Hinsdale Cal Ripken League

If you would like to sign your child up for a division outside of the normal age range, please contact the board at [email protected].

A board decision will be made in a case-by-case situation.

T-Ball - preschool and kindergarten  (ages 4-6)

The T-Ball division is geared towards preschool and kindergarten aged children (ages 4-6). We also recommend this league for 1st graders with no previous baseball experience. This league teaches the basic fundamentals of the game through practices and games. Team sizes are small (6-8 kids) to keep them engaged and to keep game/practice length appropriate for their attention span. We typically have 4 teams and are always in need of coaches and assistant coaches. Parent involvement in practices and games is strongly encouraged at this level. 

Coach Pitch - grades 1-3 (ages 6-9)

The Coach Pitch (Minors) divisions of baseball and softball are geared towards children in grades 1-3, (ages 6-9). This league will use a combination of coaches pitching to kids for part of the game and may include a pitching machine for part of the game. These leagues teach the rules of baseball/softball, how to field the ball to make outs, batting techniques, proper throwing and catching mechanics, how to determine a ball from a strike, and the responsibilities of each position on the field. Girls may choose to play either softball or baseball, but not both.

(Majors) baseball division are geared towards children ages 9-12 in grades 4-6 (and very experienced 3rd graders). There is a specific age cutoff - your child must be 12 or under as of May 1, 2024. This league is more intense and practice more frequently and for a longer duration than the younger divisions. At this level, kids begin to hone their skills at certain positions, learn the more intricate rules of the game, learn more advanced batting techniques and swinging mechanics, proper situational infield plays, as well as learn to pitch, lead and slide. This league is competitive, games are 6 innings in duration (or until it is too dark to play), with clearly defined winners and losers. Girls may choose to play either softball or baseball, but not both (if they opt for baseball, they must be within the age limit stated above).

Kid Pitch Softball - Fillies - grades 4-6

(Majors) softball division are geared towards children grades 4-6.  This league is more intense and practice more frequently and for a longer duration than the younger divisions. At this level, kids begin to hone their skills at certain positions, learn the more intricate rules of the game, learn more advanced batting techniques and swinging mechanics, proper situational infield plays, as well as learn to pitch, lead and slide. This league is competitive, games are 6 innings in duration (or until it is too dark to play), with clearly defined winners and losers. Girls may choose to play either softball or baseball, but not both (if they opt for baseball, they must be within the age limit stated above).

Babe Ruth League - ages 13-16 - any player born on or after May 1, 2007 and prior to May 1, 2011. The Babe Ruth League will begin around Memorial Day, when school seasons are wrapping up to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Any player born on or after May 1, 2007, and prior to May 1, 2011, will be eligible for Babe Ruth Baseball 13-16 Division competition.  Teams are slightly larger than Cal Ripken rosters, typically 12-14 players. At the Babe Ruth level players play on a full diamond with the mound 60 feet, 6 inches from the plate and 90-foot basepaths, 7 innings games.  Practices will be in Hinsdale and games will be played in other towns in NH, MA and VT. The Babe Ruth schedule is typically run from the end of May to the beginning of July and consists of 8-10 games with playoffs. Games are held during the week and, depending on field availability and weather, you can plan on at least 1 practice and 2-3 games each week once the season is underway.  Weeknight games or practices will start around 6pm. Players at this level will be considered for the Keene Cal Ripken All-Star program. 

Players should have more than a basic command of fielding, catching, throwing, batting and base running. They also understand appropriate actions in game situations, such as when and where to make put-outs, how to steal bases, how to tag-up on fly balls, how to execute cut-offs, etc..