Today our son met some Baseball Hall of Famers at a spring training game and walked away with some fantastic lore (“How’d you get your name Mudcat, Mudcat?”) . It was magical and it reminded me of the rite of spring baseball. Though we did post about baseball registration back in January when most of it was happening, there are still some spots available as spring season debuts next weekend. There are also a couple of summer programs you can get into as well. Play ball!
**Once you get in a league, you have to go gear up. Ask the league you sign on with if there are any discounts at the neighborhood Modell’s. The retailer frequently gives discounts for neighborhood leagues, but usually only at the surrounding Modell’s stores. Helpful while you’re in the neighborhood. Good luck.
78th Precinct in Prospect Park
A precious few spots remain here at different levels from t-ball on up. There is a waiting list for some age levels. To register, parents can go to www.78pyc.org, click on REGISTER/PAY at the top of the page, and follow the links to the online registration site. Or give them a call and see how it goes.
****Saturday, April 2nd Pee Wee, Rookies and Lions Opening day
68th Pct Youth Council
Quite a lot of the spots are sold out- they start registration in early January- but give it a try here too- you never know.
http://www.68pctyc.com/
333 Sixty-Fifth Street
Brooklyn, New York 11220
Hotline Numbers: 718.232.2748
Inner City Little League
Open to boys and girls from Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Fort Greene, East New York, Brownsville, Clinton Hill, Bushwick and Downtown Brooklyn, the league serves children ages 4 to 14. There are no tryouts–everyone makes the team.
First-time registrants must provide a copy of their birth certificate and proof of residency (a utility bill will work)
Call Zabrina Adams at (631) 839-5117 for more details.
Participation costs $100 for ages 4 to 7 and $130 for ages 8 to 14.
*Adults who miss the crack of the bat and the smell of the glove take note: the league is looking for help from potential managers, coaches, umps and sponsors.
Joe Torre East Highway Little League
http://www.eteamz.com/JTEHLL/
It’s not too late to get started at Joe Torre’s little league located in the Marine Park area of Brooklyn. Registration and instructional sessions take place at the clubhouse every Wednesday night. Open Every Wednesday night 7:30-9:30pm
Location: Clubhouse 3419 Ave S between 34th & 35th Street Brooklyn NY
718-339-0100
King’s Bay Youth Baseball Organization
http://www.kbyosports.com/
This Sheepshead Bay league is taking all kids from 5 to 18 years old. They have a division for children with physical and learning disabilities. To register for baseball you can call or visit on Monday evenings or call 917-623-6225.
****Opening day is April 10th.
Amity Baseball
This is another league located really close to the above two in Sheepshead Bay/ Marine Park area. Registration is almost complete, so please call. Go on Wed nights from 6:30-8:30 pm to see if there are any spots available.
Parkville Youth Organization
http://pyosports.com/
Bay Ridge
Field Complex
854 65th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 836-3847
Club House
5908 20th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11204
(718) 232-1086
For ages 4-12 years.
Register every Thursday evening at their clubhouse from 7:30-9 pm- but call first to see if there are spots.
SBBL – South Brooklyn Baseball League (formerly known as the Sacred Heart Youth Program)
www.SBBLcardinals.com
spisano1@nyc.rr.com
718-243-1025
They offer co-ed baseball for boys and girls ages 4-17, plus softball for girls ages 8-17, plus flag football for boys & girls ages 6-17. Their programs run April through November, so there is a chance to play spring, summer, and fall, or any combination thereof. They also have clinics in the summer and fall to work with kids on improving skills, involving fewer games. They have been around for almost 10 years. And while most of the players come from Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Red Hook, and Park Slope, they also get kids from Manhattan, Queens, and all throughout Brooklyn, especially in the older divisions. Most of their teams play in Prospect Park, but they also have teams that play in other leagues around Brooklyn. Join them Monday and Friday evenings at Van Voorhees Field (on Columbia St, near Atlantic Ave.), April 18-June 24. It’s FREE!
St. Anselm
http://www.starcc.net/youth.html
356 82nd Street
Brooklyn, New York 11209
Phone: 718-238-2900
Baseball/Softball is open to boys and girls in grades K through 12. Weather and field access permitting, practices begin in mid-March. The season begins in April and concludes the last week of June.
Home Run Baseball Camp
They offer a day camp in Brooklyn for six weeks (June 27 to August 5) for boys and girls ages 4-12, 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. You can choose either a half day or full day>
Prospect Park Parade Grounds Field #7
Weeks: June 27 to August 5
Time: 9 am – 11:30am Half Day ($200), 9am to 3 pm Full Day ($325). There are sibling discounts.
Complete details and registration can be found at homerunbaseballcamp.com
Ft Greene Sports Tee-ball (apparently not doing it this year)
http://www.ftgreenesports.org/
mail@frgreensports.org
917-975-9001
This is a tee-ball program for children 4-7 years old. The tee-ball instruction will begin indoors, before they take their games to the baseball field. The 8-week tee-ball class is $200.
Classes are payable by cash, check or money order and Paypal, too!
Manhattan option:
Manhattan Little League
http://www.nycbaberuth.org/index.html
This is Manhattan’s home to Babe Ruth Little League and a bit out of the way, but if you’d like your 5 to 11-year-old to play baseball this spring, there are still a few spots available, first come first serve. Games are held in Central Park and who knows, maybe it’s convenient to work or school. Opening day is April 10th.