Each Tee Ball session will be structured around various skill stations. These stations are age-appropriate activities designed to develop the core mechanics of the game. We focus on:

• Throwing: Learning the basic motion for safely and accurately throwing a ball.

• Catching: Developing hand-eye coordination to stop a thrown or hit ball.

• Baserunning: Understanding the sequence of the bases and running safely.

• Hitting: Building confidence by hitting the ball off a stationary batting tee.

• Game Rules & Sportsmanship: Introducing simple concepts like fair play, taking turns, and following directions.

Players will rotate through these different skill stations throughout the practice time, ensuring they get exposure to all the fundamentals.

We conclude each session with an informal scrimmage or game. In this segment:

• Players will hit using the batting tee or from a coach's front toss (soft, underhand toss close to the batter).

• The focus remains on having fun, practicing the skills learned, and applying them in a game-like setting.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing Tee Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are not required but are better alternatives than sneakers and jeans/sweatpants. Norfolk Baseball provides all other equipment. Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Description: A Ball is where a player starts putting together fundamental skills with the basics of baseball rules.  If registration numbers allow, we attempt to split the league into a Kindergarten division and a 1st grade division.

Time Commitment: One weeknight practice, usually for 60-90 minutes, but it can vary based on coach's discretion. Each team will play a 3 or 4 inning game held on Saturday mornings or afternoon. The timing of the games will vary for each team throughout the season.

What to Expect: At this age we introduce the kids to slow coach pitching without any strikeouts during the games. More focus is placed on proper positioning, defense, and play making. More advanced drills are used to develop a player’s ability to catch fly balls, throw further, and properly play each position. The games are typically three or four innings and limited to one hour. As the season progresses, especially if there is a 1st grade division, outs are enforced as we continue to introduce our 1st graders to standard baseball rules and situational play. Coaches are encouraged to introduce next-level skills (such as kid-pitch) during practices only, to ensure all kids at different stages of their development have fun and continue to develop.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing A Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are not required, but encouraged. Norfolk Baseball provides bats and helmets at this age. Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Description: The first introduction to live, scored, and officiated play.  The focus at this level is player development and enjoyment of the game.  While regular season standings are tracked, all teams are randomly seeded for the playoffs regardless of their regular season standings.  This encourages more development and opportunities for all players during the season.  Players also take part in the “KP Cup” in mid-May, a tri-town mid-season tournament which includes Plainville and Wrentham.  For detailed AA rules, click here.

Time Commitment: The season begins in late April and ends in mid-June, before the last day of school.  Players should expect one practice per week, typically on a weeknight, one weeknight game, and one game on Saturday.  Weeknight games are held at 5:30 and the day of the week will vary throughout the season.  Games typically last until about 7-7:30PM.

What to Expect: Evaluations begin at this age to help build balanced teams. The league is made up of 8 and 9 year-olds, although 9 year-olds that evaluate at the AAA level will be placed in the AAA division (exception – 4th grade 9 year-olds are automatically placed in AAA). A mix of coach pitch and kid pitch is utilized. Games are 5 innings long and can last about 90 minutes.  At the beginning of the season, coach pitch is utilized for three innings followed by two innings of kid pitch.  As the season progresses, this shifts to two innings of coach pitch followed by three innings of kid pitch.  Players learn to be good teammates and opponents, play each position and focus on situational defense, hitting, pitching, catching, and baserunning/sliding through practices and games.  Hitting lineups and defensive assignments tend to be more balanced in an effort to provide kids with an opportunity to try every position they are comfortable with.  Following the regular season, all teams participate in a slightly more competitive playoff.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove, pants and cleats for playing AA Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets and bats.  Catching gear is provided by the league and any boy interested in playing catcher should wear a protective cup. Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

We are still focused on developing our players at varying skill levels, however games can get more competitive as this is full kid pitch with 2 umpires.  The goal is to get kids playing time at varying positions with some players seeing more consistent positions based on skill, excitement for the position, and understanding of the game.  We support safety for our players and don't want to put someone in a position that they don't feel comfortable in.  There are two tournament style games, one being the KP Cup which is a tri-town mid-season tournament typically held in Wrentham in mid-May, and a AAA end of season playoff where all teams make the playoffs, seeding is done based on record.  Play is conducted on a field which is 46 feet from the mound to home plate and 60 feet between base paths. For detailed AAA rules, click here, this includes proper bats, pitch guidelines, etc.

