LTAA’s baseball program is a comprehensive program providing opportunities for both recreational and competitive athletes.  Children can begin to play baseball for LTAA as young as 5 years old and continue within our programs up until age 17.  LTAA cooperates with organizations in the Northampton Area School District to provide recreational and competitive opportunities suited to your child’s needs.  Our mission is to develop baseball players for our local Northampton High School’s baseball team as well a develop fundamental skills, good sportsmanship, positive social interaction and a love of the nuances and intricacies of the game of baseball!

 

Age Levels-

            TBall- 5-6  years old-  Five and six year old children begin to learn the fundamentals of baseball in our TBall program.  LTAA has a field just the right size for TBall and the kids get to learn the game of baseball at their pace usually practicing 2 times per week before the season, and playing games 1-2 times per week in season followed by a TBall tournament to end the year. Kids will hit off a tee and the coach in this league.  TBall is offered in the spring and fall if the number of participants allow it. TBall teams play teams from neighboring organizations including Catasauqua, Northampton, Laury’s Station, Moore Township, and East Allen Township.

 

            Grasshopper- 7-8 years old- The grasshopper level is the next level for kids in baseball and can serve as an introduction to the game. In this league, kids begin to pitch, while the coach will take over if a pitcher struggles.  Outs, strike outs, and walks come into play at this level.  Teams will practice 2 times per week before the season and will play 2 games per week and try to practice 1 time per week as well.  Grasshopper teams will play teams from neighboring organizations including Catasauqua, Northampton, Laury’s Station, Moore Township, and East Allen Township. The grasshopper Level is offered in Spring and Fall.

 

            Biddy- 9-10 years old- Biddy takes on the earliest look of a high school baseball game. Coaches are not allowed on the field, umpires are used, and the games become a little more competitive.  Teams at this level will practice 2-3 times per week and play 2-3 games per week in season.  Two levels of biddy are offered.  Teams with players that are honing their skills will participate in the Central Whitehall League (https://www.eteamz.com/CWL/) , while players who are more competitive and are more advanced with their fundamentals will participate in the Lehigh Valley Little Baseball League (https://www.eteamz.com/lvleague/) . Teams in both leagues will travel across the Lehigh Valley to play games. The bIddy level is offered in Spring and Fall.

 

Midget- 11-12 years old-  The midget level removes the restrictions from previous years.  Players are allowed to lead and steal at this level and the games become more competitive.  Teams will practice about 3 times per week before the season and will play 2-3 games with a practice mixed in during the season.  Teams with players that are honing their skills will participate in the Central Whitehall League (https://www.eteamz.com/CWL/) , while players who are more competitive and are more advanced with their fundamentals will participate in the Lehigh Valley Little Baseball League (https://www.eteamz.com/lvleague/) . Teams in both leagues will travel across the Lehigh Valley to play games. The Midget level is offered in Spring and Fall (As the number of participants allows).

 

Knee-Hi-  13-14 years old-  Players at this level are at the last step of their progression to High School Baseball. Base lengths increase to 80 feet and the game begins to take on the look of high school baseball with less runs scored and fewer errors.  Teams with players that are honing their skills will participate in the Central Whitehall League (https://www.eteamz.com/CWL/) , while players who are more competitive and are more advanced with their fundamentals will participate in the Lehigh Valley Little Baseball League (https://www.eteamz.com/lvleague/) . Teams in both leagues will travel across the Lehigh Valley to play games. The Midget level is offered in Spring and Fall (As the number of participants allows).

 

Jr. Legion- 14, 15. May turn 16 before April 30 of the year of the season being played.  Jr. Legion provides Summer Baseball for those student athletes who made the JV team or who are looking to try out for the JV team in the Spring. This team participates in the Lehigh Valley Jr. Legion Baseball League. (https://sites.google.com/site/lvyouthlegionbaseball/). The season begins in mid-May and runs to late June or early July dependent on playoffs.

 

Fall Connie Mack-15-17 years old-  The Fall Connie Mack League is for student-athletes wishing to continue to hone their skills during the baseball off season.   This teams participates in a variation of the Lehigh Valley Connie Mack League with fewer teams participating. Three games are played per weekend in September and October with a double header on Saturdays and one game on Sundays.  Games are played in the Greater Lehigh Valley Area.

 

Tournament Teams-  As opportunities arise, tournament teams are added for fall seasons for players who are looking to play in more competitive games during the fall season.  Our tournament teams only play during the fall and those players are expected to play for their home organization during the spring.  Many tournaments are hosted at the LTAA complex so discounted prices and less travel are some of the benefits of playing for the tournament teams at LTAA. To inquire about the tournament teams please contact the baseball coordinator for more information.

 

 

2019 Notes:

Central Whitehall League and Lehigh Valley League require all bats to be stamped with “USA Baseball” to ensure player safety beginning with the 2019 Spring Season.  Please see the bat rules on the league websites.

 

Baseball Coordinator:   Chris Bodnar

Email:  bodnarchristopher@gmail.com (Please write “LTAA Baseball” in the subject line somewhere)

Phone: 610-393-5943