How long does the season run?

Practices beginning March 1st, with our first games beginning the second or third Saturday in March. Our tournament ends the second Saturday in June. And the All-star game is played the third Saturday of June, finishing out end our season.

What is my time commitment?

Tee Ball: At this age group, teams practice once during the week. Practices day and time is set by the coach. Games are usually on Saturday, but depending upon the number of teams formed, there may be an occasional weeknight game, which would be at 5PM. Practices and games run one hour.

A: As the kids advance in skills, the teams practice for an hour and a half once a week. Practices are set by the coaches to accommodate their schedules. This age group will have games on Saturdays, but depending upon the number of teams formed, there may be an occasional weeknight game which would be at 6PM. Practices and games run 1.5 hours / 5 innings.

AA: As the kids advance in skills, the teams practice twice per week. Practices are set by the coaches to accommodate their schedules.  Some coaches do a practice during the work week (M-F), with a second practice on Sundays.  Other coaches prefer to keep Sundays free, and do two practices in the work week.  This age group will have games on Saturdays, with a potential for a second evening game during the work week, depending upon the number of teams formed. Weekday and Sunday practices are practices are two hours in duration.  Games are 2 hours/6 innings.

AAA: At this age group, we introduce kid-pitch.  So, twice weekly practices are crucial to mastery of the game.  Like AA, some coaches opt for a Sunday practice in addition to a weekday evening practice.  This age group will play Saturdays, plus a second weekday evening game, depending upon the number of teams formed. Practices are 2 hours. Games are 2 hours.

Majors: By this point, the kids would practice endlessly if you let them!  Twice per week practices are the norm, with two games per week- one on Saturday, and one evening game during the work week.  Practices are 2 hours. Games are 2 hours.

What is the "league age"?
"League age" is the age a player is considered during the season.  For most players "League age" is determined by the age of a player on April 1st of current year.  For 14 year old players league age is September 1st of the previous year, and can not be in High School. See the following chart:

* 11 year olds can play in either AAA or Majors. See question below.
** 14 year olds league age is age as of September 1st of previous year, and not be in high school. 

My child is 6, should he/she play T Ball or A Division?
This is up to the parent’s discretion. Has your child played baseball before? If they’ve played a season of T Ball and you think they’re ready to advance to more baseball skills, we recommend signing up for A. If you think it would benefit them one more season of hitting off the tee, then we recommend T Ball. If your child has never played baseball before and you’re unsure of their skill set, we recommend signing up for T Ball. We are happy to provide a skills assessment session if you’re unsure, please contact us at [email protected] with any questions.

My child is 7, should he/she play in the A or AA Division?
This is up to the parent’s discretion. Has your child played baseball before? If they’ve played a season (or multiple seasons) of TBall and are grasping the basics of the game and you feel that they’re ready for a more advanced season, then we recommend signing up for AA. If they’re still developing baseball skills and you feel that another season working on fundamentals would be beneficial, then we recommend signing up for A. We are happy to provide a skills assessment session if you’re unsure, please contact us at [email protected] with any questions.

For which division should I sign up my 11 year old?
11 year olds can now play in either our AAA division or Majors division; which division depends on the skill and confidence level of the player. There is no exact method for determining the best fit for each player. The final decision will be based on information gathered from parents, previous coaches (if played in Floresta), and the mandatory Skills Assessment Session. Players will then be transferred to the appropriate division if need be.

For now, use the following guidelines to help you choose a division for registration purposes: 

1. Ask your child's previous coach if the player is ready for the Majors division or if the player could use a year in the AAA Division.
2. Has your child faced at least one year of kid pitch? If not, consider AAA.
3. In your opinion or the opinion of the player's previous coach, does the player have strong fielding, throwing, batting skills. If so, consider the Majors.
4. In your opinion or the opinion of the player's previous coach, does the player have the self confidence to meet the challenges of moving up to the Majors division. This is important because the Majors division does have players who are often bigger at 13 years old (with some turning 14 after April 1st). High confidence and skill would indicate the Majors.
5. There are some differences between AAA play and Majors play. The Majors uses full baseball rules while AAA uses modified rules (see our Divisions Page for more information on the divisions). The Majors division uses a 52/70 field size, while the AAA division uses a 46/60 field size. Is the player ready for the added challenge of advanced rules of play and the larger field dimensions of the Majors division?
6. These are just some guidelines to consider. If you have further questions or are still unsure, you can attend one of our walk-in registrations and speak to someone there. You can also contact us at [email protected].

Why did Floresta change the age range for the AAA division?
We made the change to give 11 year old players an opportunity to play in a division more in line with their skill and confidence level. Our Majors division includes ages 11 to 13 year olds (with some turning 14 after April 1st). Due to some of the older players' size and advanced skill level, we've heard feedback from players, parents and coaches that not all 11 year olds are ready for the Majors. Some players have opted to leave Floresta in order to play with younger competitors, i.e. 11-12 year olds. To address this issue, Floresta Baseball has decided to extend the AAA division by one year (9-11 year olds), giving 11 year olds an opportunity to stay in AAA if need be--increasing their skills and confidence.

What if my child wants to play up?
We heavily discourage players from playing up a division, especially if the jump is from AAA to the Majors. That being said, we consider the request on a case by case basis. The player might be required to attend the Skills Assessment Session. To make a formal request, enter the request in the "Special Requests" section during the registration process. You could also email us with the request. If requesting a move from T-Ball to AA, you will be required to pay the difference in division fees once the request is granted.

My child turns 4 after April 1st? Can they still play?
Players turning 4 after April 1st and during the season of play, may register during one of our walk-in registration events only. You must talk with one of our representatives, who will determine the child's readiness.

Is there a draft?
No. We encourage participants to play with their family, friends, neighbors and classmates. You can make a request to play with a friend during the registration process. We also try to keep players attending the same school together.

Are there tryouts?
No. We are a pay to play league. Every participant will be placed on a team. There is a mandatory skills assessment for 11 year old players to determine their placement in either our AAA division or Majors division.

What is the mandatory Skills Assessment Session?
This is only mandatory for 11 year old players.* The skills assessment will run players through various baseball drills designed to test their throwing, fielding, hitting, and pitching abilities.  See our website Calendar for the Skills Assessment date(s). The results of the assessment will be used in making a final determination as to whether a player is placed in the AAA division or the Majors division. Players requesting to play up might also be required to attend the mandatory Skills Assessment Session.

*Note: 11 year old players who played in Majors last year will be allowed to continue in Majors and are not required to attend the Skills Assessment Session.

What if my child can not make the Skills Assessment Session?
We will make a good faith effort to determine the player's skill level based on conversations with the parent(s), and previous coaches. If we feel we can not make a good determination, the player will start the season in the Majors division. It's possible (but not guaranteed), the player could move down to AAA within the first two weeks of practice. It is in the best interest of the player to attend the Skills Assessment Session.

Can my child play on the same team as a buddy? Or classmate?
Yes, in fact we encourage participants to play on the same team as their family, friends, neighbors and classmates. You can make a request to play with a friend during the registration process. We also try to keep players from the same school together.

Does Floresta Baseball offer a payment plan?
Yes. There is a two payment option available toward the end of the registration process.  You must use a credit card for this option. You will pay a portion of the fees up front during registration. The other half will automatically be charged to the credit card on the second installment due date.

Does Floresta Baseball offer scholarships for financial hardship?
Scholarships are offered on a case by case basis, usually in exchange for volunteer hours. You can request a scholarship by emailing us at [email protected] or talk with one of our Board members.