Divisions

Overview

North Shore Baseball Association offers baseball programs for boys and girls aged 3 through 26 on the North Shore. Our boundary is the whole North Shore (North and West Vancouver), Bowen Island, Lion’s Bay, and Squamish.

5U

Born in Years: 2021 & 2020
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 3 – 4

Rules: 5U Division Rules

Description:

• 5U division is an excellent introduction to the game of baseball.
• 5U is meant to put FUN into the game of baseball.
• The emphasis is on the 5 FUNdamentals of baseball
  • Throwing
  • Base Running
  • Receiving
  • Hitting
  • General Knowledge

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• runners/cleats

7U

Born in Years: 2019 & 2018
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 5 – 6

Rules: 7U Division Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 50 feet and pitching machines throw from 36 feet.
• Games are 3 innings in length.
• 7U division is designed to get young people interested in the game of baseball by the active participation of all players.
• The ball is hit from a batting tee and a soft version of a baseball is used.
• Our plan is to increase our technical development program at this level and add extra sessions for our 7U players born in 2013 to pitching machines and basic pitching technique.
• The emphasis is on the 5 FUNdamentals of baseball
  • Throwing
  • Base Running
  • Receiving
  • Hitting
  • General Knowledge

Equipment Required

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• runners/cleats

9U

Born in Years: 2017 & 2016
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 7 – 8

Player Evaluations: 9U Evaluations – More details to follow

Rules: 9U Division Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 60 feet and pitchers throw from 42 feet.
• Games are 4 innings in length and 5 innings in play-offs.
• 9U division is about having fun and continuing to develop the players’ primary baseball skills of hitting, base running, fielding and throwing.
• “Live” pitching is introduced at this level. A combination of pitching machine and live pitching is used for the games, along with a soft version of a baseball. Back catchers are introduced at this level as well.
• Teams will be allocated 3 (three) field times per week, which is typically 1 (one) practice on Saturday, 1 (one) game on Sunday, and 1 (one) game or practice during the week.
• The Spring Season runs from early April to mid/late June.
• Summer Ball may be offered at this level depending on the interest of players and coaches and would run from late June to late July.
  • Travel off the North Shore would be required for Summer Ball.

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• cleats (rubber)
• baseball bat
• baseball pants

11U

Born in Years: 2015 & 2014
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 9 – 10

Player Evaluations: 11U Evaluations – More details to follow

Rules: 11U Division Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 60 feet and pitchers throw from 46 feet.
• Games are a minimum of five (5) and not more than six (6) innings in length.
• 11U division is a fun transition to learning the skills to play real baseball including pitching, back catcher, hitting a pitched ball, stealing bases and backing up other positions.
• Tiering is now allowed at 11U by BC Minor Baseball. NSBA will make a decision on tiering structure for the 2024 season based on the best available information as we get closer to the start of the season.
• A regular baseball is used at this level.
• Pitch count rules are in effect to protect the young pitchers arms from injury.
• No lead offs are allowed and players cannot steal until the ball crossed the plate on a pitch.
• The Spring Season runs from early April to mid/late June.
  • Evaluations are held before the season starts for player placement in the appropriate grouping and to ensure balanced teams.
• Summer Ball will be offered for both 1^st and 2^nd year 11U players.
  • Evaluations and selection are conducted in mid June and play during the month of July.
  • Full commitment is required/expected by players for Summer Ball.

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• cleats (rubber)
• baseball bat
• baseball pants

13U

Born in Years: 2013 & 2012
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 11 – 12

Player Evaluations: 13U Evaluations – More details to follow

Rules: BC Baseball Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 70 feet and pitchers throw from 48 feet.
• Games are 7 innings in length.
• 13U division is the first level where full baseball rules come into effect.
• Pitch count rules are in effect to protect the young pitchers arms from injury.
• Lead-offs, pick-offs and stealing are permitted, and balks are called on pitchers.
• The Spring Season is tiered into three levels (“A”, “AA”, “AAA”).
  • Players may try out for the “AA” or “AAA” level for a more competitive level of play.
• The “AAA” team will play one continuous season from early April to beginning of August.
  • There are additional fees required at the “AAA” level over and above the base registration fee that will be determined by the start of the season.
• Evaluation and selections for “AA” and “AAA” teams are made prior to the start of the season with full commitment through to the beginning of August.
• Players not selected to “AA” or “AAA” will be selected to one of the “A” teams which offer a more recreational level of play in the Spring.
• Spring Season our plan at the “A” level is to have ALL games played on the North Shore, with a few extra games off the North Shore.
• Travel off the North Shore for away games against other associations will be required at the “AA” and “AAA” level and possibly at the “A” level depending on the number of teams in our association.
• Summer Ball is offered to all levels of players, whether you played “AAA”, “AA” or “A” during the Spring Season.
  • Evaluations are held at each level to set up Summer Ball teams at each level.
  • Summer Ball runs from late June to late July.
  • Travel off the North Shore will be required for all levels of Summer Ball.
  • Full commitment is required/expected by players for Summer Ball.

