Tadpole (9U)

Tadpole is a developmental program that emphasizes having fun while learning the basic skills of baseball - batting, throwing, fielding and base running. For 2024, the birth years for this are 2015 and 2016.

Tadpole is the first age group that keeps score, has runs and outs, and uses regular baseballs.  Players will have the opportunity to pitch and hit off the pitching machine. 

There will be two registration options for Tadpole for 2024 spring, each with capped registration.  You will have the option to register for Monday/Wednesday/Sunday or Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday.  Each are the same program, just on different days.  Your weekday times will consist of one game and one practice, with a cross-divisional game on Sundays.  Coaches may add additional practices at their discretion.

Important Dates for Spring Season:

Player evaluations for all players: February 10 at the Indoor Facility

Player Draft (Coaches Only): February 25, 4-8pm at Hammond Community Centre.

Finalized Team Formation: March 1

Pre-Season - March 19- March 31; meet and greets, practices, exhibition games etc

Official Season Start - April 1

Opening Day / Photo Day - April 13

Tadpole Summer (Competitive) Evaluations = May 3-4 with call backs May 7-8

Mother's Day  Mid Season Tournament - May 10 - 12

Junior Skills Day = May 25

Tadpole Final Weekend = June 8-9

Winter Facility Programs

We will be holding an afterschool program for Tadpole on either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday in our new indoor training facility. There will be 2 sets of this program the first running in the Fall for 9 weeks, and the second set will start in January (registration will open for this Dec 1)

Summer Ball

Summer ball is a competitive, tryout-based program.  Expectations are higher for this program for players, parents and coaches. 

The U9 Program (Mini Mosquito) - This is a competitive program that runs from mid-June to late July. All 2^nd year players that played in the Tadpole Spring Season are eligible, and will attend an evaluation session for team selection. Mini Mosquito plays by Mosquito rules - players pitch the whole game and base stealing is allowed.

The U8 Program - This is strictly a pitching machine based program that allowed the kids to continue their baseball season into the summer. This is a competitive program that runs from mid-June to late July. All 1^st year players that played in the Tadpole Spring Season are eligible, and will attend an evaluation session for team selection.

Summer Ball teams represent Ridge Meadows and play against other local teams such as Coquitlam, Abbotsford, and Cloverdale etc. Some regional travel is required. There is no set season for the Summer Ball program, there is generally an interlock schedule set up for games and then tournament play-generally games are finished by the end of July

Equipment checklist:  Required equipment not provided by the association.  Along with recommended items and sharing equipment is currently not permitted under Covid guidelines.

Baseball Pants (wait for your coach to decide on colour)

Helmet 

Glove

Athletic support (Jock or Jill)

Bat (recommended as the team supply is limited and we can't share) 

Cleats or proper footwear (no metal spikes)