Time Commitment: The season begins in late April and ends in mid-June, before the last day of school. Players should expect one set practice night in the season plus a variance of one-two games per week and/or an additional practice per week. The schedule will vary throughout the season. Weeknight games are held at 5:30 PM at Freeman Kennedy either on the AAA or Flex Field and typically end around 7:30 PM.

What to Expect: Teams are balanced - we use previous season coach's information and pre-season evaluations to help build teams. This league includes any 9 year-olds that evaluate at the AAA level, all 10 year-olds, and many 11 year-olds. Any 5th grader (11 year old) will also have the chance to play up in the Majors division depending on registration numbers and their evaluation/coach feedback from the prior year. Games are six innings long and exclusively kid pitch, there is a 2 hour time limit but if the six innings are completed early and the game is tied, they can go into extra innings if it doesn't exceed two hours. Practices are focused on developing players at various skill levels while creating a fun environment, this includes pitching, fielding, and hitting, advanced techniques, and understanding situational baseball: hitting, defensive alignments, and stealing bases. Balanced playing time is expected throughout the season, but during the KP Cup tournament and playoffs, hitting lineups can skew more merit based and aptitude for certain defensive positions will earn more time at those spots.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove, pants and cleats for playing AAA Ball. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets and bats.  Catching gear is provided by the league and any boy interested in playing catcher should wear a protective cup. Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Norfolk Baseball’s prime Cal Ripken competitive division and the last developmental baseball level kids will play until they enter the Babe Ruth program. Majors players will also take part in the “KP Cup”, a tri-town mid-season tournament. Play is conducted on a field which is 50 feet from the mound to home plate and 70 feet between base paths. This is slightly larger than the little league fields and helps the players begin to transition to the full size fields that await when they turn 13 years old.  For detailed Majors rules, click here.

Time Commitment: The season begins in late April and ends in mid-June, before the last day of school.  Players should expect one practice and about two games per week.  The schedule will vary throughout the season.  Weeknight games are held at 5:30 PM and typically end around 7:30 PM.

What to Expect: Teams are balanced - we use previous season coach's information and pre-season evaluations to help build teams. This league will be made up of 11 and 12 year-olds (7th grade 12 year-olds have the option to play up to the Babe Ruth league).  All 6th graders are placed in Majors.  Depending on registration numbers, some 5th graders may be placed in the Majors division while other 5th graders may be placed in AAA.  Pitchers are throwing fast and sometimes different pitches. Kids playing at this level are expected to have a strong grasp of the standard rules of the game. Pitchers are called for balks, runners may lead off and steal at will, players can run to first on a dropped third strike. Practices are designed to mature skill sets in preparation for a more advanced level of baseball. Games are six innings long. During tournament and playoffs, defensive positions and hitting line ups are more merit based and entirely earned.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove, pants and cleats for playing at this level. Baseball Caps and Shirts are provided at the start of the season. At this age, most children are bringing their own helmets and bats.  Catching gear is provided by the league and any boy interested in playing catcher should wear a protective cup.  Children are welcome to bring any personal gear, but bats must adhere to the current standards here.

When kids complete the Cal Ripken program, if they choose to continue playing baseball, they may register for the Babe Ruth program, which ensures every kid has a place to play baseball every year until graduation. Whereas the spring Cal Ripken program is mostly based around in-town competition, Norfolk’s Babe Ruth teams participate in the Massasoit League, which is made up of several local towns which compete against each other.  The Babe Ruth teams are KP teams, which include players from Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.  Babe Ruth baseball registration is handled by a separate league, which can be found here.

What to Expect: The most advanced baseball program in town. No evaluations are held as players are typically separated into three divisions: Middle School (Grades 7 and 8), Junior Varsity (Grades 9 and 10), and Varsity (Grades 11 and 12).  Teams are formed from a pool of players from all three KP towns (Norfolk, Wrentham, and Plainville). Practices are designed to finely hone existing skills. Games are played through seven innings on a full sized baseball diamond.

