Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Leagues within West Raleigh?
The Spring baseball season traditionally begins with tryouts in February. Teams form and practices start near the end of February, with games beginning around April 1. The end of season tournaments typically take place in late May or early June. The Spring Season includes:
10-12 teams at Modified Coach Pitch (MCP) for ages 5 - 6
10-12 teams at Rookie League (coach pitch) for ages 6 - 8
10-12 teams at Minor League for ages 9 - 10
8-10 teams at Major League for ages 11 - 12
The Fall baseball season begins with tryouts in August. Teams form and practices start near the middle-late of August with games beginning in September. The end of season Tournaments typically take place in late October or early November. The Fall season includes:
8-10 teams at Modified Coach Pitch (MCP) for ages 4-5
10 -12 teams at Rookie League (coach pitch) for ages 5-7
10 -12 teams at Minor League for ages 8-9
6 - 8 teams at Major League for ages 10-11
(All ages as of April 30)
What is the time commitment for Fall and Spring seasons?
Rookie, Minor, and Major team practices are slotted for 1.5 hours, 2-3 times per week during 5:00 – 6:30pm, 6:30 - 8:00pm or 8:00 – 9:30pm time slots (Mon-Fri) or 9:00am - 7:00pm on Saturdays. Games times are 5:30pm and 7:30pm Mon-Fri or between 9:00am - 7:00pm on Saturdays. Modified Coach Pitch – Practices are slotted for 1 hour (two teams will practice together); games are typically 1 hour, 2-3 times per week, 5:00 - 6:00pm or 6:15pm - 7:15pm weekdays or anytime after 1:00pm on Sundays.
What are the costs for West Raleigh?
SPRING -
Major League (ages 11 - 12) - $325
Minor League (ages 9 - 10) - $325
Rookie League (ages 6 - 8) - $325
Modified Coach Pitch (ages 5 - 6) - $225
FALL -
Major League (ages 10 - 11) - $285
Minor League (ages 8 - 9) - $285
Rookie League (ages 5 - 7) - $285
Modified Coach Pitch (ages 4 - 5) - $205
What do the fees cover?
Fees cover practice facilities rentals, administrative fees, facility maintenance fees, insurance, post-game drinks and employee compensation.
Fees do not cover uniforms, slush funds for each team, and the league-wide required raffle each season.
What are guaranteed spots?
Guaranteed spots are given to players who played the previous Spring and Fall seasons in the same League at West Raleigh. Only in the Rookie League, players will be given a guaranteed spot if they make a Spring team - they will finish with the same team until they age out of the Rookie League.
Players are guaranteed Spring to Fall seasons. If a player makes a Spring roster, they are guaranteed a spot in that particular League for the Spring and Fall seasons in that League. Once a player ages up in Leagues, they will not be guaranteed and have to tryout for a roster spot.
EXAMPLE 1: Player A is moving up from Rookie and tries out for a Minor League roster. Player A makes the Tides for Fall 2025. Player A has to try out again in the Spring 2026 to be guaranteed a spot in Minors. Player A tries out and makes the Aviators in Spring 2026. Player A is guaranteed for Fall 2026 on the Tides and Spring 2027 on the Aviators. Player A will then have to try out for a Major League roster for the Fall 2027.
EXAMPLE 2: Player B is 6 years old and tries out for a Rookie roster in the Fall 2025. Player B makes the Squirrels for the Fall 2025 season. Player B has to try out for a Rookie team again in Spring 2026 to be guaranteed a spot in the Rookie League. If Player B makes the Rockhounds Spring 2026 team, they will be on the Rockhounds for the remainder of their Rookie League seasons (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027). Player B will then have to tryout for a Minor League roster for the Fall 2027.
How is MCP Registration and Team Formation Handled?
Each season MCP registration is on a first come first serve basis. The past four seasons, MCP has hit capacity. West Raleigh strives to keep players on the same team each season, but it's not a guarantee. Teams are formed by the MCP commissioner and families can note a team preference in registration or by emailing league@westraleighbaseball.org. Head Coaches will contact families regarding team information the Monday or Tuesday after tryouts.