Oakridge Optimist Baseball Division Highlights:
Skrypnyk Mortgages Blastball (Born: 2019-2020) For 2024 season
Blastball is a fun introduction to baseball for boys and girls. It is a precursor to T-Ball and emphasizes fun, making friends and team building. It teaches the basic fundamentals of T-Ball in a fun environment that includes hitting, catching, throwing, running and fielding.
Parent participation is strongly recommended
Program Duration: Wednesday nights ( 6:15-7:30pm) from mid May to mid July
Diamond: Ecole elementaire Marie Curie, 40 Hunt Club Dr London, On **
main parking lot is accessible from Oxford st
Equipment required: "running shoes" - Gloves and helmets not used as all equipment is soft/sponge
Equipment & Uniforms provided: sponge blastball ball, soft blastball bats, Blastball bases, Player jersey, Player hat
(6U)Timbits T-Ball (2018-2019) Following Baseball Canada's Rally Cap Program For 2024 season
T-ball teaches boys and girls all 5 basic fundamentals of baseball in a fun and interactive environment that include hitting, throwing, catching, running and fielding. Children will begin to develop agility, coordination and balance. Rules will be introduced as kids begin playing in games weekly.
Parent participation is strongly recommended with volunteer opportunities in coaching.
Time commitment is only 3-4 hours per week and attitude outweighs experience, come join the team with your athlete!
Program Duration: Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:00pm to 7:45pm) from late May to the end of July.
Diamond: Emily Carr public school
Teams will play at least one night a week and often twice
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: Players provided with - Jersey, pants and hat. Teams will be provided following equipment - balls, Tee's, bases, bats
(7U)Domino's Jr. Rookieball (Born: 2017) For 2024 Season
Jr. Rookie will further enhance the children's knowledge on the fundamentals of baseball. Athletes will begin to develop agility, coordination and balance. Rules will be introduced as kids begin playing in games weekly. Coach pitch and further skill development becomes a focus.
Pitching Machines will be used (either electric or foot pedal action) allowing athletes to become prepared for the next level of baseball.
Parent participation is strongly recommended with volunteer opportunities in coaching. Time commitment is only 4-5 hours per week and attitude outweighs experience, come join the team with your athlete!
Program Duration: Monday and Fridays (6:00pm to 7:45pm) from late May to the end of July
Diamond: Emily Carr public school, Hazeldon Park & Oakridge Optimist park (Arena)
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: Baseball pants, jersey and hat, bats, baseballs, tees and catcher's equipment
(9U)Hometown Heating & Cooling Rookieball (8 & 9 Year Olds)(Born 2015-2016) For 2024 Season
Rookieball is an important developmental step as athletes progress from T-Ball to baseball. With the aid of a pitching machine, athletes will learn to hit a baseball and enable them to focus on other important aspects of the game; such as, defense and teamwork. The pitching machine is the premier teaching tool for proper skill development at this age group
Oakridge teams will play against other teams from Oakridge, North London & Lucan-Ilderton. As this is more of a traditional league playing teams outside the Oakridge Association we can not give families set dates or nights that they will play and practice. each team will have a different schedule. Traditionally all home games for the Oakridge teams are played at Oakridge Park - 2 diamonds behind the Arena on Mon/Wed/Fri nights.
Program Duration: Mid May to Early August, days of week will be determined closer to season open
Home Diamonds: Oakridge Upper, Oakridge Lower, Hazelden Park & Riverside Public School
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: baseball pants, shorts, practice and game jersey, hat, bats, baseballs, bases and catcher's equipment
(11U) Mosquito (10 & 11 Year Olds) (Born: 2013-2014)
Mosquito is the next level of play that introduces a new dimension to the game of baseball. One of the biggest changes in this division is the introduction of the opposing team pitching the ball to the batter. Pitching skills are taught to all who would like to learn and batters are taught defensive batting techniques. Along with pitching, base running becomes an intricate part of the game as the ball remains in play as per baseball rules unless the umpire calls time. Athletes are allowed to leave their base as the pitch crosses the plate. There are three outs per side per inning with a regulation game consisting of six innings. There are a maximum number of runs per inning in effect and the entire team is in the batting rotation. Rotation rules are in effect and enforced to ensure all Athletes receive an equal opportunity to play infield and outfield positions.
Program Duration: Mid May to mid August, days of week will be determined closer to season open
Home Diamonds: Wilfred Jury Public School
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: baseball pants, shorts, practice and game jersey, hat, bats, baseballs, bases and catcher's equipment
(13U) PeeWee (12 & 13 Year Olds)
The PeeWee level of play builds upon many of the skills developed at the Mosquito division. The ball is pitched by the opposing team's pitcher with the game being played with a higher level of skill. It is the first division played with leadoffs. There are 3 outs per side per inning with a regulation game consisting of six innings. There are a maximum number of runs per inning in effect and the entire team is in the batting rotation
Program Duration: Mid May to mid August, days of week will be determined closer to season open
Home Diamond: Jaycee Park - Located on Aldersbrook Rd
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: baseball pants, shorts, practice and game jersey, hat, bats, baseballs, bases and catcher's equipment
(15U) Bantam (14 & 15 Year Olds)
Athletes make their way through this program with a high fitness level which in turn enhances their level of play.
This will provide a competitive environment for Athletes.
Program Duration: Mid May to mid August, days of week will be determined closer to season open
Home Diamonds: STA High School & Byron Optimist Baseball Complex #3
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: baseball pants, shorts, practice and game jersey, hat, bats, baseballs, bases and catcher's equipment
(18U) Midget (16 - 18 Year Olds)
Athletes in this age group span over three birth years in both competitive and house league divisions. Travel is expected and level of play is escalated as Athletes continue to develop skills, strength and strong knowledge of the game.
Program Duration: Mid May to mid August, days of week will be determined closer to season open
Home Diamonds: STA High School & Byron Optimist Baseball Complex #3
Equipment required: baseball glove, batting helmet, running shoes or plastic spike shoes, protective jock or jill
Equipment & Uniforms provided: baseball pants, jersey and hat, bats, baseballs, bases and catcher's equipment