2025 BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!
Lakeview Youth Association runs the Battle Creek Area Little League (B.A.L.L.), the official Little League for most of Calhoun County, including Battle Creek, Springfield, Bedford, Marshall, Pennfield, and Harper Creek. To check eligibility, visit: Little League League Finder.To check eligibility, visit: https://www.littleleague.org/play-little.../league-finder/
B.A.L.L. offers a safe, positive, and fun developmental baseball and softball experience. Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of the sport. Games run on weeknights from April to June, with optional Fall Ball. We also offer clinics and activities to develop skills for players and coaching tools for parents and volunteers.
We are a 100% volunteer-run organization and rely on donations to maintain equipment and fields. To help, contact us on Facebook or email [email protected].
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Registration Instructions: (scroll down the page for more registration information)
After registering online, print and return the following forms along with a copy of the player's birth certificate. Paper forms are required in addition to online registration. You can turn in forms at Winter Clinics or Player Evaluations. All fees are due by March 15, 2025.
Why is my child on a waitlist? Will they get to play?
The short answer is, yes, they very likely will still be able to play. In Little League, we use a "waitlist" system to manage team registrations efficiently. Instead of closing registration immediately when a team reaches capacity, or misleadingly advertising that we have a whole other team with "spots available," our electronic registration system automatically places additional players on a "waitlist" until enough sign up to form another team.
Here’s how it works:
- Teams have a set number of players (for example, 12-15).
- If a team reaches the maximum (example, 15 players), new registrants are "waitlisted."
- Once enough players are waitlisted to create a new team (example, 9 more players to make two teams of 12), they are moved from the "waitlist" to active registration.
- This process repeats throughout registration, often times multiple times.
Important Notes:
- Being on the waitlist does not mean your child won’t play. New teams are often created as more players register.
- Registration remains first-come, first-served, even though teams are formed through a draft following player evaluations.
- Registration closes on March 15th.
- Even after March 15th, openings for anyone remaining on the "waitlist" may still occur if a player drops out.
If your player is waitlisted, please be patient, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Required Forms:
For the School Enrollment Form, the player must be enrolled in school before October 1, 2024. Other proofs of residency may be accepted for homeschooled players or those not attending school within D2 boundaries. Full residency info:
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Spring Training Clinics:
Fielding and batting clinics (for cost) will be announced on Facebook.
Last Day for Full Refund:
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Player Evaluations
Evaluations will take place at Full Blast in downtown Battle Creek. Please bring all printed and completed required paperwork to the player evaluations.
Thursday, March 20th
-Machine Pitch: 5:00-6:15pm
-50/50: 6:30-8:00pm
Friday, March 21st
-Minors: 5:00-6:15pm
-Majors: 6:30-8:00pm
T-ball and Juniors will not require evaluations.
The draft will be finalized by March 23rd and coaches will reach out to their players with information soon after.
Mandatory Parent Meeting:
Wednesday, March 26th from 5:30-6:30pm at the Lakeview Middle School cafeteria (enter through the gym doors). T-ball and Juniors players should bring their required paperwork to the parent meeting.
Practices:
Start the week of April 1st (weather permitting). Your coach will provide details on practice times and locations. Practices are typically held at either the Greenfield or Territorial fields location on Arbor Street in Battle Creek, or at Riverside Elementary School.
Opening Day:
Ceremony and Food Drive - Tentative, Saturday, April 27th at Greenfield North (Rain date: May 3rd). Bring non-perishable food donations for the South Michigan Food Bank.
Season Games:
Games will be held 1-2 times a week from late April/early May to mid-June.
Last year, the following game schedule was followed. Game schedules for 2025 are NOT yet complete and may not be exactly the same as last year.
- T-ball: games and practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Machine Pitch: Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 9/10-year olds: Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 11/12-year olds: Mondays and Thursdays
- 50/70: Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Juniors: Mondays and Wendesdays
Weather Policies:
- Cold: No practices/games if temperature is below 40°F (wind chill included).
- Rain: Field conditions will be evaluated for safety.
- Thunder/Lightning: 30-minute delay after each thunder/lightning observation.
- Storm/Tornado Warnings: Games suspended during warnings.
Cancellations:
Coaches will notify you of cancellations. League-wide cancellations will be posted on Facebook.
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Questions: Please email [email protected] or send private message via Facebook at Battle Creek Area Little League.
We look forward to a great season!