Boys Baseball

Keeping baseball fun — especially in the early stages of youth participation — is the primary concern of our program. We believe in participation for all, positive competition, and building character. We teach fundamentals and traditions of the game, champion sportsmanship, and encourage family and community support.

Maple City Baseball Travel Program
The Maple City Baseball program offers part-time travel teams for 9U-14U divisions in our Boys Baseball program. (Age groups are offered depending upon the number of players interested and may be combined). Only participants in the La Porte Park and Recreation Department program are eligible for the 9U-14U Maple City Baseball program and must play for their age group as determined by their age on or before April 30, 2020.

The program is directly affiliated with the older divisions of Maple City Baseball, including the La Porte High School summer team and American Legion Post 83 Junior team. Play within the community while still enjoying travel experiences. We offer quality instruction, reasonable fees, and most tournaments played within an hour drive or less. Teams work out in the fall through October and then begin winter workouts in January. Teams participate in tournaments from April through July. Teams will be selected by the team coaching staff, with oversight from league administrators and coaches. If interested but were unable to attend the tryouts, contact Recreation Director Pam Carroll at pcarroll@cityoflaportein.gov. There is no fee to try out, however, if selected players must pay a fee, possibly participate in fundraising, and commit to the full schedule and participation in the Boys Baseball spring/summer program.
A tournament team will be selected in June for the 8U age group to represent the league in tournaments in July.

 

Rookie (Machine Pitch) Baseball (For Boys, Ages 7-8)
The program makes use of a pitching machine to allow for more hittable balls and more action in the field. League will instruct players in the fundamentals of the game, including throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting. The program includes six weeks of preseason practices followed by a 10-game schedule and a single-elimination tournament.  Parents will receive a phone call from their coach to provide practice information. League practices may begin April 14, games run late May through the beginning of July. 



Minor Baseball (For Boys, Ages 9-10)
Players build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to understand game strategy and teamwork. Players pitch, with limitations on stealing and lead-offs. The program includes seven weeks of preseason practices followed by a 12-game schedule and a single-elimination tournament. Parents will receive a phone call from their coach to provide practice information.  League practices may begin March 29, games run early May through the beginning of July.



Major Baseball (For Boys, Ages 11-12)

Featuring 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths, players expand their games and continue the building-block approach to fundamentals. The program includes seven weeks of preseason practices followed by a 12-game schedule, a single-elimination tournament, and the Walt Thode Baseball Classic.  Parents will receive a phone call from their coach to provide practice information.  League practices may begin March 29, games run early May through the beginning of July.


 

Junior Baseball (For Boys, Ages 13-15)

Great program for players wanting to advance their skills or simply keep playing for the joy of the game. Played on a full-size field with 60-foot, 6-inch mound distance and 90-foot base paths, the program prepares players for the next level. The program includes seven weeks of preseason practices followed by a 12-game schedule and a single-elimination tournament.  Parents will receive a phone call from their coach to provide practice information. League practices may begin March 29, games run early May through the beginning of July.

 

Preseason Clinics

Like most organizations serving our community, we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and how it impacts our parks and programs. We are committed to providing services in a safe, responsible fashion and are complying with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Indiana.
 

While we are extremely excited about the upcoming youth baseball and softball seasons, the ongoing uncertainty about COVID-19 restrictions, such as indoor attendance limitations, has forced us to forgo the Preseason Clinics and Rally Day events this month. Instead, we will be e-mailing key information on the programs and, once rosters are formed, coaches will call with practice instructions. We expect Junior, Major and Minor Baseball and Senior, Junior and Fastpitch Softball to begin practices the week of March 29 (weather permitting). Rookie Baseball and Pitch Perfect Softball start practicing the week of April 12. For additional information, please call 219-326-9600 or e-mail Recreation Director Pam Carroll at pcarroll@cityoflaportein.gov.


PLEASE SEE THE NOTE ABOVE FOR PRESEASON CLINIC AND RALLY DAY INFORMATION.  

All participants are encouraged to attend the preseason clinics scheduled for Saturdays, March 6, 13, and 20 with the location to be determined. The clinics will feature instruction in the fundamentals and allow players to knock off the "rust" from the winter. The clinics run from 8-8:50 a.m. for Rookie (ages 7-8), from 9-9:50 a.m. for Minor (ages 9-10), from 10-10:50 a.m. for Major (ages 11-12) and from noon-12:50 p.m. for Junior (ages 13-15).

 


Fall Baseball (For Boys, Ages 8-14)
Our Fall Baseball program, divided into Minor (ages 8-9), Major (ages 10-11), and Junior (ages 12-14) divisions, prepares players for the next season. Our emphasis will be on instruction and constructive competition as players look to take their games to the next level. The program includes three weeks of preseason practices followed by a 10-game schedule and a single-elimination tournament. League practices mid-August, games begin the week of September 8 through the middle to end of October.

Cost is $60 for the first child and $50 for each additional child in the same household for Minor and Major Leagues.  Cost is $100 for the first child and $90 for each additional child in the same household for Junior Boys League.  Registration available beginning July 16 at the Park Office (250 Pine Lake Avenue) or online. An additional $20 will be added to the registration fee after July 31.
 

 

For more information on Baseball Players Association, click on this link.