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Age Group Guides

Not sure what travel baseball looks like at your son's age? These guides break down the Central Ohio landscape by age group — what to expect, how many programs are out there, and how to find the right fit for your family.

7U
What to expect at 7U
Is your child ready? Explore programs, what they look like, and what to look for.
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8U
What to expect at 8U
Where most families start. Over 25 programs, commitment levels, and finding the right fit.
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9U
What to expect at 9U
Kid pitch! Real baseball (sortof) Dozens of programs, competitive tiers, and choosing wisely.
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10U
What to expect at 10U
Still young, but the game is growing. Around 40 programs, what changes, and finding the right fit.
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11U
What to expect at 11U
The field gets bigger, the pitching distance grows, and the game starts to look like real baseball.
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12U
What to expect at 12U
A landmark year. Cooperstown, Cal Ripken trips, and the highlight of many families' youth baseball experience.
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13U
What to expect at 13U
The game gets bigger in every way. Bigger fields, wider physical differences, and middle school baseball conflicts.
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14U
What to expect at 14U
The biggest transition in youth baseball. Full-size fields, the summer before high school, and a whole new game.
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15U
What to expect at 15U
A compressed summer schedule, real playing time questions, and choosing the right competitive level.
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16U
What to expect at 16U
Fewer players, more serious competition, and the beginning of real college recruiting activity.
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17U
What to expect at 17U
The last great summer. College recruiting converges with travel baseball heading into senior year.
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18U
What to expect at 18U
The last stop. A small group of players who love the game enough to play one more summer, on their own terms.
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General Guides

Helpful resources for families navigating the travel baseball landscape.

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What age group should my son play?
The May 1 rule, grade-based exceptions, playing up, and how eligibility actually works in Central Ohio.
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T
What to expect at tryouts
How to prepare, what coaches are looking for, and what the tryout tells you about the program.
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$
What do player fees actually cover?
Where the money goes, what's included, what isn't, and how to compare costs across programs.
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Competition levels explained
Developmental, Locally Competitive, Regionally Competitive, National Schedule — what they mean and how to find the right fit.
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🧤
What equipment does my son need?
From gloves to bats to cleats — what to buy, what to skip, and what the rules require.
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🏟
How does COYBL work?
How Central Ohio Youth Baseball League organizes divisions, schedules, and competition — and why it matters.
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Travel baseball vs. rec league
What's different, what it costs, and how to know if the time is right for your family.
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