Choosing a program that best fits the needs of your player and family is the key to a positive youth baseball experience! There are many excellent programs throughout the United States and abroad, most of which are listed below. The following organizations endorse JUNIOR BASEBALL MAGAZINE and its goal to improve, support and promote youth baseball.
At the end of this list you'll find additional organizations and 10 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Youth League. There is no cost for qualifying organizations to be listed. National and regional associations can contact the publisher@juniorbaseball.com for more information.
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) c/o The Walt Disney World Resort PO Box 10000, Lake Buena Visa FL 32830-1000 Phone: 1-800-AAU-4USA Senior Sports Mgr: Jeremy T. Bullock Phone: 407-934-7200 Fax: 407-934-7242 email: jeremy@aausports.org http://www.aaubaseball.org/
This large, multi-sport organization is dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs,( such as the Presidential Sports Awards). The AAU baseball program is for ages 8-18 and appeals to teams that like to travel. Players are not precluded from playing in other leagues. Several divisions of play are offered in order to better level the strength and experience of teams. AAU Baseball conducts National Championships in each age group at various levels. Teams qualify for each level from all over the U.S. Annual membership is $12-$14 per year and $25 per team.
American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) AABC National Headquarters 100 West Broadway, Farmington, NM 87401 Phone: 505-327-3120 Fax: 505-327-3132 email: aabc@aabc.us www.aabc.us
One of the largest amateur baseball organizations in the United States, offering continuous organized competition on a national level. The AABC has organized leagues in 42 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. It conducts competition in seven age groups, 8 and under, 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, 18u, and adults.
Through over 7,000 leagues worldwide, Babe Ruth offers baseball for players ages 13-18 and its Cal Ripken division for ages 5-12. There is also a softball division, ages 5-18. Beginning at age 13, players have the opportunity to play baseball under regulations and rules of standard diamonds. Leagues can enter tournaments and winners go on to state qualifiers, then to regional tournaments and the World Series. Divisions for the World Series include 10 and under, 12u,13, 14, 13-15, 16, 16-18, softball 12u and 16u. Started in 1951, Babe Ruth Baseball has been providing youth baseball programs for over 50 years.
Baseball Softball UK (Previously: British Baseball Federation - BBF) Ariel House, 74a Charlotte St, London W1T 4QJ Phone: 011-44-207-453-7055 Fax 011-44-207-453-7007 email: contact@baseballsoftballuk.com www.baseballsoftballuk.com
Offers tournaments for ages 9 to adult. Dual participation in programs is encouraged. There are single and multiple age divisions. 32 states, Mexico, Brazil and Korea are represented in the World Series games.
In 11 Southern states, Dixie offers three divisions of baseball, ages 12 and under, 13-14 and 15-18 and also has a softball division. Unique to this league is its requirement that all players participate in every game and that the entire organization is operated by volunteer personnel from top to bottom. Although its emphasis is on recreation and local play, teams do compete in a World Series. DYB awards college scholarships to past players based on financial need, scholastic record and citizenship, application on website.
Primarily in the South as well as New York, Texas and Colorado. This is a recreational program for ages 5-18. Dizzy Dean agreed to have the league named after him as long as no child could ever be turned away from playing. Guidelines are used for player selection to keep the teams equally balanced. About 30% of the players participate in post-season (all-star) tournaments compared to 10% to 15% for most other leagues.
An affordable opportunity for post-season play for ages 10-18. Tournaments are well organized and provide a higher level of competition. They provide double-elimination state tournaments and national World Series with 3 games guaranteed. Run entirely by volunteers it's "A small program with big advantages". The registration fee is only $8 per team, plus a state fee. Charters represent 20 states in the U.S. Interested teams should see the charter form available on the Hap Dumont website.
National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) PO Box 705, Bowie MD 20715 Phone: 301-464-5460, 301-352-0214, Charles M. Blackburn, Executive Director Fax 301-352-0214 email: nabf1914@aol.com www.nabf.com
The NABF has organized leagues throughout the U.S and Canada. It conducts annual national tournaments in eleven divisions, ages 10 and under, 12u, 14u, 16u, 17u, 18u, high school, 22u, college, major division, and unlimited. Also conducts classic championship series for 11, 13 and 15u. In existence since 1914, this is the oldest continuously operated amateur baseball organization in America.
National Association of Police Athletic Leagues (NPAL) 658 West Indiantown Road, #201, Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: 561-745-5535 Fax 561-745-3147 email: copnkid1@aol.com www.nationalpal.org
For ages 5-18, this is the largest organization of law enforcement agencies using a recreation-oriented program (including sports, performing and creative arts) to prevent juvenile crime and violence. Baseball was the very first PAL activity. Today teams compete in the National Pal Baseball World Series. Call or write for the PAL near you or to start a program in your community.
PONY Baseball, Inc. PO Box 225, Washington PA 15301 Phone: 724-225-1060 Fax: 724-225-9852 email: pony@pulsenet.com www.pony.org
PONY, which stands for Protect Our Nation's Youth, provides baseball and softball programs for players ages 5-18. Here is the opportunity to play the complete game of baseball by allowing lead-offs, dropped third strike rule, metal cleats and 'big-barrel' bats. To help young players with the transition to a regulation size diamond, PONY incrementally increases the distance to the pitcher's mound and on the base paths. Divisions include ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 (60 foot base path), 11-12 (70-foot base path), 13-14 (80 foot base path), 15-16 (90 foot base path), 17-18, and girls softball leagues ages 5-18. Teams in the U.S. compete in a National tournament and the PONY World Series, which started in 1951, now draws teams from all over the world.
