9U

Directors

Welcome to the Lacombe Minor Baseball Association (LMBA) 9U homepage.  The LMBA has a strong history of providing baseball opportunities for athletes, coaches, umpires and parents, and looks forward to another successful season.

Annual General Meeting / AGM Attendance Discount / Online Registration

The LMBA is hosting their 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, January 15th, at 7:00 pm at the Lacombe Memorial Center (LMC).  Everyone in attendance will receive a $25.00 discount off of their child's registration fee if they are registered within a week following the AGM.  Online registrations will not open until after the AGM on January 16th.  Please click on the following link to access detailed registration information for the upcoming season: Registration Information

Policies and Guidelines Handbook

The LMBA Executive has established a Policies and Guidelines Handbook to assist the current and future Executive along with its members (players, parents, guardians) with direction in regards to refunds, imports, underage and overage requests, roster size, roster selection, player transfer requests and consistency in uniforms/apparel. The handbook can be accessed by clicking HERE.  9U (Rookie) program information can be found HERE.

Ages

Players born in 2015 & 2016

Program Length

Dates: May 2nd to June 24th 

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays

Time: 6:15 - 7:45pm

9U (Rookie) Round Robin

The date for the 4th Annual Rookie Round Robin is TBD. This event involves a Round Robin with the local 9U (Rookie) and some out-of-town teams.  Each team will play 2 - 3 games that day. 

Fields

Essex Park, Wilsons Park, Hearthstone Park, Lacombe Christian School East Campus Field & the Tennis Court Field.  There are playgrounds at most of the fields that are great for siblings to play at while their brothers/sisters are playing baseball.

Required Equipment

Jogging pants or baseball pants (no shorts), glove, running shoes (plastic cleats are allowed but not required), protective cup, baseball helmet (preferably royal blue), and a water bottle. 

Practices / Games Format

Each date consists of a 45-minute warm-up and skill development component, followed by a 45-minute game.  In the past, every 3rd date on the schedule has been a "practice plan breather" for the coaches and consists of only a 15 - 20 minute warm-up followed by a game for the remaining time.

Game Modifications

Modifications are implemented during the games to ensure the players, coaches, and parent helpers remain engaged, while still ensuring the players are taught the fundamentals of the game.   Some examples of the modifications during the games include starting with the bases loaded, players rotating defensively one position clockwise after every 2 batters, batters receiving a maximum of 5 pitches (underhand or overhand) then hitting off a batting T.

Players / Team

Each team will only have 8 - 9 players.

Player Registration Fee

$200.00 ($175.00 with the $25.00 AGM Attendance Discount) Includes Individual/Team Photo Package

Registration Deadline

April 8, 2024 (as we need to place t-shirt and hat orders so they arrive at the start of the season)

Register a Player

Click HERE to register a player in the upcoming season (available after the Annual General Meeting).

Parent / Guardian Attendance Required

Rookie is not considered a drop-off program.  A parent/guardian must be available at the field for the child at all times.

Coaches Required and Coaching Resources

A Head Coach and Assistant Coach are assigned to each Rookie team. Parents are also encouraged to assist the coaches as Parent Helpers.  A skills and drills clinic will be hosted by the LMBA in Lacombe prior to the season starting which will provide the coaches with some basic information about throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting along with numerous drills that are camouflaged as fun games.  The Rookie Director coordinates a coaches meeting prior to the season starting that allows coaches to meet each other, go through their equipment bag, review the Rookie Package (schedule, rules, format, modifications, etc.) and ask questions.  Practice plans for the first two practices of the season are provided for all of the coaches to follow.  The LMBA also provides Rookie coaches with a Rally Cap and Grand Slam Manual created by Baseball Canada which provides a variety of skill development drills and games that are age-appropriate.

Further information about coaching in Rookie can be found under the Coaches tab above or by accessing the Coaching Certification FAQs.

Underage & Overage Players

Information about requesting an underage or overage player to participate in Rookie can be found in the LMBA - Policies and Guidelines Handbook. Please click HERE to access it.

Additional Information

For further information about this division, please contact the Division Director which is listed on each division homepage.  If a Director is not listed please email lacombedodgers@gmail.com for further information.