We welcome you to an upcoming season which promises some change and excitement in both the in-house and travel programs. We hope you provide feedback.

Registration/Tryout/Evaluation Schedules

• We are starting earlier this year. Registration will be December 1 – January 11. Tryouts/evaluations will be in January.

Regular Season Schedule Changes

• There will be coordination with Lacrosse. Although unknown at this time, Baseball will attempt to coordinate age group schedules with Lacrosse.
• There will be set days of the week for each age group. Baseball will try to have age groups all play at the same time at the same complex (Carroll Manor or Hydes).

Travel Changes

• Carroll Manor will attempt to field travel teams in the following age groups (7-8 A and B, U9, 9/10, U10, U11, U12, and U13). Carroll Manor will be in the Harford County League.
• Travel players WILL be required to play in-house within their respective age group. Travel players will be drafted among in-house teams. THIS IS DIFFERENT than in past years.

Fee Changes

• For the first time in four years, fees will be increased this year for all age groups. Due to upgrades in uniforms, umpires at the 9/10 level, new pitching machines for 7/8, merger with Cockeysville, additional fees are necessary.
  • T-ball - $70
  • Coach pitch - $70
  • 7/8 - $80
  • 9/10, 11/12, and 13/15 - $90
  • Travel players will have additional fees as the programs are self-funded.

In-House Changes

• T-Ball – Carroll Manor is going to try to break t-ball into two separate groups:
  • True t-ball/clinic for 4/5 year olds that have either never played or need more development. Rules would be similar to previous t-ball format.
  • Coach pitch for 5/6 year old children that have played t-ball before, and are ready for more but maybe not 7/8. The rules here may be modified to include extra base hits and keeping score.

Rule Changes

• Hit-sticks will NOT be permitted to be used during games for in-house play. Although an excellent tool for practice and development, they pose a safety risk and are a distraction during the games.

Uniform Changes

• Carroll Manor uniforms will be slightly different this year. Pants and socks will be part of the uniform.

REGISTRATION

When is the Registration Deadline?
Registration ends 11:59 PM Sunday, January 11, 2008. Late registrations will be taken until March 1 with a late registration fee.

How can I register?
Please go to http://www.carrollmanor.org, click on the baseball link, and complete the on-line registration form. Print the confirmation page and then mail confirmation and payment to the address indicated on the confirmation page. Registrants will NOT be allowed to participate without full payment of fees.

What if I miss the registration deadline?
Late registrations will be accepted until 11:59 PM, March 1 with the inclusion of a $20 late fee. Importantly, late registration is accepted subject to space availability.

What if I decide not to play baseball this year due to injury or other conflict, but have already registered?
A refund is available, but only if requested by March 1.

Do I have to play in my age group?
We suggest that your child plays in their respective age group. However, exceptions will be made for children to play either up an age group or down an age group. Please indicate any exception requests on the Comments section of the registration form.

** Please note that the baseball age changed for the 2006 season. The age of the child on April 30th 2008 is their baseball age.

The final decision on whether the child plays up/down rests with the draft evaluators. Please make sure you notify Steve Mitchell of your intentions at the evaluation session. Requests for specific teammates or coaches will be considered, but not guaranteed.

What if I want to play Lacrosse too?
There are a fair number of baseball players that also play LAX. This is particularly true at the younger age groups. The baseball and LAX programs are working together to minimize the schedule conflicts, but we cannot commit that they will be completely eliminated.

What is baseball doing to limit conflicts with LAX?
On the registration form, please utilize the Comments section to inform the Baseball Board that you are also planning to play LAX. This will help us limit the number of LAX players on any one team. In addition, the LAX program will provide baseball with their final rosters, so we can make sure that the LAX kids are spread out by team as well. Hopefully, this will increase the number of kids available to play baseball games.

Can girls play baseball?
CMRC Baseball is gender neutral and all children are welcome to play. Please note that CMRC Rec. does sponsor a Softball League as well and registration for softball is available through the Softball Program.

TRAVEL PROGRAM

Is there a roster spot for all players that tryout for CMRC travel baseball?
We will attempt to accommodate all players but unfortunately there are times when player cuts happen. This is a competitive program and head coaches have the responsibility for picking their teams.

Can I tryout for a travel team before registering for CMRC baseball?
No. For insurance reasons, no child will be able to tryout without having first registered and paid the registration fee.

What happens if I do not make a travel team?
You remain registered for the in-house program. Should you choose not to participate in the in House program, your registration fee will be refunded.

If I am selected for a CMRC travel team, does any of my registration fee go to my travel team?
Yes, the majority of each registration fee will be transferred to your travel team.

Does travel baseball cost more?
Yes. Travel baseball is a self-funding program. Each player will be required to pay for their travel uniforms, league costs, tournaments and other expenses related to their travel team. Travel coaches will create and manage individual budgets for their respective teams.

What if I have additional questions related to the travel program?
Please call the travel coach for your age group, or the CMRC travel commissioner John Stude.

What age groups are available?
Carroll Manor will attempt to field travel teams in the following age groups (7-8 A and B, U9, 9/10, U10, U11, U12, and U13). Carroll Manor will be in the Harford County League. Travel players WILL be required to play in-house within their respective age group. Travel players will be drafted among in-house teams. THIS IS DIFFERENT than in past years.

THE SEASON

Do I “tryout” for In-house baseball?
No, but each player will be evaluated regarding their ability to throw/catch/hit. This will allow each age group commissioner/coaches to select balanced teams. Please make every effort to be at the evaluation session, which will be sometime in January. All you need to bring is a glove. Wear sneakers, as the evaluation will be done inside. DO NOT bring a baseball. Real baseballs damage the building, and will be taken away from the child.

When do I know what team I am on?
Teams will be finalized in late March. Coaches will call players at that time.

When is spring training?
The first two weeks of April. Your coach will provide you with details.

When is Opening Day and what happens?
April 21 is Opening Day and the festivities will be held at Hydes Road Fields. There will be food and activities for all. Team pictures will be taken and available for purchase. A team photo schedule will be posted on the web-site in April. All children should be present for pictures so complete team pictures can be taken. We will play our first regular season game as well.

When can I get a schedule?
After the season schedule is finalized, it will be posted on the web-site. A program book inclusive of rosters, schedules and rules will be available Opening Day.

How many games do we play?
There are usually 10-12 regular season games. Rainouts may, or may not, be rescheduled, as field space is limited. There will also be a post season tournament.

Will we be using Pitching Machines again this year?
Yes. Rookies (7/8) will use Juggs pitching machines all season. Minors (9/10) will use pitching machines for at least the first half of the season. Regular pitching will be phased in during the second half of the season.

Will we be playing baseball Memorial Day weekend?
No. There will be no regularly scheduled games that weekend.

What happens if it rains, or the fields are unplayable?
Parks & Rec. controls the fields. They will post a cancellation message at 410.887.1840 if a decision can be made by 2:30 PM. Unfortunately there may be situations where cancellation notification is not practical and it will be the coaches responsibility to notify players. Once the game begins it will be the responsibility of the umpire to determine playability. Additionally, a message will be posted on the web site.

How will the baseball games be scheduled to avoid conflicts with lacrosse?
There will be set days of the week for each age group. Baseball will try to have age groups all play at the same time at the same complex (Carroll Manor or Hydes).

STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
For Travel related questions please call John Stude, Travel Commissioner. For other baseball program questions please call Shawn Ellis, Program Chair.