FAQ

8 year olds can choose to try out for the 8 competitive (8C) team(s) during our normal tryouts in July of each year for the following spring season.  If they do not make the 8C team(s) then they can play 8U Instructional Kid Pitch.

All 9 year olds are required to try out at our normal tryouts in July, even if your child played on the 8C team this year.  We have a panel of evaluators that evaluate each child based on skills.  We then rank each player based on their evaluation and place them in groupings of 11 to 12 kids.  Each 9-year-old coach that is identified will also have input as to where the players land.  All 9 year olds will make a team.

Evaluations will be held before the spring season.  These can help you determine where your player would have the most fun.

• AAA - Advanced
• AA - Intermediate
• A - Begineer

NJ Tournament-Only teams do not play in league games.  They play tournaments only.

AAA – The highest level competitive teams.  They play in league and also in some tournaments.  Tournament play is a collective agreement between the coaches and parents.     

AA – Intermediate level competitive teams.  They play in league and possibly some tournaments but not as many as AAA.     

A – The Beginner competitive teams.  They play in league and typically do not play in tournaments, but could.

NJ reserves practice fields for each team.  Each team gets 2 practice fields a week during the season.  Practices are typically 2 hours long.

Fall Ball is typically one practice during the week. Game on Sundays.

Practices can be either 4 to 6 pm or 6 to 8 pm.  The coaches request the times and fields that best suit their schedule.

We have practice fields all over Arvada / Westminster  It is up to the coach and available practice fields as to where your team will practice.

Practices could start as soon as October for winter work in the IPF (Indoor Practice Facility).  Outdoor practices start typically the first week of March.

At 9 years old all of the kids who try out make a team.  If your child decides to tryout with option 3 (do not return to same team) then there is a possibility that they do not make a team.  If your child is new to our league and 10 or older it is also a remote possibility that your child does not make a team, this happens only on rare occasions.  Our established teams sometimes only need a few new players each year as most of their players return. We do however create wait lists and have formed new teams when enough players are gathered and we have a volunteer to coach the team. 

If you register and tryout and your child makes a team then you decide not to play. The deposit is non-refundable.  If you register and tryout and your child does NOT make a team then the deposit is refunded.

For League Teams, NJ provides a jersey and hat.  Each family is responsible for the rest of the uniform (pants, socks, belt, cleats) and equipment.  Jerseys and hats are not provided for Tournament Only teams.

If your child will be 4 years old on May 1st.  Then they are eligible to play with our 8U program. 

We do not have age restrictions on any of our 8U programs.  We recommend you review the program descriptions and choose the best option for your child based on their abilities. If you need further assistance reach out to our 8U director at 8andunder@njjba.org.

NJ provides a jersey and hat.  Each family is responsible for the rest of the uniform (pants, socks, belt, cleats) and equipment.

Practice fields and time slots are given to teams based on the Coaches availability and field availability.  8U teams will typically practice in the early time slots once a week. 

Games for 8U take place on Saturdays in the Spring, Sundays in the Fall.