FAQs

In Alberta, community league baseball and competitive league baseball differ mainly in terms of skill level, commitment, and objectives. 

🏡 Community League Baseball

Also known as: House League or Recreational Baseball

• Focus: Fun, learning, inclusivity, and participation

• Skill Level: Open to all skill levels, including beginners

• Time Commitment: Lower – typically 1–2 practices/games per week

• Travel: Minimal - games are usually local within the community

• Coaching: Often parent volunteers who attend training; emphasis on skill development and enjoyment

• Tryouts: No tryouts; however, all players are evaluated

• Season Length: Spring/summer, depending on the organization (often May to June or July)

⚾ Competitive League Baseball

Also known as: Rep, AA, AAA, or High Performance Baseball

• Focus: Skill development, higher-level competition, and progression (e.g. aiming for college or professional opportunities)

• Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced players

• Time Commitment: Higher than community league – multiple practices and games weekly, including weekend tournaments and additional training (e.g. dryland)

• Travel: Significant - games can be within Alberta (NOTE: some teams choose to travel out-of-province for tournaments)

• Coaching: More experienced and certified coaches

• Tryouts: Mandatory and competitive; not all players make the teams

• Season Length: Often longer; starts earlier (sometimes winter training) and can run into late summer

Choosing Between Them

• Go community if you're looking for a more relaxed environment for fun and development

• Go competitive if your child is serious about baseball and wants to challenge themselves at a higher level

Follow this link to our registration page!

Follow this link to our registration fees breakdown page!

Players require quality running shoes and a baseball glove.

Cleats are permitted (just not on the pitching mounds).

WMBA provides catcher's equipment, batting helmets, bats, balls, and bases.

Families are welcome to purchase batting gloves, bats, helmets, and any additional equipment they wish their child to have.

Choosing the right bat for a minor (youth) baseball or softball player can make a huge difference in their performance and comfort at the plate. Here's a simple guide to help you pick the perfect one:

⚖️ 1. Consider the League Rules

Start by checking with the Baseball Alberta Rules. They’ll specify:

• Bat certification marks required (e.g., USA Baseball, USSSA, BBCOR)

• Maximum length and drop weight

• Barrel size restrictions

📏 2. Choose the Right Length

Bat length is usually based on height and weight. Here’s a rough guide:

• Player height, Player Weight, Suggested Bat Length

• Under 3'5", under 60 lbs - 26"–27"

• 3'5"–4', 60–80 lbs, 27"–29"

• 4'–4'5", 80–100 lbs, 28"–30"

• 4'6"+, 100+ lbs, 30"+

Test tip: Have them stand the bat up vertically — the knob should reach their hip or belly button area.

⚖️ 3. Pick the Right Weight (Drop Weight)

The drop weight is the difference between the bat’s length and weight.

• Drop = Length (in) – Weight (oz) (e.g. A 30-inch bat that weighs 20 oz is a -10 drop)

For younger players:

• Go with a lighter bat (-10 to -13 drop) to promote good swing mechanics.

Test tip: If they can hold the bat straight out for 10 seconds without wobbling, it’s probably the right weight.

🔩 4. Material: Alloy vs Composite vs Hybrid

• Alloy (Aluminum): Durable, no break-in, great "ping" sound. Good for beginners.

• Composite: Lighter swing weight, better sweet spot, needs a break-in period.

• Hybrid: Alloy barrel + composite handle = balance of both worlds.

🧤 5. Try Before You Buy (if possible)

• 1. Swing a few bats at practice or at a store with a batting cage.

  2. Comfort and confidence in the swing are HUGE.
     
     

💸 Bonus Tip: Don’t Overbuy

Kids grow fast. A $400 bat might be outgrown in one season. There are excellent bats in the $100–$200 range that perform great.

Baseball and softball gloves look similar, but they’re designed differently to suit the size of the ball and the way the game is played.

Baseball Glove

Size

Smaller (typically 11"–12.75")

Pocket

Shallower – for quicker ball transfers

Finger Stalls

Narrower – tailored to smaller ball grip

Webbing

Varies by position but often tighter

Feel

More form-fitting

Usage

Designed for smaller, denser baseballs

Softball Glove

Size

Larger (typically 12"–14")

Pocket

Deeper – to handle the larger softball

Finger Stalls

Wider – to accommodate larger glove design

Webbing

Often looser to help with catching the bigger ball

Feel

A bit bulkier to allow for ball size

Usage

Designed for larger, softer softballs

• You can use them interchangeably in casual play, but performance-wise it’s best to use the right glove for the sport.

• Pitchers in both sports might prefer closed web gloves to hide their grip.

• Infielders typically want smaller gloves for quicker transfers, while outfielders go for longer gloves for extra reach.

If you're buying a glove, it’s best to choose one specifically made for the sport you’ll be playing most.

All baseball players — whether in community or competitive leagues — should be evaluated because evaluations serve multiple purposes that benefit both the individual and the team. Here's why:

🧠 1. Skill Assessment & Development

Evaluations help identify each player's strengths and areas for improvement. This allows coaches to:

• Provide targeted coaching and practice plans

• Monitor progress over the season

• Encourage players with specific goals (e.g., better throwing mechanics, quicker footwork)
  
  

🧩 2. Fair and Appropriate Team Placement

Whether in community or competitive leagues:

• Evaluations ensure players are placed on teams that match their skill level, so they’re not overwhelmed or under-challenged

• It helps balance teams in house leagues, making games more competitive and fun for everyone
  
  

🪜 3. Pathway to Advancement

For competitive leagues:

• Evaluations (often in the form of tryouts) determine eligibility for higher-level teams like AA, AAA, or high-performance squads

• It’s the first step in identifying talent for college recruiting, Team Alberta, or even Team Canada programs
  
  

📊 4. Benchmarking & Tracking

Regular evaluations give players and coaches a way to:

• Track growth season to season

• Understand how they compare within their age group or league

• Set long-term goals (e.g., becoming a pitcher, switching positions, etc.)
  
  

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 5. Builds Confidence & Motivation

• Getting structured feedback helps players understand their role and feel more connected to the team

• It gives them actionable takeaways to improve and grow, which can build self-confidence
  
  

🛠️ 6. Helps Coaches Plan Practices and Positions

If a coach knows a player:

• Has a strong arm → might train them at shortstop or outfield

• Has quick reflexes → may work them into catcher or third base drills
  
  

Good evaluations = smarter lineups and more productive practices.

In short: evaluations are about development, fairness, and opportunity, not just rankings. Even in community ball, where the focus is fun and participation, evaluations can make sure every player has the best possible experience.

Submit your application here!