Our Mission:  The Bozeman Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball program, using regulation competitive baseball rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play.  In all aspects, Bozeman Baseball is committed to providing our participants the very best educational, sports experience possible. It is our fundamental belief that every child with a desire to play baseball be afforded that opportunity.

Q. Where can I find the Bozeman Baseball Rules for my division?
A.  Rules vary per division/age group.  Please see our Rules tab at the top of the website.

Q. How do I become a sponsor? 
A. Sponsorship is always welcomed by Bozeman Baseball.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please go to our Home Page and click the Sponsorship button or you can always email us at: info@bozemanbaseball.com with any questions.

Q.  How much is my registration and what does that provide? 
A. Registration is $200 or $250 per participant, depending on age.  This registration fee covers the cost of field maintenance and improvements, team equipment, umpires, league management, insurance, Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken sanctioning as well as website and SportsEngine administration along with general operating costs such as electricity, trash, and more. Bozeman Baseball is run by an all-volunteer board and maintains no paid employees (with the small exception of Summer Camp coaches). 

Because Bozeman Baseball receives no outside funding, the organization must be self-sufficient and relies heavily on the generosity of the community through volunteers, fundraising and sponsorship.  If you are interested in sponsoring Bozeman Baseball either personally or through your business, please contact us at:  info@bozemanbaseball.com

Q. What about uniforms?
A.  In order to ensure that all players have the correct sizes and access to preferred numbers, we are using GearUp for families to order their own uniforms.  Once your player is assigned a team in March, you will order their uniforms with preferred number (if available) and correct size.  Be sure to order as soon as teams have been assigned to allow for shipping time before the first week of games!  More detailed information is available on our Uniforms tab at the top of the website. 

Q.  What equipment will my child need to participate?
A.  Players should have their own baseball glove, ideally well broken in by playing a lot of catch in the backyard.  Baseball cleats and protective cups are also highly recommended (cups are required for catchers).  Baseballs, heart guards for pitchers, catchers equipment, helmets and bats are provided for team use by BOZEMAN BASEBALL.  Many players prefer to have their own bat, batting gloves, and helmet.  If you are interested in purchasing a bat, you can find a general sizing guide below.  Bat rules changed starting in January of 2018 and bats not meeting the specification will no longer be approved for use in any USA Baseball games, tournaments, etc.  (Babe Ruth, Little League, Cal Ripken, PONY, etc.)  Look for the USABat Sticker to make sure it meets the current standards.


Q. What size bat should my player purchase?
A. Bat size is largely personal preference, however a general guide can be found here based on age/size/weight:  How to buy a baseball bat

Q. How do I know which age group my child will play in? 
A. Our recreational league is an AGE BASED league.  Bozeman Baseball follows the national guideline that determines the player’s ‘baseball’ age each season, as required by our national organization (Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken) and our insurance that runs through them...
 
A player’s ‘baseball age’ is determined by how old they are on May 1st each year.

Our league divisions are as follows:

Age 6-7 - Farm
Age 8-9 - Minors
Age 9-10 - AAA
Age 11-12 - Majors
Age 13-15 - Babe Ruth
 

Q. How are the teams chosen? 
A. Farm & Minors teams are generally chosen based on the school the player attends and/or family request.  

AAA, Majors, and Babe Ruth teams have a player draft, and are selected by coaches based on evaluations provided by all league coaches at our yearly 'Spring Training Camps'. (9U - 15U players participate in these league placement evaluations that allow coaches to evaluate player skill levels.)  All players who register during the stated registration period make a team.
 

Q. What about All-Star Teams? 

A.  The purpose of the Bozeman Baseball All-Stars program is to provide league players the opportunity to extend their baseball season and advance their skill development & baseball knowledge. The primary goal is to represent Bozeman Baseball and the Bozeman Community with class and sportsmanship, while competing for state and regional championships in each of our league divisions (AAA, Majors, Babe Ruth). 

In 2024, Bozeman Baseball aims to field at least two All Star teams per age group (9U -14U).  One team will travel regionally and participate in 7-8 tournaments throughout the state as well as Idaho and Washington while the second team will compete in 4 All Star tournaments  (Bozeman, Belgrade, Billings, and Kalispell).  Participation is open to all interested Bozeman Baseball league players and players are selected through a skills-based tryout process.  
 

More information on All-Star Teams is provided on our website and via email throughout the season.

Q. How do I find out when my child's games are? 

A. As soon as possible after teams are rostered, the schedules will be posted on the web site as well as on the SportsEngine app.  See the "Calendar" area of the website, where you can select your player's team and view the schedule.  The SportsEngine app offers the best way to view all team information as well as communication with coaches and other team parents.  See the SportsEngine tab above for more information.
 

Q. I am interested in coaching my son/daughter’s team, how do I become a coach? 
A. You can be considered by registering as a volunteer coach here.  If you have questions about coaching you can also email the league at:  info@bozemanbaseball.com
 

Q. How do I find out about rainouts/cancellations? 
A.  Spring weather in Bozeman is difficult to forecast, but it is likely that we will have to cancel/postpone activities on a few occasions.  The league does its best to make a decision by 3pm and updates everyone via email and/or Facebook/website accordingly.  Please follow Bozeman Baseball on Facebook if you do not already. If you haven't received word via email or on the website then games are on until further notice.
 

