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Questions about Baseball
March 2012
I know most children start baseball early and by 14 they are usually pros.
My son who was pretty skinny and small most of his life has suddenly
sprouted, grown muscles and is now desperate to play ball. I don't even
know where to begin with this or if there are even classes or teams that
would take my son with few skills but a true passion for playing. I know he
needs skills so was wondering if there was anything or anyone out there who
taught baseball skills for teens and/or if there are such things as baseball
classes that lead to participating in a more competitive team situations.
This would be my dream scenario but I would take something close if it
existed. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.
Liz
Most leagues have formed teams & are starting play RIGHT NOW (March 2012
) And the ''U14'' (14 and under teams) are very competitive. The 10
year old chewing on his glove in the outfield is LARGELY gone by 14.
But not entirely. We just changed leagues (we started in El Cerrito
Youth Baseball, moved to South Oakland Little League, & are now in
Oakland Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth) & joined (as a group of 4 boys who wanted
to stay together) a team that probably would not have been able to field
a full squad. While the overall level of play (WAY East Oakland,
heavily black & Hispanic) is very high, it's not uniform, & there are
kids w/ 1-2 years in baseball & are in need of a skills upgrade. The
good news is that MOST coaches, in ALL the leagues I've been in, are
there for the kids, & all skill levels are addressed.
If you want to try and get on a team THIS SPRING, go right to the top &
contact the league president - most leagues have contact information
somewhere on their web site. At his age, the Mandatory Play rules are
gone, so he'll ride a lot of pine, but he'll also learn a lot.
Other resources: ''Tips From The Coach''. His videos the Tips From The
Coach ones; he has a more detailed series with a college coach that are
extremely comprehensive, but dry as dust) are an excellent resource, &
between you & your kid, a batting tee, a few balls, & a roof or a wall
for solo fielding drills, your son could get competent pretty quickly if
he puts in the reps. Private coaching is available; I like Frank
Potestio for this, but it's $130+ per hour for private coaching.
Fianlly there are camps - most are oriented around younger, low skill
players. For insurance reasons, they may not be able to accept a 14
year old low-skill player, but call Mike Marshall Baseball academy in
Concord. He has a week long, indoor camp this year. He also has
private lessons, & there is another operator in the Oakland Hills nr
Merritt College who's name I can't recall that does after school
programs & private lessons. The best way to get value out of private
lessons is to video them, edit the fluff out at home, and have your son
watch it over, & over.
DO NOT get him a Hit-Away - he's strong enough to break it in a day or
two. Avoid almost all training aids. There are only a few that are
truly useful. Buy the best tee you can afford - kids hate them in
general, but coaches use them all the way up to the pros because they
are effective.
Baseball Single Parent
March 2012
I would like to get my stepson participating in a baseball
league in Berkeley, Oakland or vicinity. He is just a
novice but loves the game. I know of the existence of
Little League but don't know if that is for kids of all
abilities, or how to go about getting him signed up. Any
suggestions or info?
Cody
The North Oakland South Oakland Little League website is
nollsoll.com I think it's too late for spring. They have
a fall season (called ''fall ball'') that is less formal than
spring season. Check out their website and see about next
fall. I don't know about other leagues. I recommend
summerballcamp.com -- go to the website & contact the owners
and see if they think it would be a good fit. It's a summer
camp. My son went there for 3 years and had a great time. Good luck.
anon
You're probably too late for the regular 2012 Little League season, but there
are summer leagues and summer camps. For info, take a look at the North
Oakland/South Oakland LLeague website www.nollsoll.com. On the left side of
the home page, click on ''More Ball.'' You'll be able to find a place for your
10 year old to start, I'm sure. Good luck.
Ball Dude
Feb 2012
My 10 yr old son has never played baseball before but is dying to
play. Now I just need some recommendations for leagues/teams in
Berkeley where he might play. All suggestions much appreciated.