Equipment: Kids need to have their own glove for playing Babe Ruth. Jerseys and Caps are provided at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. Kids supply all their personal gear, and bats must adhere to the current standards here.

If there is enough interest at this age level, Norfolk may participate in a 7U league with nearby towns such as Wrentham, Foxboro, Medfield, Millis and a couple others.

What to Expect: Continuing lessons taught in spring, practices are age equivalent, but may include some additional advanced skills depending on the current league rules adopted by the participating summer towns. Advanced skills have historically included the introduction of kid-pitch, the catcher position and 10 fielders with a continuous batting order.  The season runs for the month of July with games and practices held on weeknights. The commitment is likely 2-3 nights per week, but is dependent on the number of teams registered across both towns.  Final schedules are usually announced toward the end of June.

Equipment & Fields Used: Children need to have their own glove for playing summer ball. Baseball Caps and Jerseys will be distributed by your team manager at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. As many of the games are travel, kids will need to have their own bats and helmets. Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

If there is enough interest at this age level, Norfolk may participate in this league, which is administrated by the town of Foxboro. The Friendship league is an introduction to competitive summer baseball.  All summer games are against other local towns, usually within about 30 minutes of Norfolk.

What to Expect: Continuing lessons taught in spring, practices are age equivalent, but may include some additional advanced skills depending on the current league rules adopted by the participating summer towns. This may include stealing for example. Friendship League runs through the month of July with games and practices mostly held on weeknights. Pending any rainouts, the season should end by August 2nd for teams that advance deep into the playoffs.  Your coach will be able to provide additional details on the schedule once teams are announced.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing summer baseball. Baseball Caps and Jerseys will be distributed by your team manager at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. As many of the games are travel, kids will need to have their own bats and helmets. Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Tryouts are held in mid-spring to evaluate skill levels, combined with other evaluation points (pre-Spring and Coach evaluations). Based on skill and baseball acumen, players at each age level will be selected to play on the Norfolk All-Star (Division 1) teams. Players must have played Norfolk spring baseball and attended evaluations to be eligible for a Division 1 team. These teams are all baseball age specific (Ages 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12).  Kids do not "play up" to a Hockomock team unless there aren't enough age appropriate kids to fill a roster.  All other players that register will have a roster position on an age-appropriate Division 2 or 3 team.  If we are unable to place players on a roster due to overall registration numbers at an age group, we have the option to reach out to the Hockomock League to see if those players can be placed with another town.  In these situations, we will check with the parents to confirm they agree with this approach.  Players that did not participate in spring baseball are only eligible for the lowest division team for their age group.  The number of teams at each age will vary depending on total registrants.  Division 3 teams at 9/10U are combined, and Division 3 teams at 11/12U are combined.

Norfolk All-Star (Division 1) Team Selection:

• Players will be selected for Division 1 All-Star teams at each baseball age level (8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) based on skill and baseball acumen.

• Eligibility for Division 1 teams requires participation in Norfolk spring baseball.

• Players will typically play at their designated baseball age.  Playing up to a Hockomock team will only occur if there are insufficient age-appropriate players to fill a roster.

• Players will be selected for Division 1 All-Star teams at each baseball age level (8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) based on skill and baseball acumen.

• Eligibility for Division 1 teams requires participation in Norfolk spring baseball.

• Players will typically play at their designated baseball age.  Playing up to a Hockomock team will only occur if there are insufficient age-appropriate players to fill a roster.

Division 2 and 3 Teams:

• All other registered players are placed on an age and skill-appropriate Division 2 or 3 team.

o If players cannot be rostered on a Norfolk team because of enrollment numbers at that age group, we can seek placement on another town's team if the parent wishes.

• Players who did not participate in spring baseball are only eligible for the lowest division team within their age group.

Team Formation:

• Tryouts will be held in the spring to evaluate talent and ensure players are placed on the appropriate team based on their skill level.