Q. What is the End-of-Season tournament - Tournament of Champions (TOC)? 
A. Teams within the AAA, Majors, and Babe Ruth divisions will be seeded based on their final regular season results. Each division will then play a single elimination tournament, with the championship game being played on the final day of the tournament.  This year's tournament will be played May 30th - June 2nd, 2024.

 

Q.  What is the legal bat size/dimension for Bozeman Baseball?
A.  This depends on the age group/league.  Please refer to our Rules tab on the website.

 

Q. What age groups play at Bozeman Baseball? 
A. Bozeman Baseball offers 5 age groups, from Farm to Babe Ruth. 

Leagues are as follows:
Farm:  6-7 
Minors: (Coach & Player Pitch By 3rd Week Of Season) 8 - 9
AAA: 9 - 10 (All Player Pitch)
Majors: 11 - 12
Babe Ruth: 13 - 15

 

Common questions by Division:

Farm

Q.  How long does the season run?

A.  Practices for Farm will begin in early April and games will run from April 29th through June 14th (2024).  Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.

Q.  How many games & practices a week?

A.  This depends on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week, M-F.
 

Q.  Tryouts?
A.  There are no tryouts/player evaluations at the Farm Division.  All players who register can participate and will be assigned a team by the league commissioners, generally grouping teams by school when possible.

 

Q.  Pitching?
A.  Pitching in the Farm Division is done by coaches.
 

Minors

Q.  How long does the season run?
A.   Practices for Minors will begin in early April and games will run from April 29th through June 14th (2024).  Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.
 

Q.  How many games & practices a week?
A.  This depends on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week. Mostly M-F with the potential for an occasional Saturday game.
 

Q.  Tryouts?
A.  There are no tryouts/player evaluations at the Minors Division.  All players who register can participate and will be assigned a team by the league commissioners, generally grouping teams by school when possible. 
 

Q.  Pitching?
A.  Pitching in the Minors Division begins with coach pitch transitioning to player pitch towards the mid-point of the season as skill improvement allows.
 

AAA

Q.  How long does the season run?
A.   For 2024, the AAA Evaluation Day is scheduled for March 3rd.  Practices will begin the week of March 20th and games run from  April 13th to June 2nd.  Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected.
 

Q.  How many games & practices a week?
A.  This tends to depend on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-4 practices or games per week M-S.  A handful of Saturday games may be scheduled.
 

Q.  Evaluations?
A.  All AAA players  participate in a player evaluation day.  Players have the opportunity to run, throw, hit, and field for a number of league coaches.  These coach evaluations are averaged and a composite score is calculated and ultimately is used to select players via draft.   All players who register will participate and be drafted to a AAA team.

Q.  Pitching?
A.  Pitching in the AAA League is 100% player-pitch.

 

Majors

Q.  How long does the season run?
A.   For 2024, the Majors Evaluation Day is scheduled for March 2nd.  Practices will begin the week of March 20th and games run from  April 13th to June 2nd.  Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected. 

Q.  How many games & practices a week?
A.  This depends on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-5 practices or games per week.  A handful of Saturday games will be scheduled.
 

Q.  Evaluations?
A.  All Majors players  participate in a player evaluation day(s).  Players have the opportunity to run, throw, hit, and field for a number of league coaches.  These coach evaluations are averaged and a composite score is calculated and ultimately is used to select players via draft.   All players who register will participate and be drafted to a Majors team.
 

Q.  Pitching?
A.  Pitching in the Majors League is 100% player pitch.
 

Babe Ruth

Q.  How long does the season run?
A.  For 2024, the Babe Ruth Evaluation Day is scheduled for March 4th.  Practices will begin the week of March 20th and games run from  April 13th to June 2nd.  Schedules will be available on the league web site after final player numbers are determined & teams selected. 

Bozeman Baseball's Babe Ruth division currently participates in a city league format and and competes only against teams in Bozeman.  Bozeman Baseball will field 5-8 teams in the league depending on registration numbers.  

Q.  How many games & practices a week?
A.  This depends on the weather to some extent, but parents can generally expect a total of 3-5 practices or games per week M-S. Games are played Monday, Wednesday & Friday (some weeks may only have 2 games) in Babe Ruth with team practice held on either Tuesday or Thursday.
 

Q.  Evaluations?
A.  All Babe Ruth players  participate in a player evaluation day.  Players have the opportunity to run, throw, hit, and field for a number of league coaches.  These coach evaluations are averaged and a composite score is calculated and ultimately is used to select players via draft.   All players who register will participate and be drafted to a Babe Ruth team.  

Q.  Rules/Pitching?
A.  Pitching & General Rules in the Babe Ruth League are the same as Legion, High School, College, & Major Leagues.  60’ 6” Distance...Metal cleats are also allowed on the field in this division, however only rubber cleats are allowed on pitchers' mounds.