I'm not sure about the Berkeley spring baseball date
cut-offs, but I know it is getting late for the Oakland
little leagues. In case spring doesn't work out for you, I
want to recommend a summer camp for baseball, that
emphasizes fun and skill development. It has really great
high school age counselors, site director (Jared) and owners
(the Bonzells). summerballcamp.com
You could e-mail with Debbie Bonzell and see if it would be
a good fit for your son. The camp is for ages 6-11 and is
held at Caldecott Field near the intersection of Hwys 13 and
24. My son has gone the past 3 years when he was 7,8, and 9
years old and had a great time, and improved his skills. We
found it to be a very inclusive camp. Good luck in having a
fun time with baseball!
anon
Not sure about good leagues for him in this area, but coming from someone who
played lots of baseball, the best thing you can do for him to make sure he
gets along well with a team is focus on fundamentals before signing up. If
he doesn't know how to throw (relatively) properly, swing (relatively)
properly and not be afraid of the ball, then getting him in a league with
other, probably more experienced kids may not be as fun as he thinks it will
be.
Lots of catch in the back yard, and play many games of pepper...focus on lots
of fun with just the bare minmum of ''coaching''. At this age he needs just
enough coaching to help him avoid developing poor mechanics habits. We're
having such an amazing winter to prep him before the season starts.
Good luck!
Zack
North Oakland/South Oakland Little League territory includes about half of
Berkeley. Their program is great. (Both my sons played up through the
league over many years.) Single A ball probably would be right for a novice
10 year old. I know they put their teams together in January and February,
so you're late. Still, at the lowest level, tryouts aren't necessary and
they may have room on a team. Also, check their website. They offer web
links to other baseball programs under ''More Ball.'' www.nollsoll.com Good
luck.
Hello, check out Wheelhouse Academy of Baseball, they are a batting cage that
has just opened on Jacuzzi St. right below 580 between Albany exit and Center
St. exit. www.wheelhouseacademy.com Very friendly, no pressure, great fun!
Your son can choose to take lessons from their batting instructor or he can
just hang out and swing away. It's a non-profit org that wants to be a
community resource. 510-525-2989 Love the founder, Shiva Gaskins (full
disclosure, that's my husband)
Robin
Nov 2011
My ten year old son has never played sports and now wants to
play baseball. I have checked out the little league, but it
seems like he would have to end up playing with 7 year olds
to get started. Is there an alternative to little league?
Is little league welcoming to older kids without any experience?
anon
If you live by El Cerrito, try ECYB. They are a Pony league who go by
age, not skill, so he can play with other 10 year olds. Here is the
website: http://www.eteamz.com/ecyb/index.cfm?
Sarah
July 2011
My 9 year old son has decided he'd like to play baseball this fall, but
I'm having a problem finding a place for him! We saw the
recommendation in the archives for NOLL-SOLL, but their website does
not mention anything about a fall league and they did not respond to my
email inquiring about fall ball. We live in Berkeley and don't want to
travel very far. Thanks!
Trying to plan for fall
HI - stick with NOLLSOLL. They do have fallball and their website
(which I just checked) said registration will be coming soon. All three
of my boys have played NOLLSOLL and it is a good organization. The
entire thing is run by volunteers so sometimes things take a bit longer.
Baseball mom
Sept 2010
My older son played fall ball (baseball) at the University
village years ago. My youngest would now like to play but we
can't seem to find the program. Does anyone know where my 7
year old can play baseball this fall?
It may be too late to sign up at this point, but NOLL/SOLL
offers Fall Ball if you live in Oakland -
www.nollsoll.com. My 7yo is playing.
Baseball Mom
March 2010
We are looking for someone to hire for a baseball or soccer
birthday party for a 7yo boy. We've considered Bladium, but
would prefer an outdoor party, maybe at a park. We've also
thought about a place with batting cages and other
activities. Any ideas? birthday mom
I think you could do your own baseball party for cheap. We
did one for our son last year. We ordered official caps for
two favorite teams ($5.95 each at baseballsavings.com), and
divided the kids into two teams. They loved the hats, which
were also their party favor. There are enough adults who
know the game to coach, so we just asked a few parents to
stay and join the fun. Everyone stayed for hours. We
roasted hot dogs on a grill and offered popcorn, soda, and
beer for the adults. The only thing to make sure of is that
the baseball field is available. If the party is in spring
or summer, it may be hard to find one that isn't used for
Little League games. Also, have a rain date on the invite.
Have a great time! Soccer Mom
July 2008
We're moving from New York City to Montclair, and our 12 year-old is a
fanatical baseball player. Are there any late summer/fall/winter little
leagues or baseball programs for kids his age in the East Bay? Thanks.
