Baseball, Softball, Rookies, T-Ball - Spring 26
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Who is ready for Spring? Let's Play Ball!
When it comes to baseball and softball, Thetford and many other towns are part of the Cal Ripken, and soon to be Little League (new this year for our Softball, Rookies and T-Ball teams). These leagues are very established. They have boards that run local chapters. They are very specific about their rules and safety measures. All coaches and any adults that are going to help with a team need to go through the league's specified specific background check and training. The league determines which towns play each other within your state.
New this year:
Softball, Rookies and T-ball will be through Little League which nearly all nearby towns play through. The baseball Majors and Minors will remain with Cal Ripken.
***Little League requires umpires that are both trained through their online program and not paid. LL Games may not happen without a LL trained volunteer umpire there. We are joining Little League for other logical reasons but this factor will be a challenge for sure. Please consider contacting me to get the online training and become a volunteer umpire for our Rookies, T-ball and Softball teams. Rookies and T-ball will be the challenging ones to find people for. Please consider doing this and reach out to me at recreation@thetfordvt.gov if you are interested.
Please note:
- When considering ages for this sport, the birthday cut-off for these teams is May 1st.
- Some or all of the teams will start indoors in the TES gym during April. Details to follow.
- ***For softball, please read all descriptions and sign-up for the one that fits best. There are overlapping ages in some of the groups. Experience/skill matter more than age in this case. Also, we are not sure that we will have enough kids for 2 softball teams so the teams may be combined.
- If we have enough players for two teams, Softball majors and minors players may be shifted between the two groups depending on skill level observed by coaches on the first few days of practice.
- League games will likely start at the end of April. End of season tournament ends in early June.
- Older teams: After the season tournament, they hold tryouts for the All Star tournament which is only for players who qualify.
- Non Thetford residents please email me if interested in signing up.
- Schedules below are copied from last year and will be updated soon and may be shifted a bit once the games schedule comes out. The leagues make the game schedules.
T-Ball: co-ed ages 4-6
- Practices and games
- tentatively scheduled Saturdays 10am at TES
- Children learn hitting and fielding fundamentals in a supportive team environment.
- Children will hit the ball from a batting tee.
UNIFORM: Blue T baseball hat (buy one now if you don't have a blue T hat). Borrowed Performance T stretchy shirt (to be returned to Rec when season is complete). Please only request one if your child needs one. Same shirt as soccer season.
Rookies: co-ed ages 7-8
- Practices and games
- tentatively scheduled Wednesdays 3:30 and Saturdays 9am at TES
- Parent/Guardian helpers are great to have involved.
- UNIFORM: Blue T baseball hat (buy one now if you don't have a blue T hat). Borrowed Performance T stretchy shirt (to be returned to Rec when season is complete). Please only request one if your child needs one. Same shirt as soccer season.
Minors Softball: Ages 7-12
- Players need to be at least 7yo and can be up to age 12 as long as their skill level matches that of the minors team.
- Practices and games tentatively scheduled Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at TES. T/Th time 5:30 (Sat will be games)
- UNIFORM: Blue T baseball hat (buy one now if you don't have a blue T hat). Uniform shirt (same as last year) available for purchase if needed. You can pay with a check once we have the info for you.
Majors Softball: Ages 9-12, skill level dependent.
- Majors softball is skill level dependent. If you are not sure, please send and email to me and I'll check with our coaches.
- Practices and games tentatively scheduled Monday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays at TES. M/W/F times likely 6 pm
- UNIFORM: Blue T baseball hat (buy one now if you don't have a blue T hat). Uniform shirt (same as last year) available for purchase if needed. You can pay with a check once we have the info for you.
Minors Baseball: 3rd and 4th graders (and 2nd graders who played
minors during Fall Ball)
- Practices and games tentatively scheduled Tuesday, Thursday at 5pm in Post Mills.
- Games Saturdays
- Minors baseball is kid-pitch and has a full season of games against teams throughout the area.
- Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork.
- UNIFORM: Blue T baseball hat (buy one now if you don't have a blue T hat). Uniform shirts ordered through coach. Same shirt as last year if you have it.
Majors Baseball: 5th and 6th Graders
- Practices and games tentatively scheduled Monday, Wednesday, Fridays 4:30-6 in Post Mills
- Please note: practice time is often different during April.
- Games Saturday
- Majors plays a full season of games against teams throughout the area and ends the season with a competitive tournament.
- UNIFORM: Blue T baseball hat (buy one now if you don't have a blue T hat). Uniform shirts ordered through coach. Same shirt as last year if you have it.
Required for Coaches/Assistants/Helpers:We encourage you to coach or help out as well! Please fill this form out if you intend to coach, assist coach or be a helper.Link to FormImportant notice:
Baseball Hats $10.00 (for all teams)
If you have a blue T hat, no need to buy a new one.
Please remember if you want a hat you must select the hat, and click add to cart in the upper right hand corner or it will not add it. Adding the hat comes after signing up for the sport but before you pay.
Edit to add: Some people are having issues with ordering hats this time around. You can order a hat from me directly by bringing a check for $10 to the Rec office at Town Hall and specifying in the memo who the hat is for. ** Please make the check out to Town of Thetford. Thanks!Please reach out with any questions.
~Rachael Cook (she/her)
Thetford Recreation Director
NOTES
- Please read above notes before choosing the level for your child.
- Please be sure to order a hat if you do not have one. ***The hat add-on is found after the sport activity has been added to your cart, then go to the cart and press continue. That next page is where the hat is an option.***
- Please note: Full payment is needed in order for your child's name to appear on the roster. Please make sure to pay before sign-ups close on 3/28.