• All levels are determined by birth year and will be on the BMBA registration forms along with the cost to register for each division. Go to bonnyvilleminorball.com to find the registration forms. Baseball Alberta has renamed each level in 2019 and now goes with the following:

Baseball     *Please see Registration to locate age catergory information

• Rally Cap remains unchanged. (must be 5 by December 31^st of season) 
• 9U ( Formerly Rookie) 
• 11U (Formerly Mosquito) 
• 13U (Formerly Peewee) 
• 15U (Formerly Bantam)  
• 18U (Formerly Midget) 

Softball *Please see Registration to locate age catergory information

• U10 (Mites) 
• U12 (Squirts) 
• U14 (Peewee)  
• U16 (Bantam) 
• U19 (Midget) 

What is the cut-off date for the age categories?

• The player's age as of January 1st is used to determine their age category. If you’re wondering what division your son or daughter should register look on the registration form at bonnyvilleminorball.com

What does my child need to play ball?

• Each player will need to supply their own glove, grey ball pants, jock or Jill strap, red socks, red belt & baseball/softball cleats. All other equipment is provided to them by BMBA.

Should I buy my child a bat or batting helmet?

• If you plan on buying your son or daughter a batting helmet please insure you purchase the correct one. Unlike baseball, softball helmets must include a face mask.  If you plan on buying them a bat please make sure that it’s for the correct sport as you cannot use a baseball bat for softball or softball bat for baseball. Softball bats must have an ASA or ISF stamp a on it to be legal for game play. For more information on bats you can look on the baseball and softball Alberta websites.

What day of the week does my child play ball and how long is the season?

• The Rally Cap program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from May until the end of June.
• Baseball runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from May until the end of June, with exception of bantam that is played on Mondays and Wednesdays
• Softball runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from May until the end of June.
• Competitive AA baseball and competitive Softball programs often run Mondays and Wednesdays, but are subject to change based on diamond availability. Season typically ends late July. 

No one has contacted me about the season, who will and when?

• Final rosters are released to the coaches at the coaches and managers meeting just prior to the end of April. The head coach or team manager will be in contact prior to your season starting.

I have completed my childs online registration forms, how do I pay fees to BMBA?

• BMBA has a lock box located on the wall near the front desk of the Centennial Center.  Fees can be placed in an envelope with your child's name, and age category on the front and then place into the secured box.  The box will be checked frequently by our registrar. Make sure you drop it in the correct box as minor hockey has a drop box there as well.

I was told my child will be placed on a waiting list, what does that mean?

• Every effort will be made to provide a spot for all players but registrations received after BMBA's registration deadline are tentatively placed on a waiting list until we can insure we have the coaches, facilities and reasonable number of players per roster to accommodate these late registrations.  

What if my child wants to play at a higher, more competitive level?

• BMBA offers competitive softball and baseball programs. In order to play on one of these teams you must attend a tryout so the player can be evaluated. The baseball or softball director will email all kids who eligible to tryout. The tryouts will also be posted on the BMBA website as well as the Bonnyville Minor Ball Facebook page. All players wishing to attend will be required to pay the tryout fee to cover the rental facility.

When is registration open?

• Registration opens March 4, 2020 and closes April 6 2020. The one exception is the baseball AA program; registration opens March 4, 2020 and closes April 1, 2020. If you are late registering your child they will be placed on a waiting list and may or may not be accepted based on team numbers, coaches, and diamond availability.

What does it cost to play ball?

• All costs associated with playing can be found on the BMBA registration form and can be found at bonnyvilleminorball.com

What if my child wishes to play beyond the end of June and didn’t decide to play AA baseball or competitive softball?

• The objective of the Provincial 'A' League is to provide a longer season of baseball for community (house league) level players/teams, allowing them to continue to play through the month of July with a 'A' Provincial Championship at Mosquito, Pee Wee, Bantam and Midget categories.
• BMBA will support the ‘A’ teams whenever possible, providing the interest is there from players or coaches.
• If the commitment level is there from coaches, parents, and players more often than not provincial softball teams are formed and represent Bonnyville at the B, C, or D level.

Is there an evaluation or tryout process my child must participate in?

