Our decision to participate in both Divisions was based on striking a balance between more instructional focused baseball versus a more competitive brand of baseball with a more challenging set of rules and taking into consideration our strong program, and the depth of talent across our organization.

In general, the PYL American Division is more competitive, and teams will play a more advanced set of baseball rules in each age group and focus on a higher degree of competitiveness than in the PYL National Division. For example, (i) the introduction of leads, base stealing, pick-off moves, and reduction from four outfielders to three will occur at an earlier age in PYL American than in PYL National.

The PYL American Division also permits the double-rostering of a limited number of travel and tournament players onto its rosters with those players being subject to certain pitching restrictions. Double rostering of PYL National players onto PYL American teams is permitted and will be done at the discretion of the Lower Mac Baseball coaches based on team needs.

Spring 2024 Refund Policy

No full refund requests will be honored after 2/25/2024 as uniforms, hats, and field supplies are ordered. No refunds will be given after 3/15/2024.

PROGRAM GOALS

Baseball Program Goals

Lower Macungie Youth Association Baseball sponsors a comprehensive program that provides a positive baseball learning experience and recognizes the diverse interests of the participants. The program is designed to teach the game in a progressive manner while highlighting the benefits of physical activity.

Skill development is the primary focus at an early age. This focus continues as players progress up through the various levels of competition. There are different competitive levels offered to accommodate the interest and dedication of the individual player. Please review the Player / Participation page for more details.

Teams and Leagues by Age / Grade Level

2024 Spring Travel Program

The Travel program is the most competitive of the Lower Mac baseball programs. Players who participate in Travel teams are selected according to their relative performance during a series of structured evaluations that take place during that weekend in March. Players are evaluated by experienced coaches and coordinators within the Lower Mac Baseball program on hitting, infield, and outfield fielding and throwing. Pitching and catching tryouts are conducted for players interested in those positions. Players that do not make a Travel Team are placed in the Intramural Program at the appropriate age/grade level.

Practices begin in March immediately after the teams are selected, weather permitting. These teams require full commitment from the players and parents. All players selected to a Travel team must make baseball their primary sport and Lower Mac Travel teams their primary team commitment for the season, for both practices and games.

Lehigh Valley Little Baseball League

The Lehigh Valley Baseball League is a highly competitive brand of baseball, with teams composed of youth organizations from Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Biddy Team

Head Coach: Herbie Kinney ([email protected])

Eligibility: Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade (cannot turn 11 before 1 May)

Practices: begin mid-March after tryouts; commitment is 3-5 days per week between practice and games

Games: begin late April and end mid-July; 16-18 games schedule established by the LVLBL Baseball organization

Fields: Quarry 4 for home games; travel within the Lehigh Valley for away games

Diamond: 60' bases; 44' from the mound to plate

Midget Team

Head Coach: Tony Viola ([email protected])

Eligibility: 11 and 12 years old (must turn 11 prior to 1 May; cannot turn 13 prior to 1 May)

Practices: begin mid-March after tryouts; commitment is 3-5 days per week between practice and games

Games: begin late April and end mid-July; 16-18 game schedule established by LVLBL Baseball organization

Fields: Quarry 4 for home games; travel within the Lehigh Valley for away games

Diamond: 70' bases; 48' from the mound to plate

Junior Connie Mac Team

Head Coach: Zane Kershner

Eligibility: 13 and 14 years old (must turn 13 prior to 1 May; cannot turn 15 prior to 1 May)

Practices: begin mid-March after tryouts; commitment is 3-5 days per week between practice and games

Games: begin early May and end late July; 16-18 game schedule established by Junior Connie Mac Baseball organization

Fields: East Texas for home games; travel within the Lehigh Valley for away games

Diamond: 90' bases; 60' 6" from the mound to plate

Lehigh Valley Junior Legion Baseball League

Head Coaches: Chris Saylor ([email protected])

Eligibility: This is done by birth year. 2008-2010

Practices: limited; depends on # of high school players on the roster; commitment is 3-6 days per week between practice and games

Games: The season starts after HS season is over (mid/late May) and ends mid-July or early August (playoffs); 18-22 game schedule

