SBMSA

The Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association(SBMSA) offers several opportunities for its players to participate in tournament level baseball. The SBMSA teams will compete under the name "Katy Freeway." The Katy Freeway teams will play against other tournament teams formed by many other leagues and organizations from around the Houston area.

Spring/Co-op Baseball Program (Age 13)

The co-op baseball league is a spring league that is affiliated with PONY Baseball, Inc., one of the largest youth baseball organizations in the country. SBMSA typically fields one or more co-op teams in the 13 year old age group.

SBMSA did not form any Katy Freeway co-op teams in the Spring 2005. There were not any Coaches or Players expressing an interest in participating this season.

For more information regarding the formation of Spring Tournament teams, contact: George Garza by email at ggent2001@aol.com.

Summer/Tournament Teams (Ages 13-14)

Katy Freeway baseball is a late spring and summer league that is affiliated with PONY Baseball, Inc., one of the largest youth baseball organizations in the country. PONY sponsors inter-league tournaments throughout the nation for players age 7 to 18. SBMSA typically fields one or more teams in ages 7 through 14.

The Katy Freeway teams are for the more serious and committed players who would like to play spring and summer baseball at a higher level. In order to be eligible, a player must be the required age as of midnight on April 30, 2006, and must be on a SBMSA baseball team for the spring 2006 season. Not every player who tries out will make one of the teams. Teams are selected by the coaches after try-outs. The try-outs do not replace obligations to spring teams. Katy Freeway coaches are selected by the SBMSA Tournament Team Coordinator, after recommendations from commissioners, coaches, and the Senior Baseball Director.

In deciding whether a player should or wants to try out for the teams, players, parents, and coaches should be aware of the following:

• Katy Freeway baseball is more competitive than SBMSA spring league play.
• Players should participate in all of the try out sessions.
• Travel outside of the Spring Branch/Memorial area is required (e.g., Deer Park, LaPorte, Katy, Kingwood, Cy-Fair, Humble, etc.).
• Practices are more frequent and more intense.
• Tournament games take place from June 1 through July 15 (or later), so players must be available during this entire time period .
• If a player misses games or practices, it may affect his or her playing time and/or position.
• Because of the higher level of play, a player may not play the same position as in the spring league and may not play every inning of every game.
• There will be an additional fee to cover the cost of uniforms and tournament entry fees.
• All players will need a certified copy of your child's birth certificate (prior to the games).
• Try-outs for the summer tournament teams will be held in the late spring, near the end of, or immediately after, the SBMSA spring season. Specific dates will be posted later.

For more information regarding summer tournament baseball, contact: George Garza by email at ggent2001@aol.com.