Programs

A Quick Note About Baseball Age and Pitching

Players are placed based on “Baseball Age”, which is the age of a player as of April 30th of a given year. This date represents the average start date of the Spring Season and is used to form Spring and Summer teams. Fall ball is more casual and done based on grade level. Please note, the league may make exceptions to placement based on extreme circumstances. An example of this would be a parent specifically requesting an older player to play down due to having never played before or skill level.

Additionally, Norfolk Baseball’s Spring Cal Ripken League adheres to the smart pitching guidelines as defined by Major League Baseball for youth organizations.

Spring

Our flagship season, Spring is primarily developmental in nature and consists of “Cal Ripken” for younger players aged 4-12, and “Babe Ruth” for children aged 13-18.

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Summer

For those players who wish to continue playing after Spring, Norfolk participates in more competitive, merit based, multi-town summer leagues.

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Fall

A more recreational, casual centric level of play for those kids who want to continue baseball into the Autumn months with other local towns.

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Cannons

Norfolk’s town AAU club, geared towards players that want an opportunity to compete at a higher level of play during the spring and seek a structured offseason development program.

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Winter Clinics

Spring

Tee Ball Division
(Baseball Age 4-5) A Division
(Baseball Age 6-7) AA Division
(Baseball Age 8-9) AAA Division
(Baseball Age 9-11) Majors Division
(Baseball Age 10-12) Babe Ruth
(Baseball Age 13-18)

Tee Ball Division
(Baseball Age 4-5)

Description: The first step in a young player’s baseball journey where players begin to develop core foundational skills needed as they progress through the different levels of the Cal Ripken league.

What to Expect: Tees are utilized to gain familiarity with hitting. Fundamentals of throwing, catching, and base running utilizing basic techniques. Practices are normally structured around “stations” that focus on foundational skill development. Practices and games are often combined and shared between two teams. The first half hour is focused on the skills stations (throwing, base running, hitting, and catching), while the second half of the hour is a “simulated game” – the entire lineup hits each inning and players are moved around defensively to give everyone a feel for the positions. Practices and games are typically held on Saturday mornings.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing Tee Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are not required but are better alternatives than sneakers and jeans/sweatpants. Norfolk Baseball provides all other equipment. Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

A Division
(Baseball Age 6-7)

Description: A Ball is where a player starts putting together fundamental skills with the basics of baseball rules.

What to Expect: Combination of tee and slow coach pitching. More focus is placed on proper positioning, defense, and play making. More advanced drills are used to develop a player’s ability to catch fly balls, throw further, and properly play each position. Practices and games are often combined and shared between two teams. The first half hour is focused on the skills stations (throwing, base running, hitting, and catching), while the second half of the hour the game is played. Coaches will decide the format of games collectively based on where the two teams are at in their development to best introduce the kids to live ball. Games are typically held on Saturdays mornings and early afternoons, with an additional practice during the week.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing A Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are not required, but certainly may be better alternatives than sneakers and jeans or sweatpants. Norfolk Baseball provides all other equipment. Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

AA Division
(Baseball Age 8-9)

Description: The first introduction to live, scored, and officiated play. While all teams make the playoffs, seeding is done based on record. AA ball players also take part in the “KP Cup”, a tri-town mid-season tournament. For detailed AA rules, click here.

What to Expect: Evaluations begin at this age to help build balanced teams. 9’s have the option to try out for AAA (exception – 4th grade 9’s are automatically in AAA). A mix of coach pitch and kid pitch is utilized. Players learn to play each position and focus on situational defense, hitting, pitching, catching, and baserunning/sliding. Practices include drills focused on learning situational defense and how to play together as a team to make outs. Stations usually involving batting and pitching technique. Games are played through five innings. Hitting lineups and defensive assignments lean toward balanced opportunities. There is typically a combination of two practices/games held during the week.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing AA Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets, bats, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

AAA Division
(Baseball Age 9-11)

Description: Games get more competitive. Kids begin to earn time at positions based on their skill and the work they devote to practice. While all teams make the playoffs, seeding is done based on record. AAA ball players will also take part in the “KP Cup”, a tri-town mid-season tournament. Play is conducted on a field which is 46 feet from the mound to home plate and 60 feet between base paths. For detailed AAA rules, click here.

