Berkeley Parents Network: Baseball Leagues

Berkeley Parents Network

Baseball Leagues

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Groups, Clubs, & Teams > Baseball Leagues

Oakland Babe Ruth
Baseball for a 3rd grader
Positive coaching groups for son?
Baseball/T-ball for 5yr. old
Little League with openings in February
League for 5-6 year olds
League for 9-year-old (2)

Oakland Babe Ruth

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

Baseball for a 3rd grader

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

Positive coaching groups for son?

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

Baseball/T-ball for 5yr. old

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

Little League with openings in February

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

League for 5-6 year olds

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.

League for 9-year-old

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

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