Spring Baseball Evaluations and Registration Information

2012 Evaluations to be held February 25th and 26th


Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth Player Evaluations for play in the Willamette Valley Babe Ruth League will be held the last weekend of February 2012. Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth coaches and high school players will run everyone through some drills on batting, throwing and fielding. Babe Ruth coaches will observe the player’s skills to determine which team they may be best suited for. Team composition will be based on a player’s age and ability. Our goal is to ensure teams are positioned at the appropriate league level within Willamette Valley Babe Ruth. Furthermore, we are committed to finding a place for every player wanting to play baseball in Pleasant Hill. The Pleasant Hill division is open to players that reside in the school districts of Pleasant Hill, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Lowell, and Oakridge.

Three sessions will be held each day, with registration taking place inside the Pleasant Hill High School gym.  Parent or guardian will need to fill out a registration form and a medical release for your child. So that evaluations can begin on time arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled time of the players age group. While parent involvement is requested and encouraged in the operation of Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth and it’s teams we ask that you please note that the coaches compose the teams based on age and skill level and parent involvement in this decision is minimal.

Sorry but this year the minimum age to advance beyond T-ball is 8. There is an exception that if they are already age 7 they can tryout and if they demonstrate the ability to advance to the next level they will be considered for advancement though advancement cannot be guaranteed. Those that do not meet the age and/or ability qualification will be limited to T-Ball until they meet the age 8 qualification.

Player Evaluations February 25th and 26th, 2012
Saturday February 25th
7-9 year old's8:30-9:30AM, 12:30-1:30PM
10-12 year old's9:30-10:30AM, 1:30-2:30PM
13-14 year old's10:30-11:30AM, 2:30-3:30PM
Sunday February 26th
7-9 year old's11:30AM-12:30PM
10-12 year old's12:30-1.30PM
13-14 year old's1:30-2:30PM

The weather may be poor, so bring indoor tennis shoes in case if we need to move into the gym. If you have difficulty making either day or, if you have questions, please contact Kirk Miller before Feb. 15th .

Evaluations are not held for the T-Ball program. T-Ball registration will be held at a later date (to be announced) for kids 5 to 9. T-Ball is a lot of fun and a great introduction to baseball, right here in Pleasant Hill. Watch for the fliers at schools or go to our web page for more information.

We anticipate having another great season of baseball and look forward to working with each of the players towards an enjoyable  and rewarding experience. Please spread the news and we will see you at sign up.

WVBR 2012 Spring League Play Season
Season BeginsSeason Ends
Preps April 2nd, 2012June 3rd, 2012
MajorsApril 16th, 2012June 24th, 2012
Major MinorApril 16th, 2012July 1st, 2012
AAAApril 16th, 2012June 24th, 2012
Rookie MajorApril 30th, 2012July 1st, 2012
Rookie MinorApril 30th, 2012July 1st, 2012
Tee BallMay 21st, 2012June 29th, 2012
Note: Completion dates are tentative, and subject to change.

The fee to play in the Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth 2012 season have been reduced by $15 from the 2011 level for Rookies and held to the 2011 level fee structure for all other players. The fee includes a full baseball uniform which the player will keep.
2012 Fees
$190 Preps
$180 AAA – Majors
$160 Rookies

Download Player Registration Form

Download Player-Parent Contract

Sincerely,

Kirk Miller

President – Area Director

Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth

Email: kmiller@pleasanthill.k12.or.us

 

 

Baseball Camps, Clinics & Training

Wanting to prepare for youth baseball? In Pleasant Hill and the Eugene – Springfield, Oregon area you can find a camp, clinic or training year around including winter time. Clinics at varied times of the year are offered by area leagues, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Lane Community College, Grand Slam Academy, Eugene Challengers and others.

The first session of the Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth baseball clinic will be held February 5th with a second clinic to be held February 12th from 1-3PM. This clinic is open to all youth that wish to learn about baseball or improve their existing baseball skills. At the PHBR clinics aspiring ball players will be divided into groups based upon age and experience. Coaches will work with  new players to teach them batting, catching and fielding skills and to refresh and improve the skills of experienced players.  The fee is reasonable at $15 for one day or $20 for two days if paid at the time of the first clinic. All youth are welcome to participate. For more information CLICK HERE.