What to Expect: Evaluations to help build balanced teams. 11’s and 5th grade 10’s have the option to tryout for the majors division. Exclusively kid pitch. Practices are focused on advanced techniques, and understanding situational baseball: hitting, defensive alignments, and stealing bases. Games are played through six innings. During tournaments and playoffs, hitting lineups start to skew more merit based and aptitude for certain defensive positions will earn more time at those spots. There are typically two to three practices/games held per week.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing AAA Ball. Jerseys and Caps are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets, bats, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Majors Division
(Baseball Age 10-12)

Description: Norfolk Baseball’s prime Cal Ripken competitive division and the last developmental baseball level kids will play until they enter the Babe Ruth program. Majors players will also take part in the “KP Cup”, a tri-town mid-season tournament. Play is conducted on a field which is 50 feet from the mound to home plate and 70 feet between base paths. For detailed Majors rules, click here.

What to Expect: Evaluations for balanced teams (7th grade 12’s have the option to play up to the Babe Ruth league). Pitchers are throwing fast and sometimes different pitches. Kids playing at this level are expected to have a strong grasp of the standard rules of the game. Pitchers are called for balks, runners may lead off and steal at will. Practices are designed to mature skill sets in preparation for a more advanced level of baseball. Games are played through six innings. During tournament and playoffs, defensive positions and hitting line ups are merit based and entirely earned.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing Majors Ball. Jerseys and Caps are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets, bats, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Babe Ruth
(Baseball Age 13-18)

Description: When kids complete the Cal Ripken program, if they choose to continue playing baseball, they may register for the Babe Ruth program, which ensures every kid has a place to play baseball every year until graduation. Whereas the spring Cal Ripken program is mostly based around in-town competition, Norfolk’s Babe Ruth teams participate in the Massasoit League, which is made up of several local towns which compete against each other. Babe Ruth baseball registration is handled by a separate league, which can be found here.

What to Expect: The most advanced baseball program in town. No evaluations are held as players are typically separated into three divisions: Middle School (Grades 7 and 8), Junior Varsity (Grades 9 and 10), and Varsity (Grades 11 and 12). Teams are formed from a pool of players from all three KP towns (Norfolk, Wrentham, and Plainville). Practices are designed to finely hone existing skills. Games are played through seven innings on a full sized baseball diamond.

Equipment: Kids need to have their own glove for playing Majors Ball. Jerseys and Caps are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. Kids supply all their personal gear, and bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Summer

Fireball
(7 year olds) Friendship League
(8 year olds) Hockomock League
(8-12 year olds) Summer Placement Guidelines

Fireball
(7 year olds)

Description: If there is enough interest at this age level, Norfolk may participate in this league which is administrated by the town of Wrentham. All summer games are against other local towns.

What to Expect: Continuing lessons taught in spring, practices are age equivalent, but may include some additional advanced skills depending on the current league rules adopted by the participating summer towns. Fireball runs for the month of July with games and practices mostly held on weeknights. Your coach will be able to provide additional details on the schedule once teams are announced.

Equipment & Fields Used: Children need to have their own glove for playing summer ball. Baseball Caps and Jerseys will be distributed by your team manager at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. As many of the games are travel, kids will need to have their own bats, helmets, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Friendship League
(8 year olds)

Description: If there is enough interest at this age level, Norfolk may participate in this league, which is administrated by the town of Foxboro. The Friendship league is an introduction to competitive summer baseball. All summer games are against other local towns.

