Fall Baseball
Needham Fall Ball offers a great opportunity for players to gain experience in the game outside of the traditional season. While Major League Baseball heads into the playoffs and World Series, Needham players from 1st grade to age 15 can work on fundamentals, hone more advanced skills, play new positions, and learn more about the game. The fall league is enjoyed by players ranging from those who cannot get enough baseball to those simply interested in taking their game to the next level as they advance to higher tiers of competition. Many of our players participate simultaneously in other sports, with a special devotion to baseball.
Registration: Registration will begin shortly run to mid-August. Late sign-ups will only be permitted if room is available. Early registrations, before the school year ends, are recommended.
Season: The Fall season will begin with practices and games starting in early September (after Labor Day). Game and practice schedules will be ready in late August or early September, depending on the program.
Fall Development League for 1st and 2nd Graders
Overview: Needham Baseball offers a Fall Development League to give younger players training in the fundamentals of baseball and an additional season to try-out these skills. Establishing proper mechanics is critical at this age and the season will focus on skill development through drills, practices and intramural games. Players are encouraged to attend as many practices as possible and to try their skills in games.
Schedule: Practices are ONE HOUR in length and are expected to be held Tuesdays and Thursdays. Teams will practice once per week, with occasional weeks allowing for two practices. Practices are run by Frozen Ropes, with high school baseball and softball assistants. Games are 90 minutes in length and will be Sundays
Player expectations: Players are expected to bring a desire to learn, a willingness to practice and a commitment to having fun!
Fall Competitive Travel Leagues
9-12 year old Newton Southeast League
Overview: Needham Baseball provides a competitive travel baseball program in September and October for 9-12 year olds. This program is for committed baseball players who want to fit in another season of baseball, get additional playing time and compete at a high level. This is not a "show up and play" league - players are expected to attend most practices and games. This program will stress skill development and competition.
Player expectations: Players will be expected to participate in most team practices and games. Rosters will be kept to 11-13 players (12 preferred), depending on availability at each level. Teams will be evenly balanced.
Schedule: The season typically consists of 10-15 games. Games are usually scheduled once or during the week and once on weekends. Weeknight games begin as early as 4:00 to be completed prior to darkness.
The season culminates with play-offs for eligible teams in early to mid-October.
Fall Intermediate League
Learn all the rules of big diamond baseball, such as leading, pickoffs, balks, holding runners and dropped third strikes, while playing in Needham on a mid-size diamond. Diamond size is a 50’ pitching distance and 70’ base paths. This is the same sized diamond used by many AAU/Elite teams. Great opportunity for rising 13-year olds to transition from the Little League Diamond.
13-15 year old Fall Big Diamond Prep
Overview: This program is designed to give players additional chances to learn and practice the new skills required of players on the big (90’) diamond. All games are on weekends, with practice during the week.
Player expectations: Players will be expected to participate in most team practices and games. Teams will be evenly balanced.
Schedule: The season consists of 2 games per weekend for 6 weekends. Games are typically scheduled on Friday nights and weekends. There are no playoffs, but season may be extended for earlier rain-outs.