Fields: Church Lane High School Field for home games; travel within Berks County for away games

Diamond: 90' bases; 60' 6" from the mound to plate

Lehigh Valley Senior Legion Baseball League

Coordinator: Jeff Smith ([email protected])

Eligibility: Birth Year 2005-2007

Practices: limited; depends on # of high school players on the roster; commitment is 3-6 days per week between practice and games

Games: The season starts after HS season is over (mid/late May) and ends late July or early August (playoffs); 18-22 game schedule

Fields: Church Lane High School Field for home games; travel within the Lehigh Valley for away games

Diamond: 90' bases; 60' 6" from the mound to plate

The LV Senior Legion League has residency restrictions that determine whether players are eligible to play for Emmaus Baseball or Lower Mac Baseball teams. These restrictions are revised, based on the outcome of the most recent US census, to reflect the changing population concentration within the region. As of 2012, Senior Legion players who reside in the Boroughs of Emmaus, Alburtis, and Macungie must register for the Emmaus Travel program (this residency restriction is specific to Borough boundaries, and not mailing addresses). If you reside elsewhere within the East Penn School District, you must register for the Lower Mac Baseball program. Each program will conduct its team try-outs and players released from one program may become eligible to join the other program irrespective of residency.

Update from Coach Smith

Players that are turning 19 after January 1, 2024 must have played legion last season in order to remain eligible.

New players to legion will be allowed to provide a valid driver license. Note that returning players will not need any verification as they were assigned Legion ID cards their first year.

2024 Spring Intramural Program

The Lower Mac Intramural program is focused on continuing to enhance baseball skills while introducing competition and teamwork. Skill development includes familiarizing the player with the fundamental aspects of the game, including fielding different positions, hitting, pitching, catching, and base running. The Lower Mac Intramural program begins in third grade and extends through high school. The Intramural program is competitive baseball, but less competitive than the Travel program.

Parkland Youth Leagues (PYL)

Intramural teams compete in the Parkland Youth League (PYL). Within the Parkland Youth League, we field teams in the American and National Divisions. The American Division is more competitive baseball than the National Division, with slightly more advanced rules regarding pitching, base-stealing, and outfield play. PYL American division players will be selected according to how the players rank in the spring evaluations. The remaining players will be selected for PYL National Division teams.

PYL Biddy

In the first three years of Intramural program eligibility (3^rd, 4^th, 5^th grades) Lower Mac baseball offers players an option of participating in one of three different leagues. The PYL Biddy American and National divisions are part of our Intramural program, while the LVLBL Biddy League is part of our Travel program (more details about the LVLBL Biddy League are found below under the Travel Program).

PYL Division: American and National
Coordinator: Lucas Haughney ([email protected])
Coaches: TBA after registration

Eligibility: Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade (if 10 years old before May 1, 2024)
Practices: Begin early April
Games: Begin late April
Diamond: 60' bases; 44' from the mound to plate
Home Field: Church Small or Quarry 2
Away Fields: travel within Lehigh County for away games

The number of Lower Mac teams competing in the PYL American and PYL National Divisions is dependent upon the number of players signed up for Biddy-level ball, but generally, we field one to two teams in the PYL American division and the balance play in the National division. Player evaluations are conducted to assess players' abilities and attempt to identify PYL American division players who are best able to compete in a league with more advanced rules, from players we determine as being better served in the PYL National division for further skill development or safety concerns. Players not selected for PYL American will automatically be assigned to PYL National.

MOVING FROM BIDDY BASEBALL TO MIDGET BASEBALL: ELIGIBILITY DETAILS

As players move into and beyond fifth grade, the criteria for eligibility changes from grade-based to age-based to comply with the age-based date of May 1, 2024, dictated by the PYL and Lehigh Valley Little Baseball (LVLBL) Leagues. The switch from grade-based to age-based eligibility criteria impacts players as they move from Biddy (8-10 yr old) to Midget (11-12 yr old). Biddy players will participate at these levels for either two or three years depending upon their 11th birthday. Players turning 11 before May 1, 2024, are only eligible for Midget baseball; players turning 11 after 1 May are only eligible for Biddy baseball and return to either the PYL or LVLBL Leagues for the third year.

