Playing Up Policy

North Shore Baseball Association Playing Up Policy

Electronic Copy – Revision 1 (November 2025)

At NSBA, our goal is to place every player in the environment best suited to their development, enjoyment, and safety. “Playing up” in an older age division is an exception rather than the norm. The following process will apply for any player wishing to “play up”:

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Players interested in playing up an age division must notify the NSBA age division coordinator of their player’s current age group on or before January 31 or 4 weeks prior to the commencement of evaluations, whichever is earlier. Requests after the deadline may not be accepted. In all cases, requests for playing up an age division will not be accepted once evaluations have commenced.
• To be considered, the player must score within the top 10% of players during the evaluation for the division they wish to enter.
• Even if the 10% threshold is met, the player will also be reviewed by the Player & Coach Development team to ensure readiness from a maturity, safety, and skill perspective.
• Approved players must follow the “Permanent Move Up” rules outlined in the BC Minor Baseball Rulebook (see below).

APPLICATION PROCESS

Parents/guardians who believe their child may be ready to play up should:

1. Submit a request through the Division Coordinator for the division they wish to enter.
2. Provide a recommendation from the player’s most recent coach (regular season or summer) and/or the Player Development Coordinator.
3. Ensure participation in the evaluation sessions for the higher division.
4. Understand potential implications − trying out for a higher age group may mean missing tryouts for their current age group. “Playing up” may impact post-season or summer team eligibility.
5. Receive final approval from the NSBA President or other NSBA executive if the President has recused themselves due to conflict.

REGISTRATION

• If written approval has been granted, families should register the player in the higher division.
• Without written approval, registration must be completed in the player’s regular age group.

* BC MINOR BASEBALL RULE

5.05 Permanent Move Up

Any under-aged player who has the baseball ability may play in one higher age division at the discretion of the Association President or Player Agent provided:

1. The Association applies in writing to the BCMBA Player Eligibility Chair providing full particulars.
2. Written approval has been obtained from the BCMBA Player Eligibility Chair prior to June 1. If written approval is not obtained the player will not be eligible to play in a higher division.
3. Only 9U player(s) that an Association moves up to 11U for the Spring Season are eligible to participate at any level of 10U/11U Summer Season.
4. Only 9U player(s) that an Association moves up to 11U for the Summer season only, may participate only at the 10U level. (8U not included)
5. Once a player is approved for a Permanent Move Up, they will be allowed to pitch and be governed by the rules/limits of the division they are approved to play in.
6. If all the above conditions are fulfilled the player can play at the level (AAA, AA, A) that they are able to qualify for within the division they have been approved to play in.