Here's a quick reference to help you and your player learn more about each program an which is right for your family.
TRAVEL BASEBALL |
MINI-MILLERS |
|
---|---|---|
Events per week | 3-6 | 2-3 |
Events per season | Approximately 30 practices and 30 games although a busy and successful team could play 50 games | Approximately 15 practices and 18 games |
Skill level |
Skill level ascends A, AA, AAA |
Focus is on developmental play |
Team formation | Attempt to place players at appropriate skill level | Attempt to create equal teams |
Tryouts? | Yes - not all will make a team, although 9U and 10U players will be offered a Mini Millers spot | No - all who register will play. The optional Mighty Minis tournament team is selected through evaluations |
Age Range | Open to players 9-15 years old (teams are broken up by age) | Open to 1st - 4th graders (we follow the 10U birthday cutoff for older Minis) |
Summer weekend activity | Many weekends will have games, tournaments, or practice | Limited |
Travel | Away games and tournaments in suburbs, possibly one out-of-town tournament (Mankato, Rochester, etc) | All games played at Minneapolis parks |
Costs |
Last year's fees: 10U - $435+ $50 tryout fee 11U $485+tryout fee. Possible add-on costs for extra tournaments, training, equipment |
Last year's fees: $150 + $25 evaluation fee, extra fees unlikely |
The birthday cutoff for determining age group is April 30, which is in line with national standards. However, players born between May 1 and August 31 have the option of “playing up”, as MYBA recognizes the April 30 cutoff prevents players born in this range from playing with their classmates. If you choose to play up, you cannot waiver back down after the teams are selected. Age groups for the 2021 season can be found at the following link: 2023 Age Groups
Tryouts for Minneapolis Millers Travel Teams are now closed (3/11/23).
Tryout scores are based on mechanics and fundamentals more than pure results. For example, a player who tracks a fly ball perfectly and then drops it will likely receive a better score than a player who struggles to track the ball, and then makes a lucky diving grab.
Check-in and Warm Ups - Tryouts are closed to spectators and player check-in / drop-off will be to the right as you enter the building. Once your player has been checked in, please plan to leave the field for the duration of their tryout. Check-in will open 30 minutes prior to the start of tryouts.
Attire - Players should wear baseball appropriate clothing, including full length pants (no shorts). Tryouts are the few days each year we ask players to not wear Millers gear. We ask that returning players not wear attire that has a MYBA logo on it, including baseball caps, jersey, etc... To minimize bias, your child will not be permitted to wear any piece of their Millers uniform, or a shirt with their name on it. Please bring clean, dry shoes-outside footwear and cleats are not allowed on turf.
Equipment - Each player should have their own bat, helmet, glove and water bottle. Male players are required to wear a protective cup. If your family does not have a full set of baseball equipment, please contact registrar@mplsmillers.org ASAP to request borrowing gear. Catchers who have their own gear should bring it to Round 2 tryouts. We will have additional sets of catcher’s gear to use at tryouts for those who indicate an interest in catching.
Pandemic Play – If your player is ill or has cold / flu-like symptoms please keep them home. In addition, if your player is awaiting test results due to COVID exposure or has recently tested positive and is still self-isolating, they should not attend tryouts. Contact registrar@mplsmillers.org if your player will be missing tryouts due to illness.
9U-Players must be 9 years old or in 3rd grade.
10U-Players must be 10 years old or in 4th grade
11U-Players must be 11 years old or in 5th grade
Use this link to access our 2023 Fees schedule.
Please note that scholarships are available, and can be requested via the registration process.