PURPOSE

Evaluations This year, LBA has partnered with independent evaluators at Prospect Baseball to offer a seamless and impartial evaluation process! Learn more about Prospect Baseball and their experienced coaching staff here.

From 9U (Atom) to 18U (Midget), LBA participates in two levels of baseball, A and B, with A generally representing a higher level of competition. Both levels play in the Lac Saint Louis Baseball League which includes all associations within the Baseball Quebec's Region of Lac Saint Louis.

At both levels, players are evaluated over several sessions, in many skills categories
  • speed
  • power
  • hitting
  • fielding
  • arm strength
The evaluation process is likely to begin in March starting with the A level tryouts. indoors, then move outdoors for the remainder of the evaluation.

Why do we have tryouts?

Lakeshore conducts tryout sessions to provide player assessments each season and to determine which players will be placed on each age groups “A” teams. There are enough players to have multiple teams at each level and they are divided per ability to maximize the potential for each player and each team to improve and have a successful season. The goal of our assessments is to provide the best opportunity for all players to further develop their baseball skills.

It is most common that a player with no prior baseball experience, and no supplemental training is ultimately most appropriate for the B level. Having said this, there are several examples in the younger ages groups of players jumping straight to the A level.

Our recommendation is that if you are not sure of your child's level of play that you should register and attend the A level tryouts. There will be players of many skill and experience levels at the first tryout. From there, parents and players can make the determination of their comfort level and decide if they should proceed with the A level tryout path. Any parent or player that decides to opt out of the A level tryout path after the first tryout will have their tryout fee refunded. The tryouts will allow a player to be properly assessed for the A level team. Not all players will make the A team. If a player finds out that they have not made the A team, they are invited to attend the B level evaluations. We strongly encourage attendance at the B level evaluations so that we can evaluate all B level players and make well balanced teams.

What does this all mean?


Every parent has questions such as
  • Why should my son or daughter sign up if this is their first year in Atom or some other Division
  • My son or daughter is playing B for fun. Why should they attend?
  • If I have registered them for the Rally Cap program, should they participate?
  • What are the details?
The answer to these and other questions are below.

First, here are the top line details for Spring Training including the A Level Tryouts and B Level Evaluations
  • Who: Open to all players registered from 9U (Atom) to 18U (Midget)
  • What: 6 sessions in total with 3 guaranteed indoor sessions. Sessions will move outside depending on the weather.
  • When: 1 session per week from March 18th until the end of April. The LBA website will have the specific dates and times for each age group.
  • Where: Indoor sessions will be held at Club CDL, 8305 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent. Outdoor sessions will be held at local parks in Kirkland and Beaconsfield. Details will be on the LBA website.
  • Why: Evaluate the players for either A or B level Team over 3-6 sessions covering hitting, throwing, fielding along with power and arm strength.
  • How: LBA has partnered with independent evaluators at Prospect Baseball to offer a seamless and impartial evaluation process.
  • How much: The cost is $50 and is payable before the first session, regardless of how many sessions you attend.
Here are the answers to the most common questions LBA receives about Spring Training and why you should consider registering your son or daughter.

Who should consider participating?

If you have signed up for any of the Divisions such as Atom, Mosquito, Peewee, etc you should consider participating. It does not matter if it is your child’s first year at the level. They will benefit from the feedback and evaluation in order to have a great baseball session independent of what level they decide they want to play.

If you have signed up for a Rally Cap Program such as T-Ball or Pitching Machine, you will have to wait until your child is ready for 9U (Atom).

Why should my son or daughter participate?

Spring Training is a great way to get ready for the season and shake the rust off of their hitting, throwing and catching skills. There are 3 guaranteed indoor sessions and 3 outdoor sessions from March 18th through the end of April where they can get back into the swing of baseball. In addition, it provides an opportunity for a running start to the season when team practices and games begin in May. For hitters, that means their first single or double comes sooner. As a pitcher, striking out that first batter or as a fielder, catching the ball and getting the out at first, sets the stage for a fun season during the first game! They will also see all their friends, make new friends and you get to meet the coaches.

My son or daughter is playing B for fun. Why should they attend?

Short answer, so that they have fun from the first practice through their first game and beyond.

Even though A Tryouts are a key part of Spring Training, the B level evaluations are equally important. They enable the coaches to understand each player’s skill level so that they can support them in practices and set them up for success during the games. Seeing old friends, meeting new ones is also an important part of having a great baseball season. Finally, it gets them out of the house on the weekend for 2 hours, exercising and burning energy (and potentially away from the electronics)!

Why should my son or daughter sign up if this is their first year in Atom or some other Division? Shouldn’t they play B this year and try out for A next year?

This is a great question which many parents have. This is a common approach and the answer depends on your childs’ current skills along with what they want to get out of baseball. The main objective of Spring Training is to get ready for the season and shake the rust off of their hitting, throwing and catching skills. With 3 guaranteed indoor sessions and 3 outdoor sessions from March 18th through the end of April, both you, your child and the coaches will see how they have developed since the end of the last season. As all children develop at different speeds, the independent evaluations by Prospect Baseball, will allow you and the coaches to see at which level they should play where they can get the most out of the 2023 Season.

Who are the evaluators? Who gets the feedback?

Prospect Baseball is led by Frederic Majeur. Known simply as Coach Fred, he is a well known friendly face on ball fields throughout Quebec. Coach Fred has over 15 years of coaching experience and been technical director for local associations and AA level baseball for over 10 years. He, in conjunction with his team and the LBA coaches, assesses each player during the 3 indoor and 3 outdoor sessions. The players will get feedback from the appropriate A coach based on a combined feedback of all evaluators. Upon request, parents can also get the feedback.

Aren’t A Teams already determined based on last year’s team? If the players were selected last year, isn't it automatic that they make the A team?

No, A teams are reselected each year based on who attends Spring Training and the evaluations. Within each A group, there are 2 year groups. Midget is the only exception as it has 3 year groups (16, 17 and 18). Every year, the oldest year group moves up to the next Division. The remaining players along with the players from the lower Division that move up are re-assessed and are selected for the team from those that attend Spring Training. A player can decide not to play A level if they want after being selected. In addition, there are players that try out for AA within the region. If they do not make the AA team, they are evaluated for the A team during the try outs.

So please take a moment to consider signing up for the