2024 Senior JBO Registration Email
Wells Youth Baseball (WYB) is again chartering teams to compete in the Junior Baseball Organization (JBO). We play in the Westside Youth Baseball District (WSYB), which consists of different associations and teams on the west side of the Willamette from Lincoln to Tillamook. There are District playoffs (WSYB) and a State tournament (JBO) at the end of each season. The competition is both fun and challenging and both JBO and WSYB do a great job each year of running an organization for youth baseball.
The WYB Senior JBO provides a transition from youth baseball to high school level of play for 7th and 8th graders. All Senior JBO games are played on full-size fields, the same size used by high school to the major leagues. Most new WYB players find the transition to a larger field challenging at first. Our coaches will focus on individual skill development, including fielding, hitting, pitching, position, and team preparation aimed at developing players to their highest ability level and preparing them to play high school baseball.
Wells Youth Baseball expects commitment from both players and families during the entire season (with games running from mid-April through late-July depending on the level). It’s very important for families to understand the commitment they are making when registering, so the following are details for the upcoming season:
Evaluations: High school coaches and volunteers will lead players through evaluations to appropriately place them on teams. Evaluations will consist of multiple sessions at Ida B. Wells High School fields and the Ida B. Wells batting cages in February. We ask that all players register for evaluations. Click here to register. Use the "2024 JBO Seniors" Registration and select the "Player Evaluations" option.
Evaluation schedule:
- Tuesday, 02/06 (4:30 to 6:30) – 7th graders
- Wednesday 2/07 (4:30 to 6:30) – 8th graders
- Saturday 2/10 (time TBD) – callbacks and/or makeup times
If you have a conflict with any of the times above, please contact Dennis Allen at dennismallen@gmail.com to discuss.
Roster Selection: JBO has 3 different levels of play in each age brackets – Federal, American, and National (listed in order of skill). WYB intends to have at least one team at each level of play. Teams will be chosen by the Ida B. Wells High School coaches with input from the WYB coaches and Board. Players will be divided by skill level and team needs based on their evaluation, not by schools or friend preferences. WYB intends to find a place for every player; HOWEVER, it is possible that the number of registered players does not distribute equally among teams, therefore, we may not be able to accommodate all players (though we will work to assist in finding an alternative place to play through other organizations). All teams will have no fewer than 10 players and a maximum of 13 players. Players will be cut only as a last resort.
Registration Fees: WYB is a transition to a competitive high school baseball environment. Wells Youth Baseball is committed to providing not only that environment but the staff, training opportunities and fields necessary to continue to build a successful player and program. The registration fee for 2024 will be approximately $700 - $1000 per player and will depend on the amount of paid coaching and number of tournaments planned by the coaching staff. This fee covers team registration, uniforms, hats, umpires, fields, coaches, insurance, equipment, at least 4 tournaments and the cost to maintain the field. We expect all families to volunteer throughout the season or pay a $100 fee to opt out of volunteering. We will offer limited scholarships and offer payment plans for those in need. Registration fees will be charged after teams are rostered.
Coaching: Our plan is to have volunteer parent coaches for most teams. There could be some paid coaching on certain teams where necessary. If you have any leads on coaching staff or are willing to help coach a team for spring, please contact Dennis Allen (dennismallen@gmail.com)
Player Eligibility: Players must be enrolled in a grade no higher than 8th grade for the 2023-24 school year. Players should be living at an address or attending a school, within the Ida B. Wells High School boundaries.
Practices and Games: Games begin in mid-April. The season runs until early July, with possible post-season tournaments in mid and late July. Games are on weeknights, practices on weeknights with one weekend practice, and makeup games will be on the weekends. Each team will also play 3-5 weekend tournaments and potential additional single games as well. Teams are being formed by late February and practices start as early as mid-March depending on level.
Player Availability: Wells Youth Baseball expects commitment from both players and families during the entire season. We expect players to be available for mid-week games from mid-April through mid-July. We also expect players to be available for district and state tournaments in July in the event teams advance. The planned dates are National Level (districts July 12-14 and state July 19-21) and American and Federal levels (districts July 19-21 and state July 26-28). Tentatively, our state JBO board is planning a Federal-level regional tournament the weekend of August 8-12 as well, but this has not been confirmed yet. We ask you inform your coach as soon as you know if you have planned vacation time and contact us if you might have a vacation planned during the playoffs. JBO is very strict with their rosters and missing the playoffs can affect team participation.
Fields: Our home fields are Jackson Middle School and Clopton Field at Ida B. Wells High School, both of which are fields used and maintained by the high school program. Note that your registration fee covers some field maintenance, but it is the responsibility of each team’s players and families to help prep fields at field work parties throughout the season. Players will be expected to stay after home games to repair the field following contests to ensure they are ready for the program’s next game.
Uniforms and Equipment: Jerseys, sweatshirts, and hats will be included with registration fees. Players will need to provide their own dark green belts, dark green socks, and white pants for games. While transitioning to the high school game, it can be beneficial to get the benefits of wearing spikes as early as possible. It makes it much easier to pitch off a traditional dirt mound and gain traction while running. However, if your player selects to have metal cleats, they will also need appropriate shoes for those games that are either played on a full field artificial turf or has a turf mound. Appropriate shoes would include molded/rubber cleats. Here’s info info about the difference between molded and metal. Please do not feel like you need to rush out and get a bat before spring training. Plenty of kids have bats that can be shared. Here is bat guidance for this level. All players should have their own batting helmets for both practices and games.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Wells Youth Baseball