HRYB Program Descriptions
Welcome to Herndon Reston Youth Baseball!
We are a proud member club in the Cal Ripken Baseball Organization committed to our kids, our communities and promoting a love of the game. We welcome ALL players with or without experience who desire to have fun and develop skills.
All division ages are determined by the players' age as of April 30 and we welcome boys and girls between the ages of 3-12 years old.
Drafted Divisions
Gear Requirements: Baseball glove, baseball pants, cleats if possible. HRYB provides helmets and bats.
Majors
The majors are geared for players who can properly apply fielding, throwing, and hitting fundamentals most of the time. Development focuses on more advanced base running, pitching, and situational skills. Unique to Cal Ripken, our upper tier for our most experienced players introduces 70-foot base paths and a 50-foot pitching distance.
NO OTHER HOUSE PROGRAM IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN FAIRFAX COUNTY OFFERS 50-70 IN HOUSE BASEBALL!
The benefits:
- A smoother transition to the larger 90-foot field
- Runners are allowed to lead off
- Stealing is permitted
- Pitchers get to work on "pitching from the stretch" -- a technique to shorten the pitching motion to give base runners less time to steal a base
- Catchers gain experience on throwing runners out at bases
- Fielders are exposed to constant changing circumstances as runners change positions
Minors
The minors are geared for players who can demonstrate fundamental throwing, fielding, and hitting skills, but are still learning to apply them at game speed. Player pitching is introduced, and players begin to adapt to hitting pitched balls.
Non-Drafted Divisions
Teams formed around neighborhoods where possible.
Machine Pitch
A player’s first experience with an umpire. Machine pitch serves as a transition from coach pitch to more complete baseball skills. Players gain confidence in the batter’s box through a consistent pitching machine. As one of our best offerings, players often spend 2-3 seasons in Machine Pitch depending on skill level. Typically 7-8 year olds.
Coach Pitch
(one practice and one Saturday game)
For players who demonstrate all of the tee ball skills. Coaches serve as the pitcher for all innings using a soft leather ball. Focus shifts to the whole game, including defense and making outs. Typically 5-7 year olds.
Tee Ball
(one practice and one Saturday game)
Players hit from a tee, and begin to learn the fundamentals of hitting, throwing and catching. Focus is on enjoyment of the game. Typically 4-6 year olds.
Blastball
(One hour on Saturdays, 30 min practice followed by 30 min game)
A Guardian-and-Me experience and a great introduction to baseball for 3-4 year olds. The field consists of a home plate and one base. Players learn to hit the ball and run to first base.
Buddy Ball
(Spring Only: one hour on Sunday mornings in April and May)
Buddy Ball is a free program that pairs 5-15 year old girls and boys who have developmental or physical disabilities with high school or adult buddies to have fun, build confidence and self-esteem, and learn sportsmanship and love of the game. Practice/games combine elements of tee ball, coach pitch and kid pitch to accommodate children of varying skill levels.