Community Program - 8th & 9th Grade

Click here for 8th & 9th Grade Rules

8th/9th Grade Community Program: The In-House program is for boys & girls in the 8th and 9th Grade. For the Community Leagues, players play with their current grade in school at time of registration (Spring of the current year).  The policy of the EPBA Board of Directors strictly prohibits players from playing up from the established rules.  

Travel programs for EPBA are offered at 8th and 9th Grade - your player can either play in the community program OR the travel program, not both.

Volunteers:   To run a successful baseball program, we need volunteers to coach. We will provide a coaching clinic for all coaches, instructional videos on the EPBA website, and a source for coaches to ask questions when needed. Please indicate if you are interested in being a Head Coach or Assistant Coach on your player's registration.

• Registration Dates: January XX - February XX
• Registration Fees: $225
• School Grade: Currently in 8th or 9th Grade
• Included in Registration Fees: Jersey & Hat
• Additional Equipment Needed: Glove, Tennis Shoes or Cleats, Baseball Pants Optional
• Optional Equipment: EPBA provides bats, baseballs and helmets. Feel free to use your own bat and/or helmet.

• Community Coach Meeting: Virtual Meeting via Zoom on XXX at 8pm and In-person Training on XXX from XX-XXpm at the EPHS Dome
• Coaches Equipment & Jersey Pickup: TBD - 6:30pm - Miller Building
• EPBA Opening Day Event: TBD
• Season Start Date (estimated): April 27
• Picture Day: TBD
• Season End Date (estimated): July 12

• Evaluations (to balance teams): No
• # of Players per Team: 11 to 13 Players
• Friend Requests Allowed: One mutual friend request will be considered, but not guaranteed.
• Team Formation: Coach Draft

• # of Events per Week: 2 to 3
• Potential Event Days: Monday - Thursday and Saturdays; nights can vary week to week
• Event Times: 6:15-8:15pm weekdays; Saturday - morning to early afternoon
• Event Duration: 2 hours
• Event Locations: Grill East
• Type of Hitting/Pitching: Player Pitch

8th & 9th Grade Rules

• End of the Year Tournament: Yes
• Days of End of the Year Tournaments (estimated): July 10-12 - Edina

• Game Rules and Situational Awareness
• Executing advanced base running reads: reading pitchers, delayed steals, straight steals, secondary leads
• Understanding defensive strategies (infield in, corners in, double play depth)
• Adjusting approach based on count and situation
• Throwing and Fielding
• Quickening the release on throws (infield & outfield)
• Mastering cutoffs and relay positioning
• Advanced footwork drills for efficiency
• Hitting
• Adjusting to different pitch speeds and types
• Situational hitting (moving runners, approach changes with 2 strikes)
• Power hitting mechanics and generating bat speed
• Pitching
• Consistency in mechanics and control
• Developing secondary pitches (curveball, slider, cutter)
• Holding runners with different pickoff moves
• Working through adversity on the mound
• Catching
• More advanced pitch calling and reading batters
• Improving pop times and accuracy throwing to bases
• Handling different pitchers and their strengths
• Team Fundamentals
• Advanced first-and-third defensive strategies
• Defending the running game (pickoffs, pitcher-catcher communication)
• Fielding bunts effectively in different situations

Because the EPBA believes that no young baseball player should ever be denied the opportunity to participate in America’s favorite pastime because of temporary family economic problems we provide financial assistance to families in need.

Should you need financial assistance in order to participate in the league, please email [email protected] for more information.