Registration runs from January 1st - January 31st.

Late Registration runs from February 1st - February 28th. 

Registration for the 2024 Spring is closed.

 

 

How do I register for baseball or softball? 

New and returning players can register starting January 1st, 2024. To complete registration through our secure site, please have your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Independent Health FlexFit* or ACH Bank Account information available. All registrations take place online. Registration closes when levels are filled. Most levels will SELL OUT early.

*If your Independent Health FlexFit CC does not have a balance large enough to cover your fee, you can contact our Registrar to make a split payment.  

What is the earliest age a child can play in baseball and softball at Lou Gehrig (LGYBS)?

Our youngest age level is instructional (tee-ball/coach pitch) baseball and instructional girls' softball (also referred to as the Softball Minor B level). The instructional level is typically a combination of tee-ball and coach pitch.

Baseball players must be four years of age by April 30, 2024. The baseball calendar year for age determination of May 1 through April 30 follows the USA baseball and Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth season. 

Girls' softball begins at age four; however the calendar year is January 1 to December 31 as they are affiliated with USA softball organizations. Softball players must be four by January 1, 2024.

What are the fees? 

$115 for Instructional baseball (ages 4-5) and Minor-B softball (ages 4-6*). 

Registration fees for all other levels are as follows:

$165 if registered by 1/31; $175 if registered by 2/28; $185 if registered on 3/1 or later.

Players who register and are NOT residents of the Town of Amherst will be charged a $25 non-resident fee.

There is also a volunteer obligation requiring parents to volunteer a four hour shift per child during the season.  We require a $65 deposit before the season starts. This $65 volunteer deposit will be collected by each "Team Parents/Manager" prior to the season starting.  Your child's "Team Parent/Manager" will be contacting you with information on this collection in the spring. The deposit will be refunded once the obligation is fulfilled. 

There is an option to buy out your volunteer obligation for $65 per child. The maximum buy out charge regardless of the number of children will be $195. These fees apply only if you elect not to work the volunteer obligation as defined above.

Teams may individually decide to collect contributions for team parties, food/beverage or trophies. These fees are at the discretion of the team. The league asks all house league teams to keep such fees reasonable.

Unlike other organizations that collect mandatory fundraising fees upfront, we do not collect such fees.  Our fees cover the cost of uniforms, insurance, field and complex maintenance, umpire costs and capital improvements.  Other organizations can rely on the town or municipality to maintain their fields.  Lou Gehrig fields are the responsibility of the league and while a significant cost to maintain, we count on your fees and corporate sponsorships to provide a well-groomed and safe complex.    

Where is the Lou Gehrig complex located?

The Lou Gehrig complex is located at Smith and Dann Road in East Amherst. The official address is 50 Dann Road, East Amherst, NY 14051. From Transit Road heading north, turn left onto Smith Road. From Millersport or New Road, heading north, turn right onto Smith Road.

The complex includes 11 diamonds, a food and refreshment facility, batting cages, practice pitching mounds and a separate washroom facility.

No pet animals are allowed at the complex. Bicycles are not permitted on the walking paths. Skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited.

When does the season begin?

The 2024 calendar has not been finalized. Register early to reserve a spot.

Approximate key dates are as follows.

• January - Registration
• February - Late Registration
• March – Manager selection/team selections/drafts for ages 9 and older
• Early April – Player team assignment notification/Uniform distribution
• Mid to Late April – Practices begin (weather permitting)/Complex clean-up
• Late April/Early May – House regular season begins
• Late June/Early July– regular season ends/playoffs begin
• Early July – Playoffs end.

What is the time commitment?

There are generally 14-18 games scheduled (including playoffs) from late April or beginning of May to early July. Lower levels such as instructional and softball minor B schedule approximately 10-14 games. Rainouts are generally not rescheduled as the number of games scheduled factor in 3-6 rainouts per season. Games are generally two per week. We encourage managers to hold a reasonable number of practices prior to and during the season.

What are the playing division levels?

Softball Levels:

Softball follows USA softball rules and uses a January 1 cut-off date. Players must be 4 years of age by January 1, 2024 to participate.

LEVEL	AGE GROUP	BIRTH YEARS	LEVEL DESCRIPTION
Minor B	4, 5 & 6 year olds	2017, 2018 & 2019	Instructional Level; Tee-Ball & Coach Pitch
Minor A	6, 7 & 8 year olds	2015 & 2016	Pitching Machine
Majors	9 & 10 year olds	2013 & 2014	First level of kid pitch softball, run limit
Juniors	11, 12 &13 year olds	2010, 2011 & 2012	Modified USA fastpitch rules

*6 year olds that have played 2 seasons of Minor B Softball will be moved to Minor A Softball

Baseball Levels:

Lou Gehrig will follow the calendar year date of April 30 consistent to divisional levels. This means that the April 30 date will now determine the age appropriate level for the 2024 season.

The player's age level will be determined by their age as of April 30, 2024. For example, a player turning 9 years old on May 1, 2024 will be considered an eight year old.

*We don't establish playing levels until the latter part of the registration season when we confirm all level assignments based on registration numbers at each level.

LEVEL	AGE GROUP	LEVEL DESCRIPTION
Instructional	4 & 5 year olds	Tee-Ball & Coach Pitch
1A	6 & 7 year olds	Machine Pitch
2A	7 & 8 year olds	Machine Pitch
Major C	9 & 10 year olds	First Year Kid Pitch
Major B	10 & 11 year olds	60' Bases & Modified Rules
Major A	11 & 12 year olds	70' Bases
Seniors	13, 14 & 15 year olds	90' Bases

Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball/Softball is now accepting players from the entire Town of Amherst as well as outside the Town of Amherst.

What equipment is needed?

Team uniforms include jersey and caps (for boys)/socks (for girls) as part of the registration fee. Uniforms are yours to keep after the season ends.  A fielding glove is required. Most teams will require you purchase a specific color of baseball pants. Rubber baseball spikes are strongly recommended. Metal spikes are only allowed at the Senior level.  

Can we request to play with friends?

Yes, up through age 8 and only for the same level. However we cannot guarantee that all requests will be honored although we will make reasonable efforts to do so. Therefore please designate more than one player. It becomes more difficult to assemble teams if one of the players has been included with another person’s request. We must also consider the balance of competition when assembling these teams. 

We also ask that you make sure that all parties prefer that the children be on the same team, not just the person making the request. By not requesting a specific set of teammates, one of the better experiences is having a chance to form new friendships.

Beginning at age 9, players are drafted round-by-round by managers to help balance the competition. Parent requests to have their child placed with another player are not considered unless the player is a sibling