PYL Midget

PYL Division: American and National
Coordinator: Herbie Kinney ([email protected])
Coaches: TBA
Eligibility: 11 and 12 years old (must turn 11 prior to May 1, 2024; cannot turn 13 prior to May 1, 2024)
Practices: Begin early April
Games: Begin late April
Fields: Quarry 3 or Quarry 4
Diamond: 70' bases; 48' from the mound to plate

PYL Knee Hi

PYL Division: American and National

Coordinator: Andrew Tillinghast ([email protected])
PYL Head Coaches: To Be Announced
Eligibility: 13, 14, and 15 years old (must turn 13 prior to May 1, 2024; cannot turn 16 prior to May 1, 2024)
Practices: Begin early April
Games: Begin late April
Fields: Quarry 1, Church Large, Church HS, and East Texas
NL Diamond: 80' bases; 54' from the mound to plate

AL Diamond: 90' bases; 60' from the mound to plate

[PYL] Majors Level

Division: Majors

Coordinator: TBD
PYL Head Coach: TBA
Eligibility: 16, 17, and 18 years old
Practices: Begin early April
Games: Begin late April
Fields: East Texas Large
Diamond: 90' bases; 60' 6" from the mound to plate

Spring 2024 Instructional Program

The Lower Mac Instructional program is a player’s opportunity to play organized baseball in the Spring. The program usually consists of three leagues: Pee Wee (for kindergartners), Coaches Pitch (for first graders), and Grasshopper (for second graders). The primary focus is for the players to have fun while learning the fundamentals of the game.

Depending on registration numbers, instructional levels may have to be combined.

Pee Wee League

Coordinator: Kerry Lehman ([email protected])
Eligibility: Kindergarten Spring 2024

To be eligible to begin to play in the Lower Mac baseball program, players must have turned five years old on or before 12 September 2023, currently be enrolled in kindergarten, and planning to enroll in first grade in the fall of 2024. Players that do not meet these criteria are not eligible to register for baseball this spring.

Practices:  Begins in Mid to Late April
Games:  TBA (times vary from 9A-2P)
Fields:  Schoeneck Field
Diamond: 60' bases; no set distance from the mound to plate

Lower Mac Baseball's philosophy is to start players out batting against live pitching rather than hitting from a tee. While we use the batting tee as an instructional tool, practice and games will be centered on the coach's soft toss pitching to batters from a kneeling position at a comfortable distance from the plate. In the field, the focus is on elementary throwing mechanics and basic fielding.

Coaches Pitch League

Coordinator: Kerry Lehman ([email protected])
Eligibility:  First Grade Spring 2024
Practices:  begin Mid to Late April; one to two days per week
Games:  TBA
Fields:  Schoeneck or Orchard
Diamond: 60' bases; 38'-40' from the mound to plate

Young players' second year is one with a continued focus on the basics of hitting, baserunning, throwing, fielding, and making plays. Coaches continue to pitch to batters, but move back to just in front of the mound and generally throw with increasing speed.

Grasshopper League

Coordinator: Kerry Lehman ([email protected])
Eligibility:  Second Grade Spring 2024
Practices: Start Mid to Late April
Games:  TBA (times vary from 9A-4P)
Fields:  Orchard Field
Diamond: 60' bases; 42' from the mound to plate

Grasshopper League is an important transition year in the Lower Mac Instructional program as baseball changes from coaches pitching to batters (in April and early May) to kids pitching to batters (from mid-May onward). This is also the first year that kids catch behind the plate. Both pitching and catching skills are strongly emphasized during the first six weeks of the season to prepare teams for the kid's pitch portion of the season.

LowerMac Baseball Equipment Information

Lower Mac baseball provides shirts and hats for each player participating in the Instructional and Intramural programs and provides jerseys for Travel Program players. Lower Mac Baseball also provides catching gear, batting helmets, games, and practice baseballs. Players can use their own gear if they prefer to do so. Players will need: (i) their own baseball gloves, (ii) to wear their own baseball pants, (iii) to wear non-metal cleats, and (iv) to wear an athletic supporter with a cup for all practices and games (see individual League guidelines for specific rules).

