RAAA Baseball offers opportunities for boys 5 to 14 years of age to participate in baseball during the summer (note: visit our Fall Baseball page for more information regarding Fall baseball options). Each year we look to increase their knowledge of the game as they continue to build their skills/abilities.  At younger age levels, the focus is to learn, grow, and have fun.  However, at the older levels (9U and up), we begin to offer competitive baseball but continue to provide opportunities to learn and develop. 

For information about Rockford School Baseball (starting in 7th grade) and baseball for ages 15/16, please see the information on our School/Legion Baseball page , which includes our Policy regarding playing School/RAAA Baseball as well as information regarding Legion and Jr. Legion Baseball.

Minor Leagues
T-Ball – Age 5 years old (Current Pre-schoolers, need to be 5 by September 1 of this year): Introduction to baseball and basic skill development.

• Held at Riverside Park on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6:15 to 7:30 starting mid-May through the end of June.
• Teams will practice for the first few weeks with games starting at the end of May.
• Hat, shirt, socks, and pants provided.

Rookie Ball (Coach Pitch/T-Ball) – Age 6-7 years old (Current Kindergartners and 1st Graders): Here we begin the transition from T-Ball to Pitched Baseball.

• Held at Riverside Park on Mondays/Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:30 starting mid-May through the end of June.
• Teams will practice for the first few weeks with games starting at the end of May.
• Hat, shirt, socks, and pants provided.

Machine Pitch League – Primarily Age 8 (Current 2nd Graders).  Though depending on registration numbers, 7 and/or 9-year-olds could be flexed to these teams.   This is a league with Hanover/Corcoran where the ball is pitched by a machine.

• Starting early May through the end of June
• Practices and games will typically occur two nights during the week between Monday and Thursday.
  • Because we play with surrounding communities, we cannot guarantee specific nights for teams.
• Includes a mid-year Jamboree (2-3 game tournament) in Hanover.
• Home games are played at Greenfield Baseball Field (Corner of Hwy 50 and Greenfield Rd)
• Away games are in Hanover or Corcoran fields.
• Hat, shirt, socks, and pants provided.

Traveling/REC Leagues
Starting at 9 years of age (3rd grade), players will participate in our Crow River League or Willie Mays League with surrounding communities (Annandale, Glencoe, Hanover, Howard Lake-WW, Hutchinson, Lester Prairie, Maple Lake, Norwood-YA, Watertown, etc.) with teams being created based on evaluations and placed in the most appropriate level based on their abilities, as we want to ensure boys have fun and are safe.  The Crow River league has traveling/REC team options at all levels: 10U, 12U, and 14U programs.

In general, RAAA Baseball attempts to create a Traveling Team (AA) at each age/grade level (i.e., 9A, 10AA, 11AA, 12AA, 13AA, 14AA) as well as a REC (A) team(s) at the “even years” for those that did not make the Traveling team (i.e., Willie Mays for 9–10-year-olds, 12A for 11–12-year-olds, 14A for 13-14 year olds). 

Each level will have games/practices twice a week and approximately 12-14 games, in addition to tournaments when noted. Season begins with practices starting mid-April with games starting early May and ending mid-July.

***Please note for the age levels below, teams play with surrounding communities and scheduling becomes more varied, therefore, we cannot guarantee specific days of the week for each age level.   Here are some key points:

• Practice schedules will be communicated early in April.
• Game schedules will be communicated in late April.
• Players will have generally two touchpoints a week (practices/games), sometimes three for older players (not including any tournaments)
• Practices and games will generally take place Monday through Thursday, with one to three weekend tournaments when noted.
• In the event of a cancellation (due to weather, etc.), games will be made up as soon as possible.

Breakdown of Age Levels

9U/10U Program – Age 9 and 10 years old (Current 3rd and 4th Graders) – NEW CHANGES FOR 2024

Willie Mays Team (9- and 10-year-olds):

• The league consists of teams from Rockford, Delano, and Watertown.
• Combination of all 9-year-olds (3rd Grade) and 10-year-olds (4th Grade) that did not make the 10AA Traveling team. 
• If there is enough for two or more teams, players will be divided to create equal teams (based on evaluations) with equal numbers of 9 and 10-year-olds on each team.  If needed, RAAA may consider moving up a few players from Machine Pitch to allow for ideal team sizes.
• End-of-Year Jamboree Tournament

9A Tournament Team (9-year-olds/3rd graders):

• Team creation will be based on spring evaluations and coaches' input.
• The team plays in one or two weekend tournaments.
• Coaches/Parents may choose to add additional tournaments on their own.

10AA Team (10-year-old/4th graders):

• Crow River 10AA League
• Two Tournaments plus the Crow River League Tournament

12U Program – Ages 11 and 12 years old (Current 5th and 6th Graders)

11AA Team (11-year-olds/Current 5th graders only) - Traveling 

• Crow River 11AA League
• Two Tournaments plus the Crow River League Tournament

 12AA Team (12-year-olds/Current 6th graders only) - Traveling 

• Crow River 12AA League
• Two Tournaments plus the Crow River League Tournament

12A Team (11- and 12-year Olds) – Developmental

• Combination of 11- and 12-year-olds who did not make either 11AA or 12AA Traveling teams.  If there is enough for two or more teams, players will be divided to create equal teams (based on evaluations) with equal numbers of 11- and 12-year-olds on each team.
• Crow River 12B League
• Crow River League Tournament

14U program: Ages 13 and 14 years old (Current 7th and 8th Graders).  

IMPORTANT: In general, players who do NOT play School Baseball are not eligible for the Traveling team, depending on registration numbers. 

13AA Team (13-year-old/Current 7th graders only) - Traveling 

• Crow River 13AA League
• Two Tournaments plus the Crow River League Tournament

14AA Team (14-year-old/Current 8th graders only) - Traveling 

• Crow River 14AA League
• Two Tournaments plus the Crow River League Tournament

14A Team (13- and 14-year Olds) – Developmental

• Combination of 13- and 14-year-olds who did not make either 13AA or 14AA Traveling teams.  If there is enough for two or more teams, players will be divided to create equal teams (based on evaluations) with equal numbers of 13- and 14-year-olds on each team.
• Crow River 14B League
• Crow River League Tournament

Please Note:  An ideal team size is 11 to 12 players on a team, especially for traveling teams.   However, based on registration numbers and/or evaluation scores, the Baseball directors may need to revise their approach to create teams that put players in the best situation to be successful. This could result in fewer/more teams at one level, a player moving up a team level, or working with surrounding communities to form a team. In unique situations, RAAA Baseball may also move a team to the Gopher State League, if for example, Crow River does not have enough teams to create a league.

 

DISCLAIMER:

RAAA Baseball Board of Directors reserves the right to make exceptions to any rules, policies, or regulations outlined on this site, at its sole discretion and as deemed necessary to address unique circumstances or unforeseen situations. Any such exceptions shall not be construed as a waiver of the board's rights or authority, nor shall they establish a precedent for future actions. The board may consider factors including but not limited to, the best interests of the RAAA Baseball, safety, fairness, equity, and any other requirements when exercising its discretion to exceptions. Parents are advised to consult with the board directly regarding any requests for exceptions and to seek clarification on the criteria and procedures governing such requests.