East Lincoln Optimist 2017 Spring Challenge Baseball

East Lincoln Optimist baseball is excited to announce that the Major and Minor league divisions will continue to have challenge teams this spring 2017 season.   

What is Challenge Baseball?

The Challenge program is for players who seek to gain above average baseball skills [] and play baseball games in a more competitive atmosphere.  The goal is to provide an alternative to travel or academy baseball, while allowing players from East Lincoln Optimist to compete in rec and tournament play.

Who Can Play?

• Players must register for the fall East Lincoln Optimist season and actively participate in the spring regular season games

Challenge Teams

• Challenge teams 9U,10U,11U,12U
• Number of teams will be decided based on number of participants and depth of talent
• Number of qualified coaches, pitching depth and demand/interest will also determine the number of teams. 

Tryouts

• Spring tryouts are opened to all East Lincoln Participants will take place late March, early April
• Exact date and time to be determined

Game Schedules

• Games will be played on Sundays
• Sunday only tournaments consist of two games
• Exact times,dates, and locations are determined by the Carolina Challenge Baseball League the week of the tournament
• Number of tournaments played will be determined by the coaches

Practices

• Majority of practices will be on Sundays when not playing in a tournament
• Players are expected to practice with their regular season team during the week

Cost 

• Players pay their original spring ball registration fee to the league
• Additional cost to league for insurance and other is roughly $20 onetime fee for that season
• Additional costs for each tournament played in around $25-$35 per player each tournament (covers tournament entry fees, umpires, field maintenance, etc.)  uniform costs to be determined.

General Information

Tryouts are open to all players registered for and actively participating in the spring season.  Not all players trying out will make the Challenge team.  Challenge baseball is for those players looking to play at a higher level in a competitive atmosphere.  Practices are more designed towards skill development and knowledge of the game.  Challenge baseball does not follow the same rules as the recreational season regarding manual playing time.  If you are more interested in equal playing time and an equal opportunity to play multiple positions, challenge baseball may not be for you.  

There is a sign-up page that's additional to the regular season sign-up, you must signup on both regular season and challenge to receive information and to be eligible. Signing up does not mean your on the team, its simply for informational purposes.