LOWERMAC BASEBALL BAT REQUIREMENTS and GUIDELINES

In recent seasons most players have begun to use their own baseball bats and as such, these guidelines are provided to assist families in understanding baseball bat regulations, terminology, and what to consider when purchasing a bat.

Baseball bat rules have been evolving over the past few years at all levels of youth baseball, with player safety as the ultimate objective. Bat technology has developed to the point where the speeds at which a hit baseball travels can be excessive and unsafe as deemed by several sanctioning organizations. Lower Mac Baseball has been closely monitoring these developments and adopts the equipment requirements as dictated by the Leagues in which we compete. We understand that there will be some inconvenience and potential cost to families, and we don’t take this lightly, but player safety is an issue we can’t ignore.

The following are the rules regarding bats for the 2024 season. It is important that you identify what division and league the player will play in to know which rule will apply. The bat restrictions typically follow those of the host league, and although they are often similar among travel leagues, they can vary from your local league rules. Your manager will notify you of any variance.

LEAGUE Softball bats are not allowed in any league	MAXIMUM BARREL DIAMETER	MAXIMUM BAT LENGTH	WEIGHT TO LENGTH RATIO (DROP or MINUS)
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Pee Wee	No restrictions	No restrictions	No restrictions
Coach Pitch	No restrictions	No restrictions	No restrictions
Grasshopper	No restrictions	No restrictions	No restrictions
INTRAMURAL PROGRAM [only bats stamped USA or USSSA BPF 1.15 or BBCOR logo are legal]
PYL Biddy	2 3/4 inches max	33 inches	No restrictions
PYL Midget	2 3/4 inches max	33 inches	No restrictions
PYL Knee Hi National & American	2 3/4 inches max	36 inches	no lighter than -8
PYL Knee Hi (American is Optional) Majors	2 5/8 inches max	36 inches	no lighter than -3 - BBCOR only
TRAVEL PROGRAM
BIDDY	No restrictions	No restrictions	No restrictions
MIDGET	No restrictions	No restrictions	No restrictions
KNEE HI	2 3/4 inches	No restrictions	no lighter than -8
CONNIE MACK	2 5/8 inches	36 inches	no lighter than -3
JUNIOR LEGION SENIOR LEGION	WOOD BATS MUST BE USED. BATS MUST MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS LISTED IN RULE 1.10a-c OF THE “OFFICIAL RULES OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.” click here to review MLB Rule 1.10a-c
SENIOR LEGION	2.61 inches	42 inches	Legion approved Composite Bats are allowed - List below

Composite and wood baseball bats are approved for all Leagues except Junior Legion. The Lehigh Valley Little Baseball League has posted a list of banned bats on its website - to review it click here.

Approved Senior Legion bats can be found here.

THE AMERICAN LEGION, DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA
https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/ed73-2667786/Approved_Composite_Bat_List_PA_Americn_Legion_Baseball.pdf

Any bat that is not a single piece of wood with a weight differential of (-3) must meet current NFHS (BBCOR) standards and must be properly marked with the BBCOR logo. The logo must be (one-inch rectangular and located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color to read BBCOR *50). No aluminum or composite bat without the BBCOR logo is legal beginning Jan. 1, 2012. If the bat should have both BESR and BBCOR logos, the bat is legal. Click here for a definition of the bat performance standards.

BAT WEIGHT AND WEIGHT TO LENGTH RATIO

Most bats are measured in inches lengthwise and weighed in ounces, and manufacturers have done a great job in balancing the bat's weight to its length. The weight differential (or drop, or minus) refers to the difference between the length of the bat (in inches) and the weight of the bat (in ounces). It is always shown as a minus number and the higher the weight drop, the lighter the bat (if the length is the same). Many bats have a weight-to-length ratio, often shown as -4, -6, etc.

For example, a 28” bat with a -10 drop weighs 18 oz.
Bats used in the Instructional program often have weight differentials in the -10 to -12 range. As players grow stronger, they generally begin to use heavier bats with a decreasing weight differential.

