Celebrating 65 years of SABA! Spring 2019 Registration will Open Soon...
Since 1954, the San Anselmo Baseball Association has upheld the passion for America’s greatest pastime and has been providing generations with local, family-friendly baseball. We are a small, community-based league that emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork, best effort, and outstanding baseball technique.
The Spring season runs from late February through early June, and our divisions include:
- Minors - 8-10 yrs - Kid Pitch
- Majors - 11-12 yrs - Full MLB Rules
- Juniors - 13-15 yrs - Full MLB Rules
Registration will open here at the end of October.
Read below for more information on our philosophy and detailed descriptions on each division.
In addition, we collaborate with the San Anselmo Recreation Department on instructional, fun programs for younger children:
- Bambino - 3-4 yrs - Tee Ball
- Farm Club - 4-5 yrs - Tee Ball
- Rookies - 6-7 yrs - Coach Pitch
Spring registration can be found at: www.sananselmorecreation.org
We are excited to share another season of family, friends, and fun with you!
Your Young Athlete’s Best Interest at Heart
The San Anselmo Baseball Association (SABA) emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork, best effort, and (of course) outstanding baseball fundamentals and technique. We provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, and we believe SABA is unique in its player/parental/community-centric approach to the game. SABA is an independent and entirely community-based baseball league, and as such free from the constraints and pressures other programs may face. We offer a high level of parental involvement, and the uncomplicated ease of local games played at lovely Memorial Park and our outstanding Red Hill facility. We want young players to love baseball, and want their parents to love watching them have fun and excel at the game.
Great Baseball Begins with Great Sportsmanship
The SABA approach to good sportsmanship includes the pursuit of fairness, the observance of rules, and the respect of opponents, coaches, umpires, and fans. SABA also believes each player should learn to challenge themselves, and be gracious in both winning and losing. Managers, coaches and umpires are guided in the cultivation of sportsmanship for young players. Great effort is taken to balance the composition of teams so that the competitive playing field is as level as possible and all players can maximize their enjoyment of baseball.
MINORS (Introductory Baseball – Kid Pitch):
Age 9-10 yrs old, 3rd-4th grade typically. Minors is an introduction to competitive baseball but the emphasis is on instruction. Player age is typically 9 to 10 yrs old or 3rd to 4th grade, but younger players that are not timid at the plate and can make consistent throws are welcome and usually fit in well, as are older 5th graders that may be seeking an extra year of skill honing before moving on to Majors. Every player is in the batting lineup at all times, thus each player is given the opportunity to contribute to the team effort. Minimum playing requirements are in place and adhered to, and exposure to position variety is favored over the competitive desire to win. While recognizing the boundaries of physical skills and the development of individuals, managers are strongly encouraged to teach a variety of positions to all players where feasible. No lead offs allowed, modified stealing rules are in place. Only feet first sliding into home plate. Questions about your young player’s appropriateness to this group? Just Ask! We’d love to help: SABA Placement Inquiry
- Kid pitch
- Each player bats at all times
- Field Dimensions 60'bases and 46'pitching distance from mound to home
- Players pitch and balls and strikes are called
- No leads off the bases but can steal a base after the pitch passes home plate (no stealing home)
- 2 games per week ALL played at Memorial (typically 1 game either Tues/Wed/Fri and 1 game Sun)
MAJORS (Intermediate Baseball – Full MLB Rules)
Age 11-12 yrs old, 5th-6th grade typically. Majors is a continuation of the instruction of the fundamentals of baseball but evolved toward the baseball format where full Major League Baseball rules are followed, such as lead offs and stealing. Minimum playing requirements are in place and the same as in Minors and every player is in the batting line up at all times. Though pitching intensity and the level of athleticism is higher than Minors, playing time equity continues to be favored over competitive desires, and managers continue to be encouraged to teach and allow players to experience a variety of positions although some players will begin to specialize into primary and secondary positions. If in doubt about whether your player is ready for Majors or should be moving on to Juniors we are happy to work with you to decide. Just ask us: SABA Placement Inquiry
- Every players is batting the line up at all times
- Field Dimensions- 70'bases and 50' pitching distance from pitching mound to home
- MLB rules are followed! Players can take leads and steal all bases including home!
- Umps call balks
- 2 games per week ALL played at Memorial (typically 1 game either Tues/Wed/Fri and 1 game Sun)
JUNIORS (Competitive Baseball – Full MLB Rules)
Age 13-14 yrs old, 7th-8th grade typically. Juniors is a competitive baseball division which continues to emphasize the fundamentals of the game. Minimum playing requirements are strictly adhered. Playing time equity should be favorably balanced over competitive desires. Every player is in the batting line up at all times. Players will focus on a primary and secondary field position.
- Field Dimensions 80' bases and 54' pitching distance from mound to home. Some games played 60'x90'
- MLB rules are followed
- Memorial Park and Red Hill Park are our home fields. Week night game either Tues/Wed/Fri. Sunday games played at Red Hill Park or neighboring communities (San Rafael, Dixie, Fairfax). Occasional Saturday game.
A Bit Too Young for SABA?
SABA collaborates with the San Anselmo Recreation Department Spring Rookie Baseball program for 1st and 2nd graders. This coach pitch program has standard baseball rules, but no scores or standings are kept. There are one or two practices a week and games on Sundays at Memorial Park from mid-March through mid-May. The purpose of the league is instructional and fun! For more information or to register, go to http://www.sananselmorecreation.org
BASEBALL BAT CHANGES
SABA is implementing the nationwide bat policy change for youth baseball leagues starting in the 2018 season. The changes are being made for the continued safety and integrity of the youth game. All bats must have a USA bat logo to be approved for play. Each SABA team will be provided with these new bats. More information can be found at https://usabat.com/about/.
If you are interested in purchasing a new bat and you have any question, please contact Rich Friedman (richsaba@yahoo.com).
Want to Learn More about SABA?
Contact us: P.O. Box 2451, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Phone: 415.578.8619
SABA President, Rich Friedman: richsaba@yahoo.com
Raising the Bar Initiative
SABA is pleased to inform you that we have once again agreed to be a part of the Ross Valley Healthy Community Collaborative's Raising the Bar Initiative. Formerly known as Under Our Influence, this initiative aims to change the adult norms we have in our community regarding the use of alcohol/other substances at youth oriented events. Please click below for more information.
Check out the SABA Store!
Click on the STORE tab above to view EXCITING new apparel from SABA! Hats, socks, sweatshirts and more..come check it out!!
