Whitpain Spring Baseball

Intramural baseball program for ages 4 and older

About the Program

The Whitpain Recreation Association offers organized baseball programs through Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball.

Divisions are structured to foster sharpened fundamental skills, increase knowledge of the sport, and most importantly to have fun.

Our dedicated volunteers and experienced coaches help to facilitate programs for players 4 years and older; ranging from Quickball to American League. Practices begin mid-March as weather permits, with the season concluding mid-June. For more information, contact committee chair Jim Viscanti.

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Spring Divisions

Whitpain possesses one of the newest and most complete baseball complexes in the area with five fields, batting cages, bullpens, warm up areas, picnic areas and concessions. Games for all divisions are primarily played at Wentz Run Park and PECO Field (1120 N Wales Road).

All ages are based on a May 1st cutoff.  Your son's age on April 30 will determine his baseball age for the Spring season.  To make it easy, our online registration system will automatically match your ballplayer with the proper division for his "baseball age."

To view our policy on Playing Up, click here.

QUICKBALL DIVISION

For boys and girls ages 4-6, Quickball is the ideal program for ballplayers just beginning to explore the games of baseball and softball.  Teams meet once a week on Saturday mornings at Wentz Run Park. For more information, click here.

ROOKIE LEAGUE DIVISION

For boys and girls ages 6-7, our Rookie League is a hybrid of skill development and games that introduces real bats, gloves and a combination of machine and coach pitch action to go along with our weekly skills and drill curriculum. Teams meet each weekend and once during the week for games, practice and specific skill development clinics with a focus on developing strong fundamentals and an enthusiasm for the sport.

Note: 6-year-olds should have played one year of Quickball.

MINOR LEAGUE DIVISION

For baseball players age 8, our Minor League is a machine pitch division to allow for more consistent, hittable balls at the plate and more action in the field.  As the season progresses, kid pitch will be gradually included as players prepare to transition to the National League. Teams play or practice twice a week with a core focus on skill development for each player and further enjoyment of the game of baseball.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION*

For baseball players ages 9-10, our National League offers players their first experience with a full player pitching. Players will continue to build and refine their fundamental skills while beginning to better understand game strategy and teamwork. Teams play or practice twice a week.

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION*

For baseball players ages 11-12, our American League graduates players to a larger field. The pitching distance is 50 feet and the bases are 70 feet apart (compared with 46 and 60 feet, respectively, in the National League). Referred to as 50/70 play, this allows base runners to lead off, stealing is prominent, and pitchers work out of the stretch with runners on base. Teams play or practice twice a week.

 

*About National & American League Evaluations: Each registered player needs to attend one of the two February dates to be evaluated on hitting, throwing, fielding and pitching.  These are not tryouts.  The evaluations simply allow for the formation of balanced and competitive teams for the spring in-house season through a draft.

SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION

For baseball players ages 13 and up, the WRA is excited to host a variety of opportunities that enable them to continue playing ball once graduated from the Cal Ripken program. Starting at age 13, teams are organized for boys throughout Wissahickon School District and the surrounding area to compete in Connie Mack, Suburban Travel, and other well established leagues. Our Senior League's spring season beings in April and runs until early June with all home games played at Wentz Run Park. Its programming does not conflict with school baseball. The league's summer season begins in June and ends late-July.

Required Equipment

All Whitpain baseball players will be provided a uniform consisting of a team jersey and hat.

Starting in the Minor Leagues players should have their own bat, batting helmet, glove, and protective cup. The league will provide bats to share when needed. Cleats are optional but recommended. Approved bats require a USA stamp on the handle.

"Playing Up" Policy

WRA Baseball believes, as a general rule, that all baseball players should play in the proper Cal Ripken age group. Exceptions are rare and not the norm.  In cases when agreed upon by the Commissioners, Chair and executive members of the baseball committee, for a variety of unique circumstances, a player may be granted the exception. The job of the baseball committee is to make the best decisions for the players, teams and the overall program.  

Examples of past Playing Up scenarios:

  • Players who were rostered up on the 8U Travel Team the previous travel season (7U on the 8U team)
  • Players of exceptional talent whose participation at a younger age group could be a safety concern
  • Players wishing to play with classmates are examples of those who may be considered. 

Players wishing to play up in the National or American Divisions must attend the player evaluations and score in the top half of all players. The decision cannot prevent an age appropriate player from registration. 

Additional Considerations for National & American Divisions include:

  • A team may consider “pulling up” a player if there are not enough age appropriate players to fill out a roster. 
  • A player that is playing up in any given year is not entitled to play up every year. 
  • If a kid were to play up, he should be considered one of the top players on the team he is playing on

The Minors and Rookies Divisions do not hold evaluations and eligibility to play up is determined by the commissioners and IM baseball chair. Priority is given to making balanced teams and divisions, and then to those who may just miss a cutoff and want to play with classmates.

The timing to determine whether an exception can be made may not be possible until we have a sense for the number of players trying out to make a particular team.

League Commissioners

Position Title Name
IM Baseball Chairperson Jim Viscanti
Quickball Commissioner Kyle Speece
Rookie League Commissioner Patrick Brett
Minor League Commissioner Larry Lauterborn
National League Commissioner Jeff McDaniel
American League Commissioner Tim Hoover

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Follow our association on Facebook, as well as our individual sports programs on Instagram.

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CONTACT US

For general information about the Whitpain Recreation Association and its youth sports programs, email us at info@playwra.com or use the contact form below.

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©2022 Whitpain Recreation Association. Address: P.O. Box 64, Blue Bell, PA 19422 

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