Announcement
Note: Playing ages are based upon the child's age as of April 30th of the playing year.
Rookie (T-ball):
CBO's Rookie division is for 5-6 year-old players. 4 year-olds that will be entering Kindergarten the following September are eligible to play as well. Similarly, 7 year-olds with no prior playing experience are also encouraged to play at this level. The focus is on fun and allowing kids to learn the most basic concepts of the game. Tees are used for most of the game. Coaches may pitch the last inning. Every kid bats every inning. All kids play in the field every inning. Games are 4 innings long. Practices and games are held on Saturdays from early-April through late-June. There may also be an occasional midweek practice.
A-ball:
Our A-ball division is for 7-8 year-olds (note: some 9 year-olds will also play at this level particularly if they are new to baseball). This is the time when the kids are truly learning the fundamentals of the game. Players will learn the responsibilities of each of the positions. Focus is given to throwing, hitting, and fielding fundamentals. The values of good sportmanship are taught and the players interact in a true team setting. Coaches pitch the the entire 6 inning game. Walks and stealing are not allowed. Practices and games are 2 nights a week. This is the level where many kids blossom into good ballplayers. (New for 2013) CBO will be dividing this age group into 2 separate playing levels. First year players at this level will participate in a coach-pitch division. Players having already played one year at this level will participate in a kid-pitch level with rules modified to accomodate the abilities of kids at this age level.
Minors:
Our Minors division consists of players between the ages of 9 and 12 years-old. Most 9 year-olds participating in the CBO program play at this level. 10, 11 and 12 year-olds are assigned to this level based upon their evaluation scores (player evaluations are held in January each year for players between the ages of 10-14). While fundamentals are focused on at all levels of play, the Minors division is where players are introduced to more advanced parts of the game such as bunting, stealing, and advanced base-running. Kids pitch the entire 6-inning games. Scores are kept for the games and there is a season-ending tournament. Practices and games are held 2 nights a week and some weekends.
10u-Travel (New for 2013):
Starting in 2013, CBO will be sponsoring a team of its most talented 10u players to participate in Lancaster County Youth Baseball League's (LCYBL's) 10u Section 1 Division. This team will play against other top 10u players from throughout Lancaster County. This team will have the ability to play in a year-end tournament and will have the ability to play in other weekend tournaments throughout the season.
12u Section 3 (New for 2013) (formerlly known as Majors):
For the 2013 season, the CBO Board of Directors approved aligning our former Majors division with LCYBL's 12u Section 3 division. The 12u Section 3 division is made up of players between the ages of 10 and 12 (note: some 9 year-olds may be invited to play at this level based upon coach recommendation from the prior year). 10, 11 and 12 years-olds are assigned to this level based upon their evaluation scores. The games last six innings and all baseball concepts regardless of how fundamental or advanced are practiced. Practices and games are held 2 nights a week and some weekends. Approximately 75% of the games for teams at this level will be played within the Cocalico area with the remaining away games being played against other Lancaster County teams. There is a season-ending tournament for this level and teams will have the option to participate in some weekend tournaments throughout the season.
12u Sections 1 & 2:
Based upon player evaluation scores and tryout results, some players may be invited to participate on one of our travel teams. These team(s) generally consist of the most talented 12u players within the CBO program and play against the top talent from other Lancaster County area communities though our affiliation with the Lancaster County Youth Baseball League. This is advanced baseball with longer basepaths, longer pitching mounds, and where leads are allowed. Additional fees may be charged by CBO to those that participate in the program to cover the additional costs that CBO incurs to participate in this program. These teams may also play in other non-CBO tournaments.
Middle School Program:
All CBO 7th & 8th grader teams play in the Lancaster County Youth Baseball League (LCYBL). CBO normally sponsors teams within multiple skill-based divisions within the LCYBL. Teams at this age level play on fields with a 55-foot mound and 80-foot basepath. CBO sponsors an 8th grade team that will participate in Section 1 of LCYBL. Similary, CBO sponsors a team of top-evaluating 7th graders that will participate in Section 2 of LCYBL. Based upon registration rates and coaching availability, CBO will also sponsor one or more combined 7th/8th grade teams that will participate in section 2 or 3 of LCBYL. Please note that CBO does reserve the right to cut at this level after the tryout process to ensure that our teams have the appropriate number of players.