What to Expect: Continuing lessons taught in spring, practices are age equivalent, but may include some additional advanced skills depending on the current league rules adopted by the participating summer towns. This may include stealing for example. Friendship runs through the month of July with games and practices are mostly held on weeknights. Your coach will be able to provide additional details on the schedule once teams are announced.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing summer baseball. Baseball Caps and Jerseys will be distributed by your team manager at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. As many of the games are travel, kids will need to have their own bats, helmets, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Hockomock League
(8-12 year olds)

Description: Tryouts are held at the end of spring to evaluate skill levels, combined with other evaluation points (pre-Spring and Coach evaluations). Based on skill and baseball acumen, players at each age level will be selected to play on the Norfolk All-Star (Division 1) teams. Players must have played Norfolk spring baseball to be eligible for a Division 1 team. These teams are all baseball age specific (Ages 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12). Kids do not "play up" to a Hockmock team unless there isn't enough age appropriate kids to fill a roster. All other players registered will have a roster position on an age-appropriate Division 2 or 3 team. Players do not have to have participated in spring to be eligible for these teams. The number of teams at each age vary depending on total registrants. Division 3 teams at 9/10U are combined, and Division 3 teams at 11/12U are combined.

What to Expect: Continuing lessons taught in spring, practices are age equivalent, but will likely include additional advanced skills depending on the current Hockomock league rules adopted by the participating summer towns. This may include removing run or steal limits for example. Hockomock Summer League play runs from mid June through July with games and practices are mostly held on weeknights. Your coach will be able to provide additional details.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing Summer Ball. Baseball Caps and Jerseys will be distributed by your team manager at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. As many of the games are travel, kids will need to have their own bats, helmets, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Summer Placement Guidelines

How is age eligibility determined?

Unlike our spring teams, summer teams represent a maximum eligible age as of April 30 in a given year.

Norfolk Baseball makes exceptions to this policy only for players who play with their grade in the preceding spring and have birthdays such that their “baseball age” would oblige them to play with players in a grade beneath their spring baseball grade cohort. Typically, these are players with birthdays between April 30 and August 31st

In these cases only, parents may petition the board to have their player evaluated to play on an all-star team above their baseball age. However, if the player is offered a slot in the age group one year above their baseball age, the player is obliged to accept that offer and will not be considered for a roster spot on the team within their baseball age group. Any player who petitions and is allowed to evaluate above their baseball age who is NOT selected to play up will be offered a spot on a standard roster for their age group.

Example 1: A Player is a June 20th Birthday and is in fifth grade. The player plays with fifth graders in spring but is 10 years old as of April 30, which make him a “Baseball 10”. As most fifth graders are “Baseball 11’s”, Norfolk Baseball allows that child to try out with the 11 year old age group.
Example 2: A Player is a June 20th Birthday and is in fourth grade. The player plays with fourth graders in spring and is 10 years old as of April 30th, which make him a “Baseball 10”. Norfolk Baseball does not permit that player to try out for the 11 year old age group.

These standards apply to Norfolk Baseball competitive summer leagues, which begin at the 8u level. As there is presently no competitive summer program for players under the age of 8, all children at the 7U level are assigned to a Firecracker team, which is an introduction to summer baseball. There is presently no offering for 6U and below.

Note: Regardless of age, players are only eligible for one year at a given level for an all-star team. If a player plays up to an 11U team as a Baseball aged 10 player, that player cannot play their next year on the 11U team with the younger cohort as they have used that year of eligibility.

Who is eligible to play Norfolk summer baseball?

All Norfolk town residents are eligible to play summer baseball. However, only players who played in the spring Norfolk season are eligible to play all-star level summer baseball. Any summer registrants who did not play spring baseball will be assigned to a standard team roster.

How are teams chosen?

Rosters for all teams at both the all-star and standard levels are generated based on:

Spring Season performance;
summer evaluation scores;
past summer performance; and
team positional needs.

If Norfolk Baseball has enough registrants for multiple teams at the standard level, those teams will be balanced so that both are equally competitive.

How and when are head coaches chosen?

Norfolk chooses qualified head coaches who has demonstrated the integrity, ability, and commitment to shepherding their team through a competitive five week summer schedule. These coaches must embody and demonstrate to our players the importance of sportsmanship, leadership, and respect.

Who scores the players at the evaluations?

