- WORK PARTIES EVERY SATURDAY MORNING 8AM
- ALL COACHES MUST VOLUNTEER FOR WORK PARTIES
- NO ALCOHOL/TOBACCO/FOUL LANGUAGE ON COMPLEX
- ALL COACHES MUST COMPLETE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR 2022
- SPONSORS NEEDED FOR 2022
Welcome
Subscribe to our NewsletterHEAD COACHES NEEDED FOR 2025 SEASON!
We need head coaches across all levels of baseball and softball for the upcoming season! If you are intersted please complete the Head Coach interest form: https://forms.gle/1VosJHsR4pviVWTv7
Clearances are required - not negotiable. Details are on the form. Please do not fill out if you are looking to be an assistant or helper. Right now we are just focused on finding Head Coaches.
2025 SPRING SEASON REGISTRATION - NOW ACCEPTING SIGNS UP!
Welcome to the 21st Ward Junior Baseball & Softball League, a Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth chartered, all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We are now registering players for the Spring 2025 rec league season. Sign ups end on Feb 28, 2025. Please be sure to use the proper registration form below based on the program and child's birth date. Register your child using the form that corresponds with sport and birthdate. Payment is due at the time of registration. If you are registering more than one player please complete the appropriate form for each player. See below for more details.
2025 PLAYER REGISTRATION FORMS
CAL RIPKEN/BABE RUTH BASEBALL - Players Born May 1, 2009 - April 30, 2018
INSTRUCTIONAL TBALL & COACH PITCH - Players Born May 1, 2018 - June 30, 2021
GIRLS SOFTBALL - Player Born in the years 2012 - 2020
2025 SEASON INFORMATION
Our Spring rec baseball and softball programs are structured in accordance with Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken recommended ages and playing formats. Please do not send "move-up" requests to the league. The league will address these on a case-by-case basis when brought forth for consideration by a coach.or board member.
*Baseball uses a May 1, 2025 cut off date to determine your child's age for the season. Softball uses a Jan 1, 2025. Your child's age is on those respective dates is your child's age for the 2025 season.
| Program | Level | Ages* | 2025 Registration Fee |
| Babe Ruth Baseball | Pony (13-15) | 13 - 15 yr olds |
$175 first player $155 second player (same household) $135 third + player (same household) |
| Cal Ripken Baseball | Majors | 11 & 12 yr olds | |
| Minors | 9 & 10 yr olds | ||
| AAA | 8 & 9 yr olds | ||
| I-Ball (Machine Pitch) | 7 & 8 yr olds (some 6 yr olds*) | ||
| Coach Pitch | 6 yr olds and some 5 yr olds | $85 per player | |
| T-Ball | 4 & 5 yr olds | $85 per player |
| Program | Level | Ages* | 2025 Registration Fee |
| Babe Ruth Softball | Junior Softball | 10 - 12 yr olds | $155 per player (born 2012 - 2017) |
| Pee Wee Softball | 7 - 9 yr olds | ||
| 6U Softball (Little Fillies) | 4 - 6 yr olds | $85 per player (born 2018 - 2020) |
Payments
Payment is due at the time of registration. Acceptable forms of payment below (please note the child's name & DOB on any online payments)
Venmo: @Rox-21stwardjl
Credit/Debit Cards & Paypal: paypal.me/21stwardjl
Check or Money Order payable to 21st Ward Junior League Mail to: 7908 Cadillac Lane Philadelphia, PA 19128
*$25 fee assessed on returned checks
If you have a financial hardship, contact 21stwardregistrar@gmail.com to set up a payment plan. A deposit will be required to secure your child's registration.
FAQs
Before contacting us, click here to see the answers to the most FAQs about our programs.
Expect to hear from your child's coach in the middle of March. See timeline below.
If you can't find the answer or have any difficulty signing your child up, contact 21stwardregistrar@gmail.com We will try to respond as fast as possible - please keep in mind we are volunteers.
2025 Season Timeline
Feb 28th - Registration Closes
First two weeks of March - Baseball & Softball drafts are completed/Rosters formed.
Third week of March - Tball & Coach pitch teams rosters are formed.
Third week of March - Practices begin (weather/field conditions permitting)
April 12th - Opening Day
Roxborough Rumble Tournaments
Are you a local travel/tournament teams who are looking for a fun, competitive, affordable tournament to fill out your 2025 schedule? Join us in June 2025 for our Roxborough Rumble Tournaments! Registration opens on December 19, 2024. Space is limited.
Click the flyer below for details and to register
2025 Roxborough Rebels Travel Baseball & Softball Information
Managers
Thanks to all who submitted their names for consideration to be a travel baseball or softball manager in 2025. As appointments are made, names will be noted below.
Should the results at tryouts offer the opportunity to have more than one team at a particular age group, the manager for the additional team will be named at a later date.
