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Underwood Optimist Club

Underwood Optimist Club

Baseball Program Information

BASEBALL REGISTRATION OPEN: 2/3/2025-2/24/2025 (No registrations will be allowed after jersey orders are submitted). Prior to registering, review the 'Baseball Information' tab on the website to learn more about related equipment needs, jerseys, and player expectations. (If asked to purchase equipment as part of the registration checkout process, please know that is a marketing approach by the website provider and is not associated with the Underwood Optimist Club. There is a section for the BSN Store on our website which is the apparel store used by Underwood Community Schools Underwood Eagles Fan Gear / BSN Sports Store).

Register your player for the CURRENT AGE GROUP as per registration.

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The Underwood Boys Youth Baseball program is sponsored by the Underwood Optimist Club through its affiliation with the Western Iowa Boys Baseball League (WIBBL). All rules and regulations to be followed as set forth by WIBBL. Information regarding WIBBL can be found at: WIBBL

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ELIGIBILITY:

As per WIBBL Rules: Article II, Section 2: Section 2 - A player must play for the town team that they attended school at the time of the roster deadline (April 1st) or live in (year-round). However, if a player is in 7th or 8th grade, the player must attend the school district in which the community is in.

If your player does not attend Underwood Community Schools, please reach out to '[email protected]' before registering your player to determine if he is eligible to play for an Underwood Youth Baseball team.
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

The Underwood Optimist Club believes in sponsoring youth centered programs offering opportunities for all, regardless of financial status. Should you need financial assistance for the enrollment of a player in this program, or for required safety equipment to participate, please reach out to '[email protected]'.

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PROGRAM COSTS:

The program cost for each player to participate will vary depending on the Division in which they are enrolled due to WIBBL Team Fees, Uniforms, the anticipated number of home games requiring the cost of field preparation, Umpires, and Game Balls, etc.:

7u (Coach Pitch) = $65 (program fee of $25 plus $20 jersey, and $20 hat fees)
9u = $95 (program fee of $55 plus $20 jersey, and $20 hat fees)
11u = $175 (program fee of $100 plus $55 custom jersey, and $20 hat fee)
13u = $175 (program fee of $100 plus $55 custom jersey, and $20 hat fee)

***Players must be registered for the division corresponding to their AGE/Grade as of May 1, 2025***

The number of players on each team is dependent upon number of participants registered per division. The Optimist Club believes that 12 players per team is optimum, however, we will not turn away participants if the number is above this recommended team size. The Underwood Optimist Club will have final determination if (and which) participants need to be moved up to a higher age divisions to ensure there are sufficient players for each division team.

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VOLUNTEER HOURS/FEES:

This baseball program runs only because of generous volunteer hours and donations. At least one member of each registered family will be asked to contribute approximately 2 hours of volunteer time OR pay a $25 volunteer fee per family per program. If you do not register for a volunteer slot, you will be charged the $25 at checkout, no exceptions.

There are multiple volunteer roles to choose from including head coach, assistant coach, dugout manager, scoreboard operator, and concessions. Additional details for each role are included in the registration process.

Note: You may register yourself as the volunteer when registering, even if another member of your family will be doing the volunteer work.

If you choose to pay the $25 non-volunteer fee during registration but change your mind and volunteer during the season, the fee will be refunded once the volunteer hours are completed. Please reach out to '[email protected]' with any questions.

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2025 WIBBL LEAGUE CALENDAR:
March 3, 2025 @ ? pm (Underwood): Preseason Board Meeting
March 30, 2025 @ 2 pm (Underwood): Preseason Scheduling Meeting (Town Coordinators and All Head Coaches must attend)
April 1, 2025: WIBBL Team Fees Due (***Preferred paid at the scheduling meeting***)
April 13, 2025: Opening Day for WIBBL Games
June 18, 2025 @ 11 pm: Last Day for WIBBL Regular Season Division Games 11u/13u to be played.
June 23-June 28, 2025 (TBD): WIBBL Tournament Games

**Head Coaches are responsible for scheduling the day/time for practices and games once teams are determined and are not known at the time of registration. The coaches will do their best to reach out to the parents/players to determine the schedule around player conflicts whenever possible. Be sure to include any known recurring or multiday (vacation) conflicts during registration). Parents should expect 10-24 games during the regular season (more for older age divisions and less for younger age divisions).

