16U league (15-16 years old)

16U league baseball is played under Little League rules. Auckland Baseball enters a team to qualify for New Zealand's place in the Little League World Series Asia Zone Qualifier.

Games are played on a senior diamond with 90’ base-paths and a 60’6" pitching distance. Many of the players at this age have played through the younger league grades, but we also get new players joining all the time. These new players are taught the skills and soon learn the game.

16U league is a competition grade under Auckland Baseball Association – this means that games are scored and results tracked on My Ball Club.

Pre-Season

Pre-Season training begins mid-September

Season

The season starts late October (after Labour Weekend) and runs until March. There is a break in the season over Christmas.

Age

For the 2023/2024 season players who will turn 17 after 31 August 2023 are eligible to play Senior league baseball.

Example #1 - the child will turn 17 on 28 August 2023, they must register for the 19U league grade
Example #2 - the child will turn 17 on 13 October 2023, they are eligible for the 16U league grade

Safety

Many of the rules of baseball, particularly at the younger age groups are focused on player safety. Senior league umpires will enforce these rules to ensure player safety.

Gear

At Senior league, players are provided with a club jersey for games, which must be returned at the end of the season, and a hat they can keep.

Players will need to provide the following equipment - see the guys at the Fieldhouse - 57 Ben Lomond Crescent, Pakuranga

Pants – white baseball pants
Glove – players will need their own baseball glove, at this age group many players will want a glove that reflects their preferred playing position, such as a smaller infielders glove, larger outfielders glove or first baseman's mitt.
Shoes – at U16, most players wear baseball cleats, although they are not compulsory.
Male players require a box / athletic protector - Auckland and New Zealand baseball rules require every male player to wear a box / athletic support.
Optional – some players like to have their own bats, helmets or catchers gear. This is fine as long as it is suitable for the game – your coach will be able to advise on this. Please check first as equipment such as softball bats will not be allowed in the game.

All other gear is provided by the club, including bats, batting helmets, catchers gear, balls etc.

Games

Our home games are played on the No1 or No2 diamond at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga. 16U League games are held on Saturday mornings and typically start at 9am. Away games will be played during the season at other clubs with 16U league teams, such as:

Counties – based at Karaka Sports Complex, Karaka
Bayside Westhaven – based at Crossfield Domain, Glendowie
Central City – based at War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill
West City – based at McLeod Park, Te Atatu
Waitakere Bears – based at Starling Park, Waitakere
North Shore – based at Stafford Park, Northcote
Orewa – based at Victor Eaves Park, Orewa