2025 Rebels Managers
| Baseball | |
| 7U | CJ Fink |
| 8U | Joe Brogan |
| 9U | Joe Spinks |
| 10U | Rich Bauer |
| 11U Blue | TBA |
| 11U Red | TBA |
| 12U/2025 Cooperstown | Joe Gratzinger |
| 13U | Jim Brighters |
| 14U | Matt Rizzo |
| 15U | TBA |
| Softball | |
| 8U | Katie Rizzo |
| 10U | Zach Torres |
| 12U | Allie Conroy |
TRAVEL SOFTBALL & BASEBALL TRYOUT INFORMATION
Tryouts for our 2025 travel baseball* and softball teams will be held in early November or in Winter 2025, as noted. Dates/Times/Field Locations will be posted below as soon as they are finalized. Multiple sessions will be offered for each age group to aid in navigating any potential fall sports conflicts. While there is no cost to try out, all players will need to pre-register when tryout pre-registration opens.
Tryout Eligibility for Travel Teams
Players must attend at least one tryout session to be eligible for selection, but it is always recommended that they attend as many as possible.
Players must attend the tryouts that are aligned with their birth dates as noted
All travel players are required to register and play in the 21st Ward Spring Recreational League in Spring 2025 (Registration Opens in December)
Proof of age will be required.
2025 Girls Travel Softball Team Tryout Information
**All 2025 Travel Softball tryouts were completed in November 2024*
Roxborough Rebels 2025 Travel Baseball Team Tryout Information
Dates for each age group will be posted below as they are finalized.
**9U - 14U 2025 Travel Baseball tryouts were completed in November 2024 *
*Players who are born between 5/1/18 - 4/30/19 (League Age 6) are also welcome to try out for 7U.
Players must try out in their defined age group.
Additional tryout sessions may be added if needed
WINTER PITCHING CAMP
To sign up for the Winter Pitching Camp scan the QR code above or visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4FA4A829AAFB6-54739138-ibiroxborough#/
Become a 2025 Sponsor!
Sponsorship Details & Information available here
Ready to join us as a sponsor? Complete the Sponsorship Registration Form
2025 Roxborough Rebels Travel Team Rosters
Thank you to all the players who are trying out for our Spring/Summer 2025 travel Roxborough Rebels teams. As teams are selected, we will post the rosters below:
Dash Henry
BABE RUTH/CAL RIPKEN LEAGUE BACKGROUND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken leagues require a specific set of background checks, child abuse clearances, and abuse prevention trainings for volunteers who have consistent and direct contact with players through league sanctioned activities every 2 years. Because you reside in Pennsylvania, you must complete the Pennsylvania requirements in addition to the Babe Ruth League requirements.
Below you will find the links and instructions to obtain your background checks. Please be aware it takes up to 5 business days for your submitted clearances to be reviewed by Babe Ruth League. The cost for clearances is $25.50.
STEP 1: PENNSYLVANIA BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS
Be sure to electronically save the following three documents as you receive them. You will need them for Step 2 (Babe Ruth Requirements)
1: PA Child Abuse History Clearance (free):
• Form found at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
(Click the link for an “Individual Login” or “Create Individual Account” if you do not have one.)
2. PA Criminal Record Check (free):
• Form found at https://epatch.state.pa.us (Click “New Record Check Volunteers Only”)
If there is no record, you will receive a downloadable document indictaton “no record.” If there is a criminal record, your results may take a couple weeks.
3: Disclosure Statement or FBI Fingerprint Clearance: One of these options must be completed even if clearances came from another organization:
Option 1: If you have been a resident of the Commonwealth of PA for AT LEAST the past 10 YEARS, complete, sign and submit the “Disclosure Statement for Volunteers” form which can be downloaded and printed
Option 2: If you have NOT been a resident of the Commonwealth of PA for AT LEAST the past 10 YEARS, you will be required in accordance with PA Law to obtain an FBI federal background clearance (Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)) which involves fingerprinting. The cost is $18. To complete this process, use the following website and follow the steps: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks. You will need to obtain your fingerprints first. You can identify the nearest FBI fingerprint location here by entering your zip code. https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/org/USPS
By completing the above requirements, you will have a clearance to volunteer with children in Pa. for five years. However, for Babe Ruth League volunteers, you must also complete Step 2.
STEP 2: BABE RUTH LEAGUE CLEARANCES
You will need to follow this link to access the Babe Ruth Background Screen Registration:
https://baberuthsafety.sportngin.com/register/form/919008586If you do not already have an account, you will need to create one by clicking the “Create an Account” link at the bottom of the page. Advance through this process by clicking the green continue buttons on the page as you fill out your information.
Continue scrolling to the bottom of the page where it asks you if you volunteer in Pennsylvania. Select “Yes” and upload your three documents from STEP 1 above. Continue answering the questions and clicking the green Continue or Review button at the bottom of the page until you complete the process.
Once you complete the process, you will be asked to complete the abuse prevention training. If you have taken this training from other organizations, you can skip the videos and just answer the quiz questions. If you have not gone through the training, you will need to watch the videos and complete the quiz questions. You will receive a score immediately after completing the quiz. You must pass the quiz to complete the training.
After you have completed the steps above it will take the Babe Ruth league up to 5 business days to review your background checks and get your name cleared to volunteer. If there are any issues with your background check, you and your league President will be contacted.
