SOM Cougars - 8U Travel Program
Expectations for Participation
The travel program is a three season commitment, and it is expected that families will participate in all three seasons. Having said this, we will consider exceptions on a case by case basis for kids who have other commitments.
Lead Parents
All of the parent coaches (Jeremy, Beau, Landis, Matt and Nick) who were involved in 2024 plan to return to help run the program in 2025. Coach placement will depend on player placement between the teams. For questions, contact Jeremy Wintroub at jwintroub@gmail.com or by phone/text at (215) 370-8975.
Tryouts
Tryouts for 8U will be held over two days. Your child is required to attend both tryout days. The first day will focus on fielding and the second day on hitting.
- Dates: Monday December 9th (4:00 to 5:15) and Thursday December 12th (you will sign up for a specific slot.)
- Location: Monday December 9th at West Orange Armory. Thursday December 12th at Dingers
- Ages of Eligibility: 8u players must be born between May 1st, 2016 - April 30th 2017
- What to Bring: Glove, bats, helmets, water, tennis shoes (baseball pants optional)
- Sign-Up: Here is the link to the sign up form.
- Tryout Fee: Free
- Not all players who try out are guaranteed places on a travel team. We will offer spots to as many as 12-13 players if there are enough players for one team, and up to 24-25 players if there are enough players for two teams.
Winter Training
- Duration: January 6th - March 24th (12 weeks)
- Schedule:
- Mondays: 4:00 - 5:15 PM at Soccer Palace, West Orange
- Thursdays: 4:00 - 5:30 PM at Dingers NJ
- Coach: Coach Chris Henry
- Cost: approximately $520-$550. (please note this cost assumes we have a full 25 participants. It may be slightly more if we have fewer participants)
Spring Season Travel
For the Spring Season, the 8U program will field at least one team that plays games in a competitive spring league hosted by USABL or Town Travel Baseball Association (TTBA). TTBA is a newly created baseball association, and unlike USABL is exclusively for town travel teams. If a second team is formed, it may play in a spring league or may focus more on practices and skill building, with scrimmages and tournaments, to build skills to prepare for the summer season.
- Teams: 1 or 2 teams depending on numbers (Red and Black teams, 12-13 players each)
- Schedule:
- Practices: Once per week for Red team, 1-2 per week for Black team
- Games: Red Team: Typically one game per week on Sundays. Black team: scrimmages will be on Sundays when scheduled.
- Season Start: Late March / Early April
- Season End: Early June
- Coaching: Parent volunteer coaches with training support from Coach Henry
- Cost: ~$350 if your player plays on a team playing in a spring league; ~$250 if your player plays on a team mostly practicing (Registration through SOM Boosters)
Spring Rec Baseball (Required for All Travel Players)
- Registration will begin in January through South Orange Rec
- Games on Saturdays and likely Mondays, plus up to one practice per week
- It is recommended that all travel players at the 8U level “play up” to the Minors division, rather than playing in the Rookie National division
Summer Travel Season
- League: Our teams will likely play New Providence Green League as in years past: NPGL Baseball
- Teams: Red (likely in the Gold League) and Black (either in the Green or Gray League)
- Red Team: Participates in Cal Ripken Tournament
- Black Team: Participates in a separate weekend tournament
- Schedule:
- League Start: ~June 9. League End: As late as July 27
- Ripken Tournament is typically Mid June (Red Team)
- League games are typically Monday-Friday at 6 pm, not on weekends
- Tournament games may be on weekends
- 2-3 Games per week + 1 practice minimum
- Coaching: Parent Volunteer Coaches
- Cost: ~$250 (Registration through SO Rec)