• The number of teams at each age level will vary based on the total number of registrants.

• Division 3 teams for the 9/10U age group will be combined.

• Division 3 teams for the 11/12U age group will be combined.

What to Expect: Continuing lessons taught in spring, practices are age equivalent, but will likely include additional advanced skills depending on the current Hockomock league rules adopted by the participating summer towns. This may include removing run or steal limits for example. Hockomock Summer League play runs from mid June through the end of July with games and practices mostly held on weeknights. Your coach will be able to provide additional details.

Equipment: Children need to have their own glove for playing Summer Ball. Baseball Caps and Jerseys will be distributed by your team manager at the start of the season. Baseball pants and cleats are required. As many of the games are travel, kids will need to have their own bats and helmets. Bats must adhere to the current standards here.

Unlike our spring teams, summer teams represent a maximum eligible age as of April 30 in a given year.

Norfolk Baseball makes exceptions to this policy only for players who play with their grade in the preceding spring and have birthdays such that their “baseball age” would oblige them to play with players in a grade beneath their spring baseball grade cohort. Typically, these are players with birthdays between May 1st and August 31st.

In these cases only, parents may petition the board to have their player evaluated to play on an all-star team above their baseball age.  However, if the player is offered a slot in the age group one year above their baseball age, the player is obligated to accept that offer and will not be considered for a roster spot on the team within their baseball age group.  Any player who petitions and is allowed to evaluate above their baseball age who is NOT selected to play up will be offered a spot on a standard roster for their age group.

• Example 1: A Player is a June 20th Birthday and is in fifth grade. The player plays with fifth graders in spring but is 10 years old as of April 30, which make him a “Baseball 10”.  As most fifth graders are “Baseball 11’s”, Norfolk Baseball allows that child to try out with the 11 year old age group.

• Example 2: A Player is a June 20th Birthday and is in fourth grade. The player plays with fourth graders in spring and is 10 years old as of April 30th, which make him a “Baseball 10”. Norfolk Baseball does not permit that player to try out for the 11 year old age group.

These standards apply to Norfolk Baseball competitive summer leagues, which begin at the 8u level. As there is presently no competitive summer program for players under the age of 8, all children at the 7U level are assigned to a Firecracker team, which is an introduction to summer baseball.  There is presently no offering for 6U and below.

Note: Regardless of age, players are only eligible for one year at a given level for a division one all-star team.  If a player plays up to an 11U team as a Baseball aged 10 player, that player cannot play their next year on the 11U team with the younger cohort as they have used that year of eligibility.

All Norfolk town residents are eligible to play summer baseball.  However, players who did not participate in the spring Norfolk season are only eligible for the lowest division in their age group.   Any summer registrants who did not play spring baseball will be assigned to a standard team roster.

Rosters for all teams at both the all-star and standard levels are generated based on:

1. Spring Season performance;

2. summer evaluation scores;

3. past summer performance; and

4. team positional needs.

If Norfolk Baseball has enough registrants for multiple teams at the standard level, those teams will be balanced so that both are equally competitive.

Norfolk chooses qualified head coaches who have demonstrated the integrity, ability, and commitment to shepherding their team through a competitive five week summer schedule.  These coaches must embody and demonstrate to our players the importance of sportsmanship, leadership, and respect.

Each age group will have independent evaluators, meaning, that nobody with a child trying out for that age group will be allowed to score that age. These evaluators are usually Board Members or coaches from other age groups. Similarly, except in rare circumstances, those helping on the field during evaluations will not have a player in that age group.

If there is enough interest, a developmental team for 8 year olds will be put together to start teaching advanced fundamentals of the game. If available in a given year, this team will begin winter training together, and continue into the spring during the regular town spring season to get the kids ready for competitive play.

Norfolk Cannons will field teams for baseball age 9, 10, 11, & 12 that focus on developing the skills, discipline, and strong character necessary for our players to reach the highest level of personal growth and achievement while emphasizing a strong commitment to teamwork, work habits and mental preparations. These principles are the foundation for the intensive off-season training program, which is led by dedicated coaching staff. The ideal Cannons players is hungry to learn how to play the game through active engagement and repetition, has respect for others and themselves, and puts team over individual accomplishments.

