Greetings from the Grand Forks Youth Baseball Association!

We understand that there are likely MANY questions.  We have created the following page to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. We understand that not all questions may be answered or addressed here.  For any additional information or if you still have questions, please feel free to contact us at schauerpower15@gmail.com or jerods1@gra.midco.net

FAQ: Who is the Grand Forks Youth Baseball Association?

Grand Forks Youth Baseball is a youth baseball organization for ages 4-16. The league is governed by regulations of Babe Ruth League, Inc. This includes Cal Ripken Baseball (a division of Babe Ruth League, Inc.) GFYBA offers 3 programs: Local Daytime Baseball, Local Nighttime Baseball, Travel Baseball.

FAQ: My player is playing Daytime baseball, what equipment do I need to purchase for him?

Glove, Cleats (rubber), Gray pants(league games and practice), belt (royal blue), helmet(royal blue), socks (royal blue). It's also recommended that all players have their own baseball backpack, bat, and batting gloves. 

FAQ: My player is playing local Nighttime baseball, what equipment do I need to purchase for him?

Glove, Cleats (rubber), Gray pants(league games and practice), belt (royal blue), helmet(royal blue), socks (royal blue). It's also recommended that all players have their own baseball backpack, bat, and batting gloves. 

FAQ: My player is playing travel baseball, what equipment do I need to purchase for him?

Glove, Cleats (rubber), Gray pants(league games and practice), belt (royal blue), helmet(royal blue), socks (royal blue). It's also recommended that all players have their own baseball backpack, bat, and batting gloves. 

FAQ: Can my player play during the daytime program and nighttime?

Yes, player are encouraged to do this. Ages 4u-13u can play in both programs. Schedules will not conflict.

FAQ: Can my player player play travel and night-time local league?  

For ages 4u-8u the answer is no because we don’t offer travel teams for these ages. For ages 9/10 the answer is yes because all 9/10u players are required to play night-time local league if they are with a travel team. For ages 11u-16u, the answer is no because these age groups have to choose one or the other as schedules will conflict. 

 

FAQ: What happed to the Grand Forks Park District baseball program?

The Grand Forks Park District baseball program is no longer available. GFYBA will now be offering all daytime baseball in Grand Forks. GFYBA is excited to offer a quality program for all players in the Grand Forks area. 

FAQ: When does registration begin?

Registration typically begins at the beginning of January.  We will send out email reminders, post on the web page (www.gfbaseball.com), social media and will advertise in other various venues reminding everyone of registration. To register, simply click the link on the front page of the website and follow the instructions.  

FAQ: When does registration end?

Registration typically closing dates is typically 1 week prior the season begins.  If someone wishes to register after registration closes because of a special circumstance, they should contact schauerpower15@gmai.com or jerods1@gra.midco.net

FAQ: How can I register?

There will be a link on the website (www.gfbaseball.com)

FAQ: Do you take Credit/Debit Cards?

Yes, during the registration process you can pay with credit/debit cards.

FAQ: Is there an option for Travel/Tournament Baseball?

Yes, travel teams do exist.  All players are eligible to tryout for a tournament team.  

FAQ: What age is my player considered?  

Age will be based on the player’s age on April 30 of that season.

FAQ: How are Local League teams different from Tournament/Travel Baseball teams?

Local league teams will consist of 2 days of baseball per week (typically 1 game night & 1 practice night, but schedules may differ slightly from week to week). Travel teams play 3-5 days(total) a week.  9/10u players play on both a travel team and a local league team. Players that make  AAA/AA teams ages 11-15 are WILL NOT play in the local league. If there is interest and a coach willing to organize, a coach can organize a travel team of local players and play in some extra tournaments. We call this A level travel Ball  Players that play A level travel team and will also be on a local league team . All players playing A level teams need to be registered and are not allowed to play in state tournaments.

 

We hope to have 2 teams per age group (two AA teams for 9u, AAA and AA for 10u-15u), which means most players interested in participating in a tournament/travel team will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

For players ages 9 and 10,  these teams will practice and play games 1-3 additional days per week (3-5 total days of baseball per week if you count local league and travel together). 

11u-15u travel/tournament teams will practice or play games 4-5 times per week. 

FAQ: What is an A level travel team?

The state of North Dakota Babe Ruth/ Cal Ripken offers state tournaments for both AAA teams and AA teams 9-12u. 13-15u teams only have an AAA tournament.  In efforts to provide travel opportunities and find appropriate competition for each team,  A level teams will play games during the week and partake in tournaments with other teams not playing in State tournaments. These are sometimes called NIT tournaments. 

FAQ: How much does it cost to register and play?

2026 Fees

4u-7u Daytime	8-13u Daytime	4u-7u Night-time	8u-16u Night-Time	Travel 11u-14u	Travel 9/10u(additional fee)
$125	$125	$150	$300	$650	$250

 

*9/10u players will pay the $300 night-time registration combined with the travel fee for a total of $550 

FAQ: Is there any way to lower the cost of membership fees?

