Welcome to another season of J Baseball

J Baseball is a recreational youth baseball program open to children from all over Kansas City.  For the 2023 season, official team practices will begin the week of March 27 with games starting April 13th. Regular season games will be played through June 30th . Post season tournaments for Senior 4th grade and older teams will take place July 6th - 11th . These tournaments are included in the league fee, but participation is optional.   While most league games will take place at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, practice fields will be at Shawnee Mission schools and Overland Park city fields.  Practice fields are allocated at a coaches meeting

Coach's Meeting Times & Location:

We will be having our annual Coaches Meetings February 6 - February 13. Below are the date and times for each league/division meeting. Each meeting will take place in the Dining Room at the J.  Enter through the main doors off the 115th street entrance.  The Dining Room is through the lobby just past the Social Hall.  Each team is strongly encouraged to have a representative present.

Coaches Meetings- Dining Room

Feb 6: 6:00pm-7:00pm- Baseball Sr 7/8 and Sr 8/9

                7:15pm-8:15pm Baseball Sr 5/6

Feb 7:  6:00pm- 7:00pm- Baseball Sr3/ Sr4

                7:15pm- 8:15pm – Baseball Jr2/Jr 3/4

Feb 8: 6:00pm - 7:00pm— Baseball Jr 1

Feb 9: 6:00pm - 7:00pm -  Softball Sr 6/8

                7:15pm - 8:15pm –Softball SR 3/4 and Softball Sr 4/5

Feb 13  6:00pm –7:00 pm - Softball Jr 2 and Softball Junior 3/4

                7:15pm - 8:15pm- All Coach pitch

For more information or questions you can contact Bob Hennecke, at 913-327-8005 or [email protected]

Registration for the 2023 season opens December 18th, 2022. All players register individually, players may request a specific coach or select "free agent" if they would like to be placed onto a team. Teammate requests are accepted. J Baseball offers two divisions of play beginning with our Junior 2 second grade division.  The American League is generally for players with some combination of more experience and or stronger skills. Please note that we are offering Coach pitch for K, Junior 1 (Machine Pitch), Junior 2 (Machine Pitch), Junior 3/4 (Machine Pitch), Senior 3, Senior 4, Senior 5, Senior 6, Senior 7/8, Senior 8/9 and Senior 10-12. Coaches may choose which division their team will participate in, while free agents may request which division they would prefer. Teams will be combined into one division if there are not at least 10 teams within an age group.

All registration takes place through the League website www.jccbaseball.com.

2023 Age Divisions, Registration Dates and Fees

Each paid registration includes a uniform (jersey and cap) and award.  The League also provides each team with a practice field and equipment (including a Pitching Machine for Junior Division teams).  There is a $10 sibling discount.  There is a $3 administrative fee for each order.
Refund Policy:  Full refunds are available through February 20.  50% refunds are available Feb 21-March 21.  No refunds are available after March 21.

Individuals and teams (whether partial or complete) are welcome to join J Baseball.  New teams should contact Bob Hennecke at 913-327-8005 or [email protected] for additional information. Those registering without a team are considered select “free agents” and will be placed on a team by the League administrator. J Baseball offers two divisions of play beginning with our Junior 2 second grade division.  The American League is generally for players with some combination of more experience and or stronger skills. Coaches may choose which division their team will participate in, while free agents may request which division they would prefer. Teams will be combined into one division if there are not at least 10 teams within an age group.

Most games are played at the Jewish Community Center located at 115th and Nall in Overland Park.  The baseball complex is comprised of five lighted fields including three turf fields.  Restrooms and concessions are located on site.  In addition, J staff is present at all games, providing supervision and assistance with first aid matters.  Overland Park city fields and Shawnee Mission School fields are used for practices and back up game fields.

The city of Prairie Village, will be renting out their fields this year on first come, first serve bias starting 12-13-2022 to Prairie Village based teams.  The rental fee is $80, and the J will cover $50 of this cost and with a receipt.  

Below is a brief description of each division. In order to create a better playing experience for participants and provided there are enough teams to make two divisions viable, J Baseball offers two divisions of play beginning with our Junior 2 second grade division. The American League is generally for players with some combination of more experience and or stronger skills.  Please note that we are offering a new division for 2021. We will be offering a combined 3rd/4th grade division for machine pitch as well as having 3rd and 4th grade kids pitch divisions. Coaches may choose which division their team will participate in, while free agents may request which division they would prefer. Teams will be combined into one division if there are not at least 10 teams within an age group.

