Latest News (27 March 2002)

Welcome

Hi! Welcome to the Little League Ireland web page. This is where you will find out about Little League youth baseball in Ireland:

  • Playing youth baseball in Ireland;
  • Little League baseball & Tee ball rules;
  • Contacting existing teams;
  • Starting up a new team;
  • Events such as blitzes, league games and coaching sessions;
  • News about special events and trips;
  • Links to youth baseball sites abroad, equipment suppliers etc.

We cater for boys and girls aged 5 to 18 who want to play baseball. Little League Ireland is part of the international Little League organisation as well as the Irish Baseball and Softball Federation. We liase with Baseball Ireland who look after adult baseball in Ireland. If you have any queries about Little League youth baseball, please contact Little League Ireland .

Little League Youth Baseball

Youth baseball is about having fun playing baseball. We encourage children to:-

  • Have a go at baseball.
  • Put in their best effort.
  • Improve their baseball skills.
  • Make friends.
  • Play by the rules.
  • Appreciate / accept everyone in baseball regardless of ability, gender, race, religion etc.

Youth Baseball Ireland is fully committed to safeguarding the well being of the members of Youth Baseball. Everyone should, at all times:-

Playing Youth Baseball

If you would like to join an existing team contact one of the teams listed below. At present there are four teams in the youth baseball league. Teams are mixed so boys and girls play on the teams. We cater for children aged 5 to 18. The Little league Divisions are:

  • Tee Ball and Coach / Machine Pitch Divisions are for children aged 5-8.
  • Minor and Major Little League Divisions are for children aged 9-12, depending on ability .
  • Junior Division is for children aged 13-14.
  • Senior & Big League Divisions are for children aged 14-18.

We use a flexible handicap system for blitzes and league games so everyone gets to play!

If you live too far from an existing team, you can still play at blitzes and attend coaching sessions etc. if you register as a member of Little League Ireland. The fee is 15 Euros which covers insurance and a nominal administrative fee. Email Little League Ireland for details.

If you would like to start up your own team and can persuade two adults to act as coaches/managers, we can help out with coaching ,equipment and advice.

If you want to stay in touch with us, send an email to Little League Ireland and we will inform you of upcoming events.

If you want to help out with coaching or managing a team, please contact us!

Registration and Insurance

Everyone taking part in Little League Ireland events must be registered with Little League Ireland and insured under the IBSF scheme. If you are not registered, you cannot play or apply for a place on an international team. Your registration fee of 15 Euros means that you are insured, in case you or someone else has an accident. The details of the 2001 insurance are given here (Ms Word document). Details of the 2002 insurance scheme will be posted here once they become available.

The chances of being injured at baseball are considerably reduced if players warm up properly, learn the proper skills, always wear helmets and catchers gear etc.when required and obey the coaches instructions.

Existing Teams

At present there are four youth baseball clubs in Ireland. Teams are mixed and cater for boys and girls aged 5 to 18. Three of the teams are in the South Co Dublin / North Wicklow area. The other team is in Downpatrick area in Northern Ireland.

  • Park Panthers (Cabinteeley, Dublin 18).
  • Grange (Dean's Grange, Co. Dublin).
  • Mariners (Greystones, Co. Wicklow).
  • Wolves (Killilea / Downpatrick, Northern Ireland).

Every club has two or three teams. Click here to see the team contact details etc.

We are very keen to start up new clubs in the Stillorgan, Dun Laoghaire, Shankill and Bray areas as well as the Clondalkin area. Contact us if you are interested!

Start Up A New Team

If you are interested in starting up a new team, we can help out with:

  • A basic set of baseball equipment.
  • Instructional videos and brochures.
  • Publicity material and posters
  • Initial coaching etc.

You need a minimum of nine players (and two adults) to start up a team. Twelve players are recommended.

Potential adult coaches and volunteers should apply to Little League Ireland. The application form and declaration form , which are based on the Irish Sports Council's sample forms, are available online.

Youth Softball and Rounders

At present, there are no youth softball teams that we are aware of. However there is a schools softball programme. The Leinster Softball Association runs Saturday morning coaching sessions. Contact Adrian Forster on 087 2631870 for further details.

We are happy to arrange games with youth softball or rounders teams based on a set of common rules!