Welcome to HCYP Recreational Baseball

Fall Baseball Information Page (click here for Spring)

Fall 2023 Registration is now OPEN!!! Click to go to Registration Page.

Our rec baseball program is designed for all players of all skills ranging in age from 5 to 18

Fall is a special time of year in the Mid-Atlantic, typically offering among the most beautiful days of the season for a Sunday afternoon baseball game. Fall is a time to focus on skill development, and prepare for the upcoming Spring season. Fall league playing ages are based upon the player's age as of Aug. 31st the following year, meaning players are preparing for play at the next level. So if, for example, your 8 year old ends up in International League, no worries as their peers/classmates will also be in the same division.

Rookie (Ages 5-6) and Pinto (Ages 7-8)

Rookie and Pinto divisions are our instructional, coach pitch league. For many of our kids, it is their first introduction to organized sports. The players are encouraged to try as many positions as possible, given that safety is not an issue. Team standings are not kept so winning is not a highlighted goal in this league. The teams practice once a week and play one game each week. Fundamentals and the basic rules of the game are introduced in this league. Reduced Injury Factor balls (RIF 1 and 5) are used to improve the confidence of our newest players. Besides learning the basics of baseball, this league is a great introduction to participating as a part of a team. While these guys and gals may be little, their games can be a real treat to watch. Check one out sometime!

How Teams are Formed

In order to establish teams at the Rookie and Pinto levels, we try to accommodate requests from parents for specific coaches and playing with friends. We must also take into consideration the need to keep teams as even as possible. We will first look at requests by parents to be placed with particular coaches and/or to be placed with other participants. Then we will attempt to group kids based on which school they are attending. Please keep in mind that while we are able to accommodate many requests, it is impossible to accommodate all requests. If your request is not granted, please keep in mind that almost all registrants make a request to be placed on a specific team or with specific friends. With almost 30 teams and almost 400 players, it is impossible to grant all requests.

Rookie Practices and Games

All rookie teams will practice one day during the week (Monday thru Friday) at Kiwanis Wallas Park. Practice days and times are chosen by our volunteer coaches and start around the start of school for HCPSS. There are 8-10 scheduled games during the season (partially depending on school start date) and all games are 90 minutes long and are held at Kiwanis Park. Most games are held every Sunday with start times after 12:30, with 1-2 games held on a weekday.

Pinto Practices and Games

All pinto teams will practice one day during the week (Monday thru Friday) at Kiwanis Wallas Park. Practice days and times are chosen by our volunteer coaches and start around the start of school for HCPSS. There are 8-10 scheduled games during the season (partially depending on school start date) and all games are 120 minutes long and are held at Kiwanis Park. Most games are held every Sunday with start times after 12:30, with 1-2 games held on a weekday.

International, Minor, and Major (Ages 9-12)

One of the coolest and most unique features of HCYP rec baseball is the flexibility we have with our Little League program. Kids who are ages 9-12 participate in this program for four years. This program has three leagues which means a child who plays all four years in this program will get to play in one league for two years.

International is set for kids ages 9-10, bases are 60' apart and the pitching rubber is at 44'
Minor is set for kids ages 10-11, bases are 60' apart and the pitching rubber is at 46
Major is set for kids ages 11-12, bases are 70' apart and the pitching rubber is at 50

For the fall season, parents are allowed to select the league to join based on the above age criteria. It is recommended to choose the level where the player is most likely to participate in the spring, however keep in mind that fall placement in a division does not guarantee spring placement in that same division.

How Teams are Formed

In the fall, teams are formed by a draft as they are in the spring, however there is special attention paid to allowing coaches to pair players together that would like to be placed on the same team. As in Rookie and Pinto, we cannot 100% guarantee all requests.

Practices and Games

All teams will practice one day during the week (Monday thru Friday) at Kiwanis Wallas Park. Practice days and times are chosen by our volunteer coaches and start around the start of school for HCPSS. There are 8-10 scheduled games during the season (partially depending on school start date) held at Kiwanis Park. Most games are held every Sunday with start times after 12:30, with 1-2 games held on a weekday.

Pony (Ages 13-14) and Colt (Ages 15-18)

Pony

This league is setup for players who are 13 or 14 years old. The base paths are set at 80 feet and the pitching rubber is 54 feet from home plate.

Colt

This league is setup for players 15-18 years old. Full MLB rules apply including the base paths (90 feet) and pitching rubber distance (60 feet).

How Teams are Formed

In the fall, teams are formed by a draft as they are in the spring, however there is special attention paid to allowing coaches to pair players together that would like to be placed on the same team. As in other divisions, we cannot 100% guarantee all requests.

Practices and Games

Age Determination

Spring Season - Age of player as of 8/31 of that current year (ex. Spring 2024 season players age as of 8/31/2024)

Fall Season - Age of player as of 8/31 the following year (ex. Fall 2023 season players age as of 8/31/2024)