AA Overview
EDMONTON ANGELS AA BASEBALL
Do you like the intensity of competition?
Do you want to further develop your baseball skills?
Do you want a longer season to play?
If the answer is “YES”, the EABA 'AA' Program is for you. It gives players the opportunity to hone their individual and team skills at weekly practices, to demonstrate those skills in competitive games in the surrounding area, and to extend the season through July (and into August at the higher levels).
'AA' teams are designed for those player’s with above average ability, commitment and desire to play at higher levels of competition. The major objective will be player development through participation by all players on the team up to Provincial Playoffs and Championships.
The objective of the Provincial 'AA' Leagues is to provide a competitive yet developmental level of play for players/teams at the 13U, 15U and 18U age categories in a province-wide format. Provincial AA leagues will operate on a 3 round seeding basis with teams playing in a Regional format in May, a North/South Divisional format in June, and a Provincial Tiering format in July.
Commitment
Participation on EABA’s 'AA' team implies a certain commitment on behalf of the players and the parents. The major commitments are time, travel, and financial which also includes fundraising initiatives either of the Association and/or the team. 'AA' teams typically utilize weekdays for practices, exhibition games, etc. and weekends for games and tournaments based on schedule and travel requirements as determined by Baseball Alberta. There will be a minimum of 3-4 days/week committed to baseball. Some games are scheduled during the week, depending on the distance teams must travel. 'AA' teams are required to regularly travel throughout Alberta. 'AA' teams also play during July, the length of time depends on the success of the team as it advances through to Provincial Championships. Dedication to EABA’s 'AA' team will prove beneficial to the player as a valuable learning experience. Failure to fulfill the commitments by the player or parent is denying another player a position on the team and will result in a review of the players 'AA' privileges.
The Edmonton Angels 'AA' program is the most competitive of the baseball programs offered by the EABA, and therefore has the highest level of commitment required from players. The teams represent EABA in a league that includes teams from across the province. 'AA' teams are designed for players with more advanced baseball abilities and a desire to compete at a higher level. In order to ensure the 'AA' teams are fully established in time for the beginning of the season, the tryouts are indoors and commence in early to mid March.
The specific time commitments will vary depending on the coach and Baseball Alberta’s provincial schedule but in general, players and parents can anticipate:
2-3 practices per week from April to the end of July
2-4 games per weekend from May to the end of July
Provincials for Tiers 4 through 7 are typically in late July
Provincials for Tiers 1, 2 and 3 are typically the first week of August
There is a non-refundable tryout/evaluation fee for a players wanting to tryout for a 'AA' team. Please chose the age group from the Division tab for tryout and evaluation dates.
Financial
Although EABA player registration fees cover basic expenses related to Baseball Alberta registration, insurance, basic equipment/jerseys, umpires, etc. additional AA fees are collected by the association through the team budgets once the team rosters are completed to offset various operating expenses related to the facilities and/or team. AA teams are required to prepare their own team budgets to cover expenses related to additional association fees, travel, tournaments, and additional apparel/equipment. The amount of fundraising activities varies per team and will have a direct impact on the final per player cost to the families.
Evaluations
Each spring (typically early to mid March), players registered with EABA who meet the above mentioned criteria are encouraged to attend the evaluation sessions to try out for positions on the AA teams in their division. The evaluations/tryouts are conducted under the direction of the respective EABA Directors and in conjunction with the AA Coaches. These evaluations of demonstrated skill, development potential, perceived dedication to the program/coaches and various other factors, this way they are placed at the skill level that is most appropriate for them.
ALL coaches at the AA level are required to meet EABA requirements and possess current Baseball Alberta Certification requirements.
Dependent on interest, there may be one (1) AA team per age group designed for those players with above average ability, commitment and desire to play at higher levels of competition. All athletes living in the EABA Baseball boundaries are welcome to attend tryouts and evaluation.
General Info:
- Game Saturday/Sunday - expect to play 2-4 games per weekend
- 2-3 practices per week – times are determined at team/parent meeting.
- Season runs from the middle of April to start of August.
- Additional fees apply. (to cover additional cost of umpires, game balls, apparel and two tournaments)
AA fees must be paid in full prior to the first regular season game. - AA teams may choose to do additional fundraising to offset costs.
- Players must register with their home association prior to attending tryouts
- Teams should expect to travel within the province.
Parent involvement/ Volunteering positions:
- Head & Assistant Coaches
- Team Manager
- Team Treasurer
- Raffle Volunteer
- Jersey Parent
- Scorekeeper
- Pitch Counter
- Parent Liaison
- Field Maintenance
- Team Sponsorship
- Team Photographer
- Communications Coordinator
- Other volunteer opportunities may be available
Equipment/Uniform:
- All players must have:
- CSA approved baseball helmet
- Glove
- Cleats
- Baseball pants
- Red belt
- CSA approved protective cup - Players may bring their own bats as long as they fall within the bat regulations for each age division.
- EABA will provide one player jersey (to return at the end of the season) as wells as a second jersey, an undershirt, and a baseball cap for the player to keep.
EABA/NEZ Partnership
EABA is happy to announce that it will continue its partnership with the Edmonton Northeast Zone (NEZ) Padres for the 2023 season. Continuing on the success from last season, an MOU was formed again to join the two association's membership at the 15U and 18U levels. This partnership will allow for a larger pool of players to come together to create more competitive rep teams and provide a better playing experiences for our players.
At the 18U level, Padres will host the AAA and AA+ teams with coaches to be named at a later date. The Angels will host the AA team with EABA's Technical Director, Blake Hamer as Head Coach.
At the 15U level, the Padres will host the AAA team and the Angels will host the AA team. Head Coaches for these teams will be named at a later date.
All 15U and 18U players interested in trying for the AA or AAA teams must attend tryouts hosted by the Padres and through the evaluation process players will be placed on the appropriate AAA, AA+ or AA teams.
Players will be given the opportunity to indicate at which level they would like to be evaluated when registering for the season and for tryouts. Community 'A' level teams at both the 15U & 18U divisions will be run out of each association.
For AAA info and tryout dates, please visit http://nezsports.com/baseball/baseball-program/. Tryout dates will be announced as they come available and players will be required to register online and pay the associated tryout fee with the Padres.
The EABA Angels Baseball Program supports all policies and guidelines set out by Baseball Alberta for any player transfers or player movement. Please visit the Baseball Alberta website for any clarity on transfer rules. With the MOU in place with NEZ and EABA, transfers and the associted fees are not required for EABA players that make a Padres team (or for Padres players that make an Angels team). If a player is not selected for a Padres AAA team they can try out for another AAA team within the region but must return to their home organization (EABA) if they are not selected at the AAA level.