Larry
Hi Larry -- You've come to the right place! NOLL-SOLL (North
Oakland-South Oakland Little League) runs a Fall Ball program in
September and October for kids ages 8-14 that's a lot of fun.
Registration is on now through August. There's more info and a
registration link on their home page: www.noll-soll.com.
Coach's wife
The local little league for Montclair is called NOLLSOLL (No
Oakland/South Oakland little league.) All 3 of my boys play in it and
they have fall ball which is registering now. Check it out at
www.nollsoll.org. You will find lots of players from Montclair!
Baseball mom
Questions about T-Ball
March 2011
I would like to get my 5.5 year old son on a T Ball team this spring or
summer. He had no experience on a team, but is very interested in the sport.
We live in the Lake Merritt area, and would like something that is 1-2 times
per week. The information on BPN seems to be outdated, does anyone have any
recommendations?
Thank you!
Rachel
If your son turned 5 by 4/30/11 and is in kindergarten, he's
eligible to play T-ball with North Oakland/South Oakland
Little League (NOLL/SOLL - www.nollsoll.com). _However_,
registration has ended and games started a couple weeks ago,
so I don't think you'd be able to get him on a team for this
year. Mark your calendar for next year's registration,
which will start in November. Both my boys played NOLL/SOLL
T-ball and loved it. Oakland Babe Ruth also runs T-ball
teams; I'm not as familiar with them but I'd guess their
season is underway already, too. Lastly, Oakland Park & Rec
offers T-ball programs for kids ages 3-6 at various parks -
it's more of a weekly practice than a team, but if he's
really jonesing for T-ball it might be a starting place. Details at
http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/programs/.
Baseball Mom
We've been doing baseball/tee-ball at ''El Cerrito Sports Camp'' with
our 4 year old boy for 2 sessions now [started going last Fall 2010].
It's run by Norm Freidman; great for kids not yet ready for Little
League. It's on Sundays . . . kids are generally 4-6 years old. We
live in Berkeley -- being a resident of El Cerrito not necessary.
http://www.elcerritosportscamp.com/programs.html Antoinette
March 2009
I'm looking for some summer activities for my son who will turn 4 in
August. I see that many of the sports classes start at age 4 or
older, and we'd like to take the classes in June or July. I'm
thinking t-ball or soccer. Preferably in Berkely, Albany, or El
Cerrito. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks.
Anon
Oakland Park & Rec offers t-ball, soccer and other sports (just
practicing and playing around, not official teams/games, which
they're really not ready for at this age, anyway) for ages 3 or 3.5
and up. See www.oaklandnet.com/parks/programs/ or see if a city
closer to you has something similar. We did both t-ball and soccer
there when my son was 3 or 4 and had a lot of fun.
Sports Mom
Sept 2007
Hello,
Does anyone know of a t-ball group for 3 year olds? Or any other
organized sport for such young ones?
Thanks!
mom to a sporty toddler
I've recommended this before, but it bears repeating: If you live in/near Oakland,
Oakland Park & Rec offers t-ball, soccer and multi-sport (they try t-ball, soccer,
kickball, etc. over the course of several weeks) classes for kids ages 3.5 and up at
parks around town. We've done several sessions with them with our just-turned 4yo and
had a good time. See http://www.oaklandnet.com/parks/programs/ for more info and
schedule. You can even register online -- super easy.
Also Mom of Sporty Kid
April 2007
I'm interested in the instructional league (5-6 year-olds)
baseball program put on by Berkeley City Dept of Recreation in
San Pablo Park during the summer. Did you have good/bad
experience? My son wants to do all sports, but he's, um, not
the most coordinated guy. I can easily picture him getting
clocked by a ball while daydreaming. My other fear is that
he'll be a middling to poor player and lose self-confidence. I
guess my question is: Do you think it is a supportive
environment for kids to learn to play? -and- Would you leave
your six-year-old alone there? (I may have to skip out during
some practice time for his younger brother).
reluctant sports mom
My son was in the 5-6 y.o. instructional league last summer at
Cordonices Park (the other location to San Pablo park). The
program is well run, safe, encouraging, and well supervised. The
coaches are attentive about water and bathroom breaks (taken as a
group). You can drop off your kid during practice time (as long
as he/she conducts himself/herself well enough not to need your
intervention) and pick up your child ON TIME at the end of practice.
