SOM Cougars - 10U 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 Parent Coaches

Mike Gates and Steve Finnern are the lead parent coaches for the 10U age level. Mike and Steve have both coached baseball in SOM for several years, and Steve is also a softball coach. Mike’s email is gates718@gmail.com and his phone number is 646-584-0946. Steve’s email is steven.finnern@gmail.com and his phone number is 917-294-9690.

Tryouts

Tryouts for 10U 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.

    • Time, Date & Location: Day 1 of tryouts will be from 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm on Monday, December 2 @ The West Orange Armory. Day 2 of tryouts will be a 20 minute hitting evaluation between the hours of 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 5 @ DINGERS.
    • Age Eligibility: 10U Players must be born between May 1st, 2014 - April 30th 2015
    • 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 6 - March 24 (12 weeks)
  • TENTATIVE Schedule:
    • Mondays: 4:30 - 6:00 PM @ DINGERS with Coach Raul Ortega
    • Second Workout Day @ Seton Hall with Coach Rob Sheppard and his assistants and players. Likely Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30. Seton Hall workouts will likely occur for part of the winter season but not every week or not all the way through March.
    • Cost: ~$550-$600 (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, we will either participate in USABL or Town Travel Baseball Association (TTBA). TTBA is a newly created baseball association, and unlike USABL is exclusively for town travel teams.

  • Teams: 1 or 2 teams depending on numbers. Red and Black teams, 12-13 players each)
  • League: Either USABL or Town Travel
  • Schedule:
    • Games: Usually one game per week on weekends (typically Sundays)
    • Practices: 1x per week
    • Season Start: Late March / Early April
    • Season End: Early June
  • Coaching: Jesse Evans of The Gym will be head coaching one or both 10U spring teams.
  • Cost: ~$600 (Registration through SOM Boosters)

Spring Rec Baseball (Required for Travel Players)

  • Registration will begin in January through South Orange Rec
  • All 10U players will participate in the M60 division
  • Games on Saturdays and likely on Wednesdays OR Thursdays, plus up to one practice per week

Summer Travel Season

  • League: New Providence Green & Gold League
  • Teams: Red (likely in the Green League) and Black (likely in the Gray League)
    • Red Team: May participate in Cal Ripken Tournament or another USABL or TTBA tournament
    • Black Team: Will participate in a USABL or TTBA tournament 
  • Schedule:
    • League Start: ~June 9
    • League End: As late as July 27
    • 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: ~$250.00 (Registration through SO Rec)