 

Grand Slam previously located at Valley River and now located at Gateway Mall, Springfield Oregon offers indoor batting cages along with a number of youth baseball programs and camps throughout the year. They also offer year around baseball lessons for both individuals and groups. Grand Slam Player Development Classes provide the young athlete with individual skills in hitting, pitching, fielding and SPARQ training. For more information  CLICK HERE

 

Oregon Duck Youth Baseball Clinics

University of Oregon Ducks Baseball holds youth baseball clinics  and camps at Moshofsky Center. The clinic is now on and continues through Spring. Players can attend all or any of the clinics on a walk in basis. The U of O Ducks baseball winter clinic series is designed for players of all ages and skill levels. Each evening will be devoted to developing arm health and strength through a comprehensive long toss program.  Players will also spend a portion of each evening working on defensive skills, hitting and conditioning for their coming season. Players are grouped by both age and ability during the sessions. For more information CLICK HERE

 

Oregon State University Baseball Program 2011 – 2012 Camp Schedule (Through January of 2012). Join this NCAA National Championship Coaching Staff for the finest baseball instruction in the country. CLICK HERE

 

Lane Titan Baseball

Lane Community College Titans Baseball is a local program you do not want to overlook.  The Lane Titan’s assist with the clinics held by the University of Oregon. For more  information on this program CLICK HERE

 

Eugene Challengers

The Eugene Challengers are located in Eugene, OR and play their home games at Swede Johnson Stadium. The Challengers also offer camps and clinics that are usually held about June. For more information on the Eugene Challengers CLICK HERE

 

Eugene Emeralds

The Eugene Emeralds have previously offered a  free baseball camp  on one day during the summer. This camp has provided a free opportunity for kids to come out to PK Park, get on the field and spend some time with the players while learning some baseball skills. If and when the Emeralds announce a 2012 camp it will be published here.

2012 Coaches Clinic To Be Announced. This clinic is for high school and youth baseball coaches.

 

To have your baseball clinic or camp added contact Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth.

 

 

Finding the Right Youth Baseball Bat

Like everything else in society, buying a baseball bat today is a lot more complicated than it used to be. When bats were made exclusively out of wood, one simply needed to get a bat that was the right weight and the right length. Nowadays, bats can be made out of aluminum, wood, or composite materials. Different bats will have different properties, and each bat may feel different to the hitter because of what it is made out of. [Read more...]

Important Bat Type Rule Changes 2012 Cal Ripken – Babe Ruth

Bat Rule Change for 2012  Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken Baseball

Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken players, coaches and families need to be aware of important BAT rule changes announced by Babe Ruth National for the 2012 Cal Ripken (12 and under) and the Babe Ruth 13-15 baseball divisions.

Cal Ripken Baseball Division 12 and Under
The bat may not exceed 33”in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 ¼” in diameter.  Only 2 ¼” barrel non-wood bats marked BPF 1.15 will be allowed.  Wood 2 ¼” barrel bats are allowed.

 

 

Babe Ruth Baseball Division 13-15
The bat may not exceed 34” in length, and the bat barrel may not exceed 2 5/8” in diameter.  All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed.  Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed.  Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.

While rule changes for Babe Ruth 16-18 division have also been announced by Babe Ruth National, the Willamette Valley Babe Ruth league which Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth is part of does not field teams in the 16-18 division.

Update applies as of 11/14/2011

WVBR states the following should you need further clarification  of the Babe Ruth National batting rules.

Cal Ripken Division: All bats must be stamped with the “BPF (Bat Performance Factor) 1.15” in order to be used in the Cal Ripken Divisions. This includes all composite barrel bats.

13-15 Prep: Only composite barrel bats certified and marked BBCOR .50 will be allowed.  All aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrels are allowed.  Wood barrel bats conforming to the specifications of Official Baseball Rule 1.10 are allowed.

In other words, the aluminum/alloy barrel bats and all composite handle (only) aluminum/alloy barrel bats do not require a BBCOR .50 stamp, only the composite barrel bats require the BBCOR stamp. There are no weight restrictions on the aluminum/alloy barrel bats. BBCOR composite barrel bats must meet the -3 weight criteria.

Babe Ruth National has further published the following penalty for the use of an illegal bat.

PENALTY
If the illegal bat is discovered prior to a batter completing his “at bat” the bat is simply removed from play and the “at bat” continues.

A player who uses an illegal bat or non-conforming barrel dimension and hits a fair ball will be ruled out.  No advancement on the bases will be allowed, and any outs during the play shall stand.  This is an appeal play.  The “at bat” will be considered legal once a pitch is thrown to the next batter.

Any bat discovered prior to the game that does not conform to the above rule shall be directed to be removed immediately and not be allowed for use during the game.

Kirk Miller Elected PHBR President

Coach Kirk Miller has been elected to a two year term as President of Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth. For the past two years Kirk has served as Vice President of PHBR. As President Kirk will be the Chief Executive Officer of PHBR. He shall preside at all meetings of the board and in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of PHBR and serve as the Area Director to WVBR.

Kirk has served as both a PHBR assistant coach and head coach and this summer served as head coach for the WVBR All Stars 11 U “B” team.

Kirk and his wife Christal are the parents of two sons Kaleb and Andrew and the family makes their home in Pleasant Hill.

Kirk teaches health and PE for the Pleasant Hill school district and coaches high school football and baseball.

At the time this article was posted the position of Vice President, Treasurer and two Board of Directors positions remain open. Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth families are encouraged to participate actively in our local youth baseball program. Send an email to pleasanthillbaberuth@gmail.com if you would like to be nominated for one of these positions or assist our local youth baseball program in another way.