Check the new 2012 MBL Bat rules before purchasing one

For the 2012 MBL/MBT season all bats in the 11 – 14 year old age group, big barrel bats must have the NEW USSSA Approved 1.15 BPF stamp on its taper, Babe Ruth Approved 1.15 BPF stamp or BBCOR stamp. For small barrel bats (2 1/4"), 10 - 13 year olds use all of the above stamps or you can also use bats that have the old approved USSSA mark. 15 year olds must use a BBCOR bat (Batted Ball Coefficient or Restitution).

The level of play for each team  has not been finalized as of yet. Each team will be placed at the level at which it is determined will benefit the program the most.  

We have completed the traveling try-out meeting, held on November 2nd at the Youth Service Building. We had some ideas that were generated that we will work to implement for next year. We will be setting up clinics prior to try-outs to help prepare the players for the try-outs. We have also set the dates as September 8th & 9th with the following weekend being for a rain-out or a possible second judged date. There will be no waivers other than medical waivers, or another EXTREEME case (vacation is not an acceptable reason). If you do not attend try-outs, you will not be eligible for our top team at the level.

We will be finalizing details and arranging for evaluators in the spring, as well as finalizing the fee for try-outs.

Thank you to those who attended.

The second 13A team has been formed along with the 14/15A team. The numbers on these teams could fluctuate a bit depending on registration numbers. I will not form a team that has 15 players or more on it's roster, I will do my best to find a place for any player that does not end up on a CGAA team for next spring.

Cottage Grove Baseball offers three levels of traveling baseball.  The levels are AAA (A), AA (B), and A (C).  Players are chosen through a try-out process and picked by coaches who compare skill rankings, positions and attitude; there is a list of criteria guiding their selections. 

Each level of play requires hard work, comittment and desire.  We believe in teaching structure, discipline and baseball fundamentals.  Coaches will expect committment, discipline and desire and effort to improve.  Coaches are volunteers at all CGAA levels. 

Our goals is to teach players to set goals and work hard to achieve them.  We do not try to shelter players from their mistakes, rather we want to teach them to embrace them and figure out what work they need to do to correct them.  Baseball is a sport where you are allowed to fail, pick yourself up and try again.  Baseball teaches you that mistakes are not failure but rather teaching moments that help you improve.

The age you are as of April 30th in the year you are playing determines the age that you are eligible to play.  Players are able to play up but not down. 

10 year old baseball actually encompases all ages up to 10 years of age, We have AAA and AA at this level.  We also work to put tournament or A teams together if there are enough players to do this.  Pitching mounds are 46 feet and bases are 60 feet stealing is allowed after the pitch crosses the plate. Parents and players are immersed in the traveling baseball culture at this level being exposed to all the nuiances that go with traveling baseball.  For most players, this is the first venture outside our community in basebalI.  If you are not picked for a traveling team, you are eligible to play Peewees in our developmental in house program.

The intensity moves up a notch and players start to understand what it will take to be successful in the competitive baseball arena.  Pitching mounds remain at 46 feet however bases move to 65 feet.  If you are not picked for a traveling team, you are eligible to play minors in our developmental in house program.

At 12 the intensity is upped and the comittment level is expected to rise.  Pitching mounds move back to 52-52 feet, bases are stretched to 75 feet and leading off and stealing are incorporated.  Players start to be placed in positions based on performance.  We have AAA, AA and we will have A teams if we have sufficient numbers.  If you are not picked for a traveling team, you are eligible to play minors in our developmental in house program.

We do not offer any developmental in-house program above age 12 therefore all players who want to play baseball in Cottage Grove are now in the traveling arena.  Rules are the same as 12U with the addition of the allowance of metal spikes.

The age of real baseball.  This is where true 9 man baseball begins; 90 foot base pads, 60'6" pitching mounds.  We form individual 14aaa and 14aa teams as well as 15aaa and 15aa teams.  14 and 15 year olds are mixed on our A teams.  We do our best to place everyone on a team.  Many of the 15 year old players play for the freshman team as well.