I think that the instructional league is a good fit if your child
is interested, motivated and willing to try, regardless of skill
level. The coaches work with the kids to teach them specific
baseball skills through simple drills, but it's not all
nonstop-action-fun-and-games time, if your child is expecting
that--there's a lot of standing around waiting for the ball to
come to you. With my son, he was more interested in the social
aspects of practice time, and less with skill building. So he
got bored quite a bit and was put in brief time outs quite often
for not listening or goofing around with the other kids.
Utimately, I decided that it was not a good fit and that that the
coaches shouldn't have to ''babysit'' my child, so I took him out
of the league. (Now we know that baseball is not his thing, and
he's much happier riding his bike and running willy-nilly on the
grass, which is how we spend our outside time these days.)
Also, there were a few kids who came into the instructional
league with more advanced baseball skills (and in my opinion,
they should have let the kid with the most advanced skills ''play
up'' in the next-older age group). So there can be a big skill
gap between kids who have never connected ball to bat before, and
kids who can knock the ball past second base.
CC
Two of my sons did the instructional league years ago at San Pablo Park,
from the ages of 5 till about 9. I have
another child, 7, who is doing Little League now with Noll/Soll.
I think the Berkeley program is a fine program for 5 and 6 year
old kids at all skills levels, even kids who don;t know the
first thing about baseball or who can't play a whit. It's very
affordable, and it's a good way for little kids to be introduced
to baseball. My experience was that Instructional League was
very casual, maybe a little too casual? Mostly it was about just playing baseball
(with little kid rules -- no outs, everybody gets a hit, etc. I think they all
do that at this age).
Compared to Little League, it was much more of a social experience than a
way for kids to learn baseball skills, though, and what the experience
was like was almost completely dependent on the coach. Many of the coaches we had
were just so-so, not really in to it that much, and sometimes
not good at all in dealing well with kids that age. This could be true of
other baseball leagues too, but my LL experience has been better - there is
a lot of attention to age-appropriate direction and coaching. Our
coaches were incredibly patient with the fidgeters and the out-of-focus
kids playing in the dirt instead of watching the batter. This is what it's
like with many 7-year-olds! LL also strikes me as having a more
structured approach to teaching every kid specific skills, regardless
of ability. For example, in LL,
every kid cycles through the different positions and learns the basic
tactics for that position. In Instructional
League, my not-very-coordinated son ALWAYS played right or left field, way
out where no balls ever came to him. The more talented kids honed their
skills, always playing the more demanding positions. He still loved it anyway, loved
being on a team, loved the idea of playing baseball, and he did
get satisfaction from Instrucitonal League, remembers it fondly, and still has
friends that he met playing baseball. However, now that we are
in Little League, I can see that there really was not much attention paid
in Instructional League to bringing
him up to a higher skill level, and by the time he was 8 or so, only the
talented kids were still in the program.
Jan 2007
Looking for a good hitting coach for my 12-year son who is
entering last year in Little League majors next spring.
Dad
Call Frank Postestio, 925.240.1651. He's a former major leaguer and does a good job
explaining the mechanics of hitting to kids. He got my son out of a no-hitting slump
with one 50-minute session. He's not cheap, but he's good. He works at Caldecott
Field and other locations
Carrie
I have been very happy with Ben Mangen of ''Future Star Baseball''. He
works off of Campus Drive in Oakland (Redwood Rd. exit on 13). My son
really enjoys him and he is also playing Little League. He's
knowledgeable, nice and easy to work with. He can be reached at 510-
710-0987.
Terri
Dec 2006
My son is only 11 but plays a lot of baseball. His experience so far
has been with the Berkeley Bears, City of Berkeley Summer League and informal
practice with Albany Little League. He is considering N. Oakland Little League.
He has been approached by a coach from Oakland Babe Ruth. Does anyone have any
experience with Babe Ruth vrs. NOSOL?
My son has played in both Babe Ruth and NOLL/SOLL. The main
differences are that in NOll/Soll there is a draft for
players but in Babe Ruth there are teams that are coach
chosen so kids move up within a particular team. Babe Ruth
has a lot of African American kids and some Hispanic and
white kids, NOll Soll is mostly white. Babe Ruth is more
competitive, more like real baseball at the younger levels.
