunteer coach application . Once you have been approved to be a coach you will need to take online training for coaches through the
National Youth Sports Coaches Assocation . Background checks will be performed on every applicant.
Coaching | What is NYSCA?
The National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) helps volunteers understand the psychology of coaching children. The program gives coaches practical skills to help all participants have fun and maximize their athletic skills. It also provides continuing education, support and valuable resources to help develop coaching skills and enhance relationships with parents, official, and children involved in youth sports programs.
Coaching | Do coaches have to be NYSCA certified?
Yes. All head coaches in the Grove City Youth Baseball Program are required to be certified through the NYSCA. In order to pick up uniforms, head coaches will need to show proof of certification.
Coaching | How often do I have to renew my certification?
Certification must be renewed every year. Grove City Parks and Recreation will cover the annual $20 renewal fee for each head coach who needs certified or requires a renewed certification. Assistant coaches also are required to participate in the NYSCA program, but will not be required to become official members unless they want to pay the membership fees on their own accord.
How much are spring league fees?
T-Ball: $53 Resident; $63 Non-Resident Peewee 6: $53 Resident; $63 Non-Resident Peewee 7: $53 Resident; $63 Non-Resident Peewee 8: $53 Resident; $63 Non-Resident Minors: $73 Resident; $83 Non-Resident Majors: $73 Resident; $83 Non-Resident Pony: $73 Resident; $83 Non-Resident Colt: $73 Resident; $83 Non-Resident
What are observations?
The minor, major, pony and colt leagues have pre-season observations at Windsor Park on Saturday, March 24 to evaluate each player’s skills. This assessment helps distribute talent equally among teams. The process is quick and laid back; players will be asked to practice pitching and fielding. Children of coaches and assistant coaches also need to attend observations. If observations are cancelled due to inclement weather, players will still be assigned in a blind draft. Cancellations will be noted on the Weather Update/Event Hotline at 614-277-3060.
The Grove City Parks and Recreation Department offers recreational baseball for children ages five to 17. Registration takes place, in person only, during business hours in February for the spring/summer league and June for the fall league. League assignments are based upon the player's age as of April 30.
