Ashland Youth Baseball & Softball (AYBS)  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I registered my child in November.  When will I find out what team he/she is on? 

Teams are not created until after the registration period has ended (currently mid-February) and coaches have been assigned.  For AAA and Majors divisions, AYBS holds a draft to create balanced teams.  For A, AA and T-Ball, the coaches meet and work together to create balanced teams.  We try to have all teams created by April 1.

Can I request my child to play with his friends? 

While we will take personal requests into account, we do not guarantee we can fulfill an individual request.  For A, AA and T-ball we try to fulfill most requests as best as we can, although we cannot absolutely guarantee all requests will be met.  However, in the AAA and Majors divisions, we are more focused on creating balanced teams and have less flexibility as a result of the draft. As a result, we are not able to fulfill requests at those levels with the same level of frequency as the lower levels, although we will consider and do our best with all requests.. 

Where will my child’s games be played? 

Currently, all AAA and Majors Baseball games are played at Gryncel Field.  A and AA Baseball are played at Stone park and Mindess School.  T-Ball games will be played at the Mindess School on the back field.  Softball plays all of its minor league (grades K-4) games behind the Warren School on Fruit St.  All major league (grades 5-8) home games are played behind the Warren School or at Stone Park, while away games will be played in surrounding towns. 

When will games be played? 

T-Ball games are mid-week (typically Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings) and Saturday mornings. 

A and AA teams have games throughout the week and again on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons.  AAA and Majors Baseball play games every night of the week and on Saturdays.  Most teams will have 1 weeknight game per week and 1 on the weekend. 

Senior Baseball plays home games at Stone Park on weeknights.  

K & AA softball teams play one game on a weeknight and another on Saturday mornings.

AAA softball teams play one or two games during the week and practice or play a game on the weekend.

Majors softball teams play games every Tuesday & Thursday evening and practice on the weekend. Seniors softball teams play games every Monday & Wednesday evening and practice on the weekend.

I volunteered to be a coach during the registration process.  When will I hear if I have been chosen?

Coaching assignments are not made until after the registration period closes.  Once we determine how many teams we have at each level, we decide who will get coaching positions.  We try to make coaching decisions by early March so that actual teams can be created soon after. 

What does my child need to start the season? 

AYBS provides players with game uniform tops and hats. Each player should bring a water bottle and their own glove. Cleats are strongly recommended.  AYBS provides bats and batting helmets. You may choose to buy your own helmet and bat.  If you choose to buy a bat for your child, make sure it has been approved for use by Little League or has an ASA seal for softball.  Please check the following link for more information on baseball bats:  http://www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/baseballbatinfo.htm 

What safety issues do players need to conform with?

Players are not allowed to wear any jewelry. It is not acceptable to tape over earrings.  All players in AAA, Majors and Senior Softball must wear helmets with cages and chin straps.  All levels of baseball require a helmet with cage, except Senior Baseball.         T-Ball, K and AA softball do not require cages.

No Dogs Allowed

There are NO DOGS ALLOWED on Ashland school or town property. Please leave your dogs at home. 

My child is more advanced than the other players in his age group. Can he play up?

AYBS provides recreational opportunities for players of all levels. Instruction, Development & Inclusion are the primary goals. Only when an older age group needs players to round out a roster will moving younger players up be considered. Evaluations  for 6 and 7 year old baseball players will be scheduled to assess if it is in the best interest of the player to have them play above their age group.  Evaluations for 8 and 10 year olds in baseball are held in September. 

Why can’t my child play with his/her friends? 

AYBS follows Little League age guidelines for baseball.  A player’s age as of April 30th of the current season determines which division he/she can play in during that season.

Softball follows the guidelines of the Tri-Valley softball league in the spring. The player’s school grade is used to determine which division to play in for that season.

In the summer, softball uses ASA guidelines which are based on the child’s age on January 1.

What opportunities for baseball & softball does AYBS offer in the summer?

AYBS offers numerous opportunities for summer baseball for all ages and abilities:

SANDLOT Baseball: For 6-10 year olds, we offer the Sandlot program which allows players to continue to develop basic baseball skills in a fun environment at Gryncel Field.  The Sandlot program runs from July-mid-August.

SPARKLER: For 8 year old players, AYBS hosts the Sparkler Tournament.  This is an 8-town competitive tournament held at Gryncel field in June and July.  Players are chosen for participation by the coaches based on in-season ability and tryouts held in May. 

TONDORF:  The Tondorf Tournament is an All-Star Tournament held in Medway in June/July which includes 8 local towns.  This is a highly competitive baseball tournament for Ashland’s top players in the 9, 10, 11 and 12 year-old age groups.  Tryouts are held in May to determine the teams. 

SIZZLER:  The Sizzler Tournament is an All-Star Tournament held in Hopkinton in June/July.  This is a competitive tournament against numerous other local towns.  Ashland has teams made up of 9/10 year olds and 11/12 year olds.  Tryouts are held in May to determine the teams.

Framingham League (new for summer 2012): For 7-12 year olds. Framingham has invited Ashland to participate in its summer league that has three age categories, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12. The 7-8 age group is an instructional league, similar to our AA program where players get practice pitching with assistance from coaches. There are no umpires in the 7-8 age group. The 9-10 and 11-12 league is player pitch, with umpires and is run similar to our AAA/majors programs. All three age groups are open to all talent levels and provide the opportunity for players to continue to develop basic baseball skills in a fun environment. Games are held on weeknights only (there are no weekend games), played on Framingham fields and runs from July through mid-August. 

SANDLOT SOFTBALL: For 6-10 year olds, we offer the Sandlot program which allows players to continue to develop basic softball skills in a fun environment at Warren School.  The Sandlot program runs from July through mid-August. 

TWIN VALLEY SOFTBALL: AYBS enrolls a number of teams in the Twin Valley league which is a consortium of towns throughout Metrowest and Central Mass. Teams are created based on age level and players’ skill sets. 

What is ASA? 

Amateur Softball Association - ASA Code

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