Catering to the beginning player, T-Ball USA promotes and supports T-ball programs nationwide. A source of information to improve tee ball programs and establish new ones. Services YMCA, National Recreation & Parks Association, AAU, PAL, Boys & Girls Club of America, Little League and many independent and local leagues.
USA Baseball is the governing body for amateur baseball in the U.S. and is best known for selecting, training and supporting the teams that will compete in the Olympics, the National Team (Collegiate), Junior National Team (18u) and Youth National Team (16u) which participate in various international competitions. Players are selected to try out through recommendations by local and high school coaches and scouts. USA Baseball provides sanctions to teams playing outside the U.S. to protect their rights and amateur status. They also provide sanctions when an American team competes with or hosts an international team in the U.S. As an 'umbrella' organization uniting many youth organizations, USA Baseball members include AAU, AABC, ABCA, American Legion, Babe Ruth, Dixie, Little League, NABF NBC, NPAL, PONY, YMCA and a number of high school and college associations. USA Baseball is funded through memberships as well as by the sale of official USA Baseball merchandise.
United States Amateur Baseball Association (USABA) PO Box 55633, Seattle, WA 98155 Phone: 425-776-7130 Fax: 425-776-7130 email: usaba@usaba.com www.usaba.com
USABA offers a baseball program for ages 11-19 with progressive post-season competition in nine age groups, from 50 states. Dual participation allows teams from any league to take part and many scouts attend the tournaments at the older age levels. In the World Series tournaments, each team plays a minimum of five games in a round-robin, and all teams play in a Championship double-elimination. This non-profit organization is run by volunteers. Leagues with 6 or more teams qualify for a travel allowance.
United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) PO Box 1998, Petersburg VA 23805 Phone: 800-741-3014 email: joeyodom@aol.com www.usssa.com
Organizes tournaments in 42 states for players ages 6-18, in single age groups. Holds World Series events for all ages in three divisions: Majors, AAA, and AA.
All American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) 331 Parkway Dr, Zanesville OH 43701 Phone: 740-453-8531
American Amateur Youth Baseball Alliance 12919 Four Winds Farm, St Louis MO 63131 Phone: 573-518-0319 www.aayba.com
American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) 108 S University Ave Ste 3, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858-2327 Phone: 989-775-3300 www.abca.org Main objective is educational - to help improve coaching skills for all levels of baseball.
American Legion Baseball PO Box 1055, Indianapolis IN 46206 Phone: 317-630-1213 www.legion.org High school age and above, run by the local American Legion civic service organizations.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America 1230 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309-3447 Phone: 404-487-5700 www.bgca.org Many chapters provide baseball programs. Check your local White Pages or call the headquarters for one near you.
Little League Baseball, Inc. PO Box 3485, Williamsport PA 17701 Phone: 570-326-1921 www.littleleague.org International youth baseball organization with over two million players.
Municipal Parks & Recreation Programs This is a good place to find more affordable programs. Levels of play vary. To locate a program in your area, look in your telephone White Pages in the Government Section for 'Recreation & Parks' or 'Parks & Recreation' and your Yellow Pages under 'Playgrounds & Parks'.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 23500 W 105th St, PO Box 1325, Olathe KS 66051-1325 Phone: 913-791-0044 www.naia.org Over 300 four-year colleges and universities compete for national championships in mens baseball and women's softball.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 700 W Washington St, PO Box 6222, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222 Phone: 317-917-6222 Fax: 317-917-6888 www.ncaa.org Coordinates sports programs at over 900 colleges in three sports divisions, annual championships.
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) (also associations for High School Coaches, Officials, Spirit, and Athletic Administrators) PO Box 690, Indianapolis, IN 46206 Phone: 317-972-6900 Fax: 317-822-5700 www.nfhs.org Serves its members and administers high school athletic programs and activities.
National High School Baseball Coaches Associations PO Box 5128, Bella Vista AR 72714 Phone: 501-876-2591 Educational organization, member benefits, holds annual convention in November.
National Junior Baseball League PO Box 1021, East Northport NY 11731 Phone: 631-582-5191 A non-profit travel baseball league for 150 teams, ages 8-18. Primarily in the Metropolitan NY, Long Island area as well as PA, CT and NJ.
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) PO Box 7305, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7305 Phone: 719-590-9788 www.njcaa.org Provides athletic programs including baseball for Community and Junior Colleges. Over 500 member institutions.
Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) 245 Park Ave, New York, NY 10167 Phone: 212-931-7897
United States Amateur Baseball Federation (USABF) 1111 Orange Ave Ste A, Coronado CA 92118 Phone: 619-435-2831 www.usabf.com Organizes amateur baseball tournaments in the US, Canada, Australia and Mexico.
YMCAs of the USA 101 N Wacker Dr, Chicago IL 60606 Phone: 800-872-9622, 312-977-0031 www.ymca.net Many YMCAs provide youth baseball programs. Look in your local White Pages (beginning of the 'Y' listings) or call the headquarters listed here for the chapter nearest you.
10 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A YOUTH LEAGUE
1. Location (distance to home, school, work, league boundaries, etc.)
2. Travel (transportation, gas, food, lodging, car pooling, supervision, etc.)
3. Time (game & practice schedules, school and other commitments, parent involvement, etc.)
American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) 
Babe Ruth Baseball
Baseball Softball UK
Dixie Youth Baseball (DYB)
Dizzy Dean Baseball, Inc.
National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF)
National Association of Police Athletic Leagues (NPAL) 
T-Ball USA 
USA Baseball
United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA)