This is more competitive baseball than our in-house league.  This means that playing time will not be equal or guaranteed.  Playing time will be earned based on attitude, practice commitment, skill, and opponent.  

Practices will be one to two times a week throughout the summer.  These may be during the week or on weekends, AM or PM.  

Travel teams are more of a commitment.  It is not essential to be at all practices and games, but a priority should be given to baseball if your child is chosen to play.

TRAVEL EVALUATION OVERVIEW

Welcome to the Aitkin Area Youth Baseball travel program. We are very aware that this is an exciting and stressful time for both the ballplayers and the parents. For that reason, we have prepared an outline that explains the evaluation process in detail.

We are very confident that we have created a system that gives everyone an equal chance to compete for a spot on these teams.

There will be at least one team formed at each age level. The team will made up from 10-12 players(Exceptions may be made to this by the board).

Evaluations will be held on February 26th.  With a practice session on February 19th. See times below for practice and evaluations.

Players are expected to attend the evaluation session for their age group. 

* illness/absence require Travel director/president approval.  Please contact Chris Sicard 651-666-9066

While no system of selecting teams will result in all players and parents agreeing, this system has proven to work well.  Our goal is ultimately to place the correct players on each travel team based on ability.

Thank you for your commitment to our program. We look forward to seeing you at the evaluations.

SPECTATORS

• Due to the small amount of room in the facility and for the overall benefit for the participants, NO SPECTATORS will be allowed at the evaluations. This rule will be strictly enforced, and we ask that you all respect this request!

EVALUATION PROCESS

The players will be evaluated on the following areas:

Ground Balls:                                                                Fly Balls: 

· Fielding Form                                                              · Catching Form

· Throwing Form                                                          · Throwing Form

· Footwork                                                                       · Footwork

·Ball Transfer                                                                 ·Ball Transfer

Machine Hitting:                                                      Front Toss Hitting: 

· Swing Form Mechanics                                       · Swing Form Mechanics 

· Bat Speed                                                                    · Bat Speed

· Ball Contact and Power                                      · Ball Contact and Power

Pitching:                                                                         Running Speed:

· Mechanics                                                                   Time 1

· Ball Speed                                                                    Time 2

· Accurate and in control