Tryouts for the *2024 Bettendorf Baseball Club (BBC) weekend tournament teams at all ages (8-under to 14-under) are *Saturday, July 22 at Saldivar Field at Devils Glen Park.

In case of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, July 23 at the same place and times.

The tryout sessions will follow this time schedule: 8 to approx. 9:30 a.m. (8-under to 10-under); 10:30 a.m. to approx. noon (11-under and 12-under); and 1 p.m. to approx. 2:30 p.m. (13-under and 14-under).

The tryouts are conducted by the *Bettendorf High School baseball coaching staff and players*.

Plan to report to Devils Glen Park 30 minutes prior to your tryout session. The park’s entrance is at 1101 Devils Glen Road. The map is located at this link: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5351507,-90.4786314,679m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

To qualify for any of those teams, players must be students of the Bettendorf Community School District or plan to enroll in Bettendorf High School (or any of its feeder schools). 

To determine age groups, players can not be older than the age listed (8-under, 9-under, 10-under, etc.) as of May 1, 2024.

However, USSSA baseball rules do offer these exceptions:

— A player can still play at 8-U if they turn 9 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 2nd grade AND don’t turn 10 prior to August 1, 2024

— A player can still play at 9-U if they turn 10 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 3rd grade AND don’t turn 11 prior to August 1, 2024

— A player can still play at 10-U if they turn 11 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 4th grade AND don’t turn 12 prior to August 1, 2024

— A player can still play at 11-U if they turn 12 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 5th grade AND don’t turn 13 prior to August 1, 2024

— A player can still play at 12-U if they turn 13 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 6th grade AND don’t turn 14 prior to August 1, 2024

— A player can still play at 13-U if they turn 14 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 7th grade AND don’t turn 15 prior to August 1, 2024

— A player can still play at 14-U if they turn 15 prior to May 1, 2024 AND they are in the 8th grade AND don’t turn 16 prior to August 1, 2024

WHAT IS THE BBC?

In 2020, *Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth Baseball (BPV) began a new partnership with the Bettendorf High School baseball program* called the *Bettendorf Baseball Club (BBC)*.

The idea was simple: Make BHS and BPV baseball both better by helping turn the BPV players attending Bettendorf Community Schools into the next BHS players.

A key goal was for players to form closer bonds — and promote improved team chemistry — from the current model of players never playing with each other until they make one of the high school teams. The BHS coaches also wanted to invest their time in helping instruct players at the lower levels to learn to become great Bulldogs some day,

A 12-U team was formed for the 2021 season, and continues playing today at the 14-U level, successfully mixing weeknight play and practices in the BPV with action in select weekend travel tournaments.

A 10-U team was started last summer following the same model — at least one weeknight game in BPV, practices on BPV diamonds and action in weekend tournaments (schedule determined by the team’s coaches and families). 

The upcoming tryouts are the next step to expanding the program to additional age levels.

PLEASE NOTE: The BBC is specifically for current Bettendorf Community Schools students and their families or students/families intending to enroll at Bettendorf High School! Separate BPV tournament teams for Pleasant Valley (and students from other schools feeding into BPV) also are offered but unaffiliated with a high school program at this time (we share those tryout details when available and as teams are forming!)

If interested playing for the BBC? 

PLEASE FILL OUT THE TRYOUT FORM: *https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WvuBdDq2pcFPMezlauyeu8czSboWY1QRdMAqmyBPCSA/prefill*

The BBC is committed to building a quality organization with well-led teams that will cultivate future BHS Bulldog baseball players and confident, responsible, hardworking young men.

BBC teams develop both by playing at their current age level in weekend USSSA tournaments and by “playing up” in BPV weeknight games, a combo that fosters well-rounded, multi-position athletes.

BBC players will be eligible for both all regular BPV activities (games, practices, camps, clinics) and unique BBC team activities, including chances to learn from BHS baseball players and coaches.

BBC teams will wear uniforms designed by BHS coaches and BBC board members to reflect the colors and styles of Bettendorf High School Baseball.

While travel baseball normally includes significant costs, the BBC is committed to offering opportunities to players from a broad range of economic backgrounds.

Interested in coaching? Please fill out the attached form and send back in an email to *danesco33@gmail.com* & *tappasteve@gmail.com*.

The document 2023_tournament_team_application.pdf was attached to this post.