Richmond City Baseball (RCBA) follows BC (Minor) Baseball and Baseball Canada’s Long-term Athlete Development model (LTAD). RCBA programming is based on the LTAD model to and is able to adapt internally as needed and work with our governing body to provide the best programming for grassroots players (4U and up).

The biggest reason heading into 2022, is the belief by many that in order to keep U13 players in the game, those players should be playing by rules and field dimensions that are suited to their skill development as opposed to their age or league affiliation. There's also the belief that by doing this, more players will have the opportunity to try out key positions of the sport - like pitching, catching, infield play - than if put onto diamonds they have no chance of success at. That's a reason for many of the players coming into the game for the first time or for those who perhaps could be "late bloomers" in growing or grasping the game.

Little or no travel. RLL will once again strive to play MOST of their Spring games at either King George Park or Gibbons Field depending on if playing D1 teams (Westside of Vancouver) or D6 Teams (East SIde Of Vancouver and New West) ….. This will be ideal for those athletes that want to play both Baseball and Soccer/Hockey and yet try out another sport as is being highly recommended by almost all sports experts out there on a regular basis….Should enough players schedule allow, we'd then prepare a team for SUMMER ALL-STARS and take a run at going to the LL Provincials under Richmond’s Little League Charter…NOTE: If Richmond didn’t have enough players for their own summer team, we've gotten permission to amalgamate with MAX TWO other associations in District 6 in order to field a team for the Districts providing players have played 60% of scheduled games.. (8 out of 12?).

Opportunity to work with many of Richmond Baseball's Affiliated Partners in trying to improve their skills or enhance their experience.(

For now, perhaps an easier route to BASEBALL BC’s Provincials each year.. Coincidently, the U13AA Provincials are being held in Richmond this year with the U13AAA Provincials possibly also being considered.

Low registration numbers will be targeted each season so kids will get a better chance to develop their skills at the game. Which translates into having “more fun”…. Which translates into them wanting to play season after season... My philosophy is NOT to celebrate how many kids you sign up at 6 years old, BUT how many are still playing into "Adulthood".... We believe we can change the current numbers on that for "Baseball in Richmond", by a considerable number given the opportunity to prove it.

Better chance to develop pitching, catching and hitting skills without any “stealing” concerns…i.e. Arguably, Little League has proven to give pitchers a better chance to develop their skills without having to worry about “holding runners” that nobody is going to throw out anyway…..Same applies to developing catchers at the LL level vs those playing at U13A (or even AA) on a larger field where coaches tend to say "Don't throw" as the runner has already reached 2nd base... LL rules state the runner doesn't leave until the pitch crosses the plate which usually results in at least a throw down to 2nd....At least that's been my observation after being involved in PeeWee baseball for many years and then switching over to LL play in 2018.

Though Little League does allow players to play within their programming in multiple organizations our governing body BC (Minor) Baseball does not allow players to be registered in two different organizations at the same time. RCBA’s biggest concern is player safety and tracking of training and game play. Can you register with RCBA after the Little League season is essentially finished at the end of May each year? YES. RCBA offers the opportunity to register and continue playing. Those who are able to play 50% of RCBA’s spring season can qualify to play summer through the beginning of August.

RCBA programming participation by month as compared to typical Little League association Following information provided by local Little League District at the end of 2016.

Truth be told heading into 2022, I don't think they will if they believe it's the best thing for the development and retention of baseball participants in the sport overall. In years past, they had just put newer or weaker players on to these "Development Teams" that didn't really play anyone - other than themselves or mixed in with Single A players at time. There was really no opportunities for tournament play or perhaps being involved in an All-Star Team in the summer.

It's something we're working on with RCBA in the coming year to see how it works out subject to approval of the baseball participants and their families.

The answer to that one started out pretty simple. After running the “Just Play Ball” program out of King George Park on Richmond’s East side for a couple years, a number of the kids wanted to try their hand at organized baseball. Problem for some of the families, as for many others playing organized sports, was trying to find time to travel to other locations, arranging rides, etc. In talking to South Van Little League, who’s park is 6.2 kms away, they were prepared to 1) Register all the kids for us and 2) Come into Richmond for all of the games to be played. 3) Arrange the entire schedule along with umpires…4) Include the kids in all their ceremonies, etc.

That pretty well made it a “no-brainer” in trying to get the game back on track in East Richmond as was the “goal” at the outset of taking the “Just Play Ball” program into there.

But then after spending my entire coaching career in “B.C. Minor Baseball”, I realized there were plenty of other reasons for kids to play Little League at this point over BC Minor Baseball… Especially in Richmond. That I’ve answered below as a different question.

RCBA is in full control of its internal programming that can adapt year-after-year to our memberships needs. Player development is our biggest concentration of effort. RCBA’s governing body BC (Minor) Baseball’s annual regional workshops offer local associations the opportunity to provide valuable input in programming improvements.

As a member of BC Baseball there are opportunities to play any one of the 52 other associations and 18,000 players in BC. RCBA participates in local “Interlock Leagues” for players 13 years and up. This provides exposure to many skill levels and player development of other associations in spring and summer that is limited elsewhere in programming. This is not limited to just internal or “neighboring districts during the spring.

As of 2022, our goal is to work WITH any and all baseball programs being offered in the Province that gives as maybe ballplayers as possible an opportunity to participate in the sport regardless of their skill level. If we do this at any early enough stage - and the registration numbers allow it and the player development is successful in every regard - we think there's an opportunity there to engage the baseball community at large to consider making the possibility available.

I don't want to say much more than that at this time as there's much work to be done in that regard, and quite frankly, a lot of it has to do with the Strategic Plan being put forth by Baseball BC for the years ahead.

Stay tuned though!!