Opening Day is scheduled for April 26, 2025 (weather permitting). Practices start end of March or beginning of April if weather allows. The end of the season is around mid-June.  Click for a list our 2025 Upcoming Key Events

Is Summer baseball available through South Meriden Baseball?

Yes!  All Star Teams can play during the summer months.  Our 8U All Star Team plays in a fun and challenging tournament from end of June through 1st week of August.

Stay tuned for summer opportunities at the 9U through 12U age groups.

When does the Fall Season start and end?

The Fall season starts after Labor Day and ends by the end of October.
 

When are Player Assessments completed?

Mandatory player assessments for all players registered for Rookies, Minors and Majors Divisions will be completed on SATURDAY MARCH 22, 2025 at Ultimate Sports.  Ultimate Sports is located at 847 Hanover Road, Meriden, CT 06451 (brick building next to American Legion).  This will be held indoors.  Please park and enter in the rear of the building behind the RipTide facility.  Players will need to bring a bat, glove and helmet. You will receive a follow-up email from us in the next few days with your start and arrival time but in general, expect the following:

11-12 year olds 11:30am – 12:00pm (arrival time 11:15am)

9-10 year olds 12:15pm – 1:00pm (arrival time 12:00pm)

6-8 year olds 1:15pm – 2:00pm (arrival time 1:00pm)

NOTE:  TBall players do not attend player assessments

I played last year, why am I required to attend player assessments?

To ensure balanced teams and player safety, we are requiring all Rookies, Minors and Majors level players to attend the player assessment on March 22, 2025 at Ultimate Sports.

When are teams formed?

Once player assessments are completed, teams will be formed for all divisions.  You will typically receive a message from your assigned coach 1 week after the player assessments are completed.  If you haven’t received a message from your assigned coach by April 1st, please reach out to us at southmeridenbb@gmail.com and we will get back to you within 24hrs.

How many players are on a team?

A number of our players over age 8 juggle both South Meriden Baseball and AAU travel ball schedules, and younger players under age 8 tend to ask for more game breaks.  As such, the number of players on a team in 2025 will be capped at 12.  If teams are full, you will be placed on a waiting list until an additional team can be formed.

Are South Meriden Baseball coaches experienced?

Yes.  All of our coaches at the Rookies level and older have baseball experience and are offered training in coaching youth baseball.  All coaches are required to undergo a criminal background check.

When are practices and games?

Practices are typically once per week for 1 – 2 hours based on coach availability. Practices are expected to begin early April (weather permitting).

Games are typically held twice per week.  One game will be played during the week starting around 5:30pm and 1 game will be played on the weekend.  Games are expected to begin April 26, 2025 immediately following the Opening Day Ceremony.

Minors and Major level players will play other towns.  Games are split between home and away.  Home games are played at Habershon Field in South Meriden.  Away games are typically played closer to Meriden (ie, 20-30 min) if during the week.  On the weekend, away games could be it bit farther (30-40min).

Rookies level players may play other towns on the weekend only.

When will I receive my practice and game schedule?

Once your player is assigned a team, your coach will provide you with your practice and game schedule.  The game schedule will be loaded onto the Sports Engine App.  You will need to download the Sports Engine App.

To download the Sports Engine Quick Start Guide, please visit our parents page at www.smbaseball.com/forparents.  Note that some coaches prefer to conduct regular communications via text or email.  Please discuss this with your coach.

What equipment is my child required to have to play?

Each player will need a bat, glove, helmet, cleats and baseball pants.  Cleats are not needed for TBall.

Catchers gear will be provided by the league, IF the Parent, and Player are comfortable sharing. If your child will be catching, you will need to provide them with a cup.

What bats are allowed?

Cal Ripken Division (TBall, Rookies, Minors, Majors) – All non-wood bats must have the USA Bat Marking.  Bat Barrel Maximum is 2 5/8”.  No BBCOR Bats are permitted in the Cal Ripken Division.  For TBall, bats must be marked with the USA Bat TBall stamp.  NO USSSA Bats allowed.

Babe Ruth Division (age 13-16) – All non-wood bats must have the USABat Marking or marked BBCOR .50.  Bat Barrel 2 5/8”.

How do I select the right baseball bat for my player?

Bat Length – A quick “rule of thumb” is to have your player stand in baseball cleats and put the bat next to them, standing the bat straight up.  The bat should reach the player’s hip, but not go further than the hip. If it passes above the hip, we can generally say that the bat is too long to swing effectively.

Bat Weight – In general, the lighter the bat, the more control and bat speed a player will have.  The heavier the bat, the more power a player will get.  It is highly recommended that younger players select lighter bats as they are learning the mechanics of an effective swing and can’t control a heavier bat.

How to Determine Bat Length and Weight – the bottom of the bat handle will have a number on it.  This is the bat length.  The bottom of the bat barrel will have a number such as -12, -11, -10, -9, -8, -5, and -3.  Subtract the number on the bottom of the bat barrel from the bat length and that gives you your bat weight.  For example, a 27 length bat with a -11 gives you a 16oz bat weight.

For more information on selecting the right bat, visit Helpful Links on our parents page at  www.smbaseball.com/forparents  or discuss with your coach.

 

How do I select the right glove for my player?

For younger players, gloves are usually labeled by age.  It is recommended that you select a glove based on age.  For older players, gloves are usually selected by position and age.

For more information on selecting the right glove, visit Helpful Links on our parents page at  www.smbaseball.com/forparents or discuss with your coach.

Can my child play with the older age groups?

Everyone 12 and under will play within the division based on their birthday.  A mandatory player skills assessment will be completed each Spring prior to the formation of teams.  If the coaches feel the player should be moved up or down a division due to skills or safety concerns, there will be a discussion with the parent.

My child is 9, 10, 11, 12 and playing for the first time. Can they still play?

Absolutely!  The player assessments will make sure that every team is evenly distributed and player skills match with the division in which they will be playing. It's all about learning and having fun at every age level.

Can my daughter play baseball?

Sure can! We have girls that have played several years in the program and have gone on to be very successful softball players.

Are there volunteer opportunities?

Yes.  We routinely have volunteer opportunities for field clean-up and in our concession stand.  Parents will be required to volunteer once per season.  If your team is playing at home, your team will be required to open and run the concession stand while the game is in-progress.  Please discuss with your coach.

For any additional questions, please reach out to southmeridenbb@gmail.com or call Jeff at 203-213-3951.

Looking forward to an amazing season!

South Meriden Baseball

Parents can play many roles in sport: current or former athlete, coach, fan, motivator, role model or critic. A few studies have shown that family members may influence an athlete’s involvement and achievement in sport more than coaches. Parents also are the first and most critical agents at socializing sports.

Keep connected to your team(s). Get schedules and team updates for every athlete in the house, plus a way to message other members on your team and a way to give coaches a heads up about practice. Enjoy unlimited access to scores & stats, photo/video sharing, and more.