This is the highest level in the non-assessments House Ball program. Rookies (also known as Machine Pitch) baseball is for players ages 7-8. Younger players should have at least one year of Coach Pitch prior to playing in this division. The baseball is pitched at about 35mph from a Blue Flame/spring-loaded pitching machine and up to 10 players play defense (4 outfielders if there are enough players). Scores and standings are kept to help transition into competitive playing, but the emphasis is on skill development and learning all of the defensive positions as well as hitting fundamentals. The Rookies Division is designed to be a transition from the clinic divisions to the more competitive upper divisions of Pioneer Baseball League.
> $125 (Early Bird Registration Fee), $135 (Regular Registration Fee) per season
> Registration for each season begins a couple of months prior to season start
> For scholarship information, click here →
> 10 practices & games
> Uniform: team hat and a team jersey
> House ball community equipment
> Field maintenance
> County fees
> Insurance
> Administrative support
> Rookies play in the spring and fall seasons
> 10 games and practices
> Spring season begins mid-March until the first week of June
> Fall season begins mid-August until the first week of November
> Players should expect 1 fielding practice and 1 batting practice during the week
> Practices typically last about 90 minutes
> Fielding and batting practices may fall on the same night based on the coach’s preference
> Practice nights and times are based on the assigned coach’s preference/availability
> Games are on Saturdays and last about 2 hours
> Game schedule will be finalized and released after teams have been formed
> Virginia Hills (see map here)
> Games might also occur at Lee District #1 and #2
> 60-ft base paths and 46-ft pitching distance
> Each player is provided with a team hat and a team jersey
> Cleats are encouraged at this age
> Players will need their own pair of gray baseball pants
> Each player will need a batting helmet, a glove, and a USA Baseball-labeled bat. Bats may have a barrel of up to 2 5/8″
> Each team will have a set of team catcher’s gear for those playing catcher, but personal catcher’s gear is allowed
> The league provides a couple of bats and helmets for the team to borrow and use throughout the season
> If you have a night for practice that does not work, would like to play with a particular friend or coach, or your child has a special need, please let us know during registration. Once teams go out, player placements are final.
> After registration has closed, teams will be formed based on school affiliations and requests made during registration. We try to accommodate player requests for coaches and friends as often as possible.
> Katie Schwarz
> rookies@pblva.org
> $125 per season (Early Bird Registration Fee), $135 (Regular Registration Fee) per season
> Registration for each season begins a couple of months prior to season start
> For scholarship information, click here →
> 10 practices & games
> Uniform: team hat and a team jersey
> House ball community equipment
> Field maintenance
> County fees
> Insurance
> Administrative support
> Rookies play in the spring and fall seasons
> 10 games and practices
> Spring season begins mid-March until the first week of June
> Fall season begins mid-August until the first week of November
> Players should expect 1 fielding practice and 1 batting practice during the week
> Practices typically last about 90 minutes
> Fielding and batting practices may fall on the same night based on the coach’s preference
> Practice nights and times are based on the assigned coach’s preference/availability
> Games are on Saturdays and last about 2 hours
> Game schedule will be finalized and released after teams have been formed
> Virginia Hills (see map here)
> Games might also occur at Lee District #2
> 60-ft base paths and 46-ft pitching distance
> Each player is provided with a team hat and a team jersey
> Cleats are encouraged at this age
> Players will need their own pair of gray baseball pants
> Each player will need a batting helmet, a glove, and a USA Baseball-labeled bat. Bats may have a barrel of up to 2 5/8″
> Each team will have a set of team catcher’s gear for those playing catcher, but personal catcher’s gear is allowed
> The league provides a couple of bats and helmets for the team to borrow and use throughout the season
> If you have a night for practice that does not work, would like to play with a particular friend or coach, or your child has a special need, please let us know during registration. Once teams go out, player placements are final.
> After registration has closed, teams will be formed based on school affiliations and requests made during registration. We try to accommodate player requests for coaches and friends as often as possible.
> Katie Schwarz
> rookies@pblva.org
