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Mission Statement:
The Carolina Challenge Baseball League (CCBL) exists to
strengthen and support the growth of youth baseball in the Carolinas by helping
players develop their skills. We believe in the traditional youth leagues,
whether they are Little League, Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken, Dixie Youth or Pony
League. Our goal is to provide the best value possible to the players and
parents who are looking for the opportunity to play against better competition
in a tournament format. Another goal is to help traditional youth leagues
provide their better players with a higher level of baseball so that they can
keep these players in their associations.
Entry Requirements:
Only youth leagues may enter teams in the CCBL. The league
must be chartered with one of the major umbrella leagues, including Little
League, Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth, Dixie Youth and Pony League. Regular season
teams must be selected via a player draft. No independent “travel teams” or
“baseball factory teams” are permitted. League Presidents will certify their
teams by submitting copies of their regular season team rosters to CCBL, with
participating players highlighted.
Team Selection:
Associations must hold open tryouts at each age group,
available to all players participating on one of their regular season teams.
Associations must also adhere to their umbrella league rules against
pre-selecting an All Star team. The intent of CCBL is to help associations
develop more players, and to provide additional opportunities for evaluating
players that may be selected to the All Star team later.
Player Eligibility:
Participants must be an active player on one of their
association’s regular season team rosters. Age for the current season is
determined by the player’s age as of April 30th of that year. Fall
seasons will be played as the next spring’s league age. Coaches must also be on
a regular season roster. League Presidents will certify players’ ages when
signing the CCBL team roster.
2007 age chart
Team Composition:
Teams must be formed in compliance with the rules against
forming All Star teams too early. CCBL encourages associations to select 15 to
18 players, and utilize a rotation system for games. The goal should be to
develop players and make your league stronger. The association league president
must sign each team roster and certify that each player and coach is eligible to
participate. Any changes to team rosters, either players or coaches, must be
received and acknowledged by CCBL prior to any new player or coach participating
in any CCBL tournament. New players must register and pay the $12 player fee
before being added to a roster. Association league presidents must certify any
roster changes.
Note: Associations are encouraged to develop a
rotation system so that a team brings no more than 12 players to a single game.
For example: with 15 players on a team, the team could have 9 core players that
play every game, and 6 developmental players that play every other game. This
means 3 players play the first game and the other 3 players play the second
game, etc. A team with 18 players could have 6 core players, and 12
developmental players. Teams may bring all players on their roster to a game if
they so choose. Roster download
Age & Divisions:
There are two major CCBL age groupings:
Juniors (12 and under): includes 7u, 8u, 9u, 10u,
11u, 12u
Seniors (13 to 15): includes 13u, 14u, 16u
There are also two Divisions in CCBL:
4A Division: for the largest associations with more
players to choose from
3A Division: for the other associations
Note: CCBL will work with association league
presidents to determine the proper division for each team. CCBL reserves the
right to move a team from one division to the other based upon game results.
Tournament Play:
CCBL will hold tournaments one weekend per month each
season. The format will be pool play, and a championship round. Leagues will be
asked not to schedule regular season games on these weekends so that their
challenge players can participate.
Note: It is recommended that associations set
aside Sunday afternoons for CHALLENGE PRACTICE. Players do not develop by
playing tournament games alone – they must receive proper instruction and have
the chance to work fundamentals at practice.
Tournament Hosts:
CCBL will work with member associations to determine hosts
for each tournament. Hosts must have adequate field space, and fields must meet
minimum requirements such as fence distance, safe dugouts and pitching mounds,
and properly maintained fields. Hosts must also have adequate concession and
restroom facilities. Each host must appoint a Tournament Director to coordinate
with CCBL officials to run the tournament, report scores each day, handle any
protests, etc. The host association will run concessions and keep all proceeds
from concessions. The host association will charge a $3 per person, per day
admission fee for all spectators age 12 and over. The host association will use
these proceeds to pay for field preparation, scorekeepers and other costs
associated with the tournament. CCBL will use the team entry fees to pay for
baseballs, umpires, and trophies and medals.
Insurance:
Each player must be covered by the CCBL master policy
purchased through K&K Insurance, a major provider of insurance for youth sports.
The player registration fee includes insurance for the spring and fall season
within the same calendar year.
Website:
CCBL will
maintain a website (www.challengebaseball.com), hosted by HQ4Baseball that has
up to date information on the Carolina Challenge Baseball League. Teams,
rosters, rules, tournament dates and sites, costs, insurance information and
more will be available. Tournament results will also be posted. |
