J Baseball is a recreational youth baseball program open to children from all over Kansas City. For the 2025 season, official team practices will begin the week of March 24 with games starting April 14. Regular season games will be played through July 2. Post season tournaments for 3rd grade and older teams will take place July 7 - July 13. 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, league provided practice fields will be at Shawnee Mission schools and Overland Park city fields. Individual teams may secure their own practice fields elsewhere. League provided practice fields are allocated through a process to be described at the pre-season coaches' meetings.
For more information or questions, contact Ben Heger at 913-399-3045 or [email protected]
Registration for the 2025 season opens December 9, 2024. All players register individually, but head coaches may register for a team code which can be provided to parents when registering their child, those without a specific coach may register as a "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, which is generally for players with some combination of more experience and or stronger skills, as well as the National League, which is for players with less experience or skill. Teams may 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.
2025 Age Divisions, Registration Dates and Fees
T-Ball
| 4/5 year olds, Kindergarten 8/2025 | T-Ball | $130 | $140 | -$45 |
Coach Pitch
| Current Kindergartners | Coach Pitch | $150 | $170 | -$50 |
Junior 1
| Current 1st Graders
| Machine Pitch | $175 | $195 | -$55 |
Junior 2/American | Current 2nd Graders | Machine Pitch | $185 | $205
| -$60
|
Junior 2/National | Current 2nd Graders | Machine Pitch | $185 | $205 | -$60 |
Junior 3/4 American | Current 3rd/4th Graders | Machine Pitch
| $195 | $215 | -$65
|
Junior 3/4 National | Current 3rd/4th Graders | Machine Pitch | $195 | $215 | -$65 |
Senior 3
| Current 3rd Graders | Player Pitch | $195 | $215 | -$65 |
Senior 4/American | Current 4th Graders | Player Pitch | $215 | $235 | -$75 |
Senior 4/National | Current 4th Graders | Player Pitch | $195 | $215 | -$65 |
Senior 5/6 American | Current 5th/6th Graders | Player Pitch | $215 | $235 | -$75 |
Senior 5/6 National | Current 5th/6th Graders | Player Pitch | $195 | $215 | -$65 |
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 Feb.17. 50% refunds are available through March 2. No refunds are available after March 2.
Individuals and teams (whether partial or complete) are welcome to join J Baseball. New teams should contact Ben Heger at 913-399-3045 or [email protected] for additional information. Those registering without a team are considered “free agents” and will be placed on a team by the League administrator.
Most games are played at the Jewish Community Center located at 115th and Nall in Overland Park. The baseball and softball 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. The League provides Overland Park city fields and Shawnee Mission School District fields for practices.
Any team securing their own practice space will be reimbursed $50 by The J upon proof of receipt. For those looking to use The City of Prairie Village fields, information regarding their field/practice rentals can be found HERE.
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. Teams will be combined into one division if there are not at least 10 teams within an age group.
Regular season games will be played through July 2. The post season tournaments for Junior 3/4, Senior 3 and older teams will take place July 7-13. 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 tournament, while the top ranked team in the National League Standings plays in American League tournament.
Click HERE for a chart of division specific rules and format.
T-Ball for 4/5 year olds (entering kindergarten in the Fall of 2025)
A fun, skill 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 are kept – is introduced as the program evolves during the season. Team groups usually consist of 8-9 players.
Sundays - 9:00am and 10:00am, May 18 - June 29 (times rotate weekly) Fields 3, 4 and 5 at The J
(does not meet on May 25)
For all divisions listed below, practices officially begin the week of March 24 (individual teams may begin earlier or later) and games begin as early as April 14.)
Coach Pitch for current Kindergartners (2024-2025 school year)
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 – usually on weekends - with 60 minute time limit per game. 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.
JUNIOR DIVISONS
All Junior divisions are machine pitch. 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.
Click HERE for a Chart of Division specific rules and format
Junior 1 for current 1st graders (2024-2025 school year)
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 (2024-2025 school year)
American (more advanced teams) and National divisions are offered. 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 (2024-2025 school year)
American (more advanced teams) and National divisions are offered. 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. There will be a post season tournament.
SENIOR DIVISIONS
All senior divisions are kid pitch with portable mounds. 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 Senior Division, with the exception of Senior 3, offers two league choices. American for more advanced and experienced players and National for less experienced and competitive players.
Click HERE for a Chart of Division specific rules and format
Senior 3 for current 3rd graders (2024-2025 school year)
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.
Senior 4 for current 4th graders (2024-2025 school year)
American (more advanced teams) and National divisions are offered. Each team in the American Division is scheduled to play 12 games while those in the National Division will be scheduled to play 10 games. All games have a 90 minute time limit. Games will be played throughout the week. Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined. There will be a post season tournament.
Senior 5/6 for current 5th and 6th graders (2024-2025 school year)
American (more advanced teams) and National divisions are offered. Each team in the American Division is scheduled to play 12 games while those in the National Division will be scheduled to play 10 games. All games have a 90 minute time limit. Games will be played throughout the week. Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined. There will be a post season tournament.
Senior 7/8 for current 7th and 8th graders (2024-2025 school year)
Each team is scheduled to play 12 games. All games have a 105 minute time limit. Games will be played throughout the week. Coaches can submit blackout days/times before the schedule is determined. There will be a post season tournament.