• Yes, if your son or daughter wishes to play on a competitive BMBA team, they must attend a tryout or arrange to be evaluated at some point prior to finalizing the team’s roster. If the coach is not available to do an outside evaluation then your child MUST attend the scheduled tryout.
• No, if your child decides to play Lakeland league ball (May/June) and not compete into the summer months then no tryout is required to play in the Lakeland League.

If I have a concern or grievance to bring forward, what is the process to follow?

• BMBA has a process to follow for concerns or grievances. You can find our Conflict Resolution Process on the BMB website.

Are we required to do any fundraising this year?

• Yes, BMBA runs an annual raffle; therefore you are required to sell raffle tickets.
• The raffle proceeds allow us to keep registration cost low while providing equipment to all members of our association.

Where do I drop off the raffle tickets?

• You are responsible to pick up and drop off your raffle tickets in person. Dates and times will be posted on the Bonnyville Minor Ball Website. Our association is large so please be respectful and do your best to meet up on the posted pickup and drop off dates.  

I indicated that I am willing to coach/manage. How do I know if I’ve been selected?

• Firstly, thank you for volunteering!! The BMBA baseball or softball director will be in contact with you prior to our annual coaches and managers meeting (mid to late April).
• All BMBA volunteers are required to get a criminal record and vulnerable sector check in order to coach. We will not compromise player safety for 5 minutes of inconvenience so please get it done ASAP. Forms can be found at bonnyvilleminorball.com   

My company is interested in sponsoring a team or division, is this an option?

• Please direct all sponsorship questions to bonnyvilleminorball@gmail.com

What is Rally Cap division?

• Rally Cap (formerly known as T-Ball) Division baseball is for players 5, 6 and 7 years old who are interested in learning the basic fundamentals and wish to get an introduction to the skills of baseball within a recreational baseball program. The Rally Cap program is for both girls and boys and is a great introduction to the game.
   

What is the 9U (Rookie) Division?
 House League 9U (Rookie)

• 9U (Rookie) Division baseball is for players 8 and 9 years of age who are interested in learning the basic fundamentals and skills development of baseball within a recreational baseball program. Being a developmental level of baseball, focus is towards knowledge, good sportsmanship, and fair play.
• Practices and games will take place on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Time and location will be decided by BMBA and the head coach of the team.

What is the 11U (Mosquito) Division?
House League 11U (Mosquito)

• The 11U (Mosquito) Division baseball is for players 10 and 11 years of age who are interested in enhancing their basic knowledge and skills development of baseball within a recreational baseball program. 11U baseball provides fundamentals of baseball and stresses good sportsmanship, and fair play.
• Practices and games will take place on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Time and location will be decided by BMBA and the head coach of the team.
   

What is the 13U (PeeWee) Division?
House League 13U (PeeWee)

• 13U (PeeWee) Division baseball is for players 12 and 13 years of age who are interested in enhancing their basic knowledge and skills development of baseball within a recreational baseball program. PeeWee baseball provides the fundamentals of baseball and stresses good sportsmanship, and fair play.
• Practices and games will take place on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Time and location will be decided by BMBA and the head coach of the team.
   

What is the 15U (Bantam) Division?
House League 15U (Bantam)

• 15U (Bantam) Division baseball is for players 14 and 15 years of age. 15U baseball at the recreational level, stresses good sportsmanship, and fair play.
• Practices and games will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays. Time and location will be decided by BMBA and the head coach of the team.

What is the 18U (Midget) Division?
House League 18U (Midget)

• 18U (Midget) Division baseball is for players 16 to 18 years of age who are interested in playing baseball. 18U baseball at the recreational level, stresses good sportsmanship and fair play.
• Practices and games will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Time and location will be decided by BMBA and the head coach of the team.

What is the Mosquito, PeeWee, Bantam, & Midget AA Divisions?

• AA teams are designed for those player's aged 10 to 18 years of age with above average ability, commitment and desire to play at higher levels of competition.
• The major objective will be player development through fair participation by all players on the team up to Provincial round robins.

Commitment

• Participation on AA team implies certain commitments on behalf of the players and the parents. The major commitments are time, travel, and increased cost.  AA teams typically utilize weekdays for practices (2 to 3 per week), exhibition games, etc. and weekends for games and tournaments based on schedule and travel requirements as determined by Baseball Alberta. Some games are scheduled during the week, depending on the distance teams must travel. Teams will play until the end of July; the length of time depends on the success of the team as it advances through to Provincial Championships.