REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN !                      

It’s time again for “Fall Ball”

New Canaan Baseball wants to continue the fun that we have each fall by once again offering instructional and league baseball programs to our players.

This year we plan to offer programs for most age groups: one for players that were ages 8 and 9 this past spring, one for 10 and 11 year-olds from the spring, one for 12 year-olds and programs for 13 to 18 year-olds. The 8 and 9 year-olds and the 10 and 11 year-olds will each have their own leagues. The 12 year-old players will get a taste of things to come by moving up to the big field this fall and their program will consist of 4 clinics to teach them the nuances of playing on the big field and will conclude with several scrimmages. We anticipate that we will have two teams in the Stamford Fall League, one at the 14 and under level and one at the 16 and under level, pending registration numbers. At the high school level the team will be coached by Bobby Valentine’s Baseball Academy with weekly practices and a 16 to 20 game schedule.  This is a competitive league so tryouts will be required. For further information, please click here.

Games for the 8 and 9 and the 10 and 11 year-old age groups will be scheduled on Friday evenings and Saturdays and the clinics for the 12 year-olds will take place Saturday mornings. These programs will start the weekend of September 5th and continue into late October. Teams are likely to have one practice every week on a day and time to be determined by each coach. We want to provide the opportunity to our players to continue to develop their baseball skills and knowledge of the game, while at the same time having some fun on the diamond. These programs are intended to be low-key and instructional. Players will be assigned to a team after Labor Day weekend.

Details of the programs for the 13, 14 & 15 year old boys will be available once we finalize how many teams we will be placing in Fall leagues. That information will only be available once we have an indication of the participation level for Fall baseball.

If your child is interested in playing Fall Ball, please respond by registering online. Though the registration deadline for Fall Ball is Sept 5th, please register as soon as possible. This will  assist us in organizing the leagues and teams. As always, we are looking for a few good coaches. This is the perfect time to jump in and contribute because these programs will not have the same time demands as the spring or summer seasons.

If you have any questions or would like to help out in any way,
please contact Fred Ryon at fcryon@hotmail.com or Chuck Frydenborg at chuck.frydenborg@gartner.com.

We are looking forward to your participation and to having a great time. We look forward to seeing you on the playing field.

Fred Ryon and Chuck Frydenborg
Commissioners
Fall Baseball

Here is a letter from the President of New Canaan Baseball Softball, Inc.

July 30, 2008

Dear Parents and Friends of New Canaan Baseball:

New Canaan Baseball has recently pledged $90,000 to the Town of New Canaan toward the installation of little league baseball field cutouts in the corners of the multipurpose field area at Irwin Park.The infield will be all grass with clay cutouts at the bases and we will install seasonal fencing for the kid's safety.The fencing will consist of a backstop and protective fencing in front of the team benches.There will be no scoreboards, stands, home run fence or lights installed anywhere.

The new fields at Irwin Park will directly benefit our Bantam and Cub leagues, and will open up practice and game times on our current fields for all younger leagues.I am sure you are all aware of the practice and game scheduling conflicts that are created due to the lack of baseball fields in town.The installation of these fields will enable our kids and coaches to hold their practices and games at reasonable times, on safe fields, in a beautiful park setting.Irwin Park fields will help alleviate the maintenance costs we and the town incur every year on Mellick and Gamble Fields in Mead Park due to the practice and game pressure that they withstand each year.

We currently have $60,000 in the bank and need the balance of $30,000 in order to start the project this fall.We have received a generous grant from The New Canaan Community Foundation for $30,000 and New Canaan Baseball has matched that donation from its general operating fund.

The new fields at Irwin Park are a reality for next season, but in order to start work this fall we need your help to close the gap. We are counting on funding the balance through the generosity of donors like you.Your contribution will not only be an important investment in our community for years to come, it will be recognized with a permanent record in accordance with the level of your gift.

We hope that you see the extraordinary benefit of these new fields at Irwin Park, and that you will join us in pledging your support.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at any time.

Very best regards,
Jim Mase

President – New Canaan Baseball/Softball, Inc.
Cell# 203-273-5707
Home # 966-2068

To print a donation form, click here

During the year 2007, thanks to the generosity of the parents and sponsors, New Canaan Baseball & Softball was able to make a $45,000 contribution that was coupled with a $46,000 donation from the Town of New Canaan that helped to complete the renovation of many of our baseball infields during the fall and winter months. Mellick and Gamble fields at Mead Park now have brand-new infields and refurbished scoreboard equipment. The Saxe Field for the Major 70’s also received a new infield. Mead Field is currently being reworked and will be ready for spring baseball. For the softball program, lights have been added to the Orchard Field at Waveny. Future plans include lighting an additional softball field at Waveny. Our fees cover the cost of uniforms (pants, shirts, hats), insurance, new equipment, umpires, and tournament fees, to name a few expenses. We rely on your contributions to maintain and improve our fields. Please be generous and help us to become one of the finest baseball programs in the Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Leagues. During the registration process, you will be asked to consider adding a donation amount to your application fee. Or if you prefer, checks made payable to New Canaan Baseball Softball can be sent to our post office box address shown at the left.

Ripken Baseball has partnered with Babe Ruth League and the American Sport Education Program to provide online training and certification for all coaches within the organizations that join the Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth League.  Although the certification program began in December of 2006, the deadline is now approaching when we must be in full compliance.  Spring coaches will not have to take the course and become certified, but All-Star coaches, Summer Ball and Fall Ball coaches will, as well as all who plan to coach from July 1, 2008 and beyond.  All completed certifications must be communicated to the commissioner of the age group and to the registrar, suemoran@optonline.net.

The course is available online at www.RipkenCoaching.org and takes approximately 6 hours to complete, which includes reading material and a certification test at the end.  You do not have to complete the program in one sitting.  You can stop and leave the material and then return at a later date to continue further with the instruction.  Online registration for the test requires a $20.00 fee.  Once you have been certified through this online training program, you are certified for your entire career as a Cal Ripken or Babe Ruth coach.  For further information, visit the Ripken Coaching website or contact Jim Mase at jimmase@aol.com.

August 15th                      Registration for Fall Ball 2008 opens
Sept 5th                           Registration for Fall Ball ends
First Week of Sept              Fall Ball Programs begin
Last Week of Oct               Fall Ball Program ends

All league ages for baseball are determined by the player's age as of April 30th, 2008.  The player must be between the ages of 6 and 18 as of April 30th, 2008 to register for our Fall Baseball Program.

The softball program is divided by grade, as of December 31st, 2007 for the Spring 2008 season.  The player must be in grades 2 through 8, as of December 31st, 2007 to register for our Fall Softball Program.

• Fund raising is always underway for various projects and your support is needed. Please contact Jim Mase at jimmase@aol.com if you are interested in contributing.
• If you want to join our mailing list or update your contact information, please email us at suemoran@optonline.net.  You will receive a response when your contact information has been added to our mailing list.