Information on EBSA Travel Baseball

For current 3rd graders through 6th graders, the travel team is an additional season of baseball following the house league. To be eligible to play travel, a player must play in the EBSA house league. 7th and 8th grade travel teams are formed in the fall and do not play in an EBSA house league.

Team Formation: At the tryouts, players are evaluated in several categories including: hitting; infield fielding; infield and outfield throws; and pitching, as well as performance in the previous travel season if applicable. Thereafter, as many teams will be formed as the talent and numbers prescribe. At least one team is generally considered the A team and the other(s) the B team. These teams will play in different divisions of the Lake Shore Feeder Baseball League.

Lake Shore Feeder Baseball League: The LSFBL is a league that includes teams from Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Glenview, Northbrook, Park Ridge and Lake Bluff. It is a competitive league where wins and losses are tracked and a playoff tournament occurs the last week of July.

Season: Depending on the age level, the teams will play a 14 to 16 game season starting from mid-June through the third week of July. That equates to roughly 2 games per week. In addition, EBSA enters the teams in two other tournaments. Each team will have a tournament over the Memorial Day weekend (house league does not have games over this weekend). A second tournament is often scheduled around the 4th of July holiday. The 12U teams travel to Cooperstown, NY for a week long tournament in June. The LSFBL playoffs are a single elimination tournament that runs through the last week of July. No matter what, the season is over the last Sunday in July. The actual regular LSFBL season schedule for each team will not be known until mid-May.

Practices: It is expected that the teams will practice at least once if not twice per week during the regular season (usually at James Park) and will most likely practice once a week after the teams are chosen but before the season starts. Practices must not conflict with the house league season. House league takes precedent over any travel activities until that season is done. The 9U to 11U travel teams will most likely not start practice until late April or early May.

Each player must commit to not missing more than a week during the travel season, basically from Memorial Day forward. For example, a week at Camp Echo is acceptable. However, two week Camp Echo trips or other longer family vacations, etc. means that a player should not tryout. Additionally, each player must be present for the last week of July during the LSFBL playoffs.

Cost: The travel fee for the 2012 season has not been set but is estimated to be $400 (in addition to the house league fee). The fee includes the full uniform, LSFBL fees, umpire costs, coach expenses, tournament fees and equipment. Scholarships are available through EBSA.

The bottom line is that the travel teams play at a high level of competition and require a strong commitment from both player and their family. Basically, your summer through the end of July will consist of many trips to James Park and surrounding suburbs… and a lot of baseball. The games are fun and exciting. For those looking to continue playing baseball at a higher level beyond house league, then this may be an option. In addition, EBSA runs a July Ball league which is competitive baseball in a more relaxed environment. EBSA will form as many July Ball teams as there are interested players and coaches. These teams play each other as well as teams from Kenilworth, Winnetka and Wilmette. There are no tryouts for July Ball. More information on this league will be provided toward the close of the spring house league.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of us.

Dave Haracz (dolanharacz@sbcglobal.net)

Bill Evans (bill.c.evans@comcast.net)

Steve Brown (stevebrownmail@gmail.com)