Play-up/Play-down Policy for Forest Hill Rec Baseball
Forest Hill baseball strongly recommends that all children play in their correct age groups. We have found that even though children may exhibit some natural talents toward the game and their parents think they are ready to play baseball with older children, most kids will benefit greatly by playing in their actual age group.
However, there may be some children who could be advanced in size, strength and skills to the point where playing rec-baseball within their correct age group could present a safety problem to the others, or where the child could truly benefit from play at an older level. Conversely, the skill and strength level of other kids may be such that playing with children their own age could possibly injure them. In either case, it may be possible to make an exception to our policy and give the child a chance to show that he should play in a different age group. The final decisions will be made by the Age Group Directors and the Baseball Director and parents will be notified as soon as possible.
Here are the policies for requesting to play in a different age group for in-house baseball:
- The player must be registered and initially pay the appropriate fee for his correct age group. Across the top of the registration form, write the words “Request to play up/down” in bold letters. Remember to specify the requested age group.
- Only 6, 8, 10 and 12 year-olds may request to play up and 7, 9, 11 and 13 year-olds may request to play down.
- All players requesting to play in a different age group must be present and participate in the appropriate evaluation session in February. Players not evaluated during the appropriate evaluations will not be given the chance to play in a different age group. Failure to attend the appropriate player evaluation will result in the play-up/down request to be automatically denied.
- 8 year-olds who make the 8U travel team will automatically be placed on a 9-10 team unless otherwise requested.
- In order to play-down, the player must demonstrate that he does not have the skills to safely play in his correct age group. He will be rated on his ability to bat, field, catch and throw.
- In order to play-up, the player must demonstrate that he has the skills, strength and knowledge to be competitive in the older age group. It is not acceptable to be merely “OK”. He must demonstrate that he will be capable of competitive play within the older age group. He will be rated on his ability to bat, field, catch and throw.
- If the child demonstrates the ability to play up, there must be room for him in the older program. If the older program is full/closed, play-ups will not be allowed.
- Players selected to play up to will be required to pay any additional fee as set in thepricing structure for the older baseball age group before being drafted onto a team.
- Players who play down are not allowed to pitch. No exceptions.
- 8, 10 and 12 year-olds playing up who are on Travel teams will still be required to play at least 75 per cent of their in-house games, or else they lose their eligibility to play on their travel team. No exceptions.