CANCELLATION POLICY:
If you need to cancel registration, email [email protected]. Any credit card and service fees that were paid will not be able to be refunded. If cancellation occurs after jerseys have been ordered, the jersey fee will not be refunded. The program fee is eligible to be refunded via check or Venmo.

NOTE: SportsConnect offers registration insurance, GAP Medical coverage, and also will ask you during registration about purchasing equipment through the website. Please know that this is not affiliated with Underwood Optimist Club as this is marketing through SportsConnect and we cannot help with questions regarding this. If you wish to purchase fan gear, please go to the Underwood Eagles Fan Gear section on our website.

PLAYER/POSITION EXPECTATIONS

NOTE: All of the following information regarding playing time and positions in all divisions can be altered by the coaches based upon the players attitude, effort, practice and game attendance, and respect shown to opposing teams, teammates, coaches, umpires, etc.

7u Division
 (Coach Pitch)

  • Developmental division with an emphasis on teaching the boys the basics of the game of baseball. 
  • Expect an equal amount of playing time on the field over the course of the season.  
  • All players should have opportunities to play all the positions over the duration of the season. The exception to this would be that for safety reasons, players that have difficulty paying attention consistently, the coach may choose to not put them in the pitching, catching, or 1st base positions. These positions consistently have more in game action in this division than others and the players must be able to focus on the batter hitting the ball at them, or having a ball thrown to them.  
  • Games are 1 hr. from first pitch (usually 2-3 innings)
  • Expect to play ~10-14 games/season.


9u Division

  • Very developmental in nature
  • Expect an equal amount of playing time on the field over the course of the season.  
  • Boys in this division should learn to play each position on the field except for pitcher, catcher, and 1st base.
    • PITCHING: Boys who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club and/or Underwood Highschool Baseball Coaches/Players, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~5-7 pitchers on a team.  
    • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a baseball team.  Boys who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt (if chosen to use).  Generally, a 9u Division team may have 2-4 catchers.  
    • 1st BASE:  Boys who want to play this position need to be aware this position will have significant in-game action and will require player to demonstrate an ability to follow the game and receive throws from any position on the field
  • Games are 1 hour 20 minutes from first pitch (generally 3-5 innings)
  • Expect to play ~14-18 games /season.


11u Division

  • More competitive environment.  WIBBL requires teams to keep score and report scores to WIBBL for regular season standings and for seeding in the post season WIBBL tournaments. While winning is great for team spirit and morale, it is important to still focus on developing each of the players on the team.
  • Players should expect to play a fair amount, but playing time will not always be fully equal amongst all players.  Coaches will begin working with players to focus on up to ~3-4 positions based upon each player’s skill set.  
    • INFIELD POSITIONS:  If a player is unable to throw a ball from 3rd base to 1st base, the coach may choose to not allow that player to play third base until their ability has improved to complete the fundamentals of the position.  If a player wants to play 1st Base, he must be able to prove to the coaches that he can catch a reasonable amount of the on target throws made to them and/or show ability to attempt to stop/block throws that are not on target.  
    • PITCHING:  Boys who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club and/or Underwood Highschool coaches and players, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~5-7 pitchers on a team.
    • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a baseball team in the 11u Division.  Boys who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position outside of practices and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process (off season pitching practice sessions, winter camps, and team practices) to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt.  Additionally, the player should be able to catch pitches, block balls, make throws to 1st base on dropped 3rd Strike calls, reasonably throw down to 2nd and 3rd base on a steal, and hustle for past balls to backstop.   Ideally a team would have 2-3 catchers.  
  • Games are 1 hour 40 minutes from first pitch (5 innings max).
  • Expect to play ~16-20 games/season


13u Division (through age 14 if not in 8th grade)

