Baseball

Our baseball program is part of the Intertown Baseball League, which is comprised of teams from Byfield-Newbury, Salisbury, Georgetown, Rowley, Merrimac, Seabrook, West Newbury, and Groveland. As such, travel will be required to surrounding communities. The following information about our four different divisions of baseball is provided to help parents understand the various levels of play.

SINGLE A is a coach-pitched level of play for 1st graders. Basic skills such as throwing, catching, and batting stance are taught. Teams meet twice a week for short practice/warm-ups, followed by a controlled game (4-5 innings) against Rowley, Salisbury, or other Byfield-Newbury teams. There is a 6-swing max per at-bat before a Tee is used (After the first five games, tees are no longer used, and a player is out after six swings). An inning is over after three outs or five runs scored. Scores are not recorded, and coaches serve as umpires. 

DOUBLE A (also known as Farm) is appropriate for players in the 2nd grade. It is designed to help players make the challenging transition from coach-pitched games to player-pitched games. The game rules at this level are a combination of rules used in SINGLE A and TRIPLE A (including a limited amount of walks per inning to keep games moving while still developing young pitchers). The players pitch from 40 feet, and the base paths are 60 feet. This level emphasizes developing pitchers and basic game techniques in the infield.  

TRIPLE A (also known as the Minors) is appropriate for players in the 3rd and 4th grades and is geared toward introducing players to higher levels of competition and skill development. At this level of play, all pitching is done by players, and pitching is strictly monitored (i.e., limited innings per week) for safety and development. The players pitch from 46 feet, and the base paths are 60 feet.

The Major League is appropriate for players in the 5th and 6th grades and represents the most competitive level of play in ITBL. Players should have developed a good grasp of the basic rules of play and have appropriate batting and fielding skills to play in a competitive environment against their peers. Teams play on fields that have 70-foot base paths. The pitcher’s mound is a distance of 50 feet from home plate.

Are uniforms and equipment provided, or are they purchased separately?

Players at all levels will receive a team jersey, hat, and socks, which should be worn to each game. Players purchase white baseball pants separately.

Players should bring their own appropriate-sized glove and, if they wish, a bat and helmet. Each team has extra helmets and bats if needed. The league also provides each team with catcher's gear.

What are the residency requirements to register in BNBSL baseball programs?

Our residency requirement policy has been adopted to be consistent with the surrounding communities where BNBSL engages in competitive and non-competitive play. A player is considered to be a resident if at least one of the following conditions are met: 

• The player's primary residence is within the town of Newbury, Massachusetts, including Byfield.
• The player attends Newbury Elementary School either as a resident or a school choice program student.
• One of the player's parents or legal guardians maintains a permanent residence within the town of Newbury.

If you have a question about whether you meet the residency requirements, please contact the registrar.