**REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2023**

We look forward to having you join us this spring! A description of the different levels of play may be found below. The spring recreation season starts the week of April 24, 2023. Please save the date for our Opening Ceremony on Saturday, April 29 (rain date: 5/6).  The fees for the season are as follows:*  

• T-Ball - $100
• Single A - $185
• Double A - $210
• Triple A - $220
• Majors - $225
• Babe Ruth - $230

Sibling Discount: If you are registering more than one player in your family, you will receive a discount on the additional children's registration fees. In order for the discount to be applied, please register all of your players at one time. You will be able to add additional players on the "review" page, by clicking near the bottom to "register another player."  This will ensure that your family's players are registered within the same order and you receive the discount. 

Hardship Scholarships: NBL maintains a scholarship fund to assist families for whom the registration costs may present a financial hardship. Please see below for information on requesting these funds. 

*The fees above do not include Sports Engine processing fees which are assessed at payment. 

The Hardship Scholarship Fund is used to offset up to 100% of player registrations due to financial need, or the additional cost associated with multi-sibling sign ups. The Board reviews scholarship requests and votes to allocate from the fund.

How to apply for a hardship scholarship:

1. Follow this link to fill out the form. 
2. Do not continue with the registration.
3. You will be contacted by a league representative by email.
4. If approved, you will receive a discount code to use.
5. If not approved, you will be notified by email.

We try our best to make sure all kids get to play baseball; however, funds are on a first-come, first-received basis, and so we cannot guarantee full or partial scholarships. 

Players ages 10-12 will have the clinic on Saturday, April 22 from 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Players ages 7-9 will have the clinic on Saturday, May 6 from 9 - 11:30 a.m.

The cost to attend is $25. They fill up fast! Both clinics will be held on Blatnick Field 3. Please bring water, a bat, a glove, and a helmet. We hope to see you there!

*The fees above do not include Sports Engine processing fees which are assessed at payment.

Recreation Baseball

Any player who wishes to play, can play! It is an opportunity for kids to move around and play a lot of different positions. Winning is not the main goal. Coaches strive for equal playing time, while keeping players safe as well. The goal is to teach basic fundamentals and let the kids have fun learning the game of baseball. The season starts in late April and players are expected to commit through the end of June. Games are played on Saturdays, along with some weeknight games (1-2 games per week). 

Placement Criteria: Every child registered will be placed on a team. Teams at T-Ball and Single-A are arranged by schools, for the most part. 

In Double A, we try to balance talent, as we introduce winning and losing, and have true playoffs. Spreading out travel-level players amongst the teams is important. The Major and Triple A divisions require players to work-out and be selected through a draft (all players in the draft are selected). The Babe Ruth level will have school and non-school players evenly distributed to the maximum extent practical to minimize scheduling conflicts and ensure competitive balance. 

The NBL offers the following Cal Ripken levels: 

• T-Ball: 4 to 5 year-olds. Hit from tee; the ball used is a soft-tee ball. Emphasis on safety, skill development and fun. Mainly played on the Lower Blatnick Complex Field 1. Coaches will work with team parents to schedule a practice during the week. Players bat around each inning. The league is non-competitive; no scores are kept. Each game is kept to a one-hour time limit or three innings (whichever comes first) to match game span with attention span of the age group. Small teams are the goal and a brief instructional period precedes each game for about 15 minutes. 
• Single A: 6 to 7 year-olds. Utilizes parent pitching. 60' diamond. Played on the Lower Blatnick Complex, primarily Field 2. Teams created by age, school, and prior season assessments. Small teams are the goal and a brief instructional period precedes each game for about 15 minutes. 
• Double A: 8 to 9 year-olds. Coaches pitch the first 2 innings and then again, temporarily, if any pitcher walks a batter. Standings are kept and there is an exciting playoff tournament at the end of the season. Each inning, a runner starts on first base (the last batter from the previous inning). Rules on walks-allowed before having to change pitchers are also in place. Teams are created with the goal of balance and pre-season data. Played on the Lower Blatnick Complex, primarily Field 3. If any 7-year-old’s parent(s) believe their child is advanced enough for Double A, there will be a workout in late March to determine whether coaches think they are prepared for that level. 
• Triple A: 10 to 11 year-olds, with prior 8U Travel/All Stars who are 9 years old. All players attend a workout and then there is a draft a few days later, yet all players are selected. Players pitch and typical youth baseball rules are in effect. Playoffs. 60' bases and 46' Pitching Distance. Played primarily on the Lower Blatnick Complex - Field 4 and sometimes the Majors field.
• Majors: 11 to 12 year-olds. All players attend a workout and then there is a draft a few days later, yet all players are selected. Same as Triple A but 70' bases and. 50' pitching distance - leading and stealing are introduced, as well as uncaught third strikes. Played at the Upper Blatnick Complex - Majors Field, and sometimes played under the lights. If any 11 year-old is more appropriately suited for Triple A due to safety or experience, the league may place the player at that level. 
• Babe Ruth: 13 to 15 year-olds. 90' diamond. 60' 6" Pitching Distance. Games played on the Babe Ruth field at the Upper Blatnick field complex, and many times played into the night under the lights to accommodate players playing Modified, Freshman, or JV schedules. Some inter-league games may be played against other leagues such as Halfmoon, Clifton Park, Scotia, etc. 

Niskayuna Baseball also provides competitive travel baseball opportunities for players. For more information, please visit our Travel Program page.