Suncook Valley Cal Ripken Baseball League
The league consists of 6 surrounding towns: Alton, Barnstead, Chichester, Epsom, Loudon, and Pittsfield. Except where specially noted home games are played at the Epsom Central School 60' baseball diamond (Cutter Field). Practices start in early to mid-April depending on the division and games start the last Saturday in April through mid-June.
Tee Ball (ages 4-6)
Practice is one weekday night, games on Saturday in Epsom or Chichester. Learn hitting and fielding fundamentals in a supportive team environment. Young athletes hit the ball from a batting tee which is height-adjusted for a level swing, batting in order through the line-up for the entire game. In order to participate, players must be age 4 as of August 31 (new for 2019), no exceptions are allowed.
Schedule: 1 practice a week M-Th for one hour generally starting at 5:30 or 6:00pm. Games on Saturday at 9:00am. An additional game is possible mid-week.
Required Equipment: Glove, Protective cup (boys)
Minimum Required Skills: None
Ready for Rookie division when: The player will still likely miss more balls than they catch, but there should be some ability to catch a ball thrown from a short distance directly at the player.
Rookie Division (ages 7-9, team selection based on evaluation )
Practice or Game on two weekday nights, games on Saturday mornings (ECS). The Rookie division is coach pitched to allow for more hittable balls at the plate and more action in the field. The Rookie league emphasizes learning the rules of baseball and provides competition against other towns to prepare them for the next level. Players are required to provide gray baseball pants and protective cup.
Schedule: 2 practices a week for 1 - 1.5 hours starting at 5 or 5:30pm. Games @ 11am on Saturday. Scrimmages or additional games are possible mid-week.
Required Equipment: Glove, Protective cup (boys), Gray baseball pants
Minimum Required Skills:
Catching - First year players will miss or drop most thrown balls. Second and third year players should show improvement and catch 50% of accurate thrown balls.
Throwing - None
Batting - None
Ready for Minor division when: Demonstrates ability to catch most thrown balls, stands at the plate with confidence, and has consistent success against a coach pitcher. The player should have adequate focus and attention during games from all positions.
Minor Division (ages 8-10 as of April 30, team selection based on evaluation)
Practice one weekday, games Tuesday and Saturday. Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. Features a 46' pitching distance and 60' base paths. Games are pitched by players. Players are required to provide gray baseball pants, protective cup, and cleats.
Schedule: 1 practice a week for 1.5-2 hours starting at 5 or 5:30pm. Games Tues @5:45pm and Saturday @2pm.
Required Equipment: Glove, Protective cup (boys), Gray pants, Cleats
Minimum Required Skills:
Catching - 50-60% of thrown balls
Throwing - From second base position to first base with accuracy and enough quickness to beat a runner.
Fielding - Should be able to field most direct ground balls. May still have difficulty with catching and tracking fly balls.
Batting - Correct stance and approach to the plate. Has general knowledge of the strike zone. Does not back out of batters box on every thrown pitch.
Ready for Major division when: Demonstrates ability to catch all thrown balls. Shows solid fundamentals in fielding, throwing, and batting. Has confidence batting against any Minor division player pitcher.
Major/60 Division (ages 11-12 as of April 30, team selection based on evaluation)
Features a 46' pitching distance and 60' base paths. This is a competitive division where the season record determines playoff seeding. Players are required to provide gray baseball pants, protective cup, and cleats.
Schedule: 1 practice a week for 1.5-2 hours starting at 5 or 5:30pm. Games Mon and Thurs @ 5:45pm and Saturday @ 5pm.
Required Equipment: Glove, Protective cup (boys), Gray pants, Cleats
Minimum Required Skills:
Catching - Catches all thrown balls.
Throwing - From third base position to first base with speed and accuracy.
Fielding - Should be able to field all direct ground and fly balls. Tracking fly balls may still be difficult for some.
Batting - Correct stance and form. Shows confidence facing player pitchers throwing 45+MPH
