The 7th and 8th grade Wyoming Area baseball team will be limited this year to a total of 28 players. Based on our projections, we think there may be more than 40 7th and 8th graders signing up. If more than 28 players sign up for the 7th and 8th grade team, there will be a day of baseball skills assessments (tryouts) for all 7th and 8th graders some time soon after the first official day of baseball practice -- March 5th. If an 8th grader is moved up to the freshman team, that slot will be filled by a 7th or 8th grader, so when the 7th and 8th grade season starts, we will target having 28 7th/8th graders total.

The performance-based assessment will involve hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching, catching, and running. The assessment will be conducted by a team of WA coaches, including varsity Coach Andrewscavage. Volunteer coaches who have children involved in the the 7th and 8th grade program will not be involved in the assessment. More information will be posted in the future regarding skills assessment.

In light of this, parents may want to consider waiting to purchase spikes, bats, or other baseball gear until after they determine if their child makes the team.

2012 BASEBALL BATS: Non-wood baseball bats used for 2012 must have the "BBCOR" certification marking stamped on the bat. A typical bat might have a marking that says "BBCOR 0.5, (-3)." The (-3) is the difference between length and weight of the bat. For example, a popular bat for a 13 year-old might be 31 inchs/28 ounces. As players grow, they can handle longer/heavier (-3) bats. This new "BBCOR" standard has been instituted to make non-wooden bats, perform more like wooden bats. Reports show that there will be less "pop" in BBCOR bats then there were in BESR-certified bats used in 2011 and before.

Again, umpires at all levels of high school will be looking for "BBCOR" to be visible on the bat.

WYOMING AREA BASEBALL SENIORS - CLASS OF 2011