Noll Soll is more ''developmental''. Babe Ruth has a great
facility for games near the Coliseum. There is a snack
shack. The kids chant in the dugout. My son, who is white,
really liked Babe Ruth but there were some communication
problems on the team between some other parents. It didn't
directly affect our family but the team fell apart at the
end of the season. We didn't want to join an unknown team
(some of the coaches are quite fierce) so he's going back to
NOLL/SOLL. I'd say that if you find a coach whose style you
like and get on his team Babe Ruth is great for a kid who
loves baseball
mom of a catcher
Jan 2004
My 3rd grade son, who will be 9 in February, desperately wants to play
baseball. Have we already missed the boat for the coming season? Are there
any nearby baseball leagues/teams other than Albany Little League and El
Cerrito Youth Baseball? (I'm looking into those but we may be too late -- and
we're not E. Cerrito residents, so we won't have a high priority). I looked at
previous recommendations on the site, but they're old. Orinda was mentioned
but that's too far -- we're in Berkeley so I was hoping for something on this
side of the tunnel. My son has some baseball skills but has never played on a
team. He's also willing to consider touch football or basketball. For some
reason he doesn't want to do soccer.
--Dana
The Golden Gate Optimists have sponsored a little league in the Bay
Area for over 40 years. There is a team based in Berkeley as well as the
El Cerrito-Richmond area. Please contact me if you're interested in
learning more. The league games start in March/April.
s-yuesugi
I would strongly recommend Albany Little League if you are within the
border. My son has had a very positive experience there, and I'm sure
your son would be fine starting in 3rd grade as long as he's somewhat
athletic and enthusiastic. Berkeley is actually divided into two parts--the
southern half goes to N. Oakland LL and the northern to Albany LL. I
checked the website and there's no mention of the deadline. I would
suggest sending them an email. The website is albanylittleleague.org.
Also, the University Village Recreation Center offers baseball clinics
during the summer. The City of Berkeley offers a summer league but
our experience with it has been mixed and I wouldn't personally
recommend it (though it is the economical choice at only $35 for the
season!).
Maria
Hi! I was in a similar situation on the fall of 2002 regarding
soccer. What I did was I went to the JLYSC league web site and
sent a letter to the email or contact us section in the bottom
of the page. I stated my situation and asked if there is still
a way for my daughter to get in. Someone replied and then
called me. My daughter got in and is very happy with her soccer
team.
The main thing is to try and be put in the waiting list on the
leagues that you are really interested in. Sometimes , people
drop out and they need kids to replace them.
As for other baseball leagues, below is the web page for the
NOLL_SOLL North Oakland and South Oakland Baseball league. I am
not sure if you are in the boundaries but I would still try
because they may have some possible solutions.
http://www.nollsoll.com/noll/default.asp
The other one I sent my son to was the BABE RUTH BASEBALL league
in Oakland. Their signups usually end in end of JANUARY. You
may still have a chance. Call them at 510-639-7792. The
adminstration for this group has a very little budget so they
have no web page. However, you will be surprised at how big the
attendance is. They are more serious about baseball and have a
beautiful parade for opening day. My son had no experience at
all but was taken in by really nice coaches and were not
requiring experienced kids (he was 6 and playing tball). The
parents were more competitve during games and you had to put in
some time helping the league. The games are held in south
Oakland near the coliseum and near ST. Mary's college. Please
feel free to call me if you have more questions. 510-450-7467.
Annabelle
Babe Ruth in Oakland has looser deadlines, and a more relaxed attitude
about the whole thing. My son participated last year as a brand new
4th grader and had an excellent experience with a truly kind coach
and fun teammates. I think traditionally it is an African American
League, and is very diverse, in all kinds of ways.They take their baseball
seriously, but not the other stuff (i.e. uniforms and the like)
The one downside is that the neighborhood that many of the games
are played in isn't great (near Havenscourt Middle School in Oakland)
Anon
There are several families who live in Pittsburg, El Cerrito,
Berkely etc. that have signed up their kids in the Tara Hill
baseball league (Pinole)Maybe a 15-20 minute drive from
Berkeley. Tryouts was cancelled this past Saturday and have been
rescheduled for next Saturday (1/17) Our son is also 9 and this
is his second year, the coaches are great with the kids. If
interested:
Late sign ups on Saturday January 17th.
>From 9-11am !!!
Late sign ups during try-outs at Tara Hills Baseball fields.
2465 Dolan Way, San Pablo Ca 94806
http://www.tarahillsbaseball.com/
bring a glove and bat.
