Affiliation: Alberta Smith Athletic Association (SAA) is a member of the Chesterfield Baseball Club (CBC), which is one of the longest standing youth athletic organization in the county of Chesterfield. It is comprised of 26 athletic associations based on elementary school attendance boundaries. CBC is nationally affiliated with Pony Baseball, which governs the rules of play and hosts an international tournament for post season all-stars. SAA conducts registration, selects coaches, forms teams and provides uniforms. Game schedules are provided by CBC.
Eligibility: Children who live within the Smith Elementary School attendance boundary or eligible free agents (no athletic association for baseball established within your elementary school zone) may play for the SAA. Boys and girls that are at least 4 years old and no older than 18 years old on August 31st of the current year.
Fees: The first child in each family is $100.00. A $25 late fee is assessed for each player who registers after designated date. Fees are subject to change from year to year.
Equipment: Players are required to provide fielding gloves, gloves, cleats and bat. Catching equipment will be provided as needed, since many players are opting to provide their own. Bats must conform to USA Baseball Bat Standards effective January 1, 2018. See USABat.com for list of approved bats and FAQ page.
League Age Descriptions (double click on league name to see complete rules):
League | Age | General Description |
Tee Ball | 4 to 6 | Developmental; each play initiates by a ball being hit off a tee; 3 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes; coaches umpire; no league championship tournament |
Pee Wee | 5 & 6 | Developmental; coach pitch; 7 swings and misses before the batter is out; 6 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes; coaches umpire; no league championship tournament |
Shetland | 7 & 8 | Coach pitch; 3 swings and misses with max of seven pitches before the batter is out; 6 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes; coaches umpire; no league championship tournament |
Pinto | 7 & 8 | Kid pitch; traditional baseball rules with exceptions, including no leading off from bases or base stealing and 5 run per inning limit; 6 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes |
Yearling | 9 & 10 | Recreational (travel players not permitted); traditional baseball rules with exceptions, including no leading off from bases and 5 run per inning limit; 6 innings or 1 hour and 30 minutes |
Mustang | 9 & 10 | Elevated competition; traditional baseball rules with exceptions, including no leading off from 3rdbase or stealing home without a play; 6 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Palomino | 11 & 12 | Recreational; traditional baseball rules with exceptions, including 5 run per inning limit and only 3 innings may be pitched by a 12 year old; 6 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Bronco | 11 & 12 | Elevated competition; traditional baseball rules with limited exceptions; 6 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Stallion | 13 & 14 | Recreational (no high school players); traditional baseball rules with exceptions, including 6 run per inning limit; first level with 90 ft. base paths; 7 innings or 1 hour and 45 minutes |
Pony | 13 & 14 | Elevated competition; traditional baseball rules with limited exceptions; 7 innings or 2 hours |
Colt | 15 & 16 | Traditional baseball rules with limited exceptions; 7 innings or 2 hours |
Sr. Colt | 17 & 18 | Traditional baseball rules with limited exceptions; 7 innings or 2 hours |
Team Selection/Assessments: Skill assessments will be held on or after the first Saturday in March to determine the player’s appropriate level of competition. If three or more teams are to be formed within an age group, then there will be a draft conducted by the Baseball Administrator. Assessments may not be held for age groups with only enough players to form one team. CBC requires its members to field the highest level of competition within each age group, unless an exception is received from the Commissioner. For example, if the SAA only receives 12 registrations from 9 & 10 year olds, then the SAA will field a Mustang team and skill assessments will not be required.
Coaches: Head coaches are selected from a pool of volunteers by the Baseball Administrator. Assistant coaches are selected by the head coaches. All coaches must complete a volunteer background check and display their co-sponsor coach’s card from Chesterfield County during league games. Coaches are also required to complete concussion training provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Heads Up Concussion.
Season: The length varies by league. Pre-season practice begins following assessments. The regular season runs mid-April through mid-June for Tee-Ball through Stallion leagues. Pony begins in mid-May extends to mid-June due to high schools’ junior varsity schedules. Colt and Sr. Colt play from late June through early August due to high schools’ varsity schedules.
Practice: Practice times vary based on field availability and coaches’ personal schedules. There will be at least two practices per week during the preseason. Practices are typically 1 hour and 30 minutes in length and start between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm on weekdays. CBC assigns practice times and fields to SAA. A majority of practices are held at Smith Elementary School, which has a batting cage and fields designed for Tee-Ball through Bronco. Rockwood Park and/or Ironbridge Park are typically the second practice location. Practices are typically limited to one per week after the season begins.
Games: Tee-Ball through Pinto, Yearling, Palomino and Stallion will play most of their games on Saturdays. Pinto through Sr. Colt will have games during the week. Mustang, Bronco, and Pony will play almost all of their games on weeknights with start times between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. A majority of games will be played at Rockwood Park, but Palomino and above may play games at Ironbridge Park. Sundays are typically reserved for makeup games. Game schedules are typically distributed by CBC the week prior to the first game. Please note: the Smith Athletic Association does not set the game schedules.
Playing Time: SAA coaches will abide by player participation rules set by CBC. Tee-Ball through Pony have offensive and defensive participation requirements.
Post Season Play: Pinto League and above have postseason tournaments. Participation and seeding is dependent on team record. Not all teams will make the end of season tournament.
All-Stars: There are various all-star opportunities following post season play. CBC will form all-star teams to participate in Pony Baseball’s international tournaments to crown 9U through 18U World Series Champions. CBC will also form all-star teams to participate in local tournaments and tournaments specifically for coach pitch teams or non-travel baseball players.
Free Agent Policy: Children who live outside of Smith Elementary School attendance boundary and do not have CBC member association within their elementary school boundary are considered to be open players and may consider registration with SAA. Children who live within the Smith Elementary School attendance boundary will only be released to play for another association if we are unable to place them on a team. Players who request to play for another association will be released according to the request date and the merits of the individual case.
Insurance: Supplemental insurance is provided through CBC and is funded by the player’s registration fee. This insurance covers injuries sustained during a league game or authorized practice. Primary coverage provided by the player must be utilized first before the supplemental plan becomes effective. The CBC insurance plan has a $25 deductible and will pay any claims over and above primary coverage up to a maximum of $10,000 for medical claims and $500 for dental claims.