Your Babe Ruth League clearances are good for 2 years.
Any questions can be directed to Babe Ruth League at pat@baberuthleague.org or 800-880-3142.
Additional information for league admins can be found at:
More resources are available at: https://www.baberuthleague.org/child-protection-program
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCESS
We will always make every effort possible to play but the safety of the players, coaches, umpires, and spectators is our top priority, as well as providing proper notification to the umpires. In the event we need to cancel games to due to the weather we will do so as soon as possible by notifying managers via email or text, as well as announcing on our website and on our league Facebook page.
ABOUT THE 21st WARD JUNIOR LEAGUE
that serves the children of Northwest Philadelphia (the 21st Ward).
We have no paid employees, and can provide sports activities to resident children only through volunteer efforts and participation. Fees are designed to cover the cost of the baseball and softball programs that we offer. The parents or guardians of each child participating in the League's programs are asked to provide 2 hours of time per season in field maintenance and trash pickup to enable us to keep costs low and to maintain our quality facilities that are enjoyed by all.
INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTIFICATIONS & RAIN OUTS
ALWAYS assume your game is on unless your coach contacts you to tell you otherwise. Inclement weather announcements will be posted on our website and on our Facebook page at the earliest possible time. We always aim to make final decisions at least 90 mins prior to game time, but depending on the situation that is not always possible. The league will contact all coaches via email and/or text to notify them of any cancellations, delays, or postponements. Your coaches will then relay that information to you.
NEW BAT RULES IN 2018
With holiday shopping season fast approaching, we want the 21st Ward community to be up to speed on the new bat regulations that will be going into effect Jan 1, 2018. Cal Ripken & Babe Ruth Baseball will be adopting the new USA Bat standards. The new bats are designed to behave more like traditional wood bats. As discussed at the 11/15 General Body Meeting, as a Cal Ripken & Babe Ruth chartered league, it is our intent to adopt these new standards for our in-house program for the 2018 season for the AAA - Pony levels. If you want to see a list of the individual bats, sorted by bat manufacturer that are approved, visit www.usabat.com The key thing you are looking for is the USA bat stamp on the bat. Below are the new specifications for 2018.
ATTENTION MANAGERS & COACHES FOR 2016:
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COACHING A TOURNAMENT TEAM FOR CAL RIPKEN/BABE RUTH BASEBALL DISTRICTS/STATES/REGIONALS,YOU MUST PASS 1 CERTIFICATION COURSE ON CAL RIPKEN/BABE RUTH BASEBALL WEBSITE. THIS IS MANDATORY. ONCE COMPLETED, EMAIL YOUR CERTIFICATES TO AN ELECTED BOARD MEMBER.
ALL MANAGERS & COACHES MUST HAVE THIS CERTIFICATION. EVEN IF YOU PLAN ON PUTTING YOUR NAME IN FOR A TOURNAMENT TEAM OR POSSIBLY COACHING WITH A MANAGER, YOU MUST BE CERTIFIED.
IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED TO TAKE THESE COURSES EVEN IF YOU ARE ONLY COACHING IN-HOUSE. YOU WILL LEARN A WHOLE LOT. YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE COURSE AND MATERIALS AT ALL TIMES VIA CAL RIPKEN/BABE RUTH WEBSITE.
HERE IS THE WEBSITE:
http://www.baberuthcoaching.org/coaches/index.cfm
HERE IS THE COST: (PAID BY MANAGERS/COACHES)
REMEMBER, YOU ONLY NEED 1 CERTIFICATION. YOU CAN TAKE THE COURSE AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT TO PASS AND ONLY PAY ONCE. CONSIDER TAKING THE 2 BASEBALL COURSES. IT WILL OPEN YOUR EYES IMMEDIATELY. OUR KIDS WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS RIGHT AWAY.
HERE IS WHAT THE DOCUMENT LOOKS LIKE AFTER COMPLETION OF THE COURSE. YOU WILL NEED TO CARRY A WALLET SIZE WITH YOU COACHING AND SEND A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT BABE RUTH SITE TO NICK.ROSLEY@HOTMAIL.COM. CERTIFICATE ONLY, NOT TRANSCRIPT.
THANK YOU, 21ST WARD JL BASEBALL
COACHES: HERE IS A LINK FOR GREAT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS:
https://www.ripkenbaseball.com/instructional_videos
NO SMOKING/NO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES!
Contacting The Junior League
TO CONTACT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE:
1)TO KEEP YOUR QUESTION/COMMENTS PRIVATE. SEND US AN E-MAIL: 21stwardregistrar@gmail.com
2) To send email or reach a League Officer or Board Member by phone, go to the League Contacts and select mail for that official, if available. If email is not available, please contact by phone.
3) For RAIN OUTS, the league will communicate directly with team Managers. All inclement weather updates will be posted on our website and on our Facebook page in as timely manner as possible. Always assume the game is on until your manager tells you otherwise.
to respect my teammates, my opponents, the coaches, and umpires
and to improve myself in spirit, mind, and body.
I will positively support all managers, coaches, and players.
I will respect the decisions of the umpires.
I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game.
