Select Program (9u-18u)

What is "Select" Baseball?

St.Catharines Minor Baseball Association offers a House League Select Program*.
This means that our Select Program is an extension of our House League Division, and players MUST play on their House League teams as well to be eligible to participate in the Select Program.

* Baseball Ontario also has a Dedicated Select option, but St.Catharines (and all Associations in Niagara) are not in a position to be able to offer this option at this time.

Select Baseball is, by its nature, more competitive than House League. The players gain additional field time, playing time, tournament experience, and provincial playoff experience, that is not part of the House League experience. The additional reps, and experiences is a great way for players to develop their skills quicker, and make strides to eventually earn a spot on one of our Rep Baseball teams.

While we encourage fostering a winning attitude, winning is only one of several goals to be pursued.

Others, no less important, include:

developing skills and talents;
having fun;
learning more about the game of baseball;
learning to be a gracious athlete, win or lose;
building confidence with success, while also nurturing resilience in the face of failure;
fostering leadership skills, as well as developing a "TEAM" approach;

Teams are made up of a wide range of individuals with differing capabilities and talents. Each was selected for the team because of a particular contribution which he/she can make to the team. All players deserve the chance to become as good as they can be. This does not mean that all players must or will receive equal playing time. It does mean that playing time for all players should be fair to the team and fair to the individual player.

Typical Select Baseball Commitment

SEASON LENGTH: May through Labour Day.

GAMES:

Currently no "league" games.
Exhibition games can/will be scheduled where possible, and potentially during the practice time.

PRACTICES:

1 practices per week (in addition to their House League games/practices)
Coaches will determine days/times.

TOURNAMENTS:

Teams will enter 1-2 tournaments per season.
Teams will work to qualify for the Provincial (OBA) Playoff Tournament, typically held on Labour Day weekend.

OFF-SEASON TRAINING:

Currently no off-season training but working on adding this for 2026!

COST:

Select Registration fees will vary from team to team/year to year, but typically fall between $300-$500.
Teams usually have some fundraising initiatives to help keep the fee within that range.

TEAM SIZE: Coaches discretion; Typically 12-14 players.

COACHES:

All SCMBA coaches are required to have National Coaching Certification as specified by Baseball Ontario for their age group.
The coaches take additional training in concussion protocols, and additional topics.
Police Background checks are mandated for all coaches.

TRYOUTS:

Indoor workouts will occur at the start of May.
Tryouts will commence when fields open around Mid-May.
We will offer at least 3 tryouts, and players are required to attend 2 (minimum).
Player selections will be made by Head Coach. portunity to participate in Select baseball (if we have sufficient numbers).