Wilton Youth Baseball consists of 4 levels of play:
T-Ball
Rookie
Minors
Majors
Play-Up Policy House League
Travel League
T-Ball
T-Ball is an introductory Division for children ages
5 to 6 years old who are new to the game of baseball. T-Ball is NOT intended to be
competitive, it is intended to be fun. Players will be exposed to the basics of baseball including hitting, catching, throwing and base running.
Players hit balls placed upon a tee. Some skill goals are listed below.
Skill Goals:
- Learn which direction to run the bases.
- Learn bat/equipment safety.
- Learn basic throwing skills.
- Introduction to positions (infield, outfield, bases)
- Introduction to team sports and getting along with others.
- Have Fun!
Rookie
Rookie is a developmental Division and is composed of children ages
7 to 8 years old. All players are evaluated prior to team formation
in the areas of hitting, catching, throwing, and base running. Rookie is a semi competitive Division, however, coaching emphasis is
upon player instruction and development. Children hit a pitched baseball from a coach. Ten players are assigned to field positions each inning,
and all roster players bat whether assigned to a field position or not. Game scores and standings are recorded. Some skill goals are listed below.
Skill Goals:
- Learn the fundamentals of batting with emphasis on proper stance, grip and swing.
- Learn the fundamentals of how to hold, aim and throw a ball.
- Learn the fundamentals of fielding ground balls with emphasis on proper stance, glove and hand position.
- Learn the fundamentals of catching fly balls with emphasis on moving to the ball location and proper glove and hand position.
- Learn the fundamentals of base running.
- Learn basic baseball rules and strategy and how to apply these in offensive and defensive situations.
- Learn the importance of respecting the Umpires (as representatives of the rules, order and fair play necessary for fun and
sportsmanship).
- Learn to love the game of baseball and come back next year!
Minors
Minor Division players range from
9 to 10 years old. The league introduces new rules including; the number of players on the field
is reduced from 10 to 9, base stealing is permitted, and there is no limitation regarding the numbers of batters that can be walked per
inning. All 12 players on the team bat. Managers draft players based upon tryout ratings and their individual team needs. Each player
must play a minimum of three innings in a six-inning game. Coaches focus on developing individual and team skills to field a competitive team
and prepare them for the Majors Division. Game scores and standings are recorded. Upon completion of the regular season, a post-season playoff
tournament is held. Some skill goals are listed below.
Skill Goals:
- Continued focus on good sportsmanship and team play!
- Batting skills development including bunting, pitch selection and reading signals from Manager/Coach.
- Increased development of catchers (signals, blocking, pass balls, making the throw from home to second, good throws back to
pitcher on the mound and when pitcher is covering home plate) as importance of position increases at this level.
- Pitching emphasis on good mechanics, injury prevention (ice), and development of pitching variety (fastball, change-up, location).
- Develop base running skills for situational play.
- Fielding emphasis on getting behind the ball and setting up the throw, getting ball to the correct position for the out or to
keep the runners from advancing.
- Arm strengthening through practice (long toss).
Majors
Majors is for children
11 to 12 years old and is considered a highly competitive Division. Managers draft players based upon
tryout ratings and their individual team needs. Coaches focus on developing individual and overall team skills to field the most
competitive team. Nine players are assigned to field positions and all 12 players bat. Game scores and standings are recorded. Upon
completion of the regular season, a post-season playoff tournament is held. Some skill goals are listed below.
Skill Goals:
- Develop batting mechanics (bunting, driving, making adjustments to speed etc.) and pitch selection.
- Develop accurate throws from outfielders to proper cutoff person.
- After fielding the ball knowing where to make the throw and getting it there. Develop fielding strategies based on skills.
- Reading signals from Coach/Manager and implementing directives.
- Arm strengthening and accuracy thru practices (long toss).
- Working as a team to get outs.
- Pitching emphasis is to continue developing pitch variety with good mechanics (fastball 2 seam/4 seam, change-up, cutter, slider etc.) and injury prevention/arm care.
- Catcher skills include developing pitch calling skills, accurate throws to all bases, minimize pass balls, etc.
- Good Sportsmanship!
Play Up Policy - House League
The following policy has been established for those kids who have requested to "Play Up" a division.
Division Ages
- T-Ball - Ages 5 and 6
- Rookie - Ages 7 and 8
- Minors - Ages 9 and 10
- Majors - Ages 11 and 12
A player is qualified for division play based on age, or when they have completed two years at the previous level. For example a child
may be 8 and be qualified to play in the Minor Division if they have completed two years of Rookie Ball.
Play up is defined as a player who has played at least one year at the division that corresponds with their age and would now like to
play in the next division. For example a child who has completed one year of play at the Rookie level requests to play in Minors.
All players opting to "Play Up" must be assessed in both divisions, for which they are currently qualified as well as the "Play Up" division.
The process will be for those who want to play up that the player go through the assessment process as defined by the WYB board and the Player
Agent for all players in that division. Currently players are assessed by the coaches for the division in which they participate in four area's;
- Running
- Fielding - Ground balls and Fly Balls
- Throwing
- Hitting
The rating scale is 1 - 10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 the highest. All Coaches in the division being assessed participate in the
assessment of all players. The scores are then entered into the computer and averaged by each of the disciplines mentioned above
providing the overall average for the player.
As a means of creating a baseline score for the all players identified as "play up", the assessment scores of all players assessed will
be added up and divided by the number of players assessed to create an average score. The "Play Up" player must score
above the mean score...If they do not they will not be allowed to move up and will need to stay in the division for which they are qualified.
The players are then ranked from highest to lowest average score to facilitate the draft.
Travel League
Wilton Youth Baseball offers an opportunity for those players who are looking for more competitive baseball.
Travel baseball requires a commitment on both the player and his/her family. Wilton Youth Baseball competes in
the Eastern New York Division and plays against neighboring communities such as Ballston Spa, South Glens Falls,
Clifton Park, Colonie and Niskayuna.