Yes, if you meet certain guidelines the opportunity exists for reduced registration fees.  E-mail jerods1@gra.midco.net   or schauerpower15@gmail.com 

FAQ: Is there an opportunity to become a sponsor?

Yes, we are always looking for local sponsors.  When you register your child there will be an option to express an interest in becoming a sponsor, and you will be contacted shortly after.  

Here is our 2026 Sponsorship Opportunity Flyer

You can also contact us at jerods1@gra.midco.net or schauerpower15@gmail.com

 

FAQ: What if my son doesn’t want to play after signing up?

Full refunds will be granted if the request is made before the creation of league teams.  Other requests made after this date will not be granted, except for a player having unexpected medical reason(s). However, if your player has received a hat, we will deduct the that price off the refund.

FAQ: Will my son be guaranteed a spot on a local league team?

Any player registered before the registration deadline will be guaranteed a spot on a local league team.  Any player registered after the deadline will go on a waiting list and may be placed on a team if any teams need additional players.

FAQ: How are local league teams determined?

There will be at least one evaluation per player.  Teams will be put together by the league coordinator. 

FAQ: How are tournament/travel teams determined? 

For ages 10-14, there will be a tryout. These tryouts will be held in March. 9u teams will be evaluated in mid May. Exact tryout dates will be communicated via email and posted on gfschools.org.  

Please review GFYBA Policy and Procedures Manual Here

FAQ: When does the local league season begin and end?

Daytime Baseball will start the first week of June and end in late July

Nighttime Local Baseball will start inside at the Gambucci arena and will end within a couple weeks after the 4th of July.

Travel Baseball will start in mid March and the state tournaments are the very last weekend in July. 

FAQ: How many games will teams play?

Daytime baseball will play many 15-25 games

Local Night-time teams will typically play 10-15 longer competitive games 

11-14u Travel Teams will play 30-40 games and 9/10 will play 20-30 games in addition to their local league games.

FAQ: What day(s) will league teams practice and play games?

4u-7u Daytime	8u Daytime	9u-13 Daytime	4u-16u Nighttime	Travel 11u-14u	Travel 9/10u
Tues, Thurs	Mon, Wed, Thurs	Mon, Tues, Wed	Mon, Wed	Varies	Tues, Thurs, Weekends

 

League games will start the first week of May, or as the weather cooperates.   

FAQ: What are the Bat Rules?

For any Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth sanctioned event, As of January 1, 2018, new USA Baseball Bat Standards were implemented. ALL bats MUST have the USA Baseball logo on them to be legal. If it has that logo on it, it is legal; if not, it is illegal.  BBCor bats are legal for 13-15 year olds. For more information on the USABat standard and a complete list of bats approved through the USABat Standard, visit usabat.com

Travel Teams may be allowed to use USSSA bats depending on the tournament. 

FAQ: How do we know if a game or practice is rained out or canceled?

E-mail will be sent out for all cancellations. You can also find it on our Facebook page.  Announcements are made by 4 PM. After 4 PM, decisions will be made by the league coordinators at the field. If no announcement has been made, then assume games/practices are still on.

FAQ: What equipment do I need to provide for my player?

Each player will receive a uniform jersey and hat.  Each team will have a bucket of practice balls, game balls, catchers equipment, and a first aid kit. Players will need to provide their own glove, baseball helmet, baseball shoes, baseball pants, and socks.  

FAQ: What are the playing rules for each age group?

Playing rules differ for each age group. Rules can be found on each leagues home page at gfbaseball.com.

• 8-10u year olds play on 60 foot base paths and a mound of 46 feet.  Players pitch.  No leading off.  Players may steal after the ball crosses the plate.

• 11-12 year olds play on 70 foot base paths and a mound of 50 feet.  Players pitch.  Regular baseball with balks, leading off and stealing whenever can be allowed depending on the league and player development. 

• 13-15 year olds play on 90 foot base paths and a mound of 60 feet 6 inches.  Players pitch.  Regular baseball rules, leading off and stealing whenever is allowed.  There are some modified rules as described in the league rule sheet. 

FAQ: What if I have a complaint about a coach, player, parent and/or official?

All complaints are always considered serious and should be reported to the Grand Forks Youth Baseball Association. For most complaints, please abide by the 24 hour rule. NEVER approach a coach/player/parent/league official or umpire during or shortly after the incident. Please contact the association via email (jerods1@gra.midco.net  or schauerpower15@gmail.com). Again, we ask that everyone wait 24 hours prior to submitting or lodging a complaint.

FAQ: What if I lost my baseball hat?

Additional hats can be purchased.  Contact us at (jerods1@gra.midco.net  or schauerpower15@gmail.com)or ask your league coordinator.