Baseball/Softball registration

PRESS RELEASE For further information please contact Kate Schmidt 973-378-7754, ext. 2229 SOUTH ORANGE -MAPLEWOOD PREPARES FOR SPRING BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL Four registration dates have been scheduled for all South Orange and Maplewood children planning to play baseball or softball this spring: Saturday & Sunday January 24 and 25 Saturday & Sunday February 7 and 8 In-person registration can be completed at either the Baird in South Orange or Town Hall in Maplewood on these dates. All registration sessions will run from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Representatives of the South Orange and Maplewood baseball and softball organizations will be on hand at all registration sessions to answer any questions about the programs. BASEBALL All first time registrants to the South Orange-Maplewood Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball program must register in person at one of the listed registration sessions and bring a copy of their birth certificate. Returning players have the option of online registration through February 8th at www.thebaird.org. All children wishing to participate in spring baseball must register by February 8th. There is no guarantee of team placement for those who do not register by this date. South Orange Maplewood Baseball is operated under the banner of the national Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth organization and is open to South Orange and Maplewood residents, ages 5-15 (as of April 30th). The program begins with T-Ball for 5 and 6 year old children, Rookie League (coaches pitch) for 7 and 8 year olds and then the Minor, Majors 60, Majors 70 and Babe Ruth Leagues. Training for coaches is a priority for the South Orange Maplewood Baseball organization. A number of clinics and seminars will be offered for first time and returning coaches. SOM Baseball wants every parent volunteer to be provided with the training and support necessary to succeed and enjoy their coaching experience. For complete details about South Orange-Maplewood Baseball, logon to the league website at www.sombaseball.org. SOFTBALL The Maplewood South Orange recreational softball program is open to all girls from kindergarten through 8th grade. Divisions are grouped by grades as follows: Kindergarten and 1st Grade - Tee Ball 2nd and 3rd Grades - Coaches Pitch 4th and 5th Grades – Junior Division following modified ASA rules 6th through 8th Grades – Senior Division more closely following ASA rules Practices and clinics will be held for all divisions prior to the start of the season. Interested softball players are strongly encouraged to register in person at one of the above listed registration sessions. Volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions. Registration for softball will continue at the Maplewood Recreation department until February 21st. After Feb. 21st, planning for teams will begin and girls may be placed on a waiting list. Volunteers are needed as coaches and in many other areas in order to insure the success of the softball program. Please check the MSO Softball web site for up to date information at www.eteamz.com/msosoftball.