Dear EYBSA families, 

We are thrilled to have our Spring 2024 season underway, and we are excited to see your players at assessments. Please read through this entire email. There is important information regarding WHY we hold assessments, WHERE we hold assessments, and HOW we hold assessments. There will also be information regarding what your players should bring to assessments.  

The What  

Baseball assessments begin at the Minor level (3rd/4th grade) through the Senior level (7th/8th grade). Assessments are only held to determine the best placement for the player. A player’s attendance at assessment does not determine if they play or do not play, simply what level they would compete at. Players that are interested in playing on an advanced, competitive team must attend assessments. Players that are not interested in playing on an advanced team are not required to attend assessments. All players that do not attend assessments will be selected for a National team following assessments. 

If the weather is a factor these days, we will send out an email & Facebook post ASAP to have children meet at one of our school gyms instead of the Football Stadium. Cleats are NEVER allowed in the gym or the Hitting Facility. They must bring BOTH cleats and tennis shoes for assessments.

The Why 

Estacada Youth Baseball and Softball Association (EYBSA) and our parent association, Junior Baseball Organization (JBO), require assessments to be conducted if an advanced team is created. Advanced teams must be created depending on the number of teams created at each age group per the JBO Matrix. Minor, Junior, and Senior divisions are divided into three levels of play: Federal, American, and National. Federal is the most challenging and competitive level. American is mid-level competition between Federal and National. National is the recreational level of competitive play. Once assessments are completed teams are then created. That process is detailed within this document.

The How 

Players are assessed on their skills and abilities, including but not limited to, throwing, catching, fielding, batting, and hustle. Players that do not attend assessments are automatically placed on the entry level team (National Level). Players should come to assessments with the proper baseball/softball attire & gear (mitt, helmet & bat). Please have your players bring BOTH cleats for the turf, and tennis shoes for the hitting facility (and/or gym if weather permits) Parents are not allowed to stay and watch assessments. 

The details of the assessments, including a rubric for scoring, drills and a schedule should be in the email you received with this document. 

Minor, Junior, and Senior assessment will be our traditional assessments. EYBSA staff will start by checking the players in at the entry of the Football Stadium. EYBSA staff will then pin a number on the player. Once all the players have arrived, there will be a brief overview given to the players on what to expect during the assessment. The players are then split up into two groups. One group will stay at the football stadium and the other group will be escorted to the hitting facility. At the ½ way point of assessments these groups switch locations. 

Attention Families 

If your child assesses or is picked for a higher-level team, please know that this is a new level of commitment. These levels are very competitive, which will require more weekday practices and more weekend tournaments. These tournaments could involve travel outside of our local area.   

Co-Ed T-Ball - Ages 5-Kindergarten

EYBSA T-ball is all about fun! The volunteer coaches will guide players through the fundamental basics of player positions, offense vs defense, hitting, throwing, & catching.  Through mountains of positive encouragement and exhausting fun! There are no assessments for this level.

Rookies – Boys, Grades 1st & 2nd

EYBSA Rookies learn the essential skills of throwing, fielding, batting. Combined with introductions to coach pitch/player pitch/pitching machine, sliding, base running and basic mechanics for every position. There are no assessments for this level.

Minors, Juniors & Seniors – Boys, Grades 3rd - 8th

From 3rd grade through 8th grade we hold assessments before the season begins and place the players on teams according to ability. EYBSA's goal is for all kids will get to play! The Minor, Junior and Senior divisions are divided into three levels of play; Federal, American and National. Federal is the most challenging and competitive level. American is mid-level competition between Federal and National. National is the entry level of competitive play.

Co-Ed T-Ball - Ages 5-Kindergarten

EYBSA T-ball is all about fun! The volunteer coaches will guide players through the fundamental basics of player positions, offense vs defense, hitting, throwing, & catching.  Through mountains of positive encouragement and exhausting fun! There are no assessments for this level.

8u Softball – Girls, Grades 1st & 2nd

EYBSA 8u learn the essential skills of throwing, fielding, batting. Combined with introductions to coach pitch/player pitch/pitching machine, sliding, base running and basic mechanics for every position. There are no assessments for this level.

10u, 12u & 14u Softball – Girls, Grades 3rd - 8th

From 3rd grade through 8th grade we hold assessments before the season begins and place the players on teams according to ability. EYBSA goal is not to cut players and for all kids will get to play! EYBSA’s 10u, 12u and 14u divisions are divided into two levels of play; Silver and Recreation. Silver is the most challenging and competitive level. Recreation level is the entry level of competitive play.