Baseball Travel

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual."

Mission Statement:

The NFB Travel Baseball Program shall provide a quality environment that promotes instruction, advancement, sportsmanship, teamwork and an overall love for the game necessary for a competitive travel baseball program for the youth of our community and beyond.

Goal:

The New Fairfield Baseball Travel Program is committed to provide our athletes an environment in which they can improve the skills they will need to play at the high school and college level. They will understand the importance in developing a program that drives to be successful at the high school baseball level in New Fairfield. We will have a team at the 8yr old, 9yr old, 10yr old, 11yr old, and 12yr old age level

Program Overview:

Travel teams are selected after an open tryout, which will be conducted in late February or early March for players’ baseball age 8 to 11 and early September for players' baseball age 12. The reason for the 12yr old players trying out earlier than the other age groups is to give this group an opportunity to raise funds for the Cooperstown Tournament the following year (please see the Cooperstown section below for more information regarding this tournament). All dates and times will be posted and sent via email to all players. **Note – teams picked during tryouts will remain in place for that baseball season (including fall). If a travel player decides not to play fall baseball (i.e. plays another sport in the fall), a step-by-step process will be used to fill any open spots as determined by the travel commissioner for the fall season **(please see the fall section below explaining the process in selecting open spots for the fall team). The travel commissioners may also expand the roster or merge age groups for fall baseball at their discretion. Tryouts will be organized and run by the Travel Commissioners, and players will be evaluated by impartial, certified coaches of New Fairfield Baseball. There are NO pre-picked positions on these teams including returning players, and the best representative team will be selected on their ability.

Season:

The Spring Season starts in March and will run through late May. The 11u &12u Travel Teams should anticipate playing 8-10 games (weekends only), plus 2 to 3 practices a week (weeknights or weekends). The 8u, 9u & 10u Travel Teams will practice once a week (Sunday's) **The 8u, 9u & 10u do not participate in a game schedule... the 8u. 9u & 10u age groups will participate in the In-House program during the spring season.

Season:

The Summer Season starts in late May and will run through early August. Travel teams should anticipate playing 15-20 games, plus 2 to 3 practices a week.

Season:

The fall season starts in late August and will run through early November. Anticipate playing 8 to 12 games (weekends only), plus 1 to 2 practices a week (weeknights or weekends).

The step-by-step process in selecting players for open spots for the Fall Travel Season:

First, any opening will be offered to the players that attended the winter travel tryouts. Second, the players will be offered a spot on the fall team based on the order they were graded during the winter tryouts. (for example... the 12yr old travel team has 2 open spots, those 2 spots would be filled by the 13th and 14th ranked players from the previous winter travel tryouts). If we still have spots available after this process, we will set up a fall tryout to all eligible players for that age group. The league will send notice to all of these players in a timely fashion.

All players are expected to exhibit what is called “Championship Behavior”. This means players must display high standards of behavior and exemplify good sportsmanship. Parents and family members of these players must also commit to the same level of high standards of good behavior and attitude during all team activities. The New Fairfield Baseball Board reserves the right to revoke the privilege of any player/person to participate in the New Fairfield Travel Baseball Program, who does not conduct himself/herself in an acceptable manner. Violation of rules will result in discipline. 

Discipline may include but is not limited to:

-Game and/or practice suspension

-Team suspension

-Team removal

The following rules and regulations will apply to all players:

-Players must attend and be punctual to all practices and games as scheduled.

-Absence from team activities due to medical or family obligations are acceptable when approved in advance by the team’s coach. (**Note – vacations, weekend getaways, etc. Do not fall under family obligations)

Unexcused absences may result in suspension as follows:

-Missing one game - suspension from the next game

-Missing two consecutive practices - suspension from the next game

-Missing practice prior to the day of a game - the player will not start the next contest & the coach reserves the right not to play the child.

New Fairfield Baseball offers the 12yr old players the opportunity to play in the Cooperstown Dreams Park National Baseball Tournament. The 12yr old Cooperstown team is composed of players who make the 12yr old Travel Team from the prior year's fall tryout. Meaning that this year’s 12yr old fall travel tryout is also a tryout for next year's 12yr old Cooperstown Dreams Park Team. The reason the team is picked the prior year is to help the team offset the cost of the tournament. They will need to start fundraising 8 to 10 months prior to the tournament. This team will need to fundraise $22,000-$24,000 for the players and coaches.

What league do the travel teams play in? The travel players will represent our town at the district tournament with the hope of them moving on to state and national play (limited to certain age groups by Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Baseball). They will play in a few tournaments like the Memorial Day Weekend Tournament and the Jimmy Fund Tournament. They will also be committed to a high-level league such as the Greater Hudson Valley Baseball "A" or "B" League.

Will my child be able to play football come August if he/she is on the travel team? YES, but baseball is your first priority. The NF Football Program has made many accommodations for the travel player. Football will allow you to make up missed practice time.

What is the playing time rule for the program? The travel program must realize that equal play is not guaranteed. During regular season league play the coach will do his/her best to give everyone an equal share of playing time. During tournament play the coach will create a line-up that will give the team the best possible chance in winning the game/tournament. The travel program will hold players accountable for missed games and practices with regards to playing time.

What is the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament? One of the best tournaments for 12u youth baseball players is Cooperstown Dreams Park in Cooperstown, New York. It provides the opportunity for every baseball player (12u) to spend a week living their dream. The tournament is a week-long competition, with approximately 100 teams from all over the United States competing against each other. The cost of the tournament is $1400 per player/coach (Cooperstown Dreams Park establishes the price and is subject to change year to year). The price includes a skills challenge, 7 games (minimum), uniforms, room and board for the week. This is a great baseball experience for the players, coaches, and the entire family. You can find more information on the tournament at www.cooperstowndreamspark.com