The following is from the South Orange Department of Recreation:
While winter has just begun, planning is underway for spring baseball and softball. Registration begins in January for all children planning to participate. In person registration for SOM Baseball will take place on Saturday & Sunday, January 21-22 and February 4-5, 1:00-4:00 pm at The Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange. In-person registration for baseball can be completed ONLY at the Baird in South Orange.
In person registration for MSO Softball will take place: Saturday & Sunday, January 21 -22- and February 4-5, 1:00-4:00 pm at Maplewood Town Hall, 574 Valley Street, Maplewood. Registration for softball will continue online and at the Maplewood Recreation department until February 21st. After Feb. 21st, planning for teams will begin and girls may be placed on a waiting list.
BASEBALL
South Orange Maplewood Baseball is operated under the banner of the national Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth organization and is open to South Orange and Maplewood residents, ages 5-15 (as of April 30th). The program begins with T-Ball for 5 and 6 year old children, Rookie League (coaches pitch) for 7 and 8 year olds and then the Minor, Majors 60, Majors 70 and Babe Ruth Leagues.
All first time registrants to the South Orange-Maplewood Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball program must register in person at one of the listed registration sessions and bring a copy of their birth certificate. Returning players have the option of online registration through February 5th at https://apm.activecommunities.com/southorange. All children wishing to participate in spring baseball must register by February 5th. There is no guarantee of team placement for those who do not register by this date.
Coaching volunteers are needed for all levels of the SOM Baseball program. Training for coaches is a priority. A number of clinics and seminars will be offered for first time and returning coaches. SOM Baseball wants every parent volunteer to be provided with the training and support necessary to succeed and enjoy their coaching experience.
For complete details about South Orange-Maplewood Baseball, logon to the league website at www.sombaseball.org.
SOFTBALL
The Maplewood-South Orange recreational softball program is open to all girls from kindergarten through 8th grade. Divisions are historically grouped by grade as follows (divisions may change based upon registration numbers):
Kindergarten and 1st Grade – Tee Ball
2nd and 3rd Grades – Coaches Pitch
4th and 5th Grades – Junior Division following modified ASA rules
6th through 8th Grades – Senior Division more closely following ASA rules
Practices will be held for all divisions prior to the start of the season. Friend requests (one per player) are accepted for grades K-3.
Interested softball players are strongly encouraged to register in person at Town Hall in Maplewood. Volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions. Registration is also available online at https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/
Volunteers are needed as coaches and in many other areas in order to ensure the success of the softball program. Please check the MSO Softball web site for up to date information at www.msosoftball.org.