In the Senior divisions there will be a playoff after the regular season has concluded.  Regular season games will be played through July 1. The post season tournaments for Senior 4th grade and older teams will take place July 6 through 10. These tournaments are included in the league fee, but participation is optional.   If there are two divisions for an age group, often times at the discretion of J staff, the lowest ranked team in American League Standings plays in the National League playoffs, while the top ranked team in the National League Standings plays in American League playoffs.

Click here to view the Rules for each division, Coach Pitch through Senior 9/10.

T-Ball for 3/4 year olds (entering kindergarten in the fall of 2024)

A  fun, skills based class introducing young children to the basic skills involved with T-ball/Baseball/Softball – throwing, catching, hitting, fielding and running the bases.  This class is led by J staff and incorporates parents to assist their child.  Team groups of 7-8 players.

Sundays 9:00am - 9:45am  May 7 -  June 25 JCC Fields 3,4 and 5
(does not meet on May 28)

T-Ball for 4/5 year olds (entering kindergarten in the Fall of 2023)

A fun, skills based class introducing young children to the basic skills involved with T-ball/Baseball/Softball – throwing, catching, hitting, fielding and running the bases.  This class is led by J staff and incorporates parents to assist their child.  Modified game playing – no scores kept – is introduced as the program evolves during the season.  Team groups consist of only 8-9 players. 

Sundays 10:00am-10:45am May 7 - June 25                     JCC Fields 3,4 and 5
(does not meet on May 28)

For all divisions listed below, practices officially begin the week of March  27  (individual teams may begin earlier or later) and games begin as early as April 13.)

Coach Pitch for current Kindergartners (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach. Each team is scheduled to play eight (8) games with 60 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends. Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  No scores are kept during games and coaches are encouraged to focus on skill development.

All Junior divisions are machine pitch. 

Junior 1 for current 1st graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team. Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach. Each team is scheduled to play 8 games with a 75 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there may be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  No scores are kept during games and coaches are encouraged to focus on skill development.  All teams are provided with a pitching machine to use at practices.  Although outs are enforced (players making an out do not remain on base), a half inning consists of all players from a given team batting through the order.

Junior 2 for current 2nd graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.  Each team is scheduled to play 8 games with a 75 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  While skill development is still the focus, scores are kept during games, a league provided umpire is present and a half inning consists of three outs or 6 runs whichever comes first.  All teams are provided with a pitching machine to use at practices.

Junior 3/4 for current 3rd/4th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually ,if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach. Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 90 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  While skill development is still the focus, scores are kept during games, a league provided umpire is present and a half inning consists of three outs or 6 runs whichever comes first.  All teams are provided with a pitching machine to use at practices.

All senior divisions are kid pitch with portable mounds. Pitchers are restricted to fast balls and change ups.

Senior 3 for current 3rd graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.  Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 90 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  This is a kid's pitch division.  Lead offs are not permitted, but runners may attempt to steal bases after the ball crosses the plate.

Senior 4 for current 4th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.  Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 90 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined. There will be a post season tournament.  Lead offs are not permitted, but runners may attempt to steal bases after the ball crosses the plate.

Senior 5 for current 5th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.  Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 90 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  There will be a post season tournament.  Lead offs are not permitted, but runners may attempt to steal bases after the ball crosses the plate.

Senior 6 for current 6th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach, or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.  Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 105 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well.  Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  There will be a post season tournament.  Lead offs are permitted, and runners may attempt to steal bases after the release of the pitch.

Senior 7/8 for current 7th and 8th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.   Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 105 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well, with certified umpires   Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  There will be a post season tournament.  Lead offs and steals are permitted. 

Senior 8/9 for current 8th and 9th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually, if part of a team, request specific coach or indicate free agent if needing to be placed onto a team.  Teams have separate practice and game schedules.  Practice day(s), times and locations are determined by coaches based upon field availability provided by the league or a field acquired by the coach.   Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 105 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well, with certified umpires   Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  There will be a post season tournament.  Lead offs and steals are permitted. 

Senior 10-12 for current 10th-12th graders (2022-2023 school year)

Players register individually through J Baseball and request specific coach, if part of a team, or indicate free agent if needing to be placed on a team. J Baseball provides Jerseys, hats, equipment, and a practice field or a field acquired by the coach. Each team is scheduled to play 10 games with a 105 minute time limit per game – usually on weekends, but there will be some weeknight games as well, with certified umpires, starting May 2. Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined.  There will be a post season tournament.