Our Travel Program Philosophy

The SHBSC Travel program is open to selected members of the SHBSC Recreation Program with Cal Ripken ages of 7-12*. It is intended that one or more travel teams be offered at every baseball and softball age group. The program values healthy but advanced competition, advanced baseball skills, and teamwork. All members of the SHBSC Travel programs will need to participate in the recreation program, as defined.

Objectives

• Offer a Competitive Baseball program that enables each Travel Baseball player to attain maximum skills development, while having lots of fun.
• Provide opportunities for capable and committed players to improve themselves through excellent coaching and very strong competition.
• Compete against teams from other municipalities in district play, area leagues and tournaments, as well as some out-of-region, high-profile tournaments (older age groups).
• Provide a positive learning experience to enhance a player's overall personal development.

Boundary

All age eligible boys and girls can try out for teams, who reside in the towns of Bernardsville, Peapack Gladstone, Bedminster,  or who demonstrate they are actively enrolled in school within our chartered boarder

Age

Boys and girls, within boundary, can participate

Seasons

Annual, Year round commitment

• The annual travel program will be structured by each level coach as he/she deems appropriate for the team, but may include:
• Winter training program
• Spring program consisting of tournament and/or league play
• Summer program consisting of either District tournament or league play
• Fall season consisting of tournament and/or league play

Other Baseball commitments

• It is expect that ALL travel players participate in the spring recreation league and maintain a 70% attendance at all games.
• To be rostered on a SHBSC travel team, you should not be rostered on another outside travel program without approval of the travel VP

• Coaches will be annually appointed by the travel program VP and the oversight committee
• SHBSC will hold annual tryouts for each level which will be independently evaluated
• December 2021 for 2022 season
• Teams should roster 11-12 players for 18-9 yo. divisions and 12-14 for 7-8 yo divisions.
• In the circumstance were there are enough kids and coaches are interested to create multiple teams, every effort should be made to ensure as many kids play as possible
• Earlier age divisions (e.g. 7-8) should roster more players to maximize kids in the program
• 6 yo can fill out a roster but must age up with the grade
• Final rosters will be decided as follows:
• Top 7 ranked players are automatically rostered
• Remaining roster is selected by the coach in consultation with the Travel VP and committee
• It should be the intent that all players be included that meet that team’s minimum play and skill standard

• Are kids allowed to play up- No
• Is there a tryout? –Yes
• Do you allow play down- No
• What do you do with kids already playing on a travel team that are now too young but wish to stay on that team?
• Teams will be re-formed base on Cal Ripken age