Baseball Softball

Baseball and Softball are two very popular sports in Old Tappan. One of the main goals of the Old Tappan Baseball and Softball Association leadership is to provide a fun safe environment for the children of Old Tappan to learn and play the game of baseball/softball. The volunteer coaches "lead by example" and demonstrate the importance of respect for each other, for the coaches, for the opponent, and for the umpires. Thus, good sportsmanship is an essential part of our approach in Old Tappan. We appreciate the parents support in reinforcing these values.

Volunteerism is a huge part of our program here in Old Tappan. We rely on parents to coach, keep score, communicate team activities, work the snackstands, and help with the overall administration of our program.

The Recreation Program is for players of all skill levels. This is our largest program. Each year, over 400 boys and girls from Kindergarten thru 8^th Grade learn to play and have fun within an atmosphere that is SAFE. In this program, the coaching emphasis is primarily on teaching the fundamental skills of each sport and communicating the concept of team play, not at winning games. Recreation Teams will play other Old Tappan teams and/or teams from the surrounding towns. Practices are designed towards helping players improve on their fielding, throwing, batting, and baserunning skills all within this team setting. All players who play for the OT Recreation Program will be eligible to play in our Spring and Summer Travel Programs. The Recreation season begins with indoor clinics and practices as early as the end of February which eventually leads to outdoor practices and games that continue until June. The separate divisions are listed below:

Baseball Divisions	Softball Divisions
Knickerbocker – 7^th and 8^th Grades	Senior – 7^th and 8^th Grades
Major – 5^th and 6^th Grades	Junior – 5^th and 6^th Grades
Minor – 3^rd and 4^th Grades	Sophomore – 3^rd and 4^th Grades
Pee Wee – 1st and 2nd Grades	Freshman – 1^st and 2^nd Grades
T- Ball - Kindergarten	T-Ball - Kindergarten

The children who sign up are split up into various teams within each division. These teams practice and play games at our town's baseball/softball fields and/or other towns fields. Thus, the opportunities for social interaction with their peers are extremely beneficial for the players. All boys and girls programs receive uniforms which they may keep.

November 1 – December 31	Normal fee
January 1 – January 31	Late fee
Beginning February 1	Additional late fee

Registration for the Recreation Program begins on November 1st. Flyers are handed out in school and emailed to previous year participants. Online registration can be done through the town website. Registration should be completed prior to the New Year, and while it is not too late to register after that, late fees are added on beginning January 1^st.

Our Travel Programs offer qualified players an opportunity to compete at a higher level of competition. A player must be a registered player in our Recreation Program in order to tryout for a Travel Team. Our Travel Programs are more competitive in nature, which require an increased level of interest, talent, and commitment. Depending upon the level of interest, teams are usually set up from Grade 1 through Grade 8 for boys, and usually Grade 3 through Grade 8 for girls. With the Travel Programs, competing and winning are emphasized more than in the Recreation Program. The idea is to help prepare players for highschool and beyond. However, "winning" with class and "losing" with dignity are two very important things we hope to teach our young players. There are tryouts which result in some children being turned away. Travel Teams also necessitate having registration fees, in addition to the Recreation baseball/softball registration fee.

Our Summer Boys Baseball Travel Teams participate in the NEBAS League and in tournaments that run from June through August. The Summer Girls Softball Travel Teams participate in the NVSL League and in tournaments that run from June through July.

Our Spring Boys Baseball and Girls Softball Travel Teams participate in various leagues and/or in tournaments that run from April through June. Spring Travel tryouts can begin as early as the middle of January.

For additional information, please contact Steve DePhillips, OTBSA President, dephips@optonline.net or log onto our Baseball/Softball Association website at www.otlittleleague.org.