Selecting weight really depends on two critical factors: the player's strength and hitting style. It also depends to a degree on personal preference in weight and length, so the following are simply guidelines to follow:

Bigger, stronger players generally prefer a heavier bat since they get the benefits of both the heft and swing power
Smaller players with less strength should consider a lighter bat to generate a quicker swing
Younger players, too, should consider that a lighter bat increases control: great for singles hitters, while also reducing the risk of injury

FIELDS

Orchard Field: From Route 100 turn onto Schoeneck Road. Follow through the industrial complex. Go straight through the stop sign, cross over the railroad tracks. Make a left onto Scenic View Road. This baseball field is nearer to Orchard Drive on Scenic View Road (by the playground).

Schoeneck Field: From Route 100 turn onto Schoeneck Road. Follow through the industrial complex. Go straight through the stop sign, cross over the railroad tracks. Make a left onto Scenic View Road. nearer Schoeneck Road on Scenic View Road (farther west).

Church Lane Small: From Route 100 South, crossover Route 222 heading towards Macungie. Make a left onto Church Lane just passed the church. In approximately 1 mile field will be on your right hand side.

Church Lane Large: From Route 100 South, crossover Route 222 heading towards Macungie. Make a left onto Church Lane just passed the church. In approximately 1.5 miles, make a right onto Oak Drive. Make the first right in approximately 150 feet onto Walnut Lane. Make the next right onto Laurel Lane and then the next right onto Heather Road. Make the second right into the park entrance.

Quarry Lane Complex: From Route 100, turn onto Quarry Road. Follow Quarry Road for approximately 0.7 mile. Quarry Lane Complex will be on your right hand side. Field #1 is first field along Quarry Road, Field #2 is just below the pavillon, Field #3 is the next field that is set on the right hand side of the lower parking lot, Field #4 is on the left of the lower parking lot the furthest field back in the complex.

East Texas Large Field: From the Route 222 South Bypass, turn onto Brookside Road South. (Wawa will be at the intersection). At the second traffic light make a right hand turn on to East Texas Road. Continue approximately 0.5 mile. Field will be on the right immediately after a small little white church / community center.

TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT

Coaching Clinics/Instruction

Coaching clinics are available to coordinate instruction and improve skill development at all levels within the baseball program

Those interested in enhanced coaching training should contact Chuck Evans

Camps/Clinics

Emmaus Baseball Camp

Lehigh University Camp

IronPigs Baseball Camp

DeSales Baseball Camp

Websites of Interest

Coaching Baseball

ADMINISTRATION

Position	Official	Date Elected
Director of Baseball Operations	Chuck Evans	June - 2022

Uniform Coordinator	Chuck Evans	June - 2022
Equipment Coordinator	Chuck Evans	June - 2022

Rookie League Coordinator	Kerry Lehman	Oct - 2023
Coaches-Pitch Coordinator	Kerry Lehman	Oct - 2023
Pee Wee Coordinator	Kerry Lehman	Oct - 2023

PYL Biddy Coordinator	Lucas Haughney	July - 2021
PYL Midget Coordinator	Herbie Kinney	July - 2021
PYL Knee Hi Coordinator	Andrew Tillinghast	Oct - 2023
PYL Majors Coordinator	TBD
LVLBL Travel Program Coordinator	Tony Viola	Jan - 2016
PYL Program Coordinator	Rob Pandolfo	Oct - 2023
8th grade Team Coordinator	Jason Geist	April - 2020

VOLUNTEER

Coaching

Coaching Clinics/Instruction

Coaching clinics are available to coordinate instruction and improve skill development at all levels within the baseball program

Those interested in enhanced coaching training should contact Chuck Evans at [email protected]

Volunteering

Parents interested in volunteering in coaching, administrative assistance or field assistance, please contact Chuck Evans at [email protected]

BASEBALL

CURRENT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

2024 LOWER MAC

Spring Baseball

PROGRAM GOALS

Baseball Program Goals

Teams and Leagues by Age / Grade Level

LowerMac Baseball Equipment Information

FIELDS

TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT

ADMINISTRATION

VOLUNTEER

Coaching

SCHEDULES

TEAMS

Policies

Sponsorship

Volunteer

Contact us