FAQs
Player ages for Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 will be the player age for the next spring season, and are determined by the birth chart shown below. May 1 in any year shall be the deciding date.
T Ball: Ages 4-6
Rookies: Ages 7-8
Minors: Ages 9-10
Majors: Ages 11-12
Juniors: Ages 13-16
Seniors: Ages 17-18
South Orlando Babe Ruth allows children who's home addresses are in our designated zip codes to play with us.
Zip Codes:
32806
32839
32809
32812
32822
32829
32827
32832
32824
34743
Please verify your address to ensure they are within our zone.
Registration for the Spring season runs from January thru February. Registration may be extended into February in order to accept more players and offer more teams.
Registration for the Senior baseball and 16U Softball levels generally remains open into late February as their seasons start and end later than the younger age levels.
Registration for Fall Ball opens in August and closes by September, although it may remain open later to fill specific age levels.
You can register your child(ren) at any time when online registration is open. Registration links can be found on each individual league page.
(Baseball link)
(Softball link)
For any more specific questions, please contact our Registrar at southorlandobaseballsoftball@gmail.com.
The registration fees are available on the registration page on this site.
The fees vary depending on the age level that your child(ren) are registered for, with the fee increasing at the older age levels.
The league offers a discount for multiple children depending on the age levels being registered for.
Registration is one fee for the whole season and does not reoccur monthly.
The registration fees are used to provide the following for all players:
- Uniform including a hat & team jersey.
- End of Season awards (Depending in season and age level)
- Equipment for use (Pitching machines & catcher's protective equipment)
- Background checks for coaches
- Umpire fees
- Marketing to drive wider participation
After you register your player, their next date to be ready for will be Evaluations once dates are set for your division they will be posted on the league website.
After Evaluations, each division goes through a draft and once completed Coaches will be calling out to players before the first practice dates, which are also posted on the league website.
The league leaves registration open as long as possible to fill as many teams as we can. This policy ensures that as many children as possible are able to participate, but it also creates a lot of anxiety among those already registered because of the delay it causes in communication from their coaches.
The league holds Division Coach meetings just prior to player evaluations.
All levels of Baseball and Softball will hold player evaluations on a Friday or Saturday in the weeks before practices begin (typically in January & September). Please check back here, or on our Facebook page, regularly for updated evaluation dates and times.
During the week following these evaluations the coaches for each Division gather and hold their draft. After the conclusion of the draft rosters are finalized.
All coaches are then instructed to begin contacting the players on their roster and their families. Every player in every Division will be contacted so make sure you provide accurate contact information that you regularly use when registering.
Practices begin shortly after you have been contacted. Games typically begin two - three weeks after practices begin.
Season Specific dates will be posted on the website, so please check there for all dates that apply to you.
After a player has been assigned a team, the following refund policy will apply:
- No refunds after uniforms have been ordered.
Refund requests must be emailed in to southorlandobaseballsoftball@gmail.com and will be reviewed by the board for approval.
Evaluations are conducted for all the following levels:
- Baseball: T-Ball, Rookies, Minors, Majors, & Juniors
- Softball: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, & 14U
Every player is required to attend evaluations. Results are then used to conduct a draft in order to create equality amongst the teams at each age level. Any player not attending evaluations cannot be drafted and must be selected in a blind draw at the conclusion of the draft.
Player evaluations are conducted for both Spring & Fall Ball.
South Orlando makes every effort to honor these requests. Not every request is guaranteed, but we do our best. The league conducts a draft to ensure an equal and competitive balance amongst the teams. As such, requests for specific coaches or teammates cannot be guaranteed unless there are extenuating circumstances involved.
Please contact your Division Director if you have a specific circumstance that may require the league to make an exception to this policy.
We do not allow our player’s to play down in any division, unless there are legitimate coach concerns with player safety.
Please contact your Division Director if you have a specific circumstance that may require the league to make an exception to this policy.
South Orlando does NOT allow Play up at any time.
Please contact your Division Director if you have a specific circumstance that may require the league to make an exception to this policy.
Only Managers and their assistant coaches.
Practices typically begin in January for Spring Ball and August for Fall Ball.
Each team will receive two practice days a week. Both practices will be held at one of our two field locations anytime between 5PM-10PM (varies per team to ensure equal field access).
Your coach will provide you with the details once you are placed on a team.
Practices run during the entire season.
The spring season concludes the last week of April.
If your child makes one of the post-season All-Star teams then expect to continue practice and playing weekends through the summer months.
The fall season concludes mid-November.
Please consult the calendar for the specific dates for each season.
Glove – No single item is more important to your child’s success and enjoyment with baseball or softball than a functioning glove. For the first time buyer and a new player you don’t need the most expensive mitt. The right size mitt, properly broken in, can be your player’s best friend for several seasons.
Bat - A close second in importance is a bat. While many options exist you'll want to make sure you check out the rules for your age group for confirmation on the right certification.
South Orlando ONLY allows the new standard bats with the USABat markings for all divisions.
The most up to date information can be found on the Babe Ruth Approved Webpage: https://www.baberuthleague.org/bat-rules.aspx
As of website publishing:
T-Ball
USA Baseball T-Ball Stamp
Cal-Ripken Baseball
(Rookies, Minors & Majors)
USA Baseball Marking
2 5/8" Barrel Maximum
NO BBCOR BATS
Babe Ruth Baseball 13-15
USA Baseball Marking or BBCOR .50
2 5/8” Barrel
Babe Ruth Baseball 16-18
All Bats Must Be
BBCOR .50
Babe Ruth Softball
Marked as "Official Softball Bat" or "Official Fastpitch Bat"
Batting Helmet – Similar to a glove, no single item is more important to your child’s SAFETY than a good helmet. Helmets come in several sizes, with fit being the most important aspect. In addition, players are welcome to use helmets with face masks and chin guards for added protection. This is especially important for softball players. Helmets are used anytime a player is handling a bat and running the bases. As mentioned, fit and comfort are extremely important to ensure proper function of the helmet.
Cleats – Cleats are a must buy to ensure your player can get the grip they need on the diamond. Fit is the most important aspect here. Metal cleats are an option at Juniors and above; Majors and below must wear rubber cleats.
Fielding Mask – Fielding masks are required for softball infield players.
Protective Cup – Cups are strongly recommended for boys of all ages. As the players age, cups will be required for all players, especially catchers. It is our recommendation that players start wearing this gear at a young age.
All players, Coaches and parents should be aware of inclement weather at all times.
Please use an app such as WeatherBug that will show how far away lightning strikes are occurring from your current location.
When lightning is indicated within a six mile radius of the field, everyone is required to go to their vehicle until 30 minutes have passed from the last strike within the radius.