Yolanda
Take a look at El Cerrito Youth Baseball, where our son has
enjoyed playing for two years and is looking forward to the
coming season. The Pinto League, for 7-8 year olds, really needs
players and the evaluations will take place later this month. If
your son is 9, the Mustang league just held evaluations this
weekend, but he can probably still get in. You can find more
information on the league web site at: www.ecyb.org. You can also
call the league at (510) 215-2939 and leave a message. In short,
the league is looking for players of all abilities and teams are
just forming now, so you should contact the league promptly.
Baseball Dad
May 2003
I'm looking for all available options for baseball (formal Little
League or whatever else is out there) for my son. I've
looked at the recommendations on the website already, and
would like more current (and hopefully moe detailed)
information. We live in South Berkeley, and in addition to
knowing what's available, I'd like to know what kind of
''parent input'' from the stands my kid is likely to run into, and
whether there are any ''positive coaching'' groups that he'd
be eligible to play in. Thanks.
Julie
My child had a very positive experience in the City of
Berkeley's summer league. The practices are beginning next week,
but it may not be too late to get on a team. The parents were
all very supportive, and I never heard any negative comments
from any parents or coaches. My son started last year without
any real baseball skills and at the end of the season he was
able to bat, catch and throw. Also, parents were encouraged to
participate in practices, snacks, etc. I now have experience
with this league and NOLL/SOLL, and I find Berkeley league to be
more mellow. It is also one of the cheaper leagues around. I
think that it was $34 this year.
mizzbee
March 2003
Looking for league play for 5yr. old in Oakland or Berkeley.
League can be either on-going or for summer. Thanks!
aaron
I highly recommend the City of Berkeley's Summer Baseball
program. The instructional league is for 5-6 year olds. They
learn all the basics and the coaches emphasize FUN. Sign ups are
happening now, but the season doesn't start until may or June.
Contact the rec office at (510) 981-5153. More information is
available on the City of Berkeley website under Recreation, City
Wide Sports Program.
Bennett
I know the Redwood Heights Rec Center has a t-ball class
for that age group. I've seen them practicing on the lawn
there. They look like they are having a very good time, and
the coach seems gentle and kind. You can call the rec center
for more information:482-7827
Redwood Heights Resident.
My son, currently 4 yrs old has just joined an under six little
league in Rodeo. He loves the practice sessions and the
Saturday games. It's a bit of a trek twice a week from
Berkeley, but worth every minute to see how involved and
excited he is by it all. If you want more info contact Blue
Sky Sports Store in Pinole and they will be able to give you
details for the Rodeo Baseball Little League. They may have
closed the league for this season, I'm not sure?
steph
Feb 2003
Does anyone know of a Little League that still has openings for
the Spring or Summer of 2003? Our 8 year old son is crazy about
baseball and this would be his first year not playing if we can't
find a team for him. Somehow, Noll Soll deleted him and others
from his last team off of their list and they refuse to let them
play since their registration date has passed.
bz
The City of Berkeley Rec Department runs a wonderful, affordable
summer league. The games for the younger children are very
mellow - no scores, everybody gets to bat - and the older youth
games are played with traditional Little League rules. The
tryouts are generally in March but we had some kids on the team
that did not try out at all. Check out the city of Berkeley
website or call the department for more information. My son
really learned the fundamentals of the game and he made some
wonderful friends. They also do not ask parents to participate
in fundraisers, such as Noll Soll. The program, including
jersey, runs around $40.00.
Bennett
Does anyone know of a Little-League like organization, or maybe Little
League itself, that takes kids in the 5 1/2 - 6 year old range, not wildly
competetive, that teaches good skills without too much emphasis on
competition. Someone recommended Albany Little League but a) kids must be
7 to begin and 2) must live in Albany, Kensington, North Berkeley. We'd be
looking in the Rockridge/Piedmont/South Berkeley Area, as we live in North
Oakland. Thanks for any tips and/or recommendations
There are two leagues in the area you are looking for, North Oakland
Little League and Piedmont Little League. I think that North Oakland
is a little less competitive. Check with either to find out about the
age requirements. Sorry, but I don't have updated contact information
for either group.
2001
Are there any baseball and/or softball leagues or groups in the
Berkeley area (in addition to the Albany Little League) that may be
suitable for an athletic nine year old boy with no previous league
experience?