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• cleats (rubber)
• baseball bat
• baseball pants

15U

Born in Years: 2011 & 2010
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 13 – 14

Player Evaluations: 15U Evaluations – More details to follow

Rules: BC Minor Baseball Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 80 feet and pitchers throw from 54 feet.
• Games are 7 innings in length.
• 15U division is tiered into three levels (“A”, “AA”, “AAA”).
  • Players may try out for the “AA” or “AAA” teams that offer a more competitive level of play.
• The “AA” and “AAA” teams will play one continuous season from early April to beginning of August.
  • Evaluation and selections for “AA” and “AAA” teams are made prior to the start of the season with full commitment through to the beginning of August.
  • Travel off of the North Shore for away games against other associations will be required throughout the season.
  • There are additional fees required at the “AA” and “AAA” levels over and above the base registration fee that will be determined by the start of the season.
• Players not selected to the “AA” or “AAA” teams will be selected to one of the “A” teams which offer a more recreational level of play.
  • Spring Season our plan at the “A” level is to have ALL games played on the North Shore, with a few extra games off the North Shore.
  • Summer Ball is offered at the “A” level and runs from late June to the end of July.
  • Full commitment is required/expected by players for Summer Ball.
  • Travel off the North Shore will be required for Summer Ball and possibly for the Spring Season.

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• cleats (metal baseball spikes are allowed at this level)
• baseball bat
• baseball pants
• For “AAA” level players you are also required to use a wood or wood composite bat which you will be required to provide.

18U

Born in Years: 2009, 2008, & 2007
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 15 – 17

Player Evaluations: AAA Tryouts and AA Assessments – More details to follow

Rules: BC Minor Baseball Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 90 feet and pitchers throw from 60 feet 6 inches.
• Games are 7 innings in length.
• 18U division is tiered into three levels (“AA”, “AAA”, College Prep).
• Players may try out for the “AAA” and College Prep teams that offers a more competitive level of play.
• The “AAA” and College Prep teams will play one continuous season from early April to beginning of August.
  • Evaluation and selections for “AAA” and College Prep teams are made prior to the start of the season with full commitment through to the beginning of August.
  • Travel off of the North Shore for away games against other associations will be required throughout the season.
  • There are additional fees required at the “AAA” and College Prep level over and above the base registration fee that will be determined by the start of the season.
• Players not selected to the “AAA” or College Prep teams will be selected for one of the “AA” teams.
  • Summer Ball is offered at the “AA” level and runs from late June to the end of July.
  • Full commitment is required/expected by players for Summer Ball.
  • Travel off the North Shore will be required for Summer Ball and possibly for the Spring Season.

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• cleats (metal baseball spikes are allowed at this level)
• baseball bat
• baseball pants
• For “AAA” level players you are also required to use a wood or wood composite bat which you will be required to provide.

26U

Born in Years: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, & 1999
Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 18 – 25

Rules: BC Minor Baseball Rules

Description:

• Base paths are set at 90 feet and pitchers throw from 60 feet 6 inches.
• Games are 9 innings in length, with a minimum of 7 innings in the event of a mercy.
• 26U division is about giving players the chance to play.
• All teams travel to play other associations within the lower mainland.
• This is a single season league, with games starting in mid April and running until end of July.

Equipment Required:

• baseball glove
• batting helmet
• protective jock/jill
• cleats (metal baseball spikes are allowed at this level)
• baseball pants
• This is a wood bat league so players are required to supply their own bats

CHALLENGER

Ages (as of Jan. 1st, 2025): 5 – 18

North Shore Challenger Baseball Division is meant to appeal to players aged 5 through 18 with physical or cognitive disabilities living on the North Shore.

Challenger Baseball is a division of Baseball BC that provides an opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the full benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities.

Baseball games are played in a fun, safe environment where no score is kept. Able-bodied “Buddies” are assigned (one on one, where possible) to each participant. These Buddies assist the Challenger players with their involvement in the game. Pushing wheelchairs around the base path, assisting players in how to hold the bat and swing, or providing protection for the Challenger Baseball player from a batted ball, are just a few of the ways the Buddies offer a better experience for the participants in Challenger Baseball.

Each participant is treated like every other player in the conventional baseball program. All players are outfitted in uniforms, use the same equipment, and play their games at the local baseball parks. A team picture is a must for Challenger Baseball, as it is in the other divisions.

Last but not least, the smiles are plentiful and free! The joy on the face of each participant in Challenger Baseball makes it very clear how much fun they are having. No pressures, no playing time issues, everyone just has fun! It’s what baseball is supposed to be all about.

Games are held every Saturday morning, from early April to mid June, at Norgate Park in North Vancouver and last from 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

Cost: Is offered at no cost to the player/family

For more information please go to Challenger Baseball