Experience the Excitement!  

Experience the Competitiveness!  

Experience the Fun!

Be a Part of our Tournament Teams Program!

Take a look at some of our past Warriors Teams, and Experience the Excitement, Competitiveness and Fun! 

For the upcoming 2012 baseball season, Woodridge and Darien will be combining the Mustang Level Leagues from both towns to form one League.  

The WAA Board is excited to be joining forces with Darien on this.  The playing rules are being worked out at this time and they will change a little from the rules we have used in the past.   The WAA Board feels that it will not only help the players get ready for the next levels where they will travel to more surrounding towns, but it will also give them more of a team baseball experience at this age.  We hope that all of our Mustang League participants are as excited as we are for this change and we look forward to seeing all of you next season.

Updated 1/6/2012

Starting with the 2012 baseball season, Woodridge will be changing some of their bat rules in accordance with Pony Baseball and surrounding local towns.  

• Colt (ages 15-16)
  • In the past, Colt players could only use bats that were a maximum of [-3] drop length to weight (e.g. 31in 28oz, 33in 30oz, etc).  Starting for the 2012 season, Colt players can use any bat with a barrel size of 2 5/8" or less, but if they use a [-3], then the bat must have the BBCOR certification.  No [-3] BESR bats will be allowed.  
     
• Pony (ages 13-14)
  • In the past, Pony players could only use bats that were a maximum of [-5] drop length to weight (e.g. 30in 25oz, 32in 27oz, etc).  Starting for the 2012 season, Pony players can use any bat with a barrel size of 2 5/8" or less, but if they use a [-3], then the bat must have the BBCOR certification.  No [-3] BESR bats will be allowed. 
  •  
• Bronco (ages 11-12)
  • In the past, Bronco players could use any bat.  Starting for the 2012 season, Bronco players can use any bat with a barrel size of 2 5/8" or less, but if they use a [-3], then the bat must have the BBCOR certification.  No [-3] BESR bats will be allowed. 
     
• Mustang, Pinto, Instructional & T-Ball (ages 12 and under)
  • No Changes from previous years.  Barrel size of bats must not be greater than 2 1/4".  No Big Barrel Bats Allowed.

Bat FAQ

• What is the barrel size of a typical Little League Bat?
  • The standard barrel size is 2 1/4".  
     
• What is a Big Barrel Bat?
  • A big barrel bat, sometimes also referred to as Senior League Bat, is generally any bat with a barrell size greater than 2 1/4".   Big Barrell Bats typically have a barrell diameter of 2 5/8" or 2 3/4".
     
• Which is the newer standard BBCOR or BESR?
  • BBCOR is the newer standard and has been adopted by most High School Baseball Programs

12/19/2011

Dear WAA Baseball Parents,

The Woodridge Athletic Association (WAA) Board Members have been busy the past few months during this off season discussing how we can improve WAA Baseball and your child’s experience. We have reviewed the End-of-Year Survey for the past baseball season and overall we are pleased with the results; however we remain committed to providing enhancements wherever possible. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with some information in response to the survey as well as some things we are looking forward to for our upcoming season.

REGISTRATION: Registration for the 2012 Season will take place on Saturday, January 7, and Saturday, January 21, 2012, at Jefferson Jr. High School. The WAA is promoting our Registration information through school handouts, email blasts as well as portable signs throughout Woodridge. Registration this year at the school will take place in a different room. We will be in Room 207 and we will have signs directing you once you enter the building. You won’t be able to miss us!

WPD: The WAA works very closely with the Woodridge Park District (WPD) with regards to maintenance of our baseball fields. Whether it is dragging the fields, cutting the lips of the infield (where the grass meets the dirt), placement of base pegs, pulling weeds or repairing pitching mounds that are in need of attention, Mike Adams and Don Ritter of the WPD along with their maintenance crews have been great partners and without their support I would hate to see where we would be today. The relationship between the WAA and WPD has been invaluable and we will continue to work together for the benefit of all of our players.

ORCHARD FIELDS: The WPD has informed us that lights will be installed at Orchard 1, 2 & 3 along with the soccer fields behind Orchard 3 in 2012. The date of completion has yet to be determined. We will use these fields as best as possible once they have been completed. In addition, a shed is scheduled to be built between field 2 (third base line) and field 3 (first base line). This shed will house the lights switches and baseball equipment such as Turface, chalk, clay, etc.

RULES: Safety is always a key issue with WAA and we continue to review rules. Please be sure to check the WAA website for updates

MUSTANG - NEW IN 2012: For the upcoming 2012 baseball season, Woodridge and Darien will be combining the Mustang Level Leagues from both towns to form one League. The WAA Board is excited to be joining forces with Darien on this. The playing rules are being worked out at this time and they will change a little from the rules we have used in the past. The WAA Board feels that it will not only help the players get ready for the next level where they will travel to more surrounding towns, but it will also give them more of a team baseball experience at this age. We hope that all of our Mustang League participants are as excited as we are for this change.

CAPITAL PROJECTS: One of the suggested capital projects the WAA is researching is possibly installing two batting cages at Orchard between two of the fields and one batting cage at Janes SW field. At this point we are in the preliminary stage of research and once we receive all the information the WAA Board will decide whether we will move forward or not.

SURVEY: Let me take this time to address some of the common questions and concerns that parents raised on the End-of-Year Survey. Although some of these have been brought up, they are not new to the board.

