Maple Valley PONY is very excited about the opportunity to offer this level of baseball to Maple Valley and surrounding communities. The goal of the MVP Baseball Tournament program is to offer players an opportunity to participate in a next level of play.
Tryouts
All players interested in playing on a MVP Tournament Team must register and attend tryouts. Registration for tryouts opens each year in May with actual tryout dates scheduled for mid July.
Teams
MVP Baseball forms one team in each of the 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, and 16U divisions as long as coaching staff is available. Each team will consist of 12-13 players selected by tournament team coaches and select Maple Valley PONY board members. Teams will only be fielded if coaches and Maple Valley PONY board feel that a competitive tournament team at each age group can be assembled.
Cost
Full program fees are determined prior to the opening of tryout registration. There is no cost to register for tryouts. Players selected for a MVP Tournament Team will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit upon accepting their position to the team. Payment for the remaining balance can be completed at the same time or through a scheduled payment plan set by the Maple Valley PONY board.
Player uniforms, tournament fees, umpire fees, and training (as outlined below) are included in the full program fee. Additional costs related to travel expenses are the responsibility of each player.
Training
Training is planned to begin in September based on field availability and 3rd party practice facilities. Coaches will have the option of working with local 3rd party facilities to setup a training schedule tailored to their team or they may opt to use team funds for extra time in cages or additional tournaments. Outside training, if selected by coach, could include six weeks of hitting instruction or pitching instruction offered by outside providers. Outdoor practices will be based around developing core skills in infield, outfield, and base running as well as baseball IQ and overall team defensive drills. Team practices will be scheduled for two to three days per week with the exact days to be determined by each Head Coach.
League & Tournament Play
Tournament play can begin in March and run through July. The goal of the MVP Baseball Program is for each team to possibly play “at least 6-10 tournaments” depending on availability. Tournaments selected will be within Eastern/Western Washington and possibly one in Oregon (this is subject to change based on tournament availability).
MVP Tournament Teams in divisions 10U and older could be registered to play in a local Select league but is at the discretion of each team. The 9U team will play in the Maple Valley PONY Mustang division. The 9U team will not participate in the Maple Valley PONY spring playoffs.