Each age group will have independent evaluators, meaning, that nobody with a child trying out for that age group will be allowed to score that age. These evaluators are usually Board Members or coaches from other age groups. Similarly, except in rare circumstances, those helping on the field during evaluations will not have a player in that age group.

Fall

Grades 3-6
Grade 7

Grades 3-6

Description: We look to build teams at each grade level, but depending on registration numbers, may combine grades if need be. If there are enough kids for more than one team at each grade, then teams will be split evenly for balance.

What to Expect: These games are mostly played at our AAA field (46' pitchers mound to home plate, 60' between basepaths). Various rules are adjusted as the kids advance in grade level to keep games balanced and fair. Practices are usually held during the week, with games mixed between weekdays and weekend mornings (usually two per week).

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove, bat, and helmet. For those played summer baseball, players will re-use their caps and jersey to keep costs low. There may be a slightly higher cost for those who did not play summer and need a uniform. Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Grade 7

Description: Play is conducted on a field which is 50 feet from the mound to home plate and 70 feet between base paths.

What to Expect: Similar to the spring "Majors" season. Steals, leading, balks, etc. Practices are held during the week with games mixed between weekday evenings and weekend mornings (usually two per week).

Equipment: For those played summer baseball, players will re-use their caps and jersey to keep costs low. There may be a slightly higher cost for those who did not play summer and need a uniform. Baseball pants and cleats are required. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets, glove, bats, and catching gear (for those kids playing the position). Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Cannons

The Cannons were created to provide an opportunity for players to participate on an AAU club baseball team as part of their spring season.
The program is geared towards players that want to compete at a higher level of play and seek a structured offseason development program to enhance their baseball experience.

Cannons teams will participate in New England AAU Baseball or an equivalent league.

Developmental Cannons if there is enough interest, as early as baseball age 8, a developmental team can be put together to start teaching advanced fundamentals of the game. If available in a given year, this team will begin winter training together, and continue into the spring during the regular town spring season to get the kids ready for competitive play.

Junior Cannons will field teams for baseball age 9, 10, 11, & 12 that focus on developing the skills, discipline, and strong character necessary for our players to reach the highest level of personal growth and achievement while emphasizing a strong commitment to teamwork, work habits and mental preparations. These principals are the foundations for the intensive off-season training program, which are led by dedicated coaching staffs. The ideal Cannons players is hungry to learn how to play the game through active engagement and repetition, has respect for others and themselves, and puts team over individual accomplishments.

If selected to a team, our players can expect the following:

A 16 to 20 game schedule, consisting of league and non-league games, plus potential playoffs/tournaments
Games are played on either Saturdays and/or Sundays as double headers
Weekly indoor off-season training typically commencing in mid-December and concluding by the end March
Start of season in April and ends in June prior to the start of our summer program

Senior Cannons will field teams at baseball ages 13 and up that carry on the Junior level, but with an increased focus and commitment to the development of the student-athletes in our community. Our goal is to help our players develop the life skills necessary to meet obstacles head on by demonstrating confidence, self-esteem, and awareness of their actions. In addition to above, our senior players can expect:

Games likely to continue into July
Support for players that aspire to play at the collegiate level

In season practices are conducted at the discretion of each team’s coaching staffs but should not be prioritized over participation in their spring town league games.

Eligibility to Play Team Selection Manager Selection Expectations for Players, Parents and Coaches

Eligibility to Play

Junior and Senior Cannon teams primarily consist of players who live in one of the King Philip towns (Norfolk, Plainville, or Wrentham). Junior players must also be registered for their respective towns Spring Cal Ripken Leagues.

Senior players are encouraged to play in the Spring Massasoit League, but participation is not required to be eligible for the Senior Cannon teams.

Players are required to play for teams based on their baseball age. Cannons uses the AAU baseball age chart to determine a player's baseball age. In cases where an age-appropriate team is not available in the current year, a player may play up (not down) until one is available in the future.

Any exceptions to these rules must be requested and approved prior to tryouts. Exceptions must be approved by the Cannons board, along with the Commissioner and President of Norfolk Baseball and apply to only the current year. It is the responsibility of the player to make additional exception requests for subsequent years.