If selected to a team, our players can expect the following:

A 16 to 20 game schedule, consisting of league and non-league games, plus potential playoffs/tournaments.

Games are played on either Saturdays and/or Sundays as double headers.

Offseason training two nights a week from January through March.

The season begins in April and ends in June prior to the start of our summer programs.

In-season practices are conducted at the discretion of each team’s coaching staff but should not be prioritized over participation in their spring town league games.

Norfolk Cannons teams primarily consist of players who live in one of the King Philip towns (Norfolk, Plainville, or Wrentham). Players must also be registered for their respective town's Spring Cal Ripken Leagues.

Players are required to play for teams based on their baseball age. Cannons uses the Perfect Game New England rules to determine a player's baseball age. In cases where an age-appropriate team is not available in the current year, a player may play up (not down) until one is available in the future.

Any exceptions to these rules must be requested and approved prior to tryouts. Exceptions must be approved by the Cannons coaches, along with the Commissioner and President of Norfolk Baseball, and apply to only the current year. It is the responsibility of the player to make additional exception requests for subsequent years.

Players selected for the Cannons are expected to treat their other spring teams with equal respect and Cannons coaches will work with the other spring town league coaches to ensure a safe season for all.

Each year, teams hold a formal tryout process. Applicants must attend a designated tryout for their approved age group. Roster spots are not guaranteed and must be earned year to year.

Once rosters are finalized, the head coach will reach out to inform the parents that their child has been offered a position on the team. Acceptance of the roster spot along with a non-refundable registration deposit is required to secure a spot on the team.

Teams may also select alternates for their rosters. An alternate player is one who will be eligible to participate in all off-season training but is not considered part of the regular playing roster. Alternate players may be eligible to join the playing roster for as many games as necessary, at the coach's discretion, if other plays on the regular roster are unavailable.

The registration fee per team reflects all costs to run that team which includes training costs, uniforms and other apparel, umpires, and applicable field usage fees, unless specifically excluded. Alternate players will be asked to pay a reduced registration fee to cover the cost of training and a uniform.

Potential managers must send an indication to the Norfolk Baseball Board by the end of the spring season expressing their interest in managing a Cannons team for the next season. To qualify for manager consideration, a candidate must satisfy the following:

• Be a member of the baseball community from one of the KP towns, which include Norfolk, Plainville, or Wrentham

• Be in good standing with their town’s baseball organizations

• Supply the necessary CORI documentation

• Demonstrate strong baseball knowledge and communication skills

The Norfolk Baseball Board will make the final decision on managers each season.

Once managers are selected, they will have the ability to nominate individuals for their respective coaching staffs for approval by the Norfolk Board. Assistant Coaches also need to satisfy the aforementioned requirements.

Cannons managers are discouraged from managing summer teams of the same age level.

• Be on time to practices and games
• Be willing to work hard during practices without complaining or disruption
• Be respectful of coaching staffs
• Follow all team guidelines and rules
• Understand that playing time is earned through hard work in practice and execution on field
• Be a positive influence for teammates by providing encouragement and leadership
• Display good sportsmanship
• Put your team first
• Give 100%, 100% of the time

• Be prepared for practices and games
• Treat each player fairly
• Communicate expectations to the players and parents
• Always be willing to communicate honestly with parents and players
• Treat the players like young men and never let them give up
• Make sure the players are prepared physically and mentally for each game
• Display good sportsmanship
• Teach leadership through the right example

• Make sure the player is willing to make the commitment necessary before accepting the invitation to join the team
• Ensure the player is on time practices and games and communicate with the coach if an issue comes up that will cause a delay.
• Understand that the coach must make decisions that are best for the team
• Refrain from instructing the player from the stands. Cheering should be limited to encouragement and congratulations
• Family members are not allowed in the dugout during a game (unless invited)
• Never approach a coach about playing time during a game or immediately after
• Treat opposing parents, fans, players, and coach with respect and good sportsmanship

For any inquiries, please contact your Cannons manager or the Norfolk Baseball Board.