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Schools Programme
Play Ball!
Play Ball! is an award-winning, comprehensive and integrated youth development programme aimed at growing youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United Kingdom. Developed by Major League Baseball, in partnership with BaseballSoftballUK, Play Ball! has been designed to encourage strong community participation and to maximise enjoyment for boys and girls.
Kids really enjoy these fun and competitive sports that are easy to learn and readily accessible. The programme has been operating since 1996 and has introduced over 250,000 children to the sports of baseball and softball. The programme has been so successful that in 2002, Play Ball! received the Sports Match award for 'Best Youth Sports Programme'.
Play Ball! is a three-tiered initiative including the Play Ball! Schools Programme (Pitch, Hit & Run), Play Ball! Youth Leagues and a programme run in collaboration with the Rugby Football Union.
Play Ball! Schools Programme - Pitch, Hit & Run
Pitch Hit & Run is the award-winning UK schools initiative that operates in more than 700 schools nationwide. The programme is delivered in class or after school by teachers, offering pupils an alternative activity to mainstream sports that is versatile, active and rewarding.
The Pitch Hit & Run Starter Kit provides schools with a comprehensive and affordable package of resources. The kit includes a bag of equipment, an instructional video and a clear and user-friendly National Curriculum Resource Manual with easy-to-follow lesson plans, skills instruction and assessment activities. The manual has been professionally designed to fulfil the striking/fielding section of the National Curriculum for Key Stages 2 and 3. The Starter Kit also includes a workbook and fan material for students. The resource increases their understanding of the sport through educational activities, while connecting them to Major League Baseball.
Additionally, Pitch Hit & Run provides support through extensive teacher training and schools benefit from local support and guidance from a network of regional Play Ball! Co-ordinators.
The programme also incorporates a national Skills Competition which includes regional events and a national final. If you would like to introduce the rapidly growing sports baseball and softball to schools or simply find out more information, contact Donald Morris-Vincent or your Regional Development Team.
The Pitch, Hit & Run programme launched the Equipment Purchase Scheme in 2003 to add even more support to school baseball and softball activities. This programme gives schools that have previously purchased a complete Pitch Hit & Run Starter Kit the ability to purchase equipment at prices substantially reduced from retail value, giving participating schools the chance to expand their activities by having access to more equipment and resources.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO DOWNLOAD FREE INFORMATION & PITCH, HIT AND RUN RESOURCES:
Introductory Letter
Newsletter
Activity Cards
Pitch, Hit & Run Order Form
LINKS TO INFORMATION DOCUMENTS
All documents are in .pdf format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. If you don't have this already you can obtain it free from the Adobe site. If you have trouble accessing the documents, contact info@baseballsoftballuk.com and ask for a hard copy to be sent to you.
Play Ball! Leagues
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World Series winners 2001
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The Play Ball! Leagues programme acts as the perfect complement to the schools programme, providing excellent opportunities for kids interested in furthering their baseball or softball activity within an organised local structure. These out-of–school leagues are currently operating in 12 regions across the country with more than 1,000 children involved. The youth leagues are assisted by a dedicated local coordinator as well as administrative and coaching support from MLB and BSUK staff.
Play Ball! Leagues are provided with a comprehensive start-up pack of equipment sufficient to operate four local youth teams, plus basic MLB team uniforms, coach education sessions and support materials for both kids and adults. Each league is a mini-Major League in itself, with each team enjoying the excitement of being twinned with one of the actual Major League teams.
Each player receives his or her own baseball cap and gets to play in the uniform of their MLB team. At the end of the season, each local league selects fifteen 'All-Stars' to represent them in the national Play Ball! World Series. The All-Stars are selected for their outstanding play and/or for exhibiting exceptional attitude and commitment. The event is based on the real Major League Baseball World Series, increasing the connection participants feel with the professional leagues. The 2008 World Series is scheduled for July 5.
Rugby Football Union Collaboration
In 2006, BSUK linked up with the Rugby Football Union to provide Play Ball! to a selected number of rugby clubs to help them in a number of areas: continued player development and retention on a year-round basis, additional use of ground and social facilities during the rugby off-season, the creating of extra interest for existing members (sporting and social) and the possibility of attracting new members. With four clubs taking part in the collaboration in 2007 and running successful programmes, we intend to expand the collaboration to other interested rugby clubs on an application basis.
BBF Youth Baseball Leagues
The British Baseball Federation's Youth Baseball Leagues offer baseball for boys and girls in various regions around the country, for age groups between about 8 and 16 years old.
Like the adult leagues, the youth leagues runs from April to September, with the season finale being the Youth Final 4 National Championships. Click on Youth Leagues to see results and standings for each division. The age groups are: Rookie (up to 10 years old); Bronco (10-13 years old); Pony (13-16 years old).
For more information on the Youth Leagues, contact the BBF.
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