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YAC Travel Baseball Program Overview

Program Structure and Team Formation

The Yorktown Athletic Club (YAC) anticipates fielding travel baseball teams in the following age divisions: 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, and older, depending on the level of interest. Typically, one team is expected per age group; however, if the baseball leadership determines there are enough travel-caliber players, a second team may be formed. The primary goal is to create competitive teams in each division.

Head coaches for each team will be determined and assigned after player evaluations are completed for each division. As this is a volunteer program, participation from parents and community members is essential. Individuals interested in coaching are encouraged to complete the Head Coach Application available on the YAC Website playyacsports.com under the Travel baseball Program section.

Tryout Process and Team Selection

Tryouts are conducted by impartial third-party evaluators who do not know the identities of the players. Each candidate wears a numbered, blank tryout shirt to ensure anonymity during evaluation. The eight players with the highest scores in each age group will make the team. The appointed head coach, selected for their qualifications, will have four discretionary picks to finalize a standard roster of twelve players. The coach may opt to select up to thirteen players or as few as eleven, depending on the available talent pool.

For the 12U division, it is a tradition for the team to participate in a week-long tournament at Dreams Park in Cooperstown, New York, competing against more than 100 teams nationwide. This opportunity marks the players’ final year of Little League eligibility. At the 13U level, players transition to playing on a full 90-foot diamond.

Participation Requirements

Players in the 8U through 12U divisions are required to participate in the in-house spring program and must attend at least 75% of all scheduled in-house games. This requirement provides additional opportunities for practice, more at-bats, and the chance to play different positions, which may not be available on the travel team. If a player fails to meet these requirements for in-house or school team participation, they may be removed from the travel team, and no refunds will be issued.

League Affiliation and Scheduling

YAC teams compete in the Greater Hudson Valley Baseball League (GHVBL), which comprises over 400 teams from Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Duchess Counties in New York, as well as Fairfield County, Connecticut. The program strives to minimize scheduling conflicts between in-house and travel games by organizing travel games at times that do not overlap with in-house schedules, such as after-in-house games or on Sundays.

General Rules and Program Goals

• The program aims to field as many qualified travel baseball teams as possible.
• Each team should try to carry at least 12 full-time players, with 11 as the absolute minimum. Coaches may decide the final roster size.
• To maintain fairness and integrity throughout the selection process, we ask that parents and players refrain from requesting specific team placements. Our coaches and coordinators carefully evaluate each athlete to place them in an environment that best supports their personal development as well as the program's broader goals.
• Out-of-town players are eligible if they meet the program’s criteria. The overall program must maintain a 75% in-town player composition, though this is not a per-team requirement.
• Returning players (except for 8U) may remain with their prior team if they finish in the top eight at tryouts or are selected as one of the four discretionary picks.
• Player evaluation scores & attitude determine the top eight roster spots for each team.
• The program is generally age-based, but exceptions can be made, especially at the 8U level, where younger players may participate.
• Players can guest play up an age group if needed to field a team and avoid forfeits.
• Placement is based on talent level and attitude, not grade. The league’s age cutoff date is April 30th, not based on school grade or year.
• Coaches may return for subsequent years but are not guaranteed their position. The coach, in consultation with the baseball commissioner, has input on the final roster, especially regarding the top eight players from tryouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Travel Baseball?

YAC Travel Baseball offers athletes the chance to play in a competitive environment. Unlike the in-house program, players must try out for a spot, and selection is not guaranteed if there are more applicants than positions. Teams compete against others from different towns, clubs, and associations during the spring and summer seasons. The spring season includes 10–14 games (usually on weekends), and the summer season includes 18–24 games (on weeknights and weekends). Roughly half of the games are played in Yorktown, while the rest are at opposing fields in surrounding counties. Teams may also participate in tournaments and practice throughout the year. Many teams continue into the fall season, with 8–12 games played on weekends. Winter workouts for spring baseball begin in December and continue through mid-March.

Travel baseball emphasizes competition, with a focus on wins, losses, and playoffs. In-house baseball prioritizes skill development and learning, with less emphasis on competition. Travel players are not guaranteed equal playing time or positions. Players up to age 12 are guaranteed at least two innings in the field and one at-bat per game; beyond this age, there are no minimum play requirements. Team rosters typically include twelve players but may be larger to accommodate pitching needs. Rules for travel play are more closely aligned with Little League or High School Baseball. While the environment is competitive, coaches also prioritize skill advancement and player safety.

Eligibility

All players must be YAC members in good standing to participate in travel baseball. For the 13U–17U divisions, players must also participate in either the in-house program (up to age 12) or be members of a high school baseball team. Team assignment is based strictly on age, not grade, with May 1 as the age cutoff. It is common to have players from different grades on the same team. While some players may play up an age group for competitive reasons, this is considered on a case-by-case basis, with the intent to field the strongest teams possible.

Applications and Deposits

Applications for travel baseball are available on the YAC Baseball website and must be filled out accurately. A $300 deposit is required upon being named to a team and is credited toward the player’s fees for the upcoming season. The deposit is non-refundable unless there are medically related extenuating circumstances and the position is filled by another player, at YAC Baseball’s discretion.

Tryouts

Tryout dates are posted on the website for each age group. Makeup dates are available if a player cannot attend their scheduled tryout. Players need only attend one session but may try out a second time if they wish. All players should bring their own gloves; bats and helmets are available if needed, but players may bring their own equipment.

Commitment to Play Baseball

Commitment from players, coaches, and parents is essential for a successful travel baseball experience. Players are expected to attend all practices and games, with exceptions only for illness or family emergencies. Winter training begins in December and runs through mid-March.  The spring season runs from April through early June, the summer season from mid-June through early August, and the fall season from late August to early November. The program does not allow part-time players. If a player is likely to miss more than three games in a 20-game season, they should not take a roster spot from another potential player. Regular attendance is critical and may affect playing time at the coach’s discretion.

Parent Involvement

Active parental participation is essential to the success of the program. Parents are expected to assist with preparing the fields at the start of spring and with dismantling them in the fall. Additionally, carpooling may occasionally be required to facilitate transportation for players to games and practices. Collaboration among families is highly encouraged to ensure that all participants can take part in activities without hindrance.

Travel Evaluations

Evaluations are conducted by independent evaluators to ensure fairness. Head coach applicants may observe but do not participate in scoring. In addition to tryout performance, leadership will consider prior season statistics and coaches’ rankings of current players.

Number of Teams and Fees

If there are enough qualified players, two competitive teams may be formed at an age level. The registration fee for travel baseball is typically between $250 and $450 per season, which includes winter training, spring, summer, and fall seasons, as well as a custom uniform. The initial $300 deposit goes toward these fees and is non-refundable.

Tryout Fairness

Every child has an equal opportunity at tryouts, regardless of prior travel team experience. While previous performance is considered, all players are evaluated equally during the tryout process.