My son has spent the last four years in El Cerrito Youth
Baseball. Unlike Albany, the leagues are assigned strictly by age and
last for two years. It sounds as if your son would be the age for the
second league, which is called Mustang, but you'll have to check with
the league administrators to make sure about birthday cut-offs. The
teams have already been assigned (everyone who signs up gets put on a
team after a group evaluation session, usually in early January), but
there is often room for latecomers. At the Mustang level, every child
who shows up for a game plays at least 3 innings in the field and
bats every time his turn comes up. With a good coach, your child will
receive a lot of instruction since teams tend to run 12-13 players,
and there are usually at least 2-3 coaches for practices. There is
the occasional over-the-top type, but the league makes a serious
effort to police and prevent egregious parental acting out. The
league president is David Jung 527-6111. You should also consider
University Village's baseball clinics in summer and fall, run by
Brad, who is great with kids, emphasizes good spirit and basic
skills.
Phyllis
We haven't tried them, but both Berkeley and El Cerrito have little league or
youth baseball. Unfortunately, I don't know the contact people, but probably
you can find out by calling the recreation programs at each city hall.
Charles
Does anyone know of any possibilities for a nine year old to enjoy the game
of baseball outside of Little league? My son loves baseball, but it
seems to be competitive in a major way and extremely serious. We just want
him to be able to enjoy the game and have a good time. Seems a lot
of parents get overly involved with the "score"!
Jody
This option is more expensive, but still a bargain: Brad Gooding's summer camps at
University Village. Very low-key, high emphasis on sportsmanship and the counselors
are skilled ball players. I wouldn't rule out Little League entirely. Especially if
you get lucky with the coach. If you'd like more info, email me directly. Phyllis
Questions about Softball
Oct 2006
Any recommendations on where I can sign my 8 year old daughter for softball or any
sport? We are especially interested in playing with teams around the Maxwell Park
area in Oakland, if possible. Kellie
Try the Oakland Girls Softball League (http://www.ogsl.org/) for starters.
If you're looking for soccer, Jack London Youth Soccer League
(www.jlysl.org) has leagues all over Oakland/Alameda.
JP
If your daughter wants to see what's up with softball, women coaches from
the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League are leading free softball
clinics for beginning and experienced players in grades 1-9 (special
introductory clinics just for first graders).
The clinics are Sunday Nov. 5 and 19, 9 AM-1 PM at Grove/Russell field
(Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Russell Street in Berkeley). RSVP required
to clinics@abgsl.org For more information, see http:// www.abgsl.org/ or
call 510-869-4277.
It's fun! Bring a friend and make new ones!
Dec 2005
Hi. My six year old girl really wants to play softball. We just moved to Albany,
and I'd like recommendations for any organizations in the East Bay we could
check out. Thanks!
I don't know if this is too far afield for you or what their residency requirements are, but both Alameda (www.alamedagsa.com) and Piedmont (www.piedmontsoftball.com) have girls' softball leagues. J
Check out the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League at 510-869-4277 or www.abgsl.org/
Both my daughters play, and they love it. It's open to girls in grades 1-9. No experience is needed. Even if your daughter's never picked up a bat before, she'll learn how to play! I can't say enough good things about the league. It's fun and supportive. All the girls get to play, rotating through the different positions -- so no one spends the whole season on the bench or way, way out there in extreme outfield. There's plenty of action for everyone.
These days, you hear (or see) a lot of negative things about sports parents and competition, how parents sometimes carry things too far. This isn't the case in ABGSL. One of the greatest things is how encouraging the parents, coaches and players are. I'll never forget the game when a young player hit the ball. She stood there, half in shock, and then finally dropped the bat. In her excitement, she started running towards third base (!). Instead of yelling at her, her coach congratulated her on hitting the ball and showing good hustle. Afterwards, she walked away, grinning from ear to ear.
Last spring, my first grader started playing tee-ball (it's called Micro). It's very low-
key and oodles of fun. Play time and snacks -- What more can you ask for?
softball madre
I would highly recommend the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League. My Izzy has been playing since she was in first grade and is now in sixth grade. She just loves it and has developed excellent softball skills and has made many, many friends. ABGSL takes girls at all age and skill levels and the play is in a non-competitive atmosphere. ABGSL can be reached at the www.abgsl.org.
Howard
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