First and foremost, thank you to all of the players who showed up in a big way at this year’s traveling tryouts. We were impressed with the level of talent on the field. We are excited to announce the 2024 traveling teams.
To those who made a team, congratulations! It was a very competitive tryout and making a team is a big accomplishment. You will hear from your coach soon with more information on team info, practices, etc.
To those who did not make a team, we are so proud of you for giving it your all. Our priority is to get every player on the team that is the best fit for their skills at this point in time. Continue working hard and please know you are welcome to try out for a traveling team again. Players who were not selected for a traveling team will be moved to the WBBA In-House (3rd-6th grade) or GSRec (7th & 8th grade) league and issued a refund for the difference in registration fee.
The Registration "Tryouts and Team Selections" is not currently available.
Location: Blizzard Baseball Academy (3200 Labore Road, Suite 102, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110)
Note: please enter through the north ("loading dock" side) entrance of the building, look for the WBBA sign.
Tryout Focus: Hitting
Equipment: Wear tennis shoes (no cleats), bat, helmet, baseball clothes (no first/last names on clothing). Note: players at the age of 14 will need to bring or use a -5 USSSA approved bat. Lighter bats will NOT be allowed.
Arrive: 5-10 minutes before (no earlier)
Parents: Please drop off and pick up at scheduled times. Parents are NOT ALLOWED in tryouts. If your child needs help into the facility, please plan to help them get checked in and then leave the building. (This includes trying on uniforms as we have staff to handle this).
Times:
Please note: players are able to leave as soon as their tryout is complete, so the first in line may be done within 15-20 minutes. In case the tryout goes quickly, parents are encouraged to wait outside for their child.
Location: TCO Sports Garden (1490 Co Rd E East, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110)
Tryout Focus: All Baseball Skills
Equipment: Wear tennis shoes (no cleats), glove, bat, helmet, baseball clothes (no first/last names on clothing please), catchers should also bring catcher gear, if they have their own. Note: players at the age of 14 will need to bring or use a -5 USSSA approved bat. Lighter bats will NOT be allowed.
Arrive: 15 minutes before (no earlier)
Parents: Please drop off and pick up; parents are NOT ALLOWED in tryouts, if your child needs help into the facility please plan to help them get checked in and then leave the building.
Times:
Please note: tryouts are expected to last the full 2 1/2 hours, so parents do not need to expect an early release.
The White Bear Baseball Association conducts tryouts in two phases. The first phase will occur indoors on a specified date and location. Players are graded on infield, outfield, and hitting.
Independent graders, not coaches of that age group grade each player based on the information provided above. No one is privy to these scores except for the head coaches themselves. Assistants cannot be named until the teams are selected.
Phase 2 will commence either indoors or outdoors (or a combination of the two) depending on the weather conditions. Players will be evaluated on fielding, hitting, and pitching through coach led drills. Phase two also consists of an optional catching portion. The indoor grades (phase one), as well as the players performance in phase two, will aid coaches in making their selections. All players will participate in both phases of tryouts. Each player will get the same opportunity to be evaluated in the same situations.
The head coach of the “AAA” team will select his/her team followed by the head coach of the “AA” team. An “A” team will be selected next should that age group have the numbers to create an “A” team. After final approval from the board, tryout numbers are posted on the website for those players selected. Any 12 and under player not selected, will be placed on an In-House team based in the area in which they live. Players who are 13 and older will be placed in the North Star League.
Please note:
Players are expected to wear appropriate athletic apparel. They must also provide their own baseball glove, batting helmet and bat. No cleats can be worn at this years tryouts, please wear tennis shoes or turf shoes only.
The tryout process is anonymous. Players may not wear any apparel that has their name on it.
Players at the age of 14 will need to bring or use a -5 USSSA approved bat. Lighter bats will NOT be allowed.
For those players that registered for a traveling league, but ultimately will be participating in one of our In-House leagues, a reimbursement check for the difference in fees will be sent at a date to be determined after the season starts.
Thank you for your continued support of the WBBA!
All players signing up for the In-House league are placed on teams based on the public school boundaries. Coaches are selected after the completion of an application and background check. All players will receive 2 White Bear jerseys along with the rest of their uniform and baseballs and some equipment is provided for the team. Age groups are 1st/2nd graders with coaches pitching, and 3rd/4th & 5th/6th graders, with the players pitching.
All games are played within the WB School district boundaries. Each team plays approximately 14 games followed by a Fun Day for the 1st/2nd graders, and playoffs for the 3rd/4th & 5th/6th graders.