Players selected for the Cannons’ are expected to treat their other spring teams with equal respect and Cannons coaches will work with the other spring town league coaches to ensure a safe season for all.

Team Selection

Each year teams hold a formal tryout process. Applicants must attend a designated tryout for their approved age group. Rosters spots are not guaranteed and must be earned year to year. Tryouts are conducted by impartial evaluators who do not have a player in the age group to help ensure a fair and equitable experience for all participants.

Rosters are submitted by team managers and require the approval by the Cannons board, along with the Commissioner and President of Norfolk Baseball prior to announcement. Once approved, a roster offer letter is distributed to players and parents. Acceptance of the roster spot along with a non-refundable registration deposit is required to secure a spot on the team.

Teams may also select alternates for their rosters. An alternate player is one who will be eligible to participate in all off-season training but is not considered part of the regular playing roster. Alternate players become eligible to join the playing roster for any one game or for the reminder of the season if other players on the regular roster are unavailable.

The registration fee per team reflects all costs to run that team which includes uniforms and other apparel, umpires, applicable field usage fees, unless specifically excluded. Alternate players will be asked to pay a reduced registration fee to cover the cost of training and a uniform.

Manager Selection

Potential managers must send an indication to the Cannons board by the end of June expressing their interest in managing a Cannons team for the next season. To qualify for manager consideration, a candidate must satisfy the following:

Be a member of the baseball community from one of the KP towns, which include Norfolk, Plainville, or Wrentham
Be in good standing with their town’s baseball organizations
Supply the necessary CORI documentation
Demonstrate strong baseball knowledge and communication skills

All qualified candidates will be considered by the Cannons board, which will submit its recommendations to the Commissioner and President of Norfolk Baseball for final approval.

Once managers are selected, they will have the ability to nominate individuals for their respective coaching staffs for approval by the Cannons board, along with the Commissioner and President of Norfolk Baseball prior to announcement. Assistant Coaches also need to satisfy the aforementioned requirements.

Cannons managers are disqualified from managing summer Hock and spring teams of the same age level, although they are allowed to assistant coach.

Expectations for Players, Parents and Coaches

The Cannons season is meant to be a growth experience for players, and enjoyment to watch for families. The following summary lists what is expected of the player, coach and the proper etiquette of a parent to maximize the experience for everyone involved.

Expectations for the player:

Be on time to practices and games
Be willing to work hard during practices without complaining or disruption
Be respectful of coaching staffs
Follow all team guidelines and rules
Understand that playing time is earned through hard work in practice and execution on field
Be a positive influence for teammates by providing encouragement and leadership
Display good sportsmanship
Put your team first
Give 100%, 100% of the time

Expectations for the coach:

Be prepared for practices and games
Treat each player fairly
Communicate expectations to the players and parents
Always be willing to communicate honestly with parents and players
Treat the players like young men and never let them give up
Make sure the players are prepared physically and mentally for each game
Display good sportsmanship
Teach leadership through the right example

Expectations for the parents:

Make sure the player is willing to make the commitment necessary before accepting the invitation to join the team
Ensure the player is on time practices and games and communicate with the coach if an issue comes up that will cause a delay.
Understand that the coach must make decisions that are best for the team
Refrain from instructing the player from the stands. Cheering should be limited to encouragement and congratulations
Family members are not allowed in the dugout during a game (unless invited)
Never approach a coach about playing time during a game or immediately after
Treat opposing parents, fans, players, and coach with respect and good sportsmanship

For any inquiries, please contact the Cannons board.

Winter Clinics

Description/What to Expect: Norfolk Baseball tries to provide a “tune-up” series of clinics that are age level appropriate in content. These are usually held at local facilities, facilitated by Norfolk Baseball volunteers, and are focused on getting kids ready for tryouts and the upcoming spring season. Depending on age level, sessions usually range from 1-2 hours and are held once per week. These are entirely optional and can be registered for completely separately from the spring season. Additional information is usually available in early January, at the same time when spring registration opens.

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