  • More competitive environment.  WIBBL requires teams to keep score and report scores to WIBBL for regular season standings and for seeding in the post season WIBBL tournaments. While winning is great for team spirit and morale, it is important to still focus on developing each of the players on the team.
  • Playing time may not be equal over the duration of the season based upon skill levels. Coaches will continue to focus on development of each player in ~1-3 positions based upon each player’s skill set.
    • INFIELD POSITIONS:  If a player is unable to throw a ball from 3rd base to 1st base, the coach may choose to not allow that player to play third base until their ability has improved to complete the fundamentals of the position.  If a player wants to play 1st Base, he must be able to prove to the coaches that he can catch a reasonable amount of the good throws made to him and/or show ability to attempt to stop/block throws that are not on target.  
    • PITCHING:  Players who may want to pitch in games are highly encouraged to attend as many pitching instruction opportunities as possible.  This includes clinics offered by Underwood Optimist Club and/or Underwood Highschool coaches and players, participating in team practices focused on pitching, and/or completing outside training at home or with an instructor. Coaches will determine if the player shows enough ability and understanding of complete pitching mechanics to allow them to pitch in games without being detrimental to the player’s self-confidence. Expect to have ~3-5 pitchers on a team.
    • CATCHING:  This is arguably the most important position on a baseball team in the 13u Division.  Players who want to catch should start working on the skills of this position outside of practices and catching for the teams’ pitchers early in the process (off season pitching practice sessions, winter camps, and team practices) to get used to wearing all the protective gear and catcher’s mitt.  Additionally, the player should be able to catch pitches, block balls, make throws to 1st base on dropped 3rd Strike calls, reasonably throw down to 2nd and 3rd base on a steal, and hustle for past balls to backstop.   Ideally a team would have 2-3 catchers.  
  • Games are 1 hour 50 minutes from first pitch (6 innings max).
  • Expect to play ~18-22 games/season

Baseball Equipment Information

The following equipment is required or recommended for all baseball participants.  If you need financial assistance for purchasing equipment, please email [email protected]

REMEMBER TO LABEL ALL EQUIPMENT WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME.


GLOVE:  choose a glove that fits properly.  Suggested sizes:

BATTING HELMET:  WIBBL requires batting helmets but does not have any chin strap, wire cage, or jaw protection requirement, but it is recommended to have some sort of facial protection. Helmets are not provided by the Underwood Optimist Club.


BATS:  Each team will have a shared team bat, so purchasing  your own personal bat is optional.  Do not be tempted to buy the bat that looks cool, but buy the bat that can be swung properly by your athlete (consider both length and weight).  Suggested sizes:

Baseball Uniform Information

Uniform Guidelines for 2025

Hats:
All Divisions for baseball will be required to wear a similar style/color hat on each team.  A new style will be used in 2025.  These will be ordered along with jerseys.

Jerseys:
  • 7u and 9u Divisions will receive a t-shirt style jersey with player name and number on the back
  • Shirts available in youth sizes S, M, L and Adult sizes S-2XL
  • Shirts may be worn multiple seasons if styles remain available
  • The same shirt worn in 2024 is what will be used for 2025 seasons
  • IMAGE: Jersey for 7u & 9u Baseball





  • New for 2025 - 11u and 13u Divisions will receive a short-sleeve two-button sublimated baseball jersey with player name and number on the back
  • Jerseys only available in adult sizes
  • Jerseys will be worn for multiple seasons, so order sizes accordingly (this will decrease future annual registration costs)

Pants:
7u, 9u, 11u, and 13u teams will be required to wear pants as players will be required to slide if there are safety concerns with a specific play.  Coaches will determine the required pant color for each team.

Cleats:
Molded cleats are preferred but not required.  Per WIBBL rules, metal cleats are NOT allowed.

Registration Listing

No Programs are Currently Displayed

There are no programs or divisions available at the moment. Please contact your club administrator with any questions.

2024/2025 Youth Baseball Winter Clinics Registration Listing

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There are no programs or divisions available at the moment. Please contact your club administrator with any questions.

Contact

Underwood Optimist Club
PO Box 75 
Underwood, Iowa 51576

Email: [email protected]

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