Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child play in Brookline Youth Baseball?
Your child can play with BYB if ONE of the following criteria are met:
- The parent or legal guardian is a resident of Brookline
- The child attends a school in Brookline
- The parent or legal guardian is an employee of the Town of Brookline
How do I determine my child's "League Age"?
As a proud affiliate of Little League, BYB uses the Little League Age Chart to determine league eligibility. The league age is the age that your player is on August 31 of that year.
Check out the EXTERNAL LINKS on the website to view the official age chart at Little League.
What if my player is new to baseball?
BYB offers a number of introductory programs for younger players. For older players who are new to the game, we also provide options in the Spring and Fall seasons to get your child more exposure in a fun and supportive environment.
Go to the Home Page and click "Program Information" for more details. If you have questions, please reach out to our registration team.
When do you play?
BYB offers league play in:
- SPRING – Our most popular season with recreational and competitive options depending on age
- SUMMER – Known for high-level, competitive play; we also offer pick-up games
- FALL – A great way to get in some more ball before we hang up our cleats
- WINTER – Local skills-based programs offered by John Bucci
What are the time commitments in a typical week?
Each program has different commitments, depending on the season and age-level:
| League |
Typical Commitment |
| T-Ball |
Once a week, usually Sundays at Lawrence Fields |
| A-League |
Once during the week (Tue/Wed/Thu) + Sundays at Lawrence Fields |
| AA, AAA, Majors |
3-4 events per week (practices + games) plus post-season play |
| Challenger League |
Meets weekly |
Games are played at fields throughout Brookline including Amory, Pierce, Baker, Larz, Waldstein, Robinson, Eliot, Cypress, and Pine Manor Field.
What equipment do you provide?
In most leagues, we provide:
- Playing shirt and hat
- Practice equipment
- At least one catcher's set per team
- Used bats available for teams to share (in many cases)
Families should provide:
- Bat
- Glove
- Baseball pants (with belt)
- Socks
- Cleats
What is the cost and what does it cover?
Costs vary by age and league, and are comparable to other town programs in our region. We are a non-profit organization with no paid employees – fees are set to cover team and league costs only.
Fees cover:
- Insurance
- Town field reservations & maintenance
- T-shirts and hats
- Practice equipment
- Umpire fees
💰 Early Bird Discount: Register at least a month before registration closes to save!
Are there equipment guidelines or restrictions?
Should my 8 year-old play Single A or Double A Ball?
Our goal is that every player enjoy their initial experiences with baseball and BYB.
Single A League
Best for players learning the game or building confidence
- Focuses on teaching fundamental skills
- Uses slower pitching machines
- Games played, but scores not kept
Double A League
Best for players with basic skills and self-confidence
- Scores kept with playoffs
- Faster pitching machines; kid pitch introduced later
- Players should be able to catch, throw straight, and swing confidently
Should my player play above his or her League Age?
BYB, in conjunction with Little League, offers some opportunities – at BYB's determination – for experienced players in AA and AAA to "play up" in the next league.
This is determined by coach evaluations at Mandatory Tryouts for players usually 10-12 years old.
Do you hold tryouts? What does that determine?
Yes! We hold mandatory tryouts in the Spring for players ages 10-12 to help create parity across teams.
⚠️ Important: No player is excluded from playing Spring or Fall Ball. Tryouts simply aid in creating balanced teams.
For 9 year-olds: Tryouts are optional unless they want to try out for a limited number of Triple-A positions (mostly reserved for 10s and 11s).
How are your coaches selected and are they vetted?
All BYB coaches are volunteers from our community.
- BYB provides training to parents and friends interested in coaching
- All coaches undergo background checks as required by law