Jenkintown Abington Bulldog Travel Baseball (8U-12U)
Registration is now open! (See below)
OVERVIEW
The Jenkintown Abington (JA) Bulldogs travel program is for 8U through 12U teams. JA baseball provides its players with high quality instruction from experienced coaches while competing in the challenging Suburban Travel Baseball League (STBL). JA’s main objective is to help young athletes improve their skills and enjoy competitive baseball. Our coaches will spend hours teaching the players the correct way to hit, field, catch, and play the game; we are also committed to winning. In addition, for the 2024 teams, JA has partnered with All Star Baseball to provide training by former professional baseball players during winter workouts!
TRAVEL SEASON
JA has secured a modern indoor baseball facility for winter workouts which will begin 1 night a week in January and run through March. During the winter outdoor practices may be held opportunistically when weather cooperates. Starting in March there will be 1 outdoor practice at minimum during the week in addition to the indoor workouts. To further prepare for the season, each coach will schedule scrimmages against other local teams in the March / early April timeframe.
The STBL league includes teams from the Bucks and Montgomery County area, with games starting in April. There will be 2 games per weekend, held on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. STBL playoffs start in early June. From there, our teams will compete in tournaments after the STBL playoffs. There is also a tournament over Memorial Day weekend and Father’s Day weekend.
Once a player makes the travel team they will remain on the team during the entire STBL season, however if circumstances arise such as poor sportsmanship on the part of the player or parent, it could necessitate the removal of the player.
TRYOUTS
Evaluation forms will be used to assist with gauging the skills of all players, focused on: hitting, fielding, throwing, and base running, as well as pitching and catching. The coaches will convene following the tryouts to either select or short-list prospective team members. These players will be invited to participate in the winter workout programs outlined above.
The age cut-off for travel is May 1.
8U Travel Team - Players must not turn 9 before May 1, 2024
9U Travel Team - Players must not turn 10 before May 1, 2024.
10U Travel Team - Players must not turn 11 before May 1, 2024
11U Travel Team - Players must not turn 12 before May 1, 2024.
12U Travel Team - Players must not turn 13 before May 1, 2024.
Players who have developed enough skill to “play up” may tryout for the next age group up. It is required to contact the travel coach before trying out to “play up” to ensure the player has enough skill to compete at that level. This will not impact their ability to make the travel team in their age group if they are not selected for the travel team in the next age group up.
TRYOUT SCHEDULE
8U
October 14th & October 21st - 4:00 pm
9U
October 2nd 5:00 pm & October 23rd 5:00 pm
10U
September 29th & October 1st - 5:00 pm
11U
September 15th & September 16th - 5:00 pm
12U
September 22nd 5:00 pm & September 24th 4:30 pm
(Tryout locations will be sent out by the coach prior to the tryout dates.)
If you have any questions, please reach out to the coach for each team:
8U - Joe Cooney - [email protected]
9U - Ted Venango - [email protected]
10U - Don Garecht - [email protected]
11U - Matt Zielenbach - [email protected]
12U - Drew Rothman - [email protected]
TRAVEL POLICY
Playing travel baseball is a commitment. Trying out for a team indicates your willingness to commit to the team and be present for games and practices for the entire season. Playing time, and how it is distributed, is decided by the head coach. Playing time is not guaranteed to be fair and equal to all players, however players will play as long as the player/parent lives up to the expectations such as attendance, good attitude, on time for games and practices, etc. Prior to the season each coach will lay out the expectations for the team. For instance, coaches may require players to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the game for proper warm-ups and game preparation.
JA will emphasize winning baseball but that will not in any way sacrifice the right way to play baseball with proper sportsmanship. The goal for each coach is player development and advancing their skills while building confidence to compete against any team. The coaches will assign the players’ positions and roles that are best suited for player success and place the team in the best position to win games.
Travel baseball is not generally compatible with other travel sports during the spring and summer and should be considered a full-time commitment due to the heavy schedule demands. Our teams must have priority during the season to ensure the chemistry needed to compete in the STBL.
SUMMER TOURNAMENT PLAY and 12U PREMIER TOURNAMENT
Open tryouts will be held by the coaches for participation in district tournament play after the SBTL completes. Any travel or in-house player is invited to the open tryout for the tournament team. Additional costs may be necessary for hats, pants, socks and other items required as part of the tournament uniform.
As part of the summer slate the U12 travel team will be heading to the Cal Ripken Experience! This is an annual trip (of the 12U teams’ choosing) which the younger tournament team players will be able to enjoy as they get to the U12 age!