PRACTICES: The number of pre-season practices each team is scheduled is set by our scheduling coordinator. It is based on the number of teams and available ball fields. However, weather-related cancellations are not under our control. The WAA has instructed all team managers to schedule additional practices both prior to AND DURING the season. We understand that practice is what everyone is asking for. The fields are there and it is up to the mangers to make that decision and schedule additional practices whenever possible. We would also like to remind everyone that these managers need to work around their own personal schedule. There is no secret that some teams might practice more than others, or some players may develop at a quicker pace than others, or even some coach’s have more assistants (parents stepping up asking to be involved) than others. We know and understand the players who practice on their own with their dad/mom/siblings in the backyard or at a field will have an advantage to those who do not. We encourage every parent to take an active role in their development either by assisting the coach’s at practices or working on their child’s skills at home; the more you work with your child the more they might be able to outperform their opponent.

STEALING HOME - MUSTANG LEVEL: The topic of stealing home at the mustang level has been debated at our board meetings for years. During this off season the board will once again revisit this topic to insure the best experience for our players.

DRAFT: The balance of player talent among the teams is also an issue frequently raised by parents. All teams are formed through an open draft during which volunteer coaches choose the players they want on their team, using player evaluations as a guide. The commissioners of each league oversee the draft and insure the draft is completed fairly so one team is not being overloaded on purpose. The draft is just that, a draft. They choose according to their slot. We ask that the commissioners choose a random order in which the draft is conducted and the picks will move in a snake like fashion. If you are the last coach to pick in the first round, then you are the first to pick in the second round and so on. A manager may only have his pick of two players before the draft starts, their own child and the child of their one pre-selected assistant coach. After the draft is completed, managers may make trades if they feel compelled to do so.

CAMPS & CLINICS: The WAA will once again host a free managers/coach’s clinic for our coaches and volunteers. For players, there are a number of local businesses and schools that offer camps and lessons during the winter months, spring break and summer season. Players are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities.

LENGTH OF SEASON: Practices start at the beginning of April. Games start the first week of May and generally end around June 30^th (Bronco and above levels start game play mid-April). This timeframe is also shared by other baseball leagues in our surrounding communities. In addition, this gives families an opportunity to take that well deserved vacation or plan other activities before their child starts another sport.

RESCHEDULING OF RAINOUTS: Managers have access to our website to mark their game as rained-out. Once a home game has been updated as rained-out on our website by a manager, within 48 hours our league scheduling coordinator will reschedule the game for the first available date that works well for both teams. Once a rescheduled date has been selected, the website will be updated in real-time and the managers will receive an email with the rescheduled information so they can notify their players.

FINANCIALS: What does my registration money provide me? We utilize the funds for many different areas, below you will find the areas and percentage of funds utilized. On a positive note, we’ve been able to keep the registration fee at a constant during the past 10 years due to many attributes including, better resources, reviewing costs, strict budgets, and sourcing of items. Board members bring many talents to our organization and we utilize those talents for the benefit of our organization.

• Baseball Operations - 55.8% - Includes Umpires, League Fees, Insurance, Field Maintenance, Turface, Porta Potties, etc.
   
• Uniforms and Trophies - 23.5%
   
• Equipment - 15.0% - Includes Rakes, Bases, Mound Rubbers, Baseballs, Bats, Catchers equipment, Equipment Bags, etc
   
• Administration - 5.7% - Includes Background Checks, Facility Rental, Printing, Government Registration Fees, etc.

I hope the information provided here gives you a better understanding of some of the issues facing WAA Baseball, and the efforts made to provide all players with a positive experience. As has always been the case, ALL parents are invited to attend monthly Board meetings to become better acquainted with its members and our programs. The Meeting Schedule is posted on the WAA website under the Information > Calendar section.

On behalf of the entire Board, we would like to thank you for your past support of WAA Baseball and would also like to thank ALL the volunteers who give up their time to assist in providing a positive experience for all our young ball players. We look forward to seeing all of you in 2012.

Sincerely,

Jack Schopp
President
Woodridge Athletic Association

The Woodridge Athletic Association is Currently
Seeking Additional Board Members and Volunteers
To Help Prepare for the 2012 Season.
 

Wondering how you can make a difference?

Do you have new and exciting ideas to share?

If so, then join the WAA Board!

With more than 600 players, 10 different leagues, in-house, tournament and travel options our organization is constantly growing!

To keep our Association progressing and running strong, WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!


What does it involve?

Meetings
Meetings are held twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Month at the Woodridge Park District Community Center.  They are scheduled for the evenings, and usually last about an hour.

Leadership 
Board members are assigned with various responsibilities, and are matched with their area of interest or skill.

A Love of the Game & Our Kids
Come and share your ideas and experiences to help keep Woodridge on the cutting edge of youth baseball!  No Experience Necessary to Volunteer, just a desire to better our program and enrich our kids.



For More Information On How You Can Volunteer, You can either:

• Come to an Upcoming Board Meeting
   
• Contact a Board Member.

The Woodridge Athletic Association is a 100% Volunteer Run Non-Profit Organization.

Have a question?  Checkout our FAQ's Page!

Here is sample of some of the questions answered:

• What Does the WAA Supply?
• When is Registration?  When are Teams Picked?  When do Practices and Games Start?
• How Many Games are Played during the Spring Season?
• What Days of the Week are Games & Practices Played On?  What Time?  Where?
• Playing Up / Playing Down... What is the WAA Policy for this?
• What are Division-1 and Tournament Teams?
• Can my child be placed on a team with one of his friends?
• Do I have to participate in the fundraiser?
• If my child is unhappy with the team he/she has been placed on, can they switch teams?
• What is the GDPBA?
• Who do I contact if I have a problem that needs to be resolved by the league?
• How is WAA PONY Baseball different from Little League Baseball?
• Travel Baseball... Does Woodridge have Full-Time Travel Teams?

Click Here for All the Answers!

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