League Age 5, 6, and 7 Year Olds
Informal coach pitch program for ages 5, 6, and 7 year olds (and 8 year olds whose parents feel their child is not ready for a player pitch league). The program will meet two days per week (TBD) for approximately 90 minutes. In recent years, this program has met at the Franklin School. The format will be roughly 45 minutes of skills and drills, 45 minutes of a scrimmage game with the players being grouped by skill level, based on the players in attendance each night.
7-year olds playing in the Rookie division during the spring season are encouraged to play in the Merrimack Valley Small Diamond League in the 7/8-year old division.
League Age 7 and 8 Year Olds
Players will compete in the Merrimack Valley Small Diamond League (MVSDL) 7/8-year old division against teams from Andover, Billerica, Dracut, Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill. This team is intended for players who participated in the Single A division during the spring season, but is open to 7-year olds who played IL during the spring season (this is a big jump, but some players are ready). This league plays approximately 10-12 games (5-6 games played in North Andover), with a single-elimination playoff to conclude the season in early August. Every effort is made to schedule all of the games on weeknights. Typically there are one or two practices per week, scheduled at the coach's discretion. This program will be strictly kid pitch, playing under Little League rules. Teams will be selected by the age level VP and the Player Agent, with the goal of creating balanced teams with equal ability. Registration for MVSDL is open May 1st.
League Age 9 and 10 Year Olds
Players will compete in the MVSDL 9/10-year old division against teams from Andover, Billerica, Dracut, Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill. This league plays approximately 10-12 games (5-6 games played in North Andover), with a single-elimination playoff to conclude the season in early August. Every effort is made to schedule all of the games on weeknights. Typically there are one or two practices per week, scheduled at the coach's discretion. Teams will be selected by the age level VP and the Player Agent, with the goal of creating balanced teams with equal ability. Registration for MVSDL will open May 1st.
League Age 11 and 12 Year Olds
Players will compete in the MVSDL against teams from Andover, Billerica, Dracut, Lawrence, Methuen, and Riverside-Bradford. This league plays approximately 10-12 games (5-6 games played in North Andover), with a single-elimination playoff to conclude the season in early August. Every effort is made to schedule all of the games on weeknights. Typically there are one or two practices per week, scheduled at the coach's discretion. Teams will be selected by the age level VP and the Player Agent, with the goal of creating balanced teams with equal ability. Registration for MVSDL will open May 1st.
Teams will play on a 50/70 foot diamond to align with the Majors spring season.
8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, and 12U Ripken District Tournament Teams
North Andover will enter one team into the Ripken 8U tournament, Ripken 9U tournament, Ripken 10U tournament, one team into the Ripken 11U (70' diamond) tournament, and one team into the Ripken 12U (70' diamond) tournament. Players who are selected and choose to accept the invitation to play on a Tournament team are not eligible to play on a Merrimack Valley Small Diamond League (MVSDL) team (except the 8U team - see below).
Players who are selected to a Ripken Tournament team, based on evaluations and performances in the Spring season, will compete in the Ripken Tournament and two rounds of the Bay State Baseball Tournament of Champions. Practices will begin in late May/early June with tournament play ending in mid-August. Note, Since Bay State Baseball does not offer an 8U division, the 8U team will participate in the more competitive division in MVSDL. This league plays twice per week in late June with no weekend games and playoffs in early August. Please reach out to the NAYB Board for additional information on team selection, commitment level, and schedule. Participation in the spring season, along with a minimum number of games played, is a prerequisite to play on a tournament team.
NOTE: There is an additional fee for players selected for and opting to play on a tournament team. This additional fee covers the cost of entering the Ripken Tournament and the Bay State Tournament of Champions.